Document Document Title
US08091365B2 Canted outlet for transition in a gas turbine engine
A transition duct for routing a gas flow from a combustor to the first stage of a turbine section in a combustion turbine engine has an internal passage from an inlet to an outlet. The outlet may include canted sides that reduce formation of damaging vibration in downstream turbine blades caused by downstream wake between adjacent transition ducts and by pressure differentials between adjacent transition ducts that include turning sections.
US08091362B2 Fuel injector sans support/stem
A fuel nozzle is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a heat shield, a fuel tube and a plurality of support members. The support members are radially interposed between the heat shield and the fuel tube. The support members are preferably cylindrical tubes, thus creating voids or pockets between the heat shield and the fuel tube. The cylindrical tubes are connected to one another at a first end are free at an opposed end. As such, the tubes can move or slide relative to one another. Further, the tubes preferably only contact one another with at most line contacts. The fuel nozzle may also include a tip portion that includes a tip heat shield that extends radially outward from the primary heat shield. The tip heat shield defines a cavity that connects with the central cavity of the heat shield. The fuel tube extends through the tip heat shield.
US08091359B2 Exhaust heat recovery for engine heating and exhaust cooling
Various systems and method for heating an engine in a vehicle are described. In one example, intake air flowing in a first direction may be heated via a gas-to-gas heat exchange with exhaust gases. The heated intake air may then be used in a subsequent gas-to-liquid heat exchange to heat a fluid circulating through the engine. In another example, intake air flowing in a second direction may be heated via a heat exchange with exhaust gases in order to cool an exhaust catalyst.
US08091350B2 Exhaust purification apparatus for engine
An exhaust purification apparatus for an engine comprises a selective reduction-type NOx catalyst that is interposed in an exhaust passage of the engine and selectively reduces NOx contained in exhaust gas of the engine, an EGR device that recirculates exhaust gas of the engine to an intake side of the engine, an exhaust-purification-efficiency estimation unit that estimates exhaust purification efficiency of the NOx catalyst with respect to NOx, a target-exhaust-purification-efficiency calculation unit that calculates target exhaust purification efficiency with respect to NOx on the basis of an operational state of the engine, and a control unit that controls the EGR device to compensate a decrease amount of the estimated exhaust purification efficiency to the target exhaust purification efficiency.
US08091347B2 Exhaust gas purification apparatus, internal combustion engine comprising the same, and particulate filter restoring method
In an embodiment of an exhaust gas purification apparatus, when an accumulation amount of particulate matter in a DPF (33) exceeds a predetermined amount and an exhaust gas temperature of an engine is lower than a restoration operable temperature, an intake air amount reducing operation is executed by an air intake throttling device (24) provided for an air intake pipe (21) of the engine, and a heating operation is executed by an electric heater (34) provided upstream from the DPF (33), thereby increasing the exhaust gas temperature to the restoration operable temperature to start a restoration operation of the DPF (33).
US08091344B2 System for modifying exhaust gas flow through an aftertreatment device
An exhaust gas aftertreatment device for an internal combustion engine producing the exhaust gas comprises an inlet configured to receive the exhaust gas, an outlet from which the exhaust gas exits the device, an aftertreatment element disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow modification mechanism. The aftertreatment element has a front face receiving the exhaust gas from the inlet of the device, and the flow modification mechanism is configured to modify exhaust gas flow through the aftertreatment element in a manner that maintains uniform temperature across the front face of the element.
US08091343B2 Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
An exhaust pipe is provided with a SCR catalyst (NOx catalyst) and an oxidation catalyst. A urea water adding valve and an exhaust gas temperature sensor are provided upstream of the SCR catalyst. A downstream NOx sensor is provided downstream of the SCR catalyst. The oxidation catalyst is provided with a catalyst temperature sensor. An ECU computes a temperature of the oxidation catalyst based on a detection value of the catalyst temperature sensor. Further, the ECU computes a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the oxidation catalyst based on a detection value of the exhaust gas temperature sensor. The ECU detects ammonia flowing out from the SCR catalyst based on a differential temperature between the temperature of the catalyst and the temperature of the exhaust gas.
US08091340B2 Method of controlling the intake of an internal-combustion engine, notably of gasoline or diesel type, and engines using same
The present invention relates to a method of controlling the intake of an internal-combustion engine comprising at least two groups (12, 14) of at least one cylinder (C1-C4) wherein a feed is admitted for operation of said engine, and an exhaust line (40, 94, 100) comprising at least one exhaust gas depollution means (42, 96, 102).According to the invention, the method consists, while the engine runs at low speeds and/or at low torques, in evaluating the total feed to be admitted into the cylinders to operate the engine, in admitting a greater proportion of the total feed into one (12) of the groups of cylinders (C1, C4) than in the other (14) group of cylinders (C2, C3) so as to achieve an exhaust gas temperature increase allowing to speed up the rise in temperature of depollution means (42, 96, 102).
US08091334B2 Method of operating a turbofan engine cowl assembly
An inner core cowl baffle assembly for a turbofan engine assembly is provided. The engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine, a core cowl which circumscribes the core gas turbine engine, a nacelle positioned radially outward from the core cowl, and a fan nozzle duct defined between the core cowl and the nacelle. The inner core cowl baffle assembly includes an inner core cowl baffle, and an actuator assembly configured to vary the throat area of the fan nozzle duct by selectively repositioning the inner core cowl baffle with respect to the core cowl.
US08091329B2 Device for height adjusting and swinging a mower deck
An underbelly mower has a cutting deck suspended beneath a frame by a height adjustment mechanism. The deck is adjusted between different cutting heights by extendable mechanical advantage device such as an electric screw and hydraulic ram operating in cooperation with the height adjustment mechanism. The mechanical advantage device also operably moves the deck between a cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration. A deck quick release and attachment mechanism, including hook members, operably allows a user to quickly and easily disconnect and reconnect a rear of deck to the frame when moving between cutting and maintenance configurations.
US08091327B2 Retractile finger for fitting to grain harvester auger main shaft
The invention relates to a retractile finger (1) for fitting to a grain harvester auger (3) main shaft (2), which retractile finger comprises an elongated portion (4) having at one of its ends a portion in the form of a guide (5) for fitting to the above-mentioned shaft (2), the elongated portion (4) and the portion in the form of a guide (5) being formed in one piece made of polyethylene with a molar mass of between 3.9 and 10.5 million g/mol.
US08091324B2 Floral easel
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.
US08091323B2 Resealable film structure
A reclosable film structure for a package is disclosed, in particular a reclosable lap seal, comprising a multiple layer film with an interior pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and methods of manufacture thereof. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer is positioned between a first and a third layer on either side of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and is continuous throughout the package. The package is heat sealed at an open end to initially close the package by folding over an outer lap seal segment onto an inner lap seal segment and heat-sealing together. Upon opening the package at the lap seal, the package delaminates between the first and second layers along one of the lap seal segments, thus exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to facilitate reclosing the package, oriented away from the package interior and away from the food removal path to maintain the adhesion strength by avoiding food contact.
US08091316B2 Wall and floor systems
Wall and floor connection arrangements. In various embodiments, a first a joist rim is coupled to the flanges of at least some vertically extending studs such that an upper rim flange of the first joist rim is substantially coplanar with a portion of an upper track of the wall. A second joist rim is coupled to another lateral flange of at least some of the vertically extending studs such that an upper rim flange of the second joist rim is substantially coplanar with a portion of the upper track and the upper rim flange of the first joist rim. A plurality of first joists may be coupled to the first rim and plurality of second joists may be coupled to the second rim. A floor deck may be received on the upper track as well as the upper flanges of the first and second joist rims.
US08091314B2 Load bearing assembly
A load bearing assembly (300, 452) that includes at least one molded plastic panel (1) and/or at least one molded plastic panel assembly (3), a first support (303) and optionally a second support (306), is described. Each panel (1) of the load bearing assembly (300) includes a first external portion (17) and a second external portion (20), each having a plurality of reinforcing structures (49, 79) having sidewalls (52, 82) that define a plurality of external portion recesses (64, 98).
US08091312B2 Standing seam panel clips
A standing seam roof assembly in which a male sidelap extends from one side edge of a panel and a female sidelap extends from the opposing side edge. The female sidelap, supporting a sealant bead, is shaped fit over the male sidelap. A clip member has a clip tab shaped to be seamed with the male and female sidelaps to connect the standing seam assembly in the assembled mode. The clip tab, having a clip inclined portion with at least one sealant flow hole, with the male and female sidelaps forms lower and upper sealant chambers along a clip tab, the sealant flow hole communicating between the upper sealant chamber and the lower sealant chamber to spread sealant to encapsulate the clip tab. The clip has a clip body slidably connected to a clip base having protruding bearing feet to penetrate and compress insulation when mounted to support structure.
US08091311B2 Composite integrated module and method for constructing a building
A composite integrated module may be used in a method for constructing a building. The module includes at least a floor member, and can also include a sidewall members installed on the floor member, and a ceiling member installed on the sidewall members. The floor member, sidewall members, and ceiling member can be connected to each other form an internal space. The floor member, sidewall members, and ceiling member have a formwork facing the internal space. Anchor members are mounted on the outer side of at least one of the formworks so as not to project into the internal space. A structure may be disposed in the internal space and mounted to the formwork with the anchor members by connecting removable tightening apparatuses to the anchor members from the internal space.
US08091310B2 Sheet-like building and construction materials with high wet slip resistance and high water penetration resistance, and methods of making same
Moisture-resistant materials comprise an open net-like fabric with strands of varying thicknesses and polymer film thereon. The material is both resistant to water penetration and also slip resistant under dry or wet conditions. The moisture-resistant materials are suitable for use in various applications including roofing underpayment, flashing, housewrap and other construction sheet-like materials. An optional second layer of fabric may be applied to the moisture-resistant material, for example, to improve the strength, tear resistance, and scuff resistance of the moisture-resistant material.
US08091308B2 Dry stack insulated building blocks
An improved dry stack insulated building block and block wall system, the block having a first and a second side wall, a central web interposed between the side walls, a pair of end transverse webs, and a pair of intermediate transverse webs. The side walls, central web, and transverse webs define a first, a second, and a third cell. A first cell core, second cell core, and a pair of third cell cores of insulative material are inserted in the respective cells. The cell cores have trapezoidal shaped ear members which matingly fit in notches in the transverse webs, the trapezoidal shaped ear members providing for the creation of a notch gap between the base of the ear members and the notch bottom of the respective notches, thereby accommodating crumbing in the notch bottom.
US08091305B2 Recycled glass structural and decorative barrier or building, lighting and furniture component
A decorative structure comprises a frame completely surrounding a space and a front and rear barrier material applied to front and rear surfaces of the frame enclosing the space to form a three dimensional structure. The space located between the front and rear barrier material and the frame, is filled with pieces of waste glass, or other recycled material, which has been processed to have smoothened surfaces and provide a decorative appearance. At least the front barrier material has sufficient transparency so that the decorative appearance of the waste material held behind the barrier is visible.
US08091303B2 Translucent building block and a method for manufacturing the same
A translucent building block and method of manufacturing the same where the block has at least two oppositely oriented outer surfaces between which extend a plurality of translucent members that are mounted to a retainer which supports the translucent members spaced inwardly of opposite free ends thereof which extend outwardly from the retainer to points adjacent the at least two outer surfaces and wherein a plurality of openings are provided through the retainer to permit passage of cast material during introduction of the material about the translucent members within a mold during a manufacturing process.
US08091297B2 Building construction element
A building construction frame element consists of a wooden core of a single piece of wooden material provided with a thermal break formed of an insulating material extending across the heat conductance path of the element, which may be in the form of stud for a wall or ceiling. A method for producing the frame element is also disclosed.
US08091289B2 Floor for a modular enclosure
A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a floor constructed from one or more floor panels. The floor panels, which may be constructed from blow-molded plastic, may include a pattern disposed on the upper surface. The floor panels may also include depressions that are formed in the lower surface and extend towards the upper surface. If desired, the depressions may be generally aligned with a portion of the pattern in the upper surface and the depressions may have a length that is less than the distance separating the upper surface and the lower surface. Advantageously, the depressions may be sized and configured to increase the strength of the floor panels. In addition, the floor panels may include a pattern disposed on the lower surface and the depressions may be at least partially disposed in the pattern. The patterns on the opposing sides of the panels may be generally offset and/or have different orientations.
US08091286B2 Vehicle door
A front door 20 includes a first door component 22 and a second door component 34. The first door component 22 forms an inner side portion of a door main body 21, and the second door component forms an inner side portion of the door main body 21 and has functional parts located inside the vehicle. The first and second door components 22, 34 have honeycomb structural bodies 23, 41, respectively. The honeycomb structural bodies 23, 41 are entirely formed of synthetic resin. The honeycomb structural bodies 23, 41 include honeycomb portions 24, 42, which are composed of numerous tubular cells 26, 44, 45 separated by partition walls 25, 43, and sealing plate portions 27, 28, 46, 47 that are located on the outer side and the inner side of the honeycomb portions 24, 42 and seal the cells 26, 44. The door components 22, 34 are joined to each other at least at a part of the adjacent sealing plate portions 28, 46 of the honeycomb structural bodies 23, 41.
US08091285B1 Storm shutter fastener and quick release system for emergency egress
A storm and hurricane shutter quick release mechanism for permitting quick egress from a building that has storm shutters attached to the doors and windows to allow someone inside the building to leave the building quickly. The system includes a quick release housing mounted at the base of each shutter panel attached to the building that includes removable studs that are actuated by a cam mechanism from the inside of the building that release the attaching studs that hold the shutters in place from the quick release housing thereby releasing the shutter fasteners at the base allowing the shutters to be quickly removed by actuating the cam mechanism from inside the building.
US08091283B2 Adjustable spindle arrangement for door operating apparatus retrofit kit
A retrofit conversion kit for facilitating the conversion of a door operating apparatus conventionally mounted above the door, to a position mounted and anchored underground for operating a swinging door therefrom. The conversion to an anchored underground position is facilitated by incorporating positional adjustment mechanisms covering any or all possible adjustment dimensions.
US08091272B2 Systems for the control and use of fluids and particles
The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel.
US08091271B2 Blood-simulating fishing lure
The blood-simulating fishing lure is a fishing lure having a chain of lightweight spherical elements or ball chain threaded through or attached to an artificial lure body, such as a float or plug, to simulate a bleeding or wounded baitfish as it moves through the water. The spherical elements are preferably colored red and made from aluminum or other lightweight material. The chain is preferably attached to the lure so that a portion of the chain extends on both sides of the float or plug.
US08091270B2 Illuminated fishing lure
The present invention relates to fishing lures equipped with one or more light sources interacting and/or interfacing with one or more light transmission mediums. The light transmission medium acts to illuminate one or more areas proximate to the fishing lure to provide a natural luminance or iridescence. The light transmission medium can be made from a flexible translucent hot melt thermoplastic material extruded into a polymer lens and can be located on an outer surface of a body of the fishing lure or inside the body of the fishing lure. The light transmission medium can also be provided in the form of a soft flexible component made from Plastisol or other similar translucent materials. The light source can be embedded in or located proximate to the light transmission medium to amplify, intensify, and/or disperse light along the light transmission medium to provide a natural looking luminescence to the fishing lure.
US08091269B2 Electroshock wand for aquatic creatures
An electroshock wand for safely and humanely stunning and capturing aquatic creatures is provided. The electroshock wand has a body, an anode member, and a cathode member. The anode and cathode members are attached at or near the electroshock end of the body, with the anode and cathode members being axially spaced from one another. The anode and cathode members create an intense and localized electrical field between one another that momentarily stuns a target organism. The target organism, once stunned may then be collected. This device offers a nonlethal method of capturing invasive species and removing them from specific environments.
US08091268B2 Multi-color reticle for ballistic aiming
According an embodiment, a projectile weapon aiming system includes a computer-controllable reticle with crosshairs or other aiming marks having a color and/or illumination that can be selectively changed to provide feedback to a shooter to indicate when the projectile weapon aiming system (and hence the projectile weapon itself) is accurately aimed to compensate for a particular range, inclination, crosswind, and/or other ballistic conditions.
US08091262B2 Attachable price tag holder
Display tag holders in one integral part of an injection molded plastic, such as polyurethane, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, including an essentially planar display portion, a connecting portion and a ring attachment portion, the ring attachment portion having at least one flexible resilient ring segment including a proximal end closest to the display portion and at least one distal end, the at least one flexible resilient ring segment defining a circumferential direction and a ring plane in which the at least one flexible resilient ring segment essentially extends, wherein the at least one flexible resilient ring segment is attached to the display portion by the connecting portion so that the ring plane is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the planar display portion.
US08091254B2 Biomechanics medical corrective shoe pad with far infrared ray energy fibers
A biomechanics medical corrective shoe pad with far infrared ray energy fibers includes a bacteriostasis surface cloth layer, an inner foamed layer, a far infrared ray energy emitting fiber layer, a polyethene layer, and a bacteriostasis cloth layer, which are positioned one on another in sequence, and heat-pressed and joined together with a mold; the far infrared ray energy emitting fiber layer includes a fiber, and far infrared ray energy containing mineral granules joined on the fiber; the shoe pad includes a peripheral area, a supporting area, and a cambering area, which undergo different-temperature heat-pressing processes; the supporting area and the cambering area are shaped according to ergonomics and human dynamics and in such a manner as to match pressure-responsive points of a man's sole; therefore, the shoe pad can absorb shock, reduce pressure, provide sufficient protection and support, and massage the wearer's foot.
US08091252B2 Method of controlling gas valve of dryer
Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a gas valve of a dryer which controls the amount of gas supplied into a gas combustor. The method includes detecting the temperature of hot air supplied into a drum, detecting the temperature of the hot air discharged outside the drum, and controlling a gas valve of a gas combustor according to the temperature of the hot air supplied into the drum and the temperature of the hot air discharged outside the drum.
US08091248B2 Coordinate measuring machine
A coordinate measuring machine (1) comprising a base (2) provided with guides (3) parallel ● to a first axis X, a first carriage (4) mobile on the guides (3) along the axis X and provided with an upright (17), a second carriage (6) carried by the upright (17) and mobile along a second vertical axis Z, and a horizontal arm (7) carried by the second carriage (6) and mobile along a third horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the axis X; the guides (3) of the first carriage (4) are arranged underneath a top wall (12) of the base (2), which is therefore flat and treadable.
US08091247B2 Gear shape measuring apparatus
A gear shape measuring apparatus includes a supporting unit adapted to support a test gear so as to be rotatably driven about a first rotation axis, a gauge gear being rotatable about a second rotation axis while engaging with the test gear, an inter-axis angle setting portion for adjusting and setting a relative inclination angle between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, and allowing a distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis to be changed, a biasing member biasing the gauge gear against the test gear, a center-to-center distance measuring portion measuring the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, and a measurement data processing portion processing a measurement data.
US08091244B2 Holding mechanism for use with an ophthalmic tracer, and method
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releaseably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
US08091243B2 Precision stage
The invention relates to a positioning system for positioning and/or measuring a movable object, wherein the movable object (10) has an object position that is defined with respect to a at least two axes (X, Y) extending in at least two different directions. The movable object (10) has a first surface (SX) and a second surface (SY) having mutually different orientations. The first surface (SX) makes a first angle (α) with the first direction and the second surface (SY) makes a second angle (β) with the second direction. The positioning system comprises: i) a first bearing (BX) for establishing a first surface position of the first surface (SX) with respect to the first axis (X) and for allowing a movement of the movable object (10) in a first plane parallel to the first surface (SX) in at least the second direction; ii) a second bearing (BY) for establishing a second surface position of the second surface (SY) with respect to the second axis Y and for allowing a movement of the movable object (10) in a second plane parallel to the second surface (SY) in at least the first direction. The system further comprises respective actuators for establishing the respective positions. Such system may be further extended to three dimensions. The advantage of the positioning system is that during movement of the movable object less masses are moved. The positioning system is widely applicable. The invention further relates to a machine or a tool comprising such positioning system.
US08091241B2 Electric hair remover
An electric hair remover, includes: a body part having a head end part in a longitudinal direction, a blade part for cutting hair being formed at the head end part; a holder part mounted to the body part in such a configuration as to slide along the longitudinal direction of the body part and to rotate.
US08091239B2 Method for the production of a bearing ring for large-size rolling bearings
A method is provided for producing a bearing ring (1) for large-size rolling bearings including at least one track (3) that is provided with a hardened peripheral layer. With the method the peripheral layer that is to be hardened is exposed to the electric field of an inductor in order to be heated and is then quenched. At least two inductors (2) are disposed above a common zone (a) of the annular track (3) that is to be hardened at the beginning of the hardening process. These inductors (2) heat the opposite peripheral layer to a hardening temperature at this location. The inductors (2) are moved in the opposite direction along the annular track in order to heat the adjacent central zones (b). Sprinklers (5) that are directed onto the heated peripheral layers are turned on following a short distance, and the peripheral layers are quenched starting from the center of the zone (a) that was heated at the beginning. The inductors (2) and the sprinklers (5) continue to be moved on the halves of the rings thereof until coinciding again in a zone (c) located opposite the point of departure and once again forming a joint heating zone there. Both inductors (2) are lifted perpendicular to the surface of the track (3) upon reaching the required hardening temperature. The sprinklers (5) are directed onto zone (c).
US08091238B2 Apparatus for premounting of locking elements to a panel
The apparatus mounts a locking element into a groove in an edge of a panel. An advance device feeds a stream of locking elements to a pressing device which mounts the locking elements into the groove on the edge of the panel. The locking elements are fed from a line of locking elements stored on a reel. A separating device cuts the line of locking elements into individual locking elements. The separating device is positioned either upstream of the advancing device or immediately upstream of the pressing device. When the separating device is immediately upstream of the pressing device, a spring is used to flex the stream during the short stoppage when the separating device separates individual locking elements from the line of locking elements.
US08091237B2 Method for making a vehicle seat crossmember
A method for producing a rear crossmember for a vehicle seat that includes the steps of providing metal plate stock having a first edge and a second edge as well as performing a simultaneous punching and clinching operation to locate and secure a plurality of threaded fasteners into the plate stock at predetermined points. This operation causes an opening to be punched through the plate stock and the fasteners to be permanently retained in the plate stock at the openings. The plurality of fasteners provide threaded connection points that are employed in the further construction of the vehicle seat. A rolling operation is employed to cause the first edge of the plate stock to come into close proximity with the second edge of the plate stock in such a manner as to form the desired cross-sectional shape for the rear crossmember and a welding operation used to secure the first edge to the second edge thereby forming the rolled plate stock into the desired rear crossmember.
US08091234B2 Manufacturing method for liquid discharge head substrate
A manufacturing method, for a liquid discharge head that includes a silicon substrate in which a supply port is formed for supplying a liquid, includes the steps of providing the silicon substrate, a mask layer provided with an opening that corresponds to the supply port being provided on one face of the silicon substrate; forming a groove in the silicon substrate along the shape of the opening in the mask layer; removing, via sandblasting, silicon of the silicon substrate inward of the groove in the silicon substrate; and performing, from the one face, anisotropic etching of the silicon substrate that has been sandblasted, and forming the supply port.
US08091232B2 Device and method for operating in a water chamber of a heat exchanger
The invention relates to a device (10) for operating in a water chamber (7) of a heat exchanger (1) comprising a wall (6) of substantially hemispherical shape and, at its upper portion, a tube plate (5) traversed by a plurality of vertical holes (4). The device comprises at least one rail (11) furnished with members for attachment on the bottom face of the tube plate (5) and supporting at least one trolley (15) that can be moved along the said rail (11) and fitted with a pendular lifting means (19) and a robotic arm (20) comprising an attachment base (30) furnished with members for coupling on the bottom face of the tube plate (5) and a drive means interacting with the lifting means (19) to draw the attachment base (30) against the tube plate (5).The invention applies more particularly to the steam generator of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.
US08091231B2 Spinning method of a work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape and apparatus for the same
The present invention provides a spinning method of a work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape capable of eliminating a swollen part, without causing any creases or depressions on the formed face, by performing spinning to the swollen part produced in a region near the minor axis of the work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape. A spinning method for spinning the end part of the work piece into a circular cylindrical shape comprises a spindle mechanism provided with a spinning roller at the tip of the spindle and a work piece holding mechanism for holding the work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape disposed face to face with the spindle mechanism, and includes performing spinning for forming the end part of the work piece into an inclined face inclined so as to gradually reduce in diameter, and then performing spinning on the swollen part in a region near the minor axis of the work piece by displacing the work piece by a prescribed angle in the plane containing the minor axis plane of the work piece in a non-circular cylindrical shape.
US08091230B2 Method and apparatus for the manufacture of fans, turbines and guide vanes
A method and apparatus for forming a closely spaced radial array of overlapping twisted airfoil blades or vanes. The apparatus comprises an electro-discharge machine that articulates an electrode (150), electrode (150) being in the form of an elongate and substantially rigid (non-wire) curved element which is turned by a tool holder (130) as it is advanced on a helical path. As the electrode (150) is advanced toward the edge surface of the blank it forms the inner surface of each airfoil blade with its outer curve, and forms the outer surface of each airfoil blade with its inner curve. As the electrode (150) is advanced through the blank it is twisted to give the first groove a helical form, thereby forming a twisted airfoil blade.
US08091225B2 Method of manufacturing probe with printed tip
The manufacturing method of a probe with printed tip consists of a substrate having a plurality of probe tips connected to its end edge, a plurality of test paths, each connected to one of the probe tips and extending along the substrate, and at least one of the test paths including an electrical component adjacent to the test path's probe tip. The electrical component may be a resistor. The probe tips may have a width equal to the thickness of the substrate. The probe tips may consist of a plurality of probe tip layers. The invention also includes a method of probing signals transmitted over target transmission lines on a target board. The disclosure also includes a method of manufacturing the claimed invention.
US08091223B2 Method for manufacturing board with built-in electronic elements
A method for manufacturing a board with a built-in electronic element, includes providing a support substrate including a support base and a metal foil, forming a protective film made of a metal material on the metal foil of the support substrate, forming a conductive pattern made of a metal material on the protective film by an additive method, placing an electronic element on the support substrate with the conductive pattern such that a surface of the electronic element where a circuit is formed faces the conductive pattern, covering the electronic element with an insulative resin, etching away the metal foil using a first etching solution such that the protective film is not dissolved by the first etching solution or that the protective film has an etching speed which is slower than an etching speed of the metal foil, and electrically connecting terminals of the electronic element and a part of the conductive pattern.
US08091221B2 Method of fabricating circuit board
A method of fabricating a circuit board includes the following steps. First, a patterned metal board is provided. The patterned metal board includes a patterned circuit having at least a pad. Next, a dielectric layer is formed on the patterned metal board to cover the patterned circuit. Thereafter, a processing treatment is preformed on a surface of the patterned metal board in which the surface is opposite to the patterned circuit, such that at least a conductive joint column disposed on the pad and a circuit layer having the patterned circuit are formed. Afterwards, a solder mask layer is formed on the dielectric layer to cover the circuit layer, such that the solder mask layer is in contact with the conductive joint column, the conductive joint column passes through the solder mask layer, and a height of the conductive joint column exceeds a thickness of the solder mask layer.
US08091220B2 Methods of making small volume in vitro analyte sensors
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08091217B2 Contact element, contact unit, method for producing a contact unit, and method for placing into operation for fine-pitch parts
A contact element for producing an electric contact has a laser cut conducting plate, with the contour of the laser cut conducting plate including at least two tips, which are embodied as contact tips for a contact pad of a part, connected to each other by a separating area, such that a one-piece semi-finished part is embodied.
US08091215B2 Tape feeder and mounting apparatus
When a component (X) is fed to a pickup position (53) but no suction action is carried out due to a variety of reasons, a reverse feeding action is carried out to return the component (X), which has been fed to the pickup position (53), to a position upstream of the pickup position (53) in the tape feeding direction. The same component (X) is thus not wasted but is resupplied to the pickup position (53) in the following pickup action, whereby the amount of waste of components is reduced.
US08091213B2 Installation/removal device, display change device, and dosing system
A display change device is formed by connecting and thereby integrating an installation/removal device and a card display change device together. The card installation/removal device is configured to have at a back side thereof a pressure reception wall, at a further back side of which a position adjustment mechanism part is provided. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to include a seat member, a moving part, and a drive part. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to strike and move the card installation/removal device by an eccentric cam. The position adjustment mechanism part moves the eccentric cam far from the pressure reception wall under the condition that a reaction force Fr received by the eccentric cam becomes larger than a force Fa for pulling the moving part toward the pressure reception wall side.
US08091199B2 Method to repair pitch control components
A method and system for repairing a wind turbine component in a wind turbine is provided. A damaged region of a drive assembly affects the wind turbine component. The method includes the steps of, providing a replacement wind turbine component, providing a mount for the replacement wind turbine component, and installing the replacement wind turbine component and mount in an undamaged region of the drive assembly. The replacement wind turbine component and mount are located to avoid interaction with the damaged region.
US08091194B2 System for separating two equipment items each having a chamber tightly linked to that of the other one
The system according to the invention allows the separation of two equipment items of an installation in a confined environment, without interrupting the confinement inside this installation.It primarily comprises a confinement flange (10) placed tightly between the two parts of the installation, and comprising a slot (12) protected by a temporary cover (11). The assembly is completed by a guillotine made up of two closure plates (20A, 20B) pressed against each other before their insertion into the slot (12). Once this insertion of the guillotine is complete, the two closure plates (20A) and (20B) can be separated from each other so as to each constitute a tight covering of the two parts of the installation to be separated.Application to confinement installations for the implementation of vacuum intervention methods where one wishes to maintain a special confinement.
US08091193B1 Tool for inserting fuel tubes
A fuel insertion tube tool for installing a fuel tube on a barb. The tool has first and second arms that are pivotably attached through an arm pivot axis. Each arm has a grip to engage the fuel tube. A tab extends from the first arm and is pivotably attached to a proximal end of a bar with a pivot pin that defines a bar axis. The bar axis and the arm axis are perpendicular to each other. A hook is disposed at a distal end of the bar for engagement with an attachment site. The tab functions as a fulcrum to reduce the amount of force required to install the fuel tube on the barb. The bar has weight reducing holes and the grips have straight knurls for frictional engagement with the fuel tube.
US08091190B2 Method of manufacturing an acoustic mirror for a piezoelectric resonator
A mirror for a piezoelectric resonator consisting of alternately arranged layers of high and low acoustic impedance is manufactured by at first producing a first layer on which a second layer is produced, so that the second layer partially covers the first layer. Then, a planarization layer is applied on the first layer and on the second layer. Subsequently, a portion of the second layer is exposed by structuring the planarization layer, wherein the portion is associated with an active region of the piezoelectric resonator. Finally, the resulting structure is planarized by removing the portions of the planarization layer remaining outside the portion.
US08091185B2 Apparatus for restraining a squeezed CRD blade
A restraining apparatus for restraining a squeezed CRD blade includes two clips, two connective plates and a nut. The clips are made with a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The connective plates are used to connect the clips to each other so that the connective plate and the clips together form an annular structure for restraining the CRD blade. The nut is provided between the connective plate and can be engaged with a threaded section of an operative rod so that the operative rod is operable to move the restraining apparatus.
US08091181B2 Method, apparatus and system for adding moisture to cotton fibers during the cotton ginning process
An apparatus for adding moisture to cotton in a cotton ginning process utilizes a quick response heater generate a heated air flow which is routed to a series of conduits passing through a reservoir of water to raise water to at or near boiling to generate vapor at atmospheric pressure which is entrained in a portion of the heated air flow which is directed to the battery condenser and/or gin stand.
US08091178B2 Hinge
A hinge has a pintle, a moving leaf, a resilient device and a stationary leaf. The pintle has a resilient device mount formed on a distal end and is mounted securely in the stationary leaf. The moving leaf is mounted rotatably around the pintle and has a barrel having a protruding limit formed on an outer end. Because the resilient device mount is formed on the pintle, it does not break easily and may slip to prevent terminal failure and be reset when closed. The protruding limit abuts the stationary leaf and ensures a gap is formed between the leaves for wires cabling or the like. Therefore the hinge has improved wear and longer lifespan.
US08091176B2 Furniture hinge deceleration device and furniture hinge having said deceleration device
The device for decelerating at least the closing rotation of a furniture hinge, comprises a container housing a first rotating friction element in contact at a first friction surface with the bottom of the container, a second fixed friction element overlapped to the first rotating friction element with which it is in contact at a second friction surface, and at least a third rotating friction element overlapped to the second fixed friction element with which it is in contact with at least a third friction surface, constraint means between the first friction element and the third friction element, a slider movable along a direction of translation at least during closing rotation and kinematic means for conversion of the translation of the slider into a rotation of the first and third friction element in such a manner as to create a dragging friction at the first, second and third friction surface.
