| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08103768B2 |
Network aware forward caching
An Internet service provider includes a cache server and a network aware server. The network aware server is operable to determine an optimization between a cost of retrieving content from a network and a cost of caching content from the network at the first cache server and then send a content identifier to the cache server. The cache server is operable to receive the content identifier, and determine the source of a content item. If the source is the same as the content identifier, then the cache server caches the content item. |
| US08103767B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing requests among a plurality of resources
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing a request to one of a plurality of resources. A request is mapped to a location in circular mapping space using a hash function. Each of the plurality of resources is mapped to a respective location or locations in the circular mapping space. The request is allocated to one of the resources based on the given request location and the resource location in the circular mapping space. |
| US08103764B2 |
Method and apparatus for matching trigger pattern
A method, system and program are disclosed for accelerating data storage in a cache appliance that transparently monitors NFS and CIFS traffic between clients and NAS subsystems and caches files in a cache memory by using a perfect hashing memory index technique to rapidly detect predetermined patterns in received packet payloads and retrieve matching patterns from memory by generating a data structure pointer and index offset to directly address the pattern in the datagram memory, thereby accelerating evaluation of the packet with the matching pattern by the host processor. |
| US08103761B2 |
Methods of issuing a credit for a certificate for a domain name
The invention provides methods for efficiently registering a domain name and issuing a certificate without a Subscriber submitting a separate request for the certificate. A notice may be provided to the Subscriber after requesting to register the domain name that a credit for a certificate may be issued for the domain name. In other embodiments a credit may be given to the Subscriber for the certificate without receiving a separate request for the credit or certificate. The credit may be saved in a Subscriber's account to enable the Subscriber to use a certificate at a later time. In yet other embodiments, a single vetting process may be used to facilitate one or more of: creating a Subscriber's account; registering a domain name; and issuing a certificate. |
| US08103760B2 |
Dynamic provisioning of service components in a distributed system
Systems and methods simplify the provision of complex services over a distributed network by breaking a complex service into a collection of simpler services. Systems and methods provide the tools to deconstruct a complex, provision service elements that are needed to make up the complex service, and monitor the service elements to ensure that the complex service is supported. Quality of service is provided by matching service requirements to compute resource capabilities. |
| US08103755B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing a provider network
An administration system is defined that provides an interface between a subscriber and resources on a provider network. The subscriber, via the administration system, has access to and control over certain of the resources on the provider network. The subscriber may have access to and control over only those resources on the provider network related to the services provided to his network. Also, the subscriber may not be capable of altering resources on the provider network in a way that affects the services provided to another subscriber. Because the administration system allows a user to control resources on the provider network that relate to services provided to his network, the amount of support required by the provider to administer those resources is reduced. |
| US08103752B2 |
System and method for facilitating distribution of a translator
Disclosed are systems and methods for installing translators. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to identifying devices that are to receive the translator, and facilitating transmission of the translator from a first imaging device that possesses the translator, wherein transmission of the translator from the first imaging device facilitates receipt of the translator by the devices identified to receive the translator. |
| US08103746B2 |
Method and system for distributing requests for content
A method and system for caching content, such as content requested from a server on the World Wide Web. Requests for dynamic content are forwarded directly to a content server to avoid caching data that might only be used once. Requests for static content are forwarded to a hot or a regular cache depending on the frequency at which the content is requested. When a hot cache does not contain the content, it forwards the request to the forwarder which then forwards the request to a regular cache. When the regular cache does not contain the content, it requests the content from the forwarder which then forwards the request to a content server. There may be more than two layers of cache. |
| US08103745B2 |
Negotiated wireless peripheral security systems
Methods, apparatus, and business techniques are disclosed for use in mobile network communication systems. A mobile unit such as a smart phone is preferably equipped with a wireless local area network connection and a wireless wide area network connection. The local area network connection is used to establish a position-dependent ecommerce network connection with a wireless peripheral supplied by a vendor. The mobile unit is then temporarily augmented with the added peripheral services supplied by the negotiated wireless peripheral. Systems and methods allow the mobile unit to communicate securely with a remote server, even when the negotiated wireless peripheral is not fully trusted. Also mobile units, wireless user peripherals, and negotiated wireless peripherals that project a non-area constrained user interface image on a display surface are taught. |
| US08103743B2 |
Method and system for enabling client-side initiated delivery of dynamic secondary content
There is provided a method of enabling client-side initiated delivery of dynamic secondary content to a host page comprising running a dynamic secondary content delivery application, requesting a secondary content update to one or more items of existing secondary content rendered on the host page during page load, downloading the secondary content update to the client system, parsing the secondary content update by the dynamic secondary content delivery application, and rendering the secondary content update on the host page, resulting in the client-side initiated delivery of the dynamic secondary content to the host page. In one embodiment, the method is executed by a client system in response to instructions comprising the dynamic secondary content delivery application stored on a computer-readable medium. |
| US08103741B2 |
Location based content aggregation and distribution systems and methods
Location based content aggregation and distribution systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a content hub subsystem receiving a content posting from an access device connected to a network. The content posting includes data representative of a content instance created by a user associated with the access device and a geographic location associated with the content instance. The exemplary method further includes the content hub subsystem storing the content posting and selectively distributing the content instance to at least one other access device connected to the network based on the geographic location, wherein a past or present physical location of the at least one other access device within a predefined proximity of the geographic location is requisite to the distribution of the content instance to the at least one other access device. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08103736B2 |
Status notifying method in communication system, status notifying server and communication system
A profile server group determines whether any request for status notification is received from the client. If there is a request for status notification, a handle name included in the request is obtained, and a status flag corresponding to the handle name is extracted from the hard disk. Next, the status flag is checked. If the on-line flag is set to “ON”, the user status is checked. If the user status is not “IN HIDING”, the user status is notified. On the other hand, when the on-line flag is set to “OFF”, the client with the handle name relating to the request notifies that it is offline. |
| US08103735B2 |
Method and system for generating template replies to electronic mail messages
A method for responding to an electronic mail (“email”) message presented to a user on a display screen of a data processing system, comprising: receiving a command from the user to generate a reply to the email message using content from one or more template replies, the reply having a subject line and a body; presenting a choice of the one or more template replies to the user; receiving a command to select a template reply from the choice, the template reply having a subject line and a body; and generating the reply by inserting content from the body of the template reply into the body of the reply. |
| US08103734B2 |
System and method for seamlessly bringing external services into instant messaging session
The invention provides a framework that allows a number of software application agents to be stacked on top of an instant messenger application. Each of the software application agents establishes a connection with a third-party Web service on the Internet or a local application in the user's computer. The user can share one or more third-party services or applications with other user(s) in an instant messaging session through the application agents. |
| US08103729B2 |
Shared groups rostering system
Systems and techniques for sharing information among members of a group. Information about all current members of a group is stored. Instructions are received from at least one current member to invite at least one prospective member to join the group and the invitation to join the group is sent to the prospective member. In the event that an affirmative response is received, the prospective member is added to the current members of the group and automatically updated services are provided to current members of the group. |
| US08103725B2 |
Communication using delegates
A facility allows for automatic delegation of incoming real-time communications based on a delegation scheme. The delegation scheme may be rules-based and may be applied to a single real-time communication channel or multiple communication channels, including both real-time and non-real-time communication channels. The delegate information may include rules that indicate under what circumstances a communication should be rerouted, which delegate the communication should be rerouted to, and whether other associated actions should be taken in connection with the rerouting (or lack thereof). In some cases, the context of the incoming communication may play a role in how or whether a communication is rerouted to a delegate. |
| US08103723B1 |
Message server that retains messages deleted by one client application for access by another client application
A first processing session is entered with a POP client. A set of messages from a message repository is identified as available for access by the POP client. When the POP client causes a message to be deleted from the message repository (either by explicit or implicit actions), the message is removed from the set of messages available for access by the POP client but maintained for access by another POP client or by another messaging program. The messages available may be limited by a session size and they may be ordered newest to oldest. In some instances messages are part of conversations and the number of conversation from which the message may be drawn is limited. |
| US08103718B2 |
Content discovery and transfer between mobile communications nodes
Content discovery and content transfer between mobile communications nodes is often required, for example, to synchronize maps, traffic hot spot information and the like for vehicle mounted satellite navigation devices, pedestrian hand-held personal digital assistants and other mobile communications nodes. In an embodiment, content discovery processes using data structures designed in particular ways and sent using a single packet enable nodes to identify files to be transferred whilst keeping overheads down. In an embodiment a first and a second data structure are used, each being formed from slightly different information about a subset of the files to be synchronized. In another embodiment a single tree-based data structure is used. A process for transferring data between two mobile communications nodes is also described. |
| US08103713B2 |
System and method for managing service interactions
A system and method for managing service interactions launches a process that is defined by a programming abstraction based on a syntax of a general purpose programming language. Interaction with a service, such as a web-based service, is initiated and the process requests the service to perform an action. Execution of the process is suspended until a response is received from the service. Execution of the process continues after receiving a response from the service. |
| US08103711B1 |
Dispersion compensation using digital infinite impulse response filtering
Methods and systems for novel infinite impulse response filtering system to allow DC using a complex input signal having a real and imaginary part of the complex input signal yr and yi to produce a real part of a dispersion-compensated signal Xr. The system includes a first filtering circuit for filtering the real part of the input signal yr to produce a filtered real signal w1, a second filtering circuit for filtering and time reversing the imaginary part of an input signal yi to produce a filtered imaginary signal, and a first output summing device for summing the real and the imaginary filtered signal to produce the real part of a dispersion-compensated signal Xr. In an embodiment the filtering is accomplished with time reversing devices and real coefficient infinite impulse filters. In another embodiment, the filtering is accomplished with complex-coefficient infinite impulse filters. |
| US08103707B2 |
Method and system for presenting non-linear content based on linear content metadata
A system and method may include receiving a non-linear content identifier request. The system and method may further include identifying linear content metadata associated with the non-linear content identifier request, the linear content metadata representing at least one metadata keyword. The system and method also may include identifying a relationship between the at least one metadata keyword and at least one non-linear content keyword. |
| US08103706B2 |
Nondeferred reference-counting garbage collection using overlooking roots
A reference-counting garbage collection system utilizing overlooking roots injects eager reference-counting updates into the program. An overlooking roots reference-counting subsumption optimization tool identifies redundant reference-counting updates and removes them, lowering the number of reference-counting update calls and improving execution throughput. The optimization tool also includes new overlooking root relationships in order to permit other unnecessary reference-counting updates to be removed during optimization. Reference-counting updates which are specialized based on the overlooking root information are also included in the program. |
| US08103705B2 |
System and method for storing text annotations with associated type information in a structured data store
A text annotation structured storage system stores text annotations with associated type information in a structured data store. The present system persists or stores annotations in a structured data store in an indexable and queryable format. Exemplary structured data stores comprise XML databases and relational databases. The system exploits type information in a type system to develop corresponding schemas in a structured data model. The system comprises techniques for mapping annotations to an XML data model and a relational data model. The system captures various features of the type system, such as complex types and inheritance, in the schema for the persistent store. In particular, the repository provides support for path navigation over the hierarchical type system starting at any type. |
| US08103704B2 |
Method for database consolidation and database separation
Methods for consolidating databases while maintaining data integrity are disclosed. A source database and target database are compared, and consolidated, and the consolidated databases are used. In other examples, a database is split to support divested entities. |
| US08103701B2 |
Metadata to technical design review document process
A method includes receiving a user input in a design environment indicating at least one software component for which a technical design document is desired, identifying files in which information associated with the component is located, accessing the information, and formatting the information according to a technical design document template. A system has a design environment for development of software components, and a document generator to automatically generate documentation for the software components on demand. A method to design software components includes producing a design of a software component in a design environment residing upon a computer, selecting the software component for design review, and generating a design document according to a template from the design environment. |
| US08103700B2 |
Data management apparatus and data distribution system
Ghost data used for reproducing a game process having been executed in accordance with operations performed by users are transmitted, as necessary, from a plurality of game apparatuses to a data management apparatus. The data management apparatus stores the ghost data received from the plurality of game apparatuses, in accordance with a definition of a database in which a plurality of score sections are defined based on a value represented by score data, and a maximum registration allowable number of users for which the ghost data are registered is defined for each of the plurality of score sections, or is defined so as to be the same among the plurality of score sections. The data management apparatus transmits, when a ghost data distribution request is received from a one of the plurality of game apparatuses, the ghost data for at least one user for which the ghost data is registered so as to be associated with one of the plurality of score sections, the one of the plurality of scores sections being associated with the score data included in the ghost data distribution request, to the one of the plurality of game apparatuses. Thus, it is possible to limit the total capacity for storing the ghost data in a server to a predetermined range of capacity, and allow each player to obtain the ghost data in accordance with a skill of the player. |
| US08103690B2 |
Realtime database architecture
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for automatically supplying data items to a client. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining, from among a plurality of data items displayable by a client, one or more relevant data items to be supplied to the client, the plurality of data items displayable by a client located in a first database corresponding to a tracked user's interactions with a website. The one or more relevant data items are then automatically supplied to the client. The method also includes storing a copy of the supplied one or more relevant data items in a second database. |
| US08103683B2 |
Converting between software objects
A computer program product is provided. The product comprises a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for converting between data objects constructed according to different software technologies. The method comprises providing a system comprising distinct software modules to perform the converting between data objects and processing a properties file to identify a first class associated with a first software technology based on a second class associated with a second software technology. The method also comprises analyzing the first class to identify a first attribute of the first class. The method also comprises constructing a first object of the first class and assigning a first value to the first attribute of the first object based on a second value of a second attribute of a second object of the second class. |
| US08103676B2 |
Classifying search results to determine page elements
This invention relates to determining page elements to display in response to a search. A method embodiment of this invention determines a page element based on a search result. A classification is determined based on a search result. Page elements are generated based on the classification. By using the search result, as opposed to just the query, page elements are generated that corresponds to a predominant interpretation of a user's query within the search results. As result, the page elements may, in most cases, accurately reflect the user's intent. |
| US08103675B2 |
Predicting user-item ratings
A method of predicting user-item ratings includes providing a first matrix of hidden variables associated with individual items, a second matrix of hidden variables associated with individual users, a third matrix of predicted user-item ratings derived from an inner product of vectors in the first and second matrices, and a fourth matrix of actual user-item ratings. The first and second matrices are alternately fixed and solved with a weighted-λ regularization of at least one of the first and second matrices by minimizing a sum of squared errors between actual user-item ratings in the fourth matrix and corresponding predicted user-item ratings in the third matrix repeatedly until a stopping criterion is satisfied. |
| US08103670B2 |
Systems and methods for retrieving data in a computer network
A data retrieval system comprising a first computing device communicatively coupled to a second computing device; the first computing device having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application that is used for retrieving data; the second computing device communicatively coupled to one or more storage media; the software application having a retrieval module for retrieving data from the one or more storage media; a storage and backup map that maps to the second computing device; and a data index stored on the second computing device that indicates to the retrieval module a particular location of the data that is to be retrieved by the retrieval module. |
| US08103669B2 |
System and method for semi-automatic creation and maintenance of query expansion rules
A system and method enable semi-automated generation of query expansion rules for searching a knowledge base. Candidate synonymy pairs are automatically extracted from queries made by users when searching a knowledge base. Synonymy rules are defined, based on the extracted candidate synonymy pairs, and may be context dependent. Query expansion rules based on the defined synonymy rules can then be exported to a storage medium for use in expansion of new user queries when searching the knowledge base. |
| US08103667B2 |
Ranking results of multiple intent queries
Techniques and systems are disclosed providing improved ranking of results to an online search-based query. One or more user types are identified for a search-based query, which may correspond to a number of user relevant results and which ones are selected. A user profile can be determined for the respective user types for the search-based query, which may identify a proportion of the users that belong to that type, and how many results are relevant to that type. A set of relevant results can be identified for the respective user types for the query, based on a number of results used by the user type. An improved ranking of the results can be determined for the query, from the one or more sets of relevant results, based on the user profiles and a desired user satisfaction metric for a desired number of users. |
| US08103660B2 |
Computer method and system for contextual management and awareness of persistent queries and results
Presented is a computer system and user interface for seamlessly integrating the creation and submission of persistent queries, and for collecting and presenting the real-time results of those queries, into the context of one's work and directly structured work artifacts. Users are provided a real-time awareness of what is happening to their persistent queries and their results, from within the work context of the artifact and program application used during creation and submission of the queries. Rather than having to visit a separate alerting application, the user is able to manage queries and query results directly from a subject application, such as a problem-solving application. |
| US08103658B2 |
Index backbone join
Techniques described herein perform an index backbone join of data that is contained within two or more tables. Significantly, key data are selected from the indices constructed on the tables, and such data are filtered by the query-indicated criteria, before any data is selected from the tables themselves. Row identifiers of the rows remaining after the index filtering has been performed are then used to select the qualifying rows (only) from the tables. Data selected from the tables is joined to produce query results. Because all of the filtering is performed based on index entries prior to any table access, and because index access is typically much faster than table access, queries whose results require very large quantities of data from multiple tables can be performed much more quickly. |
| US08103657B2 |
Locating and retrieving data content stored in a compressed digital format
A method and apparatus is provided for locating and retrieving specified data content in a database. The data comprises compressed digital audio or video data files associated with the recorded speech. Retrieval of the specified content requires decompression of only a portion of the compressed data. A method for locating specified content of the above type is provided. A compressed audio file comprising recorded speech is converted into a corresponding text file. A searchable index is constructed from the text file. One or more specified search arguments are used to search respective elements of the searchable index in order to detect one or more text segments. The identifiers of respective detected segments are then used to locate the specified content in the audio file. Only portions of the audio file that contain specified content require decompression, in order to retrieve the content. |
| US08103654B2 |
System and method for querying heterogeneous data sources
A system and method for querying heterogeneous data sources is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of heterogeneously structured data sources, a plurality of query objects that represent queries to the data sources and that are independent of the structure of the data sources, and a user interface configured to query the plurality of query objects. |
| US08103648B2 |
Performing searches for a selected text
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for performing a plurality of searches. A request is received to perform the plurality of searches, wherein the request includes text. A search engine preference is retrieved, wherein the search engine preference specifies a plurality of search engines. An Internet browser is opened for each search engine in the plurality of search engines. A search is initiated in each Internet browser using the text. |
| US08103647B2 |
Address matching system and method
An address matching system that maintains a central database of valid addresses has been designed. According to the invention, address matching requests are received by the system from a plurality of remote users located at respective machines (“clients”). Those requests are processed at the central system, and the results are returned to the client that made the request. In addition, novel techniques are implemented for improving the likelihood of obtaining one or more matches from a request. |
| US08103643B2 |
System and method for performing distributed transactions using global epochs
A method for performing distributed transactions of a cluster. The method includes, in response to a lock request including a first epoch from a first node, setting a local epoch to a maximum of the first epoch and the local epoch, sending a first lock including the local epoch to the first node, and in response to a conflicting lock request including a second epoch from a second node, setting the local epoch to a maximum of the second epoch and the local epoch, where the conflicting lock request is delayed until after the first lock is released. The method further includes, in response to a reintegration request including a third epoch from the first node, setting the local epoch to a maximum of the third epoch and the local epoch and performing a reintegration based on the reintegration request, where the reintegration is logged using the local epoch. |
| US08103642B2 |
Adaptive region locking
A method and apparatus for managing locks in a database system is provided. A master node grants a lock on a first resource and a group of resources that includes the first resource to a first requester node. The requester node receives a mapping corresponding to the group of resources that may indicate that a lock already exists for a second resource in the group. If the requester node desires a lock on a resource located in the group, the requester node grants itself the lock without notifying the master node. A second requester node requests a lock for a particular resource in the group of resources. The first requester node grants the lock on the particular resource and updates the mapping to indicate that a different node holds a lock for the particular resource. |
| US08103640B2 |
Method and apparatus for role mapping methodology for user registry migration
A method, an apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for role mapping methodology for user registry migration. A migration engine is provided, which conjoins a set of conditions defined in a role mapping file to form a set of migration rules. The migration engine evaluates the migration rules against the current role of each user in the user registry and determines if the user should be assigned a new role. If a new role is assigned, the migration engine updates the user registry with the new role. |
| US08103639B1 |
File system consistency checking in a distributed segmented file system
A method of performing a file system consistency check in a distributed, segmented file system, includes: analyzing primary objects of a first segment of the file system to determine if a first primary object points to a second primary object of a second segment separate from the first segment, storing, if the first primary object points to the second primary object of the second segment, a first indication indicating that the first primary object points to the second primary object of the second segment, the first indication indicating an expected location of the second primary object; analyzing a shadow directory of the selected segment to determine an expected location of a third primary object, and an expected pointer of the third primary object indicative of a location and a name of a fourth primary object, the third primary object being contained in a segment other than the first segment; and storing a second indication indicating the expected location of the third primary object and the expected pointer of the third primary object. |
| US08103634B2 |
Document management system, document management device, document management method and recording medium storing a document management program
A document management system includes a management device that manages operation limiting information for limiting an operation of a document, and a document operation device that operates the document, in which the document operation device is provided with an invalidation request portion that requests invalidation of the document, and the management device is provided with an operation historical management portion that manages an operation history of a document for managing the operation limiting information, a related document retrieval portion that retrieves a related document related to the document according to the operation history managed by the operation historical management portion in response to the document invalidation request by the invalidation request portion, and an invalidation portion that sets invalidation information in operation limiting information on a document related to the invalidation request and a related document retrieved by the related document retrieval portion and invalidates the document related to the invalidation request and the related document. |
| US08103627B1 |
Bounce attack prevention based on e-mail message tracking
Information such as message identifier, sender, recipient, timestamp, etc., are recorded in a record in a local database as an e-mail message is sent out. A DSN counter is set equal to the total number of recipients, thus allowing returned messages to be compared against this counter to thwart a capture/replay attack. When a DSN message is received at the computer system it includes the originally sent e-mail message. The DSN message may be legitimate or it may be a faked DSN message. The system searches the local database for a record having information that matches with the returned e-mail message. If a match exists, the DSN message is legitimate and it is delivered to the original sender. If no match exists, then the DSN message has been faked and appropriate action is taken. When a match occurs, a match count value is incremented for that record and compared against the originally stored DSN count value. If the number of received DSN messages is greater than the original number of recipients, then a capture/replay attack has occurred and appropriate action is taken. |
| US08103624B2 |
Apparatus and method for automating the logging of table changes in a database
A system and method for logging changes to a database table are disclosed. The system comprises an administration tool, table metadata, a history table, and a service engine. The administration tool provides an interface through which a DBA, database programmer, or other user can manage the table metadata and the history table, including the selection of columns within the table for which the system will track changes. In the preferred embodiment, the service engine is a middleware application that tracks changes for the selected columns. The service engine processes all user-requested database operations and adds operations to manage the history table before relaying the request operations to a DBMS. Alternatively or additionally, the service engine may be a wrapper to existing services that the database application provides. |
| US08103622B1 |
Rate of change monitoring for a volume storing application data in a fractionally reserved data storage system
A mechanism by which a server system executing a host application monitors utilization of a fractionally reserved space on a volume storing application data. The server system executes space reservation policies to ensure that the host application is not halted due to inability to create snapshots on the volume. In one implementation, the server system alerts a system administrator if the rate of change in the size of data snapshots exceeds a specified threshold and initiates deletion of backup datasets stored on the volume if the size of a data snapshot exceeds the available space on the volume. |
