Document Document Title
US08096047B2 Electronic component mounting apparatus
An electronic component mounting apparatus 1 includes a substrate conveyance mechanism 14 for conveying substrates 13 and 13a; a first drawing head 4 for supplying the substrate 13 with paste at a mounting position; a second drawing head 5 for supplying the paste to the substrate 13a at a pre-paste supply position closer to a conveyance starting side rather than to the mounting position; and a bonding head 3 that mounts, at the mounting position, electronic components on the substrate 13a supplied with the paste at the pre-paste supply position.
US08096045B2 Device and method for manufacturing wheel bearing assembly
The present invention relates to device and method for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly that reduces an error rate by reducing stress concentrated on rolling elements in manufacturing processes of the wheel bearing assembly. The device for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly may include: a base, on which a hub is mounted, supporting the hub in a case of orbital-forming; a forming tool mounting portion mounted above the base; a rotating portion rotatably connected to an outer ring and rotating or pivoting the outer ring about a hub axis in a case of the orbital-forming; and a forming tool mounted at the forming tool mounting portion, rotating on a first axis slanted to the hub axis by a predetermined angle, and simultaneously orbiting about a second axis parallel with the hub axis.
US08096043B2 Method of assembling a pump motor and preloading bearings of the motor
A method of assembling a pump motor and preloading bearings of the motor including providing a housing, an end bell, first and second bearings each having a plurality of rolling elements disposed between an inner race and an outer race, a rotor assembly having a shaft, and a spring, securing the outer races to the housing and end bell, respectively, assembling the spring on the shaft, inserting the rotor assembly into the housing such that the spring bears against the inner race of the first bearing and the rotor assembly, attaching the end bell to the housing, and securing the inner race of each of the first and second bearings to the shaft.
US08096042B2 Method for manufacturing a quartz crystal resonator, quartz crystal unit and quartz crystal oscillator
A method for manufacturing a quartz crystal unit comprises the steps of forming a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator having a quartz crystal tuning fork shape, forming at least one groove in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines so that a spaced-apart distance between the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines is greater than or equal to a width of the at least one groove, determining the dimension of each of the quartz crystal tuning fork shape and the at least one groove so that a capacitance ratio r1 of a fundamental mode of vibration of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is less than a capacitance ratio r2 of a second overtone mode of vibration thereof, mounting the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator on a mounting portion of a case, and connecting a lid to the case to cover an open end of the case.
US08096041B2 Method and apparatus for quality control of mechanical pieces
Method for quality control of mechanical pieces, such as screws, pins, pivots and similar, intended for mass-production mechanical industries such as automobile and household appliances industries and similar, by means of an apparatus comprising in casings a plurality of operation stations and a piece-holder table which is pitched revolving to convey the pieces to the operation stations. The method comprises: subdividing the operation stations into two groups, a first group comprising fast operation stations with operation times shorter than a predetermined time, and a second group comprising slow operation stations With operation times longer than a predetermined time; providing, for each slow operation station of the second group of slow stations an equal slow operation station angularly distanced by an uneven number of pitches; stopping the piece-holder table at each pitch alternately with said operation times shorter or longer than said predetermined time; deactivating all the slow operation stations during the operation time shorter than the predetermined time. Also a quality control apparatus is disclosed.
US08096037B2 Well screen fabrication
Well screen fabrication. A method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a filter portion having an inner dimension, and then increasing the inner dimension, the providing and increasing steps being performed prior to installing the well screen in a wellbore. Another method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a base pipe having an outer dimension, providing a filter portion having an inner dimension less than or equal to the outer dimension, then increasing the inner dimension to greater than or equal to the outer dimension, and then decreasing the inner dimension. Another method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a base pipe having an outer dimension, providing a filter portion having an inner dimension, and then providing an interference fit between the inner and outer dimensions.
US08096036B2 Method of manufacturing a steering column
A method of manufacturing a steering column assembly having a first jacket and a second jacket with a bushing between the first and second jackets. The method utilizes a manufacturing machine having a loadable member, a fixed member, and a thermal fixture. The method comprises the steps of: assembling the first jacket to the second jacket with the bushing located radially between the first and second jackets to interlock the first and second jackets and prevent axial movement between the first and second jackets; connecting the first jacket to the loadable member of the manufacturing machine; connecting the second jacket to a fixed member of the manufacturing machine; loading the loadable member to apply an axial force to the first jacket; heating the thermal fixture of the manufacturing machine; and melting the bushing until the first jacket moves axially relative to the second jacket.
US08096035B2 Inserted thermal barrier liner for containers
A thermal barrier liner is provided to maintain a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The thermal barrier liner is installed so as to make intimate contact with the internal surface of the container. According to a method of the invention, the liner is pre-made and mechanically inserted in the container prior to securing the top of the container to the sidewall. A closed cell structure is incorporated in the thermal barrier material. The closed cell structure causes the thermal barrier material to be gas permeable such that voids in the closed cell structure equilibrate with ambient pressure conditions. The voids change size based on changes in ambient pressure conditions as compared to pressure conditions in the thermal barrier material.
US08096033B2 Remanufacture of electronic assemblies
A method for remanufacturing an electronic assembly allows the assembly to be disassembled, tested and reassembled despite certain components being permanently affixed to a housing of the assembly. The electronic assembly includes a circuit assembly within the housing. During remanufacture, a first portion of the housing is removed to expose a first side of the circuit assembly and a second portion of the housing is removed to expose a second side of the circuit assembly. When removing the second portion of the housing, one of the components of the circuit assembly may also be removed. During remanufacture a connector assembly including a replacement component substantially similar to the removed component, and including one or more pins connected to the replacement component and situated to mate with one or more empty sockets of the circuit assembly is used to facilitate testing of the assembly.
US08096026B2 Accessory clips and mounting apparatus using same
The present invention is directed to mounting clips and structures to support the mounting clips. One such clip is substantially annular in nature. The mounting clip may have internal grip strips within its interior to better enable the clip to engage the supported item. Other clips involve the use of a suction cup and other designs. The mounting clips may be used with a tripod or a monopod, and in some embodiments a tripod with flexible legs utilizing ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping.
US08096025B2 Adjustable, reusable rigging
A method and apparatus for affixing, rigging or attaching objects, articles or vessels using a fabric case, two double O-ring sets and a cord with two adjustable loops each with a bead stopper or chock. The fabric case serves as a semi-rigid cladding sleeve within which the attached cord extends, making two loops, one each at the opposite ends, each with a threaded bead or chock. Using the bead, the cord loop is passed about and object and returned under two adjacent O-rings, then back over one and under the other of the same O-ring pair to secure the cord loop by means of pressure against the fabric case. In this manner, the semi-rigid fabric cladding sleeve serves as the support base for the pressure or tensioning of the double O-rings and works to fasten or rig the attached objects, articles, or vessels.
US08096024B2 Rope termination device
Disclosed is a termination device for an aramid-based elevator rope having a high breaking strength. The termination device comprises a socket having a cylindrical, tapered internal passageway adapted to receive a corresponding wedge. The wedge includes a semi-cylindrical passageway in a substantially helical configuration to increase the surface area between the associated rope and the wedge. The termination device clamps the length of rope between tapered portions of the socket and the semi-cylindrical passageway of the wedge with a substantially uniform application of force on the cross-section of the rope.
US08096023B2 Button composed of three cooperating elements
A button having three cooperating elements, 1) a traditional rivet, whose pin is engaged and held inside a corresponding housing centrally on the back of 2) a cylindrical joint with enlarged head, which is frontally provided with a central cylindrical conduit receiving a shank that centrally protrudes from the back of 3) a button head.
US08096020B2 Hinge assembly and foldable electronic device using the same
A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a tube, two friction members, and a resilient member. The tube is rotatably sleeved on the shaft. One of the shaft and the tube defines two receiving holes. The friction members are positioned in the receiving holes. The resilient member causes the friction member to resist the other one of the shaft and the tube which does not define the receiving holes. A foldable electronic device applying the hinge assembly is also provided.
US08096015B2 Vacuum cleaning nozzle
An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.
US08096007B2 Lifting column with patient support table
A lifting column comprising two or more telescopically arranged column elements, where each column element comprises at least two column sub-elements arranged symmetrically on either side of a first vertical plane, one set of sub-column elements closer to the plane than the other set of sub-elements, where the outer sub-elements are slidingly connected to adjacent inner sub-elements by means of guiding sledges, and further where each column sub-element comprises at least two pulley wheels, one upper and one lower, and further where one first continuous flexible member runs from an upper pulley wheel of a first sub-element to a lower pulley wheel on an adjacent sub-element, so that the first flexible member runs on the upper or lower pulley wheels of the innermost sub-elements on either side of the vertical plane, and that the flexible member is shortened or lengthened by rolling at least one end of the flexible member around a drive wheel on a rotatable axle of an actuating motor. The invention also relates to a patient support table, comprising a patient support surface, a lifting column and a foundation structure for fastening said patient support table to a floor surface.
US08096005B2 Device for the assisted loading of stretcher
A device for the assisted loading of a stretcher (2) provided with a chassis (3), comprises at least one driving wheel (4) cinematically connected to a driving member (5) fed by feeding means (6) and controlled by control means (7) to activate the at least one driving wheel (4) at least during the loading of the stretcher into the ambulance.
US08096002B2 Height adjustable shower waste
A height-adjustable shower waste for a bathroom floor having a non-flexible waterproof floor covering material, the shower waste comprising a waste body (12) for mounting in the bathroom floor and having a base (20), one or more sides extending from the base (20), a waste water inlet (26), and a waste water outlet (30) connected or connectable to a drain; a cover support element (16) on which a cover element (18) is or can be provided to cover the waste water inlet (26); distance setting means (54, 66) for selectively setting a distance between an in use upper edge of the cover support element (16) and the waste body (12); and retaining means (90, 104) for positively retaining the cover support element (16) at the said set distance. A method and an adapter device are also provided.
US08095999B2 Shoulder support for shower accessories
Shoulder supports extend from a shower enclosure wall and support a shower accessory. The shoulders have an attachment on the side for the shower accessories. The selected shower accessory would have a mating attachment on each of its ends to correspond to two shoulders extending from the enclosure walls. The attachment is preferably a male/female indentation on one of the shoulders and shower accessory and a corresponding attachment on the other. The indentations provide a non-permanent attachment of the shower accessory to the supports so that the chosen accessory may later be removed and replaced if desired.
US08095998B2 Portable spa
A spa pool assembly has a pool having an enclosing wall and a base that together defines an interior. The base has a plurality of inflatable sections that are divided by at least one air passage. A hose delivers air from outside the pool to the air passage, with the hose extending partially inside the enclosing wall and having a U-shaped section extending outside the enclosing wall at a vertical level that is higher than the top of the enclosing wall.
US08095997B2 Modular cartridge based liquid dispenser system for toilets and bidets
A modular cartridge based liquid dispensing system for automatically dispensing a metered amount of liquid(s) into a toilet water tank and/or bowl. This unique programmable system mounts onto a standard water tank, and is shaped to match the tank so that it blends well with the existing toilet design for aesthetics. It is designed to dispense one or a plurality of solution types, allowing any desired solution to be dispensed, such as cleaning solutions and deodorants. It uses replaceable liquid cartridges that can be refillable or disposable, and can also use fixed tanks. This invention can also utilize all of its components in a low-rise cabinet chassis that allows the entire system to be mounted inside the water tank where it is completely hidden from view. The system also has provisions for an optional automatic toilet flushing device and can also be used to dispense its liquids to a bidet apparatus.
US08095996B2 Apparel incorporating a protective element
Protective elements may include a pair of material layers, a plurality of pad components, and a plate. The pad components may be located between the material layers, and the plate may be positioned adjacent to one of the material layers and opposite the pad components. Similar protective elements may also be utilized with apparel systems. For example, an inner garment may include the protective element, and an outer garment may extend over the inner garment. The outer garment may include an outer pad locatable to extend over the plate, and the outer pad may have a greater area than the plate.
US08099790B2 Optical disk replay device
A replay device includes a flash memory, a setting means, and a test result output unit. A device key for copyright protection is recorded in the flash memory. When a predetermined actuation input is received, the setting means sets the device to a test mode in which it is tested whether or not the device key is recorded. And, when the test mode is set, the test result output means tests whether or not the device key is recorded in the flash memory, and outputs a screen with the result of the test. Moreover, the test result output means displays the test result by changing a background color of the test result screen, according to the presence or absence of the device key.
US08099787B2 Knowledge-based and collaborative system for security assessment of web applications
A standardized system for assessing the security of web based applications which has a component for collecting information regarding threat and vulnerabilities to web applications is described. The system includes a component for organizing the information regarding threat and vulnerabilities to web applications into a uniform language so that the information is integrated throughout the entirety of the system. Further, the system has a component for expressing the information in a structured and uniform format of a hierarchical relationship between threat and vulnerabilities which includes threat vulnerability trees. The system includes a component for rating the threats and vulnerabilities under a uniform rating system. The system includes a component for integrating the information into both a storage component and also a presentation component for presenting the information. The presentation component presents the information in a graphical format which visually demonstrates the relationships between the threats and the vulnerabilities.
US08099785B1 Method and system for treatment of cure-resistant computer malware
A system, method and computer program product for treating a malware in a computer having multiple copies of the same malicious code activated, where the multiple copies monitor each other's existence, including (a) identifying a presence of the malicious code on the computer; (b) blocking actions that permit one active copy of the malicious code to activate another copy of the malicious code; (c) deleting, from persistent storage, a file containing executable code of the malware; and (d) rebooting the computer. The actions include disabling writes to the persistent storage, disabling writes to a system registry, and/or blocking activation of new processes. The blocking utilizes a driver loaded into the kernel space. The identifying can use signature identification for malware detection.
US08099782B1 Event aggregation in a network
A network system can have a plurality of distributed software agents configured to collect events from network devices. In one embodiment, the agents are configured to aggregate the events. In one embodiment of the present invention, an agent includes a device interface to receive an event from a network device, a plurality of aggregation profiles, and an agent aggregate module to select one of the plurality of aggregation profiles, and increment an event count of an aggregate event representing the received event using the selected aggregation profile.
US08099781B2 Method of managing and mitigating security risks through planning
An exemplary method is provided for managing and mitigating security risks through planning. A first security-related information of a requested product is received. A second security-related information of resources that are available for producing the requested product is received. A multi-stage process with security risks managed by the first security-related information and the second security-related information is performed to produce the requested product.
US08099780B2 Message screening system
A message screening system includes routing to a supervisory recipient an electronic message directed to an intended recipient. The supervisory recipient then is allowed to screen the electronic message by approving or rejecting the electronic message. The electronic message then is forwarded to the intended recipient if the electronic message is approved by the supervisory recipient.
US08099777B1 High security, multi-level processor and method of operating a computing system
A computing system can be optimized for high security, reliability and/or integrity. The computing system can include a multiple instruction stream, single data stream processor. The multiple instruction stream, single data stream processor can include a master instruction processing unit, fetch instruction processing units, a single bus interface/memory unit, and a single data processing unit. The computing system can also include a storage device or a memory. The processor can be utilized in numerous applications including avionics software applications.
US08099771B2 Method for issuing IC card storing encryption key information
It is possible to issue an IC card storing unique encryption key information in such a manner that re-issuing is enabled and sufficient security can be assured. An IC card provider X delivers an IC card having a group code G(A) to a company A and an IC card having a group code G(B) to a company B. When a company staff α inputs a unique personal code P(α) and performs initialization, in the IC card, calculation is performed according to a predetermined algorithm using the P(α) and G(A). Data uniquely determined by the calculation is stored as encryption key information K(α) in the IC card. Even if the company staff α loses the IC card, it is possible to obtain the IC card having the same encryption key information K(α) as before by performing initialization again by using the IC card delivered by the IC card provider X.
US08099765B2 Methods and systems for remote password reset using an authentication credential managed by a third party
Embodiments of the present invention provide a secure remote password reset capability. In some embodiments, an exemplary method provides a remote reset of a password associated with a token in a computer system having a security server. A token-based authentication process is activated by connecting the token to the security server. A server-based authentication process is initiated in the security server by activating a password reset process in a security client. The server-based authentication process communicates with the token-based authentication process over a secure channel. An authentication credential is managed by a third party agent that supplies a query and the authentication credential as a correct response to the query to the security server. A prompt provided by the password reset process collects the authentication credential and a new password. After the authentication credential is validated mutually authentication is performed between the security server and the token. The token is updated with the new password based on a successful result of the mutual authentication.
US08099762B2 Secure digital content trading systems and methods
Systems and methods for securely performing digital commerce. A user device provides a first key and a random number to a server over a first network, encrypts the random number and a user identifier using the first key, and sends the encrypted information to the server via a second network. The server generates an encryption of the random number, the user identifier, and a second key using the first key. The user device receives, decrypts and stores the second key. If the user device wants digital content, the server encrypts the digital content using a digital content key and encrypts the digital content key using the second key. The user device receive the encrypted contents, decrypts the digital content key using the second key and decrypts the digital content using the decrypted digital content key. Digital content can be passed to other user devices.
US08099759B2 System and method for determining a security encoding to be applied to outgoing messages
A system and method for determining a security encoding to be applied to a message being sent by a user of a computing device, such as a mobile device, for example. In one broad aspect, the method comprises determining, at the computing device, whether a general message encoding configuration setting thereon indicates that the security encoding to be applied to the message is to be established by a policy engine; if the general message encoding configuration setting on the computing device indicates that the security encoding to be applied to the message is to be established by the policy engine, determining the security encoding to be applied to the message by querying the policy engine for the security encoding to be applied to the message; applying the determined security encoding to the message; and transmitting the message to which the security encoding has been applied to the at least one recipient. In one embodiment, the policy engine is a PGP Universal Server.
US08099757B2 Methods and apparatus for revenue-optimized delivery of content in a network
Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of multimedia or other content within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched cable television network, which utilizes a Network optimization controller (NOC) that processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., the creation of one or more “microcasts” specifically targeting one or more users), and evaluate these options to determine one that optimizes network operation. The NOC performs these decisions by considering various parameters including network resource availability, type of CPE, subscriber's targeted advertisement profile, and business rules programmed by operator of the network.
US08099755B2 Systems and methods for controlling the encoding of a media stream
Systems and methods are described for providing a media stream transmitted from an encoding system to a remotely-located media player. The media stream is encoded according to an encoding parameter. Data is gathered about a transmit buffer within the encoding system, and the gathered data is processed to arrive at an estimate of network capacity and a calculated encoder rate. The encoding parameter is adjusted during subsequent encoding in response to a change in at least one of the estimate of network capacity and the calculated encoder rate.
US08099754B2 Multimedia marketing and distribution system
A central server having a computer readable storage media for storing multimedia material, such as motion pictures and television programming, in digital format is connected to a communications network such as the Internet. Exhibitors, such as theaters and television stations, can access the central server, preview available programming, verify the ownership of such material, review contract provisions for obtaining and paying for the desired programming, and download the programming along with marketing materials for the program or movie. The central server loads material onto the storage media as its received from producers and owners of such material. In addition, central server retains data retains data regarding requests for material, such as titles requested, who requested such, and where the requesters are located geographically. This information can be used to help producers market their material more economically.
US08099753B2 System for mitigating signal interruption in a satellite communication system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a satellite media receiver having a controller adapted to detect a service outage associated with a media program derived from satellite signals supplied to a satellite port of the satellite media receiver, and transmit a request for a portion of the media program for delivery to a broadband port of the satellite media receiver to mitigate the service outage. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08099751B2 Apparatus and method for displaying digital multimedia broadcasting service
An apparatus and method for displaying a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) service, which is capable of always displaying a dynamic label service (DLS) of a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal in a ticker form in a digital multimedia broadcasting receiver. A method of displaying a digital multimedia broadcasting service includes determining whether additional data carried in a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) signal is received while any application is being executed; and displaying the executed application and the received additional data together on one screen when the additional data is received. Accordingly, since news information or traffic information can be always received in the DMB receiver even during the execution of any application, it is possible to make the DMB receiver more convenient for a user.
US08099749B2 Viewer data collection system and method for use in a direct broadcast satellite television network
A system and method for collecting viewership data. The inventive system (10) is adapted to receive a signal having multiple channels of program content and associated channel identification information. The system (10) is adapted to parse the program content and channel identification information from the received signal. The system (10) outputs selective channels of program content in response to user input and the parsed program content. The system (10) monitors the selected channels and provides viewership data with respect thereto. The viewership data includes channel identification information.
US08099748B2 System and method for distribution of picture objects
A system and a suitable method for distribution of picture objects which are stored with assigned picture object information in a picture object database. In a media center of the system, user identification data are received which are transmitted to the media center by communications terminals via a communications network. In the media center user interests profiles are defined which, assigned to the received user identification data, are stored in a user interests database. On the basis of the correlation of particular user interests profiles with picture object information, picture objects are selected and transmitted via the communications network to the respective communications terminal from which the received user identification data were transmitted. The current direction of view of a user of the communications terminal is determined and transmitted to the media center, where picture objects which are viewed by the user are identified based thereon. From picture object information assigned to the picture objects viewed by the user, user interests profiles are determined and stored in the user interests database.
US08099746B2 Motor, storage disk drive apparatus and motor manufacturing method
A motor includes a stationary unit, a bearing mechanism, a rotary unit, and a chucking device. The rotary unit includes a rotor yoke provided with a cover portion extending around the chucking device and designed to allow the storage disk to be directly or indirectly mounted thereto and a removal-preventing member fixed to the cover portion to prevent removal of the rotary unit from the stationary unit. The removal-preventing member made of metal. The removal-preventing member includes a removal-preventing portion, an upper fixing portion having a plurality of upper protrusions inserted into the through-holes of the cover portion and bent toward the upper surface of the cover portion, and a lower fixing portion making direct or indirect contact with the lower surface of the cover portion and cooperating with the upper fixing portion to fix the position of the removal-preventing portion in a direction parallel to the center axis.
US08099745B2 Holding device and disk device for recording and reading information
A support (611) that is substantially cylindrical so as to be received by a disk hole (1NA) and has a positioning portion (612) on a circumference adjacent to a first axial end is provided with a concave portion (613) of which both ends open to the circumference along a radial direction. A first engaging portion (614) protrudes from around the circumference at which a first axial end of the concave portion opens substantially opposes to the positioning portion with a gap equal to or more than a thickness of an optical disk (1N). A moving member (615) is disposed in the concave portion in a manner movable along a radial direction of the support. A second engaging portion (616) protrudes on an end of the moving member at a position corresponding to a second axial end of the concave portion.
US08099744B2 Disk device
A low-cost disk device with which the same spindle motor and clamper can be used for different types of disk device, such as a DVD drive. A clamper includes a clamper main body and a plurality of positioning components. The clamper main body clamps a disk between itself and a spindle motor that holds and rotates the disk. The plurality of positioning components are formed on the clamper main body for the relative positioning of the clamper main body and each of the plurality of spindle motors in the radial direction.
US08099741B2 Disk device
A disk drive includes: a pair of guide walls, which is arranged in the vicinity of the holder opening of a cartridge holder to define a direction in which a disk cartridge is supposed to be inserted; a first opening/closing lever, which has a first engaging portion that engages with a portion of the disk cartridge and which rotates while the disk cartridge is being inserted or ejected; and a second opening/closing lever, which has a second engaging portion that engages with another portion of the disk cartridge and which rotates while the disk cartridge is being inserted or ejected. The first and second opening/closing levers rotate so as to leave a broader gap between the first and second engaging portions than between the guide walls when the drive gets loaded with the disk cartridge, thereby opening a window in the disk cartridge.
US08099735B2 Method and system for module initialization
A method for initializing a module that includes identifying a module for initialization and performing a plurality of processing phases on the module and all modules in a dependency graph of the module. Performing the processing phases includes, for each module, executing a processing phase of the plurality of processing phases on the module, determining whether the processing phase has been executed on all modules in a dependency graph of the module, and when the processing phase has been executed for all modules in the dependency graph of the module, executing a subsequent processing phase of the plurality of processing phases on the module, wherein at least one processing phase of the plurality of processing phases includes executing custom initialization code.
US08099732B2 Skew exception detection
Techniques are presented for skew exception detection within a parallel processing environment. A potential exception is detected when a highest load of a processor within the parallel processing environment exceeds an average load within the parallel processing environment by a given threshold. The potential exception can become a legitimate exception when it exists for a qualified period or time or when it exists and no qualified period of time is noted. In an embodiment, checks for the potential exception occur and are wholly contained within a given configurable interval.
US08099730B2 Heterogeneous virtualization of host and guest OS having different register sizes using translation layer to extract device port numbers for host OS system memory addresses
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system are described. In some embodiments, a virtual machine monitor of a computer platform may comprise a service virtual machine created by the virtual machine monitor partitioning an underlying hardware machine to support execution of a plurality of overlying guest operating systems, wherein the plurality of guest operating systems comprise a guest operating system complying with a non-native guest system architecture different from a host system architecture with which the hardware machine complies. The service virtual machine may further comprise a translation layer to translate instructions from the guest operating system complying with the non-native guest system architecture into instructions complying with the host system architecture.
US08099728B2 System for managing configuration changes in a data processing system
A method of managing configuration changes in a data processing system, particularly a network wherein software products (250) must be distributed to client workstations. The method provides the definition of reference models (220e-220d) arranged in a tree (215); each reference model includes configuration elements (such as software products and/or hardware features and their desired target status) for the corresponding client workstations (subscribers). A target configuration (230) of the client workstations associated with each reference model is determined by inheriting the configuration elements of the parent reference models. A list of actions (245) to be carried out on each client workstation for reaching the corresponding target configuration is determined by comparing the target configuration with a current configuration of the client workstation stored in a corresponding inventory (245).
US08099727B2 System and method for providing uninterrupted operation of a replication system during a software upgrade
A software upgrade tool and procedure provide uninterrupted operation of a replication system during an upgrade of software components of the system. The replication system includes one or more user systems coupled to one or more target storage systems over a communications network, such as a computer network. Illustratively, each user system is embodied as a replication client, while each target storage system is embodied as a replication server. In addition, the replication system includes a management system embodied as a management server that manages configuration of the system, including during upgrade of the software components of the replication system. To that end, the software upgrade tool cooperates with the management server to query the configuration of “old” versions of the software components and to manage upgrades of those components to “new” versions of software. According to the invention, the upgrade tool and procedure enable both the old and new versions of the software components to run concurrently on the replication client and replication server, as well as the management server.
US08099718B2 Method and system for whitelisting software components
A method and system for whitelisting software components is disclosed. In a first operating environment, runtime information may be collected about a first loaded and executing software component. The collected information may be communicated to a second software component operating in a second operating environment that is isolated from the first operating environment. The collect runtime information may be compared with a validated set of information about the first software component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08099716B2 Service structured application development architecture
Systems and methods defining a service oriented object framework for use in providing an open application environment facilitating application function integration are shown. Embodiments provide object life management, platform resources management, and event management capabilities. A multi-layer architecture, defining object layers within an application container, may be used. A primary layer of such an architecture may comprise infrastructure objects providing foundational element blocks embodying protocol specific functions of the services that are to be built on top of a development container. An intermediate layer of such an architecture may comprise service objects providing service level functions. An upper layer of such an architecture may comprise business objects providing application orchestration element blocks defining the logical application created by combining the foregoing objects. Embodiments implement a framework that provides utilities that enable the object hierarchy to interact and function on top of a corresponding development container platform.
US08099715B2 Service-based software designing assistance method and apparatus thereof
In a method and an apparatus of providing effective input/output data connections between services, for reducing load on a designer when designing service-based software application, which is described by a process flow language, there are provided the following means or steps: while storing connection histories of input/output data of the service within the software designing made in the past, selection is made arbitrarily on an output(s) of other service, which is/are connectable with all the inputs of the service selected, from selection information of the service becoming the service process flow describing only the processing order and a process target, conducting a process for driving production probability of connection combination of the input and the output from the connection histories, on all of the connection combinations, and outputting the connection combination(s) being high in the production probability extracted among of them.
US08099714B2 Method and apparatus for applying business rules in an object model driven context
A means is provided for specifying, applying, and managing sets of temporary or permanent additions or modifications to the behavior of object-oriented programs without having to change the code of the program, by using externalized rules. The points at which the externalized rules may be applied is determined by the implementation object model, thus making their specification natural to the program developers who are familiar with the program's implementation object model. The concept of dynamic method-based trigger or control points is disclosed for identifying potential rule attachment points in objects and identifying the rules that are applicable to each dynamic control point. At least one control point is flagged on the basis of being active such that the at least one control point and its associated rule is only processed if the at least one control point is flagged as being active.
US08099712B2 Generating a hardware description based on a diagram with states and state transitions
A system and method for automatically generating a data flow diagram in response to a first diagram. The first diagram may specify one or more states and one or more state transitions, wherein each state transition specifies a transition from a first state to a second state. A data flow diagram may be automatically generated from the first diagram. A hardware description may be generated from the data flow diagram. The hardware description may be usable to configure a programmable hardware element such as, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The configured programmable hardware element may implement a hardware implementation of the data flow diagram.
US08099711B2 System and method for multi-level security filtering of model representations
A system and method for multi-level security filtering of model representations. Elements of an architecture and systems engineering model have associated security characteristics identifying the required level of security that a user must have in order to be able to obtain access to information about that element of the model. Based on these security characteristics and the security level of a user attempting to access the model, the content of the model is modified such that elements that are not accessible by a user having that security level are obscured or not visible to the user. The other elements of the model which are accessible by the user based on his/her security level are modified in the modified model so as to not provide information that would disclose the nature, character, or in some cases even the presence, of the elements that are not accessible by the user based on his/her security level.
US08099708B2 I/O planning with lock and insertion features
A method of operation for an input/output assignment tool is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a graphic presentation to a user displaying (i) a circuit icon having a plurality of pin icons and (ii) a plurality of signal icons, (B) moving a first of the signal icons within the graphic presentation to a first of the pin icons in response to a move command from the user and (C) indicating an acceptance of an association between the first signal icon and the first pin icon in response to the association passing a rule.
US08099706B2 Software product for semiconductor device design
A software product including codes for the method of determining parasitic resistance and capacitance from a layout of an LSI is executed by a computer. The method is achieved by providing a plurality of patterns of a wiring structure which contains a target interconnection; and by producing a library configured to store parameters indicating the parasitic resistance and the parasitic capacitance in relation to the target interconnection to each of the plurality of patterns. The producing is achieved by calculating the parameters to a plurality of conditions corresponding to deviation in manufacture of the wiring structure for each of the plurality of patterns.
US08099704B1 Performance improvements in an integrated circuit by selectively applying forward bias voltages
Methods and systems to improve performance in an Integrated Circuit (IC) are presented. The method includes performing a timing analysis for a circuit design of an IC. The modules in the circuit design use a standard voltage bias by default. In one embodiment, the timing analysis is performed by a circuit design tool. The method then identifies a critical path in the timing analysis, where a signal propagating through the critical path does not meet timing requirements for the circuit design. The method then selects a module of the IC in the critical path to apply a high speed voltage bias to the body of transistors in the module, resulting in a smaller propagation delay thorough the selected module than if the standard voltage bias were applied to the selected module, thus allowing the circuit design to meet the timing requirements.
US08099703B1 Method and system for verifying power-optimized electronic designs using equivalency checking
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for verifying functional equivalence of a power optimized design and its original, unoptimized design (referred to as the golden design) using combinational equivalency checking. Due to some inherent limitations which make combinational equivalency checkers unable to prove equivalency of the two designs in a single step, a series of intermediate design transformations is introduced. These transformations are dependent on the techniques used in generating the power optimized design from the golden design, and may be generically described in a transformation language that provides the necessary constructs to specify an entire set of valid structural modifications. The equivalency between the golden design and the power optimized design can then be verified by checking the golden design and the first design transformation, and then by checking between each pair of the plurality of intermediate design transformations, and finally by checking the last design transformation and the power optimized design.
US08099698B2 Verification test failure analysis
Methods and apparatuses are provided that allow for efficient analysis of a graph describing tests, elements of a device design and test results. In various implementations of the invention, a relationship between the elements of a device design, and test results is performed. An entropy value is determined for each corresponding element based upon the test results. The entropy value may assist test engineers in identifying the elements of the device design needing redesign.
US08099694B1 Interactive tool for contemporaneous design of integrated circuits having different device packages
In an example embodiment, an EDA program receives input which includes a selection as to an FPGA die and its device package and a selection as to a structured ASIC die and its device package. If the I/O pins on the device package for the FPGA differ from the I/O pins on the device package for the structured ASIC, the EDA program determines a correspondence between the I/O pins on the two device packages (e.g., by identifying the location of the pads for I/O pins on the structured ASIC die and/or creating a virtual structured ASIC device package whose I/O pins are a superset of the I/O pins on the selected structured ASIC device package), which determination includes checking rules for resource assignments. The EDA program then stores the determined correspondence in a device database where the determined correspondence can be accessed by CAD algorithms.
US08099693B2 Methods, systems, and computer program product for parallelizing tasks in processing an electronic circuit design
Disclosed are a method, a system, and a computer program product for implementing compact manufacturing model during various stages of electronic circuit designs. In some embodiments, the method loads the full design database information on the master; distributes the tasks to be processed in parallel; loads a full design on a master; spawns a plurality of slave sessions; sends to at least one slave a nutshell representation of the electronic circuit design; identifies a task to perform in parallel and sends the task to be performed in parallel; and receives execution results or processing results from some of the plurality of slaves and updates one or more databases to incorporate the execution or processing results. In some embodiments, the method allows speeding up the applications without major rewrite without a need for design partition, and without memory penalty.