US08091173B2 Wiper apparatus
Wiper apparatus for wiping a window glass of a vehicle includes: an arm shank pivotably supported at its proximal end portion on a vehicle near a window glass and having an opening portion opposed to the window glass and an inner space located inwardly of the opening portion; an arm piece mounted to a distal end portion of the arm shank and having a wiper blade attached thereto; and a wind-noise preventing device provided between the arm piece and the proximal end portion of the arm shank and having a portion protruding through the opening portion toward the window glass so as to prevent traveling wind from entering the inner space through the opening portion.
US08091170B2 Oral care implement
An oral care implement having a handle and a head having a flexible support from which cleaning elements extend. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle; a flexible support attached to the head and having a face; a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the flexible support and projecting outwardly from the face, the cleaning elements including bristles and wall-like elements and being movable in the outward direction from the head; wherein the cleaning elements comprise a row of first cleaning elements substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head and traversing a central region of the flexible support; and wherein some of the wall-like cleaning elements laterally radiate from the central region of the flexible support.
US08091167B2 Systems and methods for contactless automatic dust removal from a glass surface
An imaging device for automatic dust removal is provided. The imaging device may include a glass layer and an electrostatic particle removal system associated with the glass layer. The electrostatic particle removal system may include an induction layer configured to induce a charge to a particle located between the glass layer and the electrostatic particle removal system, a field grid layer configured to provide an electric field for moving the charged particle, and a collector configured to collect the charged particle moved by the electric field.
US08091163B2 Hide away bed rail
A bed rail having an operating position at one of the sides of a bed and a stored position between a mattress and box spring of the bed. To take down the bed rail, a guard frame portion is disengaged from a base frame portion, then the guard frame portion is pivoted and slid into the base frame portion. To set up the bed rail, the guard frame portion can be slid out of the base frame portion, pivoted relative to the base frame portion, then engaged to the base frame portion and into the operating position at a side of the bed.
US08091160B2 Foldable bed frame
A foldable bed frame including first coupling members each having an opening facing outwardly with respect to the frame being in an open state; two sets of longitudinal beams, each formed by two longitudinal bars having two free ends, and two inner ends pivotally connected within one of the openings of the first coupling members. At least two transverse beams, each being formed by two transverse bars having first and second ends, the first ends respectively being pivotally connected together by a second coupling member. A plurality of third coupling members provided proximate to each free end of the longitudinal bars, each third coupling member having an opening facing inwardly with respect to the frame being in the open state, the opening being configured to pivotally connect one of the free ends of the longitudinal bars. A leg pivotally connected respectively proximate the free end of each longitudinal bar.
US08091159B2 Mechanism and mattress for sofabed
A convertible sofabed is a sofa when closed in a sitting position and a bed when opened in a sleeping position. A retractable support structure can be telescoped from the sofa to form, in conjunction with the sofa, a bed that is longer than the depth of the sofa in its sitting position. The mattress in the sleeping position is folded in three portions, a fixed portion, a central portion and an outer portion. The outer portion forms a sofaback in the sitting position and the central portion folds to lie on top of the fixed portion to form the seat of the sofabed. The support structure includes curved legs that travel easily over the floor without causing damage.
US08091151B2 Safety vest with integrated safety harness
A safety vest for use with a safety harness, which includes first and second shoulder straps connected with a connector in an overlapping, crisscrossing relationship proximate a juncture. The first and second shoulder straps form an opening therebetween and below the connector. The vest includes an outer lining and an inner lining, and the first and second shoulder straps are at least partially positioned between the outer and inner linings. The inner lining extends from proximate an upper portion of the outer lining to proximate an intermediate portion of the outer lining. The inner lining includes a releasable connector configured and arranged to extend through the opening and releasably connect to the outer lining, wherein the releasable connector is disconnected and the inner lining is moved away from portions of the first and second shoulder straps to allow for inspection of the first and second shoulder straps.
US08091150B2 Batting helmet
The batting helmet is a training helmet having an extendable panel on each side of the helmet. Each panel is slidably mounted in a hollow case or sheath attached to the ear flap and extends forward from the ear flap at eye level. The panel is extendable in discrete increments, preferably to three different lengths, to offer a greater or lesser degree of restriction of the batter's field of vision according to the batter's skill level. In order to accomplish incremental extension, the panel has a resilient tab or button that locks into one of a plurality of slots defined in the case to lock the panel at the desired length. The panel restricts the batter's vision to focus the batter's attention on the pitched ball, often requiring the batter to turn his head to see the ball leave the pitcher's hand and follow its flight.
US08091148B2 Fixing structure for safety helmet fastening strap
A fixing structure for safety helmet fastening strap, including a frame body mounted under a bottom of a helmet shell. The frame body has multiple fixing seats each of which is formed with a passage and an opening through which a fastening strap can pass. The fixing seat has arms extending from the fixing seat. The fixing seats are securely connected with the frame body with better load capability. Accordingly, the fixing seats can bear the extrusion force of the injection molded foam material without deflection or displacement. The helmet shell, the frame body and the fixing seats are bonded with a foam material filler to together form an integrated body. The arms of the fixing seats help the fixing seats and the frame body to hold the foam material filler.
US08091147B2 System for adjusting the length of a garment
A garment hem adjustment system and method, comprising a plurality of fasteners mounted on a surface of a garment proximal to the hem of the garment. The fasteners are aligned in a first column along an inseam of the garment and in a second column along an outseam of the garment. The fasteners are spaced apart a predetermined distance corresponding to a desired adjustment of the garment hem. The lowermost fastener in the first and second columns is adapted to releasably connect to the remaining fasteners in the column. Means are provided for preventing the garment hem from sagging between the columns of fasteners when the lowermost fastener in each column is releasably connected to another fastener in the column.
US08091146B1 Removable garment lining
A removable liner assembly for pants includes first and second separating liner members joined together. Separating torso covering sections are joined to form an entry opening by a separating zipper assembly having a zipper section secured to each torso covering section of the liner member. A zipper slide member secured to one zipper section engages and disengages the zipper sections. A pull cord member fastened to the zipper slide member is anchored to the torso covering section, near the box end of the zipper section containing the zipper slide member. The zipper sections are disengaged with the pull cord member. An individual wearing the removable liner assembly beneath a pair of pants disengages the separating zipper assembly by pulling the cord member. This separates the first and second liner members. The individual removes each liner member from within the pants through the foot exit openings.
US08095993B2 Cryptographic architecture with instruction masking and other techniques for thwarting differential power analysis
An apparatus and method for preventing information leakage attacks that utilize timeline alignment. The apparatus and method inserts a random number of instructions into an encryption algorithm such that the leaked information can not be aligned in time to allow an attacker to break the encryption.
US08095987B2 Software anti-piracy protection
Licensing aspects of vendor software packages can be protected with reduced user interaction and effort by automating licensing exploit identification, and if allowed, exploit correction. Automating licensing exploit detection ensures that known exploits are more quickly and efficiently discovered to help maintain genuine software status. Minimizing user interaction in licensing exploit detection and correction involves less disruption to users and generally supports increased user satisfaction with vendor software package usage.
US08095984B2 Systems and methods of associating security vulnerabilities and assets
Systems and methods of associating security vulnerabilities and assets, and related Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and data structures, are disclosed. A definition of a security vulnerability, which includes multiple asset characteristics such as an asset platform that may be exploited via the security vulnerability and an asset platform that is affected when the exploited asset platform is exploited via the security vulnerability, is compared with definitions of one or more assets of an information system. An association between the security vulnerability and an asset is made if the definition of the asset includes a first asset characteristic of the security vulnerability definition and either the definition of the asset or the definition of another asset that has a relationship with the asset includes a second asset characteristic of the security vulnerability definition. The security vulnerability definition may also identify an asset platform that protects against the vulnerability.
US08095983B2 Platform for analyzing the security of communication protocols and channels
A security analyzer tests the security of a device by attacking the device and observing the device's response. Attacking the device includes sending one or more messages to the device. A message can be generated by the security analyzer or generated independently of the security analyzer. The security analyzer uses various methods to identify a particular attack that causes a device to fail or otherwise alter its behavior. Monitoring includes analyzing data (other than messages) output from the device in response to an attack. Packet processing analysis includes analyzing one or more messages generated by the device in response to an attack. Instrumentation includes establishing a baseline snapshot of the device's state when it is operating normally and then attacking the device in multiple ways while obtaining snapshots periodically during the attacks.
US08095981B2 Worm detection by trending fan out
The invention detects stealth worm propagation by comparing the repeat elements in sets of destinations of a source in multiple time windows to a fitted distribution of same, stored as a benchmark plot. Measurements are performed over N time windows, wherein a representation of the set of destinations to which a respective source has sent packets is determined for each source, in each time window. The counting is performed using a hash table. Once N such sets of destinations have been obtained, the number Xk of destinations that are common to N, N−1, N−2, . . . , 2, 1 windows is determined. Thus Xk is the number of destinations that a particular source sent packets to in k time windows. Xk is then compared to the corresponding value on the plot; anomalies indicate an attack from the respective source.
US08095976B2 Data excess protection
Systems, methods, and computer program products that can be used concurrently or alternatively to detect errors in data as well as to protect access to data are provided. Embodiments enable a coherent data set (CDS) which is a data set guaranteed to be genuine and error-free at run-time. Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program programs to create a CDS, identify a CDS, and verify the coherency of a data set purported to be a CDS. Embodiments further enable privileged functions which are functions that can only be accessed by a restricted set of other privileged functions. Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products to create, identify, and protect access to privileged functions.
US08095974B2 Methods, systems, and products for identity verification
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for identification verification. A signature, representing the presence of a device, is acquired. The signature is compared to a reference signature. When the signature favorably compares to the reference signature, then the identity of a user associated with the device is verified.
US08095967B2 Secure web site authentication using web site characteristics, secure user credentials and private browser
A secure authentication process detects and prevents phishing and pharming attacks for specific web sites. The process is based on a dedicated secure hardware store for user sign-in credentials, a database of information about specific web sites, and a private secure browser. All user web activity is monitored by an agent program. The agent program checks to make sure that user attempts to send any sign-in credentials stored in secure hardware store of user sign-in credentials, to any web site accessed by the user, is allowed only if the IP address of the web site accessed by the user matches at least one of the IP addresses stored web site database associated with the sign-in credential the user is attempting to send. The process also detects mismatches between a URL and the actual IP address of the web site associated with the URL.
US08095964B1 Peer computer based threat detection
A threat detection event indicating a detection of a malware entity is identified at a client. Threat information associated with the malware entity is identified responsive to the threat detection event, the threat information for detecting the malware entity, wherein at least some of the threat information is unaffected by variance associated with the malware entity. The threat information is reported to a peer client of the client. Peer threat information describing a peer malware entity detected at the peer client is received at the client from the peer client via a network and used to examine the client for the peer malware entity.
US08095963B2 Securing resource stores with claims-based security
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for securing resource stores with claims-based security. From policy information, a resource store populates a security table of permissions. The permissions authorize resource access based on received claims. Sessions submit claims to the resource store. The resource store accumulates claims for a session into a claims list. From the claims list and the security table, the resource store filters out a subset of metadata including resource IDs for resources the session is authorized to access. Since the metadata corresponds to the session, any application using the session is given similar access to resources at the resource store.
US08095961B1 Systems and methods for quarantining a node from other nodes in a network
A method for quarantining a node from other nodes in a network is described. A node is scanned to obtain a health posture of the node by determining if the node is compliant with one or more requirements. A current policy in accordance with the obtained health posture of the node is obtained. A previous policy is removed. If the node is determined to be non-compliant, a key that is unique to the non-compliant node is selected. The current policy is applied.
US08095956B1 Method and system for providing interactive programming
A method for providing interactive programming over a broadband network. A service provider provides a private data packet including the provider's address that is inserted between frames of a transmission that is broadcast over the broadband network. The interactive video/data system may include a broadcast source, a broadband digital terminal, and a set top box for a consumer's television receiver. A data path may be enabled by the set top box upon receipt of the private data packet included with the video transmission. The private data packet includes application interface information communicated in real-time between the set top box and broadcast source in addition to the destination address.
US08095945B2 Tray enabling optical unit heat reduction
An optical disc drive includes a rotation device that rotates an optical disc in a clockwise direction when an upper surface of the optical disc is viewed, a disc mounting portion for mounting of the optical disc thereon has a recess portion, and an optical pickup which irradiates a laser beam on a lower recording surface of the optical disc. The disc mounting portion includes a first penetrating opening portion therethrough that extends from a center area of the recess portion to a periphery of the recess portion. The disc mounting portion further includes a single second penetrating opening portion therethrough being provided at a rear of the disc mounting portion and periphery at an upstream side of the clockwise rotating direction with respect to a center line of the first penetrating opening portion extending from a front to the rear of the disc mounting portion.
US08095944B2 Slot-in optical disk drive
A slot-in type disk drive fastens a clamping unit with two protrusions around its periphery on the central hole of a base plate. A front positioning part utilizes a stick to link a front right positioning bar and a front left positioning bar to synchronously open or close. A locking rod has a limiting pin inserted into an arc slot on the side of the base plate, and protrudes a locking end from the rear end. A rear positioning part utilizes an idle gear to link rear right and rear left positioning bars to synchronously open or close. The locking end can insert a first or second positioning recess on the rear left positioning bar and a touch block of the locking rod leans against the first protrusion. A lever is disposed on the rear right positioning bar to link a linkage plate set by one end.
US08095940B2 Method and system for locating and accessing resources
In a method for accessing resources provided by an operating system, a request for a resource is received by an application program executing inside an environment. A first identifier associated with the resource is acquired. A registry is consulted, responsive to an association between a first identifier associated with the resource and a second identifier associated with the resource, the association associated with the environment. The resource and an environment on which to launch the resource are identified, responsive to consulting the registry. The second identifier is associated with the resource, with the environment, and with the environment on which to launch the resource. A registry key for the resource is stored in the registry, the registry key comprising the second identifier. The request for the resource is redirected to the identified instance of the resource, responsive to the second identifier. The request for the resource is responded to using the instance of the resource located in the environment on which the resource resides. The requested resource is launched in the identified environment, responsive to the second identifier.
US08095926B2 Method for the installation of a program component
A method for the installation of a program component on a processing unit, which is used to ensure the compatibility of software units and components in embedded systems in particular, which may be updated via a downloading procedure. For this purpose, it is checked before the installation whether the program component to be installed is compatible with a program component already provided on the processing unit. An installation is only performed in the event of a positive check of the compatibility.
US08095925B2 Seamless network installation of device drivers
A method seamlessly installs, upgrades, and deletes printer and other device drivers over a network. Instead of a computer periodically searching or scanning the network, searching occurs when a user logs into a computer. If a new device is found, driver installation is carried out using seamless pop-up GUI integrated into the OS, rather than by a wizard. The method includes providing a domain controller and a user computer connected to the network; searching the network for newly added devices when detecting a user login; and installing device drivers for the found newly added devices. The method also includes optionally-silent and seamless pop-up GUI; use of scripts and WSH (Windows Scripting Host); deletion grace periods; TCP/IP and/or SNMP; automatically upgrading existing drivers if necessary; maintaining tables of currently installed, to-be-installed, and to-be-deleted devices; applying pre-defined device settings; and obtaining information of a device and applying the information to the driver.
US08095913B2 Computer readable storage medium that stores a test specifications creating program, test specifications creating apparatus and test specifications creating method
Providing test specification for testing a Web application by receiving unfinished test specifications data describing a series of screen transition specifications included in a test case for a Web application to be installed in a Web server, obtaining a response including an output item, which can be obtained as a result of execution of the Web application, by giving a request that requests a Web screen based on the screen transition specifications selected from the series of screen transition specifications to the Web application. Then, an expected value for the screen transition specifications is extracted from the response based on the output item included in the obtained response and the extracted expected value is written to the received unfinished test specifications data in connection with the screen transition specifications.
US08095909B2 System and method for model driven transformation filtering
A method and system for model-driven transformation are provided. The method and system in one aspect allows selecting of one or more model elements in a model. Transformation definitions are evaluated to identify one or more transformations that may be applicable to the selected one or more model elements. In one aspect, transformations may be identified that are applicable in an entire model, those that take the selected one or more model elements as input parameters, those that affect one or more model element, or any combination thereof. In one aspect, a list of applicable transformations is presented. In another aspect, the method and system automatically apply the one or more applicable transformations to the model.
US08095905B2 Power supply wiring structure
Provided is a power supply wiring structure which comprises a first and a second power supply wirings, which are disposed on different planes to cross each other two-dimensionally. The first and second power supply wirings are interlayer-connected by a first via at a crossing area where those power supply wirings cross each other. An extension wiring which is formed by partially extending from the crossing area along a wiring extending direction of other power supply wiring is provided at least to either the first power supply wiring or the second power supply wiring. The extension wiring and either the first power supply wiring or the second power supply wiring, which are disposed on a different plane from the extension wiring to face the extension wiring, are interlayer-connected by a second via. Thereby, generation of electro migration can be suppressed.
US08095902B2 Design structure for couple noise characterization using a single oscillator
A design structure for a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an integrated circuit design (having nets comprising wires) determines critical parameters for coupling noise between the wires of the nets and acceptable limits for the critical parameters. Further, methods herein include designing a ring oscillator to have stages, each of the stages measuring only one of the critical parameters. This ring oscillator is then included within an integrated circuit design and associated design structure. The embodiments herein produce an integrated circuit according to this integrated circuit design and operate the ring oscillator within the integrated circuit to measure the critical parameters of the integrated circuit and produce test results. These test results are output to determine whether the test results are within the acceptable limits.
US08095901B2 Method and system alerting an entity to design changes impacting the manufacture of a semiconductor device in a virtual fab environment
A design coordination engine coordinates design implementation among a manufacturing facility, a customer, an IP vendor, and a design group during the design phase of a semiconductor device. The design coordination engine includes a tracking module configured to track design information updates in a design database. The design coordination engine also includes an alert module configured to notify a customer who has accessed a file associated with information updates that occurred during a predefined period of time.
US08095900B2 Achieving clock timing closure in designing an integrated circuit
Achieving clock timing closure in designing an integrated circuit involves virtually synthesizing a clock network for the integrated circuit design to generate virtual clock buffering in the clock network before a point in the design flow at which the clock network is actually synthesized and committed to a netlist. Timing violations are determined for clock gates generated by the virtual clock buffering. Clock gating transforms are evaluated for the clock gates having the timing violations, based on recalculated clock and data path delays, to incrementally virtually synthesize the clock network. The clock gating transforms that result in the best timing gains are committed to the netlist. The clock network is then actually synthesized for the integrated circuit design, and design changes, due to the actual clock network synthesis, are committed to the netlist.
US08095897B2 Methods and systems for layout and routing using alternating aperture phase shift masks
A method of laying out features for alternating aperture phase shift masks. The method includes defining features on a grid of a uniform basic pitch, orienting the features such that those of the features defined, at least in part, by phase shifting shapes are oriented along a primary direction, and spacing two features terminating adjacent one another such that the two features have space between them sufficient to prevent phase conflicts if both of the two features are defined, at least in part, by phase shifting shapes.
US08095896B2 Method and system of displaying an exposure condition
There is provided a device which may easily and visually judge which chip in an FEM wafer has a normal exposure condition, or which chip has an abnormal exposure condition.A feature quantity for a sectional shape of a resist pattern of an FEM wafer is calculated for each chip region on an FEM wafer using an image of a resist pattern for an FEM wafer. The feature quantity of a sectional shape is displayed for each chip in a chip table of a map representing a position of a chip region on the FEM wafer. Deviations in feature quantities of sectional shapes of resist patterns of a FEM wafer to an appropriate value are displayed in color in the chip table.
US08095893B2 Providing an interactive and customizable organization tree having communication options
A highly interactive directory tree can be provided through a client user interface. A user can access an organization's records through, for example, a web-based user interface on the client computer system. The user interface can be configured to display a directory tree of related member records in the organization, and can be further configured with a number of option controls. The option controls can be configured to allow a user to differentiate how some or all of the records in the directory tree are displayed at any given time, to define how many member records the directory tree displays, as well as how to view at-a-glance information for each member record. The option controls can further be configured to provide selective communications to specific members, or groups of filtered members in the directory tree.
US08095892B2 Graphical user interface for 3-dimensional view of a data collection based on an attribute of the data
A three-dimensional (3D) view of a data collection based on an attribute is disclosed. A timeline is provided for displaying files and folders. The timeline may include a focal group that displays detailed information about its contents to the user. Remaining items on the timeline are displayed in less detail and may be positioned to appear further away from the user. A histogram may be provided as part of the view to allow the user to more easily navigate the timeline to find a desired file or folder.
US08095889B2 Heuristic and intuitive user interface for access control systems
The present invention advantageously provides a method for interfacing an access control system and an input device, comprising the steps of displaying, on the input device, a set of choices from a plurality of choices, receiving one choice, and modifying the displayed set of choices based on the one choice, wherein modifying is performed by a heuristic method and/or a usage-based method. The heuristic method determines if one choice is a request for additional information, and, if it is, modifies the choices to include the additional information, and to exclude advanced and typical choices; and, if not, modifies the choices to include the advanced and typical choices. The usage-based method comprises incrementing a choice counter, if the counter is greater than multiple choices, modifying the choices to extra emphasize the choice, and if not, modifying the to emphasize the choice.
US08095887B2 Apparatus for providing multiple screens and method of dynamically configuring multiple screens
An apparatus for providing multiple screens and a method of dynamically configuring multiple screens are provided. The apparatus for providing multiple screens includes a service processing module which generates logical screens displaying services and a display screen and swaps the services between the logical screens, and an output module which maps the logical screens to arbitrary locations on the display screen.
US08095885B1 Counting references to images displayed in multiple views
Methods and apparatus provide for a Cache Manager to display a scaled image in an active view. The scaled image comprises the same content as an image from a stored collection of images, which is accessible by a plurality of active views in a user interface. The Cache Manager refreshes the active view to replace the displayed scaled image with a larger-sized image, which comprises the same content as the displayed scaled image. A reference counter associated with the larger-sized image is maintained to keep track of instances of display of the larger-sized image by any of the plurality of active views. The Cache Manager allows any other active view to use the larger-sized image while a current value of the reference counter is greater than zero.
US08095881B2 Method for locating a teleport target station in a virtual world
The invention relates to a method for locating a teleport target station for teleporting between at least one teleport source station and at least one teleport target station in a virtual world, the method including: associating a specific teleport target station object with the at least one teleport target station; associating a current location with the object; and broadcasting the current location of the target station object into at least one communication channel in the virtual world.
US08095877B1 Method and graphical user interface for displaying an output preview in a form-based application
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions for displaying an output preview for a form-based application by accessing an output preview interface of the form-based application, displaying a navigation interface in the output preview interface, where the navigation interface includes a forms subgroup, and where the forms subgroup includes multiple forms of the form-based application, and displaying a form preview of a form of the forms subgroup.
US08095874B2 Inputting data on a portable computing device
A method for displaying input from a portable computing device on a second computing device is described. Later inputs on the portable computing device are displayed in a scrolling fashion on the second computing device with later input being displayed below previous input without regard to the location of the input on the portable computing device.
US08095869B2 Latches-links as virtual attachments in documents
A system and method are disclosed for managing target documents referred to by referring documents. A user sends a delete request for a referring document from a user client computer to a master server computer. Next, the master server computer accesses and deletes the referring document, updates a counter for a target document hypertext linked to the referring document, and updates a database, which contained the deleted referring document. The master server computer then determines whether the count for the counter of the target document equals zero. If the counter for the referring document is not equal to zero, the master server computer sends a message to the user indicating that the referring document has been deleted and sends a message to the user asking whether the user wants to delete another referring document. If the user wants to delete another referring document the process goes back to the initial process step, and the user sends another delete request for a referring document. However, if the counter for the referring document equals zero, the master server computer sends a message to the user indicating that the referring document has been deleted and then sends a message to an author of the target document (author client) asking whether the author client wants to delete the target document. Automatic deletion of target documents is also disclosed. Further disclosed are systems and methods for viewing, creating, and providing security for target documents referred to in referring documents.
US08095868B2 Document management device and document management method
The document management device manages documents circulated to a reader according to a circulation tree and additional information added to the documents by the readers. The circulation tree indicates the circulation order of a plurality of readers, and includes at least a first group and a second group. The document management device includes: document circulation unit for enabling a reader of the circulation tree to read predetermined document data; recognition unit for recognizing additional information added by the reader as electronic data; and additional information management unit for managing the additional information by associating it with document data determined for each group to which the reader belongs.
US08095866B2 Filtering user interface for a data summary table
A graphical user interface for creating a data summary table includes a data summary table including a plurality of fields, and a filtering pane programmed to apply filters to items in the fields of the data summary table, the filtering pane including a field selector control, wherein the field selector control is programmed to allow for selection of a field of the fields in the data summary table to define filtering for the field.
US08095863B2 Low complexity decoding of low density parity check codes
An improved decoder and decoding method for low density parity check (LDPC) codes is provided. Decoding proceeds by repetitive message passing from a set of variable nodes to a set of check nodes, and from the check nodes back to the variable nodes. The variable node output messages include a “best guess” as to the relevant bit value, along with a weight giving the confidence in the, guess. The check node output messages have magnitudes selected from a predetermined set including neutral, weak, medium and strong magnitudes. The check node output messages tend to reinforce the status quo of the input variable nodes if the check node parity check is satisfied, and tend to flip bits in the input variable nodes if the check node parity check is not satisfied. The variable node message weights are used to determine the check node message magnitudes.
US08095859B1 Encoder for low-density parity check codes
Encoding of a low-density parity check code uses a block-circulant encoding matrix built from circulant matrices. Encoding can include partitioning data into a plurality of data segments. The data segments are each circularly rotated. A plurality of XOR summations are formed for each rotation of the data segments to produce output symbols. The XOR summations use data from the data segments defined by the circulant matrices. Output symbols are produced in parallel for each rotation of the data segments.
US08095858B2 File error identification, reporting, and replacement of media files
The present invention discloses a solution for automatically replacing a media files upon a device able to identify problems with locally stored media files. Initially, an automated process or user of a media playing device can initially identify a media file, which the media playing device is unable to play. The media playing device can be connected to an external device associated with a media store including a set of source media files. The source media files of the media store can be automatically queried for a corresponding one of the detected media file. A copy of a source media file resulting from the query can be automatically conveyed from the media store to the media playing device.
US08095856B2 Method and apparatus for mitigating memory requirements of erasure decoding processing
A system and method corrects erroneous sections received in a memory by pre-filling at least a portion of memory with a pre-defined value. If a received data packet is valid, the valid received data packet is stored over the pre-defined values in the memory location associated with the valid data packet. Values associated with a data segment and an adjacent data segment in the memory are compared to the pre-defined value. When the values of each data segment match the pre-defined values, then each data segment is an erroneous data segment.
US08095855B2 Systems and methods for regenerating data from a defective medium
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data regeneration. For example, a system for data regeneration is disclosed that includes a data input derived from the medium. A data detector and a data recovery system receive the data input. The data detector provides a first soft output, and the data recovery system provides a second soft output. The first soft output and the second soft output are provided to a multiplexer. A media defect detector performs a media defect detection process, and provides a defect flag that indicates whether the data input is derived form a defective portion of the medium. The defect flag is provided to the multiplexer where it is used to select whether the first soft output or the second soft output is provides as an extrinsic output.
US08095854B2 Method and system for generating low density parity check codes
An approach for generating a structured Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes is provided. Structure of the LDPC codes is provided by restricting a certain part of the parity check matrix to be lower triangular, hence enabling a very simple encoding method that does not require the generator matrix of the code. The approach can also exploit the unequal error protecting capability of LDPC codes on transmitted bits to provide extra error protection to more vulnerable bits of high order modulation constellations (such as 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying)).
US08095853B2 Digital memory with fine grain write operation
Methods, systems, and apparatus for operating digital memory including determining, by a controller, a bit to be written to the digital memory and writing, by the controller, the bit. The bit may be part of a data word comprising a plurality of bits and both the determining and the writing may be performed at a granularity level finer than a data word. In embodiments, the bit to be written may be determined by error correction.
US08095852B2 Data recorder
A data recorder includes a first memory element including read/write capability, a second memory element including non-volatile memory and a controller for realizing memory management functions. The controller responds to a predetermined triggering event by writing selected data from the first memory element to the second memory element. The selected data include data units that have been modified after a prior triggering event.
US08095851B2 Storage subsystem capable of adjusting ECC settings based on monitored conditions
A storage subsystem monitors one or more conditions related to the probability of a data error occurring. Based on the monitored condition or conditions, the storage subsystem adjusts an error correction setting, and thus the quantity of ECC data used to protect data received from a host system. To enable blocks of data to be properly checked when read from memory, the storage subsystem stores ECC metadata indicating the particular error correction setting used to store particular blocks of data. The storage subsystem may be in the form of a solid-state non-volatile memory card or drive that attaches to the host system.
US08095849B1 Rotationally invariant non-coherent burst coding and decoding
An apparatus, system and method can be arranged for coding and/or decoding with a phase invariant coding scheme that is useful for short burst signaling devices. 10-bit data is mapped into a 12-bit data with a non-coherent burst code mapper. A parity generator creates a 12-bit parity data to form a 24-bit extended binary Golay code from the 12-bit data. The values for selected bit fields in the 12-bit data and 12-bit parity data are swapped to generate I and Q data such that sensitivity to changes in rotational phase is removed. I and Q data can be used by a transmitter to transmit a rotationally-invariant signal. On receipt, I and Q signals can be recovered, reverse swapped to generate the parity and data signals, and remapped to recover the transmitted 10-bit data. The receiver can also be arranged to use a soft decoding method for improved signal integrity.
US08095846B2 Data coding apparatus and methods
Data encoding apparatus and methods are disclosed. A Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) coding module is selected, from a plurality of different CRC coding modules, for coding a block of information. A generic coder, which is configurable to perform CRC coding based on any of the plurality of different CRC coding modules, is configured to perform CRC coding for the block of information based on the selected CRC coding module. A block of information for which a coding operation is to be performed may be segmented into a plurality of segments having respective lengths. Respective generic coders may be configured to perform the coding operation for the plurality of segments. In this case, a result of the coding operation for the block of information may be determined based on results of the coding operations for the plurality of data segments.
US08095843B2 Method of acquiring a plurality of logic signals, with confirmation of state validity
A method of ACM acquisition/confirmation of a plurality of logic signals SI(i) combines a loop for the single confirmation processing for all the sampled signals, with a sequential sampling of these signals. On each sampling, the confirmation loop processes the current sampled signal SI(i), in order to decide on the updating of an output register Qs(i) with the current sampled state Sk, depending on whether or not it is confirmed, either that this state is not to be confirmed, or that this state is to be confirmed, and that the associated confirmation duration τ has elapsed. The confirmation loop uses a dating mechanism capable of supplying a current date used to supply the dates on which the logic state transitions are observed, and to allow measurements of the elapsed durations since these transition dates, and, for each processed signal, a parameter memory M-P(i), making it possible to program the confirmation of the associated signal as a function of criteria common to all the signals, and a status memory M-ST(i) which stores at least two items of information ST1 and ST2 corresponding respectively to the last state seen Sp for this signal and to the date of transition Dt into this state (ST2).
US08095836B2 Time-based techniques for detecting an imminent read failure in a memory array
A technique for detecting an imminent read failure in a memory array includes determining a first incident count for a memory array that does not exhibit an uncorrectable error correcting code (ECC) read during an array integrity check. In this case, the first incident count corresponds to an initial number of ECC corrections that are performed when the array integrity check of the memory array initially fails. The technique also includes determining a current count for the memory array when the memory array does not exhibit an uncorrectable ECC read during subsequent array integrity checks. In this case, the current count corresponds to a subsequent number of error correcting code (ECC) corrections required during the subsequent array integrity checks. An indication of an imminent read failure for the memory array is provided when the current count exceeds the first incident count by a predetermined amount.
US08095833B2 Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, transmission method, and reception method
A transmission method includes generating a control information signal relating to control information of a data signal. A transmission frame is formed by repeating and discretely arranging the same control information signal. The data signal and the control information signal are transmitted using the transmission frame.
US08095832B2 Method for repairing memory and system thereof
A method for repairing a main memory comprises the steps of: utilizing a spare memory to repair a main memory, wherein the spare memory includes a plurality of spare memory units; allocating a spare memory unit; determining whether available permutations of the allocated spare memory unit cover a newly found defect in the main memory; removing permutations of the spare memory unit failing to cover newly found defects in the main memory; and allocating another spare memory unit to repair the newly found defects if available permutations of the allocated spare memory unit fails to cover the newly found defects.
US08095831B2 Programmable error actions for a cache in a data processing system
A data processing system and method of operation has a processor coupled to a cache. Cache control circuitry is coupled to the cache and performs error detection. A user programmable error action control register stores a control value for selecting a type of error action to be taken when a cache error is detected. A first value of the control value permits handling of a cache error that is transparent to the processor, and a second value permits handling of the cache error by taking an exception that is visible to the processor. Various alternate actions to a detected error, including error correction or cache line invalidation, may be taken in response to other values of the control value.