| US08103619B1 |
Compressing data stored in a database system
In a database system, compression user-defined data types (UDTs) are defined to enable compression of data. Each compression UDT is associated with one or more UDT methods to compress data according to one or more respective compression algorithms. Also, one or more data structures are associated with data stored according to each compression UDT to store values pertaining to the compression of the data. |
| US08103617B2 |
Distributed directory server, distributed directory system, distributed directory managing method, and program of same
There is provided a distributed directory server to be used in a plurality of distributed directory servers connected to one another through a network and in a distributed directory system made up of a plurality of user devices, which includes a transmitting/receiving section to transmit or receive messages between user devices and other distributed directory servers, a use history notifying section to read a totalized information database and to provide notification for instructing the transmitting/receiving section to transmit data on the number of times of using Pushed data to the distributed directory server, and an evaluation function computing section to determine operation rules for Push distribution command and Pull search command to an index for every management unit. |
| US08103614B2 |
Definition and utilization of relational tags
A system is described which allows a user to define a relational tag. The relational tag describes how a first item is related to a second item within an identified qualifying context. For instance, the relational tag may state that the first item is ranked higher than or lower than the second item. When utilized by many users, the system forms a graph of interconnected items. The system can perform comparative analysis within this graph. For instance, based on the relational tags, the system can determine which item is the top-ranking item or bottom-ranking item within the graph. |
| US08103611B2 |
Architectures, systems, apparatus, methods, and computer-readable medium for providing recommendations to users and applications using multidimensional data
Exemplary non-transitory computer-readable medium, method and system for providing at least one recommendation to users and applications using multidimensional data. The multidimensional data can define a multidimensional space defined by a Cartesian product of the dimensions. The multidimensional space can have at least three dimensions, and each of the dimensions can be capable of (i) providing variable information, and (ii) having a type that is different from a type of another one of the dimensions. The exemplary non-transitory computer-readable medium, method and system can retrieve information from data associated with the multidimensional space. Further, the exemplary non-transitory computer-readable medium, method and system can generate the at least one recommendation based on the retrieved information. Further, at least one of the dimensions can include profiles. |
| US08103610B2 |
Dynamic categorization of rules in expert systems wherein a profile definition yields classification data that classifies rules and allows for rules to be searchable
Various embodiments include one or more of systems, methods, software, and data structures for dynamic categorization of rules and collections of rules within a rule base, such as a rule base of an expert system. One embodiment provides a computerized method that includes receiving a selection of one or more identifiers of rules in an expert system rule base and receiving a profile definition, the profile definition including metadata, which when processed, yields classification data that classifies the rules in the expert system rule base of the one or more selected rule identifiers. This computerized method further includes storing the profile definition with an association to the one or more selected rule identifiers of rules in the expert system rule base. |
| US08103608B2 |
Reference model for data-driven analytics
A taxonomy reference model for use in an analytical modeling component. The analytical modeling component defines analytical relationships between the model parameters using analytical relations. The analytical modeling component uses the analytical relations to identify which of the model parameters are known and which are unknown, and solves for the identified unknown model parameter(s). An analytics taxonomy categorizes the analytics relations into analytics categories. This analytics taxonomy may be domain-specific. Also, if the analytics drive visuals, the visuals could be taxonomized as well. If the analytics is driven by data, the data could also be taxonomized. |
| US08103607B2 |
System comprising a proxy server including a rules engine, a remote application server, and an aspect server for executing aspect services remotely
A service request is received from a client, the service request being directed to a web application, wherein a core concern of the web application is configured to perform a core operation upon receiving the service request. The service request is compared to a plurality of rules by a rules engine. If the service request satisfies a criterion specified in a first rule, an aspect service identified in the rule is initiated, wherein the aspect service performs an additional operation before or after the core operation is performed, and wherein the additional operation adds functionality to the core concern. |
| US08103606B2 |
Architecture, system and method for artificial neural network implementation
An architecture, systems and methods for a scalable artificial neural network, wherein the architecture includes: an input layer; at least one hidden layer; an output layer; and a parallelization subsystem configured to provide a variable degree of parallelization to the input layer, at least one hidden layer, and output layer. In a particular case, the architecture includes a back-propagation subsystem that is configured to adjust weights in the scalable artificial neural network in accordance with the variable degree of parallelization. Systems and methods are also provided for selecting an appropriate degree of parallelization based on factors such as hardware resources and performance requirements. |
| US08103604B2 |
Remote detection and measurement of objects
Provided are methods of using electromagnetic waves for detecting metal and/or dielectric objects. Methods include directing microwave and/or mm wave radiation in a predetermined direction using a transmission apparatus, including a transmission element; receiving radiation from an entity resulting from the transmitted radiation using a detection apparatus; and generating one or more detection signals in the frequency domain using the detection apparatus. Methods may include operating a controller, wherein operating the controller includes causing the transmitted radiation to be swept over a predetermined range of frequencies, performing a transform operation on the detection signal(s) to generate one or more transformed signals in the time domain, and determining, from one or more features of the transformed signal, one or more dimensions of a metallic or dielectric object upon which the transmitted radiation is incident. |
| US08103598B2 |
Compiler for probabilistic programs
A compiler for probabilistic programs is described. The inputs to the compiler are a definition of a model and a set of inference queries. The model definition is written as a probabilistic program which describes a system of interest. The compiler transforms statements in the probabilistic program to generate source code which performs the specified queries on the model. The source code may subsequently be compiled into a compiled algorithm and executed using data about the system. The execution of the compiled algorithm can be repeated with different data or parameter settings without requiring any recompiling of the algorithm. |
| US08103597B2 |
Optimizing schedule and itinerary for open houses
A computer system for scheduling open houses can include an activity analysis module programmed to analyze one or more characteristics or factors associated with one or more properties that are located within an activity zone. The computer system can also include a schedule optimization module programmed to suggest an optimum time for a seller to schedule an open house on a particular date, and the schedule optimization module being programmed to suggest an open house itinerary for a buyer. The computer system can also include an activity alert module programmed to monitor the computer system and to notify the buyer or the seller of new activities in the computer system. |
| US08103594B2 |
Information processing apparatus
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a storage unit configured to store a content which is limited in use based on a license information, the license information being correlated with the content; a control unit configured to determine whether or not the content is available based on the license information; and a notification unit configured to notify an information associated state of use if the control unit determines that the content is available under a predetermined condition. |
| US08103592B2 |
First computer process and second computer process proxy-executing code on behalf of first process
Upon a first process encountering a triggering device, a second process chooses whether to proxy-execute code corresponding to the triggering device of the first process on behalf of such first process based at least in part on whether a license evaluator of the second process has determined that the first process is to be operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of a corresponding digital license. The license evaluator at least in part performs such determination by running a script corresponding to the triggering device in the code of the first process. Thus, the first process is dependent upon the second process and the license for operation thereof. |
| US08103590B2 |
Method and system for managing multiple catalogs of files on a network
Systems and methods have been developed for managing multiple catalogs of files on a network. The systems and methods may manage a catalog of files with rights for sale and a catalog of rights presented for free public use. The systems and methods may manage these multiple catalogs via determining when one file should be moved from one catalog into another. The systems and methods may manage rights presented in the files, including rights offered for sale, rights offered for free use, where the managing may include changing the classification of those rights based on data relating to the files. The systems and methods may provide the ability to a user to research whether rights in the file are for sale. |
| US08103589B2 |
Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring/management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server. |
| US08103587B2 |
Interactive bill payment center
A software suite that provides a bill-payment module and comprises an interactive main interface listing bills due and payment accounts, an interactive history link, an interactive set-up link embedded in the main interface, an interactive transfer-funds link an interactive calendar link, a plurality of interactive drop-down menus providing upon invocation a plurality of selectable, interactive options for treating the listed bill and an interactive refresh-all link embedded in the main interface. |
| US08103586B2 |
Methods and systems for exchanging and/or transferring various forms of value
Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. |
| US08103581B2 |
System for continuously offered guaranteed fund having dynamically adjusted guarantee level and full and permanent allocation to risky market investments
A system has a guarantee valuation engine that configures a processor with code and enables a continuously offered fund to give effect to a guaranteed return while being always fully invested in traditional assets that correlate to a benchmark. In part, the system has a guarantee that is re-priced on a daily basis with that repricing being included in the reported NAV of the fund. The system stores a high-watermark value of a closing price of a share and uses the valuation engine to determine whether the closing price of a share as of a current date is higher than the high-watermark value. In that event, the guaranteed return is reset to a higher guaranteed return and the database is updated to store the closing price as of the current date as the high-watermark value. |
| US08103573B2 |
Method and system for processing data for a deferred annuity with available benefit payments related to an increasing withdrawal percent
A computer implemented data processing system and method processes data relating to a deferred annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The system is configured to determine an amount of an available benefit payment, available on a periodic basis for withdrawal without reduction of a payment base value, the available benefit payment amount being based on a withdrawal percent value and one of a payment base value and a contract value. The withdrawal percent value increases automatically after a first of the benefit payments. |
| US08103570B1 |
System and method for creating and trading near one delta securities
A financial instrument is disclosed that provides spread exposure to volatility in an underlying security within an upper and lower range of prices. This is accomplished by combining a long option for the underlying security at one strike price and a short option for the underlying security at a different strike price, where difference between the two prices creates the spread exposure and the choice of option type for the high and low strikes determines whether the overall spread is short or long. The financial instrument is then priced such that the cost of the instrument prevents any possible negative value total returns at the exercise date of the underlying options. In other words, the option spread creates a lower limit on the possible downside risk in the transaction and the purchase price insures that at inception the financial instrument has no possible negative values. In this way, options market trading can be accomplished without requiring additional collateral, credit or insurance. Accordingly, such an instrument provides near one delta financial exposure. |
| US08103564B2 |
Method of processing investment data and making compensation determinations and associated system
A computerized method for processing investment data includes providing a server supporting a database for receiving, processing and storing investment data which includes compensation data; providing a compensation rules engine for processing compensation data employing rules relating to compensation; introducing into the server investment data from a plurality of external sources, processing the compensation data by the compensation rules engine and permitting user access to the processed and stored investment data. Information regarding sales units, customer investments, client information and investment transaction information is provided in the server. A corresponding system is disclosed. |
| US08103563B2 |
System and method for monitoring, controlling, and displaying utility information
A system and method for monitoring, controlling, and displaying utility information is provided. A collar communicatively connected to the utility meter monitors power usage and provides usage data, power quality data, and other data to the utility and the customer. The system provides for pre-pay power, and the collar relay can automatically connect or disconnect power to a customer as required. The system provides intelligent remote control of utility meters via wireless or other communications means. A display unit communicatively coupled to the collar displays customer utility usage data. In one embodiment, the system allows reconnect after disconnect upon receiving a confirmation to restore power from a customer input device at the customer premises. |
| US08103562B2 |
System and method for processor cycle accounting and valuation
A system monitors the operations of a programmable processor to determine how much of its time is spent performing a certain task. An estimate of the value of the task is made, and a certificate that reflects the value is issued. Related methods and software are also described. |
| US08103553B2 |
Method for making money on internet news sites and blogs
A method for making an online posted comment more conspicuous relative to other online posted comments. The method can include the steps of publishing internet content online by an internet content provider; providing with the published content a section for recording and posting reader comments; viewing by a reader the published internet content; providing to the reader an option of posting for free a default format comment or posting for a fee a comment made distinctive relative to a default format comment; recording, by the reader, a comment; paying, by the reader, the fee for making the comment distinctive relative to a default format comment; and posting the reader's distinctive comment in the comment section, wherein the posted comment lacks an indication of the time of posting. The fee for distinctiveness transaction can also be implemented by use of an online auction. |
| US08103552B2 |
Dynamic content configuration for microbrowsers by state, resource allocation and user preferences
A microbrowser allows a user to configure types of objects to be blocked from download by providing a web page content web server with a set of non-advertisement web objects for a web page, the web page containing at least one inclusion method to one or more advertisement objects stored on an advertisement server separate from the non-advertisement web objects; receiving by the web server a battery condition and a nape request for the web page from a networked client device; and responsive to the battery condition being low, transmitting the non-advertisement web objects from the web page content web server to the networked client device, thereby avoiding incremental battery energy consumption of the networked client device to process, execute and display the advertisement web objects by restricting download of the advertisement web objects from the advertisement server to the networked client device. |
| US08103550B2 |
Fault tolerant lottery communications network, device, system and method
A versatile and highly reliable lottery communications system employs point-of-sale terminals that can be adapted to a plurality of network technologies and service providers. The point-of-sale terminals are provided with at least two network-agnostic connecting devices to enable fast configuration regardless of the intended deployment environment. The point-of-sale terminals can be adapted to connect with multiple wireless networks at the same time, multiple wireline networks at the same time, and/or at least one wireless network and at least one wireline network at the same time, with failover and fallback programming to ensure maximum uptime for lottery operators and retail distributors. |
| US08103549B1 |
System, program product, and associated methods to autodraw for micro-credit attached to prepaid card
A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a prepaid card by a lending institution. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase using the prepaid card as payment. When the line of credit is accessed, the prepaid card is loaded with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the prepaid card then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed purchase. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value loaded onto the prepaid card and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment loaded onto the prepaid card. |
| US08103545B2 |
Managing payment for sponsored content presented to mobile communication facilities
Improved capabilities are disclosed for managing delivery of sponsored content to mobile communication devices such as cell phones. |
| US08103543B1 |
Click fraud detection
Systems and methods for detecting instances of click fraud are disclosed. Click fraud occurs when, for example, a user, malware, bot, or the like, clicks on a pay per click advertisement (e.g., hyperlink), a paid search listing, or the like without a good faith interest in the underlying subject of the hyperlink. Such fraudulent clicks can be expensive for an advertising sponsor. Statistical information, such as ratios of unpaid clicks to pay per clicks, are extracted from an event database. The statistical information of global data is used as a reference data set to compare to similar statistical information for a local data set under analysis. In one embodiment, when the statistical data sets match relatively well, no click fraud is determined to have occurred, and when the statistical data sets do not match relatively well, click fraud is determined to have occurred. |
| US08103541B2 |
Device and method for pricing repair services
A list of pricing information for repair services includes a potentially large number of repair services grouped into a limited number of price categories such that the price of any given pricing category represents the price of each different service included in that category. A method of using this price list to determine the price of a particular repair service desired by a customer includes the steps of identifying in the price list the pricing category which includes the particular service desired, and determining the unique price assigned to that pricing category. Preferably, the price list is initially displayed to a customer before the customer's equipment is diagnosed, and the customer is informed that the cost of the repair service will be one of the prices associated with a listed pricing category. Upon diagnosing the customer's equipment to determine the particular repair service needed, and advising the customer of such, the service technician as well as the customer can each reference the price list independently to readily determine the price of the desired service. |
| US08103534B2 |
System and method for managing supplier intelligence
A method of managing supplier intelligence is provided. The method includes collecting procurement data from a plurality of data sources. The procurement data includes information regarding a plurality of business divisions of a business entity. The method further includes generating spend formulas for each business division for determining spending associated with each business division. The method further includes generating a set of supplier intelligence business rules that interrelate at least one spend formula associated with a first one of the business divisions with at least one spend formula associated with a second one of the business divisions. The method further includes automatically analyzing a portion of the procurement data based on the supplier intelligence business rules to determine the financial effects of a decision made by the first business division on the second business division. The method further includes automatically generating a visual output indicating the results of the analysis. |
| US08103533B2 |
Automated resource planning tool and user interface
An automated tool for scheduling tasks to be performed based on resources available in a constrained environment. The tool gives crew members, employees, or others responsible for the performance of tasks in the constrained environment the power to adjust task schedules to take projected conditions into account. |
| US08103531B2 |
Enhancing insight-driven customer interactions
Insight-driven interactions with customers may be enhanced in a holistic approach. A customer relationship management (“CRM”) methodology may include: (1) evaluating a customer strategy; (2) identifying customer segments from a customer base; (3) forming an interaction strategy; (4) defining a series of experiences based on the strategy; (5) applying those interactions with customers during interactions; and (6) monitoring the results of the customer interactions. A computer aid may preferably guide a user through some of these steps. A modular, vendor-independent, centralized, rules-based engine may perform processing to deliver tailored customer experiences, relying on values for prioritized experiences identified through use of the computer aid. |
| US08103530B2 |
Enhancing insight-driven customer interactions with an optimizing engine
Insight-driven interactions with customers may be enhanced in a holistic approach. A customer relationship management (“CRM”) methodology may include: (1) evaluating a customer strategy; (2) identifying customer segments from a customer base; (3) forming an interaction strategy; (4) defining a series of experiences based on the strategy; (5) applying those interactions with customers during interactions; and (6) monitoring the results of the customer interactions. A computer aid may preferably guide a user through some of these steps. A modular, vendor-independent, centralized, rules-based engine may perform processing to deliver tailored customer experiences, relying on values for prioritized experiences identified through use of the computer aid. |
| US08103528B2 |
System and method for administering dynamic security benefits and payments
Disclosed is a novel security benefits product that provides customizable benefits to the purchaser for a variety of different triggering conditions. The product of the present invention may be sold to an individual or a group. The product contains a feature that allows a purchaser to modify and/or vary his or her coverage related to one or more serious health events, such as disability, accident, illness, or death. Additionally, a conversion feature is provided, which allows the insured individual who purchased the product through a third party to maintain the product of the present invention even after the individual is no longer affiliated with the third party. |
| US08103524B1 |
Physician recommendation system
A method for recommending a physician, comprising obtaining user feedback for the physician prior to obtaining a plurality of search criteria, obtaining the plurality of search criteria specifying physician expertise, identifying a plurality of physicians based on a search of the plurality of search criteria, wherein the search is performed on a user generated physician expertise data set, performing a comparison of the plurality of physicians, and displaying a recommendation for one of the plurality of physicians based on the comparison. |
| US08103519B2 |
System for marketing campaign specification and secure digital coupon redemption
Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process. |
| US08103507B2 |
Searchable multimedia stream
The present invention provides a system and a method making an archived conference or presentation searchable after being stored in the archive server. According to the invention, one or more media streams coded according to H.323 or SIP are transmitted to a conversion engine for converting multimedia content into a standard streaming format, which may be a cluster of files, each representing a certain medium (audio, video, data) and/or a structure file that synchronizes and associates the different media together. When the conversion is carried out, the structure file is copied and forwarded to a post-processing server. The post-processing server includes i.a. a speech recognition engine generating a text file of alphanumeric characters representing all recognized words in the audio file. The text file is then entered into the cluster of files associating each identified word to a timing tag in the structure file. After this post-processing, finding key words and associated points of time in the media stream could easily be executed by a conventional search engine. |
| US08103504B2 |
Electronic appliance and voice signal processing method for use in the same
An electronic appliance includes a speaker which outputs a first sound wave based on a first voice signal generated from the electronic appliance, and a microphone to detect a second sound wave on which a sound wave generated for control of the electronic appliance is superimposed to output a second voice signal. A first waveform generator generates a first waveform signal based on the first voice signal, and a second waveform generator generates a second waveform signal based on the second voice signal. A waveform shaping unit outputs a third waveform signal in which the first waveform signal is enlarged in a time axis direction, and a subtracter subtracts the third waveform signal from the second waveform signal. |
| US08103502B1 |
Systems and methods for extracting meaning from multimodal inputs using finite-state devices
Multimodal utterances contain a number of different modes. These modes can include speech, gestures, and pen, haptic, and gaze inputs, and the like. This invention use recognition results from one or more of these modes to provide compensation to the recognition process of one or more other ones of these modes. In various exemplary embodiments, a multimodal recognition system inputs one or more recognition lattices from one or more of these modes, and generates one or more models to be used by one or more mode recognizers to recognize the one or more other modes. In one exemplary embodiment, a gesture recognizer inputs a gesture input and outputs a gesture recognition lattice to a multimodal parser. The multimodal parser generates a language model and outputs it to an automatic speech recognition system, which uses the received language model to recognize the speech input that corresponds to the recognized gesture input. |
| US08103491B2 |
Process for generating bidirectional reflectance distribution functions of gonioapparent materials with limited measurement data
This disclosure is directed to a method for matching color and appearance of an object. The method comprise the step of generating a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of a gonioapparent material containing effect flake pigments in a solid medium using limited measurement data. |
| US08103489B2 |
Tire design method
A tire is designed using a tire FEM model by obtaining an optimal solution for a tire structure which optimizes an objective function with a tread pattern shape kept fixed and performing a numerical optimization for obtaining an optimal solution for the tread pattern shape which optimizes the objective function with the tire structure kept fixed. The optimization for the tire structure is performed using a tire model having a tread pattern shape optimized at the immediately preceding cycle of the operation of optimizing the tread pattern shape. The optimization for the tread pattern shape is performed using a tire model having a tire structure optimized at the preceding cycle of the operation of optimizing the tire structure. The optimizing operations are repeated until convergence of optimal solutions obtained by those operations takes place. |
| US08103481B2 |
Processing irregularly occuring data events in real time
A system, method and program product for processing irregularly occurring data events in real time. A system is provided for processing a stream of data events occurring over irregular time periods, including: a system for updating a running estimate each time a new data event is detected, wherein the running estimate is calculated based on a value associated with the new data event, an amount of time that elapsed since a previous data event was detected, and a previously calculated running estimate; and an analysis system that analyzes the running estimate after it is updated to identify a suspect data event value. |
| US08103479B2 |
Two dimensional exponential smoothing
A method of estimating the average response time and average I/O size that can be used as an alternative for or addition to existing response time and I/O estimation techniques. One method involves initializing values for an average response time and an average I/O size, and initializing an angle. Measurements of the I/O size and response times are received. The technique involves adjusting the average I/O size using the current value of the average I/O size and the received I/O size measurement. The average response time is adjusted using the current value for the average response time and the received response time measurement. The angle value is adjusted using the adjusted average I/O size, the current angle value and the I/O size and time measurements. The slope and y-intercept of a line, formed by plotting the average I/O size verses response time, can then be reported. |
| US08103475B2 |
Apparatus for testing multiple conductor wiring and terminations for electronic systems
An apparatus for testing connections in a system has a plurality of inputs each adapted to couple to a test point in the system under test and a switching module. The switching module includes a first output selectively coupled to receive a first group of one or more of the inputs and a set of outputs corresponding in number to the plurality of inputs, each being selectively coupled to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of inputs. The apparatus may also include a meter coupled to the first switching module output and an array of nodes coupled to the set of switching module outputs, where each node couples a signal to a row sense line and a column sense line. |
| US08103473B2 |
Test and measurement instrument and method of calibrating
A test and measurement instrument and a method of calibrating the test and measurement instrument including a reference signal generator; multiple input channels; and multiple input circuits. Each input channel is coupled to a corresponding input circuit; and one of the input circuits is coupled to the reference signal generator. |
| US08103472B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices
Method and apparatus for compensating for position slip in interface devices that may occur between a manipulandum and a sensor of the device due to a mechanical transmission. A device position delta is determined from a sensed position of a manipulandum of an interface device. It is determined if position slip has occurred caused by a change in position of the manipulandum that was not sensed by a sensor of the interface device, typically caused by a mechanical transmission between sensor and manipulandum. If position slip has occurred, an error in the sensed position caused by the position slip is corrected by adjusting the sensed position to take into account the position slip. The adjusted position delta is used as the position of the manipulandum and the display of objects controlled by the interface device are accordingly compensated. |
| US08103471B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing data processing and control in a medical communication system
Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in a medical communication system are provided. |
| US08103470B2 |
Method, coupler and apparatus for measuring radiated power
In a method for measuring a radiation power, an elliptical mirror is prepared so as to have a elliptical spherical space enclosed by a metal wall surface, the space having a rotating axis passing through two focal points. A device under test is placed in a position of one of the two focal points such that a center of radiation of a radio wave substantially coincides with the focal point, and a receiving antenna is placed in an position of an other one of the two focal points. The device under test is caused to radiate a radio wave and the radiated radio wave is reflected at the wall surface to allow the receiving antenna to receive the radio wave. Then, total radiation power of the radio wave is measured at a measurement end of the receiving antenna in accordance with an output signal from the receiving antenna. |