US08099688B2 Circuit design
A design process includes inputting a design file representing a circuit design embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and using a computer to translate the circuit design into a netlist. The netlist comprises a representation of a plurality of wires, transistors, and logic gates, and is stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium. When executed by the computer, the netlist produces the circuit design. The circuit design comprises a static random access memory (“SRAM”) including a plurality of SRAM cells arranged in an array, including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a plurality of column voltage control circuits corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of columns of the array. Each of the plurality of voltage control circuits is coupled to an output of a power supply and is operable to temporarily reduce a voltage upon arrival of a bit select signal provided to power supply inputs of a plurality of SRAM cells belonging to a selected column of the plurality of columns. The selected column is selected during a write operation in which a bit is written to one of the plurality of SRAM cells belonging to the selected column. Each column voltage control circuit includes an NFET and a pair of PFETs. Each NFET and pair of PFETs has a conduction path directly connected between the output of the power supply and the power supply inputs of the plurality of SRAM cells.
US08099683B2 Movement-based dynamic filtering of search results in a graphical user interface
A movement-based filtering mechanism in a graphical user interface allows a user to filter search results by simply moving a pointer, such as a mouse. One or more attributes are displayed to the user in a graphical format. By selecting the pointer (such as clicking on a mouse button), the user may dynamically filter the search results according to the attribute(s) under the pointer. Weighting of multiple attributes may be performed according to the time the pointer spends in each attribute area in the display, or according to a path length of the pointer in each attribute area in the display. In addition, the speed of the dynamic filtering may be directly controlled according to the speed of the movement of the pointer. A timeline may also be displayed that allows the user to go back to any suitable point in time in the filtering process.
US08099677B2 Method and apparatus for animation profiling
The present invention relates to a method for displaying moving items in a user interface and, in particular, to such a method for use within a device for use with a wireless communications network. The invention provides a method and apparatus for displaying a moving object in which the object is part of a user interface defined by a mark-up language and in which the movement of the object is defined by an arbitrary profile.
US08099674B2 Computer systems and methods for automatically viewing multidimensional databases
A method for automatically forming the clearest and most useful visual plot for a given dataset of tuples. A best view type is selected for a view that includes a subsequently added new field. The visual plot is populated with the data in the view and then automatically rendered for the user. A dataset that is retrieved from a storage is analyzed to identify all the data types found in the dataset, and to determine the best view type to assign to the dataset's views. The visual plot is then populated with the data according to this best view type, and is automatically rendered for the user.
US08099672B2 System and method for continuous online safety and reliability monitoring
A system and method for generating instantaneous safety availability information relating to an instrumented function is described. In one embodiment, a time of a test performed on an instrumented function component of the instrumented function is received, and an elapsed time between the time of the test and a particular time is determined. And based upon the elapsed time, the instantaneous safety availability information for the instrumented function is calculated.
US08099671B2 Opening an application view
Generally described, the present invention is directed to a network operating system that provides more effective ways of leveraging the connectivity of computer networks. In one embodiment, an XML virtual machine is implemented that accepts high-level application code written in an XML programming language as input. Functionality is provided to interpret or translate the application code written in an XML programming language into code that is suitable for execution across computer platforms. Moreover, the XML virtual machine supports the Model View Controller (MVC) design paradigm that facilitates true data abstraction from applications to a common data model. Multi-instance applications, with each instance potentially supporting multiple views, may be created and executed.
US08099670B2 Systems and media for updating an instant messaging system
Systems and media for updating an instant messaging system on a network are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for updating status indicators such as ‘away’ messages of an instant messaging system are disclosed. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred and automatically transmitting an indication of the change in status to instant messenger system manager via a network. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred based on receiving an indication that the user's status has changed, such as from user input on a keyboard, mouse, etc. Other embodiments include determining that a change in status has occurred based on determining that the user's status has changed based on an electronic calendar, expiration of a time period, etc.
US08099668B2 Predator and abuse identification and prevention in a virtual environment
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a child user from inappropriate interactions within an immersive virtual environment. The inappropriate interactions may be detected by examining characteristics of the interactions between a child and another user (e.g., communications, transactions, etc.), by monitoring physical signs of stress in the child (e.g., based on facial gestures, heart rate, etc.), or by receiving software commands given by the child to signal discomfort in a particular situation. Subsequently, preventative actions may be determined based on a level of severity of the inappropriate interaction. The preventative actions may include notifying the parents of the child, altering the virtual world to end the interaction, or notifying authorities of the behavior of the other user.
US08099662B2 Efficient image annotation display and transmission
Computer-readable media having corresponding apparatus embodies instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising: receiving, from a user interface, an annotation associated with a background image; adding the annotation to a queue of pending annotations; causing transmission of the annotation to a server; removing the annotation from the queue of pending annotations, and adding the annotation to a list of acknowledged annotations, when an acknowledgment of the annotation is received from the server; and generating a display image comprising the background image, annotations in the list of acknowledged annotations, and annotations in the queue of pending annotations.
US08099661B2 Logging and evaluating manual interactions by users to support optimizing and streamlining business processes
The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for logging and evaluating activity to support optimizing and streamlining a process, such as a business process. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method include receiving information representative of activity at a user interface. The received information may be aggregated to form aggregated data. The received information may be evaluated to determine one or more proposals. The evaluation may use the context of a task being performed at the user interface and the activity at the user interface. The one or more proposals may be provided to enable a configuration of a system or a business process with at least one of the proposals. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08099660B1 Tool for managing online content
A content management tool can assist publishers/authors in managing access rights and other parameters related to the display of documents online. The documents may include books and other documents that are traditionally published as printed works. The content management tool may display presentation parameters for the documents that relate to how the documents are to be shown to users when accessing the documents. The content management tool receives modifications to the presentation parameters and applies the modified versions of the presentation parameters to future accesses of the documents by users. The content management tool can, for example, be used to modify the portions of the document available for display, turn on/off certain portions of the document, manage links displayed concurrently with the document, and/or manage advertising related to the document.
US08099658B2 Reduced complexity Viterbi decoder
A Viterbi decoder includes a branch metric unit, an add-compare select unit coupled to the branch metric unit, and a trace-back unit coupled to the add-compare select unit. The branch metric unit includes a branch metric computation unit coupled to a thresholder unit. The branch metric computation unit is configured to compute a branch metric. The thresholder unit is configured to compare the branch metric with a threshold value. If the branch metric is greater than the threshold value, the thresholder unit is configured to forward the threshold value to the add-compare select and not forward the branch metric to the add-compare select unit. Implementing such a branch metric ceiling allows for a predictable reduction in the significant bits of calculations in the Viterbi decoder, which allows for reduction of complexity via elimination of gates and storage elements.
US08099654B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in the digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a receiving unit, a demodulator, an equalizer, a block decoder, and a RS frame decoder. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. The mobile service data may configure a RS frame. The RS frame includes at least one data packet for the mobile service data, RS parity generated based on the at least one data packet, and CRC checksum generated based on the at least one data packet and the RS parity. The demodulator converts RS frame data included in the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit into a baseband RS frame data. The equalizer performs channel equalization on the data demodulated by the demodulator. The block decoder performs symbol-decoding on the data channel-equalized by the equalizer in block units. The RS frame decoder performs CRC-decoding and RS-decoding on the decoded mobile service data in RS frame units, thereby correcting errors occurred in the mobile service data within the RS frame.
US08099651B2 Subsystem and method for encoding 64-bit data nibble error correct and cyclic-redundancy code (CRC) address error detect for use in a 76-bit memory module
A memory system provides data error detection and correction and address error detection. A cyclical-redundancy-check (CRC) code generates address check bits. A 32-bit address is compressed to 6 address check bits using the CRC code. The 6 address check bits are concatenated with 64 data bits and 2 flag bits to generate a 72-bit check word. The 72-bit check word is input to an error-correction code (ECC) generator that generates 12 check bits that are stored in memory with the 64 data bits. A 76-bit memory module can store the 64 data and 12 check bits. Nibble errors can be corrected, and all nibble+1 bit errors can be detected. Also, a 6-bit error in a sequence of bits can be detected. This allows all errors in the 6-bit CRC of the address to be detected. The CRC code and ECC are ideal for detecting double-bit errors common with multiplexed-address DRAMs.
US08099647B1 Rotationally invariant non-coherent burst coding mapping function
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.
US08099640B2 Shared diagnosis method for an integrated electronic system including a plurality of memory units
A shared diagnosis method may be for an electronic integrated system embedding a plurality of memory units associated with Built In Self Test (BIST) hardware portions for executing a test on memory locations of the memory units. A FAIL signal may be provided from the hardware portions, together with the memory locations of the memory units on which the test is executed. The method may include loading of address, state and data signals, generated during the test on the memory locations, in a series of bitmapping registers and supplied by multiplexer devices, which receive as inputs the address, state, and data signals from the memory units and from the hardware portions. The enabling for the loading of the bitmapping registers is through the processing of a Fail signal in a counter supplied by a multiplexer device receiving the Fail signals from the hardware portions.
US08099638B2 Apparatus and methods for tuning a memory interface
The disclosure relates to a programmable virtual memory client, that includes programmable control logic configured to generate at least one data pattern sequence from a number of stored data patterns. Additionally, the virtual memory client includes virtual memory client control logic configured to use the generated at least one data pattern sequence to at least one of read from and write to at least one memory device. A method includes generating at least one data pattern sequence from a number of stored data patterns and writing and reading the data pattern sequence from and to a memory device.
US08099634B2 Autonomic component service state management for a multiple function component
A mechanism is provided for autonomic component service state management for a multiple function component. The mechanism determines whether independent functions within a multiple function service boundary can be serviced. When a single function experiences a failure that requires service, repair, or replacement, the surviving functions notify the service management software of the state of the independent functions. The service management software then determines the state of the overall component and implements the appropriate service method.
US08099633B2 Circuit for testing a USB device using a packet to be measured controlled by test signals
A USB test circuit for use in a USB device such as a system LSI with a USB function for testing the USB function generates and outputs a packet to be measured for a signal quality test. In the test circuit, a test signal including a test_sin signal carrying operation mode information is inputted via a serial interface to a serial interface block, and a packet to be measured is generated by a data pattern generation block and a transmission data delivery block depending on the operation mode information. The packet to be measured is outputted via a UTMI interface to a USB PHY layer. Thus, a packet to be measured for a signal quality test is generated and outputted without receiving packets not to be measured such as a SETUP packet and a DATA packet, thereby reducing the test time.
US08099627B1 Persistent images of distributed shared memory segments and in-memory checkpoints
A method, system, computer system, and computer-readable medium that enable quick recovery from failure of one or more nodes, applications, and/or communication links in a distributed computing environment, such as a cluster. Recovery is facilitated by regularly saving persistent images of the in-memory checkpoint data and/or of distributed shared memory segments. The persistent checkpoint images are written asynchronously so that applications can continue to write data even during creation and/or updating the persistent image and with minimal effect on application performance. Furthermore, multiple updater nodes can simultaneously update the persistent checkpoint image using normal synchronization operations. When one or more nodes fail, the persistent checkpoint image can be read and used to restart the application in the most recently-saved state prior to the failure. The persistent checkpoint image can also be used to initialize the state of the application in a new node joining the distributed computing environment.
US08099626B2 Recovery method management device, recovery method management method and computer product for recovering a failure of IT system
A recovery method management method includes executing and completing a work on a work target of a system according to a work start command and a work completion command, creating working method information for each work target, acquiring before-work-start system information and after-work-completion system information of the system to create before-and-after-work change information for each work target, storing and managing the working method information and the before-and-after-work change information in a work information managing and storing unit for each work target, creating recovery method information for each similar recovery work target among the work targets on the basis of the working method information, creating before-and-after-recovery change information for each recovery work target on the basis of the before-and-after-work change information, and storing and managing the recovery method information created and the before-and-after-recovery change information created in a recovery method managing and storing unit for each recovery work target.
US08099625B1 Self-checking and self-correcting internal configuration port circuitry
Method and apparatus for self-checking and self-correcting memory states of a programmable resource is described. Programmable resource of an integrated circuit has a first core and a second core instantiated therein. A first internal configuration port and a second internal configuration port of the integrated circuit are respectively connected to the first core and the second core. The second core is coupled to the first core for monitoring operation of the first core with the second core, and the second core is configured to obtain control responsive to a failure of the first core or the first internal configuration port for a self-correcting mode.
US08099619B2 Voltage regulator with drive override
Techniques to enable voltage regulators to adjust for coming load changes are presented herein. In some embodiments, a functional block such as a microprocessor core having an associated clock signal is powered by at least one switching-type voltage regulator. When the functional block is about to require an increased level of power, the associated clock is provided to drive the at least one regulator switches overriding their normal drive signal, which has a lower frequency. Thus, the switches are driven at a higher frequency sufficiently prior to (e.g., just ahead of) the load change to reduce the amount of droop that would otherwise occur.
US08099618B2 Methods and devices for treating and processing data
A data processing unit having a field of clocked logic cells (PAEs) which is operable in different configuration states and a clock preselecting means for preselecting logic cell clocking. The clock preselecting means is designed in such a way that, depending on the state, a first clock is preselected at least at a first cell (PAE) and an additional clock is preselected at least at an additional cell.
US08099609B2 Information processing apparatus and key recovery method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a receiving device including a tuner unit which receives broadcast program data, a first nonvolatile memory which stores an encryption key, and an encryption unit which encrypts the broadcast program data, which is received by the tuner unit, based on the encryption key, and a second nonvolatile memory which is provided on a system board, which is electrically connected to the receiving device, and stores key recovery data for recovering the encryption key which is stored in the first nonvolatile memory.
US08099606B2 Data storage apparatus, data providing system and data providing method
The data that a user wants are reliably provided, while avoiding any fraudulent use of the provided data. The present invention provides a data storage apparatus to be connected to an external apparatus by way of a predetermined connection interface, the apparatus comprising a data storage section including a first storage area adapted to be used for freely writing data from the external apparatus connected to the data storage apparatus and limit reading of the written data in the data format used by the external apparatus and a second storage area storing software for executing an operation of reading out the data written in the first storage area, and a control section that controls the operation of the data storage section of reading out the data written in the first storage area by executing the software stored in the second storage area in response to a request from the external apparatus to read out the data written in the first storage area and transmitting the read out data to the external apparatus connected to the data storage apparatus after converting the read out data into a signal of the output format of the external apparatus without fail.
US08099605B1 Intelligent storage device for backup system
A data storage and data backup device that offers automatic reduction of duplicate data storage, and that easily can be connected to computing devices, computing systems and networks of computing devices. The device offers high protection against destruction or modification of already stored data, and requires flipping a physical switch and possibly require user authentication in order for the protection to be temporarily bypassed. Several connection types of the device to the computer systems are supported such as wired, wireless like Bluetooth or WI-FI, but not limited to those.
US08099604B2 Communication system, method for transferring information, and information-communication device
A first information-communication device generates first biometric pattern used for comparison based on user biometric information retrieved by a biometric sensor, and sends the generated first biometric pattern to a second biometric information-communication device. The second information-communication device compares the first biometric pattern sent from the first information-communication device with second biometric pattern, which is user biometric pattern stored in memory, and sends the second biometric pattern to the first information-communication device when the compared biometric pattern matches. The first information-communication device then stores the second biometric pattern sent from the second information-communication device.
US08099601B2 Methods and systems for encoding and protecting data using digital signature and watermarking techniques
Systems and methods are provided for protecting and managing electronic data signals that are registered in accordance with a predefined encoding scheme, while allowing access to unregistered data signals. In one embodiment a relatively hard-to-remove, easy-to-detect, strong watermark is inserted in a data signal. The data signal is divided into a sequence of blocks, and a digital signature for each block is embedded in the signal via a watermark. The data signal is then stored and distributed on, e.g., a compact disc, a DVD, or the like. When a user attempts to access or use a portion of the data signal, the signal is checked for the presence of a watermark containing the digital signature for the desired portion of the signal. If the watermark is found, the digital signature is extracted and used to verify the authenticity of the desired portion of the signal. If the signature-containing watermark is not found, the signal is checked for the presence of the strong watermark. If the strong watermark is found, further use of the signal is inhibited, as the presence of the strong watermark, in combination with the absence or corruption of the signature-containing watermark, provides evidence that the signal has been improperly modified. If, on the other hand, the strong mark is not found, further use of the data signal can be allowed, as the absence of the strong mark indicates that the data signal was never registered with the signature-containing watermark.
US08099600B2 Content distribution site spoofing detection and prevention
A method, system and apparatus for detecting and preventing content distribution site impersonation. In this regard, a method for detecting and preventing content distribution site spoofing can include the steps of loading a markup language document and a corresponding digital signature for processing and ensuring that the digital signature originates from a pre-specified source of the markup language document incorporated within the markup language document. The method further can include the steps of dynamically computing a hash value for the markup language document and comparing the dynamically computed hash value to a hash value encrypted within the digital signature. Finally, the method can include the step of detecting content distribution site spoofing either if the digital signature does not originate from the pre-specified source, or if the dynamically computed hash value does not match the hash value encrypted within the digital signature.
US08099594B1 Certificate processing
Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, systems and/or devices for processing a certificate are disclosed.
US08099591B2 Techniques and graphical user interfaces for categorical shuffle
Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces that enable users to shuffle a group of media items in accordance with categories associated with the media items are disclosed. According to one aspect, techniques can operate to categorically shuffle media items having categories associated therewith. According to another aspect, a user interface control can be graphically presented to a user to assist the user in selecting a shuffle setting. The shuffle setting provided by the user affects the nature of the shuffle. For example, the shuffle setting can impact the likelihood that two adjacent media items in the group of media items will be from the same one or more categories following the shuffle.
US08099590B2 Image forming apparatus and processing method of revising basic settings
When a setting input through a control portion falls within the first setup range, the settings in the first setup storage are rewritten with the setting in the second setup storage. Since the setting was revised, the revision history including the setup content and the data of the setting is stored in a revision history storage. Next, a determination process for the revised setting is carried out. Specifically, it is determined whether a usually expected input setting from the control portion falls within the second setup range. When it does not fall within the second setup range, the controller determines that the input setting is not a proper value, and reads out the setting before revision, stored in the third setup storage to rewrite the settings in the first setup storage with it.
US08099578B2 Method and system for finding scrolled regions within a tile cache
In a method embodiment, a method includes periodically polling data sent to an output. The output is operable to render the data into a human-perceptible form. The method further includes determining if at least one partition of a first plurality of discrete partitions of the perdiodically polled data is substantially identical to a combination of respective portions of at least two partitions of a second plurality of discrete partitions of data recorded within a computer-readable storage.
US08099575B2 Virtual machine control program and virtual machine system
The program attains compatibility of suppression of an overhead accompanying page exception handling in the case of operating a program whose amount of memory use is large on a virtual machine and suppression of the overhead accompanying page exception handling in the case of operating a first OS that has a function of making another OS run on a virtual machine. A VMM creates a shadow PT (Page Table) for prohibiting reading-writing of privileged memory that requires emulation of reading/writing by using a RSV-bit, and registers the shadow PT and the second PT that a second OS operating on the first OS has in an x86 compatible CPU equipped with a page exception detecting function using two PT's. When a page exception occurs, the VMM refers to a cause code of the page exception and, when a P field of the cause code is 0, determines immediately that emulation is unnecessary.
US08099574B2 Providing protected access to critical memory regions
Hardware of a virtualized processor based system detecting a specified type of memory access to an identified region of memory and in response to the detecting generating an interrupt for a virtual machine monitor (VMM) of the virtualized processor based system.
US08099572B1 Efficient backup and restore of storage objects in a version set
The version set backup and restore facility responds to a version set backup request by backing up multiple snapshot copies of a storage object concurrently from a storage array to backup storage media. The version set backup and restore facility responds to a version set restore request by restoring a plurality of snapshot copies of the storage object concurrently from the backup storage media to the storage array. The on-tape backup image of the version set includes variable-length extents of data for each of the multiple snapshot copies of the storage object. The variable-length extents of data for each of the snapshot copies of the storage object are grouped together and ordered in the on-tape backup image by increasing or decreasing logical block address.
US08099562B2 Scalable interface for a memory array
A technique for accessing a memory array includes receiving, from multiple requesters, memory access requests directed to a single port of the memory array. The memory access requests associated with each of the multiple requesters are serviced, based on a priority assigned to each of the multiple requesters, while maintaining a fixed timing for the memory access requests.
US08099561B2 Shared memory system for a tightly-coupled multiprocessor
A shared memory system for a multicore computer system utilizing an interconnection network that furnishes tens of processing cores or more with the ability to refer concurrently to random addresses in a shared memory space with efficiency comparable to the typical efficiency achieved when referring to private memories. The network is essentially a lean and light-weight combinational circuit, although it may also contain non-deep pipelining. The network is generally composed of a sub-network for writing and a separate multicasting sub-network for reading, whose topologies are based on multiple logarithmic multistage networks, e.g. Baseline Networks, connected in parallel. The shared memory system computes paths between processing cores and memory banks anew at every clock cycle, without rearrangement. It returns an approval reply to every core whose initiative of accessing memory leads to the successful establishment of a path and is fulfilled, or a rejection reply to every core whose initiative is not fulfilled.
US08099555B2 Systems and methods for memory management on print devices
Systems and methods disclosed permit flexible optimization of printer cache memories by specify criteria for determining cache membership for objects derived from a print data streams, wherein the objects may be associated with distinct reference counts. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of: assigning an initial value to the reference count associated with an object, if the object is not present in the cache; incrementing the reference count by a first weight, if the object is already present in the cache; decrementing the reference count by a second weight, in response to an end-of-page event; and removing the object from the cache if the reference count is below a threshold.
US08099554B1 System and method for flash-based data caching
A system, method and computer program product for receiving on a non-volatile, solid-state, cache memory system, a data segment, including a plurality of data elements, from one or more of a volatile, solid-state, cache memory system and a non-volatile, electromechanical memory system. The data segment may be stored on the non-volatile, solid-state, cache memory system. Each data element includes one or more data extents.
US08099553B2 Refactoring virtual data storage hierarchies
A virtual drive data storage refactoring system includes a base drive, a plurality of virtual drives coupled to the base drive and hierachly below the base drive, wherein the virtual drives each include a plurality of data storage blocks and a virtual drive controller system. The virtual drive controller system is operable to coordinate data storage on the base drive and the plurality of virtual drives. The virtual drive controller system is operable to compute a signature for each data storage block, create a list of data content for each data storage block, wherein the list is sorted according to the signature for each data storage block, locate the signatures for each data storage block that appear on each of the virtual drives, arrange the data storage blocks on the virtual drives so that data storage blocks having data content that is the same, are located in corresponding locations on each of the virtual drives, and remove the data storage blocks having data content that is the same from each of the virtual drives to a data storage drive that is hierarchly above the virtual drives.
US08099551B2 Storage device controller with a plurality of I/O processors requesting data from a plurality of stripe units of a logical volume
Provided is a storage controller capable of improving the access performance to the storage device by preventing an I/O access request to the storage device from being concentrated on certain I/O processors among a plurality of I/O processor, and causing the plurality of I/O processors to issue the I/O access request in a well balanced manner. With this storage control system, a plurality of stripe units are formed by striping the logical volume into a stripe size of an arbitrary storage capacity, and information regarding which I/O processor among the plurality of I/O processors will output the I/O request to which stripe unit among the plurality of stripe units is stored as the control information in the memory.
US08099550B1 System and method for single instance storage
A method and computer program product for defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a storage initiator device and a plurality of storage targets. Each of the plurality of storage targets includes a storage index that identifies one or more data segments stored on the storage target. A write request for storing a data segment within the multicast group is received on the storage initiator device. A “check exist” message is generated that defines the data segment to be stored within the multicast group. The “check exist” message is multicast to the plurality of storage targets included within the multicast group.
US08099549B1 System and method for erasure encoding
A method and computer program product for defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a storage initiator device, a plurality of storage targets, and one or more coded targets. A write request for storing a data segment within the multicast group is received on the storage initiator device. The data segment is multicast to the plurality of storage targets and the one or more coded targets included within the multicast group. A unique data chunk of the data segment is stored on each of the plurality of storage targets. A unique coded chunk of the data segment is generated and stored on each of the one or more coded targets.
US08099548B2 Power efficient media playback on general purpose portable devices
A portable multifunction computing device optimizes cache storage when processing media files and the like. During a playback operation, the device caches as many media items as possible such that during playback media items are retrieved from cache rather than from a hard disk memory. The device monitors memory requirements of other programs and applications currently in use on the device to insure sufficient cache memory is available for such programs and applications.
US08099544B2 Information processing apparatus and nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive
According to one embodiment, a control module of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive has a first erase mode in which an address management table, which is indicative of a correspondency between logical block addresses and physical addresses of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, is initialized to set the memory area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory in a state in which no user data is written, a second erase mode in which the address management table is initialized to set the memory area in a state in which no user data is written, and the blocks, other than a defective block, which are included in the memory area, are erased, and a third erase mode in which the address management table is initialized to set the memory area in a state in which no user data is written, and the blocks, including the defective block, which are included in the memory area, are erased.
US08099541B2 Minivisor entry point in virtual machine monitor address space
In one embodiment, a processor supports an alternate address space during execution of non-guest code (such as a minivisor or a virtual machine monitor (VMM)). The alternate address space may be the guest address space. An instruction in the minivisor/VMM may specify the alternate address space for a data access, permitting the minivisor/VMM to read guest memory state via the alternate address space. In another embodiment, a processor may implement a page table base address register dedicated for the minivisor's use. In still another embodiment, the minivisor may be implemented as a specified entry point in the VMM address space.
US08099537B2 Method, device, and system for transmitting data fragments over multiple transmission lines and techniques for stopping data transmission
It is an object of the invention to inhibit a drop in the data transmission efficiency due to the transmission of an interrupt signal. The invention provides a signal transmission method that is characterized in that a reception side and a transmission side partition data into a plurality of data fragments and send and receive the plurality of data fragments over at least two transmission lines, in that the transmission side transmits first data fragments of the plurality of data fragments over a first transmission line of the transmission lines, transmits data packets that include header information, a second data fragment that has the same bit length as the first data fragments, and footer information over a second transmission line other than the first transmission line, and transmits the first data fragments and the second data fragments in synchronization, and in that an interrupt signal for controlling the transmission side is transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side in a time slot that is an interval between first data fragments that are adjacent on the first transmission line.
US08099531B2 Information processing method and computer program comprising network card wherein a plurality of processors switches use of network card related to setting of resource flag
An information processing apparatus includes a device that performs data processing; and processors, each processor including a device driver corresponding to the device. A device driver set in correspondence with at least one processor has a resource-state holding unit that manages a resource flag indicating which processor is using or is scheduled to use resources used at the time of data processing using the device. At least one processor sets the resource flag to a flag value indicating that at least one processor is scheduled to use the resources in accordance with a schedule of at least one processor to use the device. At least one processor terminates or interrupts use of the device when at least one processor refers to the resource flag and recognizes that another processor is scheduled to use the resources during a period in which at least one processor is using the device.
US08099530B2 Data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus reduces the number of the buffer SRAMs to decrease chip area. The data processing apparatus includes an SDRAM address allocation register that holds information indicating which region of the SDRAM will be allocated to each of the IPs, and a buffer SRAM address allocation register that holds information indicating which region of the first and second buffer SRAMs will be allocated to each of the IPs. The bus I/F stores the data read from the SDRAM into the second buffer SRAM with reference to the SDRAM address allocation register and the buffer SRAM address allocation register. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide each of the IPs with a buffer SRAM, which allows integration into a small number of buffer SRAMs.
US08099522B2 Arrangements for I/O control in a virtualized system
A method for controlling input and output of a virtualized computing platform is disclosed. The method can include creating a device interface definition, assigning an identifier to a paging device and configuring commands useable by a virtual input output server. The commands can be sent to the input output server and can be converted by the input output server into paging device commands. A hypervisor can assist in facilitating the communication configuration. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08099516B1 Protocol independent multicast designated router enhancements for supporting internet group management protocol in a multi-access network
A method and apparatus is disclosed by which IGMP Host messaging is translated to PIM messaging for the purposes of efficiently and accurately maintaining group membership data in a multicast network.
US08099510B2 Relay device and program product, allowing continued communication via an alternative protocol
A communication system in which, even when an HTTP session is disconnected from a mobile device, the HTTP session can be continued or a response from a Web server can be returned to a user, without installing a special application in the mobile device. A load-distributable system is provided for realizing such operation. To that end, in a communication system having a relay device that relays a request from a portable telephone terminal (110) to a Web server (120), the relay device (130) relays a processing request from the portable telephone terminal (110) to the Web server, and stores a processing response from the Web server. The relay device (130) sends the portable telephone terminal a message to the effect that the processing response should be acquired from the relay device (130) or a message with the processing response added.
US08099506B2 Communication system, node device, node process program and a message transmitting and receiving method
A node device in a communication system including plural node devices connected to a network through a relay device including: a means for establishing and retaining session with a first node device which cannot accept session start; and a means for controlling sending and receipt of a message with respect to another node device where the session is established, wherein the means changes sending source network address information included in the message to network address information of an own node device and transmits the message to an addressed node device, and the means judges whether or not the message is a message to be sent to the first node device except for the first node device, and controls to transmit the message to the first node device in a case where it is a message to be sent to the first node device.
US08099500B2 Policy service system architecture for sessions created using STUN
Described herein are embodiments for setting, managing, and monitoring connection policies for a plurality of network paths from a first endpoint to a second endpoint. In embodiments, a set of candidate addresses from a first endpoint and a set of candidate addresses from a second endpoint are received. Each candidate address of the first endpoint is paired with each candidate address of the second endpoint to create a plurality of candidate address pairs. Each candidate address pair has an associated network path. The network path is the route by which data flows to and from the various endpoints. Once all network paths between each candidate address pair have been determined, a connection policy is set for each network address pair and the associated network path.
US08099495B2 Method, apparatus and system for platform identity binding in a network node
Embodiments of apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for binding various platform identities for a policy negotiation are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08099493B2 Method and apparatus for packet analysis in a network
A method and system for extracting useful statistics and information and removing a processing module based on the information to enhance a run-time system on a network interface card is disclosed. The run-time system module feeds information derived from a network packet to processing modules which process the information and generate output such as condensed statistics about the packets traveling through the network. The run-time system can be enhanced to included facilities for removing processing modules without replacing the run-time system module.
US08099491B2 Intelligent node positioning in a site analysis report
In the context of a site analysis report showing paths between nodes, nodes are automatically positioned within the report in an intelligent manner, according to specified criteria so as to provide useful information about the represented pages. For example, the Y-axis can indicate relative depth of a page in the site, while the X-axis represents conversion rate. Alternatively, node position can represent any other quantitatively representable data, either specified as a default or selected by the user. In one embodiment, the automatic positioning can be overridden by a user, if desired.
US08099487B1 Systems and methods for determining placement of virtual machines
Systems and methods are provided for determining an optimized placement for a virtual machine in a virtualized environment on the basis of available performance metrics, in which the virtualized environment includes at least two virtual machines, each hosting at least one application, and at least one virtualized hardware system managed by at least one virtualization server.
US08099483B2 Dynamic source selection within an IP multicast network
A method to perform dynamic source selection within an IP multicast network is performed at a designated router of an IP multicast network. At the designated router within the IP multicast network, a first source of a multicast group is selected to be forwarded to a receiving host or multiple receiving hosts. The first source is monitored to automatically detect when the first source exhibits a predetermined characteristic. At the designated router, responsive to the detection that the first source exhibits the predetermined characteristic, a second source of the multicast group is automatically selected to be forwarded to the receiving host or hosts. The method also supports automatic selection of all normally operating sources and forwarding of the traffic of such sources or channels to the receiving hosts or hosts.
US08099477B2 Network for targeting individual operating a microcomputer regardless of his location
A network adapted to target an individual operating a microcomputer that is linked to an Internet to offer this individual goods or services appropriate to his needs that are available at a place within reach of the individual's present location. The microcomputer is provided with a GPS receiver that indicates the present location of the individual, this location and the identity of the individual being transmitted from the microcomputer to a web site on the highway. At the web site, a computer associated with a data bank storing the profiles of a multitude of consumers is programmed to find out whether the identified individual is included in the data bank, and to determine from his profile whether there are available at a place reachable from his present location appropriate goods or services. If a match is found, an offer to supply such goods or services is conveyed from the web site to the microcomputer.
US08099476B2 Updatable real-time or near real-time streaming
Methods and apparatuses for real-time or near real-time streaming of content using transfer protocols such as an HTTP compliant protocol. In one embodiment, a method includes dividing a stream of data, representing the contiguous time based content of a program (e.g. a live video broadcast), into a plurality of distinct media files, and generating a playlist file having a plurality of tags and Universal Resource Indicators (URIs) indicating an order of presentation of the plurality of distinct media files. The plurality of media files and the playlist file can be made available for transmission to a client device which can retrieve the media files using the playlist file.
US08099475B2 Information terminal
The present invention provides mobile terminals with various types of services such as electronic commerce service, music delivery service, and position information service. User applications required for the electronic commerce service, music delivery service, and position information service are respectively configured as service objects each having a server facility, and further a local gateway is provided, whereby various types of services can be used through a browser.
US08099468B2 Digital camera with communication unit for sending and receiving electronic mail
A digital camera comprises an image-capturing unit that captures an image of a photographic subject and acquires image data, a communication unit for sending and receiving electronic mail data including image data, a recording control unit that records the image data acquired by the image-capturing unit as photographed image data upon a recording medium, an email for sending creation unit that creates an email for sending, to which is attached an image based upon the photographed image data recorded upon the recording medium, an email address setting unit that sets an email address as the destination of the email for sending, and an upper limit setting unit that sets an upper limit of data amount or an upper limit of the number of images, for the image to be sent, according to the email address that is set by the email address setting unit.