US08095830B1 Diagnosis of system health with event logs
A method for diagnosing system health with system event logs is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of event logs and health indicator states from a system; transducing the plurality of event logs into numeric-based metrics of the system; and deriving, based on the transduced numeric-based metrics, at least one model of the system that correlates the plurality of event logs to the corresponding health indicator states.
US08095829B1 Soldier-on mode to control processor error handling behavior
A global processor operating mode is used select whether a processor stops processing when an error is detected or ignores the error and continues processing while overriding values as needed to recover from the error. When a soldier-on mode is enabled the system attempts to recover from the error while also recording the error state of the first error in on-chip registers for later analysis. When the soldier-on mode is not enabled and an error occurs, the system stops processing and the error is reported up to the operating system.
US08095826B1 Method and apparatus for providing in-memory checkpoint services within a distributed transaction
A method and apparatus for performing in-memory checkpoint services as a callable resource within a distributed transaction. As such, in-memory checkpoint processes can be utilized by an application as the application would use any resource available to the computer network via a distributed transaction.
US08095825B2 Error correction method with instruction level rollback
This method is an error correction method such that, when an error is detected in a CPU with pipeline structure, a content of a register file is restored by a delayed register file which holds an execute completion state of an [Instruction N] correctly executed before this error, and a rollback control that re-executes an instruction from the [Instruction N+1] which is the next instruction of the [Instruction N] is performed. The method collects a parity check result of arbitrary Flip-Flops existing inside the CPU, and detects an error. As a result, the content of the register file is restored into the instruction execute completion state preceding to the instruction range likely to malfunction by the error, and the instruction can be roll backed from the beginning of the instruction range likely having malfunctioned by the error.
US08095824B2 Performing mode switching in an unbounded transactional memory (UTM) system
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for selecting a first transaction execution mode to begin a first transaction in a unbounded transactional memory (UTM) system having a plurality of transaction execution modes. These transaction execution modes include hardware modes to execute within a cache memory of a processor, a hardware assisted mode to execute using transactional hardware of the processor and a software buffer, and a software transactional memory (STM) mode to execute without the transactional hardware. The first transaction execution mode can be selected to be a highest performant of the hardware modes if no pending transaction is executing in the STM mode, otherwise a lower performant mode can be selected. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08095823B2 Server computer component
A processing system for assisting computer programs running in a distributed computer system is disclosed, the processing system including: a detector for detecting that a running program has encountered a problem caused by not having direct access to another piece of code; a requisitioner for obtaining the other piece of code from another part of the system; and a controller for controlling the computer to re-run the program from a point before the problem was encountered, in such a way that it has the necessary direct access to the other piece of code.
US08095821B2 Debugging for multiple errors in a microprocessor environment
A new method and apparatus have been taught for storing error information used for debugging as generated by the initial and subsequent error occurrences. In this invention, a register with several bit ranges is used to store error information. The first bit-range is allocated to the initial error information. If the total number of the errors exceeds the capacity of the register, the last error is kept in a last bit-range. This way, precious initial error information (as well as the last error information) will be available for debugging.
US08095820B2 Storage system and control methods for the same
A RAID group is configured and operated by using multiple storage drives 171 and expanders 112 and 121 connected with the storage drives 171. If a failure related to any storage drive 171 is detected, a storage system 10 which issues a broadcast and a discover command to the communication path of the storage drive 171 manages a broadcast inhibiting flag for setting the information showing whether to inhibit transmission of broadcast per storage drive 171. If a failure occurs to a storage drive 171 constituting a RAID group whose redundancy is lost, the storage system 10 sets the broadcast inhibiting flag to inhibiting the broadcast transmission, and if a failure related to the storage drive 171 occurs and the broadcast inhibiting flag of the storage drive 171 is being set to inhibiting the transmission, inhibits the transmission of the broadcast.
US08095816B1 Processor management using a buffer
In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a buffer, a plurality of processors, and a processor control module. The processor control module is to manage how many of the plurality of processors are used to process data from the buffer based at least in part on an amount of the data stored in the buffer.
US08095815B2 System for reducing power consumption in an electronic chip
A system for reducing power consumption in an electronic device comprising at least one electronic chip comprises a plurality of local access network (LAN) ports, a transceiver coupled between the LAN ports and the electronic chip, a PLA device, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU is configured to power off the electronic chip in response to a period of inactivity on the LAN ports and power on the electronic chip in response to a signal from the PLA device.
US08095812B2 Low power zigbee device and low power wake-up method
Provided is a low-power ZigBee device provided with a sleeping mode and an active mode including a power supplying unit for supplying a power; a Medium Access Control (MAC) processing unit for receiving a wake-up packet and for controlling a modem unit and an Radio Frequency (RF) unit; and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for receiving and processing a data packet, wherein the MAC processing unit makes the power supplying unit apply a power to the CPU based on a result of checking an identification (ID) of the wake-up packet.
US08095805B2 Security flash memory, data encryption device and method for accessing security flash memory
The present invention discloses a security flash memory which includes a flash memory chip with a plurality of data transmission terminals, and a data encryption device. The data encryption device includes a verifier module with default pass code, a secret key module and a switching module. The verifier module compares a pass code with the default pass code for outputting a control signal. The secret key module is used for data encryption and data decryption. The switching module is connected to the verifier module, the data transmission terminals of the flash memory chip and the secret key module, and may connect or disconnect the data transmission terminals of the flash chip and the secret key module in response to the control signal.
US08095802B2 System and method for securely saving a program context to a shared memory
A system, method and program product for securely saving a program context to a shared memory is presented. A secured program running on an special purpose processor core running in isolation mode is interrupted. The isolated special purpose processor core is included in a heterogeneous processing environment, that includes purpose processors and general purpose processor cores that each access a shared memory. In isolation mode, the special purpose processor core's local memory is inaccessible from the other heterogeneous processors. The secured program's context is securely saved to the shared memory using a random persistent security data. The lines of code stored in the isolated special purpose processor core's local memory are read along with data values, such as register settings, set by the secured program. The lines of code and data values are encrypted using the persistent security data, and the encrypted code lines and data values are stored in the shared memory.
US08095799B2 Ticket authorized secure installation and boot
A method and apparatus for secure software installation to boot a device authorized by a ticket are described herein. A ticket request including a device identifier of the device is sent for the ticket which includes attributes for one or more components to boot the device into an operating state. The ticket is cryptographically validated to match the one or more components with corresponding attributes included in the ticket. If successfully matched, the one or more components are executed to boot the device.
US08095795B2 Methods and apparatus for robust embedded data
The present invention describes methods and apparatus involving embedding data. Data can be embedded steganographically in content or embedded in, e.g., headers associated with the content. In one implementation, a method of embedding auxiliary information in data is provided. The method includes receiving data and correlated data. The correlated data is related to but independent from the received data. The method further includes receiving auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being independent of the received data and the correlated data; changing the auxiliary information based on at least the correlated data; and embedding the changed auxiliary information in the received data. Other implementations are also provided.
US08095794B2 System and method of watermarking a signal
A system and method of generating a watermarked signal are disclosed. The system segments the signal into overlapping blocks using a window function and processes the overlapping blocks according to whether each block is odd- or even-numbered. The system windows the odd-numbered blocks, modulates the phase of each block in the frequency domain, transforms each modulated block in the time domain, windows each block transformed into the time domain and overlap-adds each odd-numbered block with each even-numbered block to generate the watermarked signal.
US08095791B2 Distributed processing system, distributed processing method and image processing apparatus
A distributed storage system implements high-speed data reconstitution processing while ensuring a high security level. Devices (63) in a device group (51) with security level “low” distributedly store fragmented data. When a process requesting device (60) belonging to a device group (50) with security level “high” instructs devices (62) belonging to the same group to reconstitute the data, the devices (62) collect and reconstitute part of the fragmented and stored data. After that, the process requesting device (60) collects the data partially reconstituted by the devices (62) and completely reconstitutes the data.
US08095789B2 Unauthorized communication detection method
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for controlling an apparatus for transferring data from a plurality of first devices to a second device via a network, the data being transferred by using a packet, the method comprises the steps of: extracting encryption information identifying method of encryption conveyed by a packet and destination information identifying destination of the packet transmitted from one of the first devices; counting the number of kinds of the destination information extracted from packets associated with the same encryption information, respectively; and determining an unauthorized communication when the number of kinds of the encryption information is less than a predetermined value.
US08095788B2 Method and apparatus for integrated provisioning of a network device with configuration information and identity certification
According to one aspect, a provisioning server comprises a configuration module that configures a network device and an identification certification module that certifies the identity of the network device. With use of the provisioning server, the network device does not require configuration with network connectivity in order to obtain its certified identity. In one embodiment, configuration module configures the device for operation at the device's point of deployment in a network. In one embodiment, the identity certification module is configured to generate a digital certificate for the network device and the configuration module is configured to automatically configure the network device based on its digital certificate. The provisioning server is coupled to the network device with a secure communication link. As a result, a more trusted network device is ultimately deployed into its network of operation.
US08095786B1 Application-specific network-layer virtual private network connections
Techniques are described for providing secure communication of network traffic from specific applications operating on a client device to a server device using a network-layer virtual private network (VPN). For example, a module on a client device may intercept network traffic from an application executing on the client device. The module may then determine whether to send the application-layer data through a network-layer VPN tunnel from the client device to a gateway device. This network-layer VPN tunnel may be defined by a network address of a physical adapter of the client device and a network address of the VPN gateway. In other words, there may be no need for the interposition of a VPN proxy on the client device. The module makes this determination on an application-by-application basis. The client device then forwards the application-layer data through the VPN tunnel based on the determination.
US08095783B2 Media boot loader
A method for boot media loader that includes detecting bootable media independent of any media partitioning. When bootable media is detected, data is read from a predetermined location of the bootable media. Next, the file system type is determined from the read data. The boot loader code is loaded for the corresponding file system type from basic input and output system (BIOS) code, and execution control is transferred to the boot loader code.
US08095779B2 System and method for optimization within a group priority issue schema for a cascaded pipeline
The present invention provides system and method for a group priority issue schema for a cascaded pipeline. The system includes a cascaded delayed execution pipeline unit having a plurality of execution pipelines that execute instructions in a common issue group in a delayed manner relative to each other. The system further includes circuitry configured to: (1) receive an issue group of instructions; (2) determine if a plurality of load instructions are in the issue group, if so, schedule the plurality of load instructions in descending order of longest dependency chain depth to shortest dependency chain depth in a shortest to longest available execution pipelines; and (3) execute the issue group of instructions in the cascaded delayed execution pipeline unit.
US08095778B1 Method and system for sharing functional units of a multithreaded processor
Sharing functional units within a multithreaded processor. In one embodiment, the multithreaded processor may include a multithreaded instruction source that may provide an instruction from each of a plurality of thread groups in a given cycle. A given thread group may include one or more instructions from one or more threads. The arbitration functionality may arbitrate between the plurality of thread groups for access to a functional unit such as a load store unit, for example, that may be shared between the thread groups.
US08095777B2 Structure for predictive decoding
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes an apparatus for predictive decoding, the apparatus including register logic for fetching an instruction; predictor logic containing predictor information including prior instruction execution characteristics; logic for obtaining predictor information for the fetched instruction from the predictor; and decode logic for generating a selected one of a plurality of decode operation streams corresponding to the fetched instruction, wherein the decode operation stream is selected based on the predictor information.
US08095776B2 Semiconductor device and data processing system selectively operating as one of a big endian or little endian system
A semiconductor device correctly switches endian modes regardless of the current endian mode of an interface. The semiconductor device includes a switching circuit and a first register. The switching circuit switches an interface to be used in big endian or little endian mode. The first register holds control data of the switching circuit. The switching circuit sets the interface in little endian mode when first predetermined control information is supplied to the first register, and sets the interface in big endian mode when second predetermined control information is supplied to the first register. The control information can be correctly inputted without being influenced by the endian setting status.
US08095775B1 Instruction pointers in very long instruction words
During operation of a VLIW processor, a very long instruction word is fetched. A portion of the very long instruction word that includes a pointer to an instruction is identified, and the instruction pointed to by the pointer is retrieved from a location of an instruction window. The retrieved instruction is input into a functional unit for execution.
US08095772B2 Large memory pages for shared libraries
A method for loading shared libraries. The method includes receiving an indication of a requirement to load the shared library into the virtual memory and determining that the shared library is a candidate for using shared large pages. Further, the method includes, in response to the determination, storing a text section of the shared library in a shared large page of the virtual memory and storing a data section of the shared library in a page of the virtual memory, where the virtual memory is mapped to a physical memory of the computer, where, within an address space of the virtual memory, a starting address of the text section of the shared library is separated from a starting address of the data section of the shared library by a predefined distance, and where the predefined distance is larger than a size of the large page.
US08095770B2 Method and system for mapping data to a process
The invention relates to mapping data to a process. A method of the invention includes receiving a request to copy a parent process, where the parent process is associated with a first virtual memory address space that includes a first mapping to a page of a file loaded into physical memory. The method includes creating a child process (of the parent process) associated with a second virtual memory address space. The method includes determining that a fork count is greater than a fork count threshold and a COW count to fork count ratio is greater than a threshold ratio. The fork count is associated with the file and the COW count is associated with the page. The method includes creating a copy of the page in physical memory and further includes creating a second mapping from the second virtual memory address space to the copy of the page.
US08095768B2 VSAM smart reorganization
Various embodiments for adaptive reorganization of a virtual storage access method (VSAM) data set are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, upon each control interval (CI) split of a plurality of CI splits occurring over a period of time, historical data including a key value for a record causing each CI split is recorded in a data repository. The historical data is analyzed with a predictive algorithm to determine an amount of free space to be allocated to each of a plurality of control intervals generated pursuant to the adaptive reorganization. The predictive algorithm allocates a greater percentage of the free space to a first location of the VVDS having a larger proportion of historically placed key values than a second location of the VVDS having a smaller proportion of the historically placed key values.
US08095758B2 Fully asynchronous memory mover
A data processing system has a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and an asynchronous memory mover coupled to the processor. The asynchronous memory mover has registers for receiving a set of parameters from the processor, which parameters are associated with an asynchronous memory move (AMM) operation initiated by the processor in virtual address space, utilizing a source effective address and a destination effective address. The asynchronous memory mover performs the AMM operation to move the data from a first physical memory location having a source real address corresponding to the source effective address to a second physical memory location having a destination real address corresponding to the destination effective address. The asynchronous memory mover has an associated off-chip translation mechanism. The AMM operation thus occurs independent of the processor, and the processor continues processing other operations independent of the AMM operation.
US08095756B1 System and method for coordinating deduplication operations and backup operations of a storage volume
A system and method are described for coordinating deduplication operations and backup operations of a storage volume. In one embodiment, a request is identified to eliminate duplicate data from a storage volume. The storage volume may be scheduled to be backed up on a periodic basis. The duration of time required to complete an operation to eliminate duplicate data from the storage volume may be determined. The determination may be based on the amount of data modified on the storage volume since the last operation to eliminate duplicate data from the storage volume. The determined duration of time may be used to schedule the start time of the operation to eliminate duplicate data such that the operation is completed prior to the next scheduled backup of the storage volume. The operation may be initiated at the scheduled start time, ensuring the operation is completed prior to the next scheduled backup.
US08095754B2 Transparent autonomic data replication improving access performance for a storage area network aware file system
Techniques are provided for distributing data. It is determined that a source storage device is becoming a bottleneck. One or more blocks to be moved from the source storage device to one or more other storage devices are identified. The one or more other storage devices are selected. Copy services are used to move the blocks from the source storage device to the one or more other storage devices. A metadata store is updated with locations of the blocks that have been moved.
US08095753B1 System and method for adding a disk to a cluster as a shared resource
A system and method are described for adding a disk to a cluster as a shared resource. In one embodiment, a request is received to add a disk to a cluster as a shared disk resource. The disk may share a disk identifier with a second disk currently connected to the cluster as a shared resource. A determination is made as to which partition format is used by the disk. A unique disk identifier is retrieved and written to the disk in accordance with the determined partition format. The disk is then connected to the node as a shared disk resource. The disk may be a snapshot, mirror, or backup of the second disk currently connected to the cluster.
US08095752B2 Storage access device issuing I/O requests, in an associated logical unit environment
A storage access device, which issues an I/O request (input/output request) to a logical unit provided by one or more storage systems, holds association information showing that a plurality of logical volumes corresponding to a plurality of logical units, which belong to the same copy-set, are associated. In the storage access device, the respective associated logical volumes shown by this association information are allocated to a virtual device, and the virtual device is provided to an application.
US08095746B1 Conserving and shaping address space with arrays
A system and method for using an array structure to abstract the addressing of device memory allows for larger amounts of device memory to be accessed compared with using conventional pointers to access a 32 bit memory space. Additionally, the memory organization may be changed for optimal performance based on the underlying memory subsystem and characteristics of the accesses without impacting the array structure.
US08095741B2 Transactional memory computing system with support for chained transactions
A computing system processes memory transactions for parallel processing of multiple threads of execution provides execution of multiple atomic instruction groups (AIGs) on multiple systems to support a single large transaction that requires operations on multiple threads of execution and/or on multiple systems connected by a network. The support provides a Transaction Table in memory and fast detection of potential conflicts between multiple transactions. Special instructions may mark the boundaries of a transaction and identify memory locations applicable to a transaction. A ‘private to transaction’ (PTRAN) tag, directly addressable as part of the main data storage memory location, enables a quick detection of potential conflicts with other transactions that are concurrently executing on another thread. The tag indicates whether (or not) a data entry in memory is part of a speculative memory state of an uncommitted transaction that is currently active in the system.
US08095740B2 Method and apparatus for accessing data of a message memory of a communication module
A method and an apparatus for accessing data of a message memory of a communication module by inputting or outputting data into or from the message memory, the message memory being connected to a buffer memory assemblage and the data being transferred to the message memory or from the message memory, the buffer memory assemblage having an input buffer memory in the first transfer direction and an output buffer memory in the second transfer direction; and the input buffer memory and the output buffer memory each being divided into a partial buffer memory and a shadow memory, the following steps being performed in each transfer direction: inputting data into the respective partial buffer memory, and transposing access to the partial buffer memory and shadow memory, so that subsequent data can be inputted into the shadow memory while the previously inputted data are already being outputted from the partial buffer memory in the stipulated transfer direction.
US08095736B2 Methods and systems for dynamic cache partitioning for distributed applications operating on multiprocessor architectures
Software, systems and methods are described which provide cache management capabilities. The number of cache sets to be used in each partition of the cache memory space is based on a number of cache pages in each partition and an associativity level associated with the set associative cache. The cache sets can be numbered based on the partition number, a total number of partitions and a cache page index. Cache management according to these exemplary embodiments reduces problems associated with cache trashing in multiprocessor environments sharing common data structures in set associative caches.
US08095734B2 Managing cache line allocations for multiple issue processors
An apparatus having a cache configured as N-way associative and a controller circuit is disclosed. The controller circuit may be configured to (i) detect one of a cache hit and a cache miss in response to each of a plurality of access requests to the cache, (ii) detect a collision among the access requests, (iii) queue at least two first requests of the access requests that establish a speculative collision, the speculative collision occurring where the first requests access a given congruence class in the cache and (iv) delay a line allocation to the cache caused by a cache miss of a given one of the first requests while the given congruence class has at least N outstanding line fills in progress.
US08095731B2 Mutable object caching
In one embodiment, a method for caching mutable objects comprises adding to a cache a first cache entry that includes a first object and a first key. Assigning a unique identification to the first object. Adding an entry to an instance map for the first object. The entry includes the unique identification and the first object. Creating a data structure that represents the first object. The data structure includes information relevant to the current state of the first object. A second cache entry is then added to the cache. The second cache entry includes the data structure and the unique identification. Updating the first cache entry to replace the first object with the unique identification.
US08095730B1 System and method for providing space availability notification in a distributed striped volume set
A computer data storage system is described. A processor maintains a striped volume set by striping a data container over a plurality of storage nodes. A storage node determines whether space available on that node is below a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold indicating a low-in-space state. The storage node sends a message indicating that the storage node is in a low-in-space state. The processor accepts no further write messages to the data container as long as the storage node is in a low-in-space state.
US08095723B2 Log-based flash translation layer and operating method thereof
A log-based FTL and an operating method thereof for improving performances of reading and writing operations to increase the lifetime of a flash memory. In the method, when a reading operation for an LBN and an LPN is requested, a PBN and a PPN corresponding to the LBN and the LPN are calculated with reference to a pagemap corresponding to the LBN. A physical page of a physical block corresponding to the PBN and the PPN is accessed so that a reading operation is performed. On the other hand, when a writing operation for the LBN and the LPN is requested, a PBN and a PPN for a free-page of a physical block last assigned for the LBN are calculated with reference to a blockmap. The physical page of the physical block corresponding to the PBN and the PPN is accessed, so that a writing operation is performed. The pagemap stores a PBN and a PPN, and the blockmap stores a PBN list and a PPN.
US08095721B2 Network switch and method of switching in network
A network switch with a plurality of crossbar switches that is available to suppress increase in the circuit scale is provided. The network switch has: the plurality of crossbar switches that transfer unit data in a specified format; a receiving side transfer unit that transfers data received from a network to the plurality of crossbar switches in the unit data basis; and a plurality of transmitting side transfer units that transmit data transferred from the plurality of crossbar switches to the network. The receiving side transfer sets a consecutive serial number to the unit data in transfer sequence, and distributes the unit data to the plurality of crossbar switches. Each of the plurality of transmitting side transfer units has a plurality of queues for the respective crossbar switches that stores the transferred unit data, and extracts the unit data with smallest serial number of the unit data stored in the queues when all of the queues store the unit data.
US08095720B2 Voltage indicator signal generation system and method
The present invention provides for a system comprising a peripheral component interface (PCI) host bridge. The PCI host bridge is configured to be coupled to a PCI bus, and to receive a system reset signal, to generate a PCI bus reset signal based on the received system reset signal, to detect a PCI operational mode of the PCI bus, and to generate a voltage indicator signal based on the detected PCI operational mode. A voltage regulator is coupled to the PCI host bridge and configured to receive the voltage indicator signal and to regulate a signaling voltage for the PCI bus based on the voltage indicator signal.
US08095718B2 Bridge, information processor, and access control method
A downstream port 22 of a bridge 20 connecting a processor unit and a peripheral device acknowledges access from the peripheral device via one of a plurality of downstream channels available for access by the peripheral device to a memory of the processor unit, the downstream channels being virtual channels provided for interfacing with the peripheral device. The router 24 routes the access to upstream channels each assigned a memory bandwidth available for access to the memory, the upstream channels being virtual channels supported by the processor unit. In this process, the router refers to a table storing identifiers of the downstream channels and identifiers of the upstream channels in association with each other so as to allocate to the peripheral device the upstream channel corresponding to the downstream channel used by the peripheral device, in response to the access from the peripheral device.
US08095716B2 Method and system for communicating capability information from an accessory to a media player
A method and system for allowing a media player to determine if it supports the capabilities of an accessory are disclosed. The method and system comprise requesting information about the capabilities of the accessory by the media player and providing information about the capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the media player. The method and system further include utilizing the information to determine if the capabilities of the accessory are supported by the media player. Accordingly, a method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a media player to obtain information from an accessory about the accessory's capability. A media player can then utilize this information to allow for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the media player.
US08095713B2 Smart cables
A smart cable apparatus includes resources that provide for additional functionality such as cable authentication and cable identification. The cable apparatus can be configured for coupling an electronic device such as a media player to other electronic devices such as media player accessories. The cable apparatus includes one or more processing components that can be integrated as part of the cable apparatus. The one or more processing components can be configured to identify the type of signal the cable apparatus is intended to carry, and to communicate that information to the electronic device to which it is connected. The one or more processing components can also be configured to process authentication inquires to indicate whether the cable apparatus is an authorized accessory for the electronic device.
US08095703B2 Data transfer method
There is provided a data transfer method in an IEEE1394 system including a band request node and a transfer band management node. The method includes generating, at the band request node, a transfer request that can detect a data amount of transfer data and transmitting the transfer request from the band request node to the transfer band management node, determining, by the transfer band management node, whether a transfer band requested by the transfer request is ensured or not, notifying, from the transfer band management node, the band request node of the determination result, and transferring data from the band request node according to the determination result.
US08095699B2 Methods and apparatus for interfacing between a host processor and a coprocessor
An interface to transfer data between a host processor and an external coprocessor is provided. The interface may operate in several write modes, in which in a first write mode the write operation is transferred across the interface in two clock cycles and in a second write mode the write operation is transferred across the interface in a single clock cycle. The interface can perform a first read operation initiated by the host processor and a second read operation initiated by the external coprocessor. The interface can include buffers to store read and write operations and clock gates to selectively gate off clock signals provided to the buffers to synchronize transfer of data into and out of the buffers. A selectable priority scheme can be modified to select between priorities that control a preference in transferring operations over the interface when both read and write operations are queued for transfer.
US08095698B2 Circuits and methods for reliable automatic USB speed detection
The Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) 2.0 Specification defines three speeds of communication for its bus, and each has its own signaling characteristics. Due to the uniqueness of each speed, PHYs must be placed in a separate mode for each signaling rate. Although USB devices may know its communication speed, a general purpose USB analyzer must be able to analyze all USB communications. Rather than force the user to manually set the operating mode of the analyzer, this invention describes circuits for automatically and reliably determining the monitored USB communication speed.
US08095695B2 Control apparatus for process input-output device
A control apparatus for an input-output device includes a hardware part and a software part, in which a controller in the hardware part carries out a control operation in accordance with a signal from the input-output device, outputs a result of the control operation to a process, and has a timer unit to be excited at a constant period; and the software part has an information process part, a control process part, and an interrupt control unit to switch over the information process part and control process part one another, in which the interrupt control unit suspends an execution of the information process part to execute the control process part in priority and resume the information process part by switching over to the information process part from the control process part, when the execution of the control process part is terminated.
US08095685B2 Provision of a service to several separately managed networks
A domain name server to be connected to a telecommunication network, the server comprising a memory for storing the names of network elements constituting the management domain of the domain name server and the IP addresses corresponding to the names, and a processor for mapping the received access point name to the stored network element IP address. The domain name server is arranged to identify a name included in a session request as an Internet address related to a certain service and map the network element name to a certain IP address of the management domain of another network, the IP address corresponding to the access point of the server. The invention enables provision of service to several separately managed networks by one service sub-system, which minimizes the amount of work required to establish and manage the hardware needed to provide service.
US08095682B2 Realtime media distribution in a p2p network
Nodes in a realtime p2p media distribution can act in the role of ‘Amplifiers’ to increase the total available bandwidth in the network and thus to improve the quality of the realtime media consumed by the viewers. Examples of such media consumptions are TV channels over the Internet, video on demand films, and files, and media files downloaded to be consumed at a later time. Amplifiers are added to the p2p swarm by a mechanism that discovers the need for supplemental bandwidth in the swarm and orders nodes to join the swarm in the role of amplifiers. The amplifiers' main goal is to maximize the amount of bandwidth they supply (upload) to the swarm while minimizing the amount of bandwidth they consume (download).
US08095679B1 Predictive transmission of content for application streaming and network file systems
The performance and hence the user experience of just-in-time application streaming is significantly enhanced by predicting which sections of an application are likely to execute next, and transmitting those sections from the server to the endpoint. A control flow graph of the application is created and analyzed against the execution state of the application such that it can be predicated which code pages the application is likely to utilize next. This analysis can be performed on the server, endpoint or any combination of the two. The predicted code pages are proactively pushed and/or pulled such that the application can continue executing without delay. This significantly enhances the performance of application streaming and network file system technologies, and is especially beneficial for very performance sensitive applications.
US08095677B1 Configuration rule generation with compressed address sets
Techniques for compressing a set of input addresses to generate a set of one or more rules for various network applications and tools such as routers, firewalls, and others. A tree is generated based upon a set of input addresses. A set of one or more rules may be generated based upon the generated tree and a tolerance value. The set of one or more rules may identify one or more address segments that include the input addresses and may also include one or more additional addresses. In one embodiment, the set of one or more rules may be one or more Classless Internet Domain Routing (CIDR) expressions. The set of one or more rules may be provided to various network applications and tools for further processing.
US08095676B2 Mediating system and method to establish communication session, allowing private information to be protected
The present invention is to prevent user's attribute information from being distributed, in the case where it is to be determined whether or not the attribute information (for example, age, address, and the like) of the user satisfies a service providing condition, when a communication session is established across multiple session managing servers.According to the present invention, attribute information of a user who is using a client logging in a session managing server, and attribute information of a service operating on the client are managed, a condition (SEP) to establish a communication session among multiple session managing servers related to the session establishment is shared, and the session managing server which manages the attribute information compares the attribute information and the SEP to make an access judgment, in order to determine whether or not the communication session is to be established.
US08095672B1 Verifying online identities across parental control systems
Identities of owners of electronic communication aliases are collected from a plurality of client computers across a parental control system. Each collected identity corresponds to an electronic communication aliases used by at least one child associated with the originating client computer. The collected identities and the corresponding electronic communication aliases are stored. Response to receiving a collected identity, previously stored identities corresponding to the same electronic communication alias are retrieved, and compared to the received identity. The more previously stored identities match the received identity, the more likely the received identity is to be accurate. Therefore, based upon the comparison results, it can be determined whether the received identity is accurate or not. If it is determined that the received identity is false, the relevant parents are automatically notified.
US08095669B2 Methods for transmitting media data between terminals prior to transmitting acknowledgements during automatic connection negotiation
Methods and products for reducing the time required to set-up a call are provided. In particular, new functionality to H.324 is added by allowing the transmission of media to commence after a reduced number of H.245 messages have been exchanged by two calling devices. If two terminals involved in a call are capable of automatic connect renegotiation, one or more predetermined logical channels in the two terminals for transmitting media is selected, a message is sent from one terminal to the other terminal to open the predetermined logical channel, and media transmission between the two terminals is commenced.
US08095668B2 Middlebox control
In order to carry out actions such as setting up a call from an entity in the address realm of one middlebox to an entity in the address realm of another middlebox, then a middlebox control node such as a call server is used. Previously, the middlebox control node has needed to have pre-configured information about all the middleboxes and which address realms they are associated with. The present invention provides one or more middlebox-identity-providing nodes which are separate from the middlebox control node, and which are more directly connected to the end users of the service than the middlebox control node. This provides greater flexibility in network design and removes the need for middlebox information to be pre-configured at the middlebox control node. Instead, this information is sent to the middlebox control node, as part of signalling messages, from middlebox-identity-providing nodes.
US08095666B2 Internet provider subscriber communications system
A system, method, and computer readable medium for communicating at least one real-time specially-composed bulletin message to at least one subscriber of a provider of Internet services, comprising a first device, and a second device communicably coupled to the first device, wherein the first device: accesses only subscriber upstream traffic to a destination web site requested by the subscriber, wherein the first device inter-connects between the at least one subscriber and the destination web site, identifies the at least one subscriber's unique identification based on the accessed subscriber upstream traffic automatically provided by the subscriber, and provides the unique subscriber identification to the second device located at the provider of Internet services providing data services and management control to the first device, wherein the second device determines the subscriber associated with the unique subscriber identification, and if the specially-composed bulletin message for the subscriber is desired to be communicated: the second device sends policy information related to the data services and management control, to the first device, wherein the policy information includes an IP address of the subscriber's device, and at least one of: the specially-composed bulletin message, a modification of the message to be performed for the IP address, a reference to the message, and a redirection to the message, the first device examines the accessed upstream traffic to determine if it is possible to send a redirection, wherein the examining occurs without modifying the accessed upstream traffic, and the first device sends the redirection if it is possible to do so.
US08095664B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program for processing information
A switcher, residing in a memory, detects a connectable network when a terminal is powered on. When a network is detected, a communication unit issues a message to a processor. The processor detects whether the terminal has ever been connected to the detected network and whether the profile of the network is registered. If the processor determines that the profile of the network is registered, a connection to the network is established in accordance with the profile. If the processor determines that no profile of the network is registered, a new profile of the network is produced, and then registered. The present invention is applicable to personal computers.
US08095662B1 Automated scheduling of virtual machines across hosting servers
Some embodiments provide a method and system for automatedly scheduling virtual machines across several hosting servers of a hosting service provider. Some embodiments perform the automated scheduling by receiving a server configuration that includes constraint data. In some embodiments, the constraint data includes a specified amount of hosting resources needed to implement the server configuration. Based on the constraint data, a scheduling module in the hosting environment determines an optimal distribution of the server configuration across a set of hosting resources that implement the server configuration based on the constraint data. To determine the optimal distribution, some embodiments compute a set of scores for quantifying the specified set of hosting resources required for hosting the server configuration. From the optimal distribution, some embodiments perform a mapping of the server configuration to a particular set of hosting resources of several hosting resources using the computed set of scores.