| US08103467B2 |
Determination of distribution transformer voltages based on metered loads
A method for determining a primary side voltage of a distribution transformer includes determining a first current and a second current flowing through a secondary winding of the transformer at a plurality of time instants based on current meter data generated by a plurality of metered loads. The method may include determining a total current flowing to the plurality of metered loads for each of the plurality of time instants based on the first current and the second current. The method includes receiving a respective meter voltage from each of the plurality of metered loads at each of the plurality of time instants. The method includes determining a secondary side voltage of the transformer at each of the plurality of time instants based on the first, second, and total current and the respective meter voltages. The method includes determining the primary side voltage based on the secondary side voltage. |
| US08103460B2 |
Customizable contactor prognostics system
A method and apparatus for identifying the health status of a contactor include the steps of counting the number of operations performed by the contactor, identifying a closing time of the contactor, using the number of operations and the closing time to assess the health status of the contactor and, where the health of the contactor is a first health status, reporting the health status of the contactor. |
| US08103458B2 |
Exhaust gas sensing system and method for determining concentrations of exhaust gas constituents
An exhaust gas sensing system and a method for determining concentrations of exhaust gas constituents are provided. The exhaust gas sensing system includes a NH3 sensing cell, a NO2 sensing cell, a NOx pumping cell, and a current sensor that detects an electrical current flowing through the NOx pumping cell. A computer determines a NO2 concentration value, a NH3 concentration value, a NO concentration value, and a NOx concentration value based on signals from the NH3 sensing cell, the NO2 sensing cell, and the current sensor. |
| US08103457B2 |
Neuronal profiling
The present invention provides automated methods for cell body extension analysis, software for carrying out such methods, and detection devices comprising such software. |
| US08103455B2 |
Method of assessing the proliferation or differentiation behaviour of a population of target cells in a biological system
The invention relates to a method of assessing the proliferation or differentiation behavior of a population of target cells in a biological system, said method comprising the steps of; [a] measuring the value of at least one proliferation characteristic of said cells at least one time point t, wherein said proliferation characteristic is the clone size distribution; [b] comparing the clone size distribution measured in [a] to a reference clone size distribution at a corresponding time point t predicted or described by the equation; wherein a difference between the measured clone size distribution of [a] and the predicted or described clone size distribution of [b] indicates an altered proliferation or differentiation behavior of said cells. The invention further relates to methods involving assessing the scaling form of the above behaviors, values of the parameters, and inferring effects on cell proliferation and/or differentiation therefrom. |
| US08103454B2 |
Spatially heterogeneous stochastic petri-net modeling
Modeling of biochemical reactions of a system is accomplished using spatially heterogeneous stochastic Petri-net modeling. The biochemical reactions of the system to be modeled are defined. A spatial decomposition of the system is defined by defining regions of a space in which the system is to be modeled and by assigning each biochemical reaction to a region, such that the system is spatially heterogeneous. Relationships for inter-region movement of reactants of the biochemical reactions are defined as flux, advection, convection, and/or diffusion-based molecular movements. The system of the biochemical reactions is then modeled by modeling the biochemical reactions of each region as a spatially homogenous stochastic Petri-net and by modeling the inter-region movement of the reactants based on the relationships as defined. |
| US08103448B2 |
Information storage apparatus for storing new road, program for the same, and system for the same
A vehicle navigation system detects a new road that is not recorded in a map for updating map data during a travel. After exiting from the new road, the increase of the data size of road map data at a time of addition of the new road to the map is estimated, and a collection of the data is transmitted to a server together with positional information and a travel frequency of the new road as a bundle of records of the new roads for facilitating a determination whether a combination of new roads from an updated road map database fits in a storage medium for the sake of user distribution. |
| US08103435B2 |
Near real-time traffic routing
A near real-time physical transportation network routing system comprising: a traffic simulation computing grid and a dynamic traffic routing service computing grid. The traffic simulator produces traffic network travel time predictions for a physical transportation network using a traffic simulation model and common input data. The physical transportation network is divided into a multiple sections. Each section has a primary zone and a buffer zone. The traffic simulation computing grid includes multiple of traffic simulation computing nodes. The common input data includes static network characteristics, an origin-destination data table, dynamic traffic information data and historical traffic data. The dynamic traffic routing service computing grid includes multiple dynamic traffic routing computing nodes and generates traffic route(s) using the traffic network travel time predictions. |
| US08103433B2 |
Method to detect a faulty operating condition during a cylinder cutoff of an internal combustion engine
Method to detect a faulty operating condition during a cylinder cutoff of an internal combustion engine with at least two cylinder banks, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises in each case a separate mechanism to determine the Lambda value of the combustion for each cylinder bank.When the Lambda values of the cylinder banks change in opposite directions, a faulty cylinder cutoff is suggested. |
| US08103431B2 |
Engine vacuum enhancement in an internal combustion engine
A control system for an engine includes a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) module that compares MAP of an engine to a predetermined MAP and an air/spark module that decreases flow of air and that advances ignition spark when the MAP module indicates that the MAP is greater than a predetermined MAP. |
| US08103428B2 |
Method for controlling an engine
A method for operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method adjusts a torque limit of the engine in response to an amount of EGR in an engine cylinder. The approach may reduce the possibility of pre-ignition for boosted engines. |
| US08103427B2 |
EGR flow compensation for a diesel air handling system
A method is disclosed for adjusting a target EGR mass flow in response to a current charge flow and target EGR fraction. The method includes interpreting an air-fuel ratio and a target air-fuel ratio. The method further includes interpreting a charge flow and a target EGR fraction. The method further includes determining an adjusted target EGR mass flow based on the air-fuel ratio, the target air-fuel ratio, the charge flow, and the target EGR fraction. The method further includes controlling an actuator based on the adjusted target EGR mass flow. |
| US08103426B2 |
Method for controlling two consecutive injection pulses in an electrically-actuated fuel injector system for an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine
At each engine cycle, nearby the TDCC, an injector is driven so as to perform a fuel injection sequence according to a predetermined pattern (A-Z), including a plurality of successive, separate fuel injection pulses (pulse 1-pulse N) having respective predetermined durations. The start of the first injection pulse (Pulse 1) of the sequence is defined as a predetermined angular distance from the TDCC. For each injection pulse (pulse 2-pulse N) following the first one (pulse 1) the respective start is selectively determined either as a time distance from the end of the immediately preceding injection pulse (pulse 1-pulse N−1) or as an angular distance from the relevant TDCC, in dependence on the instantaneous value of at least one predetermined parameter. |
| US08103424B2 |
Inter-vehicle distance control apparatus and method for controlling inter-vehicle distance
An inter-vehicle distance control apparatus is provided to provide comfortable acceleration feeling to a driver of a vehicle in various situations. The inter-vehicle distance control apparatus is configured to perform an acceleration control operation when a correction distance condition evaluation index at a present time, which takes into account a velocity of a forward object, is smaller than a threshold given by a judgment equation. The inter-vehicle distance control apparatus is configured to perform the acceleration control operation to accelerate the vehicle at a target acceleration, which is calculated from an actual relative velocity and a target relative velocity corresponding to the threshold given by the judgment equation. |
| US08103423B2 |
Apparatus for and method of controlling traveling of vehicle
An adaptive cruise traveling control system is configured to control a speed of a host vehicle at a basic speed-control mode at which a set vehicle speed is set as a desired vehicle speed for an adaptive cruise traveling control function. The adaptive cruise traveling control system is also configured to control the host vehicle speed at a driver-intervention speed-control mode at which a limited vehicle speed of a road, on which the host vehicle is traveling, is set as the desired vehicle speed, when the desired vehicle speed has been set to the limited vehicle speed manually by a driver's operation made to a man-machine interface, under a condition where the limited vehicle speed has been detected. |
| US08103421B2 |
Parking brake control device
When a release control is executed while a service brake is operating, a parking brake control device continues the release control until a first predetermined time passes even if the pressing force for moving a friction material becomes a target value, wherein the first predetermined time is a time period which is longer than a time period which it is supposed to take until the negative influence of the service brake vanishes. |
| US08103418B2 |
Extendable frame work vehicle having lift member movable in a true vertical fashion
An extendable frame work vehicle offering enhanced versatility, safety and effectiveness. The vehicle includes an adjustable frame with front and rear portions that extend or retract with respect to each other. The front portion is supported by a first pair of wheels and said rear portion is supported by a second pair of wheels. Each wheel is independently driven and steered. The vehicle also includes an engine mounted on the rear portion of the frame. Incorporated into the vehicle is an electro-hydraulic assembly which enables extension and retraction of the adjustable frame. The assembly includes a sensor-responsive microprocessor controller, at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic drive motor and at least one valve network. |
| US08103415B2 |
Headrest apparatus for vehicle
A headrest apparatus for a vehicle includes a headrest rear portion supported at a seatback, a headrest front portion movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a driving device for moving the headrest front portion, a capacitance sensor detecting a change in capacitance in association with an approach of the head of an occupant, and a controlling device for controlling the headrest front portion to move to the fully open position in response to information that a vehicle is approaching from the rear, the controlling device controlling the driving device to stop a movement of the headrest front portion when the head of the occupant is detected on the basis of a detection signal from the capacitance sensor, the controlling device including a first filter having a first cutoff frequency and a second filter having a second cutoff frequency lower than the first cutoff frequency. |
| US08103412B2 |
System and method for controlling blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert based on driver status
A system for controlling the operation of performing at least one of blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert in a vehicle based on driver status is provided. The system comprises a controller configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is configured selectively control the operation of performing the at least one of blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver. |
| US08103411B2 |
Electric power assisted steering yaw damping method
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for electrically controlled assistance to a vehicle. In order to stabilize a vehicle in the event of oversteering, the invention provides that a nominal yaw damping torque is determined and is multiplied by an oversteer signal such that an additional torque is produced which is added, via an actuator in an electrically assisted power steering system, to its nominal torque, and is introduced into a vehicle steering system. |
| US08103407B2 |
System and methods for controlling vehicular functions
A control system for a vehicle having at least one data communications bus; at least one firewall in communication with the at least one data communications bus, wherein the at least one firewall creates at least two data communications buses from the at least one data communications bus; at least one vehicle device in communication with at least one of the at least two data communications buses; wherein the at least one vehicle device is in communication with at least one firewall; and at least one firewalled controller in communication with at least one firewall. |
| US08103406B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A control unit of a vehicle control apparatus includes a module for receiving an ON signal from an eco switch, a module for reducing a step-up upper limit value of a converter from a predetermined normal upper limit value to a restricted upper limit value at a predetermined voltage reduction rate, and a module for determining an accelerator opening based on an accelerator operation performed by a user. When it is determined that the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold while the eco switch is ON, the step-up upper limit value of the converter is restored to the normal upper limit value from the restricted upper limit value at a predetermined voltage increase rate. |
| US08103404B2 |
System and method for odometer calibration
A system for odometer calibration for a motor vehicle is provided. The system can include a first source of speed data that provides first speed data during operation of the motor vehicle, and a second source of speed data that provides second speed data during a portion of the operation. The system can also include a vehicle speed control module that computes overall average speed data based on the first speed data and a duration of operation. The system includes a speed control module that determines an average first speed for the portion of the operation in which the second source of speed data provides the second speed, and computes an average second speed. The system can include an odometer correction control module that computes corrected odometer data based on the overall average speed data and a ratio of the average second speed to the average first speed. |
| US08103401B2 |
Battery system for vehicle, on-vehicle battery module, and cell controller
A battery system for vehicle comprises a battery unit that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected cell groups each include a plurality of serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits that are each disposed in correspondence to one of the cell groups of the battery unit and each measure terminal voltages at the battery cells in the corresponding cell group, and a signal transmission path through which one of the integrated circuits is connected to another one of the integrated circuits or to a circuit other than that of the integrated circuits. |
| US08103400B2 |
Sensor apparatus
A sensor apparatus of the present invention includes a first output terminal for outputting a sense signal, and a failure diagnosis circuit for determining whether a failure diagnosis object section is normal or abnormal, to output a failure detection signal from a second output terminal in the case of determining abnormality. The time required for an output concerning the failure detection signal from the failure diagnosis object section to reach the second output terminal is shorter than the time required for an output concerning the sense signal from the failure diagnosis object section to reach the first output terminal, thus leading to improvement in reliability under abnormal condition. |
| US08103399B2 |
System and method for transferring vehicle service data
A system and method directed to generating a transfer file of categorized vehicle service data, wherein the vehicle service data was captured by a vehicle service tool, and transmitting the transfer file to a remote device. The remote device may store the categorized vehicle service data and thereafter send the categorized vehicle service data back to the vehicle service tool that captured the vehicle service data or to another vehicle service tool for use in comparing current vehicle service conditions to previous service conditions represented by the categorized vehicle service data. The transfer file may include a variety of categories such as diagnostic trouble codes, screen shots, calibration data, and parameter identifiers. |
| US08103395B2 |
Hybrid electric vehicle traction motor driven power take-off control system
A hybrid electric work vehicle having an electric traction motor driven power take off used in conjunction with a control system that monitors the hydraulic system for pressure deltas and trend vectors, and that has learning capabilities, is provided for use with a vehicle for operation on the ground. The system is usable for both open center and closed center hydraulic systems. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). |
| US08103394B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and control method thereof
During execution of an auto cruise function, in response to selection of a power mode, when an measured accelerator opening Acc is less than a preset opening Accref, a hybrid vehicle of the invention sets a power mode cancellation flag Fpmc to 1 and a power mode enabling flag Fpm to 0 (steps S540 and S550). This prohibits the use of an accelerator opening setting map in the power mode for execution of the auto cruise function. In the power mode, in response to an instruction for enabling the auto cruise function, the hybrid vehicle keeps the power mode enabling flag Fpm to the setting of 1 (step S560) as long as the measured accelerator opening Acc is not less than the preset opening Accref. This allows the use of the accelerator opening setting map in the power mode for execution of the auto cruise function. |
| US08103393B2 |
Aircraft exhaust gas temperature monitor
A computer-implemented function monitors and displays exhaust gas temperatures (EGT) in a plurality of cylinders in an engine. The invention provides an easy way to read exhaust gas temperature on a specific cylinder, and to provide a means for leaning the engine while in a climb. Efficient leaning in a climb reduces fuel consumption and reduces the chance of harmful conditions that can lead to engine failure. |
| US08103391B2 |
System for detecting interrupt conditions during an electric vehicle charging process
Illustrative embodiments disclose managing a charging process of an electric vehicle. Begin by monitoring a set of operational parameters of the charging process during the flow of electricity for one or more interruptions in response to receiving, from an energy transaction execution engine, a request signaling the start of the charging process. The process then detects the one or more interruptions during the flow of electricity from the set of operational parameters, which conform to a set of predefined interrupt conditions. In one embodiment, the one or more interruptions include at least one of a device capability interruption, a preference interruption, and a data services interruption. The process sends a response to the energy transaction execution engine to terminate the charging transaction in response to detecting the one or more interruptions. |
| US08103384B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner provided with a spatial recognition and detection function for deciding the room shape by integrally determining based on a temperature difference information between the floor and the walls occurring during the air conditioning operation, a human body detection position log, and a capacity zone of the air conditioner. The air conditioner provides an infrared sensor and a control unit that controls the air conditioner by detecting a presence of heat generating device and human with the infrared sensor, wherein the control unit acquires a thermal image data of the room by scanning with the infrared sensor, and integrates to calculate a floor dimension inside the air conditioning area, and calculates the wall position within the air conditioning area on the thermal image data. |
| US08103383B2 |
Mobile apparatus, control device and control program
A mobile apparatus or the like capable of moving or acting while surely preventing contact with an object such as a human being, by avoiding the situation where the object inappropriately changes its behavior for the purposes of preventing contact with the mobile apparatus, is provided. According to the robot of the present invention, a path that can prevent contact with the third spatial element satisfying the requirement regarding the size in the element space, among a plurality of expanded spatial elements arranged around the first spatial element, is set as a target path. This allows the robot to move in accordance with a consistent rule that is modified in response to the width of the clearance between the object and the boundary of the passable region. |
| US08103380B2 |
Remote management of vending machines
Systems and methods for remotely managing a vending machine system are provided. A host system transmits control data to an audit system installed in a vending machine system. This control data is used to modify a data collection parameter of the audit system, such as modifying alert conditions, reporting schedules, and filter terms used to parse DEX files received from a vending machine controller. |
| US08103377B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining the usability of overage units in a sortation process
Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for determining the usability of overage units in a sortation process are described. The embodiments described herein may include a control system of an order fulfillment center. For each unit of multiple units picked from inventory in an order fulfillment center, the control system may be configured to determine whether the given unit is designated to be inducted into a sortation system for sorting units of items into shipments. The control system may be configured to determine an overage unit of a particular item. The control system may also be configured to dynamically determine one or more incomplete shipments that each requires at least one unit of the particular item in order to become a completed shipment. Once such incomplete shipments are determined, the control system may generate an instruction to induct the unit into the sortation system. |
| US08103376B2 |
System and method for the on-machine 2-D contour measurement
The present invention provides a system and method for the on-machine 2-D contour measurement, employing the contour measurement, coordinate system transformation, error identification, and image matching theory in image processing field to develop the on-machine measurement of X-Y-plan manufacturing error of a micro device manufactured by a high-precision micro-device machine tool, contour error, and trace error. |
| US08103369B2 |
Network system and audio signal processor
An audio network system that performs transport of audio signals among nodes by cascading a plurality of nodes each including two sets of transmission I/Fs and reception I/Fs, and circulating among the nodes in each fixed period an audio transport frame generated by a master node, the audio transport frame including a plurality of storage regions for audio signals, is configured such that the master node stores a frame packet after circulating among the nodes and returning thereto into a buffer, so as to generate the audio transport frame in the (S+k)-th period based on the audio transport frame in the S-th period when the audio transport frame in the S-th period has been normally received, or based on a predetermined model otherwise. |
| US08103367B2 |
Methods and apparatus to draw attention to information presented via electronic displays to process plant operators
Example methods and apparatus to draw attention to information presented via electronic displays to process plant operators are disclosed. A disclosed example method to draw attention to information presented to a process plant operator comprises presenting an electronic process plant display, collecting process plant data, processing the process plant data to identify a portion of a process plant, and modifying the electronic process plant display to at least partially obscure substantially all of the process plant display except for the identified portion. |
| US08103366B2 |
Apparatus and method for installing a foam proportioning system in existing fire fighting equipment
A method and apparatus for installing a foam proportioning system into existing fire fighting equipment is provided. The method can include installing a foam proportioning library into a first application of a processor of the existing fire fighting equipment and installing a foam proportioning support into a second application of a display of the existing fire fighting equipment. The method can also include connecting a foam proportioner to the processor, receiving user inputs with the display, and processing the user inputs with the second application and the foam proportioning support. The method can further include transmitting the user inputs to the processor and operating the foam proportioner in response to the user inputs with the first application and the foam proportioning library. |
| US08103364B2 |
Waste disposal during pit mining
A method, apparatus and computer program for pit mining with waste dumping is disclosed, in which material is extracted from an open pit and some of that material is sent to waste. The method optimises a joint extraction and waste refill schedule. |
| US08103359B2 |
Systems and methods for fixating transvenously implanted medical devices
A transvenously implantable medical device (TIMD) includes an electrical lead and a control module. The electrical lead includes one or more electrodes and is adapted for transvenous implantation. The electrical lead is also pre-biased to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state to mechanically engage an internal wall of a blood vessel. The control module is secured to and in electrical communication with the electrical lead. The control module includes a signal management component and a power component disposed in a housing adapted for implantation into the blood vessel. The control module is adapted for at least one of stimulating and sensing a physiologic response using the one or more electrodes of the electrical lead. |
| US08103358B2 |
Mapping guidelet
The medical lead delivery device more easily and quickly delivers a lead to or through the coronary vein of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve. The elongated body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The controller is disposed at the proximal end and provides enhanced control of the distal tip of the elongated body. |
| US08103356B2 |
High frequency epidural neuromodulation catheter without needle for effectuating RF treatment
An integrated catheter shaft with a guidewire and a radio frequency wire is used in a catheter to deliver radio frequency energy to a treatment site. The small entry wound and the long integrated catheter shaft allows a user to thread the shaft along a tortuous route along a spinal canal to reach a treatment site while causing a minimal amount of trauma to the patient. |
| US08103351B2 |
Therapy control using relative motion between sensors
The invention is directed to controlling therapy delivery based on a relative motion between a first and second activity sensor. The relative motion between the activity sensors is representative of the relative motion between the locations of the body of the patient at which the respective activity sensors are located. The use of relative motion, however, may substantially remove motion experienced by both the activity sensors, e.g., motion caused by the environment in which patient is located, thus providing a new reference frame from which to analyze the motion measurements. The relative motion may be used to detect a condition of a movement disorder and/or control delivery of the therapy delivered to patient to treat or reduce the condition. |
| US08103349B2 |
Neural electrode treatment
An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms. |
| US08103348B1 |
Method for providing a header assembly for an implantable medical device
A method for providing a header assembly for connecting an implantable medical device to at least one conductor lead terminating within a patient intended to be assisted by the medical device is provided. The implantable medical device is comprised of at least one feedthrough wire extending from the control circuitry and through a wall of the housing. The header assembly is comprised of an insulative body that is mountable on the housing of the medical device. The insulative body supports at least one conductor subassembly comprising a terminal that is directly connectable to the conductor lead, an intermediate conductor comprising a distal end connected to the terminal and a proximal end connected to a connector. Methods for making the header assembly and for connecting the header assembly to the implantable medical device are also disclosed. |
| US08103342B2 |
Therapy-selection methods for implantable heart monitors
An implantable heart-monitoring device comprising one or more leads for sensing electrical signals of a patient's heart a therapy circuit for delivering pharmaceuticals to the patient; and a monitoring circuit coupled to the one or more leads and to the therapy circuit, the monitoring circuit for monitoring heart activity of the patient through one or more of the leads, the monitoring circuit operable to: determine a minimum interval from a set of two or more intervals based on sensed heart activity, determine a range parameter based on a difference between a first subset and second subset of the intervals, determine a dispersion parameter quantifying dispersion of a subset of the intervals, and to determine an assessment value for the set of intervals, based on the minimum interval, the range parameter, the dispersion index. |
| US08103341B2 |
System for abating neural stimulation side effects
Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulation delivery system adapted to deliver a neural stimulation signal for use in delivering a neural stimulation therapy, a side effect detector, and a controller. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulation delivery system, receive a signal indicative of detected side effect, determine whether the detected side effect is attributable to delivered neural stimulation therapy, and automatically titrate the neural stimulation therapy to abate the side effect. In various embodiments, the side effect detector includes a cough detector. In various embodiments, the controller is adapted to independently adjusting at least one stimulation parameter for at least one phase in the biphasic waveform as part of a process to titrate the neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08103340B2 |
Treatment of biological material containing living cells using a plasma generated by a gas discharge
In order to treat a biological material (1) containing living cells with a plasma (4) generated by a gas discharge at atmospheric pressure (9) an electrode (3) is arranged at a distance to the biological material (1). Further, a solid body dielectric (2) is arranged between the electrode (3) and the biological material (1), directly in front of the electrode (3) and at a distance to the biological material (1). Then a high alternating voltage consisting of separated high voltage pulses of alternating polarity is applied to the electrode (3) for igniting and maintaining a dielectric barrier gas discharge within a region between the dielectric (2) and the biological material (1). |
| US08103338B2 |
Impedance based anatomy generation
Methods and systems for the determination and representation of anatomical information are disclosed herein. In some examples, methods described herein can include determining a boundary of at least a portion of the heart based on measured electrical signals, determining an area of the boundary corresponding to an endocardial boundary, and displaying a portion of the boundary of the heart with the display including a visual indicia indicative of the determined area of the boundary. |
| US08103336B2 |
Apparatus, medium, and method for measuring body fat
An apparatus, medium, and method for measuring body fat. The apparatus may include a current generating unit generating a current having a predetermined range of variable frequency and applying the current to a desired area in a human body to be measured, a detector unit detecting a voltage generated from the desired area in response to the current having a variable frequency and detecting a frequency value at which impedance of the desired area is changed based on relation between the detected voltage and the variable frequency, and a body fat calculating unit calculating body fat thickness based on the detected frequency value. It is possible to measure body fat thickness in any part of a human body by applying a variable frequency current to a desired area. Therefore, health and fatness management can be accomplished for each part of a human body. |
| US08103335B2 |
Cardiogram waveform correcting and displaying device and a method of correcting and displaying cardiogram waveforms
A cardiogram waveform correcting and displaying device is disclosed that is capable of facilitating visibility of cardiogram waveforms. A first filtering system 58-1 through nth filtering system 58-n are low-cut filters, each having a first cutoff frequency fc1 through an nth cutoff frequency fcn, respectively. Recognition module recognizes feature values of waveforms related to variation of the waveforms in accordance with any outputs of the first filtering system 58-1 through the nth filtering system 58-n. Judging module 62 selects which of the first through the nth filter is used based on the recognized feature values with the recognition module. A filter which restricts base-line variation is used when the base-line variation is large, and a filter having less influence to waveforms is used when the base-line variation is small. Display controller displays on a display portion output of the selected filter. |