US08099464B2 Method and apparatus for providing an instant message notification
An instant messaging client application is provided that receives requests to initiate instant messaging conversations and, in response to the requests, displays a notification window. The notification window includes information that may allow a user to decide whether or not the user would like to participate in the instant messaging conversation. The notification window is displayed gradually and removed gradually. The notification window contains an indication that another instant messaging user would like to initiate an instant messaging conversation and may include an identification of the remote user. The notification window also contains a description of the topic for the requested instant messaging conversation. The instant messaging client application may also display a notification window each time an instant message is received from a remote user and the application window is in a non-visible or non-active window.
US08099463B2 Method and apparatus for sharing concurrent ad hoc web content between users visiting the same web pages
A method and apparatus are provided for sharing concurrent ad hoc Web content between users visiting the same Web domain, sub-domain, section or page. In one example, the method includes associating a user with a current uniform resource locator and Web domain, sub-domain, section or page being browsed by parsing the current uniform resource locator of the current Web page, creating a Web content sharing group by identifying one or more other users with whom the user would like to share, saving current uniform resource locators of pages being browsed calculating a status of the Web content sharing group by determining if any users in the Web content sharing group are currently browsing on a same Web domain, sub-domain, section or page as the user, and communicating the status of the Web content sharing group with a front-end device.
US08099459B2 Content feedback for authors of web syndications
Transmit user feedback from a user to a web syndication author. A first communication link is opened. Content data from the web syndication author is received. The received content data is stored on a first client device. The opened first communication link is terminated after receiving the content data. User behavior data is collected as a function of user interactions with the received content data on the first client device after terminating the first communication link. User feedback including the collected user behavior data is transmitted to the web syndication author by opening a second communication link.
US08099456B2 Application programming interface for implementing directory service access using directory service markup language
A set of DSML application programming interface (DSML API) functions is provided to facilitate the implementation of DSML-based directory service access. The DSML API includes a DSML document API class for building or accessing a DSML payload, and a DSML connection API class that handles connection and transport to a DSML server. To access a directory service, the client calls functions of the DSML document API class to generate a DSML request payload, and calls functions of the DSML connection API to transport a packet with the DSML request payload according to a pre-selected connection protocol, such as SOAP, to the DSML server for forwarding to the directory service.
US08099453B2 System and method for data clustering
A method for data clustering may comprise entering data into a computer network comprising a master processor, an array of slave processors, and two cluster seats associated with each slave processor; executing a master process comprising dividing the data into clusters, sending the clusters to the cluster seats, initializing an optimization cycle, and computing an objective function. The optimization cycle includes the parallel execution by the slave processors of a slave process, which includes exchanging data between paired clusters so as to increase the objective function based on two modalities, and then resorting the cluster pairs for a subsequent iteration of the process.
US08099451B2 Systems and methods for implementing logic in a processor
Systems, methods and media for implementing logic in the arithmetic/logic unit of a processor are disclosed. More particularly, hardware is disclosed for computing logical operations with minimal hardware by organizing the execution unit such that the propagate and generate functions required for the adder can be used as a basis to implement the bitwise logical instructions. The result of these functions is computed before execution of the instruction by an execution macro in the arithmetic/logic unit.
US08099448B2 Arithmetic logic and shifting device for use in a processor
An arithmetic logic and shifting device is disclosed and includes an arithmetic logic unit that has a first input to receive a first operand from a first register port, a second input to receive a second operand from a second register port, and an output to selectively provide a memory address to a memory unit in a first mode of operation and to selectively provide an arithmetic output in a second mode of operation. Further, the arithmetic logic and shifting device includes a programmable shifter device that has a first input to receive data from the memory unit, a second input to receive the arithmetic output, a third input to receive an operation code of a computer execution instruction, and a shifted output to provide shifted data.
US08099446B2 Digital content searching tool
Embodiments of the invention may include a method for searching digital content in a data processing system. The method may include providing a set of sample digital resources. Each sample digital resource may be associated with metadata describing its content, including fields having associated metadata values. A user may select at least one sample digital resource from the set. One or more metadata values of the sample digital resource may be displayed to the user. The user may then select at least a portion of the metadata values. A digital resource having one or more metadata values substantially matching the selected metadata value of the sample digital resource may then be retrieved.
US08099445B1 File dispatcher for multiple application targets
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for selecting an application to be used to manipulate a file in a computing environment. The technique includes receiving a request to manipulate a file, the file having a file type, identifying a plurality of applications associated with the file type in the computing environment, and selecting an application from the plurality of applications associated with the file type based at least in part on context information representing a context of the computing environment. Each of the identified plurality of applications associated with the file type are capable of manipulating files of the file type.
US08099443B2 Apparatus for building address database and method thereof
An apparatus for building an address database and a method includes: an address reading unit for reading an address from an address image; a read result storing unit for storing the read address and an accumulated value that represents the number of reads of the read address; an effective address storing unit for storing an effective address database that includes a plurality of effective addresses that substantially exist; and an effective address extracting unit for storing the read address to the effective address unit according to whether the accumulated value of the read address loaded from the read result storing unit is more than a predetermined threshold value. According to the present invention, the address database is built by verifying the address read from address information that is written on a piece of mail, thereby improving the reliability and completeness of the address database.
US08099437B2 Method and apparatus for selective file erasure using metadata modifications
A process that ensures the virtual destruction of data files a user wishes to erase from a storage medium, such as a hard drive, flash drive, or removable disk. This approach is appropriate for managing custom distributions from a large file sets as it is roughly linear in compute complexity to the number of files erased but is capped when many files are batch erased.
US08099436B2 Methods and systems for automated searching
The present invention provides systems and methods for automating a search over a network such as the Internet. A user selects data such as text from within an application. The selected data is activated and a search is performed without the user having to leave the application. The search is performed while the user is continuing within the application. When the search is complete, the search results are made available to the user within the application from which the search was initiated. In one embodiment, the data is pre-searched and the results are cached such that the results are already available should the user desire. The present invention is particularly suited to integration with an operating system such that the methods of the present invention are thereby available to all applications. Alternatively, the present invention can be specific to a particular application.
US08099435B2 Information exchange engine providing a critical infrastructure layer and methods of use thereof
A virtual record manager and a data exchange engine are provided for dynamically defining data records in a database and for dynamically allocating instances of defined data records. These components are capable of mediating between the database and application and client interface layers to facilitate exchange of information over a network. Embodiments are configured to allow complex data records having a plurality of related fields, and to allow management and exchange of information at both the data field level and data record level.
US08099433B2 Managing information about relationships in a social network via a social timeline
A system, method, and computer program for generating a social timeline is provided. A plurality of data items associated with at least one relationship between users associated with a social network is received, each data item having an associated time. The data items are ordered according to the at least one relationship. A social timeline is generated according to the ordered data items.
US08099425B2 Relational model for management information in network devices
Apparatuses and methods for system management in a heterogeneous environment are provided. For example, relational query from a software application requesting management information from a specified information source is received and translated to native protocol messages according to an access protocol associated with the information source. The native protocol messages are handled as a transaction with the information source and a result of the transaction is returned to the software application.
US08099422B2 System and method for manipulating data using iconic representations
A Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly search engine provides an intuitive means for searching databases, allowing a user to access data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired search term, and the search engine searches the database for all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The database need not have a specific file (in a flat database) or a table (in a relational database) of names. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The search engine then conducts a further search using this criteria and produces a second search result. Further narrowing or broadening of the search are permitted, with the search-on-the-fly search engine returning results based on any new constraints. If the returned data would be too large to be conveniently displayed at a terminal, the search engine executes a truncation routine so that the returned data is easily displayed.
US08099420B2 Accessing data in a data processing system
Access to data items uses names based on the data in the data items; the name of a data item may be based, at least in part, on a function of some or all of the bits that comprise the data item. A data item may comprise an arbitrary sequence of bits. The function may include a hash function or a message digest function. The name of a data item may be compared to a list of names of other data items.
US08099418B2 Information search support method and information search support device
An information search support device includes: a cluster selection history information accumulation unit which accumulates content information of each cluster and cluster selection history information indicating a cluster selected by a user; a degree of certainty calculation unit which calculates a degree of certainty indicating a degree to which a vague search target of the user has been identified, based on the cluster selection history information accumulated; a search target estimation unit which obtains a condition for estimating the search target; a search-omitted information extraction unit which extracts search-omitted information that is included in the cluster that is not selected and is estimated from the obtained condition; and a search-omitted information addition unit which adds, to the cluster selected by the user, the extracted search-omitted information, in the case where the degree of certainty is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.
US08099415B2 Method and apparatus for assessing similarity between online job listings
Job listings retrieved from external sources are pre-processed prior to being stored in the search engine production database and duplicate records identified prior to storage in a production database for the search engine. Inter-source and intra-source hash values are calculated for each job listing and the values compared. Job listings having the same intra-source hash are judged to be duplicates of each other. Descriptions whose intra-source hash values do not match, but whose inter-source hash values match are judged to be duplicate candidates and subject to further processing. Suffixes for each such record are stored to a data structure such as a suffix array and the records searched and compared based on the suffix arrays. Records having a pre-determined number of contiguous words in common are judged to be duplicates. Duplicate records are identified before the data set is stored to the production data base.
US08099403B2 Content identification and management in content distribution networks
Peer-to-peer file sharing and uploading of content to content server systems is increasing in popularity on the Internet. Content signals can be edited and combined with other content programming, and or altered in ways that make it difficult to identify using conventional techniques. Content identification based on content fingerprints is used to retrieve related metadata, which in turn, is used to manage use of the content signal in content distribution systems. The content signal is uploaded to a computer within a network of computers in the content distribution system. A content fingerprint of the content signal is computed and sent to a database to look up related metadata. The metadata is received and used to manage use of the content signal in the content distribution system based on the metadata. This can include blocking uploading or rendering of audio or video, controlling streaming of audio or video, linking to a licensing server, which provides usage control rules, etc.
US08099401B1 Efficiently indexing and searching similar data
Techniques for efficiently indexing and searching similar data are described herein. According to one embodiment, in response to a query for one or more terms received from a client, a query index is accessed to retrieve a list of one or more super files. Each super file is associated with a group of similar files. Each super file includes terms and/or sequences of terms obtained from the associated group of similar files. Thereafter, the super files representing groups of similar files are presented to the client, where each of the super files includes at least one of the queried terms. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08099400B2 Intelligent storing and retrieving in an enterprise data system
A method and system is presented which provides a TDM framework for managing self-describing measurement data. The TDM framework provides applications with a central platform for accessing measurement data across an entire enterprise system. By means of individual plug-ins, which may be specific to a given data file format, meta-data for each data store in the enterprise may be indexed in a unified manner. The unified indexing, in turn, provides the ability to browse and query the indexed measurement data without requiring the opening or reading from a source data file.
US08099398B2 Method for managing a database system
To provide a database which has plural log storage areas, and eliminates the sort in the restoration process by means of the application of logs, thereby carrying out the restoration quickly. A management server allocates DB servers to a corresponding one of plural data storage areas so as to access the corresponding one. The DB servers store data to the allocated data storage areas. When the data is referenced or updated, a log representing a data change history is stored in preset log areas for each data server. When the management server transmits a notification to change the data storage areas, area remapping logs are stored in log areas.
US08099393B2 Transaction in memory object store
Techniques for rating and committing events in an event processing system are provided. Events can be rated at a rating system according to information that is stored locally on the rating system. Rated events can be stored in a database system with these rated events being utilized to, among other things, restore information that is stored locally on the rating system.
US08099390B2 Method and system for managing changes in organizational data in unified messaging systems
A method and system for automatically managing changes to organizational data in a unified messaging (UM) platform are disclosed. A database snapshot is retrieved from a client human resources database. The database snapshot includes human resources information organized in an organizational hierarchy. A change is detected in the database snapshot from a previous database snapshot, and organizational data in the UM platform is automatically modified to reflect the detected change in the database snapshot. When the change is detected in the database snapshot, it is possible for the UM platform to automatically compose and send a message to at least one user associated with the change including potential modifications of the organization data. The organizational data in the UM platform can then be modified only in response to receiving approval of the potential modifications of the organizational data from at least one user associated with the change.
US08099389B2 Method and system for efficiently reducing graphical display data for transmission over a low bandwidth transport protocol mechanism
The present invention improves the performance of distributed systems by reducing the amount of graphical data transmitted between an application server and a thin client. The encoding technique used for graphical data is adapted in response to the repetitiveness of the graphical data during a particular client-server session. Indexes are maintained that are indicative of this repetitiveness and which identify a particular location in the client's cache memory storing the graphical data. Where the index is not found, but a fuzzy key indicates a strong likelihood that the graphical object is located at the client, the client's persistent storage memory is searched for a file name corresponding to the fuzzy key and which stores the graphical object therein.
US08099387B2 Managing consistency groups using heterogeneous replication engines
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for managing consistency groups using heterogeneous replication engines replicating data. A common linkage manager issues a prepare to create consistency group command to a first replication manager and a second replication manager, wherein the first and second replication managers issue create consistency group commands to first and second replication engines, respectively, to form a consistency group of data at a first source storage and a second source storage to copy to a first target storage and second target storage, respectively. The first and second replication managers form a first consistency group and a second consistency group of data from the first and second source storages, respectively, that are consistent as of a point-in-time in response to the create consistency group command; transmitting, by the first and second replication managers, the data in the formed first and second consistency groups to a first journal and second journal, respectively. The first and second replication managers commit the data in the first and second consistency groups in the first and second journals to the first and second target storages, respectively, in response to the first and second replication managers receiving a commit command.
US08099378B2 Secure virtual private network utilizing a diagnostics policy and diagnostics engine to establish a secure network connection
A secure virtual private network (VPN) is described herein. The secure VPN implements standard VPN software with diagnostics to ensure a client device coupling to the VPN is secure. The diagnostics include a policy, a library and an engine where the policy determines what the requirements are for permitting the client device to couple to the VPN. The library stores programs for checking if the client device has any problems. The engine gathers information related to the client device and executes the programs stored within the library. When a user attempts to couple to the VPN with a client device, the server initiates the policy, library and engine to check for issues, and then the user is informed of the issues and/or a mechanism automatically fixes the issues. After the client device is verified as secure, it is able to couple to the VPN for data transfers.
US08099377B2 Decision-making method, decision-making system, and policy decision function
A decision-making method, a decision-making system, and a PDF are disclosed herein. The decision-making method comprises: receiving application session data that carries access network data and access user data; and making policy and charging decisions according to the application session data. Through the decision-making method, decision-making system, and PDF, the application session data comprises access network data and access user data of the UE so that the PCRF can uniquely determine a user according to the access network data or the access user data and the IP address allocated by the network to the UE, and make policy and charging decisions.
US08099371B1 Electronically enabled clearance methodology for improved processing at border crossings
An electronically enabled clearance system and method for improved border crossings. The system and method generate and manage an electronic manifest (e-manifest) and an electronic commercial invoice (e-release) according to legal requirements as well as the requirements of a manufacturer that imports goods from other countries. A third party logistics provider may facilitate the interactions between an importer of manufactured goods, a supplier, a carrier, and a broker by serving as intermediary and hosting computer applications that manage the flow of information. A commercial invoice provides details about the goods in a shipment. A shipment control number (SCN) is associated with each commercial invoice. The e-manifest for a vehicle lists every SCN for the parts shipments loaded on the vehicle and therefore, provides a link to the commercial invoice data detailing information about the parts in the shipment.
US08099369B2 Method and system for securing content in media systems
A method and system for securing transfer, storage, and playback of media content. The method and system relate to securing transfer, storage, and playback of all types of media content, including television, music, electronic games, and other types of electronic data.
US08099368B2 Intermediary service and method for processing financial transaction data with mobile device confirmation
A transaction processing service operates as an intermediary between acquirers of financial transaction requests and issuing institutions that process the financial transaction requests. The intermediary service utilizes a customer's mobile device as an out-of-band communication channel to notify a customer of a received financial transaction request. To send the notification, the intermediary service retrieves stored customer information, including an address of the customer's mobile device and a list of payment instruments that can be used to pay for the transaction. Before continuing to process the received financial transaction request, the service may first require the customer to confirm the transaction via the mobile device. The intermediary service retrieves financial account information associated with the customer from issuing institutions, and, if the transaction is confirmed, provides the account information to acquirers in order to allow transactions to be processed.
US08099367B2 Method and arrangement for variably generating cryptographic securities in a host device
In a method and arrangement for variable generation of cryptographic securities of communications in a host device, for cryptographic security of a communication for a first purpose a first signature is used and for cryptographic security of a communication for a second purpose a second signature is used, the signatures being differentiated from each other by the type of their generation. A cryptologic module has a number of logic circuits and a changeover switch and is arranged externally of the postal security device and is connected at its output with an information input of the postal security device that has a logic circuit that applies a digital signal algorithm to the output signal supplied by the output in order to generate a signature.
US08099366B2 Software distribution method and apparatus
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.
US08099365B2 Extended data collection for multi-merchant purchasing environment for downloadable products
A multi-merchant purchasing system is configured to identify downloadable products selected by a user for purchase. The identified downloadable products are offered by multiple merchants. The multi-merchant purchasing system enables the user to purchase all of the downloadable products in a single transaction. Specifically, the multi-merchant purchasing system determines payment information associated with the user and, with minimum user-interaction, sends the payment information to applications associated with the merchants for processing. The multi-merchant purchasing system may also be configured to receive purchase information from the merchant applications and maintains the purchase information for the user in a locker. The multi-merchant purchasing system may further be configured to automatically download and install the purchased product onto the user's computing device through a software assistant. To ensure privacy and security, the multi-merchant purchasing system may include a credit card quarantine module to secure credit card data by encoding and multiple levels of encryptions. The multi-merchant purchasing system may be further configured to accept a request to collect extended user data related to the user on behalf of merchants and return the collected extended user data to the merchants.
US08099364B2 Digital rights management of content when content is a future live event
A method and system for managing use of items having usage rights associated therewith including a point of capture system adapted to generate content of a future event when the event occurs, a content distributor adapted to generate a rights label having usage rights associated with content of the future event before the content is created, the rights label having a distribution key for encrypting the content as the content is generated, the distribution key being encrypted with a public key. The system also includes a license server adapted to generate a license associate with the content from the rights label before the content is generated, the license including the distribution key encrypted with the public key, and a content distributor adapted to distribute the license before the content is generated.
US08099359B1 System and method for issuing negotiable instruments by licensed money transmitter from direct deposits
Systems and methods for issuing negotiable instruments by a non-bank entity such as a Licensed Money Transmitter, from direct deposits to a regulated financial institution. A customer arranges for direct deposit of funds to a regulated financial institution, such as a bank, that can receive direct deposits. When a direct deposit of funds into an account associated with the customer at the regulated financial institution is detected, the funds are swept into a second, transaction account maintained by the Licensed Money Transmitter. The customer requests issuance of a negotiable instrument from the Licensed Money Transmitter for withdrawing funds or directing that payments be made. The Licensed Money Transmitter, which maintains a network of agent terminals at various locations for disbursing funds to authorized recipients, is responsive to the request for a negotiable instrument for issuing a prepaid negotiable instrument or making payments for the benefit of the customer.
US08099356B2 Method and apparatus system for modeling consumer capacity for future incremental debt in credit scoring
Predicting impact of future actions on subsequent creditworthiness involves developing a prediction model that predicts a statistical interaction of performance expectation with likely post-scoring behavior. Including sensitivity to new, post-scoring date credit behaviors in the analytic solution greatly improves snapshot score predictions. The modeling approach involves multiple snapshots: predictive and performance snapshots, plus an intermediate snapshot shortly after the predictive snapshot to quantify interim consumer behavior post-scoring date. Predictive interaction variables are calculated on the predictive data using simulated consumer profiles before and after assuming a sizeable simulated balance to infer the consumer's tolerance for incremental future debt. Using an adjustor approach in predicting capacity allows isolation of the confounding effect of risk from the capacity determination. A resulting capacity index can be used to rank order originations and line increases according to capacity in consumer, bankcard, automobile and mortgage lending.
US08099354B2 Financial management system and related methods
A financial management system includes a portal which makes transaction information available to a corresponding mutual fund in real time. In one implementation, information related to multiple portals can be presented to a mutual fund. Suitable programming may optionally identify, at least partially, the users associated with transactions associated with a given mutual fund.
US08099347B2 Object oriented system for managing complex financial instruments
Object oriented design strategies and patterns are applied to financial data processing systems for processing and modeling of financial products (also referred to as financial instruments) with an emphasis being on derivative products. The system employs valuation independent, well-defined financial components (also referred to as financial events) that can be combined to build new financial structures. A general purpose software model is provided for representing the structure and characteristics of these products. A declarative specification language is provided to describe financial instruments in a consistent manner that lends itself to processing in such an object oriented system. A general traversal process is provided that can be applied to the macro structure of a financial instrument to implement various functions that produce results based on such information, such as the stream of financial events associated with the instrument, or the pricing or valuation of the instrument. Techniques including double dispatch and other mechanisms are further provided to provide flexible means of associating the appropriate processing methods with the diverse range of instrument characteristics that are encountered in a typical financial institution's course of business.
US08099340B2 Financial transaction controls using sending and receiving control data
A financial transactions control system may impose controls on the processing of financial transaction data that is generated by sending jobs and received and processed by receiving jobs. It may include a control data generating system associated with each of the receiving jobs configured to generate receiving control data that includes at least one total of financial transaction data received by the receiving job, a storage system configured to receive and store the receiving control data and sending control data from each sending job that contains at least one total of financial transaction data sent by the sending job, and an exception identification system configured to analyze the receiving and the sending control data and to communicate an exception when an error in the control data is detected. Sending job processing systems may each have associated control data generating systems of a similar type.
US08099338B2 Management of virtual universe item returns
The present invention relates to relates to the management of virtual universe item returns. A method for in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: initiating a return of a item by a user in a virtual universe; granting control of the return of the item to a return agency, the return agency submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor associated with the item; upon approval of the return request by the vendor, sending instructions to the user to destroy the item; and upon confirmation of the destruction of the item by the user, crediting the user for the return.
US08099336B2 Component inventory management
A component management system can comprise one or more software tools that streamline creation and adjustment of documents that indicate parts stocking requirements for manufacturing assets. The manufacturing assets may comprise machines, sub-assemblies, and the like, while the components comprise parts, tools, and other equipment used to maintain operation of the manufacturing assets. The component management system can be used to enhance authorization processes by handling authority to stock documents online. Furthermore, by interfacing with an enterprise resource planning system, such as SAP, component and inventory management can be made more efficient and flexible. For instance, simulations of future versions of the installed component base can be used to generate component forecast documents useful for proactive component management. As another example, by handling asset definition and authority to stock in an online form, information can be easily retrieved from and uploaded to an enterprise resource management system.
US08099335B2 Method and system for determining billing information in a tag fabrication process
A method for determining billing information for a tag application process for billing a customer using the tag application process, includes the steps of determining a cost component of said tag fabrication process and determining billing information in accordance with said cost component. The customer is billed in accordance with said determined billing information.
US08099330B1 System and method for soliciting and receiving merchandise orders
A rider signal is transmitted over programming signal. The rider signal is stored in a rider buffer and includes merchandise ordering data. When a user wishes to order the merchandise, the system establish a channel of communication with an ordering center and places an order according to the data in the rider buffer. The system is particularly useful for implementation in car audio systems and personal computers.
US08099329B2 Systems and methods for determining taxes owed for financial transactions conducted over a network
Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions.
US08099327B2 Auctioneer
A system and method select bids for a plurality of media plays, such as advertising spots on radio stations. Users provide bids for the medial plays and may select providers of the media plays and a time period of the media play. The media plays are associated with the bids. The bids are allocated to the media plays, and winning bids are selected.
US08099326B2 Traffic estimator
Systems, methods, and a user interface are used for bidding on media plays. The user can specify criteria for play of the media play, including times, stations, and budgets. A traffic estimator uses historical data to estimate bids and auctions, and the likelihood of winning, for generating listener traffic based on the criteria.
US08099322B2 Time factor feature generation system, time factor feature generation method and time factor feature generation program
A time factor feature generation system includes: a use status grasping portion that extracts transition data showing variations in degree of use of a site from log data; a variation data generating portion that generates, based on the transition data, variation data expressing the variations in degree of use of the site as a group Y of values showing the degree of use of the site; a time factor data recording portion in which a plurality of time factors and time factor values of each of the plurality of time factors are recorded; a time factor extracting portion that generates groups Di of time factor values, each of which corresponds to a time factor extracted from among the plurality of time factors; and a time factor feature generating portion 13 that calculates coefficients ai such that a square of an error b has a minimum value in an equation in which the groups Di and the group Y are used as an explaining variable and an explained variable, respectively, thereby to generate data showing a time factor feature of a use status of the site. By this configuration, the time factor feature generation system generates data quantitatively showing a time factor feature of a use status of a site.
US08099319B2 Systems, methods and computer program products for modeling costs and profitability of a good
Systems, methods and computer program products for determining a learning curve value and modeling an associated profitability of a good are provided. According to one method of determining a learning curve value, recurring costs of producing each unit of the good are modeled as a function of potential learning curve values. Nonrecurring costs of producing each unit of the good are then modeled as a function of potential learning curve values. Next, the learning curve value is determined based upon the recurring costs model and the nonrecurring costs value such that the sum of the recurring costs and nonrecurring costs at the determined learning curve value is minimized over the potential learning curve values.
US08099313B2 Method and system for the orchestration of tasks on consumer electronics
A method of representing user tasks to be performed by one or more of a plurality of electronic devices in a task orchestration system. Each device includes therein a function description specifying a function that the device can perform. The function descriptions are obtained from one or more of the devices, task descriptions that describe device functionalities required for certain tasks are obtained, and task suggestion are generated based on the obtained device function descriptions and task descriptions. Each task suggestion represents a user task as an abstraction of on or more of the obtained device descriptions and task descriptions. The tasks suggestion are displayed on a display for the user to select from, wherein the user selected task suggestion is to be performed by orchestration (automation) of one or more of the devices based on task descriptions that use device functionalities described in the device function descriptions.
US08099308B2 Method and system for vehicle service appointments based on diagnostic trouble codes
Methods and systems are provided for the analysis of one or more diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and for the scheduling of vehicle service appointments based at least in part on the DTC analysis. The method involves analyzing the received DTCs to determine an underlying problem. Once the underlying problem is determined, the parts and estimated repair time needed to repair the problem is determined. In one approach, the selection of the proposed slot for the service appointment involves coordinating numerous factors, such as the availability of needed parts, the user's scheduling preferences, and the availability of slots in the dealer's service schedule.
US08099306B2 Pharmacy episodes of care
A computer-implemented method for grouping, categorizing, and profiling pharmaceutical claims data to assist health care managers in determining (a) medication treatment experience, outcomes, and medication compliance behaviors of patients and (b) appropriate drug prescribing, medication coordination, and cost-efficiency of health care providers. An objective means is provided for categorizing and quantifying patterns of prescription drug utilization as a health care service within a clinically relevant time frame. A pharmacy episode group (PEG) is a pharmacologically homogenous grouping of drugs with the same therapeutic ingredients used by a patient once or over an extended period of time. The PEG is a patient-centered pharmacy classification unit, which uses script-level pharmacy claim data as input data and assigns each script to the appropriate episode. Pharmacy episodes are categorized based on algorithms linking the pattern of a physician's recommended use (drug supply) and the patient's pattern of compliance (intervals between fill dates). The system also identifies multi-drug and concurrent use drug episodes, flags patients' records where intervals between scripts suggest non-compliance with recommended therapy, selects the most recent claims, resets windows (episode start and end dates), and ultimately assigns all pharmacy claims to episodes.
US08099304B2 System and user interface for processing patient medical data
A clinical data processing system systematically organizes and analyzes clinically significant information of a patient using a result flag indicating a critical or abnormal result to automate display of a view of clinical data in various contexts including diagnosis, insurance, medical complaint assessment and others to improve patient care. A system for use in processing patient clinical data for access by a user includes a repository associating an observation with a clinical significance indicator and with data indicating observations relevant to evaluation of the observation having the associated clinical significance indicator. A clinical data processor uses the repository fork automatically providing data for display in response to receiving data representing an input observation and an associated clinical significance indicator. The data for display supports a user in making a patient assessment and includes the input observation and associated relevant clinical data items. A display processor initiates generation of data representing an image including the data for display.
US08099303B1 Method of providing enhanced health care, finance and benefit information via a personal health finance and benefits statement
The present invention relates to a method of providing enhanced health care, finance and benefit information via a personal health finance and benefit statement. Health statements may contain, for example, medical and pharmacy claim information, health care account information, and health related information for individuals. These 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.
US08099299B2 System and method for mapping structural and functional deviations in an anatomical region
A data processing technique is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes accessing individual patient deviation maps indicative of a structural difference and a functional difference, respectively, of at least one anatomical region of a patient with respect to standardized reference image data. The method may also include generating a composite patient deviation map indicative of both the structural difference and the functional difference based on at least the individual patient deviation maps, and outputting the composite patient deviation map. Additional methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.
US08099294B2 Inventory control and optimization
A method of revenue management of an inventory of items in order to optimize the availability of one or several item(s) requested by a user, method comprising the steps of calculating an online estimate of a first element associated with the request; calculating an online estimate of a second element associated with the request; comparing the estimate of the first and second element to determine whether or not requested items can be granted to the requestor. The optimized calculations take place in real time and are handled by a single on-line system that does not need to rely on uploads of recommendations from an external off-line optimization system.
US08099292B2 Multi-channel audio encoding and decoding
An audio encoder and decoder use architectures and techniques that improve the efficiency of multi-channel audio coding and decoding. The described strategies include various techniques and tools, which can be used in combination or independently. For example, an audio encoder performs a pre-processing multi-channel transform on multi-channel audio data, varying the transform so as to control quality. The encoder groups multiple windows from different channels into one or more tiles and outputs tile configuration information, which allows the encoder to isolate transients that appear in a particular channel with small windows, but use large windows in other channels. Using a variety of techniques, the encoder performs flexible multi-channel transforms that effectively take advantage of inter-channel correlation. An audio decoder performs corresponding processing and decoding. In addition, the decoder performs a post-processing multi-channel transform for any of multiple different purposes.
US08099282B2 Voice conversion system
A voice conversion training system, voice conversion system, voice conversion client-server system, and program that realize voice conversion to be performed with low load of training are provided.In a server 10, an intermediate conversion function generation unit 101 generates an intermediate conversion function F, and a target conversion function generation unit 102 generates a target conversion function G. In a mobile terminal 20, an intermediate voice conversion unit 211 uses the conversion function F to generate speech of an intermediate speaker from speech of a source speaker, and a target voice conversion unit 212 uses the conversion function G to convert speech of the intermediate speaker speech generated by the intermediate voice conversion unit 211 to speech of a target speaker.
US08099280B2 Speech recognition method and speech recognition apparatus
A speech recognition method in which, upon speech recognition with use of a model composed of subwords such as triphones depending on a plurality of context, inhibiting hypotheses from extending according to the plurality of contexts so that a processing rate of the speech recognition is increased. In computing a likelihood of an acoustic model referred to upon computation of an accumulated likelihood of a hypothesis through the speech recognition, with respect to each hypothesis, at least one subword model determined depending on its context subwords is referred to, likelihoods of a speech to be recognized and acoustic models of the respective subword models are computed, and the maximum value of the computed likelihoods is set as a likelihood of an acoustic model corresponding to the hypothesis.
US08099279B2 Interactive clustering method for identifying problems in speech applications
A method of aiding a speech recognition program developer by grouping calls passing through an identified question-answer (QA) state or transition into clusters based on causes of problems associated with the calls is provided. The method includes determining a number of clusters into which a plurality of calls will be grouped. Then, the plurality of calls is at least partially randomly assigned to the different clusters. Model parameters are estimated using clustering information based upon the assignment of the plurality of calls to the different clusters. Individual probabilities are calculated for each of the plurality of calls using the estimated model parameters. The individual probabilities are indicative of a likelihood that the corresponding call belongs to a particular cluster. The plurality of calls is then re-assigned to the different clusters based upon the calculated probabilities. These steps are then repeated until the grouping of the plurality of calls achieves a desired stability.
US08099276B2 Sound quality control device and sound quality control method
According to one embodiment, a sound quality control device includes: a time domain analysis module configured to perform a time-domain analysis on an audio-input signal; a frequency domain analysis module configured to perform a frequency-domain analysis on a frequency-domain signal; a first calculation module configured to calculate first speech/music scores based on the analysis results; a compensation filtering processing module configured to generate a filtered signal; a second calculation module configured to calculate second speech/music scores based on the filtered signal; a score correction module configured to generate one of corrected speech/music scores based on a difference between the first speech/music score and the second speech/music score; and a sound quality control module configured to control a sound quality of the audio-input signal based on the one of the corrected speech/music scores.
US08099274B2 Facilitating input/output processing of one or more guest processing systems
An article of manufacture, method and system are provided for facilitating input/output (I/O) processing of at least one guest processing system. The article of manufacture includes at least one computer-usable medium having computer-readable program code logic to facilitate the I/O processing of the at least one guest processing system. The computer-readable program code logic when executing performing the following: emulating on a native system an I/O architecture for the at least one guest processing system, the emulating including: providing multiple device managers for a plurality of I/O devices of the I/O architecture; providing at least one communications adapter process interfacing the multiple device managers to the at least one network driver process; and wherein the multiple device managers translate I/O messages in at least one guest processing system format to messages in native system format for processing by the at least one communications adapter process, thereby facilitating I/O processing.