US08095660B2 Method to enhance principal referencing in identity-based scenarios
A Principal Referencing method is described herein which enables an inviting principal-A to have access control over their shared resources by introducing a pair of user identifiers associated with an invited principal-B which are created and delivered during an invitation process. Each identifier is shared between two parties. The first identifier is shared between the Discovery Services (DS-A and DS-B) of both principals, invited and inviting. The second identifier identifies the invited principal-B as well, but it is shared between the inviting principal's web service provider (WSP-A) and the DS-A. Thus, the DS-A is the identifier switching point which isolates both identifier planes. The purpose of these two identifiers is to enable the invited principal-B to be referenced/identified during a discovery and access process without compromising her/his privacy by allowing anyone identifier to be shared between more than two parties. This is important since if an identifier was shared between more than two parties, then Liberty Alliance Project's privacy protection requirement would not be satisfied.
US08095658B2 Method and system for externalizing session management using a reverse proxy server
A method, system, and computer program product is presented for providing access to a set of resources in a distributed data processing system. A reverse proxy server receives a resource request from a client and determines whether or not it is managing a session identifier that was previously associated with the client by the reverse proxy server; if so, it retrieves the session identifier, otherwise it obtains a session identifier and associates the session identifier with the client using information that is managed by the reverse proxy server. The reverse proxy server then modifies the resource request to include the session identifier and forwards the modified resource request to an application server.
US08095657B2 First thread lock management for distributed data systems
A distributed data system may include nodes hosting at least one multi-threaded process operable to access portions of distributed data. A lock mechanism may grant locks to multi-threaded processes for portions of the distributed data. Only a process holding a lock may access a portion corresponding to the lock. Threads of other processes may not access the portion. A process may include a first thread to request access to a distributed data portion that may acquire a lock for the distributed data portion on behalf of the process. In one embodiment, the lock mechanism may require only a thread that acquired a lock release the lock on behalf of a process. In embodiments, the first thread may release the lock in response to no more threads of the process require access to the distributed data portion and/or in response to a request to release the lock.
US08095654B2 System and method for identifying individual users accessing a web site
An improved method and system for identifying individual users accessing a web site. A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. The synchronized time value may be based on an event associated with the client computer system, such as the start of a web browser. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database. Multiple client computer systems having a common Internet address may be identified by using this method. Users privacy is also protected as the unique identifiers are erased when the client computer system's user exits the web browser or powers down the computer.
US08095647B2 Method and apparatus for geographic-based communications service
A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.
US08095645B2 Traffic flow inference based on link loads and gravity measures
Traffic flow between each pair of nodes in a network are determined based on loads measured at each link and based on gravity measures associated with each node. The gravity measures correspond to a relative likelihood of the node being a source or a sink of traffic, and may be assigned based on ‘soft’ characteristics associated with each node, such as the demographics of the region in which the node is located, prior sinking and sourcing statistics, and so on. Because the assigned gravities are relatively subjective, the gravity measures are used to generate an objective function for solving a system of linear equations, rather than as criteria that must be satisfied in the solution. The measured link loads are allocated among the traffic flows between nodes to at least a given allocation efficiency criteria by solving a system of linear equations with an objective of minimizing a difference between the assigned gravities and the resultant gravities corresponding to the determined flows.
US08095642B1 Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting frequency of background-downloads
A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the frequency of content background-downloading. An apparatus such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or computer, will be set to perform background-downloads of content at a particular frequency. The apparatus will then determine the frequency with which a user accesses background-downloaded content on the device, and the apparatus will use the determined frequency as a basis to automatically adjust the background-download frequency. For instance, if the user-access frequency is greater than the background-download frequency, then the apparatus may increase the background-download frequency, whereas, if the user-access frequency is less than the background-download frequency, then the apparatus may decrease the background-download frequency.
US08095639B2 Monitoring-target-apparatus management system, management server, and monitoring-target-apparatus management method
If both of LUN security information on storage apparatuses and configuration information on an iSNS server are acquirable, a management server makes reference to configuration situation of the LUN security acquired from a monitoring-target storage apparatus, thereby acquiring iSCSI initiator names which are permitted to access the storage apparatus. Moreover, the management server acquires, from the iSNS server, IP address of an iSCSI initiator name which does not exist on a monitoring-target host out of the iSCSI initiator names, then adding the IP address into monitoring-target nodes. Meanwhile, when an access from the management server to a monitoring-target node becomes impossible for a certain constant time-period due to a reason such that the monitoring-target node has been excluded from the network, the management server is capable of excluding the monitoring-target node from the monitoring targets on a GUI.
US08095637B2 Communication system and communication device
A communication system includes a communication device and a communication network configured to communicate with the communication device. The communication network includes a storage unit configured to store first communication information related to a communication to the communication device that is generated when communications with the communication device are unattainable; and a notifying unit configured to send the first communication information stored in the storage unit to the communication device when communications with the communication device become attainable. The communication device is configured to receive the first communication information sent from the notifying unit, and includes a restraining unit configured to restrain function of a local device based on the first communication information.
US08095636B2 Process, system and program product for executing test scripts against multiple systems
A process, system and program product for executing a plurality of tests scripts or one or more test script sets against a plurality of systems to be tested. The process comprises providing an instance of a test script set on a server, writing an initial system value corresponding to an initial system to be tested on a web page file hosted on the server, retrieving the initial system value from the web page file and launching a URL using the initial system value retrieved to execute the test script set against the initial system to be tested. The process further includes overwriting the web page file to change the initial system value to a next system value corresponding to a next system to be tested, retrieving the next system value from the web page file and launching a next URL using the next system value retrieved to execute the test script set against the next system to be tested.
US08095634B2 Device management system for mobile devices that supports multiple-point transport
A device management server uses both point-to-point and broadcast transport protocols to remotely manage a plurality of electronic devices. The server uses extensions to a standard device management protocol to access, via the point-to-point transport protocol, device management information in memory of the electronic device. The device management information permits the electronic device to receive information using the broadcast transport protocol. Results from processing the received information are returned to the server using the point-to-point transport protocol. The device management server also employs handset control and enterprise control management objects to conduct device wipe, lock, unlock and other operations.
US08095629B2 Managing user accounts and groups in multiple forests
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for managing contact proxies and security proxies in networks that are organized as forests. For instance, contact proxies may be generated to represent user accounts and groups in forests other than the home forests of the user accounts and groups. Security proxy objects may be generated to represent group members (e.g., security principals and groups) in groups in forests other than the home forests of the group members. Furthermore, when both a contact object and a security proxy object exist for a member added to a group, one of the contact object or the security proxy object may be selected to represent the member in the group.
US08095628B2 Consolidated notifications to NFS clients
A computer implemented method and apparatus for rebooting a host having a plurality of network interfaces. A server reboots the host by stopping an NFS server process on the host. The server sends at least one consolidated notification to a plurality of clients identified in a consolidated notification table, wherein the consolidated notification comprises at least two addresses of network interfaces of the host. The server determines that an acknowledgement is received from each of the plurality of clients. The server halts resending of consolidated notifications, responsive to determining that an acknowledgement is received from the each of the plurality of clients.
US08095625B2 Directory server plug-in call ordering
A method and apparatus for ordering callbacks for server plug-ins of a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory server. Each plug-in registers with the LDAP server and has a designated priority and set of dependencies. The priority and dependency data are stored in an LDAP callback configuration entry or set of entries. The LDAP server analyzes the priority and dependencies to determine the order of each plug-in or individual callback relative to one another. This allows the LDAP directory server and LDAP operations to rely on the order of callbacks thereby improving the efficiency of the system.
US08095623B2 Device emulation to facilitate data transfer
Described is a technology by which a circuit, such as one incorporated into a USB-like cable, couples a client computing device to a server computing device. The circuit outputs identification information to each computing device to indicate that the circuit corresponds to a type of hardware device, (e.g., a CD-ROM player) and an attribute (e.g., a migration cable). The circuit then allows the communication of data between the first computing device and the second computing device. For example, the server recognizes the migration cable attribute and can emulate the CD-ROM device recognized by the client, whereby the server may provide data including software code to the client computing device by emulating the CD-ROM device. Via the software code, the client computing device is bootstrapped to recognize that it is connected to the server instead of the hardware device. Data may then be migrated from the client to the server.
US08095621B2 Systems and methods for clickstream analysis to modify an off-line business process involving automobile sales
Methods and systems are provided herein for the analysis of clickstream data of online users. The analysis methods and systems allow for the creation of new offline business methods based on online consumer behavior. In embodiments, the output file enables the third party to select an offering for automobile sales by sales region or geography.
US08095619B2 Automation system and method for operating such an automation system
An automation system with a plurality of communicatively connected automation devices is disclosed. One of the connected automations devices serves as a domain controller and holds centrally in a memory data required for operation for the automation system and the automation devices. Hitherto frequently occurring multiple storage of such data is eliminated, the data is available at a central location for access by all the automation devices, and the domain controller, as a central data server, ensures consistency of the data administered and provided by it, which also permits access optimizations, such as e.g. device-, access- or structure-dependent temporary storage strategies.
US08095617B2 Caching data in a cluster computing system which avoids false-sharing conflicts
Managing operations in a first compute node of a multi-computer system. A remote write may be received to a first address of a remote compute node. A first data structure entry may be created in a data structure, which may include the first address and status information indicating that the remote write has been received. Upon determining that the local cache of the first compute node has been updated with the remote write, the remote write may be issued to the remote compute node. Accordingly, the first data structure entry may be released upon completion of the remote write.
US08095614B2 Method for optimally utilizing a peer to peer network
The present invention relates to optimally utilizing a peer to peer network by increasing the amount of communication messages that are received. The present invention does this by eliminating under performing connections, by controlling how connections are attempted and by locating optimal connections. The present invention provides a way to increase the number of nodes that are available for searching.
US08095613B1 Electronic message prioritization
A system, method, and computer program product dynamically prioritizes electronic messages. An electronic message having one or more properties is received. These message properties can include, a particular sender or body text. Information describing past activity of a recipient user of the electronic message is accessed. A priority is determined for the electronic message, where the determining is based at least in part on a comparison of a property of the electronic message with the accessed information. The priority determination may include detecting the presence of a request in the electronic message, determining the social weight of the sender of the electronic message, determining the temporal urgency of the electronic message, or determining the relevance of the electronic message, for example. An indication of the priority of the message is presented to the recipient user.
US08095611B2 SIP endpoint enhancer
Methods, devices, and systems are provided for enhancing the functionality of a communication device, such as a communication endpoint. This provides the ability to enhance less intelligent SIP endpoints with required features to support a richer user experience. Furthermore, the endpoint enhancer may be dynamically pluggable onto an existing network device. This provided pluggability allows a network administrator to add a new SEE template to the network without disrupting the network operation or the operation of previously existing SEEs.
US08095607B2 Method and system for optimizing metadata passing in a push content processing protocol
A method and system of optimizing content delivery at a processing element in a dynamic content delivery architecture, the method having the steps of: receiving a content and metadata envelope at the processing element; checking the content and metadata envelope to determine whether the content and metadata envelope includes metadata for the processing element; if the content envelope contains metadata for the processing element, extracting and caching the metadata; if the content envelope does not contain metadata for the processing element, retrieving metadata for a content provider associated with the content from a cache on the processing element; and applying the extracted or retrieved metadata to the content and metadata envelope.
US08095605B2 Method and system for intelligent routing based on presence detection
A message, which is to be routed to one of a plurality of authorized parties comprising a first authorized party and a second authorized party, is received by a routing system. A Web service is polled to detect for a presence of the first authorized party. After determining that the presence of the first authorized party remains undetected over an allocated time interval, the Web service is polled to detect for a presence of the second authorized party. In response to detecting the presence of the second authorized party, the message is routed to an active communication device associated with the second authorized party.
US08095601B2 Inter-proximity communication within a rendezvous federation
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating inter-proximity communication within a rendezvous federation. Nodes maintain collateral ring set entry tables that include collateral rings and corresponding entry nodes into the collateral rings. Nodes can exchange collateral ring set entry state to update one another on the configuration of rings within a tree of rings. Nodes can refer to collateral ring set entry tables, as well as to other nodes, to identify entry nodes into rings that are collateral rings of the node. Messages can be sent to entry nodes in collateral rings. A message can include an indication that an entry node in a target proximity ring is to resolve the message to the node in the target proximity ring which has a node ID closest to an indicated destination node.
US08095598B2 Methods and apparatus for subscribing/publishing messages in an enterprising computing environment
Methods and apparatuses for processing enterprise messages are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary process is provided to maintain multiple delivery policies of multiple subscription sessions of a subscriber subscribing a topic published by a producer, wherein at least one policy is different from a remainder of the delivery policies. The messages associated with the topic are delivered according to substantially all the delivery policies of the subscription sessions including the at least one different delivery policy. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08095594B2 System for performing collaborative tasks
A system for performing collaborative tasks which permits collaborators to determine the form of a model of the collaborative work, to modify the model in the course of the collaborative work, and to use the model to access information related to the collaborative work. A graphical user interface permits collaborators to view the model and the information accessible via the model in various ways as well as to modify the model and the information. The information related to the collaborative work includes documents, discussions, email, reminders, and alerts. In a disclosed embodiment of the system, the model is made up of model entities which belong to hierarchies. A model entity may be a member of more than one hierarchy and the different hierarchies are used to provide different views of the model.
US08095592B2 Aggregation system clearing a security response
Machine, method for use and method for making, and corresponding products produced thereby, as well as data structures, computer-readable media tangibly embodying program instructions, manufactures, and necessary intermediates of the foregoing, each pertaining to digital aspects of a computerized aggregation system. The system can include a user computer system interposed between a segment of a network allowing communication between the user computer system and at least one server system, and other segments allowing communication between the user computer system and a plurality of third party server systems. The one server system enables the user computer system to access the plurality of other servers. The access permits forming an aggregation of information obtained from the third party server systems.
US08095591B2 System and method for modifying documents sent over a communications network
On-line health education includes displaying composites of personalized health content and patient-selected entertainment. Suitable sources of entertainment include generally available web pages and television programs. Composites are spatial (for page displays) or temporal (for image sequence displays). Health content is customized to health and personal situations of individual patients, and replaces advertisements. Composites are generated on a central server in communication with an entertainment server and a health server. Amenable diseases or behaviors include diabetes, asthma, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, HIV, mental health disorders, smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse.
US08095589B2 Clickstream analysis methods and systems
Methods and systems are provided herein for the analysis of clickstream data of online users. The analysis methods and systems allow for the creation of new offline business methods based on online consumer behavior.
US08095588B2 Method and system for data decomposition via graphical multivariate analysis
A method for multivariate analysis using a mathematical model for generating model data and actual data for more than one variable includes for each variable, determining a difference between the model data and the actual data. The model data is substantially representative of more than one variable. The method also includes for each variable, determining a fractional impact on performance. The method further includes for each variable, determining a weighted deviation based on the determined difference and the determined fractional impact. The method also includes transmitting the weighted deviation to an output device.
US08095583B1 Chaotic and fractal field line calculations using decomposition and self winding
Faster methods for topological categorization and field line calculations are developed by using decomposition regions together with the self-winding techniques first developed in a prior patent application. A point iteration technique provides direct calculation of low order digits of winding counts without use of complex intervals. Easy to calculate derivatives define decomposition interval boundaries which substitute for methods using the slower complex interval processing of the prior patent. Methods common to this and the prior patent are developed for visualizing conformal mappings of iterated functions.
US08095581B2 Computer-implemented patent portfolio analysis method and apparatus
A computer-implemented apparatus and method for performing patent portfolio analysis. The patent portfolio analysis apparatus and method clusters a group of patents based upon one or more techniques. The clustering techniques include linguistic clustering techniques (e.g., eigenvector analysis), claim meaning, and patent classification techniques. Different aspects of the clusters are analyzed, including financial, claim breadth, and assignee patent comparisons. Moreover, patents and/or their clusters are linked to the Internet in order to determine what products might be covered by the claims of the patents or whether materials on the Internet might render patent claims invalid.
US08095579B2 Method and system for updating attachment files
A method of updating a file attached to an electronic document can include attaching a file to an electronic document and storing a reference to the attached file. The reference can specify a location from which the attached file was obtained. Responsive to a user input, the attached file can be replaced with a file specified by the reference. The attached file also can be updated from newly specified locations.
US08095574B2 Dynamically mapping and maintaining a customized method set of tags particular to an extention point
A method for consistently and dynamically mapping and maintaining a customized method set of tags particular to an extension point page, includes: extending static customized method content to the extension point page by: mapping static customized method content to an extension point page; wherein the extension point page is configured with collaborative content and dynamic content; filtering the dynamic content based on a set of tags associated with the extension point page; synchronizing the extension point page's tags to ensure that the dynamic content rendered in the extension point page has a set of updated tags to retrieve current syndicated content; wherein a method author defines the extension point page in the customized method; and wherein a method user views the extension point page.
US08095573B2 Automatic reconciliation of discrepancies in asset attribute values
Discrepancies in two sets of asset data for an organization are identified and automatically reconciled. One set of asset data may be compiled using automatic physical discovery software while the other set is from a financial system of the organization. Automatic reconciliation is performed according to user-configurable rules and corresponding user-configurable actions.
US08095572B1 Identifying database containers that reference specified data items
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are disclosed for a computer system determining database containers that include references to one or more specified data items. The computer system may determine, from a plurality of containers in a database, a candidate set of containers, where the database includes a plurality of data items that includes the one or more data items. The computer system, for each of the containers in the candidate set, queries the database to determine whether the container includes a reference to any of the specified one or more data items. The computer system uses results of the querying to determine any containers in the candidate set of containers that include such references. These results may be used, for example, to set storage retention policies.
US08095564B2 Configuring computer systems with business configuration information
A configuration server includes a configuration repository that stores a wide range of configuration information for possible use by application programs. The configuration repository may include configuration parameters, settings for the parameters, and meta-data of definitions and descriptions of the parameters. Configuration information is selected from the configuration repository and stored in a configuration directory for later use by application programs at runtime. The configuration information is accessed from the configuration directory when needed by an application program or a component thereof.
US08095561B2 Extensible framework for data import and export
A modular framework for data import/export in an application that allows modules/components to be independently developed for importing and exporting data related to specific entities, including the handling of dependencies between entities. The framework is metadata driven which allows new entities to be introduced in the application with new modules for importing/exporting data related to those entities, without updating modules for exporting existing entities. Each type of entity is defined with a schema that represents the logical entity such that the entity is agnostic as to how the entity data is stored in database tables. A master configuration file is created for the application that lists each entity that can be imported or exported by the application, and defines how the framework imports or exports the business entity. Additionally, dynamic batching is provided to divide large datasets into multiple batches for suitable consumption by consumers of the exported data.
US08095559B2 Fast adaptive document filtering
Data structures, stored on various types of computer-readable media, include information related to user profiles and/or to various documents. The information included in these data structures is arranged and stored in manner that allows for rapid user profile updating to be performed as new or changed documents are processed in a document filtering system.
US08095557B2 Type system for access control lists
A method and storage media for performing access resolution using ACL types is provided. Under an AND semantic, an intersection set formed from the types of multiple ACLs protecting a resource may be utilized to efficiently determine whether a request for a privilege to access the resource is granted or denied. If the privilege is not a member of the intersection set, the privilege cannot be granted. A union set may be used for an OR semantic. A global ACL type may represent all privileges system-wide or application-wide. A global ACL may represent a system-wide or application-wide access policy. A conjunction of a global ACL and a regular ACL may be stored in a cache. The union set, intersection set, or access resolution may also be cached for subsequent request processing.
US08095554B1 Global inventory warehouse
Building and maintaining an accurate and up-to-date global inventory of hardware, software, and telecommunications assets deployed throughout an organization is described. A global inventor warehouse (GIW) receives an identification and physical location of these assets from multiple source systems. Some of these source systems contain information pertaining to the assets that has been manually entered into the source system by a human administrator. Other source systems, meanwhile, contain information that has been automatically collected by the source systems without human intervention. The GIW receives this information from the source systems and stores it within a GIW database. The GIW database may thus contain a global inventory of all or nearly all of the hardware, software, and telecommunications assets distributed throughout the organization. This database may also contain an identification of physical locations within the organization of all or substantially all of these assets.
US08095552B2 Data tag descriptor
A data tag descriptor method and system. The method includes generating by a device, a request for media data. The device generates a globally unique data tag specifying hardware and software capabilities of the device and a transmission package comprising the request and the globally unique data tag. The device transmits the transmission package to a service provider. The service provider determines based comparing the globally unique data tag to a media tag associated with metadata describing the media data if the media data is compatible with the capabilities of the device. The device receives executable media data from the service provider. The executable media data comprises a specified form of the media data. The executable media data is generated based on results of determining if the media data is compatible with the capabilities of said device. The device executes the executable media data for a user.
US08095550B2 Method and system for robust futexes
An embodiment relates to a method of managing primitives. The method includes providing a data structure available in user-space where the data structure comprises at least one futex. The method also includes detecting a termination of the process and searching the data structure for status of the at least one futex. The method further includes releasing the at least one futex in response to status of the at least one futex being held and setting a flag for at least one futex. The method further includes notifying at least one process waiting for the released at least one futex.
US08095548B2 Methods, program product, and system of data management having container approximation indexing
Systems, program product, and methods of data management are provided. The system can include a computer having memory, a dataset including a relatively large number of records, and container approximation indexing program product stored in the memory of the computer and adapted to cause the computer to sort the dataset of records by key field values into a finite number of data containers being less than or equal to a maximum number of file descriptors permitted to be simultaneously opened.
US08095547B2 Method and apparatus for detecting spam user created content
A method includes receiving user-created content, as well as at least one of a service identifier (ID) and a content category ID of the user-created content. At least one of a plurality of key information databases is selected based on at least one of the received service ID and the received content category ID. Second key information is extracted from the received user-created content. The selected key information database is searched to retrieve first key information related to the second key information. The user-created content may be classified as spam content based on the extracted second key information and/or the retrieved first key information. The user-created content is conditionally stored in a network accessible data store, available to users of the user-created content hosting site, based upon the classification.
US08095540B2 Identifying superphrases of text strings
Methods and apparatus are described by which “superphrases” of “seed phrases” representing basic concepts may be identified without having to compare all possible pairs of seed and candidate phrases. According to one class of embodiments, a data structure similar to an inverted index is used for indexing phrases. The elimination of seed and candidate phrase pairs is enabled by building and traversing the index in a particular manner.
US08095539B2 Taxonomy-based object classification
Objects, such as documents, are classified according to a taxonomy. The taxonomy includes nodes, corresponding to object classes, arranged in a hierarchy. Class keywords are associated with the nodes. Search strings are formed for the classes by traversing the taxonomic branches and concatenating the keywords associated with the classes. For each object to be classified, a search engine is used to perform searches on the object using the search strings. The searches produce search scores for each search string. Each object is classified by identifying the class(es) corresponding to the highest search score(s) for the object, and classifying the object into the identified class(es).
US08095537B2 Log integrity verification
A method and an apparatus for log integrity verification are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first log and determining whether checkpoint hashes after each entry are consistent.
US08095536B1 Profitability based ranking of search results for lodging reservations
A method and apparatus are provided for a dynamic information connection search engine. User actions may be detected on at least one client system. In response, a determination may be made whether the user is searching for supported information. When the user is searching for supported information, information may be extracted electronically from, for example, third party websites, direct supplier connections, and/or intermediate databases. Potential suppliers may be automatically selected in response to the detected user search. Queries may be formulated from the user search and transferred to one or more selected suppliers over a network coupling (e.g., the Internet and/or an intranet). The queries may include one or more requests for information. One or more responses may be received from the suppliers, and the responses may be used to generate a result list for the user. The result list may include information and/or query status information. Further, an electronic link may be provided to a website of one or more of the supplies from which the information was derived.
US08095531B2 Methods and systems for controlling access to custom objects in a database
In embodiments, methods and systems for controlling access to custom objects are provided. These techniques for controlling access to custom objects can enable embodiments to utilize a key for the protection of the security of data that is to remain private while not compromising efficiency of a query. The key for a requested custom object is identified and then used so that only an appropriate portion of a custom entity share table is searched to locate access information. It is then determined whether the user can access at least a portion of the custom object, and the appropriate and allowed data is sent to the user.
US08095524B2 Method and system for integrating personal information search and interaction on web/desktop applications
A system for integrating personal information search and interaction on web and desktop applications comprises enabling a user-interface (UI) component of an application for the entry of a query the UI component associated with context information. Entry of the query based on a natural language grammar is parsed to determine at least one natural language element. Element types associated with each natural language element are generated. A query command from a command list based on the natural language elements, the element types and the context information is interpreted. The query with arguments based on the natural language elements of the natural language query are executed to determine a result. The transformed result is output through said UI component by replacing said result for said query wherein outputting said transformed result comprises automatically adding email addresses, attachments and maps to said UI component.
US08095519B2 Multifactor authentication with changing unique values
A method of authentication includes the steps of providing a transaction service provider having a secure server; providing a user; requesting access authorization to the server of the service provider by the user, the server storing a set of use parameters obtained from the authorization access request, the use parameters including at least several prior location coordinates, methods of access, transaction information and access hardware used during the authentication to be used by the transaction service provider in subsequent requests by the user to access the server, the use parameters used in the authentication to be continually updated with the most recent data.
US08095516B2 History preservation in a computer storage system
A method by which a disk-based distributed data storage system is organized for protecting historical records of stored data entities. The method comprises recording distinct states of an entity, corresponding to different moments of time, as separate entity versions coexisting within the distributed data storage system, and assigning expiration times to the entity versions independently within each of a plurality of storage sites according to a shared set of rules, before which times deletion is prohibited.
US08095515B2 Approximating relation sizes using field dependencies
A method and system is provided for computing an approximation of the number of distinct results of a query over a relational data source. The approximation uses information about dependencies between fields of relations, in particular the number of distinct values of a field for each possible value of another field. This information can be obtained by analysis of the data stored in the relational data source, or may be specified as annotations to a database schema. An approximation of the number of results is and the dependencies between fields of each part of the query are computed. The approximation can be used to reorder parts of a query, by using the estimated size of parts to guide reordering. The approximation can further be used to determine which parts of a query are relevant to the evaluation of a subquery, which can be used to guide the magic sets transformation.
US08095512B2 Managing database resources used for optimizing query execution on a parallel computer system
Embodiments of the invention may be used to increase query processing parallelism of an in-memory database stored on a parallel computing system. A group of compute nodes each store a portion of data as part of the in-memory database. Further, a pool of compute nodes may be reserved to create copies of data from the compute nodes of the in-memory database as part of query processing. When a query is received for execution, the query may be evaluated to determine whether portions of in-memory should be duplicated to allow multiple elements of the query (e.g., multiple query predicates) to be evaluated in parallel.
US08095510B2 Data restoration in a storage system using multiple restore points
A data restoration method comprising determining whether a restoration process is in progress, in response to receiving a read request to read contents from a track on a source volume (ST[i]); reading data from ST[i], in response to determining that the restoration process is not in progress; determining whether the read request was originated from a host, in response to determining the restoration process is in progress; reading the data directly from ST[i], in response to determining the read request was not originated from a host; determining whether ST[i] is designated as remote with respect to the restore operation, in response to determining the read request was originated from a host; reading the data directly from ST[i], in response to determining ST[i] is designated as local; and reading the data from a track on a target volume (TT[i]), in response to determining ST[i] is designated as remote.
US08095509B2 Techniques for retaining security restrictions with file versioning
Techniques are presented for retaining security restrictions with file versioning. Files are versioned in such a manner that metadata including full directory paths and access restrictions are retained for each version of the file and enforced when each version is accessed. The files are versioned to hashed subdirectories for space and management efficiencies. In an embodiment, prior versions of a particular file are maintained as delta data structures while a most-recent version of that file is maintained in its full or complete data state.
US08095506B2 Methods and systems for managing data
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
US08095502B2 Lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) administrator task notification control
The illustrative embodiments provide for automatically and proactively retrieving administrative maintenance tasks or potential issues from a set of directory servers without direct intervention from an administrator. Responsive to an operation request being sent from a requesting application to the set of directory servers and an administrative maintenance control mechanism being active, an administrative maintenance control is automatically sent to the set of directory servers. Responsive to receiving the response to the administrative maintenance control, an end user application within the data processing system is notified that the at least one of the administrative maintenance tasks or the potential issues have been received.
US08095500B2 Methods and systems for searching content in distributed computing networks
The present invention discloses an improved method and system for indexing and searching content in a distributed computing network. The present invention also enables users to search for content on a distributed computing network, as well as on the web, via a unified interface. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a method for searching content on a distributed computing network having an index of available data. The method comprises scanning cached network files in a computer that is in data communication with a network wherein said network files are generated in the course of a user's access of public or private communication networks, indexing the cached network files to generate index data, and supplying index data to the index of available data on the distributed computing network.
US08095498B2 Data mining model interpretation, optimization, and customization using statistical techniques
A system, method, and program product for interpreting, optimizing, and customizing data mining models through the use of statistical techniques that utilize diagnostic measures and statistical significance testing. A data processing system is disclosed that includes a data mining system for mining data from a data warehouse in accordance with a data model, wherein the data model defines how data groups can be partitioned; and a data group analysis system that calculates a set of diagnostic measures and performs statistical significance tests for a defined data group.
US08095495B2 Exchange of syncronization data and metadata
Systems and methods that disclose alternative patterns for exchange of synchronization data and/or metadata, e.g., ‘knowledge’, to enhance performance of synchronization processes are disclosed. Accordingly, the innovation discloses synchronization mechanisms that employ exchange of data and metadata to alleviate a requirement of a complete ‘round-trip’ when synchronizing data. ‘Knowledge’ can be provided which informs a provider of data changes, modifications, additions or deletions. The ‘knowledge’ can lower expense and/or increase efficiencies of the synchronization exchanges by enabling informed decision-making related to enumerating changes within the synchronization processes.
US08095492B2 Method and/or system for providing and/or analyzing influence strategies
A method and/or system that can be implemented on a computing device or tables or board game or otherwise uses a rule set to evaluate data about a situation and actors in order to provide advice regarding strategies for influencing actors and/or other outputs.
US08095491B1 Optimization technique using heap sort
A method and a corresponding computer-readable medium are provided for optimizing a decision assignment based on a sought benefit. The optimization operations include mapping agents to actors into pairs, designating a benefit to each pair for a set of nodes, arranging the nodes into heaps (with each heap corresponding to an agent), selecting the node with the sought benefit as the head of the heap for all the heaps, and summing each benefit of the heads to establish a cumulative benefit. The benefit designation further includes associating the node with the benefit, action and agent that correspond to that pair, and disposing the node into the heap that corresponds to the agent. Arranging the heap further includes comparing first and second nodes to determine which has the sought benefit within the heap, and ordering the peak node as the head of the heap. Further operations include deconflicting first and second heaps that have heads with equal benefit, and truncating tail nodes from the head of each heap.
US08095489B2 System and method of real-time group intelligence creation with mass volume of web-based thinking grids
A Real-Time Group Intelligence Creation System 100 comprising of Group Intelligence Creation Controller 200, Facilitator Expert System 300, Adaptive Group Intelligence Mining Engine 400, Intelligent Web Communicator 500, Idea and Solution Source Data Server 600, and Classification, Extraction, Thinking Pattern and Hint Data Server 700. The System extends traditional computational grid to include idea creations and problem solving generations to form a collaborative thinking grid that is made up of mass volume of participants using either mobile device or stationary device, and is without the need of face-to-face interaction. The System uses both shallow knowledge and deep knowledge mining agents to mine unstructured ideas and solutions in real-time for unifying multiple topics and generating classifications, extractions, thinking patterns and hints. This information are provided to participants during creation processes in order to simulate and accelerate participants' thinking further. The System's group intelligence creation processes is without time limited and eliminates the need of using paper or board medias. The System allows participant to participate simultaneously in multiple topics, and to switch between thinker role and viewer role during creation processes.
US08095488B1 Method and apparatus for managing configurations
A method and apparatus for managing configurations of computer resources in a datacenter is described. In one embodiment, a method comprises analyzing multiple configurations using rule information to produce an analysis result where each configuration in the multiple configurations defines a configuration of a resource that is managed by the data center, training a Bayesian classifier using the analysis result, and classifying a second configuration using the trained Bayesian classifier.
US08095487B2 System and method for biasing search results based on topic familiarity
A familiarity level classifier comprises a stopwords engine for conducting a stopwords analysis of stopwords, e.g., introductory level stopwords and advanced level stopwords, in a document, e.g., a website; and a familiarity level classifier module for generating a document familiarity level based on the stopwords analysis. The classifier may be in an indexing module, a search engine, a user computer, or elsewhere in a computer network. The classifier may also include a reading level engine for conducting a reading level analysis of the document, and wherein the familiarity level classifier module is configured to generate the familiarity level also based on the reading level analysis. The classifier may also include a document features engine for conducting a feature analysis of the document, and wherein the familiarity level classifier module is configured to generate the document familiarity level also based on the feature analysis.