| US08103323B2 |
Slide mechanism for slide-type portable electronic device
A slide mechanism used in portable electronic device is described including a main plate, a slide plate, two sliders, and two guiders. The slide plate can be installed on the main plate and slideable relative to the main plate. The sliders can be attached to the slide plate. The guiders can be attached to the main plate and configured for deformably guiding the sliders to move therealong, the sliders positioned between the guiders. During the sliding process of the slide plate with respect to the main plate, the sliders deform the guiders to slide the slide plate along the main plate. |
| US08103322B2 |
Handheld electronic device having two device members slidable relative to a bridge
In a particular embodiment there is provided a handheld electronic device, comprising a bridge, a first device member having a first i/o element thereon and a second device member having a second i/o element thereon. The first and second device members are slidable relative to the bridge between a closed position for the handheld electronic device and a spaced-apart position for the handheld electronic device. In the closed position the first and second device members overlap such that the first device member blocks access to the second i/o element. In the spaced-apart position the second i/o element is accessible and the first and second device members are spaced apart by a selected non-zero spacing. |
| US08103316B2 |
Power management system for a field device on a wireless network
A field device includes a power control module, a network interface module that communicates over a wireless network, and a device interface module for operating transducers, such as a sensor or an actuator. The power control module controls distribution of electrical power so that the network interface module receives electrical power while it is attempting to join the wireless network. Once the network interface module has joined the wireless network, the power control module allows the network interface module and the device interface module to share electrical power. |
| US08103315B2 |
Portable terminal device
A portable terminal device, which closes AV incoming call notification sound ringing at a headset when incoming call notification sound ringing processing through an AV profile competes with incoming call notification sound processing through a hands-free profile between a cellular phone and a headset, and when an in-band notification mode is set at the cellular phone, connects a sound link to perform communication through the hands-free profile, and starts ringing of an incoming call notification sound through the hands-free profile. |
| US08103314B1 |
User generated ringtones
Systems and methods for creating a mixed ringtone for a personal device. A user accesses a server, including a template selector and selects a template into which a user-created recording may be mixed. The user then records a recording, which is used by the server in association with the selected template to produce a mixed ringtone. The mixed ringtone is then formatted for the user's device and transmitted to the user's device. |
| US08103311B1 |
Omni-directional antenna supporting simultaneous transmission and reception of multiple radios with narrow frequency separation
An omni-directional antenna supporting simultaneous transmission/reception, from the same AP, on multiple frequencies, allowing each AP to communicate using each possible frequency. Each AP multiplexes its outgoing signals onto its transmitting antenna, and de-multiplexes its incoming signals from its receiving antenna. The transmitting and receiving antennae are each substantially located in each other's NULL zone (or one is in the NULL zone of the other). The AP can transmit/receive on many distinct frequencies without needing more antennae. |
| US08103307B2 |
Linking an object to a position on a surface
A method of generating an association between a software object and a position on a surface is disclosed. The method starts by sensing, by a sensing device placed on the position on the surface coded data at the position on the surface. The coded data at the position on the surface encodes an identity of the surface and the position of the coded data relative to the surface. The sensing device then generates indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the surface and the position of the sensed coded data relative to the surface. Upon receiving the indicating data from the sensing device by a computer system, the computer system identifies, using the indicating data, the identity of the surface and the position of the sensed coded data relative to the surface. The computer system also identifies the software object, and then generates an association between the identity of the surface, the position of the sensed coded data relative to the surface, and the software object. |
| US08103306B2 |
Mobile station, base station and method of controlling peripheral cell measurement
A mobile station includes a radio channel condition measurement portion that measures a radio channel condition, a radio channel averaging portion that averages the measured radio channel condition over a predetermined period of time, and a reception mode control portion that allows switching to a measurement mode for measuring a different frequency and a different system to be realized in accordance with the averaged radio channel condition; and a base station includes a radio channel condition averaging portion that averages a radio channel condition received from a mobile station, over a predetermined period of time, and a transmission mode control portion that allows switching to a discontinuous transmission mode for performing a discontinuous transmission to be realized in accordance with the averaged radio channel condition. |
| US08103303B2 |
System and method for adjusting transmission power of a communication device
A method and system for adjusting transmission power of a communication device is provided. The method obtains a transmission power value and a receiving power value of the communication device from a storage system of the communication device, and obtains a power control signal received by the communication device when the call connection between the communication device and a base station via a wireless communication network is established. The method further adjusts the transmission power value according to the power control signal, and calculates a power sum by adding the transmission power value to the receiving power value. In addition, the method modifies the transmission power value according to a difference between the power sum and the receiving power value. |
| US08103302B2 |
Power-aware link adaptation with variable bandwidth allocation
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing mobile terminal energy consumption during data transmissions by allocating resources and adapting link parameters in an energy-aware manner, based on throughput requirements and prevailing signal propagation conditions. A combination of transmit parameters designed to minimize the total energy consumed during data transmission is selected based on a throughput requirement and a path loss associated with a data transmission by a mobile terminal. The combination of transmit parameters includes a bandwidth allocation and may also include a modulation format, coding scheme, and transmit power setting, as well as parameters relating to multiple-antenna transmit schemes. The bandwidth allocation may correspond to a number of sub-carriers of an OFDM signal, or may correspond to a number of resource blocks in an SC-FDMA signal. |
| US08103298B2 |
Multiple PTT functionality
A communication device and method are presented. The device is in a network of devices of different groups. The device contains a push-to-talk (PTT) button, a channel selector, and a keyboard containing hard or soft keys. The channel selector selects an initial frequency at which to receive and transmit, dependent on the group to which the device belongs. The device transmits when the PTT button is pressed. If a multiple PTT function is activated by software in the device, at least some of the keys are used to select a new transmission frequency. The device receives at the initial frequency independent of the transmission frequency. The multiple PTT function can be activated by a dedicated soft or hard key or a key on the keyboard that serves multiple functions. The frequency selection provided by the keys is dependent on the channel and the device group. |
| US08103293B2 |
System and related circuits and methods for detecting and locating wireless communication device use within a geographical area or facility
A system for detecting and locating illicit cellular telephone use within a facility includes an array of radio frequency (RF) receivers, each receiver being placed in a predetermined location in the facility, and a central server, the receivers being in electrical communication with the central server. The server commands a group or groups of receivers to tune to a frequency of interest and to perform detailed sample rate measurements of the RF signal level received at the receivers. The array of receivers is organized into a plurality of measurement areas covering widely separated areas of the facility or different buildings of the facility, and the plurality of receivers of a measurement area is organized into a plurality of measurement groups covering areas of approximately uniform RF propagation conditions. Each receiver scans a frequency band of interest non-synchronously and independently of the other receivers in the array. Also, each receiver is preferably a direct-conversion receiver. |
| US08103287B2 |
Methods and apparatus for resolving wireless signal components
Methods and apparatus enabling a wireless network to generate data that can be used by a receiver (e.g., UE) to resolve the contributions of individual transmitters, such as to determine its location without resort to external devices such as GPS satellites. In one embodiment, the wireless network comprises a single frequency network (SFN), and a unique base station identifier is embedded within the data, and encoded in a manner which allows the UE to calculate path characteristics (such as path latency, and Direction of Arrival) to triangulate its position. In one variant, the data encoding comprises weighting frames of data from different base stations using an orthogonal matrix. Advantageously, the encoding and embedded identifier are also transparent to legacy UE, thereby allowing for implementation with no infrastructure or UE modifications other than software. Network and user apparatus implementing these methodologies, and methods of doing business, are also disclosed. |
| US08103285B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for determining a geographical location of a portable communication device
A wireless access point receives a reverse link (RL) wireless wide area network (WWAN) signals from a wireless communication device and forwards wireless local area network (WLAN) location information related to the received RL WWAN signal to a position determining entity (PDE). The PDE uses the WLAN location information and, in some cases, other location information to determine the geographical location of the wireless communication device. The WLAN location information is any information that at least assists the PDE in determining the geographical location of the wireless communication device and may include any combination of data related to signal strength of the WWAN RL signal, a propagation time of WWAN RL signal, a distance between the access point and the wireless access point, a geographical location of the access point, and/or a geographical location of the wireless communication device. |
| US08103284B2 |
Method for reporting uplink load measurements
The present invention provides a method for reporting load measurements. The method may include providing information indicative of a first load associated with at least one first channel type to a first scheduling unit. The first load represents a difference between a second load associated with at least one second channel type and a third load. |
| US08103278B2 |
Method and system for managing idle mode of a mobile node with multiple interfaces
A method for controlling a first interface and a second interface installed on a mobile node is provided, wherein the mobile node communicates with a first access network (AN) through the first interface and communicates with a second AN through the second interface. The method comprises following steps. A first IP address is acquired through the first interface and the first AN for accessing a service network (SN). A second IP address is acquired through the second interface and the second AN for accessing the SN. The first interface is then selected as an awake interface. The second bridging node is directed to create and cache binding information indicating a binding of the second IP address to the first IP address. The second interface is turned off after the binding information is successfully created and cached on the second bridging node. |
| US08103275B2 |
System and method for identifying a wireless serving node for a mobile unit
A system and method for identifying a wireless serving node for a mobile unit include the ability to receive a wireless registration request at a control node for a wireless serving node cluster and determine a control node associated with the registration request by using an algorithm on a mobile unit identifier in the registration request. The system and method also include the ability to generate a wireless registration response containing an identifier for the control node associated with the registration request if the control node is not the control node associated with the registration request. |
| US08103272B2 |
Techniques for database updates
Techniques for updating databases stored on mobile devices. |
| US08103267B2 |
Femtocell base station with mobile station capability
A communication device that includes a femtocell base station and a mobile station transmitter/receiver. The femtocell base station may provide bidirectional internet protocol (IP) communication for one or mobile devices to a cellular network. The femtocell base station may be operable to communicate with the cellular network using a wide area network. The mobile station transmitter/receiver may be coupled to the femtocell base station (in a same housing). The mobile station transmitter/receiver may be operable to perform radio frequency (RF) wireless communication with the cellular network, e.g., to detect and/or report environmental parameters, performing testing (e.g., loopback testing), and/or provide communication for the one or more mobile devices (e.g., when the wide area network is down), among others. |
| US08103259B2 |
System and method for optimisation of media objects
A system and method for optimization of media objects for delivery to one of a plurality of mobile communication devices of different types and rendering thereon. In particular, the media objects are optimised according to the mobile device's characteristics to ensure efficient delivery and optimal rendering thereon. For this purpose, an optimised output of the media object is determined at a first stage. At a subsequent stage, based on the mobile device type, the characteristics of the object to be delivered are then adjusted to conform to those of the predetermined optimised output, thus ensuring that the rendering of the optimised media object on the mobile device output is of high quality. |
| US08103258B2 |
Method for connecting to network server, terminal using the same, and method for storing information using broadcast
A broadcasting mobile terminal communication method and the broadcasting mobile terminal are disclosed. The method includes displaying a list of broadcast files stored on the terminal, in which at least one of the broadcast files is associated with broadcast related data stored on the terminal, and the broadcasting related data allows a user to obtain additional information about the at least one broadcast file. The method also includes selecting a broadcast file that is associated with broadcast related data, and connecting to an entity that provides the additional information about the at least one broadcast file. |
| US08103249B2 |
Credit card imaging for mobile payment and other applications
A mobile payment device includes a contactless payment module, a processing module, and a display module. The contactless payment module is coupled to execute a credit payment transaction. The processing module is coupled to detect the executing of the credit payment transaction and retrieve credit image data based on the detecting. The display module is coupled to process the credit image data into a displayed credit image. |
| US08103243B2 |
System and method for handling sessions of specific type in communication networks
The invention provides a method and system for handling a session setup procedure initiated by an user equipment for establishing a session of a specific type to a called entity, wherein a session setup request sent to a network entity for establishing the requested session, includes location information and an identifier for identifying the called entity. A database is provided which stores a list of location information and associated identifiers. The network entity accesses this database, wherein, when detecting that the identifier represents a session of the specific type in an area represented by the location information, the session set-up is continued in a manner appropriate for a session of the specific type. |
| US08103241B2 |
Method and system for wireless device communication
A medical data receiver configured to wirelessly receive medical data via a signal and having an externally perceptible indicator of signal reception. |
| US08103235B2 |
Communicating apparatus, noise canceling method and memory product
A phase and amplitude controller reads from a switching control table an antenna switching number and values of I and Q corresponding to a receiving channel number reported from a W-CDMA receiver module, and outputs the antenna switching number and the values of I and Q to a switch and DACs, respectively. After a phase and amplitude adjustment IC adjusts the phase and amplitude of a noise signal obtained through the switch by using the values of I and Q inputted through the DACs, it inverts the phase of the noise signal and adds the resulting signal to a reception signal received by a communication antenna, and consequently the noise component is canceled from the reception signal. |
| US08103233B2 |
Tuner
The present disclosure relates to a tuner capable of receiving a television broadcasting signal of a wide band having an operating frequency bandwidth of 48 MHz˜1 GHz, wherein the tuner filters a radio frequency (RF) signal outputted from the low noise amplifier using a tunable filter. The tunable filter includes according to an embodiment an inductor and a variable capacitor as passive elements to reject harmonics. The tuner includes a mixer which mixes an output signal of the tunable filter with a local oscillator signal and converts the mixed signal to an In-phase and Quadrature IF signal, where the converted IF signal of I channel and Q channel is processed through an IF signal processor and is converted to an appropriate signal by a demodulator. |
| US08103226B2 |
Power amplifier saturation detection
In a portable radio transceiver, a power amplifier system includes a saturation detector that detects power amplifier saturation in response to duty cycle of the amplifier transistor collector voltage waveform. The saturation detection output signal can be used by a power control circuit to back off or reduce the amplification level of the power amplifier to avoid power amplifier control loop saturation. |
| US08103224B1 |
Method and apparatus for the integration of a high efficiency power amplifier with an integrated transceiver for wireless communication
An integrated transceiver for wireless applications has both a frequency determining means and a power amplifier. A transmission filter suppresses unwanted spurious outputs in an integrated circuit before a power amplifier stage amplifies and transmits the desired signal. A differential to single ended converter is able to be implemented to further enhance efficiency. |
| US08103221B2 |
High-isolation transmit/receive switch on CMOS for millimeter-wave applications
A CMOS monolithic transmit/receive switch comprises a single pole double throw switch (SPDT) module operable to selectively connect an antenna port to either a transmit port or to a receive port. A transmit matching network comprising a first transmission line matches the impedance of the transmit port of the SPDT module to a transmit impedance, and a first shunt transistor is operable to selectively ground a transmitter end of the first transmission line. A receive matching network comprising a second transmission line matches the impedance of the receive port of the SPDT module to a receive impedance, and a second shunt transistor is operable to selectively ground a receiver end of the second transmission line. |
| US08103220B2 |
Radio-resource management system and method thereof, and management apparatus, base station and terminal to be employed for it
Terminals and base stations belonging to service areas 100 to 102 of plural radio operators periodically measure a radio-link quality and an availability ratio of a radio link to notify them to a radio-resource management server 40. The server 40 alters a frequency of the base station, and a transmitted-power quantity of the base station and the terminal based on these measured results to improve the radio-link quality, and reduces interference with a neighboring radio system. When a load is concentrated on a network of a specific radio operator, an instruction of handover is given to the terminal from the server 40 to realize a load distribution within the radio operator, and between the radio operators. When the server 40 detects excessive radio interference between the radio operators, it notifies occurrence of a fault, an interference quantity, a quantity of the transmitted power that the base station should attenuate, and the frequency that the base station should alter to the above radio operator that becomes an interference source. |
| US08103214B2 |
System and method for adapting a loop powered field instrument for use in a wireless network
A system and method are disclosed for adapting a loop powered wired field instrument for use in a wireless network of wireless field instruments without changing internal wiring of the loop powered wired field instrument. The invention comprises a wired to wireless adapter apparatus that connects to a wired field instrument. The apparatus comprises power conversion circuitry that receives either external power or battery power and converts the received power to loop power for the wired field instrument. The apparatus also receives and decodes a wired signal from the wired field instrument and converts the decoded signal for subsequent wireless transmission to a wireless network. It appears to the wireless network that receives the transmitted wireless signal that the wired field instrument is a wireless field instrument. |
| US08103213B2 |
Software-defined radio configuration
A system for configuring communication resources that are at least partially based upon reconfigurable software modules. An apparatus may utilize a plurality of transports for communication, wherein the transports are supported by one or more radio modules. The one or more radio modules may comprise hardware-based radio modules and software-defined radio (SDR) modules including a reconfigurable software element that allows the radio module to emulate the functionality of multiple hardware-based radios. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, SDR modules in an apparatus may formulate a communication configuration for use in communicating with another apparatus based on remote characteristic information (e.g., information corresponding to the apparatus with which communication is desired) and local characteristic information pertaining to the apparatus. |
| US08103209B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving notification message in a broadcasting system, and system thereof
A terminal apparatus is provided for receiving a broadcast service from a broadcasting system. A receiver receives a notification message from the broadcasting system. A message parser parses the notification message received by the receiver according to a certain format. A controller determines whether the received notification message is a notification message to be used by a user or a notification message to be used by the terminal based on content of the notification message parsed by the message parser, and performs an operation according to the determination result. |
| US08103207B2 |
Lubricant application apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus using same
A lubricant application apparatus including a lubricant application member and an elastic member. The lubricant application member applies lubricant to a lubricant receiving member moving in a given surface movement direction. The elastic member contacts the lubricant receiving member in a counter direction with respect to the surface movement direction of the lubricant receiving member, and smoothes the lubricant applied on the lubricant receiving member. The elastic member is in contact with the lubricant receiving member at a contact area of the elastic member, in the counter direction. The elastic member is positioned in a downstream side of the surface movement direction of the lubricant receiving member with respect to the contact area of the elastic member. The elastic member is in contact with the lubricant receiving member at the contact area with a contact angle of 85 degrees or more. |
| US08103202B2 |
Transfer belt for electrophotography and image forming apparatus equipped therewith
A transfer belt for electrophotography comprises at least a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a conductive agent, preferably further a nylon resin, wherein a deviation in surface resistivity is 1 or less; and an image-forming apparatus comprises a latent-image supporting member, and a transfer member that supports a toner image transferred thereon from the latent-image supporting member and transfer the supported toner image onto an image-receiving material, comprising at least a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a conductive agent, and having a deviation in surface resistivity of 1 or less. |
| US08103200B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carrier rollers placed on an inner circumferential side of an annular conveying path so as to face the annular conveying path and so as to be juxtaposed in a sheet conveying direction along the annular conveying path. Opposed rollers are provided on the outer circumferential side of the annular conveying path. Imaging sections for forming intrinsic color images on surfaces of the respective image carrier rollers are provided. A sheet is introduced to the annular conveying path and is conveyed along the sheet conveying direction sequentially through nip sections of the rollers, while the images formed on the surfaces of the respective image carrier rollers by the imaging sections are transferred one by one onto the sheet. The sheet with the images transferred thereon is released from the annular conveying path. |
| US08103193B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having a color mode and a monochromatic mode, which includes: a transmission member, which can be switched between a transmitted state where a motor transfers a drive force to a single photoreceptor drum and a non-transmitted state where the motor does not transfer the drive force to the single photoreceptor drum; and a controller which switches to the non-transmitted state while executing an image formation in the monochromatic mode, and when a command to execute a next image formation is not instructed, switches to the transmitted state after a phase adjustment of each photoreceptor drum after the image formation in the monochromatic mode, and controls the motor to execute a slight rotation operation at every prescribed period of time by synchronizing plural drums including the single photoreceptor drum with each other through the transmission member. |
| US08103187B2 |
Image forming apparatus with developing units and developer cartidges
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing; a partition wall which is provided in the housing along a substantially vertical direction, the partition wall partitioning an inner space of the housing into a first space and a second space; developing units which are disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the first space, each of the developing units comprising a first reception opening and a return opening; and developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the second space, each of developer cartridges comprising a supply opening and a second reception opening. The first reception openings of the developing units communicate with the supply openings of respective ones of the developer cartridges, and the return openings of the developer units communicate with the second reception openings of respective ones of the developer cartridges. |
| US08103180B2 |
Image forming device and image forming method thereof
An image forming device includes a first measuring unit to measure a size of the recording medium when the image is formed on the first surface by the image forming unit, and a second measuring unit to measure the size of the recording medium prior to an image being formed on the second surface of the recording medium, and a control unit configured to change the size of printing range based upon the image data that is used to form the image on the second surface of the recording medium in accordance with a medium ratio of the size of the recording medium measured by the first measuring unit to the size of the recording medium measured by the second measuring unit. |
| US08103179B2 |
Development device that obtains uniform toner density of a two-component developer
A development device is provided with: a development roller that rotates while carrying a two-component developer in a development tank accommodating the two-component developer; a tubular developer conveyance path having therein a conveyance mechanism that conveys the two-component developer in an axial direction of the development roller; a developer supply mouth for supplying the two-component developer to the developer conveyance path; a developer discharge mouth for discharging the two-component developer from the developer conveyance path; a supply mouth adjustment member that adjusts the area of the opening of the developer supply mouth; and a control unit that causes the supply mouth adjustment member to operate based on the fluidity of the two-component developer in the development tank. |
| US08103178B2 |
Linearized phase modulated analog optical links
A phase-modulated analog optical link that uses parallel interferometric demodulation to mitigate the dominant intermodulation distortion present in the link. A receiver for demodulating phase modulated optical signals includes a splitter dividing the phase modulated signal into parallel optical paths, each optical path having an asymmetrical interferometer, the time delays of the interferometers being unequal, and each optical path includes a photodiode optically connected to an output of the interferometer. Outputs of the photodiodes enter a hybrid coupler. Alternatively, outputs of the interferometer enter a balanced photodetector. A phase shifter or time delay element can be included in one optical path to ensure inputs to the coupler or balanced photodetector have the correct phase. The input power to the parallel optical paths is split in a ratio that balances the third-order distortion in the output photocurrent. |
| US08103177B2 |
Apparatus and method for frequency offset monitoring used in digital coherent optical receiver
The present invention discloses a frequency offset detecting apparatus and method for use in a digital coherent optical receiver. The digital coherent optical receiver comprises: a front-end processing section for generating a digital baseband electric signal; an equalizer for performing equalized filtering on the digital baseband electric signal; and the frequency offset detecting apparatus for detecting frequency offset contained in the digital baseband electric signal or frequency offset contained in a signal outputted by the equalizer; wherein the frequency offset detecting apparatus comprises an argument difference obtaining unit, a first subtracter, a second subtracter, a quantizer and an averager, of which the argument difference obtaining unit obtains an argument difference of adjacent symbols in a signal inputted therein; the first subtracter subtracts an output of the averager from the argument difference obtained by the argument difference obtaining unit; the quantizer performs uniform quantization with predetermined intervals on an output of the first subtracter; the second subtracter subtracts an output of the quantizer from the argument difference obtained by the argument difference obtaining unit; and the averager averages an output of the second subtracter. |
| US08103171B2 |
Method, system and device for data transfer in an optical network
A method for data transfer in an optical network, including: amplitude modulating, by a central office, an optical carrier by a downstream data with a first rate to generate a downstream optical signal carrying the downstream data; sending the downstream optical signal to a user terminal; obtaining, by the user terminal, the downstream data from the downstream optical signal; amplitude modulating, by the user terminal, the downstream optical signal by an upstream data with a second rate to generate an upstream optical signal, wherein the ratio of the first rate to the second rate is greater than 1; sending the upstream optical signal to the central office; and receiving, by the central office, the upstream optical signal, and obtaining, by the central office, the upstream data from the upstream optical signal. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a system and device for data transfer in the optical network. With the invention, the complexity of the system may be effectively reduced, and the cost of the device may be lowered. |
| US08103170B2 |
Method for optical time division multiplex and apparatus thereof
The present invention inputs a signal synthesized an optical pulse with a variable-wavelength laser beam different in wavelength from it to a delay unit (S1). The delay unit branches the signal to two optical signals, produces an optical path difference between them to afford a delay, synthesizes them again to generate a multiplexed optical signal, and minutely varies the optical path length of one of them (S2). The present invention measures output variance of the delay unit on a variable-wavelength laser beam resulting from the minute variance (S3), and controls the optical path difference so as to minimize output variance at a position where the output is a maximum or minimum, or is a specific value other than them (S4). This stabilizes a phase difference between adjacent pulses of the multiplexed optical signal outputted from the delay unit (5) with a simple construction in optical time division multiplexing technology. |
| US08103168B1 |
RF discrete time optical frequency translator