US08099272B2 Multi-layered model for survivability analysis of network services
A system and method of using a multi-layered network model for analyzing the survivability of network services. The model is defined in terms of layers, connections, entities, physical processing elements, physical network elements, and physical infrastructure elements. Network services are modeled by sets of communicating entities at the application layer that are connected by connections at the underlying layers. The generality of the model constructs enable the construction of models of complex networks and services that can involve multiple layers of communication protocols, network elements, processing elements, and failover/backup mechanisms. The service survivability of a network is analyzed by projecting the failure of a set of physical elements onto the model and then determining the proportion of service affected at the application layer.
US08099269B2 Two-step simulation methodology for aging simulations
The present invention is a method and system for simulating the aging process of a circuit. A two-step process is employed whereby, in a first simulation step, a simulation is conducted to obtain node voltages for the original circuit and the node voltages are stored in a file. In the second step, a subsequent simulation is run after transistors of the circuit are replaced by aging subcircuits, which contain aging models, and initial node voltages are updated. A script is used to set the bias voltage inputs for the aging models using the node voltages stored in the file from the first step. With more accurate bias voltage inputs for the aging models, the aging simulations are conducted to compute the circuit degradation.
US08099268B2 Tooth modeling
The present disclosure includes dental appliances, devices, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a method for tooth modeling includes receiving a patient information file for a treatment plan patient and analyzing the patient information file to determine whether the patient is a non-adult patient.
US08099264B2 Geospatial modeling system providing inpainting and error calculation features and related methods
A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial model data storage device and a processor. The processor may cooperate with the geospatial model data storage device for identifying a plurality of localized error regions within a geospatial model data set, calculating an overall error value for the geospatial model data set, and inpainting at least one of the localized error regions and re-calculating the overall error value, and stopping inpainting when the overall error value is below an error threshold.
US08099262B2 Estimation of clinical cut-offs
Methods and systems for improving the accuracy of predicting resistance of a disease to a drug are described. More specifically, methods for assessing the impact of pre-existing variations in drug susceptibility, whether naturally occurring or selected by previous drug exposure, on treatment response in order to establish clinically relevant cut-off values for phenotypic or genotypic resistance tests are described.
US08099260B2 Analysis error detection for a CAD model
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying an analytical representation of a plurality of physical elements in a computer aided design (CAD) model, the analytical representation comprising a plurality of analytical elements. one or more of the plurality of analytical elements corresponds to one or more of the plurality physical elements. An association is identified between corresponding analytical and physical elements such that a modification to one element can be applied to modify a corresponding other. An error is automatically detected in the analytical representation.
US08099256B2 Method of determining the dimensions of a mailpiece
A method of determining the dimensions of a mailpiece by means of a portable measuring device having a housing provided with an opening having a side reference surface along which the mailpiece is guided under a position sensor in a first pass along a first dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the first dimension of the mailpiece is determined by a processing unit and is communicated to a franking system to which the portable measuring device is connected, and in a second pass along a second dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the second dimension of the mailpiece is determined by the processing unit and is communicated to the franking system.
US08099255B2 System and method for measuring shaft deflection in a wind turbine
A measurement system and a method for measuring a net deflection of a shaft in a wind turbine are disclosed. The measurement system includes at least one first sensor positioned proximate a first shaft component, the at least one first sensor configured to measure at least one first deflection of the first shaft component, and at least one second sensor configured to measure at least one reference deflection. The measurement system further includes a base, wherein the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor are coupled together and configured on the base, and a processor configured to calculate the net deflection of the shaft utilizing the at least one first deflection and the at least one reference deflection.
US08099252B2 Self-test power management unit
Systems and methods are disclosed for a self-testing power management unit (PMU) in an electronic device. Self-testing may enable the testing of PMU power supply outputs while reducing the need for test points to conserve circuit board real estate. In one embodiment, a PMU is placed in self-test mode, and a test controller may perform capacitance tests on each power supply output. Once the capacitance test has been performed on each power supply output, the PMU may be placed in normal operating mode, and voltage tests may be performed on each power rail. Once voltage tests have been performed on all power rails in the PMU, the self-test may be complete. In some embodiments, the test controller may communicate with a test multiplexer to select the power supply output for testing. Further, the measurements resulting from the capacitance and voltage tests may be converted to a digital signal through an analog-to-digital converter on the PMU.
US08099249B2 Method and system for detection and compensation of a rapid temperature change on a pressure measurement cell
The invention is a method and system for detection and compensation of a rapid change in temperature on a pressure measurement cell, in which a measurement signal proportional to the deflection of a diaphragm is generated by means of a sensor. A reference signal proportional to the deflection of the diaphragm is generated by a second sensor; and, measured values are generated by a microprocessor from the measurement signal while the respective reference values are generated from the reference signal. The reference values are compared with the expected values from a tolerance band, and either a pressure-induced deflection of the diaphragm is detected when there is a correspondence, and the measured values are output as measured values for the measured pressure; or, if there is not a correspondence, a deflection of the diaphragm due to a rapid change in temperature is detected, the measured values are corrected and output.
US08099245B2 Crystallographic structure of Trypanosoma cruzi proline racemase and uses therefor
The present invention provides the crystal structure of the Trypanosoma cruzi PRACA proline racemase. Methods of modelling drugs that treat or prevent infection by T. cruzi are also provided, as are the drugs that are identified.
US08099243B2 Methods for quantifying a concentration of a target nucleic acid
A method and system for determining the quantity of an analyte initially present in a chemical and or biological reaction as well as a computer implemented method and system to automate portions of the analysis comprising mathematical or graphical analysis of an amplification reaction.
US08099239B2 Electromagnetic surveying for resistive or conductive bodies
A method of analyzing electromagnetic survey data from an area of seafloor (6) that is thought or known to contain a conductive or resistive body, such as a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir (12), is described. The method includes providing electric field data and magnetic field data, for example magnetic flux density, obtained by at least one receiver (25) from a horizontal electric dipole (HED) transmitter (22) and determining a vertical gradient in the electric field data. The vertical gradient in the electric field data and the magnetic field data are then combined to generate combined response data. The combined response data is compared with background data specific to the area being surveyed to obtain difference data sensitive to the presence of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir. Because the combined response data are relatively insensitive to the transverse electric (TE) mode component of the transmitted signal, the method allows hydrocarbon reservoirs to be detected in shallow water where the TE mode component interacting with the air would otherwise dominate. Furthermore, because there is no mixing between the TE and transverse magnetic (TM) modes in the combined response data, data from all possible transmitter and receiver orientations may be used. The background data may be provided by magneto-telluric surveying, controlled source electromagnetic surveying or from direct geophysical measurement.
US08099236B2 GPS navigator
Disclosed is a method and system for identifying a location of interest between a user and an identified endpoint and computing at least one reference vector based on current positional information, current velocity information, and an identified endpoint. A sampling bandwidth is designated based on at least one of current velocity information, current positional information, and current distance to the identified endpoint. One or more locations of interest between the user and the identified endpoint are identified within the sampling bandwidth. A sampling vector is calculated for at least one of the one or more locations of interest within the sampling bandwidth, and the user is alerted to the sampling vector for the at least one location of interest within the sampling bandwidth.
US08099235B2 Mobile unit and system having integrated mapping, communications and tracking
A handheld device and system, in which such device and system include at least one mapping module, at least one tracking module interoperative with said at least one mapping module, at least one communications module interoperative with each of said at least one tracking module and said at least one mapping module, at least two antennae communicatively connected via said at least one communications module to at least one central processing unit, wherein at least one of said at least two antenna is suitable for communications using at least two distinct communication modes.
US08099234B1 System, apparatus, and method for generating location information on an aircraft display unit using location markers
A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for presenting information to the pilot on an aircraft display unit employed in a synthetic vision system (“SVS”), an enhanced vision system (“EVS”), or combined system. Information regarding the locations of visible and invisible objects related to aviation such as airports, navigation aids and facilities, and airspace are provided by location markers. Data representative of the terrain and location of objects depicted in a scene outside the aircraft are retrieved from one or more data sources. An image generating processor generates an image data set representative of a three-dimensional perspective view of a scene outside the aircraft, wherein the image data set is determined as a function of the terrain data and location marker data associated with the location data. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, a Head-Up Display unit, or both.
US08099230B2 Method to enchance light load HCCI combustion control using measurement of cylinder pressures
A method for controlling an amount of fuel reforming in an internal combustion engine configured to selectively operate in a homogeneous charge compression-ignition combustion mode with an exhaust recompression strategy includes monitoring in-cylinder pressures during a current combustion cycle, utilizing the monitored in-cylinder pressures to project reforming required in a next combustion cycle, and controlling the next combustion cycle based on the projected reforming required in the next combustion cycle.
US08099228B2 Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which can generate exhaust pressure pulsation at an early period while suppressing the degradation of volumetric efficiency and can effectively utilize a scavenging effect while softening a torque difference, when a request to enhance the exhaust pressure pulsation is made in the internal combustion engine which includes a variable valve mechanism that makes a valve overlap period changeable, and a variable nozzle type turbocharger.
US08099225B2 Fuel injection system and method for injecting fuel
The invention relates to a fuel injection system having at least one fuel injector, which includes an electrically operable actuator. In order to reduce the hydraulic distances between two injections, a voltage-smoothing or voltage-dampening electric device is connected in parallel to the actuator.
US08099224B2 Internal combustion engine control for improved fuel efficiency
A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines are described. Generally, an engine is controlled to operate in a skip fire variable displacement mode. In various embodiments, the appropriate firings are determined dynamically during operation of the engine on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis and/or without the use of predefined firing patterns.
US08099221B2 Method and system for controlling an engine and transmission using a dual request closed loop request
A method and control module for operating a vehicle powertrain in response to a cruise control includes a primary closed loop control module generating a primary closed loop control signal and a primary torque request signal based on the primary closed loop control signal. The control module also includes a secondary closed loop control module generating a secondary closed loop control signal and a secondary torque request signal based on the secondary closed loop control signal. A transmission control module controls a transmission based on the primary torque request control signal and the secondary torque request signal.
US08099219B2 Method and apparatus for securing an operating range state mechanical transmission
A hybrid powertrain system includes a transmission operative in a plurality of operating range states. An operating range state can be secured, including assigning each operating range state to a group that can be verified, monitoring a transition path from a first to a second operating range state, and monitoring a torque equation for the present operating range state.
US08099214B2 Path planning for autonomous parking
A method is provided for determining a vehicle path for autonomously parallel parking a vehicle in a space between a first object and a second object. A distance is remotely sensed between the first object and the second object. A determination is made whether the distance is sufficient to parallel park the vehicle between. A first position to initiate a parallel parking maneuver is determined. A second position within the available parking space corresponding to an end position of the vehicle path is determined. A first arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the first position and an intermediate position, and a second arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the second position and the intermediate position. The first arc shaped trajectory is complementary to the second arc shaped trajectory for forming a clothoid which provides a smoothed rearward steering maneuver between the first position to the second position.
US08099213B2 Road-edge detection
A method is provided for detecting road-side edges in a road segment using a light-based sensing system. Input range data is captured using the light-based sensing system. An elevation-based road segment is generated based on the captured input range data. The elevation-based road segment is processed by filtering techniques to identify the road segment candidate region and by pattern recognition techniques to determine whether the candidate region is a road segment. The input range data is also projected onto the ground plane for further validation. The line representation of the projected points are identified. The line representation of the candidate regions is compared to a simple road/road-edge model in the top-down view to determine whether the candidate region is a road segment with its edges. The proposed method provides fast processing speeds and reliable detection performance for both road and road-side edges simultaneously in the captured range data.
US08099208B2 Driving diagnosis apparatus and driving diagnosis system
A driving diagnosis apparatus temporarily records a diagnosis result of the user before changed when a user is switched, and starts to diagnose the user after changed. Accordingly, since driving status of each user is independently diagnosed, the diagnosis result is proper. Further, when a driving distance of the vehicle is smaller than a threshold, the diagnosis result of a driving interval is not recorded so that the driving interval is removed from an object of giving a point. Influence to environment is also considered in evaluation of the driving status. Accordingly, in the driving diagnosis apparatus and a driving diagnosis system for diagnosing driving status and for evaluating a driver based on the diagnosis result, the diagnosis and the evaluation are properly performed.
US08099207B2 Method for determining the performance of motor vehicle consumables
Method for determining the performance of a motor vehicle consumable, including engine lubricant, fuel and tires in a motor vehicle having an engine with at least one fuel injection valve, a lubricating system and a CANbus network having at least three network nodes, each operably connected to a computer. The method includes operating the vehicle while supplying the engine with fuel through a fuel injection valve and lubricating the engine with the engine lubricant. A first CANbus network node transmits to the computer a signal indicative of the engine fuelling rate based upon the opening time of a fuel injection valve. One or more second CANbus network nodes transmit signals to the computer indicative of one or more variables indicative of the power output of the engine, and one or more third CANbus network nodes transmit signals to the computer indicative of the vehicle operating conditions. The computer calculates a corrected power output indicative of the power output of the engine corrected for the vehicle operating conditions using the one or more signals transmitted to the computer by the second and third CANbus network nodes and a pre-determined algorithm, and the computer transmits and/or stores the corrected power output and the signal indicative of the engine fuelling rate.
US08099204B2 Method for controlling electric boost in a hybrid powertrain
A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an input member of a transmission operative to transmit power between the input member, a torque machine and an output member. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. The engine is selectively operative in engine states comprising an engine-on state and an engine-off state. A method for controlling a powertrain system includes determining a first power range for output power of the energy storage device, commanding the engine to transition from a first engine state to a second engine state, and expanding the first power range of the energy storage device and controlling the torque machine based upon the expanded power range of the energy storage device during the transition from the first engine state to the second engine state.
US08099203B2 Method to autostart an internal combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain system
Internal combustion engine autostarting includes selecting from among several autostart processes in accordance with desired input torque from the engine to the transmission, cranking the engine, and fueling the engine during the engine cranking based upon the selected engine autostart process.
US08099201B1 Vertical profile display with enhanced temporal depiction of navigation information
The present example a vertical profile display system with enhanced temporal depiction of navigation information. Such a display, or user interface, may advantageously display information relating to the terrain an aircraft is traveling through based on time ahead of the aircraft to a terrain feature or event, rather than distance to the feature or event. Time to a particular feature may typically be displayed with altitude of the aircraft displayed on the Y-axis. However in alternative examples other types of displays, such as three dimensional displays and the like may be substituted for a two dimensional Cartesian display.
US08099200B2 Vehicle interface based on the weight distribution of a user
In one embodiment, the invention is an interface for communicating a vehicle command from a user to a vehicle. The interface preferably includes a support system to support at least a portion of the weight of a user, a sensor system to sense the weight distribution of the user, and a processor to interpret a vehicle command based on the weight distribution of the user and to communicate the vehicle command to a vehicle.
US08099195B2 Multi-network communication interfaces for wireless energy networks
According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for an energy management system includes a controller having an application interface configured to use at least a portion of an incoming message communicated using a home energy network at a residential site. The incoming message includes at least a portion of a first user energy management schedule, and the controller is capable of altering use of a resource in response to the first user energy management schedule. A first communication interface is operably coupled to the application interface and configured to communicate with a first network operably associated with the home energy network; and a second communication interface is operably coupled to the application interface and configured to communicate with a second network operably associated with the home energy network, wherein the second network is different than the first network.
US08099193B2 Control system for an industrial robot
A control system for controlling an industrial robot and a method thereof. A control unit generates a control signal for controlling the motor. At least one drive unit controls the motor. The drive unit includes a switching unit adapted to convert DC current to alternating current to the motor in dependence on the control signal. A safety unit generates a stop signal for stopping the robot upon occurrence of a safety event. The drive unit disables the switching unit upon receiving the stop signal. The safety unit generates the stop signal with a time delay with respect to the safety event. The control unit generates the control signal in such a way that the motor is electrically braked during the time delay. The control system transfers the stop signal to the brake, which mechanically brakes the motor upon receiving the stop signal, and delays the stop signal to the drive unit so that the brake receives the stop signal before the drive unit to ensure that the mechanical brake is applied before the switching unit is disabled.
US08099191B2 Robot service system and a method for providing remote service for a robot
A robot service system including a robot including least one manipulator and a controller controlling the motion of the manipulator. A remote service center includes an analyzing computer, and a communication line between the robot controller and the remote service center. A monitoring component is configured to monitor the current operation of the controller and the current motions of the manipulator, and to transmit information on the current operation of the controller and the current motions of the manipulator to the remote service center. The analyzing computer is configured, upon request, to calculate new maximum permissible performance parameters for the robot based on the received information and to transmit the new maximum permissible performance parameters to the robot controller. The analyzing computer is further configured to calculate one or more monitoring parameter, and the monitoring component is further configured to supervise that the robot is not run outside allowed limits based on the monitoring parameters.
US08099189B2 Ball robot
Ball robot comprising a shell, a diametric main axle, at least one pendulum, and a drive mechanism comprising at least two drive motors, wherein the drive motors are arranged on the pendulum(s) in the vicinity of the inner surface of the shell. There is also provided a ball robot with a ball shaped shell, a diametric axle attached to the shell concentric with the main axis of rotation of the shell, and a drive mechanism located inside the shell and supported by the diametric axle, wherein the diametric axle is arranged to accommodate for dimensional changes of the shell along the main axis of rotation.
US08099186B2 Satellite navigation using long-term navigation information and autonomous orbit control
An improved approach to satellite-based navigation (e.g., GPS) is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a nominal orbital path of a navigation satellite. The method also includes transmitting ephemeris data corresponding to the nominal orbital path from the navigation satellite to a plurality of navigation devices. The method further includes determining an actual orbital path of the navigation satellite locally at the navigation satellite. In addition, the method includes determining a deviation between the actual orbital path and the nominal orbital path locally at the navigation satellite. The method also includes autonomously adjusting the actual orbital path locally at the navigation satellite to reduce the deviation between the actual orbital path and the nominal orbital path.
US08099185B2 Control method for garment sewing
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and device for making garment. One embodiment, for example, includes a system that comprises a processing device and a sewing module that sews garment material to facilitate making the garment. The system further comprises memory that includes a thread count manager having instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executed by the processing device and include logic configured to instruct the sewing module to sew the garment material based on counting threads of the garment material rather than using the geometric shape of pieces of garment material.
US08099181B2 Method for the computer-aided regulation and/or control of a technical system, especially a gas turbine
A method for the computer-aided regulation and/or control of a technical system is provided. In the method, first a simulation model of the technical system is created, to which subsequently a plurality of learning and/or optimization methods are applied. Based on the results of these methods, the method best suited for the technical system is selected. The selected learning and/or optimization method is then used to regulate the technical system. Based on the simulation model, the method can thus be used to train an initial controller, which can be used as an intelligent controller, and is not modified during further regulation of the technical system.
US08099179B2 Fault tolerant control system
A dual-redundant propulsion-by-wire control architecture with robust monitoring is presented to increase system availability without compromising safety. The dual-redundant controllers are able to cross-monitor and self-monitor. Self monitoring is effected at the application level and built-in system tests are performed. The monitor functions are set as high priority tasks. The first controller controls operation of a first propulsion system, monitors operation of a second controller, and, self-monitors. The second controller controls operation of a second propulsion system, monitors operation of the first controller, and, self-monitors. Each controller is operable to identify faults occurring in the first and the second controller, and implement an alternate operating control scheme for the respective propulsion system when a fault is identified. The first controller is signally connected to the second controller by substantially redundant communications buses.
US08099175B2 Medical electrical lead with proximal armoring
A medical electrical lead includes a flexible, insulative body defining a proximal region, an intermediate region, and a distal region. The proximal region is configured to be implanted at a subcutaneous implantation site, and is dimensioned to extend from an implantation location of the pulse generator to a location distal to a cardiovascular system entry site. The intermediate region is configured to extend distally from the proximal region to a location distal to a superior vena cava of a patient's heart, and the distal region is configured to extend distally from the intermediate region within the patient's heart. The lead further includes an armoring layer disposed on the lead body covering at least the proximal region.
US08099170B2 Electrical stimulation based on phase response mapping
This disclosure describes techniques for delivering electrical stimulation at one or more phases relative to an ongoing oscillating signal in a patient, and then mapping the response to the oscillating signal. The techniques may reduce or eliminate the oscillating signal. In one example, the disclosure is directed to a method that includes delivering a set of first electrical stimulation at a plurality of phases relative to an oscillating signal, measuring a response in the oscillating signal to the set of first electrical stimulation after delivering electrical stimulation at each respective phase of the plurality of phases, determining a phase at which to deliver second electrical stimulation based on the measured responses, and delivering the second electrical stimulation to the patient at the determined phase to produce a therapeutic effect.
US08099169B1 Methods and systems for providing a power signal to an implantable device
A push-pull amplifier efficiency provides a 4:1 (12 dB) course adjustment of power output by using a single digital control input. The amplifier is provided with an input voltage (VDD) having sixteen steps ranging from 1.25 volts to 3.00 volts. Based on the digital control, an integrated circuit switches between a high power mode and a low power mode. In the low power mode, the output voltage is equivalent to the input voltage. In the high power mode, the amplifier provides an output of twice the input voltage (or four times the power).
US08099167B1 Methods and apparatus for treating anaphylaxis using electrical modulation
Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.
US08099166B2 Implantable medical device with lead failure detection
An implantable heart stimulating device has an ECG sensing unit to receive heart potential signals from sensing electrodes at an electrode lead arranged in connection with a patient's heart. The ECG sensing unit is provided with a programmable make-break threshold. The device further has a timer adapted to generate a make-break detection period, and a counter. The counter is adapted to count the number of times that the amplitude of the heart potential signal exceeds the programmable make-break threshold during the make-break detection period. When the number of times is higher than a predetermined value, the ECG obtained during the make-break detection period is stored in an ECG storage unit.
US08099163B2 Automated defibrillator
One aspect relates to defibrillating an individual potentially in an absence of any human assistance including that from the individual. Another aspect relates to positioning an electrode in electrical proximity to an individual when the individual is in an unusual defibrillating position; and applying a defibrillating charge to the individual at least partially via the electrode when the individual is in the unusual defibrillating position. Yet another aspect relates to securing at least one defibrillating electrode outside of a material associated with an individual relative to the individual; and extending at least one extensible electric contact(s) from the at least one defibrillating electrode through the material into an electric contact with at least a portion of the individual.
US08099161B2 Systems and methods for determining vessel compliance
The disclosure of the present application provides for systems and methods for determining a phasic change in a vessel and vessel compliance. In at least one exemplary method for determining a phasic change in a vessel, the method comprises the steps of introducing a device into a site within a vessel, operating the device in connection with two or more fluid injections in the vessel to obtain two or more conductance values, calculating a parallel conductance value and a total conductance value, and calculating a phasic change in at least one vessel parameter based in part upon the calculated parallel conductance value and the calculated total conductance value. In an exemplary method for determining vessel compliance, the method comprises, in part, the steps of calculating a first vessel parameter and a second vessel parameter based on at least two conductance values, calculating a change in vessel parameter based upon the first and second vessel parameters, and calculating vessel compliance based upon the relationship between the change in vessel parameter and a change in pressure during a cardiac cycle.
US08099155B2 Method for assisting with percutaneous interventions
The present invention relates to a method for assisting with percutaneous interventions, wherein 2D x-ray images of an object region are recorded before the intervention using a C-arm x-ray system or a robot-based x-ray system at different projection angles and 3D x-ray image data of the object region is reconstructed from the 2D x-ray recordings. One or more 2D or 3D ultrasound images are recorded before and/or during the intervention using an external ultrasound system and registered with the 3D image data. The 2D or 3D ultrasound images are then overlaid with the 3D image data record or a target region segmented therefrom or displayed next to one another in the same perspective. The method allows a puncture or biopsy to be monitored with a low level of radiation.
US08099153B2 Method for three-dimensional localization of an instrument for an interventional access and associated device
The invention relates to a method for three-dimensional localization of an instrument for an interventional access, comprising: creating a three-dimensional image recording covering a region of the intervention and surroundings; determining local attenuation values of the three-dimensional image recording by x-ray absorption characteristics; recording a two-dimensional image recording covering the region of the intervention and surroundings; determining an x-ray intensity at an x-ray sensor arranged on the instrument; localizing the x-ray sensor in the two-dimensional image recording based on the x-ray intensity; summing the local attenuation values along a virtual x-ray path passing through the x-ray sensor in the three-dimensional image recording; identifying a point on the virtual x-ray path where the attenuation sum corresponds to the x-ray intensity at the x-ray sensor; and determining a three-dimensional position of the point corresponding to the three-dimensional position of the x-ray sensor on the instrument.
US08099152B2 Systems and methods for planning medical procedures and designing medical devices based on anatomical scan deformations
A method of formulating a patient-specific plan for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure performed upon a patient is provided. The method includes obtaining a standard plan based upon a scan of an anatomy of a standard anatomic specimen, the scan defining a standard scan. The method also includes scanning the patient to obtain a patient-specific scan of an anatomy of the patient. Additionally, the method includes morphing the standard scan to the anatomy of the patient by mapping the standard scan to the patient-specific scan. The method further includes determining the patient-specific plan by modifying the standard plan based upon the mapping.
US08099146B1 System and method for calibrating a blood oxygen saturation sensor for use with an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for the self-calibration of an implantable blood oxygen saturation sensor. In one example, the pacemaker tracks respiration rate, patient activity level and the degree of pulmonary edema with the patient. The pacemaker identifies periods of time when three conditions are met: the respiration rate is normal, activity is minimal and the degree of pulmonary edema is also minimal. The pacemaker then calibrates the oxygen saturation sensor based on sensor output values detected only when all three conditions are met. By calibrating the sensor only during periods of time when all three conditions are all met, the calibration logic can thereby assume that actual saturation levels within the patient are at a maximum and that any deviation from that maximum is due to changes in blood cell fixation, tissue overgrowth, or other factors unrelated to actual oxygen saturation levels.
US08099140B2 Wireless power supply system and wireless power supply method
An object is to provide a system for improving convenience for users, by which a portable electronic device or the like can be charged even in a place where utility power is not available. Another object is to provide a system which allows a service provider to easily perform customer management. A wireless power supply system includes a power storage device having a power storage portion, a terminal charging device for wirelessly supplying electric power to the power storage device, and a management server having user information. Electric power can be supplied to specified users by intercommunication of user information between the power storage device and the terminal charging device and between the terminal charging device and the management server.
US08099139B1 Power control using fast signal envelope detection
A method for controlling output signal power in a communication terminal includes determining envelopes of a communication signal to be transmitted by the communication terminal at respective first and second measurement points along a transmission chain in a transmitter of the terminal. A cross-correlation is computed between the envelopes determined at the first and second measurement points. An actual gain between the first and second measurement points is computed using the cross-correlation. An output power of the communication signal is adjusted by setting a gain of the transmitter responsively to the actual gain.
US08099127B2 Multi-mode configurable transmitter circuit
Method and apparatus for configuring a transmitter circuit to support multiple modes and/or frequency bands. In an embodiment, a pre-driver amplifier (pDA) in a transmit (TX) signal path is selectively bypassed by a controllable switch. The switch can be controlled based on a mode of operation of the transmitter circuit. Further techniques are disclosed for selectively coupling the output of a driver amplifier (DA) to at least one of a plurality of off-chip connections, each connection coupling the DA output to a set of off-chip components.
US08099125B2 System and method for communicating with an optimal wireless communications carrier
Improvement of wireless communications of a wireless device may include storing a preferred roaming list containing information associated with communications carriers arranged in a predetermined order. It may be determined that a signal strength of a first communications signal of a first communications carrier currently being received by a wireless device drops below a signal strength threshold value. A second communications carrier in the preferred roaming list having a second communications signal with a higher signal strength than the signal strength of the first communications signal may be selected. A time interval over which to receive the second communications signal from the second communications carrier may be initiated and a switch may occur from receiving the second communications signal from the second communications carrier to receiving a third communications signal from a communications carrier in the preferred roaming list in response to completion of the time interval.
US08099123B2 Adaptation of transmit subchannel gains in a system with interference cancellation
A method and system for interference cancellation (IC). One aspect relates to traffic interference cancellation. Another aspect relates to joint IC for pilot, overhead and data. Another aspect relates to improved channel estimation. Another aspect relates to adaptation of transmit subchannel gains.
US08099120B2 Method and device for enabling selective privacy in a push to talk (PTT) wireless group communication session
A method and device for enabling selective privacy in a push to talk (PTT) wireless group communication session provides improved control over sharing of user identity information. The method includes processing at a PTT server a request for selective privacy. The PTT server then processes one or more selective privacy parameters, whereby at least a first session participant is enabled to receive an identification of a second session participant and a third session participant is not enabled to receive an identification of the second session participant. The PTT server then facilitates the PTT wireless group communication session between at least the first session participant, second session participant, and third session participant according to the one or more selective privacy parameters.
US08099114B2 Personal short codes for SMS
Personal short codes facilitate the establishment of unique, personalized codes for accessing network services and personalized distribution lists. Users can create individualized lists of personal short codes for desired network services. Services can reside within or outside of the wireless network. Messages having personal short codes can incorporate text routing capabilities to provide routing based on the text of a message. PSCs can be of any length or combination of alphanumeric characters. Personal short codes can be entered via a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, PDA, or laptop, or via a web browser.
US08099109B2 Location-based advertising message serving for mobile communication devices
Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. An advertising platform manager provides tools for an advertiser to create and transmit relevant ad messages to a user based on specific location, time, and profile data of the user. Such location-based ad serving allows for the creation of ads that directly leverage a key component of the user's interaction with the mobile device in that messages can be tied directly to the location display of a product or service offered by the advertiser. The ad messages can be provided in the form of text or graphic messages, logos, display branding. Information related to time and location-sensitive promotional events can also be effectively broadcast to users in the form of alerts or coupons that encourage user to visit a location that may be near the user.
US08099108B2 Mobile terminals including display screens capable of displaying maps and map display methods for mobile terminals
A mobile terminal includes a communication module, a display screen, and control circuitry. The circuitry is configured to estimate a current geographic position of the mobile terminal, and to determine if the estimated current position of the mobile terminal is within a boundary of geographic map information stored in the mobile terminal. The circuitry is further configured to retrieve additional geographic map information including the current position of the mobile terminal using the communication module if the current position of the mobile terminal is not within the boundary of the stored geographic map information.
US08099104B2 Location based services for integrated cellular and LAN networks
Determining the physical location of a WLAN client includes making a request to a core network of an integrated cellular—WLAN network. Using an HLR and WLAN client identifier, the WLAN network in which the client is located is determined. A location request is then made to a MSC/SGSN servicing that WLAN network, the MSC/SGSN then forwarding the request to a gateway that interfaces the WLAN network to the core network. Alternatively, the location request is directly forwarded to the gateway. Upon receiving the request, the gateway uses a positioning procedure(s) to determine the client's physical location. This location is then returned to the core network. According to one example positioning procedure, a database containing access point physical locations is maintained. Here, a determination is made as to which access point(s) the client can communicate. The location of the access point(s), as obtained through the database, then forms a basis for the client's location.
US08099102B2 Call admission control device and call admission control method
A call admission control device efficiently controls admission of a new call. In a scheduling operation, a congestion state in a cell is estimated based on the number or ratio of the mobile stations whose average transmission data rates have been initialized, and call admission control is performed, thereby appropriately performing the call admission control regardless of the occurrence of traffic or a mode of a cell.
US08099100B2 Communication control system
The present invention provides a communication control system which can prevent unnecessary communication connections while ensuring user-friendliness when 1 to N communication is performed.The communication control system judges whether an area code of a mobile terminal and area codes of the other mobile terminals of the group match, and establishes 1 to N communication between the mobile terminal and the mobile terminals of which area codes match. As a result, when the users are contacted to meet, for example, the communication control system can prevent unnecessary communication connections without indiscriminately connecting the mobile terminals of users at distant locations for whom it is difficult to travel for a meeting. In addition, the communication destination mobile terminals are automatically selected based on the area code, user-friendliness can therefore be sufficiently ensured.
US08099088B2 Providing location information for wireless devices using name service
A caller number is provided to a network element that associates name information with the caller number. The network element receives location information for the caller and provides the location information and name information as a response to being provided the caller number.
US08099082B2 System and method wireless messaging in a wireless communication system
A wireless communication system, comprising a host service, a wireless router system coupled to the host service, a wireless network coupling the wireless router system and a wireless mobile communication device (“mobile device”), adaptively delivers data to the mobile device in the wireless communication system.In another embodiment, a receive trigger is used by the host to initiate a session where messages are delivered to the mobile device. The host trigger consists of the receipt of a message from a host. Upon detection of a session, messages are sent to the device. If a session is inactive, login credentials are requested. Detection of a logoff trigger from the mobile device will terminate an existing session and current login credentials are also expired.
US08099081B2 Method and mobile telecommunications device for transmitting data in a mobile radio network
The present invention relates to a transmission of data in a mobile radio network, in particular a transmission of text and/or image data, with or without sound in multimedia messages, wherein at least one identification signal for a data record or several records is allocated to the data and the identification signal(s) is/are transmitted to the receiver of the data.
US08099077B2 Customer identification and authentication procedure for online internet payments using mobile phone
This invention shows a mobile terminal device (3) having a memory unit (3a) and an interface device (3b) which is releasably connectable to a multiple partner system (7, 9, 15) and capable for a communication therein, wherein said communication is provided by a front-end formed by said mobile terminal device (3) in combination with a personal computer device (2) and a back-end formed by a partner of said multiple partner system via communication ways, said communication being suitable for performing data transactions with variant security requirements, such that complementary parts of, or parts within a distributed application, running within a multi partner system, are performed dependent on their current security requirements, wherein said communication is used to exchange information by using said communication ways of different and variant characteristics (4, 6, 12, 17, 13) by using different communication channels and different interface standards or protocols.