US08095484B2 System and method for automatic virtual metrology
A server, a system and a method for automatic virtual metrology (AVM) are disclosed. The AVM system comprises a model-creation server and a plurality of AVM servers. The model-creation server is used to construct the first set of virtual metrology (VM) models (of a certain equipment type) including a VM conjecture model, a RI (Reliance Index) model, a GSI (Global Similarity Index) model, a DQIx (Process Data Quality Index) model, and a DQIy (Metrology Data Quality Index) model. In the AVM method, the model-creation server also can fan out or port the first set of VM models generated to other AVM servers of the same process apparatus (equipment) type, and each individual fan-out-acceptor's AVM server can perform automatic model refreshing processes so as to gain and maintain its VM models' accuracy.
US08095480B2 System and method to enable training a machine learning network in the presence of weak or absent training exemplars
Described is a system and method for training a machine learning network. The method comprises initializing at least one of nodes in a machine learning network and connections between the nodes to a predetermined strength value, wherein the nodes represent factors determining an output of the network, providing a first set of questions to a plurality of users, the first set of questions relating to at least one of the factors, receiving at least one of choices and guesstimates from the users in response to the first set of questions and adjusting the predetermined strength value as a function of the choices/guesstimates. The real and simulated examples presented demonstrate that synthetic training sets derived from expert or non-expert human guesstimates can replace or augment training data sets comprised of actual training exemplars that are too limited in size, scope, or quality to otherwise generate accurate predictions.
US08095475B2 System and method for prepay account management system
A prepay account management system comprises a secure data link operable to transmit a prepay customer account and meter data, a prepay server operable to receive the transmitted customer account data, the prepay server operable to update a balance of a prepay customer account in response to usage charges and replenishing payment amounts, and a notification server operable to deliver a notification to the prepay customer in response to specific triggers associated with the prepay customer account according to the prepay customer preferences.
US08095474B2 Method for processing advanced ship notices (ASNs)
A method is disclosed for automatically processing Advanced Ship Notices (ASNs). In one embodiment, the method receives a first set of data associated with an ASN. The method further compares one or more data fields included in the first set of data with a second set of data associated with a Purchase Order (PO). In addition, the method determines a status associated with a shipment of items based on the comparison.
US08095471B2 Software licensing management system
A contract management mechanism is disclosed for managing contracts in the software licensing arena. The management mechanism may be used, for example, to manage one or more fulfillment contracts. In operation (assuming a software licensing implementation for the sake of example), the management mechanism receives an inquiry regarding licensing of a particular set of software under a particular contract (the contract entitles a customer to consume a certain quota of resources under the contract). In response to the inquiry, the management mechanism determines a licensing amount. This licensing amount may be determined based upon many factors, including the set of software selected, other parameters specified in the inquiry, and the terms associated with the contract. Once the licensing amount is determined, and the customer commits to licensing the software, the management mechanism reduces the quota parameter of the contract by the licensing amount and allows the software to be used under the contract. Licensing of the software under the fulfillment contract is thus achieved and managed. Using the same process, other sets of software may be licensed under the same contract.
US08095467B2 Internet news compensation system
A computerized compensation system of disseminating a plurality of news and information items offered, contributed, and submitted by a plurality of independent submitters to an internet provider site. The provider site accepts, indexes, catalogs, tracks, meters, and calculates viewer exposure to each submitted news and information item chosen by a plurality of viewers. Compensation due individual submitters is transmitted in real time, as the submitter continues the submission to the provider web site. Billing of funding sources is provided.
US08095466B2 Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at content servers in pay delivery systems
Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at content servers in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an authorization for a program download, receiving a request to download the program from a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a broadcast signal, and transmitting the program to the receiver via point-to-point communication signal.
US08095465B2 Methods and apparatus for preventing fraud in payment processing transactions
A method includes receiving an authorization request for a purchase transaction, and determining whether the authorization request arose from proximity-reading a proximity payment device. The method further includes mapping a first account number included in the authorization request into a second account number associated with the first account number if it is determined that the authorization request arose from proximity-reading a proximity payment device and if the first account number is qualified for mapping. In addition, the method includes transmitting the authorization request to an issuer financial institution with the second account number substituted for the first account number in the authorization request.
US08095464B2 Recurring transaction processing
Techniques for processing of recurring payments are provided that allow a consumer to decide whether to update consumer account information at a merchant when a consumer is issued new account information for a payment card or the like. For example, a consumer may register with a payment processing network associated with the consumer's payment card. During registration, the consumer may indicate the payment card number and expiration date, the name of merchants that the consumer pays on a recurring basis using the payment card and the corresponding merchant website addresses, in what form the consumer would like to receive alerts (e.g. text message, email), and when to receive alerts (e.g. a particular number of days prior to the expiration date). The payment processing network sends the consumer an alert message based on the preferences indicated during registration, including the names and website links for each merchant indicated during registration. The consumer can use the alert message to access the merchant websites and update the account information for a new payment card.
US08095461B2 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.
US08095455B2 Coordination of algorithms in algorithmic trading engine
An exemplary embodiment comprises: (a) receiving electronic data describing a trading order; (b) selecting one or more first trading algorithms from a plurality of available stored algorithms for execution of the trading order; (c) commencing execution of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (d) evaluating quality of execution, during the execution, of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (e) comparing the evaluated quality of execution to a threshold of acceptability based on a prediction of future performance of execution of the trading order by the one or more first trading algorithms; and (f) if the evaluated quality of execution compares unfavorably to the threshold of acceptability, switching the execution of the trading order to one or more second trading algorithms, wherein the processor unit comprises one or more processors.
US08095454B2 Buyer-driven purchasing loyalty system and method using an electronic network
Disclosed is a method and system for effectuating a buyer-driven and buyer-executed commerce system. The system allows prospective buyers and sellers of goods and services to anonymously exchange conditional Requests For Bids and Conditional Sales Offers based on the buyer's guaranteed ‘purchasing loyalty’ for a self-defined minimum quantity of goods or services, and/or quality of goods of services and/or the length of time or price to which the buyer would agree to be bound or any combination of those condition's. That buyer guarantee permits a seller to easily pre-determine their offers based on the calculated value of ‘capturing’ that buyer's ‘guaranteed purchasing loyalty’. In a preferred embodiment, the method and system of the present invention includes a controller which receives Requests For Bids from prospective buyers and also receives, stores and displays to prospective buyers, bindable sales proposals from a multitude of prospective sellers. Potential buyers are therefore protected from bidding too much and being bound by the bid before having an opportunity to see what the marketplace has to offer. Further, because only the buyer is permitted to bind a seller, the buyer may submit an RFB more than once, changing any or all of the condition's to which he would agree to be bound in order to explore multiple offers from sellers and to better understand how changing one or more of the conditions affects the offers from the sellers.
US08095452B2 Live alerts
Systems and methods for monitoring the trading of financial instruments are provided. Trading messages are received at a live alert server. The messages are analyzed with a set of predetermined limits and rules. When a predetermined limit or rule is violated, an email message is sent to a regulator or other trading entity. The email message may include a hyperlink that may be selected to generate a real-time report relating to the limit or rule. When hyperlink is selected, a query is sent to a query server where the real-time report is generated and transmitted back to the requesting party.
US08095451B2 Method and system for conducting electronic auctions with aggregate lotting for transformation bidding
An auction methodology wherein individual demands are bid in lots and an aggregation of several lots is then run as an individual lot to determine if the buyer can attract a lower price offering from bidders by selecting to award the total volume of all of the individual lots to one bidder. A bidder-specific transformation factor for the aggregate lot is computed by combining selected transformed values (one for each lot) that take into account that bidder's price offerings for individual lots and the buyer-specified transformation factors for that bidder. Each bidder is then invited to bid a discount percentage for the aggregate lot. This discount percentage is then used along with the bidder-specific transformation factor to generate that bidder's transformed value for the aggregate lot. The bidder with the lowest transformed value for the aggregate lot may be selected as the winning bidder. The combination of bid transformation and lot aggregation results in obtaining an optimum bid for the buyer because it allows the buyer to accurately evaluate the bids received for the aggregate lot.
US08095449B2 Method and system for generating an auction using a product catalog in an integrated internal auction system
A seller may use an existing product catalog in a seller business information management system to generate an auction and populate auction parameters to expedite and facilitate the auction creation process. The information in the product catalog may be used to provide auction parameters (populate auction fields) in addition to adding a product and/or service to the auction. An auction profile may also be defined for a seller and may contain data or rules for generating an auction that may be used to provide additional default values for the auction. One or more auction profiles may be associated with a seller. The seller selects a product from the catalog and chooses a create auction option resulting in an auction being generated from the product information and the profile, if one exists. The seller may then modify the auction parameters and add or drop products before saving the auction.
US08095448B2 Reducing accounting volatility
A method, machine, article for reducing accounting volatility. A method can include: storing in memory terms of an agreement governing a contract, the terms including a specification of at least one measure of a variation in a rate of return corresponding to a return on an investment portfolio and a contract rate of return on an investment associated with the investment portfolio determined by using an amount of the at least one measure of the variation, wherein the amount of the measure of the variation changes over time; determining, by a digital computer accessing the memory and receiving market data including data corresponding to the at least one measure of the variation, the amount of the variation; determining, by the computer receiving market data including data on the rate of return on the investment portfolio and by using the amount of the variation, at least one of a contract rate of return on the investment associated with the investment portfolio and a contract value for the investment associated with the investment portfolio; and outputting, by the computer, at least one of the determined contract rate of return and the determined contract value. At least one measure of the variation includes at least one of: a variance, a covariance, a coefficient of variation, a standard deviation, a semi-variance, a semi-standard deviation, a third central moment, a fourth central moment, a duration, and a volatility index.
US08095445B2 Method and system for completing a transaction between a customer and a merchant
A computer-implemented method for completing a transaction between a customer and at least one merchant receives, by a transaction system, an authorization request including customer data and transaction specific data from the merchant, wherein, prior to the authorization request, the customer is unknown to the transaction system; authenticates the customer by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; authorizes the transaction by the transaction system based at least in part upon at least one of the following: at least a portion of the customer data, at least a portion of the transaction specific data or any combination thereof; and communicates the authorization response to the merchant during the transaction. An apparatus for implementing the method is disclosed.
US08095444B2 Determination of gold price and bond yield according to the required yield method
A method, computer system, and computer program product for performing an asset analysis for at least one asset, using the Required Yield Method (RYM). The method provides first economic data relating to a first economy. The economic data includes a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth rate for the first economy. The economic data may further include an expected inflation rate for the first economy over a time interval. At least one asset characteristic (e.g, asset valuation) of each asset of the least one asset is computed. The at least one asset characteristic is a function of a portion of the economic data. The computing is in accordance with the RYM. The computed at least one asset characteristic is transferred to a tangible medium. The at least one asset may include an equity index, a bond, gold, a currency, a derivative, etc.
US08095442B2 Systems and methods for calculating specified matrices
Computer-implemented methods, computer systems, and computer program products are provided for determining specified matrices. The matrices may be associated with financial institutions and the financial affairs in a banking practice. In one implementation, a base matrix is formed which may be used to create the specified matrices when processing mass data.
US08095438B2 Methods and systems for assigning interchange rates to financial transactions using an interchange network
A method for assigning an interchange rate to a financial transaction is provided. The method uses at least one input device in communication with an interchange database. The financial transaction is initiated by a cardholder using a card over a card interchange, the card having been issued by an issuer bank. The method includes the steps of storing issuer data within the interchange database, the issuer data including whether the issuer bank has entered into a special relationship with the interchange.
US08095437B2 Detecting missing files in financial transactions by applying business rules
A financial transactions control system for imposing controls on the processing of financial transactions may include a storage system configured to store records relating to the financial transactions and a set of user-specified business rules, each of which specifies a grouping of a subset of the records, and an exception identification system configured to identify each record that is missing based on the absence of the record from one of the groupings.
US08095436B1 Method, graphical user interface, and system for categorizing financial records
A method for categorizing financial records involves obtaining multiple financial records from a financial institution. Each financial record in the multiple financial records is categorized using a category selected from multiple categories, where the multiple categories include multiple business-related categories and at least one non-business-related category. Each financial record categorized using a business-related category selected from the multiple business-related categories is mapped to a tax category selected from multiple tax categories, where the tax category is associated with the business-related category. A financial report is generated that includes the tax category for each financial record categorized using one of the multiple business-related categories.
US08095435B2 Method to effectuate point of use control and accountability of monitored articles
The method and system for a material cabinet for use in cooperation with a plurality of articles stored in the material cabinet is disclosed. Each of the plurality of articles having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto is connected through at least an antenna or a plurality of antennas installed in the material cabinet to a radio frequency identification reader, which is interpreted through a software in a computer system. This method and system has capability to effectuate point of use control of the stored articles through a database in the computer system. This method and system also implements a security mechanism through a lock system to secure the store articles from unauthorized user/stock clerks.
US08095431B1 Online system and method of reporting related to orders for consumer product having specific configurations
An online system for generating reports related to consumer product online orders is provided. The system comprises at least one presentation application operable to capture user online session data including a presentation application identifier, session identifier, user data, user click stream data, and product configurations selected by the user. A session report message incorporating the user online session data is generated. The system further comprises a web server in communication with the presentation application and operable to receive the session report message. A report processor is operable to receive the session report message, and storing the user online session data in a report database.
US08095430B2 Demand aggregation in a geo-spatial network
A method, apparatus, and system of demand aggregation in a geo-spatial network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes creating an item group associated with a registered user of a geo-spatial network, inviting a set of neighboring users geo-spatially proximate to the registered user to join the item group, placing at least one of the set of neighboring users as a member of the item group and/or communicating items of the item group to a set of providers of the items of the item group. The method may includes placing a good and/or a service in the item group, and/or generating a frequency data, a pricing data, a unit data, and/or a time data. The method may further include geo-fencing the item group in an area that encompasses a neighborhood community in a threshold geographical radius from the registered user who creates the item group.
US08095429B1 Method and system for providing an on-line auction
Methods and systems for providing an on-line auction are disclosed. Online auctions are popular methods of buying and selling items. Some of these auctions relate to “Dutch Auctions,” where the subject of the auction is a plurality of similar items. Other types of auctions are disclosed. The embodiments presented herein can be used in contexts other than auctions. Also, each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
US08095426B2 System and method for comparative sizing between a well-fitting source item and a target item
A comparative sizing method in which at least one well-fitting source item is received having at least one source item property associated therewith and a target item having at least one associated target item property for which a resultant comparative sizing recommendation is being requested based on the at least one source item as specified by its at least one source item property associated therewith. Each source item and the target item is correlated with each database item having associated database item properties in a database based on source-database item matches and target database item matches. The resultant comparative sizing recommendation is determined based on the correlated source-database item matches and target-database item matches.
US08095425B2 System, method, and architecture for implementing a business infiniti sharing residual with subscribers and/or affinity partners
The invention is a business system that incorporates Affinity organizations and secondary affinity organizations to secure subscribers as buyers for affiliate organization products. In one embodiment, purchases are made through a customizable purchasing platform that, when visited by a subscriber, appears to be a web site administered by the subscriber's partner.
US08095424B2 Dynamic pricing of items based on sales criteria
A method of dynamically adjusting prices of items using a processor based upon the category to which the item is assigned and sales criteria of the item relative to other items in the category is disclosed. The items are of the type that are deliverable over a network.
US08095421B2 Method and apparatus for pricing products in multi-level product and organizational groups
The invention organizes various pricing tables and price adjustment tables and various products and purchasing organizations based on “who” (i.e. which purchasing organization) is purchasing “what” (i.e. which product). The invention utilizes a denormalized table to relate the “who” to the “what” using denormalized numbers. The invention further organizes various purchasing organizations and products into hierarchical tables. These hierarchical tables are called organizational groups and product groups. Various price adjustments may be specified for each level of the organizational groups and product groups hierarchies. The price adjustments for a particular purchasing organization are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular purchasing organization as well as the price adjustments for organizational groups above the particular purchasing organization in the organizational groups hierarchy. Likewise, the price adjustments for a particular product are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular product as well as the price adjustments for product groups above the particular product in the product groups hierarchy. The invention sorts the various pricing adjustments applicable to a particular product offered to a particular purchasing group based on several criteria. After the sorting is accomplished the pricing adjustments are applied in sequence to arrive at a final price at which a particular product can be sold to a particular purchasing organization.
US08095420B2 Methods and systems for offering bundled goods and services
A method and system implementing a variable pricing structure that applies to goods and services available from a vendor, and rewards customers who spend more is described. Customers can select a combination of the offered goods and services offered by a vendor, rather than choosing from among a few, pre-bundled packages. A progressive discount is employed in the determination of the price of the combination, such that increasing the number of goods or services, or increasing the level of service, results in greater discounts. The offering price of this combination is conveyed to the customer, and opportunities to make changes to the selected combination are provided. The opportunity to initiate the purchase of the selected combination is also provided.
US08095419B1 Search score for the determination of search quality
The present invention relates to systems and methods for the generation and presentation of a search score for a given user on the basis of searches that the user performs over a corpus of documents. The method of present invention comprises selecting a given user and a time period over which to calculate the search score. A score function is applied to information regarding past observed queries for the given user over the time period to calculate a search score for the given user. The search score is displayed to the user in a variety of context using a number of software applications.
US08095417B2 Key performance indicator scorecard editor
A user interface is programmed to create a scorecard. The interface includes a scorecard module including a column area and a row area, and a key performance indicator area including a plurality of key performance indicators. A key performance indicator from the key performance indicator area can be dragged and dropped onto one of the column area and the row area to add indicia associated with the key performance indicator to the scorecard.
US08095410B2 Pass through for improved response time
Method and systems of improving the response of public safety personnel to or evacuation from a desired location are provided. In addition to path information obtained through traditional sources, information is used to determine the optimal route for emergency personnel to an emergency situation and for aiding emergency personnel to route people from the situation. The information may also be used to automatically prioritize vehicles and personnel to optimize response time. Further, the information may also be used to in situations in which it is advantageous for the vehicle or personnel to be tactically positioned in nearby locations rather than at the incident scene. Although the descriptions below will primarily focus on routes to a particular location, similar methods can be used for evacuations from the location. The optimal route may use historical information stored in a database local or remote to the dispatcher and/or real-time information updated during the emergency situation.
US08095402B2 System and method for transferring a service policy between domains
A method for transferring a service policy between domains, is described. In one embodiment, the method is to be implemented on a system.
US08095396B1 Computer system for underwriting a personal guaranty liability by utilizing a risk apportionment system
A risk apportionment system for providing personal guarantee insurance or commercial collateral insurance may include a risk management module that can run on one or more processors. The risk management module can evaluate a guarantor for the insurance, where the guarantor is required by an obligor to provide a personal guaranty on a business obligation. The risk management module includes, in some implementations, a policy risk component that determines a degree of policy risk to an insurer corresponding to the guarantor and a portfolio risk component that determines a degree of portfolio risk to the insurer corresponding to the guarantor. The system may further include a policy generator operative to generate an insurance policy providing for a variable retention in response to a determination that the degrees of policy and portfolio risk corresponding to the guarantor are below a threshold of risk.
US08095395B2 Method, system, and computer readable medium for analyzing damage to a package in a shipping environment
A method and system for analyzing damage to a package to process a damage claim is disclosed. Each package contains one or more pieces of merchandise, internal packaging surrounding the merchandise, such as bubble sheets, and external packaging, such as an envelope or box. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the system is configured to determine the type of merchandise within a package, associate a fragility class with the merchandise, and determine the minimum packaging requirements for the merchandise by referencing one or more minimum packaging requirements matrices. Depending on the comparison of the package with the minimum packaging requirements, the present invention either approves or denies a damage claim for the package.
US08095392B1 System, method and computer program product for facilitating informed decisions relating to family risk
A system, method, and computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium are provided. In use, an application is executed which is capable of performing decision logic. Further, information is retrieved from a database in accordance with the decision logic. Information is also received from a user in accordance with the decision logic utilizing a user interface. Still yet, the information is processed utilizing the decision logic. The executing, retrieving, receiving, and processing are carried out by a platform capable of accomplishing the executing, retrieving, receiving, and processing for different purposes by executing different applications each capable of performing different decision logic and using different databases. In one embodiment, the different applications are capable of being executed simultaneously. In another embodiment, the different applications (e.g. insurance, investments, etc.) are each related to asset risk management.
US08095387B2 Method of providing enhanced health care and prescription information via customized prescription manager and portable medical/prescription statements
The present invention relates to a method of providing enhanced health care and medical prescription information via customized prescription manager and portable medical/prescription statements. The prescription manager and portable medical/prescription statements may cover periods of time and can be provided by mail or electronically, and can be provided routinely or at the request of the individual. The prescription manager and portable medical/prescription statements contain medication (i.e., prescription) history and other pertinent health care information. The portable medical/prescription statement is a prescription manager pocket insert which can be carried to a doctor's appointment, trip to the pharmacy, or simply to have readily available in the event of a medical emergency.
US08095386B2 System and method for using and maintaining a master matching index
A master matching index (MMI) is accessible to a plurality of entities connected over a network. Access to the MMI is provided via MMI adapters distributed among the entities. A distributed MMI adapter contains matching algorithms that specify how record queries from its associated entity should be compared against information in the MMI. Accordingly, an MMI may be searched for matches according to matching algorithms specified by disparate entities.
US08095384B2 Computational systems and methods for health services planning and matching
Systems and methods are described relating to accepting user input relating to a plurality of health service option selection factors; presenting a plurality of choices for at least one of the health service option selection factors; and presenting at least one outcome output based on a selection of at least one of the plurality of choices for at least one of the health service option selection factors.
US08095380B2 Systems and methods for predicting healthcare related financial risk
A system for predicting healthcare financial risk including the process of accessing patient data associated with one or more patents, accessing geographic and healthcare system data, filtering the patient data, geographic data, and healthcare system data into clean data, and applying a predictive risk model to the clean data to generate patient profile data and to identify a portion of the patients associated with a level of predicted financial risk.
US08095379B2 System and method for preemptive determination of the potential for an atypical clinical event related to the administering of medication
Systems and methods provide for the preemptive determination of the potential of atypical clinical event occurrence related to administering of medications to a person. One method involves receiving a list of possible medications that may be administered to the person during a medical procedure. Subsequently, the medication list is compared to information in the person's medical record. Based on this comparison, a determination is made as to whether one or more matches exist between any of the medications included in the list and the medical record information, the match relating to the potential of an atypical clinical event occurring if the associated medication were to be administered to the person. If a match in fact exists, a response is outputted relating to each match.
US08095375B2 Universal container for audio data
Storing audio data encoded in any of a plurality of different audio encoding formats is enabled by parametrically defining the underlying format in which the audio data is encoded, in audio format and packet table chunks. A flag can be used to manage storage of the size of the audio data portion of the file, such that premature termination of an audio recording session does not result in an unreadable corrupted file. This capability can be enabled by initially setting the flag to a value that does not correspond to a valid audio data size and that indicates that the last chunk in the file contains the audio data. State information for the audio data, to effectively denote a version of the file, and a dependency indicator for dependent metadata, may be maintained, where the dependency indicator indicates the state of the audio data on which the metadata is dependent.
US08095374B2 Method and apparatus for improving the quality of speech signals
An embodiment of the present invention is a method and apparatus for extending bandwidth of a speech communication beyond a band-limited region to which the speech communication may be otherwise constrained. Such embodiments may be used to provide higher fidelity speech to the listener for an enhanced user experience.
US08095371B2 Computer-implemented voice response method using a dialog state diagram to facilitate operator intervention
A voice response system attempts to respond to spoken user input and to provide computer-generated responses. If the system decides it cannot provide valid responses, the current state of user session is determined and forwarded to a human operator for further action. The system maintains a recorded history of the session in the form of a dialog history log. The dialog history and information as to the reliability of past speech recognition efforts is employed in making the current state determination. The system includes formatting rules for controlling the display of information presented to the human operator.
US08095370B2 Dual compression voice recordation non-repudiation system
A dual compression voice recordation non-repudiation system provides a voice recognition system that compresses voice samples for two purposes: voice recognition and human communication. The user navigates through menus displayed to a user through a television set using both voice commands and button presses on a remote control. The invention accepts voice samples from the remote control and compresses the voice sample for voice recognition while a copy of the voice sample is stored on a storage device. Compressed voice samples are sent to a Voice Engine that performs voice recognition on the voice sample to verify if it is from an authorized user from the consumer's household and determines the action required. If the command is to form a contractual agreement or make a purchase, the Voice Engine determines the merchant server that is appropriate for the action and sends the action request to the server. The voice sample is compressed for human communication and stored on a storage device along with any additional information. The stored human communication compressed sample and any additional information on the storage device may be later retrieved and the human communication compressed sample decompressed into a form that can be played back when a user attempts to repudiate a contractual agreement or purchase. Alternatively, the invention performs both compressions at the same time.
US08095367B2 Methods and systems for parasitic sensing
Methods and systems of parasitic sensing are shown and described. The method includes, measuring, at a first time using one or more electrical elements native to a domain, a parameter of a circuit within the domain and measuring, at a second time using the one or more electrical elements native to the domain, the parameter. The method also includes, comparing the parameter measurement from the first time to the parameter measurement at the second time and determining, in response to the comparison, that an activity occurred within the domain.
US08095365B2 System and method for increasing recognition rates of in-vocabulary words by improving pronunciation modeling
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for generating a lexicon for use with speech recognition. The method includes receiving symbolic input as labeled speech data, overgenerating potential pronunciations based on the symbolic input, identifying potential pronunciations in a speech recognition context, and storing the identified potential pronunciations in a lexicon. Overgenerating potential pronunciations can include establishing a set of conversion rules for short sequences of letters, converting portions of the symbolic input into a number of possible lexical pronunciation variants based on the set of conversion rules, modeling the possible lexical pronunciation variants in one of a weighted network and a list of phoneme lists, and iteratively retraining the set of conversion rules based on improved pronunciations. Symbolic input can include multiple examples of a same spoken word. Speech data can be labeled explicitly or implicitly and can include words as text and recorded audio.
US08095364B2 Multimodal disambiguation of speech recognition
The present invention provides a speech recognition system combined with one or more alternate input modalities to ensure efficient and accurate text input. The speech recognition system achieves less than perfect accuracy due to limited processing power, environmental noise, and/or natural variations in speaking style. The alternate input modalities use disambiguation or recognition engines to compensate for reduced keyboards, sloppy input, and/or natural variations in writing style. The ambiguity remaining in the speech recognition process is mostly orthogonal to the ambiguity inherent in the alternate input modality, such that the combination of the two modalities resolves the recognition errors efficiently and accurately. The invention is especially well suited for mobile devices with limited space for keyboards or touch-screen input.
US08095361B2 Method and device for tracking background noise in communication system
A method and a device for tracking background noise in a communication system, where the method includes: calculating a SNR of a current frame according to input audio signals; increasing a frame counter, and calculating tone features and signal steadiness features of the current frame if the SNR of the current frame is not smaller than a first threshold; judging the possibility of a time window including a noise interval according to the calculated tone feature values and signal steadiness feature values of each frame of the time window when the frame counter is increased to the length of the time window; and extracting noise features in the time window. Existence of background noise is analyzed continuously in a time window, so that background noise that changes frequently and dramatically can be detected or tracked rapidly.
US08095358B2 Removing time delays in signal paths
The disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums for compensating one or more signals and/or one or more parameters for time delays in one or more signal processing paths.
US08095352B2 System and method for automatic selection of transmission line macromodels
Transmission line macromodels can be classified into main categories of delay-extraction and rational approximation. The exponential solution of the Telegrapher's Equation is used to create a system and method that enable a time-domain circuit simulator to automatically select the most appropriate macromodel for a given transmission line structure.
US08095349B2 Dynamic updating of simulation models
The preferred embodiment of the instant invention preferably takes place in three stages. In the first stage, a determination is made as to which sands (or other reservoir bodies) are in fluid communication with the existing wells, and the disconnected sands are removed from the fine scale geological model. In the second stage, the transmissibilities in the fine scale model are upscaled to the coarse grid for direct use in the simulation. In the third stage the connected sands only are upscaled and a simulation is carried forward to the point when a new well is to be drilled. The pressure and saturation data are exported to combine with newly connected sands (reservoir bodies), and new pressure and saturation is calculated. The new values are exported in the simulation model and simulation run is continued.
US08095347B2 Apparatus and method for analyzing an electric field or discharge in a transfer process
An area in which a model of a soft medium is moved is divided into a plurality of elements. In response to an update of simulation time, parameters about the model of the soft medium are shifted to elements at a position to which the soft medium is to be conveyed. After the parameters are shifted, the shape of the model of the soft medium is calculated. The elements need not be redivided by shifting the parameters to the elements at the position, to which the soft medium is to be conveyed.
US08095344B2 Methods and systems for modeling material behavior
A method for modeling material behavior includes using empirical three dimensional non-uniform stress and strain data to train a self-organizing computational model such as a neural network. A laboratory device for measuring non-uniform stress and strain data from material includes an enclosure with an inclusion in it. As the enclosure is compressed, the inclusion induces a non-uniform state of stress and strain. A field testing device includes a body having a moveable section. When the body is inserted in a material and the moveable section moved, a non-uniform state of stress and strain can be characterized.
US08095342B2 Systems and methods for highly efficient bit error rate modeling in quasi-linear communication networks
The present invention provides systems and methods for highly efficient bit error rate (BER) modeling in quasi-linear communication networks. In the present invention, nonlinear noise is treated within a linearization approach along with the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, and the nonlinear noise is considered as another source of noise in addition to the ASE noise. This enables a quasi-analytical approach to the BER calculation. First, a covariance matrix is analytically computed. An equation is derived for a noise component of a signal and an implicit analytical solution is found depending on the signal and system parameters. Second, probability distribution functions (pdfs) are computed for the signal. An analytical calculation is performed of the characteristic function for the noise statistics. Next, a numerical computation of the Fourier transform of the characteristic function is performed to yield the pdf, and numerical integration is performed on the pdfs to yield the BER.
US08095337B2 Methods and systems for computation of probabilistic loss of function from failure mode
A method for determining a probabilistic loss of function of a system includes the steps of determining a plurality of failure mode probabilities, ranking a plurality of functions pertaining to the failure mode probabilities, and identifying a likely function at least substantially lost by the system based at least in part on the plurality of failure mode probabilities and the ranking.
US08095335B2 Process for mapping off-site piping systems in a refinery and/or petrochemical facility and a system for providing emergency isolation and response in a refinery and/or petrochemical facility
A process of mapping piping systems associated with a refinery and petrochemical facilities is disclosed, which maps piping systems, which interconnect facility operating units with other operating units, utilities, distribution facilities and storage units. A system for aiding in the isolation of piping systems, operating units and other facility components is also disclosed. The system includes a search database having representations of the piping systems and its related components. A method of isolating an event within a facility is also disclosed. The method includes identifying the location of an event in the facility, performing a search to identify the impacted piping systems and related components, and identifying measures to isolate the event.
US08095334B2 Procedure for estimating the torque transmitted by a friction clutch controlled by an actuator
A process that estimates the torque transmitted by a friction clutch coupled to the shaft of a motor vehicle engine. The process includes determining the angular speed of the engine shaft and the torque developed by this shaft; calculating the difference between the measured value of the engine shaft's angular speed and an estimated value of the angular speed; and determining an estimated value of the torque transmitted by the clutch, corresponding to the calculated value of the difference or error in the engine shaft angular speed. The estimated value of the torque is used, along with the value measured or otherwise determined of the torque developed by the engine shaft, to obtain the estimated value of the angular speed of the engine shaft on the basis of a predetermined mathematical model.
US08095327B2 Power supply apparatus for operation
A power supply apparatus for operation for outputting power to a surgical instrument includes a temperature detection section for detecting a temperature of the surgical instrument, and an abnormality detection section for detecting an abnormality of the surgical instrument on the basis of the detected temperature. The temperature detection section detects the temperature by measuring the electric capacitance of the surgical instrument or directly measures the temperature of the surgical instrument by using a temperature measurement device. More specifically, the abnormality detection section detects the abnormality according to whether or not a temperature variation amount of the surgical instrument per unit time exceeds a predetermined threshold. Further, when the abnormality detection section detects an abnormality, the abnormality detection section stops the output of the power to the surgical instrument. By detecting an abnormality in the manner described above, the surgical instrument can be prevented from being broken.
US08095320B2 Method, program product, and system for suppression of residual water bottom energy in surface seismic data
Systems, program product, and methods of suppressing residual water bottom energy in seismic data, are provided. An example of a system, program product, and method can be applied to post-stack datasets and can combine multi-channel deconvolution with novel sorting keys to efficiently identify and suppress residual water bottom energy in common depth point (CDP) stacked seismic data, thereby increasing the resolving power of seismic data leading to an improved interpretation of seismic signals reflected from oil reservoirs.
US08095317B2 Downhole surveying utilizing multiple measurements
Certain embodiments described herein provide a measure of the misalignment of multiple acceleration sensors mounted in the downhole portion of a drill string. In certain embodiments, the measure of the misalignment corresponds to a measure of sag which can be used to provide an improved estimate of the inclination of the downhole portion of the drill string and/or the wellbore. Certain embodiments described herein provide an estimate of the magnetic interference incident upon a drilling system using multiple magnetic sensors mounted within a non-magnetic region of the downhole portion of the drilling system. Certain embodiments utilize the magnetic measurements to determine an axial interference resulting from one or more magnetic portions of the downhole portion and to provide an improved estimate of the azimuthal orientation of the downhole portion with respect to the magnetic field of the Earth.