A frequency translator, a method, and a machine readable medium for performing frequency signal translations are disclosed. The frequency translator includes a modulator for modulating an optical pulse train with an input RF signal to generate an output optical pulse train having the amplitude information of the input RF signal at a plurality of times corresponding to the optical pulse train. In addition, the frequency translator includes a modulator for modulating the output optical pulse train by a digital cosine function having a desired target frequency to generate a translated optical signal. The frequency translator further includes a photodetector configured to generate an electrical waveform with the translated optical signal having the amplitude information of the input RF signal centered at the desired target frequency. |
| US08103167B2 |
System for free space optical communication and method for operation thereof
A free space optical communication system is described that comprises a receiver node and a transmitter node communicating to each other via a control data communication channel and an information data communication channel operating at a wavelength region different from the wavelength region of the control data communication channel. The receiver node includes a receiver unit configured to receive an information data signal provided by the transmitter node through the information data communication channel, and to recover information from said information data signal; an interrogator unit configured for generating and radiating an interrogation data signal through the control data communication channel in order to initiate and terminate an information data communication session between the receiver node and the transmitter node; and a receiver node controller configured for controlling operation of the receiver unit and the interrogator unit. The transmitter node includes a responder unit configured to locate the presence of the interrogator unit; a transmitter unit configured to receive the data from an information source, generate and radiate the information data signal through the information data communication channel to the receiver unit; and a notifier unit coupled to the transmitter unit and to the responder unit, and configured to control operation thereof. |
| US08103163B2 |
Method of controlling optical output power and passive optical network system using the same
Provided are an optical output power control method that provides optical communication without harming the human body even when a transmission line is cut or no optical network unit (ONU) accesses a communication system, and a passive optical network (PON) system using the method. In the method, an optical signal having a predetermined period is transmitted when an optical communication system is in an abnormal state, wherein the predetermined period includes a laser-on time interval in which the optical signal has a normal power level and a laser-off time interval in which the optical signal is off or has a power level lower than the normal power level, so that the optical communication system performs optical communication without harming the human body even during the abnormal state. |
| US08103160B2 |
Portable electronic device with camera assembly
An exemplary portable electronic device includes a housing, a camera assembly, and a deformable protective member. The camera assembly includes a circuit board and a camera unit. The protective member defines a through cavity. The through cavity receives the camera unit. The housing resists against and deforms the protective member and the circuit board resists against the protective member, sealing the through cavity. |
| US08103158B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and control method thereof
In continuous shooting processing, the defocus amounts of respective focus detection areas and the reliabilities of the defocus amounts are detected from information of the focus detection areas. Weightings are determined based on the reliabilities and defocus amounts. If the detection of defocus amounts is not completed in one shooting operation during continuous shooting, weightings are determined using defocus amounts detected in a shooting operation preceding the current one during continuous shooting. If there is no defocus amount that has been detected in a shooting operation preceding the current one, weightings are determined to weight a photometry area at a predetermined position of the field. A correct exposure for shooting is determined by calculating the weighted average of photometric values obtained in a plurality of photometry areas using the determined weightings. Continuous shooting can be performed with a correct exposure without decreasing the continuous shooting speed. |
| US08103156B2 |
Fuel gas conditioning system
A feed gas conditioner. |
| US08103153B2 |
Reliable monitoring of the speed in coordinate measuring appliances
In a method for reliably monitoring the speed of a moveable coordinate measuring device, a first value of the speed is calculated from measured values of the coordinate measurement system. The measured values contain information on positions of the coordinate measuring device. The measured values are further used to determine the coordinates of a measurement object. A second value of the speed is ascertained from measurement signals of at least one additional movement sensor. The measurement signals can also be used for controlling a drive device of the coordinate measuring device. A fault signal can be generated if the first value and/or the second value deviate from one another, from a predetermined value and/or a limit value according to a predefined criterion. |
| US08103151B2 |
Information recording apparatus
An information recording apparatus includes a registration unit that registers scheduling information to schedule single recording of information provided periodically; a recording unit that records the information on a recording medium based on the registered scheduling information; a counting unit that counts the number of times of registering the scheduling information of the information; a determination unit that determines whether the number of times of registering the scheduling information of the information exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a registering unit that generates, when the number of times of registering the scheduling information of the information exceeds the predetermined threshold value, repeated scheduling information to enable the recording unit to periodically and repeatedly record the information, and registers the repeated scheduling information in the registration unit. |
| US08103150B2 |
System and method for video editing based on semantic data
Systems and methods for video editing are described. At least one embodiment includes a method for editing a video comprising: extracting semantic data from the video, searching the extracted semantic data to identify characteristics that match a pre-defined set of characteristics, identifying a pre-defined event based on the matched characteristics within the semantic data, assigning a matching degree value to the event, assigning a theme relevancy value to the event, and automatically editing the event based on the identified event, the assigned matching degree value, and the theme relevancy value. |
| US08103148B2 |
Recording apparatus and recording method
A recording apparatus comprises: a removable recording medium; a processor; and a receiving unit that receives an operation command for demounting the removable recording medium, wherein, when the receiving unit receives the operation command, the processor demounts the removable recording medium from a file system; and wherein the processor automatically mounts the recording medium on the file system under a predetermined condition in which a command of mounting the recording medium is not given. |
| US08103136B2 |
Thermo-optic devices providing thermal recirculation
Thermo-optical devices providing heater recirculation in an integrated optical device are described. The thermo-optical devices include at least one waveguide having a non-linear path length in thermal communication with a thermal device. Methods of fabrication and use are also disclosed. |
| US08103134B2 |
Method and a handheld device for capturing motion
A method for creating an image that depicts the motion of a moving object. The method comprises: a) identifying a motion of a moving object in a plurality of initial images depicting a scene, b) capturing a plurality of reference images of the moving object, c) cropping at least one sub-image of the moving object from at least one of the plurality of reference images, and d) combining the at least one sub-image and at least one of the plurality of reference images to produce a final representation depicting the motion. The resolution of the plurality of initial images is lower than the resolution of the plurality of reference images. |
| US08103131B2 |
Compositing in multiple video processing unit (VPU) systems
Systems and methods are provided for processing data. The systems and methods include multiple processors that each couple to receive commands and data, where the commands and/or data correspond to frames of video that include multiple pixels. Additionally, an interlink module is coupled to receive processed data corresponding to the frames from each of the multiple processors. The interlink module selects pixels of the frames from the processed data of one of the processors based on a predetermined pixel characteristic and outputs the frames that include the selected pixels. |
| US08103127B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus of calculating position and orientation of target objects located in image
Indices in an image of a physical space on which a plurality of indices are allocated are identified, and the positions and orientations, on the physical space, of all or some identified indices are calculated. |
| US08103126B2 |
Information presentation apparatus, information presentation method, imaging apparatus, and computer program
A method of presenting information, capable of displaying an image including one or more objects being in the vicinity of the ground, the method including the steps of: acquiring viewpoint information; acquiring visual line information; acquiring posture information; acquiring additional information related to the object position information; calculating horizon line information in the image; determining a reference line on the image on the basis of the horizon line information and the posture information; calculating distance information from the viewpoint position to the object; determining a display attribute of the additional information including a display mode of the additional information and a display position of the additional information in the image with respect to the reference line; and presenting the additional information on the basis of the display mode so as to reveal a relationship between the additional information and the object when displaying the image on the display unit. |
| US08103118B2 |
Electronic device with optoelectronic input/output compensation function for a display
Portable devices (100) that include displays (102) and are used in widely ranging ambient light conditions use selectable or adjustable optoelectronic input/output compensation functions to drive their displays. According to certain embodiments, a camera (122) or a light sensor (120) is used to measure the ambient light level, and an optoelectronic input/output compensation function that is specifically chosen based on the measured ambient light condition is used to drive the display. Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, the optoelectronic input/output compensation function is selected based on whether a display backlight (230) is turned on or off. |
| US08103116B1 |
Estimating pixel variances in the scenes of staring sensors
A technique for detecting changes in a scene perceived by a staring sensor is disclosed. The technique includes acquiring a reference image frame and a current image frame of a scene with the staring sensor. A raw difference frame is generated based upon differences between the reference image frame and the current image frame. Pixel error estimates are generated for each pixel in the raw difference frame based at least in part upon spatial error estimates related to spatial intensity gradients in the scene. The pixel error estimates are used to mitigate effects of camera jitter in the scene between the current image frame and the reference image frame. |
| US08103113B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus which enables reduction of memory size required for image modification is provided. The image processing apparatus establishes a target block of the modification process; generates an image within the target block by storing an image within a referent block into a source memory area, and by referring the referent block image in the source memory area; generates entirety of the post-modification image by sequentially shifting the target block to a different position within the image modification area and by generating an image within the target block after each shift; computes a maximum block size of the referent block associated with the target block situated any available position prior to generation of the image; and allocates the source memory area capable of storing an image of a size equal to the maximum block size. |
| US08103111B2 |
Coding method, electronic camera, recording medium storing coded program, and decoding method
In a method of coding light ray information including information about a position on a predetermined surface and information about an incident angle to the surface when a ray of light from a subject enters the surface, the light ray information is divided into two or more processing unit blocks. In a first coding process, coding are executed for each of the two or more processing unit blocks, and first block unit information composing first image information about the subject is obtained. In a second coding process, coding are executed for each of the two or more processing unit block, and second block unit information composing second image information different types from the first image information is obtained. |
| US08103109B2 |
Recognizing hand poses and/or object classes
There is a need to provide simple, accurate, fast and computationally inexpensive methods of object and hand pose recognition for many applications. For example, to enable a user to make use of his or her hands to drive an application either displayed on a tablet screen or projected onto a table top. There is also a need to be able to discriminate accurately between events when a user's hand or digit touches such a display from events when a user's hand or digit hovers just above that display. A random decision forest is trained to enable recognition of hand poses and objects and optionally also whether those hand poses are touching or not touching a display surface. The random decision forest uses image features such as appearance, shape and optionally stereo image features. In some cases, the training process is cost aware. The resulting recognition system is operable in real-time. |
| US08103108B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a data obtaining section for obtaining input image data; a memory in which reference image data or features of a reference image is stored; and a similarity determination process section for performing a determination process in which it is determined whether the input image data is image data corresponding to the reference image or not. The similarity determination process section changes the determination process in accordance with related information of the input image data. Consequently, it is possible to realize an image processing apparatus capable of determining a similarity between input image data and a reference image and restricting a process on the input image data in accordance with the result of the determination. |
| US08103104B2 |
Text extraction and its application to compound document image compression
Disclosed are systems and methods to identify text-like pixels from an image by providing an image and classifying line segments of pixels within the image by edge-bounded averaging. |
| US08103102B2 |
Robust feature extraction for color and grayscale images
Systems, methods and program products for converting a first image to an intensity image using principal components analysis where the intensity image is based on a first principal component. The intensity image is analyzed to identify a plurality of scale invariant features in the intensity image, each identified feature associated with a score. An adaptive threshold is applied to the identified features to establish a set of features for the first image. |
| US08103100B2 |
System of implementing user handwriting and method thereof
System for implementing user handwriting according to the present invention, comprising : a handwriting input module (120) for receiving user handwriting including at least 100 to 200 characters by a user with sample sentences; a feature determining module (150); a distance determining module (160) for determining a vertical distance between an uppermost point mark and a lowermost point mark between 2 characters and their segments and a horizontal distance between a leftmost point mark and a rightmost point mark between 2 characters and their segments; a position determining module (170) for determining positions of the uppermost and lowermost point marks and the leftmost and rightmost point marks between 2 characters and their segments; a handwriting combining module (180) for combining several handwriting base on data recognized by the feature determining module (150), the distance determining module (160) and the position determining module (170); and a handwriting output module (200) for outputting handwriting combined by the handwriting combining module (180). |
| US08103093B2 |
Image segmentation of foreground from background layers
Segmentation of foreground from background layers in an image may be provided by a segmentation process which may be based on one or more factors including motion, color, contrast, and the like. Color, motion, and optionally contrast information may be probabilistically fused to infer foreground and/or background layers accurately and efficiently. A likelihood of motion vs. non-motion may be automatically learned from training data and then fused with a contrast-sensitive color model. Segmentation may then be solved efficiently by an optimization algorithm such as a graph cut. Motion events in image sequences may be detected without explicit velocity computation. |
| US08103084B2 |
Document processing system using full image scanning
A system for tracking currency bills comprises a currency scanning device. The scanning device includes a sensor that retrieves currency identification characteristic information of each bill processed. The currency identification characteristic information permits the unique identification of each bill processed. The system further comprises a customer identification means and means for associating each processed bill with the customer depositing the bill. Means for identifying the customer (or customer account) associated with a particular processed bill after the deposit transaction has been completed is also included in the system. |
| US08103079B2 |
Chest image rotation apparatus, method and recording-medium stored therein program
A chest image rotation apparatus includes a chest image input unit that is used to input a chest image, a vertebral-body region extraction unit that extracts a vertebral-body region from the input chest image, a vertebral-body direction calculation unit that calculates, based on the extracted vertebral-body region, the direction of vertebral bodies in the chest image, a chest image rotation unit that rotates the chest image so that the calculated direction of the vertebral bodies becomes perpendicular to the horizontal side of the chest image, and an output unit that outputs the rotated chest image. |
| US08103078B2 |
Method for determining ECG-triggered recording times for imaging to support interventional and diagnostic cardiac procedures
The invention is directed to a method for determining a plurality of ECG-triggered recording times for cardiac imaging, comprising the steps: recording a plurality of images of the heart at predetermined time intervals; assigning the images to specific cardiac phase times; comparing the images in order to determine similarity measures between two images in each case, said similarity measures representing states of the heart requiring to be imaged that are similar in terms of imaging technology; identifying a group of images with mutual similarity measures in a predefined area, between the pairs of images; and specifying the cardiac phase times associated with the images in the group as the plurality of ECG-triggered recording times. In a further aspect the method can additionally include the step of performing the moving-target imaging based on image recordings at the specific recording times with the aid of ECG triggering. |
| US08103074B2 |
Identifying aorta exit points from imaging data
A method of defining a heart region from imaging data is provided. Received imaging data is projected into a first plane. A first threshold is applied to the first plane of data to eliminate data associated with air. A largest first connected component is identified from the first threshold applied data. A first center of mass of the identified largest first connected component is calculated to define a first coordinate and a second coordinate of the heart region. The received imaging data is projected into a second plane, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane. A second threshold is applied to the second plane of data to eliminate data associated with air. A largest second connected component is identified from the second threshold applied data. A second center of mass of the identified largest second connected component is calculated to define a third coordinate of the heart region. |
| US08103071B2 |
MR-compatible video system
In an MR-compatible video system, MR-compatible video eyeglasses are connected to a graphics unit. A position sensor arrangement is connected to the graphics unit to detect the position and/or orientation of the MR-compatible video eyeglasses and/or the position of the pupils of a user. The graphics unit comprises means for producing image signals for MR-compatible video eyeglasses depending on the position and/or orientation of the MR-compatible video eyeglasses and/or the position of the pupils of the user. |
| US08103068B2 |
Methods and systems for reconstruction of objects
Methods and systems for reconstructing an object from observations of interaction of the object with a physical system. |
| US08103067B2 |
Analysis method for image data records including automatic specification of analysis regions
There is described an analysis method for at least one image data record of an examination object, wherein each image data record features a multiplicity of image data elements. A position in a multidimensional space is assigned to each image data element. Each image data element features an image data value. The image data values of positionally corresponding image data elements of the image data records are specified by means of at least essentially positionally identical regions of the examination object. A computer automatically divides the image data records into empty regions and signal regions, applying an overall assignment rule which is based on the image data values of the image data elements of a plurality of image data records, such that each image data element of each image data record is assigned to either its empty region or its signal region. For each image data record, the computer automatically determines a closed outline which fully contains the signal region of the relevant image data record and, on the basis of the closed outline of the relevant image data record, determines an analysis region such that a further analysis of the relevant image data record can be restricted to its analysis region. |
| US08103063B2 |
Method and apparatus for searching biometric image data
A method for matching biometric data is disclosed. A biometric information source is sensed to provide an image thereof. The image is then analysed to extract features therefrom. A feature is selected as a first feature and a plurality of polygons are generated with a location of the first feature as a vertex of each. The polygons are then used to search a lookup table in order to determine an orientation and translation of the image relative to stored reference data. |
| US08103060B2 |
Feature point reduction for blood vessel biometric system
To suitably reduce data amount. For example, feature points from a branch point or an end point to the next branch point or an end point in a blood vessel line are set as a group. In the three feature points satisfying one of the condition that the absolute value of the outer product of vectors in continuous three feature points is smaller than an outer product threshold value, and the condition that a cosine in the above three feature points is smaller than a cosine threshold value, the middle one of the three feature points satisfying the other of the above conditions and being the smallest is eliminated, for every group. |
| US08103058B2 |
Detecting and tracking objects in digital images
There is provided an improved solution for detecting and tracking objects in digital images. The solution comprises selecting a neighborhood for each pixel under observation, the neighborhood being of known size and form, and reading pixel values of the neighborhood. Further the solution comprises selecting at least one set of coefficients for weighting each neighborhood such that each pixel value of each neighborhood is weighted with at least one coefficient; searching for an existence of at least one object feature at each pixel under observation on the basis of a combination of weighted pixel values at each neighborhood; and verifying the existence of the object in the digital image on the basis of the searches of existence of at least one object feature at a predetermined number of pixels. |
| US08103054B2 |
Method for identifying marked images using statistical moments based at least in part on a JPEG array
Briefly, embodiments of a method of identifying marked images, in which higher order statistical moments based at least in part on a JPEG array are employed, is described. |
| US08103049B2 |
System reactions to the detection of embedded watermarks in a digital host content
Methods for adapting the operation of a system in response to the detection of embedded watermarks from a digital host content are provided. A digital host content is received and examined for the presence of watermarks. In response to the detection of embedded watermarks and in accordance with the value, type, density or spacing of the detected watermarks, one or more system reactions may take place. These reactions include conditionally allowing the system to resume its normal operation, prohibiting the system from resuming its normal operation, degrading the quality of the digital host content or changing the security status of the digital host content. In response to the extraction of weak watermarks that do not meet the desired system requirements, the extraction operation may be modified or extended to enable the detection of strong watermarks. |
| US08103048B2 |
Detection of spam images
A method, system, and computer program product for analyzing image attachments to email messages and reliably determines whether the image includes spam, so that the message can be blocked. A method for processing email messages comprises processing an image included in or attached to an email message to determine whether the image includes features that indicate whether the image is spam and determining whether the image is spam based on the included features that indicate whether the image is spam. |
| US08103043B2 |
Sound-generation arrangements in portable electronic devices
A mobile electronic device is provided. The mobile electronic device includes a housing having an ear-facing surface. Also, the mobile electronic device includes an audio transducer disposed within the housing. Further, the mobile electronic device includes an acoustic channel coupled between the audio transducer and the ear-facing surface for transmitting sound waves produced by the audio transducer to external of the ear-facing surface, wherein the audio-transducer having an audio-transmitting plane disposed at an angle other than parallel relative to the ear-facing surface. |
| US08103041B2 |
Speaker retention bracket
An audio speaker bracket for use in passenger vehicles and a method for installing the speaker to a mounting panel using at least one suspension member. The method permits the speaker to be temporarily supported by a mounting panel while secure attachment of the bracket to the mounting panel is completed. |
| US08103040B2 |
Adjustable, dual speaker element in-ear phone
An adjustable, dual speaker element earphone. One of the speaker elements is sized to fit into the cavum concha of the listener's ear and the other element (is not. A hinged joint may allow the larger speaker element may be rotated about a vertical axis of the hinged joint so that the larger speaker element can be rotated towards or away from the listener's ear. The speaker elements may be connected such that sounds produced by both speaker elements emanate from different respective sound openings defined in a surface of the smaller speaker element. Also, one or both of the speaker elements may be operably connected to a hanger bar that is sized and configured to rest on an upper portion of the listener's ear. |
| US08103037B2 |
System for producing the parameters of a bass-enhanced loudspeaker enclosure
A system for producing parameters for a bass-enhanced loudspeaker enclosure; meanwhile, a low-frequency extended frequency, a quality and quantity ratio and radius of a port need to be defined for the system. Also, the resonance frequency of a mechanical system and the quality and quantity of a mechanical system are fixed to obtain the parameters for the frequency ratio, the length of the duct and the cavity volume inside the device, etc. and to manufacture the bass-enhanced loudspeaker enclosure. |
| US08103036B2 |
Speaker device and television receiver using the speaker device
A loudspeaker device includes a loudspeaker box having a space therein, a loudspeaker unit, and a passive radiator. The loudspeaker unit and the passive radiator are attached to the loudspeaker box. The space of the loudspeaker box has a depth smaller on the passive radiator side than on the loudspeaker unit side. This structure allows the loudspeaker device to be mounted on a thin apparatus. |
| US08103032B2 |
Hearing aid
Hearing aid with a first housing part to accommodate an electrical energy source, a second housing part to accommodate an electronic component and a third housing part to transmit an acoustic stimulus into the ear of a user, wherein the housing parts have a detachable, fluid-tight connection to one another and a facility for selecting an operating state is present in the first or second housing part, having an operating element, which is arranged in a fluid-tight manner on the outside of the housing part. |
| US08103031B2 |
Hearing device sound emission tube with a 2-component design
A hearing device, in particular a hearing system, is designed more acoustically stable with regard to feedback as well as more mechanically stable with regard to external influences by a sound emission tube for direct connection to an output nozzle of an earpiece of a hearing device. The sound emission tube has an outer sheath made from a first plastic and an inner wall made from a second plastic that is more elastic than the first plastic. The outer sheath and the inner wall are produced by 2-component injection molding. The inner wall damps vibrations from the earpiece outward or shocks from the outside to the earpiece. Conversely, the outer sheath provides for the mechanical stability and the sufficiently rigid mounting of the earpiece. |
| US08103021B2 |
Audio reproducing apparatus
An audio reproducing apparatus includes a power supply, an amplifier, a speaker, and a controller. The power supply is for supplying a voltage. The amplifier is for receiving the voltage and audio signals, amplifying the audio signals, and outputting amplified audio signals. The speaker is for reproducing sound after receiving the amplified audio signals. The controller is for receiving the voltage and generating a control signal to enable the amplifier. The controller includes a generator and a delay unit. The generator is for receiving the voltage and generating the control signal. The delay unit is for delaying the time of transferring the voltage from the power supply to the generator. |
| US08103017B2 |
Sound reproducing system and automobile using such sound reproducing system
A sound reproduction system provided for in-vehicle use includes: a music signal source; a first group of a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer and a fourth transducer connected to the music signal source; a signal processor shifting the phase of first sound signals output from the music signal source; and a second group of a first transducer, a second transducer, a third transducer and a fourth transducers connected to the signal processor. |
| US08103013B2 |
Acoustic transducer device
An acoustic transducer device is provided. The device includes a body, a speaker, a microphone, and a processor. The body has a cavity, a sound exit, and a sound entrance. The cavity interflows with the sound exit and accommodates the speaker. The microphone is disposed within the body beside the speaker. The microphone interflows selectively with the cavity or the sound entrance. The processor is electrically connected to the speaker and the microphone. When the microphone interflows with the cavity, the microphone receives a sound signal generated from the cavity and transmits the sound signal to the processor for cancelling noise in the cavity. When the microphone interflows with the sound exit, the microphone receives an external sound signal and transmits the external sound signal to the processor for cancelling noise from the external. |
| US08103010B2 |
Acoustic signal processing apparatus and acoustic signal processing method
An apparatus for performing processing of an input acoustic signal to be reproduced by a loudspeaker, which generates a harmonic of a low pitch sound component equal to or lower than a predetermined low cutoff frequency, and generates a harmonic synthesized acoustic signal synthesizing the input signal with the harmonic. The apparatus generates an output acoustic signal which cuts off, from the harmonic synthesized acoustic signal, a low pitch sound component equal to or lower than the low cutoff frequency and a high pitch sound component equal to or higher than the high cutoff frequency. The apparatus sets a low and high cutoff frequencies in accordance with an output characteristic of a loudspeaker. |
| US08103008B2 |
Loudness-based compensation for background noise
Loudness-based compensation systems and techniques are described which provide audio compensation in noisy environments. Loudness approximations are determined for an audio block both by itself and in the presence of background noise. These approximations utilize compression of audio intensity within frequency bands in order to better reflect listeners' hearing perception. From these loudness approximations, a gain is determined for the audio block and then applied in such a manner that the effect is not jarring to listeners. |
| US08103007B2 |
System and method of detecting speech intelligibility of audio announcement systems in noisy and reverberant spaces
A system and method to detect and remediate unacceptable levels of speech intelligibility evaluates received test audio transmitted across and received in a space or region of interest. Intelligibility is improved by altering the rate, pitch, amplitude and frequency bands energy during presentation of the speech signal. |