US08099075B2 Method and apparatus for session establishment for emergency VoIP calls
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to providing session establishment for emergency VoIP (e.g., E911) calls.
US08099074B2 Method for transmitting data in a blood glucose system and corresponding blood glucose system
The invention relates to a method for wireless transmission of data between components of a blood glucose system including a master controller (i.e., “master”) and a slave device (i.e., “slave”). The master and slave each have a receiver and transmitter. The method comprises operating the slave normally in a power saving mode, activating the transmitter of the master for a transmission period and subsequently activating the receiver of the master for a response period. When the slave receives a preamble signal during a listening period the slave receiver is activated until a portion of a transmitted data frame from the master is received, switched into a communication mode to transmit a response to the master and switched from the communication mode to the power saving mode. In the power saving mode the activation frequency of the slave receiver and the transmission of the data frame are controlled to save power.
US08099073B1 Noise reduction in amplifier circuitry using single-sideband chopper stabilization
A multi-path amplifier can include a high frequency path, a low frequency path, and a summing node to sum an output from the high frequency path with an output from the low frequency path. The low frequency path can include a flicker noise reduction mechanism including an image band rejection mechanism. The low frequency path can include an in-phase path and a quadrature path.
US08099072B2 Frequency changer circuits
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, apparatus are provided. A filter is provided to receive from an antenna a receive signal of a given type and a low noise amplifier is provided to amplify the received signal. A translator down translates the receive signal carried at a radio frequency to be carried at an intermediate frequency. An I/Q channel separator is provided to separate the receive signal carried at the intermediate frequency into an analog in-phase (I) signal in an I channel and an analog quadrature-phase (Q) in a Q channel. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter is provided to respectively convert the I signal and the Q signal to digital domain representations of the I signal and the Q signal. An intermodulation (IM) distortion avoider is provided to avoid IM distortion in the receive signal. The IM distortion avoider includes a carrier frequency exchanger to exchange an IM carrier frequency of IM distortion contained in the receive signal with a carrier frequency of the receive signal.
US08099068B2 Downconversion strategies for reducing interference in wanted signals
A receiver for isolating a wanted signal in a received signal, the receiver comprising a downconverter for downconverting the received signal in frequency to produce a downconverted signal, a filter with a passband intended for isolating that part of the spectrum of the downconverted signal that contains the wanted signal and a controller that seeks to avoid or reduce the effect of passband intrusion in the form of a negative frequency representation of an interferer, appearing in the spectrum of the received signal, upconverted in frequency to the passband. The invention consists in corresponding methods also.
US08099066B1 System and method for controlling true output power of a transmitter
A transmitter power control system includes a voltage detector that generates a voltage signal that is proportional to an output voltage of a power amplifier of a transmitter. A voltage scaler scales the output voltage of the power amplifier using a voltage scaling ratio. A voltage scaling ratio controller adjusts the voltage scaling ratio to maintain the voltage signal within a predetermined voltage range. A current detector generates a current signal that is proportional to an output current of the power amplifier and includes a current scaler that scales the output current using a predetermined current scaling ratio. A power detector generates a power signal that is based on the current signal and the voltage signal and is proportional to an output power of the power amplifier. A power controller generates a control signal to vary the output power based on a comparison of the power signal with at least one predetermined threshold.
US08099065B2 Transmitting apparatus and method
Communication with less noise is to be performed. A voltage value control signal functioning as an instruction to change the voltage value supplied from a voltage converting section to an LFI is output from a CPU. A driving section for the LFI outputs the control signal at 125 kHz that drives an FET circuit section according to the voltage value supplied from an ECU. The FET circuit section outputs the driving current for an antenna under the control of the driving section. A connecter terminal that connects to a harness is connected to a connecter terminal for GND connection along with the GND terminal of the voltage converting section. A connecter terminal that connects to a harness is connected to a connecter terminal for GND connection along with the GND terminal of the FET circuit section.
US08099063B2 Transmitter for communications system
An rf signal transmitter for transmitting rf signals through a plurality of antennas is described, which comprises: a transmit section adapted to selectively set, with respect to an input signal, the initial phase of an output to at least one of said antennas depending on a time or frequency region used for communication and to provide delay to the output on an antenna-by-antenna basis and on the basis of a transmission timing or a transmission frequency; and a quality information receive section for receiving quality information from destination station, i.e., a wireless terminal unit, said quality information concerning the rf signal transmitted from said transmit section and received at said destination station.
US08099062B1 CMOS transceiver analog front end having a combined power amplifier and low noise amplifier
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor transceiver analog front end circuit includes a combined transmit and receive amplifier block that produces an amplified transmit differential signal and receives a receive differential signal through the same pair of input/output nodes coupled to an external network through an RF choke block. In one embodiment the combined transmit and receive amplifier block includes separate power amplifier and low noise amplifier circuits, while a second embodiment includes a power amplification stage and a combined power amplification/low noise amplification stage. The amplifier circuits may be constructed using a combination of thin oxide core transistors and thick oxide input/output transistors. DC feeds may be selected to power the circuits in response to a transmit/receive control signal. Bias voltages to the amplifier circuits' transistors may also be set in response to the transmit/receive control signal.
US08099061B2 TDD receiver protection
Techniques are provided herein for a receiver protection circuit in a time-division duplex (TDD) system. The receive protection circuit has a first diode with an anode that is coupled to an input of a low-noise-amplifier (LNA) and a cathode that is coupled to a ground. A controller is coupled to the anode of the diode and is configured to generate a control signal for turning on the diode when the TDD system is in a transmission mode. A load is coupled to the diode such that a reflected transmit signal is shorted to the ground by the diode and the radio frequency energy carried in the reflected transmit signal is consumed by the load.
US08099058B1 Enhanced wideband transceiver
A method for operating an integrated transceiver, comprising coupling an operating transmitter and an operating receiver within the integrated wideband receiver, inputting a signal into the operating transmitter, performing a first conversion of the signal, wherein the signal is converted into a second signal, transmitting the second signal into the operating receiver, performing a second conversion of the signal, wherein the signal is converted into a third signal, transmitting the third signal into the operating transmitter, and adjusting the operating transmitter.
US08099057B2 Spectrum sharing using cognitive radios
Base stations and mobile devices have limited radio frequency spectrum through which they may communicate. Moreover, this spectrum is usually owned by a party having proprietary control. In order to allow for spectrum sharing, cognitive base stations (CBS) may be configured to select a radio frequency channel owned by another entity for its own use, and to determine how much additional noise it will create for such other entity. Based on this determination, the additional noise may be monetized, so that spectrum owners may be compensated for the additional noise created by use of their radio frequency channel.
US08099056B2 Digital hybrid amplifier calibration and compensation method
Methods and hybrid matrix amplifiers are provided. In a method of calibrating a hybrid matrix amplifier of a wireless transceiver, a plurality of signal paths having a digital and an analog portion are toggled such that the analog portion of each of the plurality of signal paths is active only during a corresponding buffer capture interval of a calibration process. The signal paths carry signals to be transmitted by an antenna arrangement. Channel estimates for each of the plurality of signal paths are generated based only on sampling data collected during the corresponding buffer capture interval. The hybrid matrix amplifier is calibrated based on the generated channel estimates.
US08099050B1 Digital radio data system receiver methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a first signal and generating an output signal indicative of radio data system (“RDS”) information. A receiver circuit of the invention can include mixer circuitry, lowpass filter circuitry, downsampler circuitry, and decoder circuitry. Advantageously, the receiver circuit can operate entirely within the digital domain, promoting interoperability with digital frequency modulation (“FM”) demodulator circuitry.
US08099049B2 Communication method, communication device, and computer program
In order to solve a problem of an accumulation on the transmission side, a delay on the reception side, and the like at the time of transmission in a communication system such as a wireless LAN system, each communication station in a network transmits a beacon in which information with respect to the network is written and sets a state in which a reception operation is performed during periods of time before and after the transmission of the beacon signal when performing access control not to make communication timing of a packet collide with that of another station by detecting a signal transmitted from another station. With performing such processing, a system can be formed based on minimum level of transmission and reception operation when transmission and reception data does not exist in each communication station in the network, and also a data transfer can be performed with latency as small as possible in a minimum necessary level of transmission and reception operation by making a transition of a transmission and reception state in accordance with a fluctuating volume of transmission and reception data.
US08099046B2 Method for integrating audio and visual messaging
A communication system that integrates audio and visual messaging, including a mobile communication device for receiving visual messages and for transmitting voice messages to a recipient, a base station system in communication with the mobile communication device, an electronic mail gateway for delivering visual messages to the base station system for transmission to the mobile communication device, and an integrated mail gateway for receiving from the base station a voice message and addressing information that were both transmitted from the mobile communication device. The integrated mail gateway is programmed to create an e-mail message comprising the voice message. The integrated mail gateway is also programmed to use the addressing information to address the e-mail message, and to send the addressed e-mail message to the recipient.
US08099045B2 Near field communication system and associated apparatus
A near field communication (NFC) system and an associated apparatus are provided. The NFC system includes a display device, a host computer, at least one RF module coupled to the host computer, a plurality of antennas coupled to the at least one RF module, and a NFC device. The antennas are disposed behind the display device. The NFC device is for communicating with the host computer via one of the antennas. The NFC system can upgrade communication quality and achieve multi-tasking efficiency.
US08099044B2 Radio frequency detection system for a medical device and process
A radio frequency detection system is provided that includes at least two radio frequency detection devices, which have an antenna each with a detection range for a radio frequency identification and detect the radio frequency identification information provided in the detection range. The radio frequency detection system is designed to attenuate a detection range of a detecting radio frequency detection device in the detection range of the at least one other radio frequency detection device by means of a compensation member such that the radio frequency identification cannot be detected by the detecting radio frequency detection device in the detection area of the at least one other radio frequency detection device. The compensation member feeds a compensation current to the at least one other antenna to generate an opposing magnetic field, which attenuates or extinguishes the magnetic field of the detecting antenna in the at least one other detection range, by the at least one other antenna in the at least one other detection range.
US08099042B2 Method and system for a reliable relay-associated and opportunistic cooperative transmission schemes
A cooperative communication scheme is provided for a base station (BS) to communicate with a mobile station (MS) through a group of relay stations (RSs). The RSs, collectively referred to as a relay-associated group of RSs (R-group), serve the same target MS. The R-group may be formed during initial ranging or during periodical ranging of the MSs, according to the channel conditions between the MSs and the RSs. A reliable relay-associated transmission scheme provides fast recovery and reduces the burden on the BS. In one exemplary scheme, the BS transmits data to the R-group. To ensure that reliable transmission exists between the BS and the R-group, the BS initially sends the information to all the RSs in the R-group using multicast or unicast mode. In one embodiment, after receiving the packets from the BS, each RS in the R-group calculates its reliability value according to a reliability function which may depend on (a) the channel conditions between the BS and the RSs, (b) the channel conditions between the RSs and the MS, and (c) the load status at the RSs. The RSs then feedback their reliability values in a message (“relay-associated acknowledgement message” or R-ACK).
US08099034B2 Fixing apparatus
In one embodiment, when a hot roller is driven to rotate, a driving gear rotates so that a swing gear and a swing cam rotate. Then, a sliding contact edge on the right side of a swing lever that abuts against the circumferential face of the swing cam repeatedly moves up and down, and the swing lever repeatedly rotates clockwise and counterclockwise with a shaft of a pressure release cam as the center. At this time, since only the clockwise rotation of the swing lever is transmitted via a one-way clutch to the shaft of the pressure release cam, the clockwise rotation is intermittently transmitted to the shaft of the pressure release cam. As a result of this, the pressure release cam intermittently rotates clockwise, and the pressure release cam pushes away a roller of a displacement frame, so that the pressure roller separates from the hot roller.
US08099032B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a movable endless belt member forming a nip between the image carrier; and a transfer roller made of metal contacting the belt member at a region corresponding to the nip. At the nip, a toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto the belt member. The transfer roller slidably rotates in bearings supporting its shaft. Members having a higher friction coefficient than that of the transfer roller are provided at end portions of the transfer roller. F1>F3 and F2>F4 are satisfied, where F1 is a maximum static friction between the transfer roller and the belt member, F2 is a dynamic friction between the transfer roller and the belt member, F3 is a maximum static friction between the shaft of the transfer roller and the bearings, and F4 is a dynamic friction between the shaft of the transfer roller and the bearings.
US08099031B2 Image forming apparatus, transfer unit thereof, and method of shifting transfer rollers thereof
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first photoconductive member used during monochrome printing; a plurality of second photoconductive members used together with the first photoconductive member during full-color printing and arranged in parallel to the first photoconductive member; a transfer belt that forms a loop-like moving path; a first transfer roller and a plurality of second transfer rollers provided on an inner peripheral side of the transfer belt; and a link member that shifts, during the full-color printing, the second transfer rollers to positions where the second transfer rollers are brought into press contact with the respective second photoconductive members via the transfer belt and shifts, during the monochrome printing, the second transfer rollers to positions where respective separations between an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt and the respective second transfer rollers are substantially identical.
US08099029B2 Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus having toner cartridge
A toner cartridge has first and second toner hosing portions configured to house toner. The first toner housing portion has a first bottom part that is arcuately curved. The second toner housing portion has a second bottom part that is arcuately curved. The second bottom part is next to the first bottom part and is situated at a position lower than the first bottom part. A third bottom part is provided between the first bottom part and the second bottom part. The third bottom part has a toner discharge port.
US08099024B2 Systems and methods of producing gradient index optics by sequential printing of toners having different indices of refraction
Systems and methods of producing image products using printing are provided. The image products are produced by sequentially applying a base image, a first clear toner and a second clear toner. The first clear toner forms one or more lenses, and the first and second clear toners have different indexes of refraction. The image products produced by the systems and methods can be lenticular image products that display different images depending upon a viewing angle.
US08099023B2 Conformable, electrically relaxable rubbers using carbon nanotubes for BCR/BTR applications
Exemplary embodiments provide bias-able devices for use in electrostato-graphic printing apparatuses using conformable and electrically relaxable rubber materials. The rubber material can include a plurality of nanotubes distributed uniformly and/or spatially-controlled throughout a rubber matrix for providing the rubber material with a uniform mechanical conformability and a uniform electrical resistivity. The rubber material can be used as a functional layer disposed over a conductive substrate such as a conductive core depending on the specific design or engine architecture. Other functional layers can also be disposed over the conductive substrate and/or the rubber material of the bias-able devices including bias charging rolls (BCRs) and bias transfer rolls (BTRs).
US08099021B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes four image carriers, four image carrier gears provided corresponding to the respective image carriers, four transmission gears provided corresponding to the respective image carrier gears and meshed with the respective image carrier gears, and two driving sources each provided corresponding to a pair of the transmission gears being adjacent to each other and driving both of the pair of transmission gears.
US08099018B2 Pressing mechanism for a developing cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.
US08099017B2 Frame structure and image forming apparatus
A frame structure includes three or more supporting members, a scanner support, a scanner cantilever support, and an adjuster. Three or more supporting members are provided vertically from a base portion. The scanner support is provided horizontally between upper portions of the supporting members. The scanner cantilever support extends horizontally from the upper portion of one of the supporting members. The adjuster is attached to a free end of the cantilever support, and includes an inclined slot. The cantilever support includes a protrusion provided in the free end of the scanner cantilever support. The protrusion is engageable with the slot of the adjuster to obliquely raise and lower the adjuster.
US08099015B2 Developing device, process cartridge, image forming device, and developer container
A developing device includes: a housing that has a developer containing part and an opening, the developer containing part containing a developer, and the opening allowing the developer to flow through; a sheet member that is provided in the housing, seals the opening when unused, and is pulled out in one direction to open the opening when used; and a loosening regulation unit that is provided on the housing or the sheet member, and regulates loosening of the sheet member, wherein the housing has a guide hole, the guide hole allowing the sheet member to be inserted in when sealing the opening with the sheet member, and guiding the sheet member when the sheet member is pulled out.
US08099014B2 Image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer reservoir having developer stored therein, a developing roller for carrying developer, a sealing member which is brought into close contact with the developer portion so as to cover a communication port in communication with inside of the developer reservoir, and a sealing passing member for passing the sealing member peeled off the developer reservoir, wherein the sealing member is peeled off the developer reservoir to open the communication port and the sealing passing member has an opening with an approximately elliptical shape, through which the sealing member passes.
US08099012B2 Developer roll lip seal
A toner seal comprises a j-shaped seal having an upper seat portion and a leg portion, the leg having a front face extending between first and second edges of said leg portion, a lip seal extending along at least one of the first and second edges of the leg, and, the lip seal having a length extending from the upper seat portion along the leg.
US08099011B2 Image forming apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention include an image bearing member arranged to bear an electrostatic latent image, a charging member contacting the image bearing member to charge a surface of the image bearing member with application of a DC voltage to the charging member, a current detection unit arranged to detect a DC current flowing in the charging member, and a control unit configured to control the voltage applied to the charging member, wherein a plurality of different DC voltages are successively applied to the charging member during a period of no image formation until a change amount of change in the DC current with respect to change in the DC voltage becomes not larger than a predetermined value, and the control unit controls a DC voltage applied to the charging member during a period of image formation based on a result detected by the current detection unit.
US08099010B2 Image forming apparatus with controlled developing bias
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer bias set up section and a developing bias set up section. The transfer bias set up section sets a transfer bias applied to each transfer member so that the transfer bias applied to a transfer member corresponding to a photosensitive member on the most downstream side is greater than a transfer bias applied to a transfer member other than this transfer member. The developing bias set up section sets a developing bias applied to each developing member to a first developing bias in a single-side printing mode, and sets up the developing bias applied to each developing member in formation of an image on a first surface and in formation of another image on a second surface to a second developing bias lower than the first developing bias when the image formed on the second surface is a color image.
US08099007B2 Fixing apparatus for image forming apparatus
In a heat roller of a fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sleeve is slidable with respect to a supporting roller. Flanges that regulate the sleeve have smooth surfaces, are arranged at gaps apart from a foamed rubber layer of the supporting roller, and freely rotate with respect to the supporting roller. Edges at both ends of the foamed rubber layer of the supporting roller are formed in an R shape and set shorter than the length of a body of the press roller. The sleeve has markings for detecting a state of the heat roller.
US08098996B2 Adaptable duobinary generating filters, transmitters, systems and methods
A variety of adaptable electronic duobinary generating filters to be used in communication systems are provided, each filter generating an adaptable electronic duobinay signal which is optimized for system impairments. According to one exemplary implementation, an adaptable electronic duobinary generating filter comprises an adaptable delay-and-add circuit, having an adaptable electronic delay element having a delay αT: 1/T being the bit rate of the binary data input into the adaptable delay-and-add circuit, and α being an adaptation parameter which can be optimized depending on the system impairments. In one optional implementation, the adaptable electronic delay element can be programmably adaptable to optimize against deterministic system impairments. In another optional implementation, the adaptable electronic delay element can be dynamically adaptable to optimize against dynamically varying system impairments. Additionally, in one embodiment, an adaptable electronic duobinary drive circuitry based on the adaptable electronic duobinary generating filter can drive an adaptable optical duobinary transmitter in a fiber-optic communication system to produce an adaptable optical duobinary signal, where the adaptation parameter α is optimized to mitigate certain deleterious fiber-optic transmission system impairments, such as distortions due to narrow optical filtering. Corresponding optical duobinary systems and methods are provided. Similarly, the adaptable electronic duobinary generating filter can be used to form an adaptable electronic duobinary transmitter for an electronic duobinary communication system, to optimize the electronic duobinary signal generated.
US08098995B2 Optical signal synchronization sampling apparatus and method, and optical signal monitoring apparatus and method using the same
An electroabsorption optical modulator used as a sampling element has two optical terminals and a power supply terminal, the two optical terminals are used to input and output light, and the power supply terminal imparts an electric field to an optical path connecting the two optical terminals. The electroabsorption optical modulator has a characteristic in which an absorption index is changed with respect to the light beam propagating through the optical path according to a level of the electric field. A monitoring (synchronization sampling) object optical signal is input into one of the two optical terminals of the electroabsorption optical modulator. A predetermined direct-current voltage exhibiting a high absorption index for the monitoring (synchronization sampling) object optical signal is imparted to the power supply terminal of the electroabsorption optical modulator. A sampling optical pulse is input into another of the two optical terminals of the electroabsorption optical modulator through a photocoupler. The absorption index for the monitoring (synchronization sampling) object optical signal is lowered by a mutual absorption saturation characteristic of the electroabsorption optical modulator, and synchronization sampling of the monitoring (synchronization sampling) object optical signal is performed to supply an optical signal from the other of the two optical terminals of the electroabsorption optical modulator through the photocoupler. The mutual absorption saturation characteristic is generated when the sampling optical pulse is input into the other of the two optical terminals.
US08098993B2 Method and apparatus for transporting computer bus protocols over an optical link
A system is provided for implementing PCI Express protocol signals over an optical link. A transmission circuit is used to provide an electrical-to-optical conversion, a receiving circuit provides an optical-to-electrical conversion, and a sideband circuit is used to provide and receive control information.
US08098990B2 System and method for providing wireless over a passive optical network (PON)
A network system and method include a wireless base station integrated at a central office of a service provider. The wireless base station is configured to provide portable and fixed services to customers. A passive optical network is coupled to the wireless base station at the central office to provide a link to extend an antenna for wireless operations of the wireless base station to a remote site such that a wireless signal from the wireless base station is transmitted in parallel with a passive fiber network signal through the link.
US08098985B2 Photographing module
This invention provides a photographing module that at least includes a lens unit, an electrically controlled focusing mechanism, an elastic unit, a supporting base and a photosensitive device. A movable member of the electrically controlled focusing mechanism is electrically driven to move the lens unit attached therewith along an optical axis so as to perform a focusing function. The elastic unit is disposed with the electrically controlled focusing mechanism and has a plurality of bridge regions. Each bridge region has a plurality of radial segments which are connected together, so that they can evenly absorb accumulated stress coming from a distortion, a plane shift along the optical axis and a certain amount of tilt of the lens unit while it is being rotated to be disposed in the photographing module or during its other movements. The elastic unit effectively utilizes available space to lengthen the bridge regions so its spring constant can be effectively reduced.
US08098979B2 Reproduction apparatus having protection flags and code number
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reproducing a recording medium that require input of a code number only once when the code number is required to be inputted to both a directory and a PlayList for reproduction. A plurality of directories such as DVR, DVR1, DVRn and the like are formed on a disk. One directory DVR has a flag DVR_protect_flag set therein for controlling reproduction of information belonging in the directory. Also, .rpls in PLAYLIST, which is one piece of information in the directory DVR, has a playback_control_flag set therein for controlling reproduction thereof. In a case where the DVR_protect_flag is 1, the reproduction is allowed only when a correct code number is inputted. In a case where the DVR_protect_flag and the playback_control_flag are both 1, input of the code number for the playback_control_flag is omitted when the correct code number has already been inputted for the DVR_protect_flag.
US08098977B2 Signal reproducing apparatus and signal reproducing method
A signal reproduction device and signal reproduction method capable of automatically discriminating the format of input data and reproducing the data is provided. The signal reproduction device comprises an IEEE 1394 link chip 12, which receives transmission signals obtained by converting data in a plurality of prescribed signal formats into a prescribed packet format and transmitting, and reproduces signals in a prescribed signal format from the received transmission signals in packet form, as well as an IEEE 1394 microcontroller 13, which extracts a prescribed packet of received transmission signals, detects data in the extracted packet indicating modification from the signal format currently being received to another prescribed signal format, and based on the detected signal format modification data, outputs parameters necessary for reproduction of signals in another prescribed signal format from received signals in packet form; and the signal reproduction device automatically discriminates the data format of input data and reproduces the data.
US08098976B1 Methods and systems for performing top concepts extraction
Techniques for generating automated tags for a video file are described. The method includes receiving one or more manually generated tags associated with a video file, based at least in part on the one or more manually entered tags, determining a preliminary category for the video file, and based on the preliminary category, generating a targeted transcript of the video file, wherein the targeted transcript includes a plurality of words. The method further includes generating an ontology of the plurality of words based on the targeted transcript, ranking the plurality of words in the ontology based on a plurality of scoring factors, and based on the ranking of the plurality of words, generating one or more automated tags associated with the video file.
US08098975B2 Video recording apparatus and method, video transmission method, program for video recording method, and storage medium having stored program for video recording method
A video recording apparatus includes a data acquisition section, an encoding section, and a recording section. With a plurality of groups of pictures corresponding to a cell in an optical disk format set as a recording unit, the encoding section generates streaming data by time division multiplexing of encoded data using fixed-data-length packs according to the optical disk format, and multiplexes to the streaming data specific information that includes information necessary for generating a navigation pack in the optical disk format and that is difficult to obtain without analyzing the packs containing the encoded video and audio data, such that the specific information is assigned to each of the groups of pictures using a private pack in the streaming data.
US08098973B2 Method of setting a system time clock at the start of an MPEG sequence
Method to enable a local system time clock counter (STC) of a receiving recording device to lock to program clock reference (PCR) information comprised in a received real time sequence of information signal packets, such as MPEG2 Transport Stream packets. The method comprising determining the number of cycles between arrival of the first information signal packet and the arrival of the information signal packet comprising the first Program Clock Reference (PCR) information. This information is stored as an attribute of the stored sequence.
US08098971B2 Method and apparatus for electromagnetic resonance using negative index material
An electromagnetic resonance device includes an input reflector, an output reflector, and a periodic dielectric medium (PDM) disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector. The input reflector and output reflector are configured to be reflective to radiation having a wavelength of interest. The PDM includes a periodic structure having a dielectric periodicity between a first surface and a second surface. The dielectric periodicity is configured with a negative refraction for the wavelength of interest. A first radiation is reflected by the input reflector toward the first surface of the PDM, passes through the PDM, and is focused on the output reflector as a second radiation. The second radiation is reflected by the output reflector toward the second surface of the PDM, passes through the PDM, and is focused on the input reflector as the first radiation.
US08098969B2 Waveguide optically pre-amplified detector with passband wavelength filtering
The invention describes an integrated-photonics arrangement, implementable in a multi-guide vertical integration (MGVI) structure composed from III-V semiconductors and grown in one epitaxial growth run, allowing for the integration of semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and PIN photodetector (PIN) structures within a common wavelength-designated waveguide of the plurality of the vertically integrated wavelength-designated waveguides forming the MGVI structure. The integration includes a wavelength filter integrated between the SOA and PIN to reduce noise within the PIN arising from ASE generated by the SOA. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the wavelength filter is integrated into MGVI structure either within a common wavelength designated waveguide or within the wavelength-designated waveguide. Further in other embodiments the wavelength filter is provided by a thin-film filter abutting a facet of the integrated-photonics arrangement wherein optical signals are coupled by optical waveguides and/or additional optical elements such as a multimode interference device.
US08098965B1 Electroabsorption modulator based on fermi level tuning
A novel electroabsorption modulator based on tuning the Fermi level relative to mid-gap states in a semiconductor. The modulator includes a semiconductor waveguide that has an input port and an output port. Between the input port and the output port is a section of the waveguide that functions as an electroabsorptive region. Adjacent to the electroabsorptive region are electrical contacts. In operation by adjusting voltages on the electrical contacts, the quasi-Fermi level in the electroabsorptive region of the semiconductor waveguide is brought above or below mid band-gap electronic states. As these states transition between occupancy and vacancy, the absorption coefficient for optical radiation in the electroabsorptive region of the semiconductor changes. As this change in absorption coefficient modulates the intensity of transmitted radiation in response to an input data stream driving the voltages, the device functions as a semiconductor optical modulator in accordance with the principles of the invention.
US08098964B2 Raw image processing
A system, a method and computer-readable media for processing raw image data with a graphics processing unit (GPU). Raw image data generated by an imaging sensor is received. A set of instructions for demosaicing the raw image data is communicated to the GPU. The GPU is enabled to demosaic the raw image data by executing the set of instructions.
US08098961B2 Resolution enhancement apparatus and method
A resolution enhancement apparatus includes unit to acquire a first image, unit to perform edge emphasis on the first image to obtain a second image, unit to detect, using one of the first image and the second image, points corresponding to image regions at a precision of a sub-pixel unit as a unit smaller than an interval between neighboring pixels, unit to set each of second values of the second image as a sampling value of a luminance value at each point when one of the second pixels is used as a pixel of interest, unit to enlarge the first image into a high-resolution image including a larger number of third pixels than the first image, and unit to execute value conversion which adds or subtracts third values in the high-resolution image in a direction to reduce errors between the luminance values sampled at the points and the sampling values.
US08098958B2 Processing architecture for automatic image registration
A system for automatically registering a sensed image with a reference image. A sensor image of a first scene is obtained while the sensor is mounted on a platform, and at least one processing subsystem may be provided. The processing subsystem may be adapted to perform a plurality of operations including obtaining a reference image of a second scene, with the reference image encompassing the sensor image; to identify the portion of the reference image depicted in the sensor image; to define an area of the reference image based on the reference image portion; to conform the sensor image and an area of the reference image to a common perspective by transforming the perspective of at least one of the sensor image and the reference image area; and to match the images of common perspective.
US08098957B2 Shared block comparison architechture for image registration and video coding
This disclosure describes an efficient architecture for an imaging device that supports image registration for still images and video coding of a video sequence. For image registration, the described architecture uses block-based comparisons of image blocks of a captured image relative to blocks of another reference image to support image registration on a block-by-block basis. For video coding, the described architecture uses block-based comparisons, e.g., to support for motion estimation and motion compensation. According to this disclosure, a common block comparison engine is used on a shared basis for both block-based image registration and block-based video coding. In this way, a hardware unit designed for block-based comparisons may be implemented so as to work in both the image registration process for still images and the video coding process for coding a video sequence.
US08098953B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method for adaptively processing an image using an enhanced image and edge data
An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit.
US08098952B2 Method and device for removing image noise based on the median filter
A method and an apparatus for image denoising based on medium filter is disclosed according to the present invention. Such method and apparatus may be used to remove linear noise and random noise for the sensor, as well as the bad points in the sensor image, and to prevent over-denoising. The technical solutions includes selecting three groups of pixels from neighboring pixels of a current pixel, calculating medians Φ1, Φ2 and Φ3 for the pixels in each group; calculating a reference luminance Y: Y=Φ2+[Φ1+Φ3−2*Φ2]*h*[1−k*var], where var=Φ3−Φ1; determining whether the current pixel (cur_pixel) is a bad pixel; letting a temporary variable (tmp_data) be Φ1 if the current pixel is a bad pixel; letting a temporary variable (tmp_data) be the current pixel value (cur_pixel) if the current pixel is not a bad pixel; determining whether the current pixel is located on an edge. If the current pixel is determined to be located on the edge, the reference luminance Y is limited to a range of [tmp_data−edge_limit, tmp_data+edge_limit], the current pixel value is updated with the limited reference luminance Y and the denoising process ends. If the current pixel is determined not to be located on the edge, the value of |Y−tmp_data| and the value of avoid_over_noise are compared. If |Y−tmp_data|
US08098951B2 Image sharpening technique
A sharpening technique for digital images for presentation on a display.
US08098946B2 Apparatus and method for image encoding and decoding using prediction
An image encoding and decoding method includes dividing an input image into a plurality of sub-planes by sub-sampling the input image, selecting one of the divided sub-planes and performing interprediction-encoding on the selected sub-plane, and performing interprediction-encoding on the remaining sub-planes based on motion vectors selected in interprediction-encoding of the selected sub-plane.
US08098944B2 Image processing apparatus, method, storage medium, and program
A motion-vector detector determines the centroid of pixels on a reference frame that is identified with position information set in a database and associated with a feature address corresponding to a feature of a target pixel. The motion-vector detector detects, as a motion vector of the target pixel, a vector that has a starting point at a pixel on the reference frame which corresponds to the target pixel on a current frame and has an end point at the determined centroid. The present invention can be applied to an apparatus for generating a motion vector and allows prompt detection of a motion vector.
US08098941B2 Method and apparatus for parallelization of image compression encoders
A method and apparatus for compressing image data include a plurality of core encoders for receiving a respective plurality of streams of data in parallel and for compressing the received data, a plurality of output buffers for respectively receiving the compressed data from each of the plurality of core encoders, and a recombination circuit for recombining the compressed data.
US08098937B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing program product for discriminating dot region in image
To accurately discriminate a dot region within an image, the image processing apparatus includes first through fourth isolated dot discriminating portions each judging, for each of a plurality of pixels included in the image, whether the pixel corresponds to a center pixel of an isolated dot, an isolated dot size determining portion detecting an isolated dot size, a dot region discriminating portion judging whether a target pixel is included in a dot region based on a position of the pixel judged as being the center pixel of the isolated dot, and a dot region determining portion determining the dot region based on a position of the target pixel judged as being included in the dot region and the detected isolated dot size.
US08098934B2 Using extracted image text
Methods, systems, and apparatus including computer program products for using extracted image text are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes receiving an input of one or more image search terms and identifying keywords from the received one or more image search terms. The method also includes searching a collection of keywords including keywords extracted from image text, retrieving an image associated with extracted image text corresponding to one or more of the image search terms, and presenting the image.
US08098930B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, computer program, and storage medium
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method, which can reproduce an edge portion with a high resolution in a high resolution raster image, and suppress image degradation such as a jaggy, while suppressing processing cost. In the present invention, an image processing part divides image data of raster data into blocks of M×N pixels (M, N are integers of 1 or more and also at least one of M and N is an integer of 2 or more). Then, the part performs color rounding processing in the block and counts the number of colors in the block. Subsequently, when the number of colors existing in the block is two, the part acquires shape information about arrangement of the two colors. Then, the part stores the shape information and color information for a first color and color information for a second color.