US08095311B2 In-vehicle navigation apparatus
When a vehicle passes through an entrance IC entering a toll road, a present position of the vehicle changes discontinuously because of increased detection error. Continuity is lost between a designated travel road and a history of past designated travel roads. Designation of a correct entrance IC fails. Even in such a case, the correct entrance IC is designated based on the travel road designated before the continuity is lost. A toll is calculated based on the designated entrance IC and an IC, which the vehicle approaches and via which the vehicle is assumed to exit the toll road. If a guide route is designated when passing through an entrance IC, a correct entrance IC is appropriately designated from the travel road and the guide route.
US08095307B2 Method for controlling the display of a geographical map in a vehicle and display apparatus for that purpose
In a method for controlling a map display in a vehicle, a display device is controlled such that a section of a geographical map is displayed in a spatially non-linear scale. A display apparatus for displaying a geographical map includes a control unit and a display device, connected to the control unit, a map section, the control unit including an arithmetic-logic unit by which data assigned to the geographical map is able to be converted into display data, taking a spatially non-linear scale into consideration. A navigation system includes such a display apparatus.
US08095300B2 Method and device for generating a speed profile for an aircraft during a taxiing
A method and device for generating a speed profile for an aircraft rolling on the ground.The device (1) comprises means (8) for automatically determining a speed profile which is suited to successive elements of a ground rolling trajectory and which complies with maximum speeds and particular constraints.
US08095296B2 Procedure and device for an adaptation of a dynamic model of an exhaust gas probe
The invention concerns a procedure and a device for an adaptation of a dynamic model of an exhaust gas probe, which is a component of an exhaust pipe of a combustion engine and with which a lambda value is determined for regulating an air-fuel composition, whereby a simulated lambda value is calculated parallel to that in a control unit or in a diagnosing unit of the combustion engine and an application function uses the simulated and the measured lambda value. According to the invention it is thereby provided that a jump behavior of the exhaust gas probe is determined during a running vehicle operation by evaluating a signal change at a stimulation of the system and that the dynamic model of the exhaust gas probe is adapted with the aid of these results.
US08095292B2 Variable intake manifold diagnostic systems and methods
A system includes a control module, a valve control module, and a diagnostic module. The control module controls a valve of a variable intake manifold when the system operates in a first mode. The control module commands the valve to a first position when a desired airflow through the variable intake manifold is greater than a threshold and commands the valve to a second position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The valve control module controls the valve when the system operates in a second mode. The valve control module commands the valve to move from the second position to the first position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The diagnostic module determines an operating state of the valve based on whether the valve is detected at the first position a predetermined period after the valve control module commands the valve.
US08095291B2 Voice control system and method for a motor vehicle with a stop/start device
The invention relates to a control device for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a stop/start device, and to a method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine in such a motor vehicle, wherein the stop/start device is designed to switch off the internal combustion automatically when at least one stop condition is met, wherein the switching off of the internal combustion engine when the stop condition is present does not take place until after a switch off delay time has passed. The control device is designed to prevent, in reaction to a first voice command, the automatic switching off of the internal combustion engine for a predefined time period and/or until a predefined vehicle operating state criterion has been fulfilled irrespective of whether or not the stop condition was already met at the time when the voice command was issued.
US08095287B2 Methods and systems for controlling an axle disconnect device for an all-wheel drive vehicle
Methods and systems are described to automatically lock and unlock a front axle disconnect mechanism in an all-wheel drive (AWD) system responsive to driving conditions to reduce parasitic losses and increase fuel efficiency. A control algorithm is described which automatically determines whether the front axle disconnect mechanism should lock or unlock responsive to various sensor readings throughout the vehicle. The sensor readings relate to the driving conditions. Advantageously, the present disclosure automatically decides the best mode for optimum fuel economy while safely responding to driving conditions, and therefore removes the requirement for a driver to select the operating mode.
US08095282B2 Method and apparatus for soft costing input speed and output speed in mode and fixed gear as function of system temperatures for cold and hot operation for a hybrid powertrain system
Methods and systems for manipulating inputs relating to transmission shifting events in a hybrid-engine powered vehicle equipped with an electro-mechanical hybrid transmission include sets of preferability factors inputted from engine sensors are combined in a microprocessor or computer with other preferability factors generated during engine and vehicle operation to provide an output for a transmission control module, which may execute an operating range or engine state change. Desirable input speeds for a transmission are determined by defining minimum input speeds for each potential transmission operating range state, and ascribing biasing costs to potential transmission input speeds which are slower than the minimum input speeds defined for each potential transmission operating range state. A single transmission input speed is selected and preferability factors are determined, which are preferentially weighted to enable selective commandment of changes in the transmission operating range state and engine state.
US08095281B2 System for controlling a hydraulic system
A method of operating a hydraulic system is disclosed. The method includes holding an implement configuration in an orientation. The method also includes sensing a pressure within a chamber of a hydraulic actuator associated with the implement configuration when the implement configuration is in the orientation and comparing a first signal indicative of the first sensed pressure with a first pressure value. The method further includes selecting a first functional relationship from among a plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is greater than the first pressure value and selecting a second functional relationship from among the plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is less than the first pressure value. The method includes controlling the hydraulic actuator based on the selected functional relationship.
US08095280B2 Method for adjusting engine speed based on power usage of machine
A method for controlling an engine of a machine includes a step of setting an initial engine speed of the engine based on a position of an operator engine speed selection device. The machine is operated for a period of time at the initial engine speed, and a power usage value for the machine during that period of time is identified. The initial engine speed of the engine is then lowered to a reduced engine speed corresponding to the power usage value.
US08095278B2 Interface for vehicle function control via a touch screen
A method and apparatus for controlling a particular vehicle function, for example the adjustment of a vehicle seat, using a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided. The GUI is activating by toggling a control, switch intuitively linked to the particular vehicle function. The control switch is separate from, and not proximate to, the GUI. When the GUI is activated by toggling the control switch, a control screen specific to the particular vehicle function is displayed on the GUI.
US08095277B2 Method for determining a direction of travel in a motor vehicle
Disclosed is a method for detecting a direction of travel in a vehicle with a protection system which avoids accidents. When an object is detected in front of the vehicle in the direction of the vehicle and contact between the vehicle and the object is possible, the method triggers a driver-independent braking and/or steering process to prevent contact with the object. In order to avoid incorrect triggering of the protection system, the method further provides that the driver-independent braking and/or steering process is prevented or aborted if reverse travel is detected.
US08095276B2 Sensor system including a confirmation sensor for detecting an impending collision
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor system for detecting an impending collision of a vehicle is provided. The sensor system comprises a primary radar arrangement providing the assessment of the severity of an impending impact and the time left before the impact. A separate confirmation detection arrangement including a confirmation sensor is for detecting within a proximity space adjacent to the vehicle to provide a confirmation output. In communication with the primary radar and confirmation detection arrangements is an electronic control module. The module is configured to produce a deployment signal for a safety device which is dependent upon evaluation of the primary radar and confirmation detection outputs.
US08095275B2 Method and apparatus for controlling an actuatable safety device
A method for determining a crash condition of a vehicle comprises the step of sensing crash acceleration in a first direction substantially parallel to a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. The method also comprises the step of sensing crash acceleration in a second direction substantially parallel to a side-to-side axis of the vehicle and providing a second crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. The method further comprises the steps of determining a crash metric value functionally related to the sensed crash acceleration based on the second acceleration signal and comparing the determined crash metric value as a function of the sensed first crash acceleration signal against an associated threshold. The method still further comprises the step of determining a crash condition of the vehicle in response to (a) the comparison and (b) the first acceleration signal.
US08095274B2 Device and method for protecting a vehicle occupant in a motor vehicle
A device for protection of a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) comprises a means for detecting a maloperation during use of a seat belt system by the vehicle occupant (14). The detection means includes means for characterizing the vehicle occupant (14) and individually checks operation of the seat belt system by taking into account the characterization. A method for protecting a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) with a seat belt system comprises the following steps: characterization of the vehicle occupant (14), and individual check of operation of the seat belt system for a maloperation by taking into account the characterization.
US08095273B2 Autonomous parking strategy of the vehicle with rear steer
A method includes parallel parking a vehicle between a first object and a second object in response to an available parking distance therebetween. The vehicle includes front steerable wheels and rear steerable wheels. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed determining whether to apply a one or two cycle parking strategy. An autonomous one cycle parking strategy includes pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in respective directions for steering the vehicle in a first reverse arcuate path of travel and then cooperatively pivoting the steerable wheels in a counter direction for steering the vehicle in a second reverse arcuate path of travel to a final park position. The autonomous two cycle parking strategy includes performing the one cycle parking maneuver and then changing a transmission gear to a drive gear and pivoting the front and rear steerable wheels in the first direction for moving the vehicle forward to a final park position.
US08095269B2 Dynamic rollover prevention
In certain embodiments, a method includes accessing data associated with one or more vehicle parameters and determining, based on the data associated with the one or more vehicle parameters, if a vehicle rollover is imminent. The method includes determining, in response to a determination that a vehicle rollover is imminent, a roll countering solution. The method includes determining, based on the roll countering solution, one or more vehicle thrusters to execute the determined roll countering solution. The method includes signaling the one or more vehicle thrusters to discharge to execute the determined roll countering solution.
US08095267B2 Door-lock control system, door-lock control method
A door-lock control system includes: a door lock device; a current position detection unit; a data recording unit; a public security situation determination processing unit; and a function setting processing unit configured to set, according to the public security situation at the vehicle position, a function limit state that limits unlocking when a door-unlock operation has been performed by an operation unit.
US08095266B2 Lane keeping assist system
A lane keeping assist system (LKAS) is equipped with a compensator capable of solving the problem in which video data, which is measured by a video sensor, the processing speed of which is lower than the data processing speed of the LKAS, is repeatedly used, thereby improving the kinematic characteristics of a vehicle and lane-keeping control performance.
US08095259B2 Formula server for diagnostic systems
An apparatus and method are provided and include a formula server having formulas and conversion modules that are separate from a diagnostic application of a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool receives the diagnostic data and transmits it to a remote computer, where the data is converted using a formula. The resulting data is then transmitted back to the diagnostic tool for display.
US08095257B2 Electronic control apparatus having self-diagnosis function
The electronic control apparatus includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a first function of performing a monitoring operation to detect abnormalities in each of a first to N-th (N being an integer larger than 2) items, and a second function of, when the first function detects an abnormality in an M-th (M being an integer larger than 1 and not larger than the N), storing an abnormality code indicative of the detected abnormality in the rewritable nonvolatile memory. The second function is configured to store an identification information associated with the M-th item so that the M-th item can be identified from the first to N-th items in the rewritable nonvolatile memory.
US08095253B2 Fuel efficiency improvement for locomotive consists
A fuel efficiency improvement device for use on each of a plurality of locomotives in a consist includes a processor configured to transmit an initialization message including an identifier and power and fuel consumption rate information for the locomotive on which it is installed to all other locomotives in the consist. One of the devices is chosen to act as a lead device. The lead device is responsible for determining alternative throttle notch settings for each of the locomotives based on the power and fuel consumption rate information in the initialization message. The lead device may be chosen on the basis of identifiers in the initialization messages such as serial numbers. The alternative throttle settings may be determined using greedy value and maximum power calculations.
US08095251B2 System for monitoring anemobaroclinometric parameters for aircraft
The disclosed embodiments concerns a system for monitoring anemobaroclinometric parameters in an aircraft, including a primary detection circuit having at least one measurement channel. The measurement channel includes a device for measuring static air pressure, a device for measuring a side-slip angle of the aircraft, a device for measuring a dynamic pressure, a total air temperature and a angle of attack of the aircraft, and a data-processing device capable of determining anemobaroclinometric parameters from the measurements of static pressure, side-slip angle, dynamic pressure, total air temperature and angle of attack, a least one laser anemometer to measure at least one true airspeed parameter of the aircraft.
US08095243B2 Power monitoring and control system and method
A system includes first and second controllers coupled together with a communication channel. The first controller provides a first signal to the second controller and the second controller provides a second signal to the first controller in response. The second signal includes information about an electrical load. At least one of the first and second controllers can be integrated with an electrical outlet.
US08095242B2 Method for controlling the operation of a device for dispensing hot liquid
A beverage maker for making a hot beverage includes a boiler for heating a quantity of water, and a pump. When the beverage maker is operated, a heating element of the boiler is activated, and the water inside the boiler is heated. When the temperature of the water has reached a predetermined value, a thermostat which is arranged in an electronics circuit for energizing the pump is closed, and a pumping action is started. As a result, water exits the boiler, and passes a thermostat which is arranged downstream of the boiler, and which is arranged in an electronics circuit for energizing the heating element. Under the influence of the hot water, a set point of this thermostat is reached, and this thermostat opens, so that the electronics circuit for energizing the heating element is interrupted, and the heating element is deactivated.
US08095240B2 Methods for starting and operating a thermal abatement system
A flame sensor apparatus for use with a flame heated thermal abatement reactor is provided, including a flame sensor adapted to sense a flame within the thermal abatement reactor; and a shutter adapted to selectively block the transmission of radiation from the flame to the flame sensor.
US08095237B2 Method and apparatus for single image 3D vision guided robotics
A method of three-dimensional object location and guidance to allow robotic manipulation of an object with variable position and orientation using a sensor array which is a collection of one or more sensors capable of forming a single image.
US08095236B2 System and method for remotely buying, renting, and/or selling media discs
A kiosk or machine for buying media discs includes a dispense/receive system for dispensing the media discs to consumers and receiving media discs from customers, a disc identification system for identifying the media discs, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs within the kiosk, a control system operably connected to dispense/receive system, the disc transfer system, and a user interface system. The user interface includes a buy-back indicator or prompt which can be selectively activated by the customer. In response to activation of the buy-back indicator, the controller activates the dispense/receive system to receive a media disc for buy-back, activates the disc transfer system to move the media disc to the disc identification system, activates the disc identification system to identify the media disc, determines a buy-back price for the media disc, and activates the user interface system to display the buy-back price.
US08095233B1 Interconnected premises equipment for energy management
Energy commodities in the form of electricity and combustible fuel (e.g. natural gas, propane) are used by appliances within a residence or commercial premises in a fashion which is monitored and controlled through a Premises Energy Management System (PEMS). The system facilitates direct monitoring and control of energy-consuming appliances, in real time, utilizing automated programmatic control and a plurality of human interfaces including local display and control, email, web browser, text messaging, and integrated voice response (IVR). A Monitoring and Control Coordinator (MCC) provides centralized coordination of functions and one or more Communicating Appliance Interfaces (CAI) interact with energy consuming appliances are interconnected via wired and wireless communication networks and protocols. The system may retrieve information from third parties, such as from weather services, for optimizing energy usage. An interface may be provided to the energy provider/purveyor to enhance the provision of energy by providing additional real-time services such as demand management and service outage management.
US08095225B2 Robust high power and low power cardiac leads having integrated sensors
A lead of an implantable medical device system having an elongated lead body, a sensor coupled to the lead body and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a distal lead adaptor having a first arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a first arm end, a second arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a second arm end, and a third arm extending between the first arm end and the second arm end, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm form an open portion.
US08095222B2 Medical instruments and techniques for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Apparatus and methods for treating tissue at or near a sphincter provide for transluminal introduction of an energy delivery device. The device includes a tissue compression member to compress target tissue at or near the sphincter. A radiofrequency energy source is coupleable to the delivery device to deliver radiofrequency energy to the target tissue. Energy is delivered to heat the tissue to a desired temperature. The desired temperature is selected to induce an injury-healing response or to inducing shrinkage of collagen fibers in the target tissue to thereby reduce laxity in the target tissue.
US08095219B2 Stimulation of the stomach in response to sensed parameters to treat obesity
A neurostimulation kit and a method of treating a patient are provided. The kit comprises a stimulation backing that includes a flat, electrically insulative, body having a pair of opposing first and second planar surfaces, and an electrode affixed to the first surface of the insulative body. The stimulation backing is implanted within a patient and affixed therein to place the electrode into contact with a tissue surface. The kit comprises a neurostimulator including a housing and stimulation circuitry contained within the housing. The neurostimulator is implanted within the patient by affixing the housing to the second surface of the insulative body, such that the stimulation circuitry is electrically coupled to the electrode.
US08095207B2 Implantable medical device with inter-atrial block monitoring
An implantable medical device includes a voltage measurement circuit to measure a potential difference between implanted electrodes in a thorax of a living being, the potential difference resulting from an electrical P-wave cardiac signal. The implantable medical device also includes a processing unit to calculate a vector corresponding to the P-wave cardiac signal, the vector comprising a magnitude and a direction, and derived from measured potential differences and orientations defined by locations of the implanted electrodes. The implantable medical device further includes a monitoring unit to track a rotation of the vector corresponding to the P-wave cardiac signal. In various implementations, the monitoring unit may use the rotation to detect an inter-atrial block condition.
US08095204B2 Apparatus and method for diagnosing breast cancer including examination table
A microwave breast cancer imaging method that includes an examination table that is both comfortable and reliable is provided that includes a support system and an orientation system such that breasts can remain in a fixed position to allow for scanning. A horizontal microwave and optically transparent scan plate forms part of the top of the examination table. The imprint of the breasts on the scan plate may be visually displayed to aid in the orienting of each breast such that all volumes within the breast are scanned. Microwave power is then scanned upward through the scan plate to develop a microwave response that is indicative of the presence of a lesion. After scanning, the visual imprint of the breast is recorded. As needed, microwave equipment can be included within a microwave shielded enclosure that also forms part of the scan table. Spurious leakage of microwave power may be further suppressed by use of microwave-absorbing materials, within the enclosure and, in the padding that covers the surface of the examination table and removable pads.
US08095198B2 Methods for detecting osteolytic conditions in the body
Methods and systems for detecting a biological response indicative of osteolysis or osteolytic pre-conditions in bone.
US08095197B2 Medical device for sensing glucose
Medical devices, utilizing multiple reservoirs to protect and selectively expose sensors or other reservoir contents, are provided having (i) a reservoir contents destruction mechanism to interrupt the release or exposure of reservoir contents, for example, to deactivate an unneeded sensor and prevent it from negatively impacting other sensors, (ii) a protective covering material layer over the sensor underneath the reservoir cap, which protects the sensor membrane and sensor during reservoir cap disintegration and then is removed, (iii) a device design for containing sensors in shallow, wide reservoir structures to enhance sensor exposure by minimizing molecular diffusion distances, (iv) an implantable sensor unit and a separate drug delivery unit, or (v) combinations thereof.
US08095196B2 Microsensor needle for pH measurement in tissue
A sensor probe for in-situ measurement of pH in a human tissue (e.g., cardiovascular) environment comprises a hollow needle having a tip and a back end. The tip is insertable into the tissue. An optic cable comprises a light conduit surrounded by a cladding. A first end of the light conduit is inserted from the back end of the needle and extends to within a predetermined distance of the tip to define a cavity within the tip. A porous dye layer is contained within the cavity, wherein the dye layer has a response to excitation light delivered through the light conduit that varies according to the pH of the tissue environment. An overcoat layer is deposited on the dye layer, wherein the overcoat layer is ionically permeable and substantially opaque at a light wavelength corresponding to the variable response of the dye layer.
US08095190B2 Method and apparatus for searching for a directory entry in a mobile communication terminal phone book
A method and apparatus for searching for a desired directory entry in phone book data of a mobile communication terminal is disclosed. A terminal phone book directory has one or more data entry fields such as hot-key, name, and phone number. Using the terminal keypad, the user enters a sequence of numbers, and according to the number of digits in the sequence of numbers, the terminal searches for directory entries wherein one or more data fields have a matching numerical sequence. All directory entries having a matching sequence are then displayed for the user to select the desired entry. Wild-card characters may be used in the sequence of numbers.
US08095189B2 Device and method for battery life management using global or local positioning system
A device includes a memory, a wireless transceiver and a positioning system. The memory stores a first area in which a wireless network lacks coverage. The wireless transceiver is adapted to communicate with the wireless network. The positioning system determines a position of the device to determine whether the device is located within the first area. The wireless transceiver does not attempt to communicate with the wireless network if the positioning system determines that the device is located within the first area.
US08095188B2 Wireless earphone and portable electronic device using the same
A wireless earphone includes an earphone, a microphone, a hanging portion and an adjusting portion fixed with the hanging portion. The answering portion is mounted on the junction area of the hanging portion and the adjusting portion. The microphone is mounted on the other end of the adjusting portion. The wireless earphone is made of flexible, elastic material. The bluetooth has at least one block protruding thereon, to make the wireless earphone be disassembly mounted on a portable electronic device. The invention also includes a portable electronic device using the wireless earphone.
US08095187B1 Communication device
The communication device which includes a multiple & simultaneous speech-to-text mode implementor which converts a 1st voice data to a 1st text data and a 2nd voice data to a 2nd text data, wherein the conversions are performed simultaneously, and the 1st text data and the 2nd text data are displayed on the display, wherein the 1st text data includes alphanumeric data indicated by the 1st voice and the 2nd text data includes alphanumeric data indicated by the 2nd voice, and a current location identifier which identifies the current geographic location of the communication device.
US08095182B1 Communication device
A communication device which implements a voice communicating function, a OS updating function, a recording function, a multiple language operating function, a caller's information displaying function, a communication device telephone remote controlling function, a communication device computer remote controlling function, a shortcut icon displaying function, a task tray icon displaying function, an OCR function, a word processing function, a start up software function, and a stereo audio data output function.
US08095177B2 Wireless communication device and communication control method
A wireless communication device includes a first wireless unit a first wireless unit processing a first radio signal propagated through a space; a second wireless unit processing a second radio signal propagated along the surface of a human body or in the human body; and a control unit selecting, as a present radio signal, any one of the first radio signal and the second radio signal, and controlling the first wireless unit and the second wireless unit so as to process the present radio signal.
US08095174B2 Cellular phone, method for customizing cellular phone and program for customizing cellular phone
Every time a prescribe function is executed, a history use part 112 stores operation history information in an operation history DB 122. When an event occurs, an action control part 111 searches a rule DB 121, extracts an “action” corresponding to the event having occurred, and outputs the extracted action together with information indicating a situation of the occurrence of the event to the history use part 112. The history use part 112 searches he operation history DB 122 on the basis of the information indicating the situation of the occurrence of the event and extracts a corresponding “function”. The history use part 112 executes an action on the basis of the “action” input from the action control part 111 and the extracted “function”.
US08095170B2 Base station and a method of operation therefor
A base station (103) for a cellular communication system comprises a user equipment store (205) which provides a user equipment subset which identifies at least one user equipment (107) associated with the base station. An access processor (203) restricts access to the base station (103) to the user equipments (107) that belong to the user equipment subset. A path loss processor (209) determines a path loss estimate indication from at least one neighboring base station (101) to a cell supported by the base station (103). A parameter controller sets an operating parameter for the cell (105) in response to the path loss estimate indication. The invention may allow facilitated or improved introduction and/or configuration of restricted base stations supporting only specific user equipments. In many scenarios, a restricted base station may be configured depending on a path loss estimate such that improved performance may be achieved without any frequency planning for the base station.
US08095156B2 User equipment and method used in mobile communication system
User equipment used in a mobile communication system is disclosed that includes a specifying unit specifying a tracking area of a serving cell based on broadcast information, a determination unit determining whether the user equipment is entitled to communicate in the private network, and a transmission unit transmitting a signal requesting to update the tracking area to a base station of the serving cell, in which the determination unit determines whether the specified tracking area is for the private network by checking a common identification which is common to private networks, and the determination unit determines whether the user equipment is entitled to communicate in the private network by determining whether the private network to which the serving cell belongs is the same as or different from a private network in which the user equipment is entitled to communicate.
US08095153B2 System and method for generating a recommendation on a mobile device
A system and a method generate a recommendation on a mobile device. The system and the method may use a time, a location, a venue and/or an event to generate the recommendation. Further, the system and the method may use an event database to determine current interests of the user. Still further, the system and the method for generating a recommendation on a mobile device may use a transactional history of the user and/or behavior of other users to generate the recommendation. The system and the method may recommend, for example, digital media, news and event information, editorial content and/or physical or digital merchandise. As a result, the system and the method may generate a recommendation that corresponds to the current interests of the user.
US08095152B2 Method and system for dynamic estimation and predictive route generation
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.
US08095148B2 Position information processing method, position information processing system, position information processing apparatus, communication apparatus and program
A position information processing method includes: measuring, at a communication apparatus, a signal intensity of a signal transmitted from a plurality of base stations; recording a history of signal intensity information at one or more times in a history storage medium of the communication apparatus; recording, in an information storage medium of the information recording apparatus, a specific time and information matching a position environment of the information recording apparatus at the specific time, respectively correlated to each other; calculating position information of the communication apparatus based on the history of signal intensity information recorded in the history storage medium, and known base station information constituted of the base station identification information and position information of the base stations; and correlating the calculated position information to the information matching the position environment stored in the medium and correlated to the specific time.
US08095147B2 Multi-device location monitoring system
A method and device are provided for receiving a wireless location tracking activation signal. Location monitoring in initiated based on the received wireless location tracking activation. A geographic location is periodically determined and transmitted to a remote device.
US08095146B2 Method and system for directing a wireless user to a location for improved communication
An information handling system for improving reception comprises logic for determining a target location for improved communication for a wireless telecommunication unit based in part on information representing a recent position of the wireless telecommunication unit, wherein the target location is more likely to result in better reception of wireless signals from a wireless access point. The system also includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals to other users of the network. Optionally, the transceiver can be configured for receiving information representing the most recent position of the wireless unit and for transmitting directions to the wireless unit, the directions including information on how to get to the target location.
US08095142B2 Configuration of overhead channels in a mixed bandwidth system
A method and apparatus for transmitting broadcast information in a multi-carrier communication system. The Sync Channel of the multi-carrier system is transmitted a 1.25 MHz channel bandwidth (i.e., over a single carrier), and to specify the preferred channels for the Sync Channel transmission instead of the preferred channels for the entire multi-carrier system. The Sync Channel Message will carry additional information indicating the center frequency of a multi-carrier system within a reserved set of frequency bands and indicating the frequency of a single carrier system in the reserved set of frequency bands. Considering the A block of the PCS band again, the preferred channels for Sync Channel transmission can be selected as channels 75, 150 and 225. This selection ensures that one of the preferred channels will always be used by any multi-carrier system regardless of the location of its center channel.
US08095141B2 Use of supplemental assignments
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate dynamically supplementing resource assignments to mobile devices in a wireless network environment without requiring transmission of replacement assignments. Supplemental assignments can be generated based on information related to mobile device need and resource availability. Additionally, assignment validation can be performed to mitigate generation of conflicting resource assignment to multiple devices. Moreover, resource assignments can be persisted for a mobile device.
US08095134B2 Method and apparatus for handover measurement
A UE performs pilot measurements over a frequency sub-band of serving cell and adjacent cells based on pilot symbols for used in handover. UE uses channel quality measurement result to adjust frequency sub-band and periodicity of pilot measurement. In interference coordination scheme, UE is classified into cell edge or cell center UE based on channel quality measurement result. For downlink data reception, UE in cell edge is allocated cell edge frequency sub-band and UE in cell center is allocated with cell center frequency sub-band. If UE is in cell edge of the serving cell, UE also performs pilot measurement over cell edge frequency sub-band. If UE is in cell center, UE also performs pilot measurement over cell center frequency sub-band of the serving cell. When UE is located in cell edge, it performs measurement at a higher rate than when it is located in cell center.
US08095132B2 Remote SIM card replacement and activation process
A data processing device including a microcontroller and configured to communicate with at least one remote system distributed on a network. The data processing device and the remote system are adapted to store a plurality of parameters identifying a user account belonging to a subscriber. The data processing device comprises a one-time parameter comprising the active account attached to the device designed for a one-time use, and a permanent parameter identifying an account attached to the data processing device, the permanent parameter being deactivated. The one-time and permanent parameter are stored in the at least one remote system, and the microcontroller is programmed to: use the one-time parameter to logon to the network when the data processing device is switched on; and exchanges the one-time parameter with the permanent parameter, upon successful logon to the network, the permanent parameter becoming the permanent active account. The first device and the at least one remote system store a parameter identifying a current active account attached to a second data processing device to replace, and upon successful logon to the network, a program automatically stored in the first device sends an activation request for exchanging the plurality of parameters from the old for the new one in the at least one remote system, with the current active account being deactivated.
US08095131B2 Dynamic boolean channel masks
Systems and methods are provided to establish a set of dynamic channel masks that select channels to be scanned in a wireless environment during a mobile terminal roaming. The set of channel masks is associated with a set of scan groups determined through a Boolean operation applied to a set of scan variables determined via data indicators that reflect channel quality and/or presence in the vicinity of the mobile terminal. Regardless of actual access point geometric configuration in a quasi-two-dimensional coverage plan, a universal set of three scan groups can be determined. In addition to the universal set, a fail-safe set is computed in order to ensure successful scanning in various roaming scenarios. Quality of service indicators like communication reliability and battery performance can be improved by successively scanning the universal scan groups during roaming.
US08095127B2 Subscriber management and accounting using event detection in a wireless device
A system and method performs real-time subscriber management and accounting for a wireless device by detecting predetermined events within the wireless device and communicating information pertaining to such events from the wireless device to a real-time subscriber management platform in association with each communication session. The information received by the real-time subscriber management platform is used to control the behavior of the wireless device and/or to update accounting information pertaining to the subscriber.
US08095121B2 Automatic telephone service forwarding device
An automatic telephone service forwarding device including a base or enclosure defining a socket for receiving a wireless telephone. Upon detecting the presence of the wireless telephone in the socket, the device automatically forwards telephone service for the wireless telephone to a previously-stored forwarding directory number, typically the directory number of a wireline unit located nearby. Alternatively, the automatic telephone service forwarding device may be incorporated directly into a wireless telephone. In this case, the wireless telephone includes a “forward” button and a scrollable list of forwarding telephone numbers. The automatic telephone service forwarding device may also be configured to automatically select certain forwarding directory numbers from the list in accordance with a predefined time-based profile. The automatic telephone service forwarding device may forward the telephone service by causing the wireless telephone to transmit a forwarding message to a telephone redirection device on an overhead data channel associated with a wireless communications network. Alternatively, the automatic telephone service forwarding device may forward the telephone service by placing a telephone call to the call redirection device. The call redirection device may include automatic call redirection equipment that is configured to enter forwarding instructions into a home location register for the wireless telephone by emulating a visitor location register in which the wireless telephone is attempting to register for roaming service.
US08095118B2 Address book remote access and extensibility
Address book data available to a user such as contact information, group information, resource information, and similar data, are retrieved from a plurality of sources by a third party service. The retrieved data is customized for consistent presentation and provided to the user without the user's application having to communicate with individual data sources for retrieving the data.
US08095115B2 Wireless manager and method for configuring and securing wireless access to a network
The disclosure provides a wireless manager operable to receive a request from a mobile device to wirelessly communicate with an enterprise network, with the request including information operable to dynamically identify a location of the mobile device. The wireless manager is further operable to automatically associate an access zone with the mobile device with the access zone comprising at least one logical characteristic, compare the location information to the associated access zone, and, if the location information indicates that the mobile device does not violate the access zone, authorize wireless communications with the enterprise network.
US08095113B2 Onetime passwords for smart chip cards
A financial transaction card is provided according to various embodiments described herein. The financial transaction card includes a card body with at least a front surface and a back surface. The financial transaction card may also include a near field communications transponder and/or a magnetic stripe, as well as a digital display configured to display alphanumeric characters on the front surface of the card body. The financial transaction card may also include a processor that is communicatively coupled with the near field communications transponder or magnetic stripe and the digital display. The processor may be configured to calculate one-time passwords and communicate the one-time passwords to both the near filed communications transponder or magnetic stripe and the digital display.
US08095106B2 System and method for power savings in a wireless communication network
A method for power savings in a wireless communications network including selecting one or more connections with common performance characteristics to create a plurality of power savings classes, attributing a power savings window size to each power savings class, and aligning power savings classes with the same start time to generate an aligned power savings class. In addition, the method includes communicating the plurality of power savings classes and each associated power savings window size to a base station.
US08095103B2 Upconverter and downconverter with switched transconductance and LO masking
An upconverter and a downconverter having good performance are described. In one design, the upconverter includes first, second, and third sets of transistors. The first set of transistors receives baseband signals and provides an upconverted signal. The second set of transistors switches the transconductance of the transistors in the first set based on transmit (TX) local oscillator (LO) signals. The third set of transistors enables and disables the transistors in the second set based on a TX VCO signal. In one design, the downconverter includes first, second, and third sets of transistors. The first set of transistors receives a modulated signal and provides baseband signals. The second set of transistors switches the transconductance of the transistors in the first set based on receive (RX) LO signals. The third set of transistors enables and disables the transistors in the second set based on an RX VCO signal.