| US08102994B2 |
Client survey systems and methods using caller identification information
An automatic call distribution system includes a first software control module and a caller identification device for capturing caller identification information associated with an incoming call, a call agent station in communication with the automatic call distribution system, and an interactive voice response system in communication with the automatic call distribution system. The interactive voice response system administers a survey to a caller associated with the caller identification information. In response to receiving the incoming call, a transaction is completed between the caller and a call agent. Upon completion of the transaction, the call agent asks the caller to take part in the survey and seeks permission of the caller to use the caller's caller identification information in the survey. Upon obtaining consent from the caller, the call is routed by the automatic call distribution system from the call agent to the interactive voice response system to initiate the survey. |
| US08102993B2 |
Method for routing network call and network call center
A method for routing a network call includes receiving a network call routing request from a requesting sub call center; determining a destination sub call center based on traffic distribution proportions for a network call service, in which the network call service corresponds to the received network call routing request, or determining a destination sub call center based on service capacity parameters of multiple sub call centers corresponding to the network call service, and forwarding the network call routing request to the determined destination sub call center for a call process. A network call center is also disclosed that includes multiple sub call centers and a Network Intelligent Routing Center (NIRC), in which the NIRC is used for receiving a network call routing request, determining the destination sub call and forwarding the received network call routing request to the determined destination sub call center. |
| US08102990B2 |
Method for setting up a communication connection and a private branch exchange for carrying out the method
A method for setting up a communication connection between a calling communication terminal and another communication terminal belonging to a group in a communication network selected by the calling party dialing an allocated group telephone number, the other communication terminal being selected by an exchange unit of the selected communication network by means of availability information, and the connection initiated through the exchange of a start message and a number of connection confirmation messages between the calling communication terminal and the selected other communication terminal. A private branch exchange with a server which comprises an exchange unit and to which a plurality of communication terminals combined in groups is connected, carries out the method. The server sets up communication connections with selected communication terminals through the exchange of a start message and a number of connection confirmation messages between a calling communication terminal and the respective selected communication terminal. |
| US08102987B2 |
Adjusting music length to expected waiting time while caller is on hold
A method of adjusting music length to expected waiting time while a caller is on hold includes choosing one or more media selections based upon their play duration and matching the selection(s) to the expected waiting time. |
| US08102985B2 |
Method and system for providing a camp-on hold service
A method for providing a camp-on hold service comprises detecting a hold condition between a first user and a second user and establishing a call hold by placing the call on hold. The method also comprises receiving a request from the second user to camp-on to the call hold and monitoring the status of the first user during the call hold. The method also comprises receiving an indication that the first user is available to continue communications with the second user and notifying the second user that the first user is available to continue communications with the second user. |
| US08102983B2 |
Availability and location predictor using call processing indications
A system for generating user availability information from call control events within a telephone system, comprising an Event Queue for receiving and storing call control events from the telephone system, and an Interpretation Engine for accessing the call control events in the Event Queue and in response updating a running sum for the user based on availability evidence ascribed to the call control events, and generating an indication of user availability based on the running sum. |
| US08102980B2 |
Revenue management systems and methods with bill and account suppression
A revenue management system for telecommunication systems is disclosed. The revenue management system can have multiple integrated modules. The modules can include a revenue generation module, a revenue capture module, a revenue collection module, a revenue intelligence module, and others. The revenue management system can also be configured to simultaneously manage revenue for prepaid, postpaid, now-paid payment models. |
| US08102973B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting end to end calls and associated information
Systems and methods that, among other things, analyze and monitor the performance of a call center including performance of the interactive voice response (IVR) systems, call center agents, and other components of the call center. The systems and methods record characteristics of the call such as the audio data, and analyze that record to identify the events and the actions that take place during the call. These events and actions may be defined as complex customer/call center interactions, such as dropped calls, logic errors or other event. A call center administrator may also identify a set of metrics, such as the number of dropped calls that occur during a day or for each agent, the number of times a client was left on hold for more than two minutes, or other such metrics that may be monitored by the systems described herein. The data collected about these events and the resulting metrics may be stored in a database and provided to a call center administrator through a user interface that allows the administrator to browse through the collected metric and recorded call data and directly review relevant portions of a call that are of interest to the administrator. |
| US08102970B2 |
Method and apparatus for line testing
A method of testing a communication line includes measuring a first voltage/current couple on the communication line, measuring a second voltage/current couple different from the first couple on the communication line, and calculating a resistance based on the first couple and the second couple. |
| US08102969B2 |
X-ray device
An x-ray device has a cathode aligned on a target region in a tube housing with a rotating anode unit. The rotating anode unit is borne to rotate around a rotational axis inside the tube housing. The rotating anode unit has a rotating anode plate with the target region and a shaft rotationally connected with the rotating anode plate. A magnetic bearing supports the shaft without contact in the tube housing. The rotating anode plate has an axial extension facing away from the shaft. The axial extension dips into a fluid-filled receptacle space of the tube housing for heat dissipation. Such an x-ray device allows high rotation speeds of the rotating anode unit, and thus a high operational power. |
| US08102966B2 |
Radiation therapy with local field enhancement
Aspects of the invention relate to radiotherapy methods and devices that use local field enhancements induced by metal particles in order to irradiate a target volume with a lower intensity as compared to conventional treatment methods. The metal particles may be coupled to vehicles and administered to a patient's body. As vehicles may have a higher affinity to the target volume than to the rest of the body, metal particles may concentrate within the target volume. When in irradiating the target volume, the metal particles cause local field enhancements of the treatment radiation, thus allowing irradiating the body with a lower overall intensity. Local field enhancements may be determined and used to control a radiation therapy device. |
| US08102964B2 |
Breast locating device including an RFID transponder for a diagnostic instrument for examining a female breast
A device is provided herein for locating a breast of a female patient. In one embodiment, the locating device is adapted to be inserted into an opening within a patient table. The locating device is further adapted with different sizes and shapes, and thus, can be adapted to various breast shapes. In one embodiment, the device is provided with an RFID transponder for identifying the particular locating device being used. The RFID transponder enables data about the locating device to be automatically recorded along with the image data. This enables the shape of the locating device to be taken into account when evaluating an image. Furthermore, the RFID transponder ensures that a locating device of the same shape is used for subsequent exposures of a patient's breast, so that the exposures remain comparable. |
| US08102962B2 |
Bidrectional shifter register and method of driving same
A bidirectional shift register includes first, second, third and four control signal bus lines for providing first, second, third and fourth control signals, Bi1, Bi2, Bi3 and Bi4, respectively, and a plurality of shift register stages electrically coupled in serial, each shift register stage having a first input node and a second input node, where the plurality of shift register stages is grouped into a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second input nodes of each shift register stage in the first section are electrically coupled to the first and second control signal bus lines for receiving the first and second control signals Bi1 and Bi2, respectively, and the first and second input nodes of each shift register stage in the second section are electrically coupled to the third and fourth control signal bus lines for receiving the third and fourth control signals Bi3 and Bi4, respectively. |
| US08102957B2 |
Method and apparatus for identification of transmission antenna diversity in a receiver
In a method for identification of a multiple antenna transmission mode in a radio receiver, at least two antenna-decoupled data streams (s0, s1) are produced by means of an antenna decoupling unit in the receiver. Respective first variables (p0, p1) are calculated for both data streams, and are dependent on the phase change between the data in the respective data stream. An evaluation unit uses these first variables as the basis to decide whether a multiple antenna transmission mode is being used in the transmitter. |
| US08102955B2 |
Multi-pulse frequency shifted (MPFS) multiple access modulation for ultra wideband
The multi-pulse frequency shifted technique uses mutually orthogonal short duration pulses o transmit and receive information in a UWB multiuser communication system. The multiuser system uses the same pulse shape with different frequencies for the reference and data for each user. Different users have a different pulse shape (mutually orthogonal to each other) and different transmit and reference frequencies. At the receiver, the reference pulse is frequency shifted to match the data pulse and a correlation scheme followed by a hard decision block detects the data. |
| US08102954B2 |
Frequency interference detection and correction
A system for detecting and correcting for spurious frequencies that may coincide in a bandwidth of interest in an RF metrology system. The system can (1) utilize a deterministic scheme to detect an interference by a spurious frequency and correct the distortion effect or (2) utilize a mixed signal processing architecture to avoid the occurrence of spurious frequency contamination. A detection scheme identifies the event of distortion and triggers either (a) a shift in the analog to digital convert sample rate or (b) a mathematical vector manipulation. The shift of the analog to digital convert sample rate moves an aliased image of the spurious frequency outside of the frequency of interest. The mathematical vector correction removes the distortion and restores the signal of interest. |
| US08102953B2 |
Method and system for calibrating a plurality of modules in a communication system
A method and system for calibrating a plurality of modules in a communication system is provided. The method may include selecting a plurality of modules with at least one output signal and calibrating an amplitude of each selected module to be within a specified range if the amplitude is out of the specified range via a gain control processing circuit of the selected module, wherein the plurality of modules may be calibrated in an order starting with a first module located at an input of a signal path and ending with a module located at an output of the signal path. The DC component and amplitude of the envelope of the output signal may be detected by circuitry within the selected module. Muxes may be utilized to route the DC component and amplitude of the envelope to a feedback control processing circuit. |
| US08102952B2 |
Method for interference control by an ultra-wideband wireless communication system in a multi-user environment and a receiver for performing the same
An Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless communication system in a multi-user environment determines a threshold value to eliminate a signal pulse affected by a near-interference from among a plurality of signal pulses transmitted a number of times. A method for controlling an interference includes receiving the signal pulses, calculating a correlation value by applying a predetermined correlation mask to the signal pulses, determining a threshold value by referring to the number of times that the signal pulses are transmitted, a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio, and information about a ratio of a near-interference to a far-interference, and eliminating signal pulses having a correlation value greater than the threshold value. The correlation values that are not greater than the threshold value are summed to detect a bit corresponding to each pulse signal. |
| US08102946B2 |
Systems and methods for performing SISO detection in a WiMAX environment
In accordance with some embodiments, a communication system is described that comprises a soft-output detector configured to receive a transmit signal and output reliability information regarding the received signal. In accordance with such embodiments, the detector comprises a symbol combiner configured to operate in both a repetition mode and a non-repetition mode, wherein repetition mode comprises receiving a plurality of signals for the transmit signal. |
| US08102945B2 |
Signal processing device and signal processing method
The present invention relates to a signal processing device and a signal processing method that are capable of processing various types of signals. The signal processing device comprises a frequency detecting unit detecting a frequency of a data signal by checking synchronization between the data signal and a reference signal, an oscillation unit supplying the reference signal to the frequency detecting unit, a frame detecting unit detecting a frame organizing the data signal, and a control unit changing a frequency of the reference signal supplied by the oscillation unit to take frequency synchronization between the data signal and the reference signal in checking the synchronization by the frequency detecting unit, and setting information of the frequency, of which the frequency synchronization has been taken, in the frame detecting unit. |
| US08102944B2 |
Mode and rate control for MIMO transmission
Techniques for performing mode and rate control for a MIMO transmission are described. For mode selection, the use of an eigensteering mode is permitted if a first set of at least one criterion is satisfied. The eigensteering mode is selected for data transmission if a second set of at least one criterion is satisfied, and an unsteered mode is selected otherwise. For rate selection, SNR estimates are derived for data streams to potentially transmit, e.g., based on channel estimates and/or data symbol estimates. The number of data streams to transmit as well as at least one rate for at least one data stream to transmit are selected based on the SNR estimates and at least one backoff factor. The backoff factor(s) are adjusted based on status of received packets. The at least one rate may be adjusted based on the age of rate information. |
| US08102940B1 |
Receive frequency band interference protection system using predistortion linearization
A receive frequency band interference protection system includes an input terminal for receiving an input signal and a dividing coupler coupled to the input terminal. The dividing coupler is configured to divide the input signal into a first signal and a second signal. The system further includes a first signal path and a second signal path. The first signal path includes a delay, and it is coupled to the dividing coupler and configured to receive the first signal. The second signal path is coupled to the dividing coupler and configured to receive the second signal. The second signal path includes an attenuator coupled to the dividing coupler and a predistortion linearizer coupled to the attenuator. The system further includes a combining coupler and an output terminal. The combining coupler is coupled to the first signal path and the second signal path. The combining coupler is configured to obtain a sum of the respective outputs of the first signal path and the second signal path. The output terminal is coupled to the combining coupler and configured to send out the sum. |
| US08102938B2 |
Tuning system and method using a simulated bit error rate for use in an electronic dispersion compensator
A system and method is disclosed for controlling signal conditioning parameters and a sampling parameter controlling conversion of a received signal to digital sampled values prior to decoding. The sampled values are decoded according to a comparison with expected values calculated according to a model of a transmission channel. The model is also updated from time to time by comparing the expected values with actual sampled values. Variation of the expected values over time is calculated. One or more of the signal conditioning parameters and the sampling parameter are adjusted according to a numerical minimization method such that the system BER is reduced. |
| US08102937B2 |
Enhanced bit mapping for digital interface of a wireless communication equipment in multi-time slot and multi-mode operation
A controller is configured to determine a word in a set of words corresponding to a received coding value, the set of words including at least one data word, at least one modulator command word and at least one gain command word. When the received coding value corresponds to a data word, the controller causes the data word to be modulated. When the received coding value corresponds to a modulator command word, the controller controls a modulator based on the modulator command word. When the received coding value corresponds to a gain command word, the controller controls a gain based on the gain command word. |
| US08102936B2 |
Methods and apparatus for clock and data recovery using transmission lines
A data receiver circuit includes a transmission line to generate the appropriate timing for clock and data recovery. The transmission line receives a reference signal, and propagates the reference signal through at least two segments of predetermined lengths. The transmission line is configured with a first tab to extract, from the first predetermined length, a first delayed signal, and a second tab to extract, from the second predetermined length, a second delayed signal. A sampling circuit generates samples, at a first time period, from an input signal and the first delayed signal. The sampling circuit also generates samples, at a second time period, from the input signal and the second delayed signal. A capacitance control device to adjust the capacitance of the transmission line is disclosed. The data receiver circuit and the transmission line may be both fabricated on an integrated circuit, or the transmission line may be implemented external to the integrated circuit chip, such as on a package housing of the integrated circuit chip or on a printed circuit board for which the integrated circuit chip is mounted. |
| US08102916B1 |
Dynamically changing media compression format in compressed domain
An integrated circuit receives a compressed input stream having a first compression format. A media processing module converts the compressed input stream to an intermediary compression format for processing without fully decompressing the compressed input stream. After processing, a compressed output stream having a second compression format is generated from the intermediary compression format. Processing is dynamically adjusted responsive to changing network conditions. Optionally, the integrated circuit can receive live, raw video, partially encode it into the intermediary compression format, process it with the media process module as well as take the intermediary compression format, decode and output the live, raw video. |
| US08102913B2 |
DCT/Q/IQ/IDCT bypass algorithm in MPEG to AVC/H.264 transcoding
In one embodiment, a first DCT block of coefficients is received from a transcoding process. The DCT block is of a first size, such as an 8×8 size, and in a first coding standard, such as MPEG-2. A distribution of zero and non-zero coefficients is then determined from the first DCT block. For example, areas where non-zero coefficients are found may be determined. This may simplify a corresponding sum of absolute difference (SAD) calculation. The SAD is then calculated for a second DCT block of a second size, such as a 4×4 size block, in a second coding standard, such as AVC. The SAD is determined from the coefficients in the first DCT block. Accordingly, the SAD is determined without performing an inverse DCT on the 8×8 block and then computing the SAD for a 4×4 block. It is then determined if a bypass of a DCT operation for the 4×4 block can be performed based on the SAD computed. For example, the SAD is compared to a threshold to determine if a bypass can be performed. In one example, if the coefficients for each 4×4 block are determined that they may be quantized to zero, then the DCT operation may be bypassed. Also, quantization, inverse quantization, and inverse DCT steps may also be bypassed. |
| US08102912B2 |
Image processing device and computer terminal, and signal separation method
An image processing device includes a determination unit configured to determine a correlation value between a decoded frame and a reference frame and the number of iterations indicating the number of times signal separation calculation based on a TV method is iteratively performed on the decoded frame, based on a result of a motion search process, a generation unit configured to generate, as an initial gradient signal value, a zero vector or a gradient signal value obtained based on a motion vector determined in the motion search process, according to the correlation value, and a separation unit configured to iteratively perform the signal separation calculation on the decoded frame the number of iterations, using the initial gradient signal value as an initial value, and separate the decoded frame into a skeleton image signal and a texture image signal. |
| US08102911B2 |
Picture coding device
A picture coding device includes a motion prediction unit, an intra picture prediction unit, and an input selection unit. The input selection unit selects a smaller one of a motion total obtained by adding a motion residual and a value into which a motion vector is coded and an intra picture total obtained by adding an intra picture residual and a value into which a prediction mode is coded. The device further includes an I_PCM judgment unit comparing a cost with a first threshold value. Additionally, the device includes an output selection unit selecting coded data obtained by arithmetic coding as data to be outputted to the outside if the cost is equal to or less than the first threshold value and selecting I_PCM data as the data to be outputted to the outside if the cost is larger than the first threshold value. |
| US08102909B2 |
Systems and methods that provide frequency domain supplemental training of the time domain equalizer for DMT
Using a known or later developed time domain equalizer coefficient training algorithm, a least square solution for the time domain equalizer coefficients is taken at a starting point and iteratively improved on. In particular, the improvement is directed towards maximizing number of bits per frame loaded over the time domain equalizer coefficient choice. This can be accomplished by maximizing capacity directly rather than setting a goal to shorten the channel and hoping that the capacity will be maximized as a result. |
| US08102905B2 |
Pulse detection in wireless communications system
Pulses are detected in a communications receiver by programming each of a plurality of comparators (44a, 44b, . . . , 44n) with a sampling time point selected from a plurality of sampling time points (58, 60) and with a reference level selected from a plurality of reference levels (54, 56). The received signal is applied to each of the comparators such that each of the comparators produces a respective output signal based on a comparison between the received signal level and the selected reference level at the selected sampling time point. The combinations of sampling time points and reference levels can be selected based on knowledge about the expected arrival times of the pulses, and based on knowledge about the possible shapes of said pulses, with the result that the device can detect received pulses without requiring large amounts of hardware, in a device which has an acceptable power consumption. The communications system may be a signaling system, or a radar or positioning system. |
| US08102903B2 |
Calibrating received signal measurements in a digital subscriber line device
Methods and apparatus for calibrating received signal measurements in a digital subscriber line (DSL) device are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a received signal level is measured for each of one or more subcarriers of a digital subscriber line signal and converted into a corresponding measured power level. A corrected received power level is calculated as a function of the measured power level, a reference input impedance value, a nominal loop impedance value, and a pre-determined input impedance value for the DSL device. |
| US08102899B2 |
Receiver and method of receiving a CDMA signal in presence of interferences with unknown spreading factors
A receiver arranged to receive a plurality of spread spectrum signals including a first spread spectrum signal from which interference caused by one or more others of said plurality of signals is to be removed, wherein at least one of said other spread spectrum signals has a spreading factor which is unknown to said receiver. The receiver comprises means for estimating a spreading factor of said at least one other spread spectrum signal having an unknown spreading factor, said estimating means selecting the spreading factor to be smallest possible spreading factor, means for despreading said at least one other spread spectrum signal using said estimated spreading factor, and means for estimating interference in the first spread spectrum signal caused by said at least one other spread spectrum signal. |
| US08102897B1 |
Direct sequence spread spectrum system and method with plural chipping rates
Direct sequence spread spectrum communications can use composite codes and can operate at a plurality of different chipping rates. The composite codes can be formed using a plurality of component codes, wherein the component codes can be relatively prime and at least one of the nominal lengths of the component codes can include a plurality of prime number multiplicands. The chipping rate and code length can be reduced by dividing a master rate by one or more of the prime number multiplicands. Symbol timing and time division multiple access timing can be tied to epochs of the component codes. |
| US08102896B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiplexing control and data channel
An approach is provided for performing control signaling. Data and control information are received. The control information is orthogonalized using block-level spreading. The data and the orthogonalized control information are multiplexed at a symbol-level. |
| US08102885B2 |
All-fiber mode selection technique for multicore fiber laser devices
An optical device that includes 1) a gain section having a plurality of core regions including dopant species configured to absorb incident radiation at a first wavelength and emit radiation at a second wavelength, and 2) at least one passive section attached to the gain section. The gain section and the at least one passive section comprise an optical cavity which selectively promotes in-phase light emission from the optical cavity. An alternative optical device which includes a gain section having a plurality of core regions including dopant species configured to absorb incident radiation at a first wavelength and emit radiation at a second wavelength, and 2) two passive sections attached to the gain section at opposite ends. In this alternative optical device, the gain section and the two passive sections comprise an optical cavity which selectively promotes in-phase light emission from the optical cavity such that the light emission from the optical cavity, in a far field, has a singular Gaussian-like intensity distribution about a longitudinal axis extending from the optical cavity. |
| US08102877B1 |
Systems and methods for policy-based intelligent provisioning of optical transport bandwidth
Policy-based, on-demand provisioning of optical transport bandwidth is disclosed. In one of many possible embodiments, a system is provided for policy-based, on-demand provisioning of optical transport bandwidth. The system includes a layer-specific operation support subsystem (OSS) configured to manage network elements that form a sub-network over an optical transport network. The optical transport network provides bandwidth-on-demand provisioning capabilities. The layer-specific OSS includes one or more predefined bandwidth provisioning policies. The layer-specific OSS is configured to selectively request on-demand provisioning of bandwidth on the sub-network based on the predefined bandwidth provisioning policies. |
| US08102871B1 |
Method and apparatus for medium reservation and medium reservation modification in a communication system
In a network environment, a wireless medium is reserved for transmissions. Medium reservation modifications can be requested and granted wherein a master device allocates a medium using reservations that are observed by other devices sharing the medium and a slave device complies with reservations by holding data for transmission until its reservation in time arrives by determining a reserved length of an upcoming transmitting opportunity reserved for a slave device, determining a desired length for transmitting data from the slave device over the medium, comparing the reserved length and the desired length to determine if a medium reservation modification is warranted, if the medium reservation modification is warranted, requesting, during the reserved time covered by the medium reservation, the medium reservation modification, and determining whether to grant or deny the medium reservation modification and conveying the determination to the slave device. |
| US08102865B2 |
Group based allocation of network bandwidth
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for group based allocation of terminal server network bandwidth. Output packets are classified into groups based on classification criteria. Output packets for each group are queue into a corresponding queue. During a queue flush cycle each queue containing data is flushed for an essentially equal amount of time. Flushing each queue essentially equally reduces the negative impact that can otherwise result when a subset of sessions (or even a single session) request(s) a disproportional share of terminal server network bandwidth. Responsiveness can be further increased by distributing the essentially equal amount for each queue across the queue flush cycle. |
| US08102862B2 |
Radio link parameter updating method in mobile communication system
A radio link (RL) parameter updating method of a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) system in a mobile communication system is disclosed. According to a radio channel situation of a terminal, an RL parameter applied to transmission and reception of control information between the terminal and a base station is dynamically controlled. For this purpose, the RL parameter updating method includes: a step in which the base station determines whether to update an HSDPA related parameter and transmits the parameter update information to the RNC to trigger updating of the RL parameter; and a step in which the RNC updates the HSDPA related parameter and transmits it to the terminal. The parameter update information is delivered through an RL parameter update response message, and the RNC is a serving RNC. |
| US08102852B2 |
Method and system for time-stamping data packets from a network
A method for timestamping data packets from a network involves receiving a first data packet from the network, obtaining, from a clock, a timestamp indicating an arrival time of the first data packet, where a network interface controller (NIC) includes the clock, providing the timestamp and the first data packet to a client operatively connected to the NIC, computing a network property using the timestamp, selecting a network protocol based on the network property, and transmitting a second data packet via the NIC using the network protocol. |
| US08102850B2 |
Multicast tree design apparatus, method, and program product
A multicast tree design apparatus designs a multicast tree by mathematical programming. The multicast tree design apparatus is one for designing a multicast tree for transferring a packet from a source node to a plurality of destination nodes on a network that includes nodes and links connecting the nodes, the apparatus including a problem creating unit and a problem solving unit, and wherein: the problem creating unit includes a multiple route constraint creating unit for creating constraint expressions for constructing a plurality of routes that start from a source node and end at a plurality of destination nodes, a tree constraint creating unit for creating a constraint expression for superposing all the routes to construct a multicast tree, a confluence constraint creating unit for creating a constraint expression for preventing the plurality of routes from being superposed into a topology that causes a confluence of the routes, and an objective function creating unit for creating an objective function for minimizing an evaluation index pertaining to the links or the nodes that constitute the multicast tree; and the problem solving unit solves a mathematical programming problem including the constraint expressions and the objective function created by the problem creating unit to determine a set of links that constitute the multicast tree. |
| US08102847B2 |
Frame processing method and frame processing apparatus