US08098929B2 Method and system for automatic correction of flesh-tones (skin-tones)
Flesh-tones corrections may be performed to correct color shifts that may occur in transmitted video frames wherein chroma information corresponding to flesh-tone video pixels may be distorted. A target region may be determined based on a determined flesh-tones region within a spatial representation of chroma in video color space, such as Y′CrCb. The flesh-tones correction may utilize one or more methodologies based on an elliptical shape and/or a triangular shape algorithm(s). A video processing system may be utilized to analyze chroma information of received video pixels and/or to perform flesh-tones corrections by shifting the chroma value of received video pixels towards good flesh-tones regions to compensate for possible distortions. The video processing system may perform conversion calculation and/or shift operations dynamically. The video processing system may also utilize lookup tables (LUTs) to convert received chroma values. The LUTs may be programmable to enable modifying and/or updating of the system.
US08098927B2 Imaging characteristics fluctuation predicting method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A method for predicting imaging characteristics fluctuation of a projection optical system in an exposure apparatus which projects a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate through the projection optical system is provided. In a measurement step, the projection optical system is irradiated with exposure light under a first exposure condition to measure first imaging characteristics fluctuation of the projection optical system. Then, before an imaging characteristics value is restored to an initial value at the start of irradiation after irradiation is stopped, the projection optical system is irradiated with the exposure light under a second exposure condition to measure second imaging characteristics fluctuation of the projection optical system. Approximate expressions of the measured first and second imaging characteristics fluctuations are calculated based on an imaging characteristics model.
US08098920B2 Method of extrapolating a grey-level bidimensional image in a radiography device and a radiography device implementing such a method
A method of extrapolating a bidimensional grey-level image using a radiography device.
US08098916B2 System and method for image-based attenuation correction of PET/SPECT images
A system and method for image-based correction including a receiver to acquire an image from one or more data storage systems, one or more processors to determine an attenuation mismatch estimate and calculate a correction for the image based on the attenuation mismatch estimate and the image, and an output to generate an attenuation mismatch corrected image based on the correction.
US08098915B2 Longitudinal pulse wave array
An acoustic pulse array is described. The pulse array can include a plane wave pulse generator having a first side from which a first wave emanates, and a second side from which a second wave emanates. A first waveguide array can be attached to the generator on the first side of the generator, and a second waveguide array can be attached to a second side of the generator. One or more of the waveguides can be attached to the generator so as to orient the waveguide to transmit wave pulses in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the generator.
US08098914B2 Registration of CT volumes with fluoroscopic images
A method for registering images of multiple modalities includes acquiring first image of a subject using a first modality. A second image of the subject is acquired using a second modality. The first image includes greater structural detail of the subject than the second image and the second image is a video image including multiple image frames. The first and second images are registered based on an anatomical structure observable in the first image and a foreign object proximate to the anatomical structure observable in the second image.
US08098910B2 Adaptive motion imaging in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging
Motion imaging in medical diagnostic ultrasound is adaptive. Clutter or threshold processing adapts as a function of data for different locations or for different times. Spatial filtering adapts as a function of data at different spatial locations at a same time. The steering angle may be set as a function of region based on the vessel orientation and maximum velocity. The region of interest for motion imaging may be expanded to counteract, at least in part, a shift due to the steering angle.
US08098906B2 Regional fingerprint liveness detection systems and methods
Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for fingerprint liveness detection. In one embodiment, a method for determining fingerprint liveness is provided that comprises receiving a fingerprint image; extracting a region of interest from the fingerprint image; generating a histogram of the region of interest; determining a statistical feature of the histogram; and determining liveness of the fingerprint image based upon the statistical feature.
US08098903B2 Apparatus for adjusting focus and exposure based on a face image and method of controlling same
Disclosed is a technique that eliminates problems that result when a face image fails to be detected in a case where the image of a subject obtained continuously is subjected to face-image detection processing. A face-image portion is detected in the image of a subject. If an evaluation value for evaluating the degree of face likeliness of the face-image portion is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the result of face detection is updated. A timer is set. If the timer has not timed out in a case where the evaluation value of a face image in the next frame of the image of the subject is less than the threshold value, the face-image portion of the preceding frame is regarded as the face-image portion of the next frame and processing regarding this face-image portion is executed. Thus, even if a face-image portion is no longer detected, processing regarding a face-image portion can be executed using the face-image portion of the preceding frame.
US08098902B2 Processing video data captured on a mobile data capture device
Video data comprising a plurality of sets of frame data is captured by mobile video data capture device. The video data is processed by a method which comprises: (a) finding a face in each frame of the video, and (b) processing a corresponding set of frame data to: (i) maintain the area of the image occupied by the face substantially constant; and (ii) maintain the apparent direction of light incident upon the face substantially constant; and/or (iii) maintain the apparent color of the face substantially constant.
US08098901B2 Standoff iris recognition system
An iris recognition system having pupil and iris border conditioning prior to iris mapping and analysis. The system may obtain and filter an image of an eye. A pupil of the mage may be selected and segmented. Portions of the pupil border can be evaluated and pruned. A curve may be fitted on at least the invalid portions of the pupil border. The iris of the eye with an acceptable border of the pupil as an inside border of the iris may be selected from the image. The iris outside border having sclera and eyelash/lid boundaries may be grouped using a cluster angular range based on eye symmetry. The sclera boundaries may be fitted with a curve. The eyelash/lid boundaries may be extracted or masked. The iris may be segmented, mapped and analyzed.
US08098900B2 Skin detection sensor
A device for detecting the presence of human skin including an illuminator source for providing an IR band at a predetermined frequency known as a blue LED. The IR band frequency ranges from about 400 nanometers (nm) to about 500 nm, and preferably from about 450 nm to about 485 nm. Most preferred is a blue LED with a frequency of about 468 nm. The band is reflected off a target and received by a sensor such as a photo detector. The value for human skin is compared to the signal detected. Other materials that have been used to spoof detectors have different values and thus are distinguished from human skin.
US08098899B2 Landmark search system for digital camera, map data, and method of sorting image data
In a camera location landmark search system, when an image is captured by a digital camera, a GPS calculator calculates position data indicating a camera position. The position data and image data of the captured image are memorized in association with each other. Map data is divided at regular intervals of latitude and longitude into a lot of areas. Based on the position data, a divisional area including the camera position is selected with reference to a divisional area index table of the map data, and landmark data prepared for the determined divisional area are retrieved from a landmark data table of the map data. Based on the landmark data, a landmark corresponding to the camera position is determined, and the landmark name is memorized in association with the image data. The image data as sorted according to the landmark names may be displayed with the landmark names.
US08098893B2 Moving object image tracking apparatus and method
An apparatus includes a first-computation unit computing first-angular-velocity-instruction values for driving first-and-second-rotation units to track a moving object, using a detected tracking error and a detected angles, when the moving object exists in a first range separate from a zenith by at least a preset distance, a second-computation unit computing second-angular-velocity-instruction values for driving the first-and-second-rotation units to track the moving object and avoid a zenith-singular point, using the detected angles, the detected tracking error and an estimated traveling direction, and a control unit controlling the first-and-second-rotation units to eliminate differences between the first-angular-velocity-instruction values and the angular velocities when the moving object exists in the first range, and controlling the first-and-second-rotation units to eliminate differences between the second-angular-velocity instruction values and the angular velocities when the moving object exists in a second range within the preset distance from the zenith.
US08098889B2 System and method for vehicle detection and tracking
A method for vehicle detection and tracking includes acquiring video data including a plurality of frames, comparing a first frame of the acquired video data against a set of one or more vehicle detectors to form vehicle hypotheses, pruning and verifying the vehicle hypotheses using a set of course-to-fine constraints to detect a vehicle, and tracking the detected vehicle within one or more subsequent frames of the acquired video data by fusing shape template matching with one or more vehicle detectors.
US08098888B1 Method and system for automatic analysis of the trip of people in a retail space using multiple cameras
The present invention is a method and system for automatically determining the trip of people in a physical space, such as retail space, by capturing a plurality of input images of the people by a plurality of means for capturing images, processing the plurality of input images in order to track the people in each field of view of the plurality of means for capturing images, mapping the trip on to the coordinates of the physical space, joining the plurality of tracks across the multiple fields of view of the plurality of means for capturing images, and finding information for the trip of the people based on the processed results from the plurality of tracks. The trip information can comprise coordinates of the people's position and temporal attributes, such as trip time and trip length, for the plurality of tracks. The physical space may be a retail space, and the people may be customers in the retail space. The trip information can provide key measurements along the entire shopping trip, from entrance to checkout, that deliver deeper insights about the trip as a whole.
US08098886B2 Computation of intrinsic perceptual saliency in visual environments, and applications
Detection of image salience in a visual display of an image. The image is analyzed at multiple spatial scales and over multiple feature channels to determine the likely salience of different portions of the image. One application for the system is in an advertising context. The detection may be improved by second order statistics, e.g. mean and the standard deviations of different image portions relative to other portions. Different edges may be considered as being extended edges by looking at the edges over multiple spatial scales. One set of feature channels can be optimized for use in moving images, and can detect motion or flicker. The images can be obtained over multiple spectral ranges the user can be instructed about how to maximize the saliency. This can be applied to automatically evaluate and optimize sales or advertisement displays.
US08098885B2 Robust online face tracking
Systems and methods are described for robust online face tracking. In one implementation, a system derives multiple resolutions of each video frame of a video sequence portraying movement of a visual object. The system tracks movement of the visual object in a low resolution as input for tracking the visual object in a higher resolution. The system can greatly reduce jitter while maintaining an ability to reliably track fast-moving visual objects.
US08098880B2 System and method for the generation of multi-layer correlation-based digital watermarks
Disclosed are systems and methods directed to the generation of multi-layer digital watermarks, including the generation of distinct watermarks on each of at least two color layers or channels within an image such that each may be retrieved or viewed independently of the other in the output image.
US08098876B2 Speaker
A speaker includes a magnetic circuit 1 that is formed in the center of a frame 5, a voice coil 6 that is inserted in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit 1, a damper 7 that is fixed to the frame 5 and the voice coil 6, and a vibrating plate 8 that is fixed to the frame 5 and the voice coil 6. An opening 10 is provided in a bobbin 12 of the voice coil 6. The area of the opening 10 is 0.3% or less of the radial cross-sectional area of the bobbin 12 of the voice coil 6.
US08098871B2 Dynamic microphone
Even in the case where the volume of a back air chamber is small, sounds with a low frequency (low range) can be captured by equivalently decreasing the acoustic impedance of the back air chamber. A dynamic microphone includes a microphone unit 20 that includes a diaphragm 21 having a voice coil 21a and a magnetic circuit 22 having a magnetic gap; and a microphone case 10 that supports the microphone unit 20 on one end side thereof and has the back air chamber 12a provided on the back surface side of the diaphragm 21 via an acoustic resistance material 26 therein. In this dynamic microphone, an additional microphone unit 40 is provided besides the microphone unit 20; a membrane plate 50 consisting of a piezoelectric element, which deforms curvedly toward the back air chamber 12a side according to an applied voltage, is provided between the acoustic resistance material 26 and the back air chamber 12a; and the membrane plate 50 is driven by the sound signal (voltage signal) delivered from the additional microphone unit 40. Thereby, the acoustic impedance of the back air chamber 12a is decreased equivalently.
US08098867B2 Attachable external acoustic chamber for a mobile device
An external acoustic chamber (220) for attachment to a mobile device (200) is provided. The external acoustic chamber (220) optimizes the audio performance of the mobile device (200) thus reducing the need for signal equalization and/or hardware to amplify the sound signal. The mobile device (200) includes a loudspeaker (205) and a first acoustic chamber (207) acoustically coupled to the loudspeaker (205). The external acoustic chamber (220) comprises at feast a second acoustic chamber (222) which penetrates the first acoustic chamber (207) adding volume to the first acoustic chamber (207). The combined greater volume reduces the dampening of loudspeaker (205) caused by the pressure in the first acoustic chamber (207). The result is an improvement in the frequency response of loudspeaker (205) approaching the natural frequency response of loudspeaker (205). The at least second acoustic chamber (222) is sized and shaped so that a first exterior surface portion of the acoustic chamber (220) covers or is flush with the battery (214) installed in the housing (201) of the mobile device (200). The first, exterior surface portion is substantially aligned with a second exterior surface portion enclosing the at least second acoustic chamber (222).
US08098858B2 Hearing device with current-conducting metal arm
The influence of interference from power supply lines in hearing devices is to be reduced. Thus a hearing device with an antenna for receiving and/or sending inductive signals, a signal processing device, to which the antenna is connected, a power supply unit for supplying power to the signal processing device and an electrical conductor for electrical connection of the power supply unit to the signal processing device is provided. The electrical conductor is L-shaped or U-shaped and closely follows the contours of the power supply unit. In addition the electrical conductor forms a part of an essentially round or rectangular ring, the axis of which has a main directional component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the antenna. A magnetic field created by the conductor is thus perpendicular to the antenna, so that its magnetic interference influence is reduced.
US08098856B2 Wireless communications devices with three dimensional audio systems
Mobile terminals having three dimensional audio capabilities for making sound appear to originate from any location within a three dimensional space and to facilitate navigational movement among displayed information are provided. A mobile terminal includes a housing that encloses a processor and one or more speakers. A display is located on the housing that is in communication with the processor, and a keypad is located on the housing that is in communication with the processor and that is responsive to user input for navigating a cursor within the display. The mobile terminal includes a three dimensional audio system that is in communication with the processor and speaker(s). The three dimensional audio system audibly indicates navigational movement of the cursor in the display, and is configured to make sound emitted by the speaker(s) appear to originate from any of a plurality of locations in a virtual three dimensional space.
US08098854B2 Multiple receivers with a common spout
A speaker module for a personal communication device includes two transducers for generating sound on the basis of an electrical signal. One transducer outputs sound to the surroundings from a sound output thereof and the other transducer outputs sound to the surroundings via the first transducer. In this manner, two transducers require only one sound output. The sound from the second transducer may be transmitted through and filtered by an opening in a diaphragm of the first transducer. Filtering elements may be provided between the two transducers.
US08098853B2 Microphone unit and sound input apparatus
A microphone unit includes: a partition member, including a vibration film configured to be vibrated by sound; a housing, defining an inner space, and formed with a first opening and a second opening, the inner space being divided into a first space and a second space by the partition member, the first space adapted to be communicated with an outer space via the first opening, and the second space adapted to be communicated with the outer space via the second opening; and a shutter, configured to close one of the first and second openings; and an amplifier, configured to: amplify an electric signal at a first gain when the shutter closes the one of the first and second openings; and amplify the electric signal at a second gain that is larger than the first gain when first and second openings are opened.
US08098852B2 Acoustic reflector and energy storage for media assemblies
A speaker assembly is provided with a housing, a speaker mounted to the housing, and a reflector spaced apart from and facing the speaker. The reflector is symmetrical and has an arcuate central convex region for reflecting pressure back to the speaker for amplifying back pressure to the speaker. The reflector has a secondary region with an arcuate cross-section for reflecting acoustic vibrations past and outboard of the housing. The reflector is partially translucent, and a light source is provided adjacent the reflector for conveying light to the reflector, past and outboard of the housing for illuminating a region that receives acoustic vibrations reflected from the reflector. A media assembly is provided with a fan operably connected to a generator so that air that passes into a housing through an inlet and out of an outlet, causes the fan to rotate thereby providing a power source to a media device.
US08098849B2 Low frequency equalization for loudspeaker system
A method of optimizing the low frequency audio response emanating from a pair of low frequency transducers housed within a cabinet. The low frequency transducers are electrically connected to a power amplifier and source of audio content. The resonant frequency (Fs) and amplitude (Q) are characterized as to the high-pass pole of the low frequency transducers as they are mounted within the cabinet. An equalizer is placed between the amplifier and source of audio content for canceling the complex pole of the low frequency transducers and for establishing a new complex pole at a cut off frequency below which the sound generated by the low frequency transducers will diminish.
US08098845B2 Low cost noise floor reduction
A method and system to reduce the noise floor of a communications system is disclosed. The system may be incorporated into any device that provides binary samples from a datastream, such as a cordless telephone system. The system is configured to determine a number of bits of the binary samples that are affected by noise. The system is then able to remove the noise by setting those bits to a fixed value. The fixed value may depend on whether the sample is positive or negative. The value to set may be chosen so that the least significant bits of each sample come as close as possible to 0 for that particular numerical representation system. The system can be integrated with other known signal processing methods.
US08098844B2 Dual-microphone spatial noise suppression
Spatial noise suppression for audio signals involves generating a ratio of powers of difference and sum signals of audio signals from two microphones and then performing noise suppression processing, e.g., on the sum signal where the suppression is limited based on the power ratio. In certain embodiments, at least one of the signal powers is filtered (e.g., the sum signal power is equalized) prior to generating the power ratio. In a subband implementation, sum and difference signal powers and corresponding the power ratio are generated for different audio signal subbands, and the noise suppression processing is performed independently for each different subband based on the corresponding subband power ratio, where the amount of suppression is derived independently for each subband from the corresponding subband power ratio. In an adaptive filtering implementation, at least one of the audio signals can be adaptively filtered to allow for array self-calibration and modal-angle variability.
US08098839B2 Voltage generating apparatus for headphone
A voltage generating apparatus for a headphone is provided, which includes a voltage generator, a charge pump circuit, an operating amplifier and a controller. The voltage generator generates a first operating voltage. The charge pump circuit receives the first operating voltage and an adjusting signal, and generates a second operating voltage according to the first operating voltage and the adjusting signal. The operating amplifier receives the first operating voltage and the second operating voltage serving as the operating voltages thereof and receives an input signal so as to generate an output signal. The controller receives the second operating voltage and a control signal, and generates the adjusting signal according to the second operating voltage and the control signal.
US08098836B2 Active vibratory noise control apparatus
When the frequency of an engine rotation signal reaches a predetermined frequency, a comparator of a switching unit outputs a switching control signal to selectors and a filter coefficient updater. Based on the switching control signal, the selector switches from a connection between one memory and a corrector to a connection between another memory and the corrector, thereby changing the transfer characteristics C^rr of the corrector from C^11 to C^10. Based on the switching control signal, the selector switches from a connection between one ADC and a filter coefficient updater to the connection between another ADC and the filter coefficient updater, thereby supplying the filter coefficient updater with an error signal, rather than an error signal.
US08098833B2 System and method for dynamic modification of speech intelligibility scoring
A system and method to detect and measure remediated speech intelligibility by evaluating received test audio transmitted across and received in a space or region of interest. Remediation of the test audio may include altering the rate, pitch, amplitude and frequency bands energy during presentation of the speech signal.
US08098826B2 QKD system laser autocalibration based on bit-error rate
A method of autocalibrating the timing of the laser in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system is disclosed. The laser generates photon signals in response to a laser gating signals from a controller. The method includes first performing a laser gate scan to establish the optimum laser gating signal arrival time corresponding to an optimum bit-error rate when exchanging photon signals between encoding stations of the QKD system. Once the optimum laser gating signal arrival time is determined, the laser gate scan is terminated and laser gate dithering is initiated. Laser gate dithering involves varying the arrival time of the laser gating signal around the optimum value of the arrival time. Laser gate dithering provides minor adjustments to the laser gating signal arrival time to ensure that the system operates at or near the optimum bit-error rate.
US08098823B2 Multi-key cryptographically generated address
A method for generating a network address, called a multi-key cryptographically generated address (MCGA), enables the network address to be claimed and defended by multiple network devices. The network address can be generated by (a) obtaining a cryptographically generated identifier using public keys corresponding to the network devices, and (b) applying an address generation function to the cryptographically generated identifier. The address generation function may be a one-way coding function or cryptographic hash of the public keys from all hosts that will advertise or claim the right to use the address. A message that claims authority over the MCGA may include an encrypted digest of the message which is encrypted using the private key of the sender. Authentication of the sender may be achieved by obtaining a test digest from the message using the digest function, decrypting the encrypted digest, and comparing the decrypted digest to the test digest. The signature is generated with only the private key of the host sending the message, but requires the public keys of all the network devices claiming authority to verify.
US08098822B2 Secure communication system and method using shared random source for key changing
Apparatus for use by a first party for key management for secure communication with a second party, said key management being to provide at each party, simultaneously remotely, identical keys for said secure communication without transferring said keys over any communication link, the apparatus comprising: a datastream extractor, for obtaining from data exchanged between said parties a bitstream, a random selector for selecting, from said bitstream, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by said data exchanged between said parties, a key generator for generating a key for encryption/decryption based on said series of bits, thereby to manage key generation in a manner repeatable at said parties.
US08098813B2 Communication system
In an embodiment, a method for removing an echo component is a first signal received at an audio input device includes outputting a second signal from an audio output device, receiving at the audio input device the first signal wherein the echo component in the first signal is the result of the second signal traversing an echo path; detecting if the first signal only comprises the echo component; determining an estimate indicative of the echo path by comparing the first signal and the second signal when it is detected that the first signal only comprises echo; applying the estimate indicative of the echo path to the first signal to determine an equalised first signal; comparing the equalised first signal with the second signal to determine an estimate indicative of the echo component; and removing the echo component from the first signal in dependence on the estimate indicative of the echo component; wherein the step of detecting if the first signal only comprises the echo component comprises comparing a characteristic of the equalised first signal to a characteristic of the second signal.
US08098809B2 System and method for self-supporting applications
A method and system self-supportable devices and applications are provided. The method and system in one embodiment allows devices and applications to automatically communicate and service themselves, for example, by checking knowledgebase services and other services for instructions on how to handle an exception. In another embodiment, the devices and applications automatically initiate actions needed to handle the exception.
US08098807B2 Method and system for providing an audio conference
A method and system for providing an audio conference includes receiving audio from a moderator via a circuit-switched telephone network, transmitting a representation of the audio to a first listener group via the circuit-switched telephone network, and transmitting a representation of the audio to a second listener group via a packet-switched network. The audio conference is preferably transmitted to the first listener group and the second listener group in real-time or near real-time (e.g., within a few seconds). Although the method and system could be used with any suitable circuit-switched telephone network, the method and system are preferably used with a public switched telephone network. Further, although the method and system could be used with any suitable packet-switched network, the method and system are preferably used with the Internet.
US08098806B2 Non-user-specific wireless communication system and method
A wireless communication system has a central computer, one or more access points and personal badges that communicate with the one or more access points. The central computer includes a database indexed by either user identification codes or badge serial numbers. When a user activates a badge, the central computer assigns the badge to the user who activated the badge so that any message for the user is directed to the badge. The user may also access his personal data section in a central computer database through the badge while the activation is valid. When the user deactivates the badge, the central computer deletes the association and returns the badge to a non-user-specific state. Where docking stations are available to rest the badges not being used, the badges may be configured so that they are activated when decoupled from the docking stations and deactivated when coupled to the docking stations.
US08098804B1 Systems and methods for call treatment using a third party database
Systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through the use of one or more third party databases are shown. For example, a controlled environment facility information management system may access a database external thereto, such as a victim notification database, which is created and maintained by a third party unrelated to the controlled environment facility. Such third party database access may be accomplished at the point of call validation or caller verification for determining the treatment of the call (e.g., allowed, blocked, allowed with limitations, etcetera). Such call treatment determinations may be made with respect a particular prisoner or other resident of the controlled environment facility making the call, may be made with respect to all calls made from a particular controlled environment facility, may be made with respect to a group of controlled environment facilities, etcetera.
US08098802B2 DSL integrated call waiting
One embodiment of a call handling method, among others, includes receiving a query from a switching system indicating that a called party telephone is busy; examining handling information for the called party to determine if the called party has voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; and instructing the switching system to then route the analog call over a VoIP connection to the called party after the called party chooses to communicate using the VoIP service.
US08098798B2 Logging call data for failed emergency calls
A method of logging call data for failed emergency calls includes: receiving from a calling party an emergency call that is to be routed to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) (40) over a telecommunications network (20); determining if the received emergency call is connected to the PSAP (40); and, if the received emergency call fails to be connected to the PSAP (40), then capturing selected call data regarding the failed emergency call and recording the captured call data.
US08098797B2 Self-service circuit testing systems and methods
In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a test management subsystem configured to provide a user portal to a user of a circuit provided by a service provider, the user portal including a tool enabling the user to select a signal loop for testing at least a section of the circuit, the signal loop being selected from a plurality of signal loop options. The system also includes a network management subsystem communicatively coupled to the test management subsystem, the network management subsystem being configured to receive data representative of the selection from the test management subsystem and instruct, based on the selection, a network device along the circuit to execute a loop-back mode. In certain embodiments, the selected signal loop defines a test pattern signal flow for testing a subsection of the circuit.
US08098795B2 Device and method for time-delayed integration on an X-ray detector composed of a plurality of detector modules
An X-ray detector for recording an image of an object that is moving relative to the detector includes a plurality of detector modules which are adjacently disposed so that they partially overlap. Using the detector modules, a TDI (Time Delayed Integration) is performed within each detector module. Subsequently an evaluation unit determines corrected measurement values of an overlap region by adding the measured values from the individual detector modules in the overlap region.
US08098794B1 Moving-article X-ray imaging system and method for 3-D image generation
An x-ray imaging system and method for a moving article are provided for an article moved along a linear direction of travel while the article is exposed to non-overlapping x-ray beams. A plurality of parallel linear sensor arrays are disposed in the x-ray beams after they pass through the article. More specifically, a first half of the plurality are disposed in a first of the x-ray beams while a second half of the plurality are disposed in a second of the x-ray beams. Each of the parallel linear sensor arrays is oriented perpendicular to the linear direction of travel. Each of the parallel linear sensor arrays in the first half is matched to a corresponding one of the parallel linear sensor arrays in the second half in terms of an angular position in the first of the x-ray beams and the second of the x-ray beams, respectively.
US08098793B2 Device for cushioning of compression surfaces
According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.
US08098792B2 Shift register circuit
A shift register circuit with waveform-shaping function includes plural shift register stages. Each shift register stage includes a first input unit, a pull-up unit, a pull-down circuit, a second input unit, a control unit and a waveform-shaping unit. The first input unit is utilized for outputting a first driving control voltage in response to a first gate signal. The pull-up unit pulls up a second gate signal in response to the first driving control voltage. The pull-down circuit is employed to pull down the first driving control voltage and the second gate signal. The second input unit is utilized for outputting a second driving control voltage in response to the first gate signal. The control unit provides a control signal in response to the second driving control voltage and an auxiliary signal. The waveform-shaping unit performs a waveform-shaping operation on the second gate signal in response to the control signal.
US08098791B2 Shift register
A shift register includes a control circuit, a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The control circuit generates a control signal according to a start pulse signal during being enabled. The pull-up circuit produces a gate pulse signal according to a clock signal during being enabled by the control signal. The pull-up circuit includes a dual-gate transistor. A first gate of the dual-gate transistor is electrically coupled to the control signal, a second gate of the dual-gate transistor is electrically coupled to a predetermined voltage, the source/drain of the dual-gate transistor serves as an output terminal for the gate pulse signal, and the drain/source of the dual-gate transistor is electrically coupled to the clock signal. The pull-down circuit pulls a potential at the first gate and another potential at the output terminal down to a power supply potential during the pull-up circuit is disabled.
US08098789B2 Systems and methods for the cyclotron production of iodine-124
The present invention relates to targets, systems and methods for the cyclotron production of 124I from aluminum telluride (Al2Te3) targets. The systems and methods utilize low energy proton cyclotrons to produce 124I by the 124Te(p,n) reaction from enriched Al2Te3 glassy melts. The 124I is recovered in high yield from the glassy melt by adapted methods of common thermal distillation techniques.
US08098788B1 System and method for automatic leakage control circuit for clock/data recovery and charge-pump phase locked loops
An apparatus that includes a module for controlling the frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) as part of a phase locked loop (PLL), or clock and data recovery (CDR) when an input reference signal to the PLL or serial data to the CDR has ceased from being received. In particular, the apparatus comprises a VCO adapted to generate a VCO clock signal, a first control module adapted to control the frequency of the VCO clock signal based on the input reference signal, and a second control module adapted to control the frequency of the VCO clock signal in response to an absence of the input reference signal. By controlling the frequency of the VCO clock signal during an absence of the input reference signal, the first control module is able to more easily re-acquire control the frequency of the VCO clock signal when the input reference signal is received again.
US08098787B1 Method and apparatus for precision quantization of temporal spacing between two events
One or two Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) modules are used to measure the time between two pulses with high resolution. A PLL inside a SerDes block is locked to a reference clock and an input signal is passed through a storage element to create a serial data stream that is converted into a parallel data stream by a demultiplexer inside the SerDes. The parallel data is stored in a bit logic unit that compares the parallel data to a second parallel data obtained in similar fashion in another SerDes from a second input signal. The time between the two pulses is then calculated as the number of cycles in the serial data stream that corresponds to the number of bits between the positions of the two events.
US08098784B2 Systems, methods and computer program products for high speed data transfer using a plurality of external clock signals
A method for capturing data includes receiving a plurality of external clock signals including a first external clock signal and a second external clock signal. Each external clock signal has a first frequency, a first edge and a second edge. Data is received on one or more signal links at a second frequency that is faster than the first frequency. The data includes consecutive data with a first data signal followed by a second consecutive data signal. The consecutive data is captured at the second frequency in response to the first edges and not the second edges of the external clock signals. The first data signal is captured based on the first edge of the first external clock signal and the second consecutive data signal is captured based on the first edge of the second external clock signal.
US08098783B2 Training pattern for a biased clock recovery tracking loop
Some embodiments of the invention provide a biased tracking loop that may include encoded information. Embodiments may comprise a training pattern, utilized in a non-interfering way that allows for clock recovery, embedded information transmission and/or header alignment. Therefore, embodiments may comprise a tracking loop training pattern that comprises data.
US08098782B2 Communications device including a filter for notching wideband receive signals and associated methods
A communications device includes pre-processing circuitry for processing a received wideband complex signal including an undesired narrowband interference component therein, and for determining a frequency of the undesired narrowband interference component. A filter is downstream from the pre-processing circuitry and operable to generate a received wideband complex signal with at least one frequency notch therein to suppress the undesired narrowband interference component. The filter includes a finite impulse response (FIR) filter with L taps to generate N output values, with L>N. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) block is downstream from the FIR filter and has a length N so that filter transition regions occur between frequency bins of the FFT block. A notching block is downstream from the FFT block to generate the frequency notch. An Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) block is downstream from the notching block and has the length N.
US08098778B2 Controlled transmission of data in a data transmission system
This disclosure relates to controlled transmission of data in a data transmission system. Data from data interface elements may be transmitted in a controlled manner during the guard intervals or cyclic expansions of received RF signals. The received RF signals may be initially analyzed by a receiver to gather its characteristics. Based on the characteristics, the data interface elements are instructed to transfer the data during the guard intervals of the incoming RF signals.
US08098777B2 Signal detection method and receiving apparatus in MIMO system
The present invention relates to a signal detection method and a receiving apparatus in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a signal detection device in a MIMO system using a spatial multiplexing (SM) method. In the signal detection method, a channel is estimated and layers are rearranged according to a predetermined layer arrangement rule. QR-decomposition is performed by using a rearranged system model, all constellation points in a symbol of a layer having the lowest reliability are considered, and symbols are detected by using a sequential interference elimination method.
US08098775B2 Data processing apparatus, data processing method and program
A data processing apparatus includes: a branch-metric computation section configured to compute a branch metric; a state-metric computation section configured to compute a state metric; a detection section configured to detect a minimum state metric; a storage section configured to store states as surviving states; and a selection section configured to select a candidate.
US08098770B2 Unbiased signal-to-noise ratio estimation for receiver having channel estimation error
Apparatus and methods for estimating transmission noise in a programming information signal. Channel noise power in binary phase shift keying (“BPSK”) modulated telecommunication may be estimated. Such a method may include receiving over the channel a reference signal and a data BPSK signal. The data BPSK signal may include the programming information. The method may include formulating a channel transfer function estimate for the channel based on the reference signal. The estimate may include a channel estimation error. The data BPSK signal may be equalized using the transfer function estimate. The data BPSK signal may include noise, which may be quantified in terms of power. The data BPSK signal noise power may be estimated in such a manner that is independent of the channel estimation error.
US08098769B2 Circuit and method for recovering a carrier
The invention relates to recovering a carrier for a synchronous demodulator, that receives an input signal. A carrier is reconstructed for the provided input signal, and the input signal (in) and carrier (tr) are mixed to generate a mixed signal to be outputted (i, q), wherein a residual phase error of the mixed signal is corrected by a phase shift to provide a phase corrected output signal.
US08098768B2 Compensation of ethernet transmit baseline wander
Compensation of transmit baseline wander in data transmission on a network. In one aspect, compensating for baseline wander includes receiving a signal to be transmitted by a transmitter, where the transmitter is operable with a higher-speed transmission standard requiring magnetics a first open circuit inductance. The signal is processed to compensate for a transmit baseline wander in the signal, the transmit baseline wander associated with a lower-speed transmission standard that requires magnetics with a second open circuit inductance that is higher than the first open circuit inductance. The processed signal is to be provided for transmission on a twisted pair cable of the network.
US08098765B1 Reducing and sharing computations for GPS signal processing
Methods and systems for processing a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal are provided. A method includes: transforming a time domain GPS signal to a frequency domain GPS signal; storing a frequency domain pseudorandom noise (PRN) signal; correlating the frequency domain GPS signal with the PRN signal at a plurality of frequencies, said correlating including: shifting the frequency domain GPS signal by an amount corresponding to one of the plurality of frequencies; downsampling the shifted frequency domain GPS signal; and multiplying the shifted frequency domain GPS signal by the stored frequency domain PRN signal to produce a correlated signal.