US08095098B2 Apparatus and methods for network interface and spectrum management
Apparatus and methods for the management of radio frequency spectrum within a network such as a CATV network. In one aspect of the invention, an improved signal reflector apparatus adapted for use in the network is disclosed, the reflector circuit being designed to strongly reflect signal frequencies at the lower end of the CATV reverse band, and/or above the higher end of the forward band, while simultaneously allowing the rest of the reverse band and the entire forward band to pass freely through the device. This selective filtering of the spectrum allows control signals generated within a premises or private network to be directed (by reflection) to other devices within that network. A blocking element (e.g., amplifier) may also be used to provide control of the transmission and attenuation profile of the reflector apparatus. The passage of power signals such as DC or low frequency AC is also optionally provided.
US08095097B1 Increasing the robustness of channel estimates derived through sounding for WLAN
A plurality of training signal sets are transmitted. Each training signal set includes information sufficient to determine a channel estimate corresponding to a communication channel from a first station to a second station. A refined channel estimate is determined based on reception of the plurality of training signal sets.
US08095087B1 Polar modulation with coarse and fine FM signals
Apparatus and methods for enhancement of performance in polar modulators are described. In one implementation, an FM signal component is divided into a coarse FM signal and a residue FM signal to be applied to a VCO for generation of a modulation signal. The coarse FM signal may be proportional to a threshold value when the FM signal exceeds the threshold, while the residue FM signal may be proportional to the difference between the FM signal and coarse FM signal.
US08095085B2 Automatic antenna tuning unit for software-defined and cognitive radio
A closed-loop controlled antenna tuning unit (ATU) system includes a return loss detector connected to sample an RF signal generated by a signal source to provide a return loss signal. A matching state searching circuit is connected to receive the return loss signal and, in response, selectively store a return loss value and an impedance matching state. A central controller is connected to provide a switch control signal and apply an optimum matching state to the impedance synthesizer at the conclusion of the matching state search. An impedance synthesizer is responsive to the switch control signal for coupling a radio frequency signal and matching the impedance of an antenna to a signal source.
US08095083B2 Method and system for multiple shared antenna mobile devices
A wireless device may comprise a plurality of antennas that may be utilized during communications via various wireless interfaces. The wireless interfaces may comprise mobile interfaces, wireless personal area network (WPAN) interfaces, and/or wireless local area network (WLAN). The plurality of antennas may be utilized during a communication via a wireless interface in the mobile device. The mobile device may switch among antennas in the plurality of antennas utilizing one or more RF switches to enable utilizing best path for transmitted and/or received RF signals during the wireless communication. The mobile device may also perform signal combining of RF signals received via the plurality of antenna, and to enable a receiving end to perform signal combining of RF signals transmitted via the mobile device. A multiple-input- multiple-output (MIMO) combiner may be utilized to perform signal combing; the MIMO combiner may utilize maximal ratio combining to perform signal combining and equalization.
US08095080B2 Power management unit for configurable receiver and transmitter and methods for use therewith
A configurable transceiver includes an RF receiver that generates a stream of inbound data from at least one received RF signal, wherein the RF receiver is configurable in response to a control signal. An RF transmitter generates at least one RF signal from a stream of outbound data, wherein the RF transmitter section is configurable in response to the control signal. A configuration controller generates the control signal based on channel data. A power management unit generates at least one receiver supply signal and at least on transmitter supply signal in accordance with a plurality of power consumption parameters, and wherein the power management unit adjusts at least one of the plurality of power consumption parameters based on the control signal.
US08095076B2 Methods and systems for low-complexity channel estimator in OFDM / OFDMA systems
The present disclosure proposes a method for channel estimation with excellent accuracy for a large variety of channel conditions and with low computational complexity. The method represents a specific combination of a plurality of linear channel estimation schemes. A resulting hybrid channel estimator may retain the low complexity of the constituent estimators while performing same or better than each of the constituent estimators. The proposed simplified hybrid estimator may provide very close error rate performance to the optimal Wiener estimator over a wide range of channel scenarios.
US08095069B2 Techniques for MMWAVE WPAN communications with high-directional steerable antennas combining omni-directional transmissions with beamforming training
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for communicating in a millimeter wave (MMWAVE) wireless personal area network (WPAN) system using a reliable low-rate omni-directional communications mode implemented as TX-RX space scanning using directional antennas; and using a high-rate directional communications mode with beamformed directional antennas.
US08095066B2 Method of optimizing the resources used in a satellite or aircraft telecommunications system
The invention relates to a method of optimizing the resources used in a satellite or aircraft telecommunications system (onboard segment). The method includes expressing the difference in consumption EdB between the consumption of onboard power and the consumption of onboard bandwidth as a function of a plurality of terms including a quality indicator, an informational term expressing onboard parameters and a corrective term. The quality indicator QaF′depends on the antenna system, onboard and on the ground, and on conditions of propagation and interference of the medium. The informational term ℑdB depends on modem parameters. The term K′ depends on onboard parameters such as the maximum incoming flux density and the bandwidth. A corrective term CdB characterizing the consumption of onboard power attributable to the upward noise which is amplified and transposed on board. At least one of the parameters QaF′, K′, ℑdB is modified in order to tend toward the cancellation of the absolute value of the term EdB.
US08095065B2 Remote customizable vehicle entertainment system with multi-source presets
A vehicle entertainment system capable of being remotely customized from a remote secondary device. The system includes a controller disposed within the system that is capable of receiving user input through an internet connection. A display is in communication with the controller and capable of implementing the received user input to customize the system.
US08095063B2 Image forming apparatus and method thereof
An image forming apparatus having an improved structure to enable a user to conveniently operate the image forming apparatus at a front of the image forming apparatus, and a method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a main body formed with a discharge port at a front portion, a printing unit mounted inside the main body and disposed adjacent to a front panel of the main body, a feeding unit to feed paper printed by the printing unit toward a rear panel of the main body, and a discharge reversal unit to reverse a moving direction of the paper fed by the feeding unit to feed the paper to the discharge port. A sensor to detect a moving position of the paper and a paper guide guiding movement of the paper is mounted between the feeding unit and the discharge reversal unit.
US08095058B2 Conveyor-belt apparatus and image heating apparatus changing the belt tension in accordance with the moving state of the belt
A conveyor-belt apparatus includes a belt, a supporting member that rotatably supports the belt, a moving unit that displaces at least one end of the supporting member in a longitudinal direction to move the belt in the longitudinal direction, and a tension changing unit that changes a tension of the belt in accordance with the moving state of the belt in the longitudinal direction when the moving unit displaces the end of the supporting member.
US08095056B2 Pressure-applying device, transfer device, and image forming apparatus
A pressure-applying device includes a swingable unit body, a roller, an opposing member, a pressure-applying unit, and a drive-force transmitting unit. A swinging center of the unit body is set at a position distinct from a rotation center of the drive-force transmitting unit. A direction of action of driving force of the driving unit substantially coincides with a line joining the swinging center and a point at which pressure application force is applied by the pressure-applying unit. A direction of action of the pressure application force is substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the driving force.
US08095051B2 Image forming apparatus which achieves stability of a gap between an image bearing member and developer bearing member
An image forming apparatus has an abutment roller which is provided at either end of a developing sleeve in a longitudinal direction and makes an SD gap (Gsd) between a photosensitive drum and a developing sleeve constant, an abutment block which is provided at either end of the photosensitive drum in a longitudinal direction and on which the abutment roller abuts, and a pressing spring which directly presses the abutment roller toward the abutment block. The stability of the SD gap (Gsd) and reduction of the driving load torque of the developing sleeve can be achieved to cope with both high image quality and durability of the image forming apparatus.
US08095050B2 Developer level control blade and process for manufacturing developer level control blade
A developer level control blade is provided which can form a developer layer on a developer carrying member in a proper thickness and in a uniform state and can keep the developer, in particular, color toner particles from melt-adhering to the charge control face so that faulty images such as lines and non-uniformity can be kept from occurring. Also provided is a process for manufacturing this developer level control blade. The process for manufacturing the developer level control blade is characterized by having the steps of extruding a blade member material melted to liquefy, covering therewith a support member thin-plate metal member at an edge portion thereof to join the both together, and cooling the blade member material to solidify, followed by cutting in a preset length.
US08095049B2 Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same
A toner cartridge is provided removably fitted to a toner supply pipe for supplying toner to a developing device. The toner cartridge includes, as a toner discharging mechanism, a toner discharging portion having a toner discharge port, a toner conveyor screw for conveying toner inside toner container and a shutter for opening and closing the toner discharge port. The shutter has a loosening member. When the toner cartridge is fitted to the toner supply pipe, the loosening member moves inside the toner container as the shutter moves along the toner discharge port.
US08095047B2 Fluid container device and image forming apparatus
A toner supply container according to this invention includes a toner containing portion, a support member and a container holding member. The toner containing portion is a cylindrical container having a magnet at an outer periphery thereof and configured to discharge fluid contained therein. The support member supports the toner containing portion for rotation. The container holding member has a counterpart magnet at a position opposed to the former magnet and is configured to hold the toner containing portion supported by the support member.
US08095045B2 Rotary developing unit and toner supply container
A rotary developing unit includes: a first developing device; a second developing device; a toner supply container that is inserted between the first developing device and the second developing device to be attached to the first developing device; a first guide formed on the toner supply container; a second guide formed on the second developing device, that is configured to slide along the first guide when the toner supply container is inserted, and to be detached from the first guide before the toner supply container is attached to the first developing device; a first position fixing unit provided at the first developing device; and a second position fixing unit provided at the toner supply container, that is configured to fix a position of the toner supply container, before the second guide of the second developing device is detached from the first guide.
US08095038B2 Compact imaging cartridge and image forming apparatus
An imaging cartridge includes an image carrier, a developing device, a cleaning device, a waste toner box, a communication section and transporter means. A communication section formed by positioning a first joint section of the cleaning device and a second joint section of the waste toner box in overlapping positions. Opposed faces of the first joint section and the second joint section are formed such that the first extended regions are gradually extended toward the image carrier and the second extended regions are gradually extended toward the opposed side of the image carrier.
US08095037B2 Corona wire cartridge, corona discharger, and image forming apparatus using the corona discharger
A corona wire cartridge includes: a reel around which a corona wire is wound; a reel holder that rotatably supports the reel; a casing having a receiving portion which receives the reel and the reel holder and a wire drawing opening through which the corona wire is drawn; and an elastic member that movably connects the casing to the reel holder.
US08095034B2 Image input/output apparatus and operating device
An image input/output apparatus includes an image input/output section, an operation section, a cover member, and an electrostatic eliminating device. The image input/output section can perform at least one of an image input operation and an image output operation. The image input/output section includes a movable member capable of being moved between a first position and a second position, and the electrostatic eliminating device is arranged on the movable member. The operation section includes an electric board, and enables a user to operate the image input/output section. The cover member is detachably mounted to the operation section so as to cover the operation section. The cover member cannot be detached or attached when the movable member is in the first position, and can be detached or attached when the movable member is in the second position.
US08095032B2 Image forming apparatus with cleaning member
When a switch displayed on an operation panel is operated, a control portion starts aging control in which image formation is stopped and yellow toner is applied onto an intermediary transfer belt and a secondary transfer roller. A toner band is formed, on full circumference of the intermediary transfer belt at a position in which toner images for control are formed, with a width correspondingly to widths of the toner images for control.
US08095029B2 Controlling fixing device temperature of an image forming apparatus based on target temperature
An image forming apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting the temperature of a fixing roller by a simple circuit configuration without causing a scratch on the surface of the fixing roller. A detection sensor is disposed in a state not in contact with a heating-type fixing roller, for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller. A compensation sensor is provided for detecting an ambient temperature of the detection sensor. A computing section of a copy controller calculates the surface temperature of the fixing roller, using computing equations, based on information from the sensors. The copy controller controls the temperature of the fixing roller such that the surface temperature of the fixing roller, calculated by the computing section, becomes equal to a target temperature. The computing section uses different computing equations depending on the target temperature.
US08095026B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device and image forming apparatus are provided, wherein high quality images, in which generation of development hysteresis (ghost image) is alleviated, are obtained over a long period using a hybrid development method including a toner-supplying developer supporting member and a toner-collecting developer supporting member. Bias voltage is applied in the direction in which the toner is supplied to the toner supporting member in the toner supply region and the toner collection region of the toner-supplying developer supporting member and the toner-collecting developer supporting member respectively so that the toner collecting capability in the toner collection region is higher than the toner collecting capability in the toner supply region.
US08095023B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having a heating roller and a pressing roller includes a temperature sensing unit provided to be broken when the heating roller is overheated and a pressure releasing control unit provided to release the pressing roller from the heating roller when the temperature sensing unit is broken, when a microcomputer erroneously operates due to a damage of an A/D port of the microcomputer, such that the pressing roller is forcibly released from the heating roller by the pressure releasing control unit, thereby preventing the heating roller and the pressing roller from being fused to each other.
US08095020B2 Optical receiving device and optical transmission system
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an apparatus includes: a wavelength-to-transmission quality characteristic obtaining unit for obtaining a wavelength-to-transmission quality characteristic; a residual dispersion-to-transmission quality characteristic saving unit for saving a residual dispersion-to-transmission quality characteristic; a wavelength-to-residual dispersion characteristic generating unit for generating a wavelength-to-residual dispersion characteristic from a relationship between the wavelengths of the other channels and the residual dispersion based on the wavelength-to-transmission quality characteristic and the residual dispersion-to-transmission quality characteristic; a variable dispersion compensator for providing variable dispersion compensation to another channel,; and a variable dispersion compensation controlling unit for performing setting control on a dispersion compensation amount.
US08095015B2 Optical transceiver with reduced peak power consumption and a method to reduce peak power consumption
A method to reduce a peak power consumption of an optical transceiver including a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is disclosed. The transceiver includes three power units, one of which powers the temperature control unit including the TEC driver and the TEC, second one of which powers the transmitter unit including an LD and an LD driver, and the last of which powers the receiver unit. Once the transceiver is set in the host system, the transceiver first activates the first and second power units to start up the temperature control unit and the transmitter unit, and subsequently, the transceiver sets up the third power unit after the temperature of the LD is stabilized at a target temperature.
US08095013B2 Storage device, storage device array, and data processing system
A storage device includes a storage section, a first control section, a communication section, a second control section and a wireless transmission and reception section. The storage section stores data. The first control section controls reading and writing the data from and into the storage section. The communication section transmits and receives the data to and from a higher-level device via a first transmission line. The second control section transmits and receives the data to and from the first control section and the communication section. The wireless transmission and reception section is provided to face a predetermined direction, and wirelessly transmits and receives data to and from another storage device provided in the predetermined direction under control of the second control section.
US08095012B1 High spur-free dynamic range receiver
A receiver system comprises an antenna configured to receive an input RF signal, a high spur free dynamic range modulator configured to receive the input RF signal from the antenna and to convert the input RF signal to an optical signal, and a tunable filter configured to receive the optical signal and to output a filtered optical signal. The tunable filter includes at least one electro-optic resonator, at least one electrode configured to supply an electrical control signal to the electro-optic resonator, and a controller configured to adjust the electrical control signal to adjust a refractive index of the electro-optic resonator, whereby a resonant frequency of the electro-optic resonator is selectably adjusted. The receiver system further comprises a receiver configured to receive the filtered optical signal.
US08095011B2 Wavelength division multiplexing filter, wavelength division multiplexing system, and wavelength division multiplexing method
A wavelength division multiplexing filter according to the present invention is a wavelength division multiplexing filter having a variable filter shape. The wavelength division multiplexing filter has a resolution equal to 2N times (N being an integer, where N≧1) a reference frequency interval and has frequency arrangement of center frequencies of frequency slots corresponding to the 2N-times resolution be offset by half a cycle with respect to the frequency arrangement of standard wavelength grids having a frequency interval equal to ½N of the reference frequency interval.
US08095010B2 Method and device for tunable optical filtering
An optical device includes an optical splitter having an input port, a first output port, a second output port and a resonant structure including at least a resonator, the optical splitter being adapted to receive at the input port a WDM optical signal and to output at the first and second output ports, respectively, a first and a second portion of the optical signal, the second portion including the channels lying on a sub-grid of optical frequencies spaced by an integer multiple of the WDM frequency spacing; an optical combiner having a first input port, a second input port, an output port and adapted to receive at the first and second input ports, respectively, the first and the second portions and adapted to output them at said output port; a first optical path optically connecting the first output port of the optical splitter to the first input port of the optical combiner so as to propagate the first portion; a second optical path optically connecting the second output port of the optical splitter to the second input port of the optical combiner so as to propagate the second portion; and an optical filter optically coupled to the second optical path, wherein the optical combiner includes at least one resonant structure including at least a resonator.
US08095009B2 Method, system and apparatus for distributing node information
A method for distributing node information, including an optical node generating an information bit stream based on its own node information and distributing the information bit stream it generates and a wavelength sequence corresponding to the node information. According to various embodiments, an information bit stream is generated based on the node information of an optical node so as to reduce the volume of data in the node information distributed by an optical node.
US08095007B2 Optical add/drop multiplexer using integrated optical components
An optical add/drop multiplexer incorporates an integrated receiver module and an integrated transmitter which are interfaced to an intervening electrical network to provide an add/drop/pass-through functionality. The receiver module incorporates a wavelength demultiplexer which is in turn combined with optical/electrical converters PIN photodiodes, and amplifiers on a per wavelength basis to output a plurality of parallel electrical signals in response to a common optical input. The transmitter module combines an integrated plurality of drive circuits and lasers for converting a plurality of parallel input electrical signals to a plurality of optical signals, on a per wavelength basis, which in turn are coupled via an optical wavelength multiplexer to a common output optical fiber. The interconnected electrical network, ring mesh or tree, can provide a reconfigurable electrical add/drop interface to other portions of the network.
US08095006B2 Configuration of passive optical networks including cascaded array waveguide gratings
Techniques for partitioning and/or combining at least a portion of an optical network tree including one or more array waveguide gratings (“AWGs”) and fibers in wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”) passive optical networks (“PON”) with cascaded AWGs are disclosed. Example methods include deriving the optimal positions for the AWGs to minimize fiber cost and then determining the arrangement of cascaded AWGs to minimize the total cost of AWGs and fibers. Determining the arrangement of cascaded AWGs may include recursive partitioning followed by recursive combination. An example recursive partition-combination based algorithm for optimizing a tradeoff between the AWG cost and the fiber cost is disclosed.
US08095005B2 Multimode fiber link probe
A link probe for multimode fibers in optical networks is provided. An optical test probe signal is sent over a multimode fiber of an optical network link and a receiver converts the optical signal into an electronic signal with a trigger generated by the clock recovery section of an EDC (electronic dispersion compensation) unit. The digital signal is processed by a modified IEEE algorithm to determine a TWDP (Transmitter and Waveform Dispersion Penalty) parameter which quantifies the transmission quality of the multimode fiber and link suitability to LRM transmission.
US08095003B2 Fiber optic testing system and method incorporating geolocation information
Systems are provided for gathering location data pertaining to a fiber optic network. One system includes a sensor, a geolocation system, a processor in communication with the sensor and the geolocation system, and a user control panel. The sensor is configured to receive an operational input indicating the condition of a network, and the geolocation system is configured to determine the location, such as a latitude and longitude, of the optical fiber. The processor is configured to associate outputs from the sensor and the geolocation system. The processor may be configured to store the outputs on a storage media. A transmitter may also be provided to transmit the data to a remote location for analysis and display. An associated method for gathering location data is also provided.
US08095000B2 Camera system
In a camera system according to the present invention, a lens controller obtains an exposure synchronizing signal that is generated by a camera controller from a camera body, causes a configuration formed of a first encoder, a second encoder and a counter to detect the position of a focus lens according to the obtained exposure synchronizing signal, and notifies the camera body of the detected position of the focus lens. The camera controller associates the position of the focus lens or the mechanism member obtained from the lens controller with an AF evaluation value based on the exposure synchronizing signal, and controls an autofocus operation of the camera system based on the position and AF evaluation value that are associated with each other. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of an autofocus operation with a contrast system.
US08094999B2 Imaging apparatus and image synthesis method
An imaging apparatus comprising: a light receiving element having a micro lens array provided with a plurality of micro lenses 111a arranged two-dimensionally, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 112a provided for the plurality of micro lenses, and outputting a light receiving signal obtained by receiving a light beam from an optical system via the micro lens array; a detector 152 that detects a shift amount of image plane by the optical system for a plurality of focus detecting positions set at a plurality of positions in the image plane by the optical system; and a controller 160 that determines a focus adjusting range for the optical system based on the shift amount detected for each of the plurality of focus detecting positions, and obtains the light receiving signal at each of different positions within the focus adjusting range with the light receiving element.
US08094997B2 Systems and method for embedding scene processing information in a multimedia source using an importance value
Disclosed are systems and methods for generating and embedding scene processing information in a multimedia source. Scene processing information is generated based on an analysis of audio, video and data properties of the multimedia source. The embedded scene processing information can be extracted from the multimedia source to assist in generating playback of the multimedia source as well as generating a summarized playback of the multimedia source.
US08094996B2 Recording apparatus, recording method, recording program, image pickup apparatus, image pickup method, and image pickup program
Recording of video data is enabled by a management structure of a clip which is compatible with a BD-ROM standard. In accordance with the recording starting operation, the recording of a stream in which the video data and audio data have time-divisionally been multiplexed on a packet unit basis onto a recording medium is started. In accordance with the recording stopping operation, the stream stored in a buffer is written as a stream file onto the recording medium and a clip information file corresponding to the stream file is formed. A play item showing the whole clip information file is formed and added to the existing play list on the recording medium. A mark is stamped to the play list at time corresponding to an IN point of the play item. Subsequently, the play item which is formed in association with the recording start and stop is similarly further added to the existing play list and the mark is further stamped at the time corresponding to the IN point.
US08094995B2 Plural drive device delay countermeasure and recording/reproduction device performing power saving control
The present invention is equipped with a plurality of low-cost middle-capacity hard disks that are combined together to realize a large capacity at the same level as a large-capacity hard disk, and performs power-saving management to minimize the power consumption by the hard disks. At the same time, the present invention eliminates delays for accessing the separate hard disks. For this purpose, the present invention puts any of a plurality of drive devices other than a current access-target drive into a power-saving state, and puts the next access-target drive into a stand-by state from the power-saving state during the access to the current access-target drive, by calculating a remaining time until completion of the access to the current access-target drive.
US08094989B2 Method and apparatus for generating external input table
Provided are a method and apparatus for generating an external input table in a device reproducing an AV signal. The method of generating an external input table includes receiving a reproduction request for reproducing an AV signal from another device and determining whether an external input is assigned to the another device by referring to the external input table, and selectively assigning one of external inputs of the device reproducing the AV signal to the another device according to the determination result. Accordingly, since an external input of an AV device can be dynamically set from an external device while minimizing a user's manipulation, user convenience in terms of setting the external input can be improved.
US08094988B2 Apparatus and methods for verifying an acceptable splice termination
Apparatus and methods for verifying an acceptable splice termination include propagating light energy into the stub optical fiber of a fiber optic connector, detecting and collecting the amount of optical power emanating from the stub optical fiber at a termination area of the connector, converting the optical power to an electrical signal proportional to the amount of collected optical power, and displaying the electrical signal on a feedback monitor, such as an optical power meter, an LCD bar graph, or an LED. An initial (i.e., reference) value is obtained with the field optical fiber not in physical contact with the stub optical fiber. A final (i.e., terminated) value is obtained with the field optical fiber in physical contact with the stub optical fiber and terminated to the connector. The final value is compared to the initial value to determine whether the change (i.e., difference) is sufficient. Alternatively, the final value is compared to a predetermined limit or threshold.
US08094987B2 Silica-on-silicon waveguides and related fabrication methods
True time delay silica waveguides and related fabrication methods are disclosed. Also disclosed are true time delay silica waveguides comprising wedged silica structures.
US08094984B2 Semiconductor constructions, methods of forming semiconductor constructions, light-conducting conduits, and optical signal propagation assemblies
The invention includes optical signal conduits having rare earth elements incorporated therein. The optical signal conduits can, for example, contain rare earth elements incorporated within a dielectric material matrix. For instance, erbium or cerium can be within silicon nanocrystals dispersed throughout dielectric material of optical signal conduits. The dielectric material can define a path for the optical signal, and can be wrapped in a sheath which aids in keeping the optical signal along the path. The sheath can include any suitable barrier material, and can, for example, contain one or more metallic materials. The invention also includes methods of forming optical signal conduits, with some of such methods being methods in which the optical signal conduits are formed to be part of semiconductor constructions.
US08094983B2 Multiple-core optical fiber with couplings between the cores
An optical fiber includes a cladding, a first core, and a second core. At least one of the first core and the second core is hollow and is substantially surrounded by the cladding. At least a portion of the first core is generally parallel to and spaced from at least a portion of the second core. The optical fiber includes a defect substantially surrounded by the cladding, the defect increasing a coupling coefficient between the first core and the second core.
US08094976B2 One-screen reconciliation of business document image data, optical character recognition extracted data, and enterprise resource planning data
Systems and methods of reconciling data from an imaged document. In one embodiment, a business document is scanned to create a business document image. A set of extracted data is extracted from the business document image via optical character recognition (OCR). The set of OCR extracted data is then compared with data in business information management or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. A set of ERP data is retrieved from the ERP system that relates to the set of OCR extracted data. The retrieved ERP data is than assigned to the set of OCR extracted data to create a set of assigned data. The business document image is then displayed in a business document image pane, the set of OCR extracted data is displayed in the OCR data pane, and the retrieved ERP data is displayed in the ERP data pane. The set of assigned data is validated, and the ERP system is updated with the set of validated, assigned data. In other embodiments, data is extracted from text files without using OCR.
US08094974B2 Picture data management apparatus and picture data management method
A relevance ratio adding unit (107) provides each landmark with a weight value according to the degree of relevancy with a shot still picture, using: the distance between each landmark and the shooting location, received from the landmark distance calculating unit (105); and a distance HL between the shooting location and the photographer's residential address, received from the parameter obtaining unit 106. A landmark identifying unit (108): designates one or several landmarks to be added to the still picture out of the landmarks with a weight value provided by the relevance ratio adding unit 107; and writes the designated landmark in a predetermined position of the picture data of the still pictures.
US08094971B2 Method and system for automatically determining the orientation of a digital image
A method of automatically determining orientation of a digital image comprises extracting features of the digital image and processing the extracted features using diverse classifiers to determine orientation of the digital image based on the combined output of the diverse classifiers.
US08094970B2 Road image creation system
[Object]To provide a system that is able to generate road images with the effects of obstructions such as parked vehicles eliminated.[Solution means]A road image generating system which films road surfaces via an optical system mounted on a vehicle and generates road images by synthesizing the display contents of particular pixels in the road surface images obtained, and in which the display contents of multiple pixels obtained by filming of the same road surface at differing times and/or with differing optical systems are blended.
US08094964B2 Methods and systems for estimating illumination source characteristics from a single image
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for determining light source characteristics from an image. An image having pixels is received that is affected by a light source. A silhouette boundary is received. The image may be filtered to decrease diffuse reflectivity. The presence of light sources is estimated by identifying a local maxima pixel around the silhouette boundary. The local maxima pixel may be associated with the light source. A slant angle that is associated with the light source is estimated using the silhouette boundary. A tilt angle associated with the light source is estimated using the slant angle and local maxima pixel intensity. The relative intensity of each light source may be determined. The ambient light intensity of the image may be determined. The characteristics, such as the slant angle and tilt angle, may be provided to a user.
US08094962B2 Image analysis method, image analysis program, pixel evaluation system having the image analysis method, and pixel evaluation system having the image analysis program
In the case where a digital camera is used for evaluating a display quality of an image display panel, moire is generated due to a shift of a pixel pitch between a pixel of a panel and a pixel of a digital camera, and thus, a great influence is given as measurement deviation. The present invention carries out a panel display quality evaluation at low cost and short time with relieved influence of moire by treating a value, which is obtained by recognizing a coordinate of a panel pixel in a shot image based on an image for detecting a coordinate and positional information thereof with high accuracy and by calculating average luminance by panel pixel unit based on a center position of a coordinate, as representative luminance in each pixel of the panel, in a panel evaluation method of shooting an image display panel with a digital camera.
US08094961B2 Generation of image data with correction for optical misfocus utilizing fractional powers of the fourier transform operator
Fractional Fourier transform properties inherent in lens systems and other light and particle-beam environments may be exploited to correct optical system misfocus utilizing fractional Fourier transform approximations rendered by numerical methods. The corrective fractional Fourier transform power value may be determined automatically or by human operator. This power value is used to calculate a Fractional Fourier transform correction operation and, if useful, to back-calculate corresponding phase restoration information. The fractional Fourier transform correction operation is applied to image data. In an embodiment, phase restoration information is also applied to image data. The image correction can be applied to imaging systems obeying fractional Fourier optics including integrated optics, optical computing, particle beam systems, and can be incorporated into film processing machines, photo editing software, VCRs, camcorders, as well as video editing, video surveillance, video conferencing systems and other types of products and service facilities in computers, machines, and over the Internet.
US08094958B2 Apparatus and method for sharpening blurred enlarged image
Provided is an apparatus for sharpening a blurred enlarged image, including a digital image output unit for outputting a digital image input through a digital image input unit. The apparatus includes a digital image processing unit for calculating a primary edge direction of the digital image input through the digital image unit to perform enlarging and edge sharpening on the input digital image. Accordingly, blurring is removed from the enlarged image without ringing or an artifact using an adaptive edge sharpening method, so that the enlarged image can be sharpened.
US08094955B2 Image reducing apparatus and reduced image generating method
In a case where a padded orthogonally transformed block obtained by orthogonally transforming a padded image block of 8×8 pixels to which padding data has been added has been recorded as compressed image data, the padded orthogonally transformed block is subjected to an inverse orthogonal transformation to thereby restore the padded image block. Padding data contained in the restored padded image block is replaced with a portion obtained by copying a portion of the original image, thereby generating a modified image block. In a case where the true width of an edge pixel corresponding to an edge among the pixels forming the image block is less than 0.5, the pixel is obtained by adjusting the level of a pixel adjacent to the edge pixel in such a manner that it will have a level conforming to the width and level of the edge pixel.
US08094949B1 Music methods and systems
The disclosure details a variety of applications of steganographic encoding and decoding of auxiliary information in physical and media objects. In particular, digital watermarks embedded in media content are used to initiate automated transactions associated with the content and to link creative content with information or transactions.
US08094946B2 Image processing system and image tampering assessment method and control program of the same
The present invention provides an image processing system, which can reduce calculation time by alleviating a calculation load in assessing the occurrence of tampering of an image.For example, the image processing system of the present invention first identifies a type of a form of an image to be assessed in assessing the occurrence of tampering. Next, a characteristic amount of a certain region (flexible region) corresponding to the identified type of a form is extracted as a characteristic amount of the image to be assessed. Then, the extracted characteristic amount of image to be assessed and the characteristic amount extracted from a certain region in an original image are compared and the compared result is notified as the assessment result.A flexible region, to which a user writes, is preferably specified as said certain region.
US08094945B2 Method for assessing image quality
The invention is a method for assessing image quality value of a distorted image with respect to a reference image. The method comprises the following steps: computing, for each pixel of the distorted image, at least one quality level with respect to the reference image; adding, for the distorted image, the quality levels associated to each pixel by weighting them by a weight depending on a perceptual interest of the pixel in order to get the image quality value, the weight being lower for a pixel of high perceptual interest.
US08094944B2 Efficient model-based recognition of objects using a calibrated image system
A model-based object recognition system operates to recognize an object on a predetermined world surface within a world space. An image of the object is acquired. This image is a distorted projection of the world space. The acquired image is processed to locate one or more local features of the image, with respect to an image coordinate system of the image. These local features are mapped a world coordinate system of the world surface, and matched to a model defined in the world coordinate system. Annotations can be arranged as desired relative to the object in the world coordinate system, and then inverse-mapped into the image coordinate system for display on a monitor in conjunction with the acquired image. Because models are defined in world coordinates, and pattern matching is also performed in world coordinates, one model definition can be used by multiple independent object recognition systems.
US08094942B1 Character recognition for overlapping textual user input
Techniques described herein may recognize handwritten characters that are written at least partially over the top of one another that are input to a computing device. The handwritten characters may be formed of one or more strokes. A user may write characters or parts of words over approximately the same area of graphical user interface (i.e., on top of each other) without having to wait for a timeout between character input and without having to select a button or provide another input indicating the character is complete before entering input for another character. Once a character is at least partially recognized, a graphical indication corresponding to the user input displayed on a screen may be altered. Such alterations may include fading or changing size or location of the graphical indication.