When a data link layer frame whose destination address has been designated as a multiple address is inputted from a tunneling source via a decapsulation unit 202, a destination processing unit 201 generates data link layer frames in which the destination address of the frame is replaced with each of one or more unicast addresses that are preset in a table unit 205 for a source address of the data link layer frame and outputs the generated frames to a local network 11. |
| US08102845B2 |
Reconfigurable data distribution system
Systems, methods and computer programs products for a reconfigurable data distribution system are described herein. An embodiment includes a stream generator that receives analog data from a plurality of sensors. Data received from sensors, for example, may include video data received from an externally mounted camera on an armored vehicle. The stream generator converts analog data received from the sensors into a digital format that can be transmitted to a router. The router forwards the data in the digital format to a display processor. The display processor formats the data received from the router for display on a display device. The display processor may also receive data from other peripherals, including but not limited to, a touch screen device or a keypad. Furthermore, the display processor may communicate with the sensors and includes all operational information needed to operate the sensors that provide data to the stream generator, regardless of the sensors' operational platform. |
| US08102843B2 |
Switching apparatus and method for providing shared I/O within a load-store fabric
An apparatus and method are provided that enable I/O devices to be shared among multiple operating system domains. The apparatus has a first plurality of I/O ports, a second I/O port, and core logic. The first plurality of I/O ports is coupled to a plurality of operating system domains through a PCI Express fabric. Each of the first plurality of I/O ports is configured to route PCI Express transactions between said plurality of operating system domains and the switching apparatus. The second I/O port is coupled to a first shared input/output endpoint, where the first shared input/output endpoint is configured to request/complete said PCI Express transactions for each of the plurality of operating system domains. The core logic is coupled to the first plurality of I/O ports and the second I/O port. The core logic routes the PCI Express transactions between the first plurality of I/O ports and the second I/O port. |
| US08102842B2 |
Integrated switch
Switching between communication ports of a notebook is typically accomplished using an off-chip local area network (LAN) switch or an off-chip high speed analog multiplexer. This off-chip component is disadvantageous for several reasons, including: added cost of an additional component; increased overall power consumption because transmit amplitude loss; and reduced cable reach and link performance due to hybrid mismatch and signal distortions. To reduce cost and preserve electrical and networking performance, an integrated switch is provided to multiplex signals of a networking communication chip to multiple network paths. |
| US08102841B2 |
Auxiliary peripheral for alerting a computer of an incoming call
An auxiliary call control component is coupled to a computing system alerts the computing system of an incoming call in instances where the computing system is not capable of processing the incoming call. When the auxiliary call control component receives an incoming call, the auxiliary call control component determines whether the coupled computing system is in a proper state suitable for processing (e.g., “picking up”) the incoming call. If the computing system is not in the proper state, the auxiliary call control component accepts the incoming call, signals the computing system to enter the proper state, and informs the computing system of the incoming call. When placed in the proper state, the computing system may retrieve the incoming call to allow the user to receive to the incoming call at the computing system. |
| US08102840B2 |
System and method for processing a plurality of requests for a plurality of multi-media services
A system and method for processing a plurality of requests for a plurality of multi-media services received at a Private Service Exchange (PSX) from a plurality of IP-communication devices. The system includes an IP Segmentation Directory (IP-SD) coupled to the PSX and to a plurality of IP Service Control Points (IP-SCPs), which are operative to process the plurality of requests for the plurality of multi-media services. The PSX is adapted to receive, process and redirect the plurality of requests for the plurality of multi-media services to the IP-SD. The IP-SD further receives, processes and selectively redirects the plurality of requests for the plurality of multi-media services to a predetermined IP-SCP of the plurality of IP-SCPs based on attributes of each of the plurality of requests for the plurality of multi-media services. |
| US08102839B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for establishing circuit-switched communications via packet-switched network signaling
A system, apparatus and method for establishing circuit-switched (CS) communications in packet-switched (PS) multimedia networks such as IMS, and providing services via the PS networks to CS domain users. A dialog is established between terminals through the PS multimedia network. A service is provided to at least one of the terminals by way of the dialog. CS bearer information, including an indication that a communication flow is requested via a CS network, is communicated between the terminals by way of the dialog. A communication flow via the CS network is effected between the terminals as directed by the CS bearer information. IMS or other PS multimedia network services can thus be provided to users otherwise communicating via the CS-domain. |
| US08102838B2 |
Mechanism for authentication of caller and callee using otoacoustic emissions
A method and apparatus are provided for authenticating a user attempting to establish a service which uses SIP. The user registers with the SIP server by providing the digital otoacoustic signature of the user. Thereafter, when the user attempts to initiate a session through the SIP server, the SIP server sends an Authorization Request message to the SIP client of the user. The SIP client reads the user's digital otoacoustic signature, generates a response based on the digital otoacoustic signature, and embeds the response in a second Invite message sent back to the SIP server. Meanwhile, the SIP server determines an expected response, based on the digital otoacoustic signature registered by the user. If the response provided by the SIP client matches the response expected by the SIP server, the SIP server allows establishment of the server. The invention is of particular use with IP telephony services, since end user devices used with such services are ergonomically well suited for reading of otoacoustic signatures. The invention may also be used to authenticate an intended recipient of an SIP call. |
| US08102834B2 |
Method for reporting and managing wireless resources in TDM system
A method for reporting and managing wireless resources in TDM system comprises the step of reporting the wireless resources comprises a RNC obtaining the resource capacity information of each of the carrier frequency in a cell covered by a base station through the resource audit response message or the resource state indicating message or the resource obstruct message. The RNC can obtain the information of the carrier frequency. According to the method, resource capacity information of each of the carrier frequency in the RNC is in consistency of that of the base station. Thus, the rationality of the carrier frequency and the resource capacity information of the carrier frequency distributed to the service by the RNC can be assured. The success rate of the establishment for a radio link is improved accordingly as to avoid the fact that the radio link establishes on the carrier frequency that is not supported by the base station. |
| US08102825B2 |
Detection of a multi-mode portable communication device at a mesh network
A mesh network communication system includes a plurality of access points connected to a wireless local area network (WLAN) controller where at least one of the plurality access points is a detection access point (DAP) that received reverse link (RL) wireless wide area network (WWAN) signals transmitted from a multi-mode wireless communication device. Based on an intercepted RL WWAN signal, the DAP forwards reverse link (RL) information to the WLAN controller. Based on the RL information, the WLAN controller sends a device proximity message to the WWAN communication system where the device proximity message is based on the proximity of the multi-mode communication device to the mesh network communication network. One or more non-detection access points (NDAPs) of the plurality of access points are capable of providing WLAN service, and may also have the capability to receive RL WWAN signals, but do not send RL information to the WLAN controller. |
| US08102823B2 |
Method and apparatus for reporting WLAN capabilities of dual mode GPRS/WLAN or UMTS/WLAN WTRU
Method and apparatus for enabling a wireless terminal to communicate the dual-mode capabilities and reporting the interworking capabilities of the two networks with which the wireless terminal have the added capability of obtaining services from either one of the interworking networks. |
| US08102822B2 |
System and method for random access scheme in a wireless ad-hoc network
A system and method for random access scheme in a wireless ad-hoc network is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises transmitting data to a receiving node in a wireless ad-hoc network in a first time block previously reserved for transmission. The method further comprises transmitting data to the receiving node in a second time block if the reservation is periodic, the second time block starting at a time being a fixed amount of time L after the start of the first time block. |
| US08102821B2 |
Packet scheduling method, base station, and mobile station in mobile communication system
A downlink packet scheduling method is disclosed for a shared channel or a common channel in a mobile communication system between a base station and a mobile station, the method including a step in which the base station determines whether there is a waiting packet to be transmitted to the mobile station other than a current transmission packet; a step in which when it is determined that there is no waiting packet to be transmitted, the base station sets a stop period “t” in which packet transmission is temporarily stopped after the current packet transmission; a step in which the base station transmits information indicating the stop period “t” through a schedule information channel transmitting schedule information of downlink packets; and a step in which the base station stops the packet transmission to the mobile station during the stop period “t” after the current packet transmission. |
| US08102820B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data control channel in a packet data communication system
A method for transmitting/receiving a data control channel in a wireless communication system that transmits packet data. The transmission method includes transmitting packet data over a packet data channel, transmitting a control channel and receiving an ACKnowledgement (ACK) signal from a terminal that has received the control channel. The reception method includes receiving packet data and a control channel, acquiring control information by demodulating the control channel, and detecting an error in the control channel, and sending the error detection result to a base station as an ACK signal, if the control channel has been transmitted to the terminal itself. |
| US08102815B2 |
Proxy mobility optimization
Systems and methods are described which provide communication between a correspondent node and a mobile node including receiving a home prefix of the mobile node and a list of correspondent nodes by a mobile access gateway having an access link with the mobile node and submitting proxy binding update messages by the mobile access gateway to a home agent corresponding to the mobile node and to each of the correspondent nodes in the list. |
| US08102813B2 |
Coordinating a transition of a roaming client between wireless access points using another client in physical proximity
Systems and methods for handling a transition of a roaming mobile user device (i.e., a roaming client) from one access point (AP) to a target AP, referred to herein as soft inter-AP handoff. This technique involves a second mobile user device that is already connected with the target AP, called a roaming coordinator, assisting in handoff coordination between the APs. This coordination includes assisting the roaming client in establishing a client-to-client connection to relay data traffic during the handoff, while the roaming client establishes a connection with the target AP using traditional techniques. Soft inter-AP handoff allows a faster hand-off between APs than traditional techniques, and may reduce jitter in communications with the roaming device during the transition. |
| US08102811B2 |
Providing mobility management protocol information to a mobile terminal for performing handover in a mobile communication system
The present invention relates to providing mobility management protocol information to a multi-mode mobile terminal for performing handover between heterogeneous networks. Preferably, the present invention establishes a unified interface to an upper layer of the mobile terminal for managing messages to and from at least one of a homogeneous network and a heterogeneous network, establishes a connection with an accessible link of at least one of a homogeneous network and a heterogeneous network for performing handover, and receives in the upper layer information from the unified interface related to the established connection. Preferably, the step of receiving the information includes receiving mobility management protocol information of the at least one of a homogeneous network and a heterogeneous network. Accordingly, the mobile terminal reduces a time duration for establishing a Care of Address (CoA) using a new mobility management protocol of a new network the mobile terminal has been handed over to. |
| US08102809B2 |
Time-sharing of sounding resources
This invention is a method for time-sharing sounding resources. This invention time-shares one sounding source across plural user equipment for different sub-frames. This invention uses different sounding periods which are periodic and either non-changing in time or changing in time. Different user equipment have sounding periodicities where one is an integral multiple of the other. This invention also allocates and updates a sub-frame offset for each user equipment. |
| US08102808B2 |
Method for ensuring medium access in a wireless network
Method and apparatus for controlling transmission of a data stream from a station. A QoS registration frame is received, via an access point, from the station. The QoS registration frame includes information indicating a request for transmission of a data stream from the station, and information indicating a minimum required interval and a maximum required interval for an interval which is between start points of two successive durations of a medium dedication. Each duration of the medium dedication represents a time period in which the station is permitted to transmit the data stream. A schedule for the transmission of the data stream is calculated by setting a new interval which is between the minimum required interval and the maximum required interval, when the transmission is admitted. A QoS response frame, which includes information indicating the schedule, is then transmitted from the access point to the station. |
| US08102807B2 |
Selectively managing mobile station subscriptions between fully used zones and segmented zones
A base station receives a connection request from a mobile station. A scheduling module determines whether the fully used and/or segmented zones of the base station are oversubscribed. If the fully used zone is oversubscribed while the segmented zone is not, the mobile station having the largest CINR difference between the zones is assigned to the segmented zone. If the segmented zone is oversubscribed while the fully used zone is not, the mobile station having the smallest CINR difference between the zones is assigned to the fully used zone. If neither zone is oversubscribed and the segmented zone allows modulation/coding more spectrally efficient than the fully used zone, the requesting mobile station is assigned to the segmented zone. If neither zone is oversubscribed and the segmented zone does not allow modulation/coding more spectrally efficient than the fully used zone, the requesting mobile station is assigned to the fully used zone. |
| US08102802B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing downlink acknowledgments and transmit indicators in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
A communication system provides downlink acknowledgments corresponding to uplink transmission using hybrid automatic repeat request to multiple users in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system, wherein a frequency bandwidth comprises multiple frequency sub-carriers, by spreading each acknowledgment of multiple acknowledgments with a selected spreading sequence of multiple spreading sequences to produce multiple spread acknowledgments, wherein each acknowledgment is intended for a different user of the multiple users, and distributing the multiple spread acknowledgments across the multiple frequency sub-carriers. |
| US08102801B2 |
User equipment for physical layer automatic repeat request
A user equipment for physical layer automatic repeat request is disclosed. The user equipment comprises a higher layer automatic repeat request (ARQ) mechanism, a physical layer transmitter, a physical layer receiver, an acknowledgment (ACK) transmitter and an adaptive modulation and control unit (AMC). A higher layer ARQ mechanism generates data for transmission. A physical layer transmitter receives the data for transmission from the higher layer ARQ mechanism, to format the received data into packets for transmission. A physical layer receiver receives and demodulates received packets and retransmission statistics. An ACK transmitter transmits a corresponding acknowledgment for a given packet at the physical layer receiver. An AMC unit adjusts a particular encoding/data modulation of each packet using collected retransmission statistics. |
| US08102791B2 |
Interleaver address generation in turbo decoders for mobile multimedia multicast system communication systems
Address generation for interleaving in a wireless communication system includes at least one input generation module to generate at least one input signal. A first address generator module and a second address generator module generate a first output address for interleaving and a second output address for interleaving. A selector module selects an address for interleaving from the first and the second output address based on predetermined criteria. At least one input translation module is receives an input signal and translate the received input signal to generate a nominal input signal based on a value of the received input signal. An address generation module generates an address for interleaving based on the nominal input signal. |
| US08102788B2 |
Method and wireless transmit/receive unit for supporting an enhanced uplink dedicated channel inter-node-B serving cell change
A wireless communication method and system for supporting an enhanced uplink dedicated channel (EU-DCH) inter-Node-B serving cell change. The system includes at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for transmitting data blocks, a target Node-B, a source Node-B and a serving radio network controller (S-RNC). The S-RNC includes a re-ordering buffer which stores data blocks correctly received from the WTRU. The S-RNC informs the target Node-B of a need for an EU-DCH inter-Node-B serving cell change from the source Node-B to the target Node-B. A medium access control (MAC) entity that handles EU-DCH functionalities is set up in the target Node-B. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes and transmission sequence numbers (TSNs) are not reset at the WTRU. Using a new data indicator, the WTRU transmits a data block to the target Node-B that was previously transmitted to the source Node-B, but was not correctly received by the source Node-B. |
| US08102783B1 |
Dynamic monitoring of network traffic
A device, connected to a monitoring appliance, may include a traffic analyzer to receive a data unit and identify a traffic flow associated with the data unit. The device may also include a traffic processor to receive the data unit and information regarding the identified traffic flow from the traffic analyzer, determine that the identified traffic flow is to be monitored by the monitoring appliance, change a port number, associated with the data unit, to a particular port number to create a modified data unit when the identified traffic flow is to be monitored by the monitoring appliance, and send the modified data unit to the monitoring appliance. |
| US08102781B2 |
Dynamic distribution of virtual machines in a communication network
In one embodiment, a method generally includes monitoring network traffic associated with a first network device comprising at least one of a plurality of virtual machines and determining if a parameter exceeds a predefined threshold at the first network device. If the parameter exceeds the predefined threshold, one of the virtual machines is selected to move to a second network device, the second network device selected based on network information, and the virtual machine is moved. An apparatus for resource allocation is also disclosed. |
| US08102773B2 |
Continuous permission to send media
A method, PT client device and PT server device for controlling transmission of media data, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes starting, by a PT server, a timer when a media burst revoke message is transmitted to a PT client; stopping, by the PT server, the timer before the timer expires when last media data and a media burst release message are received from the PT client; and transmitting, by the PT server, a media burst idle message to the PT client when the timer is stopped. |
| US08102772B2 |
Method for selecting transport format combination guaranteed QOS in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to selecting a transport format combination (TFC) such that a quality of service (QoS) is guaranteed in a mobile communication system of a certain level even for a service having a low priority. The present invention selects a transport format combination such that not only a priority of each service is guaranteed but also a service quality is guaranteed by an MAC layer at the time of transporting services having different QoSs and different priorities. |
| US08102771B2 |
Transmission rate control method, mobile station and radio base station
In the conventional mobile communication system using an “Enhanced Uplink, the present invention improves a radio quality by preventing a decrease in a transmission rate of uplink user data, the decrease unintended by the radio base station Node B and caused by a false detection of a “Down” command in an RGCH.” A transmission rate control method according to the present invention includes: transmitting, from a radio base station to a mobile station, a relative transmission rate control channel for instructing to decrease the transmission rate of the uplink user data, only when the uplink user data transmitted from the mobile station has been successfully received. |
| US08102764B2 |
Method and system for performance evaluation in communication networks, related network and computer program product therefor
A system for evaluating performance of a network providing communication services by means of a generalized processor sharing packet scheduling discipline. The services may include classes of services having real time and non real time (i.e. “elastic”) requirements, respectively, and the classes of services have relative priorities. The system includes a performance evaluation module configured for evaluating performance of a given class of services as a function of the load produced by other classes of services having a priority higher than or equal to the given class as well as of perturbation effect exerted on the given class by other classes having priority higher than the given class, and a computation module configured for determining the load and the perturbation effect as weighed sums of the contributions of each of the other classes to the load and the perturbation effect. |
| US08102762B2 |
Communication control system and communication control method
A system, which is connectable to a first apparatus capable of data communication using a data communication protocol via a network where each session is managed by a session management protocol, includes: a connecting section which, if ID about the first apparatus exists in a storing section when a start instruction is received from the first apparatus, registers ID about a session corresponding to the start instruction in association with the ID about the first apparatus, and establishes a path enabling data communication for the first apparatus in the network using the session management protocol; and a providing section which, upon receiving the ID about the session from a second apparatus, transmits confirmation information according to the result of confirmation about whether the ID about the first apparatus is in association with the ID about the session. |
| US08102761B2 |
Path control device, path control method, and path control program
A path control device included in a terminal device (300), which includes a path information generating unit (302) which generates path information indicating paths from a terminal (300) to a terminal (400), a path malfunction predicting unit (303) which predicts a malfunction on each of the relays, using the number of flows as a malfunction occurrence likelihood value, at least one of the relays that is a candidate for monitoring is determined for each path, and a bypass path selecting unit (304) which selects, when the malfunction is predicted on the at least one relay, a path that should be used for transmitting the data from the terminal (300) to the terminal (400), from the paths except the path including the relay on which the malfunction is predicted. |
| US08102760B2 |
Method for reconvergence after failure in a dual-homing network environment
A manner of providing for re-convergence in a dual homing network following the failure of one of the dual homing links. When such a failure is detected, the port roles are recomputed using an xSTP protocol. Prior to the completion of the computation, the operEdge variable is set to true, typically resulting in a more rapid re-convergence that may achieve sub 50 ms performance. When the computation is complete, the operEdge variable is reset to “false. The xSTP protocol may be, for example, RSTP or MSTP. The invention may be implemented in a CE device attached to a VPLS core or other network, and may be used in a LAG environment. |
| US08102759B2 |
Sensor network
The present invention provides a method for finding a backup node for a node in a sensor network. Firstly, determining a node which is in a state of waiting for being an agent node among a plurality of nodes adjacent to the node to be backed up for using the agent node to find the backup node. The states of waiting for being backed up is that the quantity of electricity of the node to be backed up drops below a preset value. According to the present invention, the node to be backed up does not need to communicate with a large number of nodes. It only needs to determine an agent node among the adjacent notes to do the substantial search for a backup node. |
| US08102758B2 |
Analyzing virtual private network failures
The specification provides information for determining any impacted customers, virtual private networks, circuits, and devices following a path failure. The specification uses an information-gathering component to find system information and uses the system information in determining any impacted units. A report is created that allows a network management system to process the impacted units. If any of the impacted units are customer devices, then the management system calculates the impact on the customer based on a Service Level Agreement. |
| US08102752B2 |
Optical head and optical pickup device with a holder structure providing optical axis adjustment
An optical head comprises a laser holder retaining a laser diode, and a holder support retaining the laser holder, and irradiates an information storage medium with laser light from the laser diode to perform recording/reproduction of information. In this optical head, the laser holder is a frame structure that fixes the laser diode, having an abutment portion protruding from a base side of the frame structure. Also, the holder support has a receiving surface that supports by abutment the abutment portion, and a through-hole that lets pass the laser light. The receiving surface is a plane approximately perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical head, the abutment portion being made as an arc surface having a central axis that passes through an emission point of the laser diode and is perpendicular to the optical axis. |
| US08102751B2 |
Optical recording condition setting method, optical recording/reproducing device, control program, and recording medium
In order to provide an optical recording condition setting method which reduces effects from uneven properties of a rewritable or recordable optical disk and an optical recording/reproducing device, and to provide an optical recording/reproducing device which executes the method, (i) a test writing is carried out with respect to an optical disk under various settings of recording-power parameters for use in forming a shortest record-mark (S1 to S3), (iii) a test pattern used in the test writing is reproduced (S4), and then (iv) recording-power parameters that result in a good quality of reproduced signals are selected (S5). |
| US08102744B2 |
Recording medium playback device and recording medium playback method
There is provided a recording medium playback device that includes a first binarization portion that binarizes, by a PRML method, a signal that is read from a recording medium, a second binarization portion that binarizes the signal based on a magnitude relationship to a specified threshold value, a first frame synchronization signal detection portion that detects a synchronization pattern in a first binarized data string that is produced by the first binarization portion, and a second frame synchronization signal detection portion that detects a synchronization pattern in a second binarized data string that is produced by the second binarization portion. If the synchronization pattern is not detected by the first frame synchronization signal detection portion, a signal that is derived from the synchronization pattern that is detected by the second frame synchronization signal detection portion is used as the frame synchronization signal. |
| US08102737B2 |
Power saving method for optical disk drive of rugged electronic device
A power saving method for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device is described. In the method, whether a watertight lid outside the optical disk drive is in open/closed state is detected by a sensor. When the watertight lid is in the closed state, whether an optical disk exists in the optical disk drive is detected by a read/write head of the optical disk drive. When no optical disk exists, a controller in the rugged electronic device begins to time. When a predetermined time is reached and no optical disk drive start command is received, the controller turns off an electrical connection between a power supply and the optical disk drive. When an optical disk drive start command is received, the controller enables the electrical connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive. |
| US08102736B2 |
Near-field light generator comprising waveguide with inclined end surface
Provided is a near-field light generator capable of avoiding a noise to the generated near-field light. The generator comprises a waveguide and a plasmon antenna comprising a propagation surface or edge, for propagating surface plasmon, extending to a near-field light generating end. A portion of one side surface of the waveguide is opposed to a portion of the propagation surface or edge, so as for the waveguide light to be coupled with the plasmon antenna. And an end surface of the waveguide is inclined in such a way as to become away from the plasmon antenna toward the near-field light generating end side. The light that propagates through the waveguide and is not transformed into surface plasmon is refracted or totally reflected in the inclined end surface, does not come close to the generated near-field light, thus does not become a noise for the generated near-field light. |
| US08102730B2 |
Single-clock, strobeless signaling system
A signaling system includes a signaling path, a master device coupled to the signaling path, a slave device coupled to the signaling path, and a clock generator. The slave device includes timing circuitry to generate an internal clock signal having a phase offset relative to a clock signal supplied by the clock generator, the phase offset being determined at least in part by a signal propagation time on the signal path. |
| US08102729B2 |
Resistive memory device capable of compensating for variations of bit line resistances
A variable resistance memory device may include first and second memory cells connected to different lengths of bit lines, respectively, and a select circuit, configured to select the first and second memory cells, which is connected to the first and second memory cells through word lines. The select circuit is configured to compensate for a difference of resistances in the different of the lengths of the bit lines. |
| US08102728B2 |
Cache optimizations using multiple threshold voltage transistors
In one embodiment, a memory circuit includes one or more memory cells that include transistors having a first nominal threshold voltage, and interface circuitry such as word line drivers and bit line control circuitry that includes one or more transistors having a second nominal threshold voltage that is lower than the first nominal threshold voltage. For example, the word line driver circuit may be driven by signals from a lower voltage domain than the memory circuit's voltage domain. Lower threshold voltage transistors may be used for those signals, in some embodiments. Similarly, lower threshold voltage transistors may be used in the write data driver circuits. Other bit line control circuits may include lower threshold voltage transistors to permit smaller transistors to be used, which may reduce power and integrated circuit area occupied by the memory circuits. |
| US08102718B2 |
Method for programming a floating gate
The invention provides methods for programming a floating gate. A floating gate tunneling device is used with an analog comparing device in a circuit having a floating reference node and an offset-mitigating feedback loop for iteratively programming a floating gate, or multiple floating gates. |
| US08102716B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for performing verify write operation on the same
Disclosed herein is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells; and a driver circuit configured to perform a verify write operation in a cycle including selecting from an array of the plurality of memory cells a predetermined number of memory cells constituting a write cell unit, writing data collectively to the predetermined number of memory cells, and verifying the written data, the driver circuit further performing the verify write operation repeatedly until all memory cells within the write cell unit are found to have passed the verification. |