US08098759B2 Radio transmitting device and radio transmitting method
A radio transmitting device and method enables reduction of an increase of CGI memories for the control channel and an improvement of the throughput of the data channel. When multiplex transmission through the control channel and the data channel is carried out and when adaptive modulation is applied to both channels, an MCS selecting section (108) is provided with one CQI table for the data channel and CQI tables for the control channel, and a table selecting MCS determining section (201) selects one of the tables depending on the transmission bandwidth of the terminal and determines the MCS of the control channel while looking up the selected CQI table.
US08098757B2 Method and apparatus for windowing orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signals
The present invention provides a method of windowing signals in a communication system. The method includes accessing at least one first signal associated with at least one of a plurality of orthogonal frequencies and applying a window function to the at least one first signal to form at least one second signal. The at least one second signal remains substantially orthogonal to signals associated with the plurality of orthogonal frequencies.
US08098742B2 Gain control method and apparatus
An analog/digital gain control device avoid some of the requirements associated with the nature of a closed-loop AGC circuits and which meets the remaining requirements without much difficulty uses an analog to digital conversion method that increases the number of effective ADC bits by compressing the baseband input analog signal using a logarithmic circuit. After the compressed analog signal is converted into a digital signal, a digital anti-log process or look-up table (LUT) is used to expand the digital signal back to the original linear scale. The word size of the output of the anti-log process is larger than the input word size due to the nature of the anti-log function. To reduce the word size of the digital signal an open loop normalization technique can be applied.
US08098736B2 Variable length coding method and variable length decoding method
A variable length coding method is comprised of: a coefficient value scanning step in which an RL sequence generation unit 203, a reordering unit 202, and a binarization unit 203 scan coefficient values within a block in a predetermined scanning order starting at a higher-frequency component toward a lower-frequency component; and an arithmetic coding step in which an arithmetic coding unit 205 and a table storage unit 204 perform arithmetic coding on the absolute values of the coefficient values according to the scanning order used in the coefficient value scanning step, by switching between probability tables 1˜4 for use, wherein, in the arithmetic coding step, a probability table to be used is switched to another probability table in one direction, when the arithmetic-coded absolute values of the coefficient values include an absolute value exceeding a predetermined threshold value.
US08098734B2 Video encoder, video decoder, video encoding method, video decoding method, and video encoding and decoding system
A method and a video decoder for decoding an encoded bitstream of video data in a picture encoding and decoding system are disclosed. The video decoder includes a motion compensation unit for calculating a position for a sample image portion using an encoded bitstream of video data having a motion vector and rounding information. The calculated position of a sample image is rounded with the rounding information. The rounding information indicates the accuracy for rounding, and it is decoded from the bitstream. An image reconstruction unit reconstructs a decoded image portion of the video data from the sample image portion.
US08098732B2 System for and method of transcoding video sequences from a first format to a second format
The present invention discloses systems for and methods of transcoding first video data in a first format, such as AVC, into second video data in a second format, such as MPEG-2. A method in accordance with the present invention disables deblocking filters, bypasses macroblock encoding for certain picture types, such as B-pictures, and re-uses motion vectors. In one embodiment, motion vectors for the second video data are set substantially equal to motion vectors for the first video data, when the two differ by less than a threshold value. In other embodiments, only macroblocks that contain all zero-valued blocks bypass the transcoding process, thereby simplifying the transcoding process further. Other embodiments further simplify the transcoding process by requiring that B-pictures are not used as reference pictures, reference pictures in the second video data are restricted to be the same as reference pictures in the first video data, and bi-predictions are not allowed.
US08098731B2 Intraprediction method and apparatus using video symmetry and video encoding and decoding method and apparatus
An intraprediction method which improves compression efficiency using the symmetry of a video in the intraprediction of the video and a video encoding and decoding method and apparatus using the intraprediction method. The intraprediction method includes performing intraprediction by predicting a first region to be encoded in a video based on axial symmetry of a second region of the video with respect to a predetermined axis.
US08098729B2 Implementing B-picture scene changes
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing B-picture scene changes. A prediction stage predicts a B-picture scene change based upon a sequence of statistical information in an encoder order and a reaction stage is responsive to the prediction stage for modifying a quantization scale of a rate control algorithm.
US08098727B2 Method and decoding device for decoding coded user data
In on aspect, user data is decoded which has been coded as base data and refining data, wherein the base data is decoded using a first delay and the refining data is decoded using a second delay which is longer than the first delay. Furthermore, a check establishes whether the refining data is available in accordance with a time parameter. If the check result is positive, the decoded base data is additionally delayed, the additionally delayed decoded base data is mixed with the decoded refining data, and resulting mixed data is output as user data. If the check result is negative, however, the decoded base data is output as user data.
US08098726B2 Subranging for a pulse position and pulse width modulation based transmitter
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, in a pulse position and pulse position modulation out-phasing transmitter, the range of the phase angle, theta, may be divided into more than one range to drive a first power amplifier with a first range of theta, and to drive a second power amplifier with a second range of theta. In one or more embodiments, a main power amplifier is driven with a first phase range having a higher probability density function, and an overload power amplifier is driven with a first phase range having a lower probability density function. In one or more embodiments, a full adder may be used to combine the two phases wherein the sum signal is used to drive the main power amplifier, and the carry signal is used to drive the overload power amplifier.
US08098725B2 Equalization and decision-directed loops with trellis demodulation in high definition TV
Improved decision feedback equalizer and decision directed timing recovery systems and methods suitable for use in connection with a dual mode QAM/VSB receiver system are disclosed. A trellis decoder operates in conjunction with a decision feedback equalizer circuit on trellis coded 8-VSB modulated signals. The trellis decoder includes a 4-state traceback memory circuit outputting a maximum likelihood decision as well as a number of intermediate decisions based upon the maximum likelihood sequence path. Any number of decisions, along the sequence, may be provided as an input signal to timing recovery system loops, with the particular decision along the sequence chosen on the basis of its delay through the trellis decoder. Variable delay circuitry is coupled to the other input of the timing recovery system loops in order to ensure that both input signals bear the same timestamp. Final decisions are output from the trellis decoder to a DFE in order to enhance the DFE's ability to operate in low SNR environments. A decision sequence estimation error signal is also generated and used to drive the tap updates of both the DFE and an FFE portion of the equalizer.
US08098723B2 Receiver employing non-pilot reference channels for equalizing a received signal
In one embodiment, a receiver has a reference generator and a main equalizer. The reference generator equalizes a received signal using one or more pilot reference signals. Then, the reference generator decodes one or more predetermined data channels of the equalized signal, makes hard decisions on the data of each decoded channel, and regenerates the original coding sequence of each decoded channel. The main equalizer uses each re-encoded channel as an additional reference signal along with one or more pilot signals to equalize a time-delayed version of the received signal. In alternative embodiments, the receiver might also have a step-size generator which selects optimum step sizes from a look-up table based on the number of re-encoded channels and the power of those channels. The step size is then used by the main equalizer along with the re-encoded channels to equalize the time-delayed received signal.
US08098719B2 Fast initialization using seamless rate adaptation
A method for initializing modems in a multicarrier transmission system to establish a communication link between the transmitter and the receiver. An exemplary embodiment includes the steps of providing a predetermined parameter value that approximates a corresponding actual parameter value of the communication link, establishing a data communication link between a first transceiver and a second transceiver using the predetermined parameter value to allow the transmission of data, determining the actual parameter value, and seamlessly increasing the data rate of the established data communication link by using the determined actual parameter value to provide an steady state communication link with an updated data rate.
US08098716B2 Method and apparatus for providing an energy-based signal tracking loop
A method and apparatus for tracking a signal comprises correlating a digital signal with a code using a hypothesis at a plurality of frequencies and at least one delay to produce correlation results, measuring an energy value of the correlation results, adjusting at least one of the frequency or delay in response to the measured energy value to form the hypothesis.
US08098713B2 Methods and apparatus for generating and communicating wireless signals having pilot signals with variable pilot signal parameters
An embodiment for wirelessly communicating a signal includes a transmitter generating and transmitting a wireless signal over a wireless communication channel. The wireless signal includes a guard band, data represented within a plurality of data-bearing subcarriers, and a plurality of pilot signals represented within a plurality of pilot subcarriers. In an embodiment, the plurality of pilot signals have variable pilot signal parameters selected from a group of parameters that includes pilot power and pilot spacing with respect to adjacent pilots. An embodiment further includes a receiver receiving a channel-affected version of the wireless signal, and producing a corrected signal by applying corrections to the received signal based on estimated channel perturbations within the received signal, where the estimated channel perturbations are determined based on the plurality of pilot signals. The receiver also produces an output data symbol from the corrected signal.
US08098712B2 Optical correlation apparatus and method
Optical correlators are discussed, suitable for in-vehicle distance measurement. The correlators use modulation sequences based on maximal length sequences. A number of different modulation sequences are obtained by generator (32) from a single maximal length sequence, either by adding a variable number of cycles to the end of the maximal length sequence or by starting the maximal length sequence at different points in the sequence.
US08098710B2 Methods and apparatus for flexible hopping in a multiple-access communication network
Techniques for efficiently designing random hopping patterns in a communications system are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for generating random hopping patterns, updating the patterns frequently, generating different patterns for different cells/sectors, and generating patterns of nearby sub-carriers for block hopping.
US08098709B2 Wireless device configured to exclude frequency bands based on field intensity measurement
A wireless device including a first radio communication portion configured to effect radio communication with a first external communication device while using frequency bands selected one after another from among a group of frequency bands, a field intensity measuring portion which is configured to measure a field intensity value for each of a plurality of frequency bands belonging to at least the group of frequency bands and which is provided in a portion different from the first radio communication portion, and an excluding portion configured to exclude each of the above-indicated plurality of frequency bands for which the measured field intensity value is higher than a predetermined threshold value, from the above-indicated group of frequency bands.
US08098705B2 Radio frequency excited gas laser source
There is described a gas laser comprising a pair of substantially mutually parallel and opposed electrodes (17, 37), between which a volume is defined containing a gas in which said electrodes generate a discharge. At opposed ends of the electrodes, in said volume, mirrors (65) are arranged to define a resonant cavity. The electrodes form an integral part of two portions (5, 7) of a sealed housing (1), containing the gas and in which the mirrors and the electrodes are housed. The two portions (5, 7) forming the housing are electrically connected.
US08098703B2 Laser diode and method of manufacturing the same
A laser diode allowed to stabilize the polarization direction of laser light in one direction is provided. The laser diode includes a laminate configuration including a lower multilayer reflecting mirror, an active layer and an upper multilayer reflecting mirror in order from a substrate side, in which the laminate configuration includes a columnar mesa section including an upper part of the lower multilayer reflecting mirror, the active layer and the upper multilayer reflecting mirror, and the lower multilayer reflecting mirror includes a plurality of pairs of a low refractive index layer and a high refractive index layer, and a plurality of oxidation layers nonuniformly distributed in a direction rotating around a central axis of the mesa section in a region except for a central region of one or more of the low refractive index layers.
US08098695B2 Multiplexed audio data decoding apparatus and receiver apparatus
A multiplexed audio data decoder apparatus is provided in which integration of an audio decoder is easy, and has a high flexibility when the number of the formats to be processed is increased or when the specification is changed. In an external ROM 60 there are accumulated a plurality of decoding program codes corresponding to respective plural methods for compressing and encoding. A controller 50 transfers the decoding program code corresponding to the method for compressing and encoding after changing thereof, from the external ROM 60 to an internal RAM 25. A DSP 22 starts decoding processing by using the decoding program code which is transmitted into the internal RAM 25.
US08098691B2 Base-band ethernet over point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel
A method for point-to-point ethernet communication over point-to-multipoint shared single conductor channel topology comprises transmitting an ethernet signal upstream over the point-to-multipoint topology from one end point of the topology to the root of the topology, transmitting the ethernet signal downstream over the point-to-multipoint topology from the root of the topology to all end points of the topology, and selectively processing only at a designated end point the ethernet signal received at all end points. An ethernet system may comprise single conductor channel cabling (e.g., coaxial cabling) including a trunk line and a plurality of branch lines connecting to the trunk line at a plurality of points along the trunk line, a single root transceiver (root-PHY) connected at an end of the trunk line, and a plurality of end point transceivers (EP-PHYs), each connected to a respective one of the plurality of branch lines. The system and method further may communicate with an external network, such as the internet, via the root of the topology.
US08098690B2 System and method for transferring high-definition multimedia signals over four twisted-pairs
A system and method for transferring high-definition multimedia signals over four twisted-pairs. The system includes a multimedia source for transmitting multimedia data and source-to-sink management data to a multimedia sink over a first channel, a second channel and a third channel wherein the multimedia source is further being capable of transmitting a clock signal to the multimedia sink over a fourth channel; and a multimedia sink for transferring sink-to-source management data to the multimedia source over the fourth channel. The clock signal and the sink-to-source management data are simultaneously transmitted over the fourth channel. Each of the channels comprises a single twisted-pair, thereby the channels can bounded in a twisted pair type cable comprising at least one of: Category 5, Category 5e, Category 6, and Category 6e.
US08098688B1 Methods and apparatus for optimizing network management traffic using dynamic SNMP packet resizing
An apparatus and method for improving efficiency of data transfer utilizing packet resizing to optimize network management traffic are disclosed. After obtaining a maximum link capacity of a link which is capable of transmitting information, a process of dynamic packet resizing compares the maximum link capacity with a network management system (“NMS”) maximum packet size. The outbound packet size of a network element (“NE”) is set to the maximum link capacity if the maximum link capacity of the link is smaller than the NMS maximum packet size.
US08098682B2 System and method for interfacing with a management system
A network controller may split, via a pass-through driver, processing of transmit and/or receive network traffic handled by the network controller. Physical layer (PHY) processing and/or Medium Access Control (MAC) processing of the management traffic may be performed internally via the network controller. The pass-through driver may route at least a portion of management traffic carried via the transmit and/or receive network traffic externally to said network controller for processing. In this regard, the pass-through driver may enable routing of data and/or messages to enable performing the external processing of management traffic. An application processor may be used to perform the external processing of management traffic.
US08098681B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic termination of unused wired connection
A system and method provide dynamic termination of the unused wired connections in a communications interface of a communications device. An interconnected controller, switch, and termination circuit are provided to connect at least one unused wired connection of the communications interface to ground in response to a pre-determined event. Dynamic termination of one or more unused wired connections of the communications interface can occur while still allowing power delivery, via the interface, to the communications device to maintain operation of the communications device.
US08098675B2 Service interface for QoS-driven HPNA networks
An in-band signaling model media control (MC) terminal for an HPNA network includes a frame classification entity (FCE) and a frame scheduling entity (FSE) and provides end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) by passing the QoS requirements from higher layers to the lower layers of the HPNA network. The FCE is located at an LLC sublayer of the MC terminal, and receives a data frame from a higher layer of the MC terminal that is part of a QoS stream. The FCE classifies the received data frame for a MAC sublayer of the MC terminal based on QoS information contained in the received data frame, and associates the classified data frame with a QoS stream queue corresponding to a classification of the data frame. The FSE is located at the MAC sublayer of the MC terminal, and schedules transmission of the data frame to a destination for the data frame based on a QoS requirement associated with the QoS stream.
US08098671B1 Monitoring datagrams in a data network
A communication session over a network is facilitated. A signaling datagram from a source device having a source identity may be intercepted by a network device, and a response datagram may be generated for instructing the source device to send a subsequent datagram to the network device. The signaling datagram may be forwarded to a SIP server, where the SIP server associates the source identity with the network device acting on behalf of the source device, and where the SIP server operates to connect a destination device with the source device to establish a communication session over the network. The subsequent datagram may be received from the source device, and the subsequent datagram may be made available to the destination device via the network.
US08098666B2 Method and system for providing a priority-based, low-collision distributed coordination function using a super-frame structure
A method for providing a priority-based, low-collision distributed coordination function (DCF) in a wireless network is provided. The network includes an access point and a plurality of stations. The method includes receiving at a first station a super-frame from the access point. The super-frame is operable to define a service period for each of the stations. A priority for the first station is determined based on the super-frame. A back-off time is selected for the first station based on the priority.
US08098661B2 Methods and apparatus for enabling communication between network elements that operate at different bit rates
A method for enabling network elements (NEs) operating at a bit rate R1 to communicate with NEs operating at a bit rate R2 is described. A ratio of R2 to R1 is represented by a ratio M:N, M and N are positive integers, and M>N. The method includes providing a number M×K of the NEs operating at a bit rate R1, each of the M×K NEs including a communication interface communicating at the bit rate R1, where K is a positive integer, providing a number N×K of transceivers operating at the bit rate R2, each of the N×K transceivers including an M:N electrical interface which enables translation between bit rates whose ratio is represented by the ratio M:N, bypassing the communication interfaces of the M×K NEs by interconnecting electrical lanes of the M×K NEs with the M:N electrical interfaces of the N×K transceivers, and using at least one of the N×K transceivers for communicating data between at least one of the M×K NEs interconnected with the at least one of the N×K transceivers and at least one of the NEs operating at the bit rate R2. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US08098657B2 System and method for providing data commonality in a programmable transport demultiplexer engine
A method and system are provided for providing data commonality in a programmable transport demultiplexer engine. The method may involve utilizing a hardware assist block to process a portion of an incoming data packet, which may result in a partially processed data packet. The data packet may comprise data in any one of video formats and/or audio formats. A firmware block may then execute a plurality of instructions to process the partially processed data packet. The plurality of instructions may be independent of video and/or audio formats associated with the data packet.
US08098653B2 Signal-type dependent real-time fax relay
Signal-type dependent real-time fax Relay. For example, a system for delivering substantially in real-time a fax call from a gateway to an Internet Protocol (IP) network; wherein the fax call comprises: (a) analog signals of fax negotiation and control belonging to a first type of fax signals, and (b) half-duplex analog signals modulated according to a modulation scheme selected by fax terminals for fax image transfer belonging to a second type of fax signals; wherein the system comprises: a module for distinguishing between the first type of signals which are received at the gateway and the second type of signals which are received at the gateway; a module for demodulation and transferring signals belonging to said first type from said gateway to said IP network, and a module for transferring signals of said second type from said gateway to said IP network either after being demodulated or after being Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) encoded based on a predetermined condition; wherein the system is to determine, on per-signal basis, how to process sampled input of fax signals; wherein the system is to select, on per-fax-call basis, whether to transfer fax signals belonging to said second type after being demodulated or after being PCM encoded; wherein, if PCM encoding is used in the delivering of a fax signal, then the system is to initiate the PCM encoding; wherein the system is to switch, within a fax relay session, from or to utilizing a PCM-encoded signal stream, to or from, respectively, utilizing a demodulated data stream.
US08098651B1 Integrating multimedia capabilities with circuit-switched calls
The present invention monitors call signaling events stemming from a circuit-switched call between a caller and a called party and controls a packet-session between user agents on respective endpoints associated with the caller and called party. The endpoints may include any type of computational device capable of facilitating the packet-session over a packet-switched network. Control of the user agents may be provided via a proxy for the user agents and may use the session initiation protocol (SIP), or like session control protocol for communications.
US08098648B2 Load distributing method
When path status information is updated, the time at which the update is effective is recorded. A packet arrival time in each path is predicted based on new status information and data transmission history after the effective time. The packet is transmitted to the path that provides a fastest packet arrival time. This reflects the path status available from the reception side on the data transmitted in past, so that an actual data arrival time, an arrival time close to a reception completion time, or a reception completion time can be predicted.
US08098641B2 Method for selective distribution of communications infrastructure
A wireless communication system is provided for configuring a multihop chain while suppressing the cost and complexity. In this system, one network controller (NC) (105) for executing the infrastructure function distributes the scheduling information to a plurality of communication entities (WCE) (110, 115, 120, 210, 215) configuring the multihop chain for alternating operation in the infrastructure function mode and the client function mode. The WCE (110, 115, 120, 210, 215) alternately operates the infrastructure function and the client function according to the distributed control and operations information.
US08098639B2 System and method for managing communication channel assignments for different types of communication units in a communication system
System and method for efficiently managing communication channel assignments within talkgroups having dual mode communication units capable of operating on a first communication channel type and on a second communication channel type, and single mode communication units capable of operating only on the second communication channel type. If, at a base site, each of the communication units associated with a talkgroup is a dual mode communication unit, a call for that talkgroup is assigned to be broadcast using a channel of the first communication channel type. If, at least one of the communication units associated with the talkgroup at the base site is a single mode communication unit, the call for that talkgroup is assigned to a channel of the second communication channel type. As communication units roam between sites, channel assignments are continuously updated based on the types of communication units at each base site at any one time.
US08098638B2 Selection of network nodes of a network
A mobile node selects one or more network nodes of a network. Each network node of the network is communicatively coupled to a further network node of the network. The mobile node includes a communication unit configured to send a selection message that is receivable by a network node, the selection message including an identifier of the mobile node and a unique identifier of a current selection and the selection message being configured to select the one or more network nodes.
US08098633B2 Device and method for bit-interweaving
To support the higher modulation (such as 64QAM) in HSPA+ downlink data channel while fully be compatible with the existing HSDPA system, a device and method for bit interleaving are disclosed to process bit interleaving of a HS-PDSCH channel in HSPA+ of the WCDMA system.
US08098632B2 Apparatus and method for downlink scheduling in a SDMA-enabled OFDMA wireless network
A scheduler for scheduling downlink transmissions of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signals using spatially directed beams to a plurality of subscriber stations in a wireless network. The scheduler schedules the downlink transmissions as a function of frequency, time, and space. The scheduler further schedules downlink transmissions to a first subscriber station based on a first null space associated with at least one subscriber station previously scheduled to receive.
US08098628B2 Transmission control method, mobile station, and radio base station for performing a random access request and response
A packet communication method according to the present invention includes: transmitting, at a mobile station, a random access request that includes mobile station information assigned to the mobile station, to a radio base station through a random access channel allocated to a predetermined radio resource; receiving, at the radio base station, the random access request from the mobile station; and transmitting, at the radio base station, a random access response signal that notifies the receipt of the random access request and includes the mobile station information, to the mobile station through a downlink shared control channel corresponding to the random access channel.
US08098624B2 Method of controlling packet service setup and mobile communication system
A method for controlling packet service setup includes the steps of: transmitting a packet service request message containing a requested QoS to a packet service node by a mobile communication terminal; transmitting to the mobile communication terminal a packet service request response message including an assigned QoS determined in consideration of the requested QoS and network resources contained in the message received by the packet service node; comparing one or more parameter values among parameters contained in the assigned QoS contained in the packet service request response message from a mobile communication network with corresponding one or more parameter values among parameters contained in the QoS requested by the mobile communication terminal; and transmitting a packet service cancel request message if a difference between the parameter values is greater than or equal to a preset value.
US08098623B2 Telecommunications frame structure accomodating differing formats
A radio access network (RAN) (20) comprise a base station (28) and a wireless terminal (30). The base station 28 comprises a transceiver (38) and a frame handler (40), the wireless terminal (30) comprises a transceiver (48) and a wireless terminal frame handler (50). The frame handlers (40, 50) handle a enhanced frame F having enhanced frame structure. At least a downlink portion of the frame is formatted and handled in a manner whereby the frame can be perceived as a first format type of frame if the wireless terminal is a first type of wireless terminal and perceived as an enhanced or second format type of frame if the wireless terminal is a second type of wireless terminal. The frame handler configures the frame as plural subframes, each subframe having a downlink burst followed by an uplink burst. The frame is preferably configured to afford the second type of wireless terminal sufficient time to develop an acknowledgement for a message transmitted in a downlink burst, the acknowledgement being sent to the base station in an uplink burst which is within one frame length of the message.
US08098621B2 Compatible broadcast downlink and unicast uplink interference reduction for a wireless communication system
Embodiments of the current invention reduce interference from a mobile station (UE) uplink transmission to a received broadcast downlink transmission through a network-based scheduling of time-slotted downlink broadcast transmissions, so that they do not occur concurrently with uplink transmissions. The invention allows low cost, low power UEs to be designed and built by use of the following techniques: (i) downlink broadcast transmissions are time-slotted; (ii) UEs operate either in half-duplex mode for transmission and reception of unicast services, or in full duplex mode where additional bandpass or additional highpass filtering can be applied to the DL unicast carrier; (iii) when unicast services are active for a UE, the UE informs the network of the broadcast services that are being decoded; and (iv) the network schedules unicast transmissions, broadcast transmissions, or both unicast and broadcast transmissions such that the uplink unicast transmission to a UE is never time-coincident with the broadcast transmissions to that UE.
US08098616B2 Radio communication system, radio communication method, and radio communication device
In the environment of a communication area including a SDM-compatible mobile station for space division multiplex transmission and a SDM-uncompatible mobile station not compatible with space division multiplex transmission, a base station having a plurality of antennas and capable of adaptively changing directivity performs allocation of a mobile station which simultaneously performs space division multiplex transmission (SDM) and space division multiplex access (SDMA) by using a predetermined space division multiplex transmission evaluation criterion and a space division multi access evaluation criterion. By using this radio communication method, it is possible to use the spatial degree of freedom at its maximum and provide a radio communication system having an improved communication capacity.
US08098615B2 Network protocol
A system includes wireless network devices and a terminal device. The wireless network devices include a base station and plural repeater devices for routing data. The terminal device runs a network protocol to establish a presence in a wireless network that includes the wireless network devices. The terminal device enters a low-power mode when not communicating over the wireless network.
US08098613B2 Method of managing transmission delay in a wireless communication system
In one embodiment of a method of managing transmission delay in a wireless communication system, a length of time over which a mobile station is permitted to re-transmit a packet or portion of a packet over a channel is controlled such that the length of time depends on at least one of a position of the mobile station, a temporal fading characteristic of the mobile station, and a radio frequency characteristic of the channel.
US08098609B2 Integrated scheduling of unicast and multicast traffic in relay-enabled wireless networks
A wireless network with integrated scheduling of unicast and multicast users in a relay-enabled two-hop wireless network is disclosed. In this system, users with finite buffers are considered and scheduled over multiple channels in an OFDMA-based wireless network. The gain-specific and efficient scheduling system helps leverage diversity and spatial reuse gains from these networks. The system is applicable to both unicast and multicast traffic and leverages diversity and spatial reuse gains simultaneously to optimize the target network with both unicast and multicast flows. The integrated scheduling system strikes a good balance in delivering efficient performance to unicast and multicast flows.
US08098608B1 Perimeter-based protocol for efficiently transmitting a message through a communications network
In a communications network having a plurality of nodes, a method of suppressing re-transmission of a message by a receiving node is disclosed. The receiving node receives a message from each of a plurality of transmitting nodes. Each of the receiving node and the transmitting nodes has a coverage area bounded by a perimeter. For each of the plurality of transmitting nodes, it is determined which portion of the perimeter of the coverage area of the receiving node is within the coverage area of the respective transmitting node. Re-transmission of the message by the receiving node is suppressed when the perimeter of the coverage area of the receiving node is completely within the combined coverage areas of the plurality of transmitting nodes.
US08098605B2 System and method for dynamic distributed communication
Growth of a distributed communication system is facilitated through dynamic addition of routing elements. A new routing element may be added to a network of routing elements by first establishing a connection between the new routing element and an existing routing element in the network. The connection may be either wireless or wireline. At least one address is assigned to the new routing element. Each assigned address comes from a pool of addresses maintained at the existing routing element. At least one pool of addresses is issued to the new routing element, permitting the new routing element to dynamically add yet another new routing element to the network of routing elements.
US08098604B2 WiMAX based point to multipoint system operating in frequencies below 1 GHz
A system for the delivery of high speed data mission critical, private broadband wireless networks based on a modified version of the ieee802.16e-2005 standard and subsequent versions of this standard referred to, known as “mobile WiMAX”. The system comprises a plurality of base stations, each of said base stations covering at least one sector, which maintain two-way data communication, with a plurality of mobile stations and fixed subscriber stations in its serving area, over licensed frequency bands below 1 GHz in accordance with the mobile WiMAX standard. The mobile WiMAX air interface standard (ieee802.16e) is modified for channel sizes below 1.25 MHz.
US08098601B2 Slow adaptation of modulation and coding for packet transmission
Systems and methods for performing MCS adaptation are provided. In some cases, the network performs MCS adaptation based on received NACKs. In other cases, the mobile station determines an MCS based on channel quality measurements, and feeds back the MCS adaptation decision to the network. In either case, NACK-only feedback may be implemented to reduce interference.
US08098595B2 Apparatus and method for defining a static fibre channel fabric
A storage area network and method for defining a static Fibre Channel Fabric that does not require a Principal Switch. The storage area network comprises one or more hosts, one or more storage devices, and a static Fabric connecting the one or more hosts and storage devices. Within the static Fabric, the Switches have their Domain_ID and Fabric_Name statically set. The method comprises accessing the Fabric, selecting a Switch in the Fabric, and statically configuring the Domain_ID and Fabric_Name for the selected Switch. The above sequence is repeated for each Switch in the static Fabric. In one embodiment, after being statically configured, the Switch is isolated from any dynamically set Switches in the Fabric. The Switch detects which of its Ports are connected to dynamically set Switches, and then isolates them, while maintaining operational the Ports connected to statically configured Switches.
US08098593B2 Multi-level interconnection network
A method and system for providing a multi-level interconnection network is provided. A multi-level interconnection network comprises basic cells that are aggregated into higher level cells at each level of the network. At the first level, the basic cells are aggregated into first level cells. Each first level cell is an aggregation of a number of basic cells that is one more than the number of devices in a basic cell. The basic cells of a first level cell are fully connected; that is, each basic cell has a first level link or connection to each other basic cell. In a first level cell, each device of a basic cell has a first level link to each other basic cell. The multi-level interconnection network has higher level cells that are aggregations of lower level cells in a similar manner.
US08098591B2 Selectively assigning mobile stations to segmented zones
A base station includes a transceiver, memory, and processor. The transceiver communicates with mobile stations. The memory stores a database of threshold CINR values. The processor implements a scheduling module. The transceiver receives a request to connect from a mobile station. The scheduling module obtains actual CINR and RSSI values for the mobile station. The scheduling module compares the actual CINR value with a threshold CINR value retrieved from the database based on the actual RSSI value. When the actual CINR value is greater than the threshold CINR value for the actual RSSI value, the scheduling module assigns the mobile station one or more subcarriers from a fully used zone of subcarriers. When the actual CINR value is not greater than the threshold CINR value for the actual RSSI value, the scheduling module assigns the mobile station one or more subcarriers from a segmented zone of subcarriers.
US08098587B2 Network access device
The present disclosure describes a system and apparatus for providing a network service, such as Frame Relay. The apparatus transmits the service to the network utilizing a G.SHDSL transmission standard; converts data between data utilizing a DS-1 transmission standard and data utilizing a G.SHDSL transmission standard; stores a parameter relating to the network service (e.g., bandwidth); and provides access to the parameter to the network. The apparatus further includes a database for storing the parameters relating to the network service, and a processor for running a program, such as an emulator, to convert the data. The processor also may set an operation in response to a signal received from the network, including synchronizing a clock in the apparatus with a network clock, changing a bandwidth of the apparatus, and upgrading a computer program at the apparatus.
US08098579B2 System and method for adjusting the window size of a TCP packet through remote network elements
A system for adjusting the window size of a TCP packet on a packet network including a receiving transport layer device configured to determine network performance information of the packet network; concatenate the network performance information into the data packets; adjust the window size of the TCP packet based on the network performance information; a non-transport layer device in communication with the receiving transport layer device for receiving the data packets; and a transport layer device in communication with the non-transport layer device, wherein the non-transport layer device forwards the data packets on to the transport layer device. A method for adjusting the window size of a TCP packet on a packet network is also included.
US08098576B2 Method and apparatus for providing a multicast service with multiple types of protection and recovery
A multicast service method and apparatus for providing multicast service with various types of protections and recoveries. The method includes splitting a multicast service into a plurality of unidirectional point-to-point services from a source node to each sink node, where a signaling message of each unidirectional point-to-point services is independent of one another; establishing, at the source node which publishes the multicast service, one or more label switch paths for each unidirectional point-to-point service with the signaling messages; and receiving a notification message when a failure occurs in the network, where the notification message carries ID(s) of one or more label switch paths that are affected by the failure; establishing, by the source node, a recovered label switch path or a new backup label switch path in response to the notification message.
US08098572B2 Interface monitoring for link aggregation
The present invention provides network interface monitoring and management that may be employed with link aggregation technologies. Multiple network interfaces may be aggregated into a single bond and data may be transferred to and from a backbone network via this aggregated bond. A link aggregation monitor employs a heartbeat generator, sniffer and data store to keep track of health and availability of network interfaces. The heartbeat generator sends heartbeats to the network interfaces, which pass the heartbeats around in a token ring configuration. If a network interface fails or otherwise goes offline, detection of this condition causes the monitor and heartbeat generator to prepare new or modified heartbeats so that data may be efficiently and accurately routed around the token ring and health of all remaining alive interfaces can be monitored properly. If a network interface re-enters or is added to the aggregate bond, new/modified heartbeats are then employed.