US08094939B2 Digital ink-based search
Described is searching directly based on digital ink input to provide a result set of one or more items. Digital ink input (e.g., a handwritten character, sketched shape, gesture, drawing picture) is provided to a search engine and interpreted thereby, with a search result (or results) returned. Different kinds of digital ink can be used as search input without changing modes. The search engine includes a unified digital ink recognizer that recognizes digital ink as a character or another type of digital ink. When the recognition result is a character, the character may be used in a keyword search to find one or more corresponding non-character items, e.g., from a data store. When the recognition result is a non-character item, the non-character item is provided as the result, without keyword searching. The search result may appear as one or more item representations, such as in a user interface result panel.
US08094934B2 Object detection system
An object detection system is provided a plurality of image capture units for capturing images of surroundings of the system, a distance information calculation unit for dividing a captured image which constitutes a reference of captured images captured by the plurality of image capture units into a plurality of pixel blocks, individually retrieving corresponding pixel positions within the other captured image for the pixel blocks, and individually calculating distance information, and a histogram generation module for dividing a range image representing the individual distance information of the pixel blocks calculated by the distance information calculation unit into a plurality of segments having predetermined sizes, providing histograms relating to the distance information for the respective divided segments, and casting the distance information of the pixel blocks to the histograms of the respective segments.
US08094931B2 Method of color components compression
A method of color components compression is provided. In the present method, when receiving video data encoded by a 4:4:4 sampling format, color components of each set of neighboring pixels in the video data is down-sampled and a first difference of the color components between the video data before and after down-sampling in a down-sampling mode is calculated. Then, the color components of each pixel in the video data are truncated and a second difference of the color components between the video data before and after truncation in a truncation mode is calculated. The first difference and the second difference are compared and the down-sampling mode or the truncation mode that has a smaller difference is selected to compress the video data into a 4:2:2 sampling format.
US08094930B2 Digital photo frame capable of classifying images and method thereof
A method for classifying image is provided. The method includes: selecting an image; extracting parameters of the selected image and displaying the extracted parameter in a reminder menu; selecting a extracted parameter; defining the selected parameter as the image classifying standard; creating an image classification folder named with the image classifying standard; retrieving images according to the image classifying standard; and storing the images that were retrieved into the created folder.
US08094927B2 Stereoscopic display system with flexible rendering of disparity map according to the stereoscopic fusing capability of the observer
A method is provided for customizing scene content, according to a user or a cluster of users, for a given stereoscopic display, including obtaining customization information about the user; obtaining a scene disparity map for a pair of given stereo images and/or a three-dimensional (3D) computer graphic model; and determining an aim disparity range for the user. The method of the present invention also generates a customized disparity map and/or rendering conditions for a three-dimensional (3D) computer graphic model correlating with the user's fusing capability of the given stereoscopic display; and renders or re-renders the stereo images for subsequent display.
US08094926B2 Ultrafine pattern discrimination using transmitted/reflected workpiece images for use in lithography inspection system
A technique for discriminating a specific pattern, such as an assist pattern, from an integrate circuit pattern of a workpiece by using transmission and reflection images of the workpiece pattern is disclosed. A pattern discrimination device includes an optical image acquisition unit for acquiring a transmissive image of a workpiece having a pattern and a reflective image of the workpiece pattern simultaneously, and a specific pattern detection unit which detects for extraction a specific pattern from among pattern shapes of the transmissive and reflective images in conformity with a distinguishing condition of the specific pattern. A workpiece pattern inspection apparatus using the device is also disclosed.
US08094925B2 Method for increasing the accuracy of the positioning of a first object relative to a second object
A method is provided for increasing the accuracy of the positioning of a first object relative to a second object. The method overcomes the disadvantageous influence of thermal drift between a first and a second object during a positioning of a first object on a second object. The method finds applications in manufacturing, for example, in the manufacturing of semiconductor components. The method utilizes recognition of structures on the second object which have a minimum structure width. At a first instant, using one recognition procedure, the first object is positioned on the second object in a desired position. The relative displacement of the two objects is determined at the first instant and on at least one subsequent instant. A second recognition procedure may be used for this purpose. The second recognition procedure may have a resolution accuracy which is different than the resolution accuracy of the first resolution procedure. The second recognition procedure may be a pattern recognition method. The relative displacement determined at the second instant is used to correct the positioning of the first and second objects as necessary to maintain a desired position of the two objects.
US08094917B2 Method for detecting monetary banknote and performing currency type analysis operation
A method for detecting an image corresponding to at least a monetary banknote is provided. The method includes selecting a detection procedure from a plurality of different detection procedures, and verifying the image according to the selected detection procedure. A method for performing a currency type analysis operation on an image corresponding to at least a monetary banknote is provided. The method includes respectively assigning a plurality of bit values to a plurality of currency types to create a currency type definition table, performing a color analysis operation on the image to generate a color analysis operation result, and determining a currency type of the monetary banknote according to the color analysis operation result and the currency type definition table.
US08094911B2 Image data processing systems
We describe a method of determining deformation data for an imaged object, the method comprising: inputting first and second sets of image data corresponding to different deformations of the imaged object, each comprising imaging signal data for an imaging signal, said imaging signal data including at least signal phase data; and determining, for at least one point in said first set of image data, a corresponding displacement for said point in said second set of image data; wherein the displacement determining comprises: initialising a value of displacement; determining an adjusted value for said displacement to provide said corresponding displacement, said determining of an adjusted value comprising: determining an average of differences in signal phase between corresponding positions in said first and second sets of image data, said corresponding positions being determined by a current value of said displacement; and using said average to determine said adjusted displacement value.
US08094910B2 Method of reconstructing an image function from Radon data
A method of reconstructing an image function on the basis of a plurality of projection profiles corresponding to a plurality of projection directions through a region of investigation, each projection profile including a series of value positions, wherein measured projection values corresponding to projection lines parallel to the respective projection direction are assigned to respective value positions and a plurality of remaining value positions are empty, comprises the steps of (a) assigning first interpolation values to the empty value positions for constructing a plurality of interpolation profiles on the basis of the projection profiles, wherein the first interpolation values are obtained from a first interpolation within a group of measured projection values having the same value position in different projection profiles, and (b) determining the image function by applying a predetermined reconstruction algorithm on the interpolation profiles.
US08094909B2 Apparatus and method for remotely controlling in real time measurement parameters of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner
Apparatus for remotely controlling parameters of an image scanning apparatus includes a software interface for translating commands from an external application for providing scanner control commands to a scanner control machine for control of the parameters; and the software interface includes syntax software for translating the commands from the external application into a given syntax for providing the scanner control commands.
US08094905B2 System for providing information to a user
The present invention relates to a system for providing information to a user, said system comprising a screen for showing the information to the user, information generating means for generating at least one graphical and/or textual information, first selecting means for enabling the user to select at least one of said graphical and/or textual information, first generating means for generating first data which are related to said selected information, wherein said first data are grouped according to a criterion, changing means for changing said criterion to at least one further criterion, and triggering means which are adapted to trigger said changing means upon activation by the user of the system.
US08094898B2 Functional image quality assessment
A computer-implemented method of assessing the quality of a functional image for an object includes causing a computer to execute instructions for providing a signal distribution of values N generating a transformed distribution by calculating, for each value N, a transformed value X=√{square root over (N+¼)}, reconstructing the functional image from the signal distribution, deriving an expected distribution of expected values λ from the functional image, generating a residual distribution by calculating, for each value N, a residual values ΔX=X−√{square root over (λ)}, and outputting the residual distribution.
US08094897B2 Method for the processing of images in interventional radioscopy
A method for the processing of images in interventional radioscopy to produce a sequence of de-noised images in which elongated objects of guiding instrumentation equipment are preserved and enhanced. The method of the invention uses a tool for indicating the confidence to be placed in a given pixel as regards its belonging to a piece of guidance equipment. This tool is used to create a combination algorithm capable of re-injecting the pixels having a low contrast-to-noise ratio into the de-noised image. This combination algorithm enables the enhancement solely of the pixels of the guidance equipment with a high confidence value so as not to produce artifacts with the enhancement of false positives.
US08094895B2 Point subselection for fast deformable point-based imaging
A method for selecting vertices for performing deformable registration of imaged objects is provided. The selected vertices form corresponding pairs, each pair including a vertex from a first imaged object and a vertex from a second imaged object. The corresponding vertex pairs are sorted in order of distance between the vertices making up the corresponding vertex pair. The corresponding vertex pair with the greatest distance is given top priority. Corresponding vertex pairs that lie within a selected distance from the selected corresponding vertex pair are discarded. In this manner, the number of vertex pairs used for deformable registration of the imaged objects is reduced and therefore allows for processing times that are clinically acceptable.
US08094894B2 Radioactive-emission-measurement optimization to specific body structures
Systems, methods, and probes are provided for functional imaging by radioactive-emission-measurements, specific to body structures, such as the prostate, the esophagus, the cervix, the uterus, the ovaries, the heart, the breast, the brain, and the whole body, and other body structures. The nuclear imaging may be performed alone, or together with structural imaging, for example, by x-rays, ultrasound, or MRI. Preferably, the radioactive-emission-measuring probes include detectors, which are adapted for individual motions with respect to the probe housings, to generate views from different orientations and to change their view orientations. These motions are optimized with respect to functional information gained about the body structure, by identifying preferred sets of views for measurements, based on models of the body structures and information theoretic measures. A second iteration, for identifying preferred sets of views for measurements of a portion of a body structure, based on models of a location of a pathology that has been identified, makes it possible, in effect, to zoom in on a suspected pathology. The systems are preprogrammed to provide these motions automatically.
US08094893B2 Segmentation tool for identifying flow regions in an image system
An ultrasound system and method that identify flow regions within a volume. The system comprises: a survey system for collecting motion data from a target image; a segmentation system for mapping a region of flow within the image based on the motion data; and a flow acquisition system that automatically limits the collection of flow image data within the image to the region of flow.
US08094892B2 Automatic photo orientation detection
A method determining image orientation includes determining if an image includes an orientation tag and if the tag indicates the image is rotated +90 or −90 degrees. When the image does not include the tag or the tag does not indicate the image is rotated, the method includes determining if a face is detected in the original image and displaying the original image when a face is detected. When a face is not detected, the method includes rotating the image +90 and −90 degrees and detecting a face in the rotated images. When a face is not detected, the method includes applying a classifier to determine the image's proper orientation. When a face is detected in one rotated image, the method includes displaying the rotated image. When a face is detected in both rotated images, the method includes applying the classifier to determine the image's proper orientation.
US08094891B2 Generating music playlist based on facial expression
A method may include playing a first song on a device, capturing an image of a user, performing facial expression recognition of the user based on the image, and selecting a second song based on a facial expression of the user.
US08094890B2 Biometric authentication apparatus, biometric authentication system, IC card and biometric authentication method
A biometric authentication apparatus for identifying a subject person by using biometric information of a user has memories and a processing unit for performing biometric authentication. The memories and store a remaining trial number whose value is reduced each time biometric authentication fails. The processing unit generates a lower limit value smaller than the remaining trial number at the start of biometric authentication, performs biometric authentication until the reduced remaining trial number becomes equal to or smaller than the lower limit value, and generate alarm data for issuing alarm to the user when the reduced trial number becomes equal to or smaller than the lower limit value.
US08094888B2 Image processor and image processing method to sense an object and the distance to object
An image processor, includes: an image pickup part configured to pick up a pickup image of a certain area; an irradiator configured to irradiate at least a part of the certain area for the pickup image picked up by the image pickup part; an extractor configured to extract, as an irradiation image, a light irradiated from the irradiator, the irradiation image being extracted from the pickup image picked up by the image pickup part; an image generating part configured to generate an irradiation removed image which is obtained by removing the irradiation image from the pickup image; an object recognizer configured to recognize an object in the certain area, based on the irradiation removed image generated by the image generating part; and a distance sensor configured to sense a distance to the object sensed by the object recognizer.
US08094884B2 Apparatus and method for detecting object
A disparity profile indicating a relation between a perpendicular position on time series images and a disparity on a target monitoring area based on an arrangement of a camera is calculated. Processing areas are set, by setting a height of each of the processing areas using a length at the bottom of the image obtained by converting a reference value of a height of an object according to the profile, while setting a position of each bottom of processing areas on the image. An object having a height higher than a certain height with respect to the monitoring area, unify an object detection result in each processing area according to the disparity of the object, and detect the object of the whole monitoring area from each processing area is detected. Position and speed for the object detected by the object primary detection unit are estimated.
US08094882B2 Image display method and system thereof
The present invention relates to an image display method and system thereof. When displaying an image, a picture is captured. A calculated number of human eyes is determined from the picture to quantify the attraction of the image for the crowd. And then, a reasonable charged fee is calculated.
US08094881B2 Action recognition apparatus and method, moving-object recognition apparatus and method, device control apparatus and method, and program
An action recognition apparatus includes an input unit for inputting image data, a moving-object detection unit for detecting a moving object from the image data, a moving-object identification unit for identifying the detected moving object based on the image data, a state detection unit for detecting a state or an action of the moving object from the image data, and a learning unit for learning the detected state or action by associating the detected state or action with meaning information specific to the identified moving object.
US08094876B2 Personalized marking for protecting digital audiovisual streams
A process for distributing a video stream to a multitude of destinations including marking by adding to the video stream at least a visual element such that the marking is applied to an original video stream common to selected recipients, and personalized for a least portion of the recipients by addition of a visual element specific to destination equipment.
US08094875B1 Performing optical recognition on a picture of a remote to identify an associated codeset
A home entertainment device eliminates the need to use multiple remotes. The device is connected (by wired and/or wireless links) to electronic consumer devices (ECDs) to be controlled. A user uses a portable display device to view pages served by the device, and thereby to communicate with the device and indirectly control the ECDs. In a first aspect, a HDMI-CEC communication is used to identify a codeset from a codeset database. In a second aspect, the codeset of a remote is identified by serving pictures of remotes to the user. The user selects a picture and the system looks up its codeset. In a third aspect, keys on an illustration of a remote are dragged and dropped to create a new custom remote. In a fourth aspect, the user supplies a digital photograph of a remote. The system performs optical recognition and identifies the type of remote and its codeset.
US08094874B2 Material context analysis
A process for contextual analysis of radiographic image data can be embodied as a method, system, and computer software program, among other things. The process can include receiving a radiographic image and performing a region analysis including identifying a region within the radiographic images having an estimated atomic number within a predetermined range and determining if the region is in an expected location. The process can also include performing a material feature analysis to identify whether a feature present in the radiographic image is associated with an obscuration characteristic. The process can include providing context information and generating, as output, a region of interest in the radiographic image, the region of interest being determined based upon a set of rules and the region analysis, the material feature analysis, and the context information.
US08094872B1 Three-dimensional wavelet based video fingerprinting
A method and system generates and compares fingerprints for videos in a video library. The video fingerprints provide a compact representation of the spatial and sequential characteristics of the video that can be used to quickly and efficiently identify video content. Because the fingerprints are based on spatial and sequential characteristics rather than exact bit sequences, visual content of videos can be effectively compared even when there are small differences between the videos in compression factors, source resolutions, start and stop times, frame rates, and so on. Comparison of video fingerprints can be used, for example, to search for and remove copyright protected videos from a video library. Further, duplicate videos can be detected and discarded in order to preserve storage space.
US08094869B2 Fragile and emerging digital watermarks
This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection. In one implementation we embed an auxiliary signal with a first color that is out of gamut with process color inks or with a particular range of printers. A process color approximation of the first color yields a relatively different contrast when, e.g., viewed with an interference filter. A copy is determined based on the relative presence or absence of the auxiliary signal. In another implementation, we provide a first auxiliary signal with a first color and a second auxiliary signal with a second color. A filter is matched according to the spectral response of the first color. The second color preferably includes a spectral response that is inversely related to the matched filter. The first signal is then detectable in a process color copy, but less so in the original. However, the second signal is detectable in the original, but less so in the copy. In still other implementations we compare relative contrast of a signal to determine an original from a copy.
US08094868B2 Non-directional transducer
A transducer for the creation of acoustic energy omni directionally in a horizontal plane. The transducer includes a base plate, the base plate supporting a centrally located voice coil motor assembly and a hemi-toroidal diaphragm having a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edge is appended to the centrally located voice coil motor assembly and the distal edge is appended to the base plate.
US08094863B2 Separate support structure for loudspeaker diaphragm
A support structure for supporting and protecting the diaphragm of loudspeaker includes a first elastomer which has a first interface with a camber shape, a second elastomer which has a second interface with a complemental shape of the first interface, the first elastomer and the second elastomer combine together from both sides of the support part of the loudspeaker diaphragm. The separate support structure in the present invention is fit for many kinds of loudspeakers and propitious to increase the technical characteristics of loudspeakers.
US08094860B2 Portable sound box assembly
The present invention generally relates to stereo sound boxes, and more particularly to a sound box assembly containing micro stereo sound boxes joined magnetically together. The sound box assembly contains at least a pair of sound boxes with magnets of opposite polarities, respectively, so that the sound boxes could be magnetically attracted together for convenient transportation and then later could be easily detached for placing apart to achieve superior stereo sound.
US08094857B2 Sing-along stand with performance interface configured to display a music storage/playback device
A microphone speaker system includes a base having a speaker, a stand extending between a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the base, a performance interface coupled to the second end of the stand, and a microphone support coupled to the performance interface. The performance interface is configured to removably retain a music storage/playback device that electrically connects with the speaker through the base. The microphone support is coupled to the performance interface and configured to adjustably support a microphone that electrically connects with the speaker through the base.
US08094849B2 Sound channel for a hearing apparatus and corresponding production process
A mechanically more stable and more complexly molded sound channel is to be provided for a hearing apparatus. Provision is made to this end for a sound channel, which has three sections in the longitudinal direction, the middle section of which has a different curvature or a larger internal circumference than the two outer sections, to be produced by injection molding. Here a negative of the sound channel is fixed within the injection molded form, with the negative consisting of a first material. The injection molded form with a second material, which has a higher melting point than the first material, is then extruded. The negative is then melted or burnt out of the cast sound channel. Very complex sound channel forms, for instance also with cavities and branching, can be realized in this way.
US08094845B2 Mobile terminal with at least two transducers
The invention concerns a mobile terminal with at least two transducers (LSm, LSs1, LSS2) used simultaneously as loudspeakers for stereophonic effect. According to the invention, one of said transducers is a main transducer (LSm) with a main working frequency band (Bm) corresponding to at least the phone frequency band, while the other transducer is a secondary transducer (LSs1; LSs2) with a secondary working frequency band (Bs1; Bs2) band different from said main frequency band, the lowest frequencies of said secondary working frequency band (Bs1; Bs2) being greater than the lowest frequencies of said main working frequency band.
US08094844B2 Micro acoustic transducer and manufacturing method therefor
A micro acoustic transducer and manufacturing method are provided. Firstly, a substrate having one first and second cavities is provided. Then, a backplate with a plurality of acoustic holes is formed on the substrate, and a diaphragm is formed on the backplate. An air gap is formed between the backplate and the diaphragm. The air gap, second cavity, and first cavity are communicated with each other through the acoustic holes. A plurality of rings is formed around the diaphragm. These rings are used to hitch pillars formed on the substrate or fasteners can be formed on the substrate for fastening the diaphragm on fastener holes. Through the arrangement of the rings or fasteners used as the boundary structure of the diaphragm, the mechanical sensitivity of the diaphragm is improved. Moreover, the backplate is supported by a single crystal structure formed by etching the substrate such that the stability is promoted.
US08094843B2 Low-profile piezoelectric speaker assembly
A low-profile speaker assembly comprises a substrate and a substantially plan piezoelectric element disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the substrate and mechanically connected to the substrate at one or more edges. A tuning mass is attached to a face of the piezoelectric element, to improve low-frequency performance of the speaker assembly. In some embodiments, the tuning mass is disposed on the surface of the piezoelectric element facing the substrate. The substrate, which may comprise a printed circuit board, may include a cut-out region arranged to allow movement of the tuning mass within the cut-out region.
US08094842B2 Loudspeaker system and loudspeaker enclosure
A loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker enclosure having an inside space, a loudspeaker provided on the loudspeaker enclosure, a first diaphragm which has one of ends fixed to a surface of the loudspeaker enclosure and the other end, a second diaphragm which has one of ends fixed to the surface of the loudspeaker enclosure and the other end, a coupling portion having an elasticity, and coupling the other end of the first diaphragm to the other end of the second diaphragm, an opening structure provided in the surface of the loudspeaker enclosure, and a sealing member provided to a portion among the first and second diaphragms, the coupling portion and an edge part of the opening structure, and closing the inside space to hold an airtightness of the loudspeaker enclosure in a state that the first and second diaphragms can be vibrated.
US08094839B2 Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device with senstivity trimming circuit and trimming process
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a diaphragm capacitor, connected between a capacitor biasing voltage source and a ground. A source follower circuit is coupled to the diaphragm capacitor. An amplifier is coupled to the source follower circuit to amplify the voltage signal as an output voltage signal. A programmable trimming circuit is implemented with the amplifier to trim a gain or implemented with the capacitor biasing voltage source to trim voltage applied on the diaphragm capacitor. Whereby, the output voltage signal has a target sensitivity.
US08094836B2 Multi-channel decoding systems capable of reducing noise and methods thereof
A multi-channel decoding method includes: receiving an input signal to generate a first channel output signal and a second channel output signal, wherein the input signal is mixed with a specific clock signal; and gradually changing an amplitude of the specific clock signal from a first value to a second value when switching from a first mode corresponding to a first number of channels to a second mode corresponding to a second number of channels. Systems utilizing the method and another method further comprising calibration are also disclosed.
US08094834B1 Remote auditory spatial communication aid
The present invention provides a means for two or more remotely-located individuals to communicate information about the spatial coordinates of a location of mutual interest in a more rapid, robust, and intuitive manner than is possible with any current voice communication system.
US08094824B2 Encrypting device, decrypting device, information system, encrypting method, decrypting method, and program
An encryption processing part of a controller of each of user devices specifies components of content as encryption target parts, creates an encryption key creation key by reading out a public key, for each of the encryption target parts, of a second user who is allowed to view the encryption target part, raising a secret key of an administrator of the content data to the power of the public key thus read out, and calculating a remainder, encrypts random numbers each corresponding to each of the encryption target parts by using the encryption key creation key, creates an encryption key for each of the encryption target parts, and encrypts, by using the encryption key created for each of the encryption target parts, each of the encryption target parts corresponding to the encryption key.
US08094821B2 Key generation in a communication system
A communication system generates a Master Session Key (MSK) for accesses to a system entity that does not provide encryption to traffic. Both the home server and the user generate the same MSK. The MSK is used to generate encryption keys for traffic. In one embodiment the MSK is generated using a hashing function and information specific to the requestor. The home server determines the need to generate the MSK based on information contained in an access request message. Once generated, the MSK is provided to the system entity to enable the entity to encrypt communications.
US08094817B2 Cryptographic key management in communication networks
An authentication server and a system and method for managing cryptographic keys across different combinations of user terminals, access networks, and core networks. A Transformation Coder Entity (TCE) creates a master key (Mk), which is used to derive keys during the authentication procedure. During handover between the different access types, the Mk or a transformed Mk is passed between two nodes that hold the key in the respective access networks when a User Equipment (UE) terminal changes access. The transformation of the Mk is performed via a one-way function, and has the effect that if the Mk is somehow compromised, it is not possible to automatically obtain access to previously used master keys. The transformation is performed based on the type of authenticator node and type of UE/identity module with which the transformed key is to be utilized. The Mk is never used directly, but is only used to derive the keys that are directly used to protect the access link.
US08094812B1 Updating stored passwords
A device may include an authentication server and a server. The authentication server may receive a first form of a password from a client device in accordance with an authentication protocol, and authenticate the client device based on a comparison of the first form to a value derived from a second form of the password stored in a password database, where the comparison fails when the first form is not comparable to a value derived from the second form. The server may establish a secure connection to the client, receive a plain-text password from the client device over the secure connection, authenticate the client device by comparing a value derived from the plain-text password with a value derived from the second form, and update the password database with a third form of the password that permits the authentication server to successfully authenticate the client device when the authentication server receives the first form.
US08094810B2 Unidirectional proxy re-encryption
A method for performing unidirectional proxy re-encryption includes generating a first key pair comprising a public key (pk) and a secret key (sk) and generating a re-encryption key that changes encryptions under a first public key pka into encryptions under a second public key pkb as rkA→B. The method further includes performing one of the group consisting of encrypting a message m under public key pka producing a ciphertext ca, re-encrypting a ciphertext ca using the re-encryption key rkA→B that changes ciphertexts under pka into ciphertexts under pkb to produce a ciphertext cb under pkb, and decrypting a ciphertext ca under pka to recover a message m. The method also includes encrypting a message m under a public key pk producing a first-level ciphertext c1 that cannot be re-encrypted, and decrypting a first-level ciphertext c1 using secret key sk.
US08094808B2 Unpowered twisted pair loopback circuit for differential mode signaling
A method and apparatus provide an IP telephone or similar device with a mechanism to receive and at least briefly loop back discovery signals received from a telecommunications device such as an Ethernet switch while not permitting the loop back of data packet signals. No mechanical relays are required and the circuitry can be fully integrated on an integrated circuit using commonly available techniques, if desired.
US08094807B2 Information processing system, information processing apparatus, methods, program and recording medium
A true person can be verified with ease and a high degree of reliability. An ATM communicates with a server installed in a data center to carry out a true-person verification such as an organism authentication on the basis of an operation carried out by a user prior to a transaction process to be carried out on an account assigned to the user. When the user touches a predetermined contact area provided on an operation panel of the ATM, the ATM communicates with a portable device attached to the body of the user by using the body of the user as a communication medium. The transaction process is carried out only if the true-person verification such as an organism authentication is successful and a communication with the portable device can be performed.
US08094802B2 Multiple queuing and servicing of a contact
A contact originator is given a choice to enqueue the contact in multiple contact queues, to serve multiple needs or interests of the originator. If the contact reaches the head of the queue for the primary need while the contact is being serviced from a queue for a secondary need, the contact either remains at the head of the primary-need queue until the servicing at the secondary-need queue is completed, or a resource of the primary-need queue is conferenced in with the contact and the resource of the secondary-need queue so that the resources can serve both needs simultaneously.
US08094800B1 Call treatment based on user association with one or more user groups
A method is described for call treatment based on user association with one or more user groups. The method includes receiving a phone call from a call source that is directed to a call recipient, identifying a user group associated with the call recipient, and determining a number of received indications assigned to the user group. The received indications are assigned to the user group by users associated with the user group, and the received indications reflect a desire by the users for a special treatment of future calls from the call source. The method also includes distinguishing treatment of the phone call from the call source based on the number of received indications.
US08094795B2 Method for handling accounts in a network
A method for operating a computer system to handle switch over between several accounts at account selection in a real time charging system, wherein at a charging rating of a session, a first account is selected from a set of accounts, to be used and rated with its charging interval; the cost of a first charging interval is calculated for the first account; it is determined if the cost for the first charging interval is covered by the balance of the first account; if the cost for the first charging interval is not covered, a second account is selected to be used from the set of accounts; the cost for a next charging interval is determined; it is determined if the cost for the next charging interval minus the residue money left on the first account is covered by the balance of the second account; and if so, continue with the next charging interval, wherein the residue money left on the first account is used before the selected second account is used.
US08094792B2 Transmission apparatus and method for transmission apparatus to transfer received data
A facsimile apparatus is disclosed that includes a register unit that registers transmission destination information in an internal address book. The register unit receives a number input at least a first time and a second time, and upon determining that a number input the first time and a number input the second time correspond to a same input number, registers the same input number as a valid facsimile number.
US08094777B2 Digital mammography scanning system
An apparatus for use in imaging an area of interest within a patient's body, including a stationary frame; a rotating assembly mounted on the stationary frame, the rotating assembly including an axle assembly having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, an X-ray source having a focal spot that coincides with the horizontal axis of rotation; a collimator from which a fan-shaped X-ray beam exits towards a detector assembly, and a rotating frame mechanically coupled to the detector assembly and pivoting about the horizontal axis of rotation. The detector assembly includes a linear X-ray detector for detecting radiation of the fan-shaped X-ray beam after the beam passes through the area of interest, and is mechanically coupled to a motor that enables arcuate movement of the detector assembly in a transverse direction. The motor is mechanically coupled to the rotating assembly to enable rotational movement of the rotating assembly.
US08094772B2 Reconstruction unit for reconstructing a fine reproduction of at least a part of an object
A reconstruction unit is provided for receiving a sequence of data sets, the data sets representing structural information of the object. The reconstruction unit performs receiving scheduling information related to the data sets of the sequence of data sets. Then reconstructing a sequence of coarse reconstructions of the object by using the sequence of data sets and the scheduling information. Afterwards a sequence of adapted models of the object is generated by adapting a respective model to each of the coarse reconstructions. Then a motion of a predetermined portion of each of the adapted models is determined and a specific data set of the sequence of data sets is selected, wherein the specific data set corresponds to the adapted model with the minimum motion of the predetermined portion. Finally the reconstruction unit performs reconstructing a fine reconstruction of at least the part of the object using the specific data set.
US08094769B2 Phase-locked loop system with a phase-error spreading circuit
A phase-locked loop (PLL) system including a phase-frequency detector for generating an up signal or a down signal based on a phase difference between a reference clock and a feedback clock is provided. The PLL system further includes a phase-error spreading circuit for generating phase-spread pulses based on a relationship between a first time attribute of the up signal or the down signal and a second time attribute of the phase-spread pulses. The PLL system further includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating a VCO clock based on the phase-spread pulses. The PLL system may also include a charge pump that generates a pumping signal based on the phase-spread pulses.
US08094764B2 Variable time delay control structure for channel matching
A cosite interference cancellation system is provided for improved rejection of a signal coupled from a transmission antenna into a local receive antenna in the presence of local multipath. The cosite interference cancellation system and associated method advantageously provide improved signal rejection by continuously controlling (adjusting) a matching time delay to reduce cosite interference.
US08094758B2 Ephemeris download from weak signals
The present invention provides systems and methods for downloading navigation data to a satellite receiver under weak signal conditions. In an embodiment, the receiver uses a tracking algorithm to estimate the Doppler frequency and rate of change of the Doppler frequency to compensate the phases of the I/Q samples from the received signal to reduce the effect of the Doppler frequency. In an embodiment, differential detection based data bit decoding is provided. In another embodiment, phase compensation based data bit decoding is provided, in which the phase of samples are rotated to compensate for phase error. In an embodiment, a multiple frame strategy is provided to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and improve sensitivity, in which similar placed samples in consecutive frames are coherently summed over the consecutive frames. In an embodiment, the samples are weighted to reduce the impact of noise in the multiple frame strategy.
US08094751B2 System and method for encoding and decoding of space-time block codes in data communication
A wireless data communication system. The system includes: a transmitter having a unitary rotation matrix processor for processing incoming information data stream and outputting a plurality of transmission symbols; an encoder for encoding the plurality of transmission symbols; M number of mapper units for mapping the symbols outputted from the encoder into a two dimensional constellation having M data symbols, where M is an integer greater than 1; M number of pulse shaper units to modulate the respective signals from the two dimensional constellation; and M number of antennas to transmit the M data symbols in M time slots. Each antenna transmits a respective symbol from the M symbols in a respective time slot of the M time slots and the encoder is configured to determine which symbol to be transmitted from each antenna in each time slot.
US08094748B2 Transceiver architecture with combined smart antenna calibration and digital predistortion
A method, apparatus, and electronic device for using digital predistortion are disclosed. A first transmitter 212 may send a first signal. A second transmitter 212 may send a second signal. A multipurpose calibration transceiver 902 may execute a first distortion observation of the first signal to be a basis for a first digital predistortion on the first signal and execute a second distortion observation of the second signal to be a basis for a second digital predistortion on the second signal. The multipurpose calibration transceiver may execute a first calibration observation of the first signal and a second calibration observation of the second signal to calibrate the first transmitter and the second transmitter.
US08094744B1 System and method of selecting a data detection technique for a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system
A system and method of selecting a data detector alternately implement different data detection techniques such as maximum likelihood, zero forcing, and minimum mean square error. Selection of a particular technique may depend upon various factors. In some implementations, a decision whether to employ a specific strategy may be based upon a modulation and coding scheme utilized by the multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) system.
US08094738B2 Radio communication base station apparatus and report channel signal transmission band setting method
Provided is a base station capable of effectively transmitting BCH data. The base station (100) includes: an encoding unit (101) for encoding the BCH data; a modulation unit (102) for modulating the BCH data after being encoded; a transmission band setting unit (103) for setting a BCH data transmission band in one of sub carriers constituting an OFDM symbol; encoding units (104-1 to 104-N) for encoding user data (#1 to #N), modulation units (105-1 to 105-N) for modulating user data (#1 to #N) after being encoded; and an IFFT unit (106) for mapping the BCH data and the user data (#1 to #N) to each of the sub carriers (#1 to #K) and performing IFFT to generate an OFDM symbol. Here, the IFFT unit (106) maps the BCH data to the sub carrier existing in the transmission band set by the transmission band setting unit (103) among the plurality of sub carriers (#1 to #K).