US08098571B2 Stack manager protocol with automatic set up mechanism
A stack switch for performing pass-through forwarding operations, assigning stack switch identifiers to a plurality of stack switches, temporarily disabling supervision messages exchanged by stack switches, and electing a primary master stack switch is disclosed. In the pass-through mode, the stack switch automatically forwards packets between stack ports independent of their destination address to maintain connectivity between adjacent stack switches while conventional bridging and routing operations are disabled. The sequential identifiers are also preferably assigned in accordance with the sequential position of the various stack switches to better reflect the topology of those switches. The switch is also preferably adapted to temporarily disable the transmission of supervision messages between stack switches to prevent re-assignment of network management functions when switch resources are low. The switch may execute a stack switch identifier numbering scheme based on the time the switch became operational.
US08098568B2 Signaling method in an OFDM multiple access system
A method for reducing the peak-to-average ratio in an OFDM communication signal is provided. The method includes defining a constellation having a plurality of symbols, defining a symbol duration for the OFDM communication signal, and defining a plurality of time instants in the symbol duration. A plurality of tones are allocated to a particular communication device, and a discrete signal is constructed in the time domain by mapping symbols from the constellation to the time instants. A continuous signal is generated by applying an interpolation function to the discrete signal such that the continuous signal only includes sinusoids having frequencies which are equal to the allocated tones.
US08098566B2 Optical disc, optical disc drive, optical disc recording/reproducing method, and integrated circuit
A bit pattern for a run-in area which allows data reproduction to be performed stably even when the recording density of an optical disc is increased is provided. An optical disc according to the present invention includes tracks, each of which divided into a plurality of recording blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a run-in area and a data area. In the run-in area, a prescribed run-in bit pattern is recordable; and in the data area, bit patterns having a plurality of bit lengths obtained by modulating data as a recording target in accordance with a prescribed modulation rule are recordable. In this optical disc, at least one of spatial frequencies corresponding to the bit patterns having the plurality of bit lengths is higher than a cutoff frequency. The run-in bit pattern recordable in the run-in area includes the bit patterns having the plurality of bit lengths, from which the bit pattern corresponding to the frequency higher than the OTF cutoff frequency has been excluded.
US08098561B2 Optical disk device and optical receiver IC
A first optical receiver circuit in an optical receiver IC, which composes an optical disk device, generates a first voltage signal VS1 indicating an amount of light of a laser beam oscillated in a multimode. A second optical receiver circuit generates a second voltage signal VS2 indicating an amount of light of an optical feedback from an optical disk. A binarization circuit extracts a band component corresponding to a predetermined frequency in VS1, and binarizes the band component, thereby obtaining a digital signal. A delay element delays a phase of the digital signal by time equivalent to a phase difference between VS1 and VS2, and outputs the phase delayed signal as a timing signal. A sample hold circuit (S/H) samples and holds the VS2 in synchronization with the timing signal. Further, A LPF eliminates a band component corresponding to the frequency from an output signal of the S/H.
US08098560B2 Light spot position control apparatus and light spot position control method
Provided is a light-spot-position control apparatus including: a first-light-source; a second-light-source; a beam-splitter splitting a beam of the second-light-source into m beams; an optical-system allowing a first-beam of the first-light-source and the m beams to irradiate a disk-shaped recording-medium, where grooves and lands are alternately formed with an equal radial width to form the grooves in spiral/concentric shape through common-objective-lens, the optical-system allowing the three beams to irradiate the recording-medium so that an interval of m beam-spots is 1/m of track pitch; a tracking-control-mechanism tracking-controlling the beam by changing a relationship between the optical-axis and the recording-medium; a light-receiving unit individually receiving the m beams; an error-signal generator generating error-signals representing radial-position-errors of the spot-positions of the m beams with respect to the tracks based on received signals; an error-signal selector selecting at least one error-signal; and a servo-controller controlling the tracking-control-mechanism to tracking-servo the beam based on the error-signal.
US08098552B2 Information processing device and method and program
An information processing device includes: a writing and erasing means for writing and erasing predetermined information to and from a predetermined recording area of a writable optical disc serving as a recording medium; an estimation information writing means for writing estimation information to the recording area to and from which the information is written and erased by the writing and erasing means; and an estimation means for reading the estimation information written to the recording area by the estimation information writing means and estimating a reproduced signal of the read estimation information.
US08098545B2 Underwater vehicle guidance
The present invention relates to an underwater guidance system for guiding an underwater apparatus, for example an underwater vehicle, towards a target structure, such as a docking station. The system comprises at least one system for capturing or sensing information on the relative position of the apparatus and the target structure and/or at least one imaging system for capturing an image of the target structure and a transmitter for wireless electromagnetic transmission of data indicative of the position information and/or captured image to the underwater apparatus or an underwater apparatus controller.
US08098544B2 Method and system for enhancing accuracy in ultrasonic alignment
A method for short range alignment using ultrasonic sensing is provided. The method includes shaping an ultrasonic pulse on a first device to produce a pulse shaped signal and transmitting the pulse shaped signal from the first device to a second device, receiving the pulse shaped signal and determining an arrival time of the pulse shaped, identifying a relative phase of the pulse shaped signal with respect to a previously received pulse shaped signal, identifying a pointing location of the first device from the arrival time and the relative phase, determining positional information of the pointing location of the first device, and reporting an alignment of three or more points in three-dimensional space. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08098543B2 Estimation of stress and elastic parameters
Various implementations described herein are directed to estimating stresses and elastic parameters in a formation based on seismic data. In one implementation, wide azimuth seismic data may be used to derive anisotropic elastic parameters. Furthermore, stresses may be calculated using a geomechanical earth model, followed by deriving anisotropic elastic parameters based on the calculated stresses. The anisotropic elastic parameters derived from the wide azimuth seismic data may then be used to modify the geomechanical earth model to improve the prediction of drilling parameters.
US08098536B2 Self-repair integrated circuit and repair method
A method for repairing degraded field effect transistors includes forward biasing PN junctions of one of a source and a drain of a field effect transistor (FET), and a body of the FET. Charge is injected from a substrate to a gate region to neutralize charge in the gate region. The method is applicable to CMOS devices. Repair circuits are disclosed for implementing the repairs.
US08098535B2 Method and apparatus for gate training in memory interfaces
An invention is provided for gate training in memory interfaces. The invention includes adding a coarse delay to a gate assert time, where the coarse delay is a predefined period of time and the gate assert time is a time when a data strobe gate signal is asserted. Next, the a data strobe signal is repeatedly sampled at the gate assert time until a rising edge of the data strobe signal is found, wherein a fine delay is added to the gate assert time between sampling of the data strobe signal. The fine delay is a period of time shorter than the coarse delay. Once the rising edge is found, the coarse delay is removed from the gate assert time, thus setting the gate assert time centrally within the preamble of the data strobe signal.
US08098534B2 Integrated circuit with separate supply voltage for memory that is different from logic circuit supply voltage
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes at least one logic circuit supplied by a first supply voltage and at least one memory circuit coupled to the logic circuit and supplied by a second supply voltage. The memory circuit is configured to be read and written responsive to the logic circuit even if the first supply voltage is less than the second supply voltage during use. In another embodiment, a method includes a logic circuit reading a memory cell, the logic circuit supplied by a first supply voltage; and the memory cell responding to the read using signals that are referenced to the first supply voltage, wherein the memory cell is supplied with a second supply voltage that is greater than the first supply voltage during use.
US08098533B2 Semiconductor memory device with adjustable selected word line potential under low voltage condition
A level shift element adjusting a voltage level at the time of selection of a word line according to fluctuations in threshold voltage of a memory cell transistor is arranged for each word line. This level shift element lowers a driver power supply voltage, and transmits the level-shifted voltage onto a selected word line. The level shift element can be replaced with a pull-down element for pulling down the word line voltage according to the threshold voltage level of the memory cell transistor. In either case, the selected word line voltage level can be adjusted according to the fluctuations in threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor without using another power supply system. Thus, the power supply circuitry is not complicated, and it is possible to achieve a semiconductor memory device that can stably read and write data even with a low power supply voltage.
US08098530B2 Systems and methods for erasing a memory
Methods of erasing a memory, methods of operating a memory, memory devices, and systems. In one such method, an erase block is erased to an intermediate erase voltage before it is erased to a final erase voltage, such as to tighten an erase distribution. Faster erasing cells have their erasing throttled using a positive bias on their access line once a particular number of cells coupled to the access line are erased to the intermediate erase voltage.
US08098529B2 Memory device having buried boosting plate and methods of operating the same
Memory devices are disclosed, such as those that include a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) NAND memory array having a boosting plate. The boosting plate may be disposed in an insulator layer of the SOI substrate such that the boosting plate exerts a capacitive coupling effect on a p-well of the memory array. Such a boosting plate may be used to boost the p-well during program and erase operations of the memory array. During a read operation, the boosting plate may be grounded to minimize interaction with p-well. Systems including the memory array and methods of operating the memory array are also disclosed.
US08098528B2 Voltage generation circuit and nonvolatile memory device including the same
A high voltage generation circuit includes a clock logic unit configured to generate a switch clock signal and a pump clock signal, that has a varying frequency, in response to an input signal, a high voltage unit configured to generate a high voltage in response to the pump clock signal, a high voltage switch configured to output a selection signal in response to the switch clock signal, and a switching element configured to transfer the high voltage, generated by the high voltage unit, to an output node in response to the selection signal.
US08098524B2 Semiconductor memory device capable of increasing writing speed
A memory cell array has a structure in which a plurality of memory cells connected with word lines and bit lines and connected in series are arranged in a matrix form. A selection transistor selects the word lines. A control circuit controls potentials of the word lines and the bit lines in accordance with input data, and controls write, read and erase operations of data with respect to the memory cell. The selection transistor is formed on a well, and a first negative voltage is supplied to a well, a first voltage (the first voltage≧the first negative voltage) is supplied to a selected word line and a second voltage is supplied to a non-selected word line in the read operation.
US08098520B2 Storage device including a memory cell having multiple memory layers
In a particular illustrative embodiment, a storage device includes a controller and a plurality of resistive elementary memory cells accessible via the controller. Each resistive elementary memory cell of the plurality of resistive elementary memory cells includes a plurality of memory layers selected to have hysteretic properties to store multiple data values.
US08098519B2 Semiconductor phase change memory using multiple phase change layers
In accordance with some embodiments, a phase change memory may be formed in which the thermal conductivity in the region outside the programmed volume of phase change material is reduced. This may reduce the power consumption of the resulting phase change memory. The reduction in power consumption may be achieved by forming distinct layers of phase change material that have little or no mixing between them outside the programmed volume. For example, in one embodiment, a diffusion barrier layer may be maintained between the two distinct phase change layers. In another embodiment, a face centered cubic chalcogenide structure may be utilized.
US08098518B2 Nonvolatile memory device using variable resistive element
A nonvolatile memory device may include a memory cell array with a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns. Each of a plurality of bit lines may be coupled to nonvolatile memory cells in a respective one of the columns of the array, and each of a plurality of column selection switches may be coupled to a respective one of the bit lines. A column decoder may be coupled to the plurality of column selection switches, and the column decoder may be configured to select a first one of the bit lines using a first column selection signal having a first signal level applied to a first one of the column selection switches. The column decoder may be further configured to select a second one of the bit lines using a second column selection signal having a second signal level applied to a second one of the column selection switches with the second signal level being different than the first signal level.
US08098516B2 Static source plane in STRAM
A memory array includes a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells arranged in a 2 by 2 array. Each magnetic tunnel junction cell is electrically coupled between a bit line and a source line and each magnetic tunnel junction cell electrically coupled to a transistor. Each magnetic tunnel junction cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction cell. A first word line is electrically coupled to a gate of first set of two of the transistors and a second word line is electrically coupled to a gate of a second set of two of the transistors. The source line is a common source line for the plurality of magnetic tunnel junctions.
US08098512B2 Reading phase change memories
A read current high enough to threshold a phase change memory element may be used to read the element without thresholding the memory element. The higher current may improve performance in some cases. The memory element does not threshold because the element is read and the current stopped prior to triggering the memory element.
US08098510B2 Variable resistive memory punchthrough access method
Variable resistive punchthrough access methods are described. The methods include switching a variable resistive data cell from a high resistance state to a low resistance state by passing a write current through the magnetic tunnel junction data cell in a first direction. The write current is provided by a transistor being electrically coupled to the variable resistive data cell and a source line. The write current passes through the transistor in punchthrough mode.
US08098503B2 Method and apparatus to control a power converter having a low loop bandwidth
A power converter controller is disclosed. An example power converter controller includes a feedback sensor circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter. The controller also includes a feedback sampling signal generator coupled to generate a feedback sampling signal coupled to be received by the feedback sensor circuit. The feedback sensor circuit is coupled to sample the feedback signal in response to the feedback sampling signal. The controller also includes a state machine coupled to the feedback sensor circuit to control switching of a switch of the power converter circuit according to one of a plurality of operating condition states in response to the feedback sensor circuit. The controller also includes a feedback time period signal generator coupled to generate a feedback time period signal coupled to be received by the state machine. A period of a feedback time period signal is substantially greater than a period of the feedback sampling signal. The state machine is coupled to be updated in response to the feedback time period signal.
US08098498B2 Self-powered portable electronic device
A self-powered portable electronic device includes a main body, a cover slidably assembled on the main body, a sliding part secured on the cover, and a power generating device. The power generating device includes a rack secured on the sliding part, a power generating module assembled on the main body, and a gear engaging the rack and assembled on the power generating module. The cover slides the rack relative to the main body, and the gear is rotated by the rack and drives the power generating module to generate operating power.
US08098495B2 Electromagnetic interference filter
A differential mode and common mode combination choke (DCCC) includes: a theta-shaped magnetic core including an essentially round magnetic ring and a magnetic plate engaged with magnetic ring across the area surrounded by the magnetic ring; and two common mode coils with the same number of turns and the same winding direction being wound around the magnetic ring. An EMI (electromagnetic interference) filter and an EMI filter module including the DCCC are also provided.
US08098486B2 Flexible display device
A flexible display device includes a display panel and a plurality of curving-restricting structures. The display panel has a display surface and a bottom surface opposite thereto. The display surface has a visible region and an outer region surrounding the visible region. The curving-restricting structures may be disposed on at least one of the outer region of the display surface and the bottom surface of the display panel. Each curving-restricting structure has a top surface and at least a slanted side wall. The top surfaces of adjacent curving-restricting structures are spaced with each other, and the slanted side walls of adjacent curving-restricting structures face each other. When the flexible display device are curved to a predetermined extent, adjacent curving-restricting structures may resist against with each other to prevent the display panel from being unduly curved to be damaged, and thus a use reliability of the flexible display device is improved.
US08098485B2 Wireless network sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors
A detection sensor for detecting proximately occurring events such as traffic patterns. The detection sensor includes a housing having several apertures and a wireless network sensor located in the housing. The wireless network sensor has several sensors for detecting events occurring proximate them, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. Each of the sensors is contained within one of the apertures, and the apertures have shapes configured to provide for varying types of coverage areas for each of the sensors.
US08098480B2 Lithium ion capacitor
A lithium ion capacitor includes a positive electrode made of a material capable of reversibly carrying either one or both of a lithium ion and an anion, a negative electrode made of a material capable of reversibly carrying a lithium ion, and an electrolytic solution made of a non-protonic organic solvent electrolytic solution of a lithium salt. A negative electrode active material is non-graphitizable carbon having a ratio of number of hydrogen atoms to number of carbon atoms of zero or more and less than 0.05. The lithium ion is doped in advance to either one or both of the negative electrode and the positive electrode so that a negative electrode potential when a cell is discharged to a voltage one half a charging voltage of the cell is 0.15 V or less relative to a lithium ion potential.
US08098479B1 Capacitor having zinc coated common edge with welded aluminum terminal
A capacitor is provided having a capacitor element, with first and second metalized thermoplastic sheets, which are offset and wound together to create common edges at opposite ends, a zinc or zinc-rich conductive coating thermally sprayed on each of the common edges of the capacitor element, and aluminum or aluminum-rich terminals welded to each of the conductive coatings to form a metallurgical bond, having a pull strength of at least 5 pounds, without damaging the capacitor element.
US08098471B2 Integrated circuit arrangement and circuit array
One aspect is an integrated circuit arrangement. The arrangement includes a first terminal, which can be brought to a first supply potential, a second terminal, which can be brought to a second supply potential, and a supply potential path formed between the first terminal and the second terminal. There is an electrostatic discharge element at least in the supply potential path. There is a signal input pad, to which an input signal can be applied and a signal output, at an output signal can be provided. A first inductance is arranged between the signal input pad and the signal output, and a second inductance is arranged between the signal output and the first terminal.
US08098468B2 Hardware overvoltage disconnecting circuit
The invention relates to a voltage detection control technology, especially relate to a hardware overvoltage disconnecting circuit wherein a DC power supply module is disconnected from a power network when the AC power network is in the state of overvoltage. The hardware overvoltage disconnecting circuit comprises a disconnecting relay and a voltage detection circuit. The disconnecting relay is connected in series between an AC power network and a power factor correction circuit of a power supply module. A first sampling terminal of the voltage detection circuit samples the voltage of the AC power network between the AC power network and the disconnecting relay, and an output of the voltage detection circuit is connected to a control terminal of the disconnecting relay. When the AC power network is in the state of overvoltage, the disconnecting relay is disconnected and the power supply module is disconnected from the AC power network. When the voltage of the AC power network is normal, the disconnecting relay is connected. The circuit of the present invention is started up before the busbar voltage reaches its extreme value, and the relay can still work even if only the auxiliary power supply is working among all the components of the power supply module. The auxiliary power supply of the module is still in the work state. The cost of the system is reduced.
US08098464B2 CPP-type magneto resistance element having a pair of free layers and spacer layer sandwiched therebetween
A magnetic field detecting element includes: first and second free layers; a spacer layer; a first exchange coupling transmitting layer; a first pinned layer; a second exchange coupling transmitting layer; and a second pinned layer. The first and second pinned layers are magnetized in directions which are perpendicular to an air bearing surface and which are anti-parallel with each other, respectively. The first exchange coupling transmitting layer or second exchange coupling transmitting layer has a positive exchange coupling strength, while the other has a negative exchange coupling strength. The first or second pinned layer that is located adjacent to the first or second exchange coupling transmitting layer having the negative exchange coupling strength has a larger magnetic film thickness than the first or second free layer that is located adjacent to the first or second exchange coupling transmitting layer having the negative exchange coupling strength.
US08098458B2 Slider with shallow step pads and rear side pockets
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a slider designed to reduce fly height sigma. According to one embodiment, a slider includes an air bearing surface, a front shallow step pad, a rear shallow step pad, and rear side pockets. The front shallow step pad and the rear shallow step pad are at a first level deeper than the air bearing surface. The rear side pockets are at a second level deeper than the air bearing surface. The rear side pockets are in close proximity to rear corners of the slider.
US08098452B1 Flying height measurement
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a disk drive system comprising a disk drive system comprising a disk having a track upon a surface of the disk, the track including a first data-storing sector and a second data storing sector, and a servo sector located between the first data-storing sector and the second data-storing sector, the servo sector including a first flying height (FH) field having a predetermined pattern. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08098447B1 Method and apparatus to limit DC-level in coded data
In a perpendicular magnetic recording system, the data that is being written by the write channel is fed back into the read channel. The read channel processes the data and decides if the written sequence is likely to have very poor DC characteristics. If that is the case, the write channel changes a scrambler seed and rewrites the data using the new scrambler seed. The data may also be inspected for patterns that might cause large baseline wander before being written to disk, i.e., in the write channel. A data sequence may be repeatedly scrambled and encoded until an acceptable level of estimated DC-wander has been achieved. The data sequence may then be written to disk.
US08098445B2 Focussing apparatus
A focusing device for a lens, including a frame, a lens carrier movable relative to the frame from a first position along an optical axis, a motor for driving the lens carrier along the optical axis, and at least one biasing member adapted to bias the lens carrier towards the first position. The biasing member may include one or more bending members.
US08098441B2 Objective lens for endoscopes
An objective lens for endoscopes has a front lens unit and a rear lens unit with an aperture stop between them. The front lens unit includes a first lens element with negative refracting power and a second lens element with positive refracting power, and the rear lens unit includes a third lens element with positive refracting power, a cemented lens component of a fourth lens element with positive refracting power and a fifth lens element with negative refracting power. The objective lens satisfies the following conditions: −2
US08098440B2 High-order aberration correction for optimization of human visual function
The present invention relates to the optimization of human visual function by correcting and/or optimizing high-order optical aberrations in high performance optical devices. The optimization is particularly useful for high performance devices used under low light conditions such as binoculars, rifle scopes, telescopes, microscopes, night vision goggles and laser eye protection devices.
US08098438B2 Power monitoring device for powerful fiber laser systems
A pig-tailed optical component used in a powerful fiber laser system is configured with a power monitor unit. The monitor unit has a plate-shaped beam splitter operative to reflect portions of at least one of respective forward and backreflected light signals, and multiple photo-detectors.
US08098437B2 Lens device having protective elements
A lens device has a body with a base surface, a plurality of lenses on the base surface, and a plurality of projections extending above the base surface and defining a protective plane above the plurality of lenses. The plurality of projections can include, for example, post-like regions, ridge-like regions, or a combination thereof.
US08098433B2 Direct and indirect light diffusing devices and methods
Some embodiments provide a daylighting apparatus comprising an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube opposite the first end. A diffuser can be positioned at the second end of the tube. The diffuser can comprise a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room, a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one upper region (e.g., a ceiling or upper wall surface) of the room and a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one lower region (e.g., a floor surface) of the room.
US08098425B2 Fiber communication system, fiber amplifier, and method for fabricating fiber amplifier
The present invention discloses a fiber amplifier, a fabricating method thereof, and a fiber communication system. The fiber amplifier includes at least a pump laser, at least a gain medium and at least an integrated optical component. The integrated optical component includes multiple optical input/output ports, and the optical input/output ports are connected to the pump laser or gain medium directly or indirectly. The present invention may better address problems of unstable performance and difficulty in reducing the size of components in the prior art where fiber amplifiers are formed by a number of discrete components with many fiber fusion splices. In addition, the present invention may reduce the production complexity and costs of fiber amplifiers, and improve the productivity of fiber amplifiers.
US08098423B2 System and method for voice control of medical devices
A medical device includes an insertable portion capable of being inserted into an orifice associated with a body of a patient. The insertable portion comprising an automated head unit capable of being manipulated in at least two axes of motion based at least in part on one or more control signals. The medical device further includes one or more controllers coupled to the automated head unit. In one particular embodiment, the one or more controllers generate the one or more control signals based at least in part on an input signal.
US08098415B2 Vibrating mirror element
A vibrating mirror element includes a base member, a substrate made of metal, integrally formed with a mirror portion, a movable portion swingably supporting the mirror portion from both sides and functioning as a lower electrode, and a mounting portion supporting the movable portion and mounted on the base member, a piezoelectric film provided on the movable portion of the substrate and vibrating the mirror portion by application of a periodic voltage, and an upper electrode provided on the piezoelectric film.
US08098414B2 Scanning image display system and scanning image display
A scanning image display system which includes a plurality of scanning image displays each including a light source adapted to emit a laser beam, and a scan unit having a first scan section adapted to scan the laser beam emitted from the light source in a first direction on a projection surface, and a second scan section adapted to scan the laser beam in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first scan sections are resonant scan sections which are faster than the second scan sections in scan speed. The first scan sections are heated with light during the time that an image is formed and a reset period of the second scan sections in order to control resonant frequencies of the first scan sections.
US08098411B2 Image reading apparatus
There is disclosed an image reading apparatus which comprises a document feeder, a reading unit, and a guide device. The document feeder includes a feeder roller and feeds a document sheet with an image thereon, along an outer circumferential surface of the feeder roller. The reading unit has a reading surface opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the feeder roller, and reads, at a reading position, the image on the document sheet being fed. The guide device has a guide surface, and is disposed to be opposed to the reading surface of the reading unit, so as to guide the document sheet along the guide surface to the reading position. The outer circumferential surface of the feeder roller, and at least an opposed portion of the guide surface at which the guide surface is opposed to the reading surface, have a substantially same color.
US08098408B2 Two-dimentional code printing apparatus and method and tangible medium
A two-dimensional code printing apparatus includes a computer device and a tape printer. A print frame is arranged on a label making work area on an edit display screen displayed on the computer device. A user inputs a text into a text box arranged on the print frame, and then highlights the text to be coded in a two-dimensional code by a mouse, and then one-clicks a two-dimensional code button. Herewith, the text and the two-dimensional code are displayed on the text box. If the user clicks a print button, a label on which both the text and the two-dimensional code printed is printed.
US08098407B2 Image forming apparatus and correction of position shift of a scan line in a sub-scan direction
The invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus digitally correcting curve and inclination of a laser beam. To this end, provided is an image forming apparatus that corrects a position shift of a scan line in a sub-scanning direction.
US08098406B2 Image forming apparatus capable of suppressing color variation due to misregistration of colors, image forming method, and computer-readable medium
An image forming apparatus performs dither processing on image data to form an image subjected to pseudo-halftone processing. The image forming apparatus includes a dither processing unit that performs dither processing on image data, and a dither pattern generation unit that generates a dither matrix for use in the dither processing, in accordance with an output gradation level. The dither matrix has a size of M×N pixels, and has a plurality of halftone dots arranged in a predetermined pattern in accordance with the output gradation level in order to represent a gradation of each color. The plurality of halftone dots are arranged in the dither matrix such that the halftone dots corresponding to at least two colors are substantially identical in color area ratio to each other in the dither matrix irrespective of a relative position with respective to the colors.
US08098405B2 Laser print apparatus with dual halftones
A printing system comprises a memory configured to store image data representing an image. The printing system comprises a processor configured to perform a first digital halftone process on a first portion of the image and a second digital halftone process on a second portion of the image.
US08098404B2 Content-aware uniform rosette color halftone image resizing using iterative determination of energy metrics
As provided herein, there are supplied teachings to systems and methods for resizing a digital uniform rosette halftone image composed of multiple colorant separations, by using uniform rosette halftone tile parameters and iterative determination of energy metrics. One approach entails receiving into a digital imaging system, a digital uniform rosette halftone image and a desired resizing factor for that digital uniform rosette halftone image. Subsequently the system will define uniform rosette screen parameters to define uniform rosette Holladay halftone tiles within the color uniform rosette digital halftone image. From the defined uniform rosette cells, a number of uniform rosette halftone tile seams are determined for manipulation. The orientation of the number of uniform rosette halftone tile seams is dictated by the received desired resizing factor. The energy of the number of uniform rosette halftone tile seams is determined according to an energy metric so as to provide indication of low energy determined uniform rosette halftone tile seams. A resizing of the uniform rosette halftone image by iteratively deleting a number of the low energy determined uniform rosette halftone tile seam is performed so as to obtain a resized uniform rosette halftone image. The resized uniform rosette halftone image may then be printed on a printer.
US08098403B2 Color error diffusion with error signal offset
A method for multi-toning an input digital image having input pixels with two or more color channels to form an output digital image having modified output levels. The method includes determining modified output levels using a combined error signal formed from intermediate error signals for each color channel together with an error signal offset value, and adjusting the input levels for the nearby pixels responsive to weighted error signals.
US08098401B2 Method and apparatus for printing that considers an undesirable optical density printing range
Aspects of the disclosure provide a printing method that can utilize a lightly pigmented toner along with a darkly pigmented toner to improve the image quality. The method can include receiving a dataset corresponding to a printing of a printing system using a darkly pigmented toner. The printing system may have an undesirable optical density printing range for the darkly pigmented toner. Further, the method can include converting the dataset to a first dataset corresponding to a first printing of the printing system using the darkly pigmented toner, and a second dataset corresponding to a second printing of the printing system using a lightly pigmented toner. The first dataset can avoid the undesirable optical density printing range for the darkly pigmented toner, and a combination of the first printing and the second printing providing a substantially same printed optical density corresponding to the received dataset.
US08098393B2 Print system for resuming printing operation following an off-line error
Described are a printer and a method of controlling it, in which discarding received data and clearing data from a receive buffer is started when an off-line error occurs and the printer goes off-line. When the printer returns on-line, a control unit causes a data receiving unit to stop discarding said received data and causes sending a clear response as an on-line status report telling the host computer that the printer is returning on-line.
US08098385B2 Spool file modifying device
A spool file modifying device for a printing system which generates a spool file including intermediate files independent of a type of printer, and converts the spool file into print data suitable to a target printer. The spool file modifying device includes a spool file retrieving system that retrieves the spool file stored in a storage, a halftone mode designating system that designates an halftone mode as a processing mode to be used when the spool file including a bitmap is reduced in size. With this mode, a gradation of the original bitmap is retained after reduced. The device further includes a modifying system that modifies the retrieved spool file if the spool file retrieved by the spool file retrieving system includes modification information designating the spool file to be modified. The spool file before modified is replaced with the modified spool file, in the storage.
US08098382B2 Beam scanner and surface measurement apparatus
Disclosed are a beam scanner and a surface measurement apparatus. The beam scanner includes a spinning mirror having top and bottom reflective surfaces and a plurality of side reflective surfaces between the top and bottom reflective surfaces, and rotating about a rotary shaft penetrating the top and bottom reflective surfaces to scan beams, falling onto the side reflective surface, in one direction, a first light source emitting first beams to the side reflective surface, a second light source emitting second beams to at least one of the top and bottom reflective surfaces, and a detector receiving beams reflected by the spinning mirror, among the second beams. The beam scanner and the surface measurement apparatus can achieve high-speed, high resolution surface measurement since errors caused by the movement of the spinning mirror for beam scanning are minimized.
US08098381B2 Fly height and slider protrusion measurement
An apparatus for measuring a distance such as, for example, a fly height distance. An apparatus includes a slider having an air bearing surface and an optical condenser assembly spaced apart from the air bearing surface of the slider. The optical condenser assembly includes an optical cap and an optical substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is spaced apart from the optical cap and the second surface is spaced apart from the air bearing surface of the slider.
US08098379B2 Planar lightwave fourier-transform spectrometer
A transform spectrometer implemented on a planar waveguide circuit (PLC), having an input optical signal waveguide carrying an input optical signal to be analyzed; a plurality of couplers, each connected to the input optical signal waveguide, and each including a coupler output for carrying a coupled optical signal related to the input optical signal. An array of interleaved, asymmetrical waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI) is formed on the PLC, each having at least one input MZI waveguide, each MZI input waveguide receiving a coupled optical signal from a respective coupler output; wherein at least some of the input MZI waveguides intersect in a common layer of the PLC, at an angle which allows their respective coupled optical signals to transmit without unacceptable attenuation. This arrangement improves spatial efficiency of the PLC, allowing more MZIs to be implemented, resulting in increased spectral resolution.
US08098378B2 Energy-efficient operating method for a gas sensor
Energy-efficient operating method for a gas sensor. In a method for determining a gas concentration with the aid of a gas sensor having a radiation source, the radiation source is operated using a first electric power in a first operating mode, and is operated at a second electric power in a second operating mode, the second electric power being greater than the first electric power.
US08098377B2 Electric gated integrator detection method and device thereof
A cavity ring down system is optimized to precisely measure trace gases or particles in an air sample by using time sampling detection and multiple-sample averaging resulting in a high signal-to-noise ratio. In one embodiment, a cavity ring down system is programmed to measure the rise time and the fall time of the light level in an optical cavity. The cavity ring down system is programmed to integrate a plurality of sample portions during a rise time and a plurality of sample portions during a fall time (in alternate intervals) to obtain a time constant with no sample present and a time constant with sample present. The measurements are used to calculate trace gases in the air sample.
US08098376B2 Integrated embedded processor based laser spectroscopic sensor
A novel low-power and compact laser spectroscopic sensor is described herein. Embodiments of the disclosed sensor utilize state-of-the-art microprocessors and digital processing techniques to reduce power consumption and integrate functions into a small device. In particular, novel software methods are disclosed which allow the use of low-power microprocessors which draw no more than about 0.02 W of power. Such low-power enables long battery life and allows embodiments of the sensor to be used in portable applications. In addition, the system architecture and methods described in this disclosure allow a single integrated embedded processor to control all the subsystems necessary for a laser spectroscopic sensor further reducing sensor size and power consumption. In addition, a power efficient method of calibrating a photoacoustic laser spectroscopic sensor is disclosed.
US08098371B2 Apparatus for measuring residual stress of optical fiber
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a residual stress of an optical fiber. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring residual stress of an optical fiber which is provided with a variable polarizer of which rotation is unnecessary instead of a rotary analyzer to measure the residual stress in high resolution and at high speed.There is provided an apparatus for measuring a residual stress of an optical fiber including a light generation unit that generates light; a lens unit that converts the generated light into collimated light; a polarization unit including variable polarization devices that divide the collimated light into two perpendicularly polarized light beams and control phase retardation of the polarized light beams by means of an electrical signal; a measurement unit that allows the divided light beams of two polarization states to penetrate an optical fiber to be measured; and a light detection unit that detects the polarization states of the light beams penetrating the optical fiber.
US08098368B2 Method for evaluation of a gemstone
A method of determining the position of inclusions in a gemstone, comprising: (a) placing the gemstone within a material having a refractive index within 0.5, optionally 0.2 or 0.1, of that of the gemstone; (b) illuminating the gemstone and imaging the illuminated gemstone; and (c) determining the position of inclusions based on images of the inclusions in the images.
US08098366B2 Optical system, in particular of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An optical system, in particular of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, includes an optical system axis and a polarization-influencing optical arrangement, wherein said arrangement has a polarization-influencing optical element which includes an optically active material having an optical crystal axis and is of a thickness profile which varies in the direction of said optical crystal axis, and a position manipulator for manipulation of the position of said polarization-influencing optical element, wherein the polarization manipulator is adapted to cause rotation of the polarization-influencing optical element about an axis of rotation, wherein said axis of rotation is arranged at an angle of 90°±5° relative to the optical system axis.