| US08102715B2 |
Power-off apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed, including those that are to prevent a bias voltage from rising to a higher level than a storage node voltage as the bias voltage transitions to a ground level. For example a first voltage generator may be utilized to generate a bias voltage to bias a transistor in a memory cell in a memory array. A second voltage generator may be utilized to generate an plate voltage. The memory cell may include a transistor on a substrate and a capacitor. The capacitor connects from a drain of the transistor to the plate voltage. The storage node voltage is located at the drain of the transistor. A power controller may provide an off signal to the first and second voltage generators. The bias voltage may then transition to ground from a voltage less than zero volts. The rate of the bias voltage rise to ground is such that the bias voltage is maintained at less than or equal to the storage node voltage during the transition time period. |
| US08102714B2 |
Programming methods for multi-level memory devices
A method is provided for programming a memory cell. The memory cell is fabricated on a substrate and comprises a source region, a drain region, a floating gate, and a control gate. The memory cell has a threshold voltage selectively configurable into one of at least three programming states. The method includes generating a drain current between the drain region and the source region by applying a drain-to-source bias voltage between the drain region and the source region. The method further includes injecting hot electrons from the drain current to the floating gate by applying a gate voltage to the control gate. A selected threshold voltage for the memory cell corresponding to a selected one of the programming states is generated by applying a different selected gate voltage. |
| US08102708B2 |
Flash multi-level threshold distribution scheme
A threshold voltage distribution scheme for multi-level Flash cells where an erase threshold voltage and at least one programmed threshold voltage lie in an erase voltage domain. Having at least one programmed threshold voltage in the erase voltage domain reduces the Vread voltage level to minimize read disturb effects, while extending the life span of the multi-level Flash cells as the threshold voltage distance between programmed states is maximized. The erase voltage domain can be less than 0V while a program voltage domain is greater than 0V. Accordingly, circuits for program verifying and reading multi-level Flash cells having a programmed threshold voltage in the erase voltage domain and the program voltage domain use negative and positive high voltages. |
| US08102705B2 |
Structure and method for shuffling data within non-volatile memory devices
Techniques for the reading and writing of data in multi-state non-volatile memories are described. Data is written into the memory in a binary format, read into the data registers on the memory, and “folded” within the registers, and then written back into the memory in a multi-state format. In the folding operation, binary data from a single word line is folded into a multi-state format and, when rewritten in multi-state form, is written into a only a portion of another word line. A corresponding reading technique, where the data is “unfolded” is also described. The techniques further allow for the data to be encoded with an error correction code (ECC) on the controller that takes into account its eventual multi-state storage prior to transferring the data to the memory to be written in binary form. A register structure allowing such a “folding” operation is also presented. One set of embodiments include a local internal data bus that allows data to between the registers of different read/write stacks, where the internal bus can used in the internal data folding process. |
| US08102704B2 |
Method of preventing coupling noises for a non-volatile semiconductor memory device
Disclosed is a method of preventing coupling noises for a non-volatile semiconductor memory device. According to the method, if an edge of a write operation signal overlaps an activated period of a read operation signal a check result is generated. The write operation signal is modified based on the check result. |
| US08102702B2 |
Phase change memory and operation method of the same
An operation method of phase change memory (PCM) is provided. The operation method includes applying a RESET pulse to a phase change material of the PCM, wherein the RESET pulse has a profile with a first tail such that a plurality of seeds are formed in the phase change material. Due to the design of the RESET pulse in the operation method, it can speed up the crystal process. |
| US08102700B2 |
Unidirectional spin torque transfer magnetic memory cell structure
Spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory devices configured to be programmed unidirectionally and methods of programming such devices. The devices include memory cells having two pinned layers and a free layer therebetween. By utilizing two pinned layers, the spin torque effect on the free layer from each of the two pinned layers, respectively, allows the memory cells to be programmed with unidirectional currents. |
| US08102696B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of writing data to nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device (300) is provided, including a memory cell array having plural resistance variable elements which are switchable between plural resistance states in response to electric pulses with the same polarity. A series resistance setting unit (310) is provided between the memory cell array (70) and an electric pulse application unit (50). The series resistance setting unit is controlled to change a resistance value of a series current path with a predetermined range with time in at least one of a case where the selected resistance variable element is switched from a low-resistance state to a high-resistance state and a case where the selected resistance variable element is switched from the high-resistance state to the low-resistance state. |
| US08102695B2 |
Semiconductor device
A technique for increasing rewriting current without increasing a power supply voltage and also reducing location dependency inside a memory array of a resistive state after the rewriting is provided in a resistance change memory in which the resistance value of a memory cell changes between logical values “1” and “0”. In the resistance change memory, bit lines are formed into a layered structure, the bit line select switches for connecting to the global bit line are provided at both ends of the local bit line, and a control method of the bit line select switches is changed in the writing and the reading, thereby realizing the optimum array configurations for each of them. More specifically, in the writing and the reading, two current paths are provided in parallel by turning ON the bit line select switches simultaneously. |
| US08102692B2 |
Data storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement and methods of operating the same
Data storage devices using movement of magnetic domain walls and methods of operating the same are provided. A data storage device includes a magnetic track having a verifying region. Within the verifying region, first and second magnetic domains are arranged alternately. The first magnetic domains correspond to first data and the second magnetic domains correspond to second data. A verification sensor is arranged at an end of the verifying region. A current applying element is configured to apply one or more pulse currents to the magnetic track. A first counter is connected to the verification sensor and configured to count the number of magnetic domains passing through the verification sensor. |
| US08102690B2 |
Bank re-assignment in chip to reduce IR drop
A chip system that has reduced power consumption under specific operational modes includes: a DDR3 chip that includes: a plurality of pads, disposed at the center of the DDR3 chip; and an array of banks, each bank having a specific logical address, surrounding the pads. The chip system further includes: a clock, coupled to the DDR3 chip, for controlling a rate of data transmission; and a memory controller, coupled to the clock, for coordinating transmitted data with relevant processes, and for selectively reassigning the bank logical addresses according to a specific operational mode. |
| US08102686B2 |
Rectifier with PAM controller to force an input current to approximate a sine wave
An electric power supply circuit includes a diode bridge circuit (12) for rectifying an alternating current, a switching element (S) for causing a short-circuit for output power of the diode bridge circuit (12), and a PAM control section (15) for causing the switching element (S) to perform switching with a predetermined timing so that a waveform of an input current approximates to a sine wave. The PAM control section (15) outputs ON/OFF pulses so that five pulses are output for each zero-cross point and one of the five pulses located in center extends over the zero-cross point at any time. |
| US08102685B2 |
High voltage power supply
A high voltage power supply may include a switching unit, a voltage resonant unit, a connection part, a rectifier unit, a voltage amplifying unit, a voltage output unit, and a frequency control unit. The switching unit is driven per a frequency signal. The voltage resonant unit is connected to the switching unit and includes an inductor, to which a voltage is applied, and a capacitor. The connection part connects the switching unit and the inductor. The rectifier unit includes a diode that is connected to a power-supply voltage side of the inductor via a capacitor. The voltage output unit outputs a voltage obtained from the voltage amplifying unit. Moreover, the frequency control unit controls a frequency of the frequency signal per a control signal used to set a voltage output from the voltage output unit and an output signal output from the voltage output unit. |
| US08102680B2 |
Smart driving method for synchronous rectifier and its apparatus thereof
The present invention discloses a smart driving method for a secondary synchronous rectifier of an isolated converter and its apparatus thereof. The apparatus comprises: a main circuit having a secondary synchronous rectifier Q1; a differentiation filter circuit, filtering the drain-source voltage Vds of the secondary synchronous rectifier, comprising a capacitor and at least one resistor connected in series and outputting a filtered voltage Vf from either between said capacitor and said at least one resistor or between said at least one resistor; a smart driver, receiving Vf and Vds and putting out a driving signal to the gate of the secondary synchronous rectifier. The control approach is fulfilled by comparing Vds to a reference voltage Vthr2 and comparing the absolute value of Vf to another reference voltage Vthr3. When Vds |
| US08102678B2 |
High power factor isolated buck-type power factor correction converter
A regulated power factor corrected power supply apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an input rectifier circuit for receiving an input AC voltage and outputting a full-wave rectified DC voltage. A single-stage isolated buck-type converter is coupled with the input circuit. The converter circuit comprises an isolated buck-type converter circuit including an isolation transformer. An output rectifier and semiconductor tap switch are coupled to a secondary winding of the isolation transformer. The tap switch couples a larger portion of the secondary winding to an output bulk capacitor during the portions of the input sinewave half-cycle, which are low in amplitude. The tap switch enables the single-stage isolation buck-type converter to operate over a much larger portion of the input sinewave, but also allows the converter to operate at high-efficiency over the majority of the input sinewave. |
| US08102674B2 |
Transponder and tool for reading and/or writing data in said transponder
A transponder includes an integrated circuit (1) and an antenna (5) which is electrically connected to the integrated circuit (1) in a removable manner, the removable electrical connection including at least one intermediate connection element (4). The removable connection, together with the intermediate connection element (4) between the antenna (5) and the integrated circuit (1), can be used to divide the transponder into two parts. Moreover, the intermediate connection element (4) can also be used, in one variant, to reinforce mechanically at least one part of the contact elements (40), while facilitating the precise fixing of the contact elements to the corresponding element of the object to be marked. |
| US08102670B2 |
Circuit device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a circuit device, in which circuit elements incorporated are electrically connected to each other via a lead so as to achieve both of the enhanced functionality and miniaturization. In a hybrid integrated circuit device, a first circuit board and a second circuit board are incorporated into a case member in a way that a first circuit board is overlaid with a second circuit board. A first circuit element is arranged on the upper face of the first circuit board and a second circuit element is arranged on the upper face of the second circuit board. Leads provided in the hybrid integrated circuit device include a lead connected only to the first circuit element mounted on the first circuit board, a lead connected only to the second circuit element mounted on the second circuit board, and a lead connected to both of the first circuit element and the second circuit element. |
| US08102663B2 |
Proximity communication package for processor, cache and memory
A “sombrero” bridge transports signal communication between a processor and one or more cache memories. The bridge surrounds the processor's perimeter, and includes an aperture opposite the processor through which power and data can be provided to the processor from another device. The bridge exchanges signals with the cache memories via capacitively coupled proximity connections. The bridge communicates with the processor via conductive (e.g. wire) connections and optionally proximity connections. Spacing between opposing pads of the proximity connection(s) between the bridge and the cache memories can be provided by recesses in a surface of the cache memory, corresponding recesses in an opposing surface of the bridge, and a ball for each matching pair of corresponding cache memory and bridge recesses. The ball fits in and between the recesses of the matching pair. The recess depths and ball diameter(s) constrain a minimum distance between opposing pads of the proximity connection(s). |
| US08102661B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal characterized by comprises: a first substrate; a double-sided tape adhered to a prescribed portion of said first substrate; a second substrate adhered to said double-sided tape on a side thereof that is opposite the side on which said first substrate is located and having an electronic part mounted on a side thereof that is opposite the side affixed to said double-sided tape; an upper case disposed on a side of said first substrate, opposite the side where said doubled-sided tape is located; a lower case disposed on a side of the electronic part, opposite the side where said second substrate is located, and combined with said upper case; and a frame placed between said second substrate and said lower case and having an opening at a position corresponding to said electronic part. |
| US08102649B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device including a case, a fan module and a transparent cover is provided. The fan module including a fan and a fin set is disposed in the case. The fin set is disposed aside the fan, and a space is formed there between. The transparent cover is connected to the case, and is located above the space formed between the fin set and the fan. |
| US08102648B2 |
Drive bezel connector couplings
An information handling system (IHS) includes an IHS chassis defining a drive bay. A processor is located in the IHS chassis. A drive chassis is located in the drive bay. A bezel extends from an edge of the drive chassis. A first connector coupling is located on the bezel. An IHS connector is located on the drive chassis and electrically coupled to the processor and the connector coupling such that a device may be coupled to the IHS through a cable connected to the first connector coupling. |
| US08102640B2 |
Monolithic ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing monolithic ceramic electronic component
A monolithic ceramic electronic component includes a laminate including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers and a plurality of internal electrodes extending between the ceramic layers and also includes external electrodes disposed on the laminate. The internal electrodes are partly exposed at surfaces of the laminate and are electrically connected to each other with the external electrodes. The external electrodes include first plating layers and second plating layers. The first plating layers are in direct contact with the internal electrodes. The second plating layers are located outside the first plating layers and contain glass particles dispersed therein. |
| US08102633B2 |
Power supply equalization circuit using distributed high-voltage and low-voltage shunt circuits
Embodiments of an IC protection circuit that protects low voltage supply transistors and circuits within the IC from excessive power supply levels and ESD events are described. A protection circuit situated between the IO pins of the IC and the internal circuitry of the IC includes a voltage drop network and a plurality of shunt circuits to protect the IC against excessive supply voltages and ESD voltages, or other excessive current conditions. Each shunt circuit includes an RC trigger stage and an NMOS shunt stage that are made using low-voltage devices. A protection circuit of the embodiments includes a high voltage IO pin, a voltage drop network to drop a high voltage on the IO pin to a low voltage level on a floating voltage rail, a first shunt circuit coupled between the floating supply rail and ground, an equalizer circuit coupled between the floating supply rail and a low voltage supply rail, and a second shunt circuit coupled to the equalizer circuit through the low voltage supply rail. |
| US08102632B2 |
Electrostatic discharge power clamp trigger circuit using low stress voltage devices
Embodiments of an IC protection circuit that protects low voltage supply transistors and circuits within the IC from excessive power supply levels and ESD events are described. A protection circuit situated between the IO pins of the IC and the internal circuitry of the IC includes a voltage drop network and a plurality of shunt circuits to protect the IC against excessive supply voltages and ESD voltages. Each shunt circuit includes an RC trigger stage and an NMOS shunt stage that are made using low-voltage devices. A protection circuit of the embodiments includes a high voltage IO pin interface, a voltage drop network coupled to the IO pin and comprising a plurality of forward-biased diodes connected in series to drop a high voltage on the IO pin to a low voltage level, an NMOS shunt transistor coupled between the voltage drop network and a ground terminal, and a trigger circuit coupled to the NMOS shunt transistor to activate the shunt transistor when a sensed input voltage rise time is shorter than a defined supply voltage rise time. |
| US08102631B2 |
Computer power supply and standby voltage discharge circuit thereof
A computer power supply includes a standby voltage output terminal to output a standby voltage, a power connector connected to the standby voltage output terminal, and a standby voltage discharge circuit including a zener diode, first and second electrical switches. The standby voltage output terminal is connected to a cathode of the diode. An anode of the diode is connected to a first terminal of the first electrical switch. A second terminal of the first electrical switch is grounded. A third terminal of the first electrical switch is connected to a first terminal of the second electrical switch and the standby voltage output terminal via a first resistor. A second terminal of the second electrical switch is grounded. A third terminal of the second electrical switch is connected to the standby voltage output terminal via a second resistor. A capacitor is connected between the standby voltage output terminal and ground. |
| US08102630B2 |
Method for maintaining connectivity in failed switches of stack
Plural of switches are connected as switch stacking for easier management. Failures of stack member switches disrupts the stack and network availability. This invention discloses a method to maintain stacking connections in failed switches. This invention introduces a small circuit to monitor health of the switch and short circuit the stacking connections in case of switch failures. |
| US08102622B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head, method of manufacturing the same and method of forming magnetic layer pattern
In a perpendicular magnetic write head manufacturing method a magnetic layer is formed on a substrate. On the magnetic layer, first and second nonmagnetic layers are formed with different materials. A mask pattern is formed on the second nonmagnetic layer, and the second nonmagnetic layer in a region not covered with the mask pattern is removed. Thereby, the patterned second nonmagnetic layer is formed while leaving the first nonmagnetic layer. The mask pattern is removed and a milling process is selectively performed on the first nonmagnetic layer and the magnetic layer with the patterned second nonmagnetic layer as a mask to remove all of the first nonmagnetic layer in an exposed region and to dig down the magnetic layer in the exposed region, thereby forming a main magnetic pole layer having an inclined part whose thickness decreases with distance from an edge position of the patterned second nonmagnetic layer. |
| US08102619B2 |
Airborne particle trap within an enclosure containing sensitive equipment
A method and apparatus for a filter for filtering airborne particles present within an enclosure containing equipment sensitive is provided. The filter may be used within the enclosure of a hard disk drive. The filter may comprise a magnetic plate enclosed by a protective layer, which in turn may be enclosed by a non-woven scrim. The magnetic plate has a magnetic property that generates a magnetic field attractive to paramagnetic particles within the enclosure. The protective layer forms a barrier that prevents particles of the magnetic plate from entering into the enclosure. The non-woven scrim may, but need not, have an adhesive property which traps non-paramagnetic particles coming in contact with the non-woven scrim. If the non-woven scrim lacks an adhesive property, then at least a portion of the non-woven scrim may be coated with an adhesive layer which traps non-paramagnetic particles coming in contact with the non-woven scrim. |
| US08102615B2 |
Data storage apparatus
A data storage apparatus includes: a medium for storing data having synchronization marks and data blocks, the synchronization mark and the data block being allocated alternately in the circumference direction of the medium; a head writing data into or reading out data from the medium; and a processor for executing a process including: reading out synchronization marks, measuring time for the head to pass through each of the data blocks based on signals read out from each of the synchronization marks in the circumference direction, generating write/read clock for each of the data blocks, which is continuously changing in speed, by calculating difference in time for the head to pass through the each one of the data blocks and its adjacent one of the blocks on the basis of the time measured, and writing data into or reading out data from the medium in synchronization with the write/read clock. |
| US08102614B2 |
Storage system, related data processing apparatus, and I/O method
A storage system is disclosed and related methods of reading/writing data are disclosed. The storage system includes a main data storage medium, and first and second buffers storing data to be stored on the main data storage medium, as well as a controller defining a data I/O path. The data I/O path may be defined in relation to a detected operating state of the main data storage medium. |
| US08102612B2 |
Lens driving device
A lens driving device for use with a lens to photograph or image an object to be photographed or imaged may include a moving member holding the lens and made movable in the direction of an optical axis, and a supporting member for supporting the moving member through a spring member, wherein the lens is displaced and driven in the optical axis direction thereby to focus the image of the object. The supporting member may include a yoke having a cover portion having an entrance window for introducing the reflected light from the object into the lens, and a case portion for covering the outer circumference of the moving member. The cover portion and the case portion are formed integrally with each other. |
| US08102609B2 |
Lens barrel and image pickup unit
Disclosed herein is a lens barrel including: a plurality of lenses arranged in a state of being separated from each other in a direction of an optical axis; and a lens retaining body for retaining the lenses; wherein a print pattern that has a light shielding function and is partly in contact with the lens retaining body to adjust an interval between the lenses in the direction of the optical axis is formed on at least one of the plurality of lenses. |
| US08102607B2 |
Lens unit and image capturing device
A lens unit including a first lens, an aperture stop, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The first lens is a meniscus lens having positive power. The second lens is a meniscus lens including a convex object side surface and having negative power. The third lens is a meniscus lens including a convex image side surface and having negative power. The fourth lens is aspherical, includes an image side surface and an object side surface, and has at least one inflection point on each of the image side surface and object side surface. The image side surface has a concave surface facing toward the image side. |
| US08102605B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes first to fourth lens units in order from the object side to the image side. The first, third, and fourth lens units have a positive refractive power. The second lens unit has a negative refractive power. Distances between the lens units are changed during zooming. The first lens unit is composed of a cemented lens including a first lens having a negative refractive power and a second lens having a positive refractive power arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The Nd1a and νd1a are a refractive index and an Abbe number, respectively, of a material of the first lens for the d-line and are adequately set. |
| US08102601B2 |
Head up display device for vehicle
A head up display device includes a display, an optical system having a reflecting mirror, a motor, and a reduction gear mechanism having gears in engagement with each other. A stopper gear is further on a preceding side than the last gear in the mechanism. The stopper gear includes a partial gear portion having teeth arranged in a region of the stopper gear in a range of less than 360 degrees in its rotational direction. Rotation of the stopper gear is stopped by engagement of both-end teeth of the partial gear portion with a stopper-adjacent gear, so a range of a rotation angle of the mirror is limited to a predetermined adjustable range, which includes a displayable range. The angle between an adjustable range lower limit and displayable range lower limit, and the angle between an adjustable range upper limit and displayable range upper limit are larger than 0 degree. |
| US08102594B2 |
Methods and systems for compensation of self-phase modulation in fiber-based amplification systems
Methods and systems for compensation of Self-Phase Modulation 35 in fiber-based amplifier systems 20. |
| US08102592B2 |
Reflective display using calibration data for electrostatically maintaining parallel relationship of adjustable-depth cavity component
Interferometric modulators include a movable mirror that is actuated by voltage applied to a plurality of electrodes relative to at least one other electrode, to define a cavity relative to a partially reflective mirror formed by a top plate. The depth of the cavity determines a bandwidth of light that is modulated by internal reflections within the cavity and which interferes with light that is reflected from a partially reflective mirror on the top plate, producing a desired reflected color of light for the modulator. Variations in manufacturing and material characteristics can cause the movable mirror to tilt relative to the partially reflective mirror, which degrades the modulation accuracy. To compensate, different voltages can be applied to the plurality of electrodes. The voltage can be determined at time of manufacture and stored in non-volatile memory, for use when the modulator is actuated during use. |
| US08102589B2 |
Superposition system comprising micro electro mechanical systems
The superposition system with micro electromechanical systems (MEMS, e.g. DMDs from Texas Instruments) superposes the “ON”-lights of two MEMSs. More specifically, the invention relates to the chirality (handedness) of MEMS and the geometric problems associated with this handedness for superposition systems. In this application we uncover a solution to superpose the images modulated by two MEMSs using an exchange of columns and rows in one of the addressing matrices. |
| US08102588B2 |
Magneto-opto photonic crystal multiplayer structure having enhanced Faraday rotation with visible light
An apparatus, method, system, and computer-program product for producing magneto-optic materials in the blue and green wavelengths. The apparatus includes a substrate generally transparent to a light signal including a component at a predetermined visible frequency; a stack of optical multilayers overlying the substrate for transmitting the component with at least about forty percent power therethrough and having at least about twenty-four degrees of Faraday rotation per micron for the predetermined visible frequency less than about six hundred nanometers. The method includes processes for the manufacture and assembly of the disclosed materials, with the computer program product including machine-executable instructions for carrying out the disclosed methods. |
| US08102584B2 |
Enhanced optical readout scheme for a thermal imager employing a reconfigurable spatial light modulator
An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator capable of spatially modulating an incident wavefront responsive to an image formed on the modulator. A light source is configured to direct a coherent illumination light beam towards the modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam therefrom. A filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam on a plane to selectively transmit light from a plurality of diffraction peaks therein. |
| US08102576B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system of detecting duplicated scanned data of a document
An information processing apparatus includes: a retrieval portion that retrieves feature information, which is identical to feature information obtained from a target recording medium to be processed, from a storage apparatus that stores feature information being optically readable from and being unique to each of recording media read in past times by a reading apparatus; and a control portion that controls at least one of capture and storage of an image recorded on the target recording medium in accordance with a result of the retrieval by the retrieval portion. |
| US08102572B2 |
Image processing apparatus and associated method and computer readable storage medium for extracting an embedded marking image
An image processing apparatus and an associated an image processing method and computer readable storage medium are provided. The image processing apparatus includes an image reading module, an image data storage module, a registration module, an analyzing module, and an image processing module. The image reading module can read a document image. The image data storage module can store the document image. The registration module can register marking images by respectively encoding marking information into the marking images. The analyzing module can extract an embedded image from the document image and to perform an analysis of the embedded image that includes comparing the embedded image to the marking images registered in the registration module. The image processing module can compose an output image based on the document image stored in the storage module and a result of the analysis of the embedded image performed by the analyzing module. |
| US08102562B2 |
Apparatus for, and method of, forming parenthesized image; apparatus for, and method of, forming externally framed image; program; and memory medium
Outline font data showing the original outside shape having a single closed curve made up of a parenthesized outside shape portion of the parenthesized image and a connecting line portion to connect both open ends is stored. The height and line width are determined. Based on the above data, a first-size solidly shaded image is formed having the determined height and is entirely filled inside the original outside shape thereof with effective pixels of logic “1.” A second-size solidly shaded image is formed of a second size which is smaller by the line width than the first-size solidly shaded image, along the parenthesized outside shape portion. Non-equivalence operation is performed with corresponding pixels by displacing the first-size solidly shaded image and the second-size solidly shaded image by the line width along the parenthesized outside shape portion. |
| US08102558B2 |
Image supply apparatus, control method therefor, and printing system
According to this invention, an intended image is transferred and printed even in a system which transfers image data by a handle upon reception of a print request list described by the file name of an image. In order to realize this, according to this invention, when a DPOF print request file which describes an image to be printed by the file name of the image exists in the memory card of a digital camera (3012) serving as an image supply side, a new file in which the file name in the print request file is replaced by a handle is generated and transmitted to a printer (1000). |
| US08102551B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of displaying raw file information, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus for performing a developing process on RAW image data included in a specific RAW file. The image processing apparatus includes a decision module and a display. The decision module decides whether a RAW file is developable or not in the image processing apparatus on the basis of the file name for each RAW file acquired by the image processing apparatus. The display displays at least one of information relating to the RAW files decided by the decision module to be developable in the image processing apparatus, and information relating to the RAW files decided to be undevelopable in the image processing apparatus. |
| US08102549B2 |
System and method for improved print job scheduling
There is provided a system for scheduling two or more print job suites for shipment to two or more different physical destinations. The system includes a print job processing estimator for estimating a time required to process a first one of the two or more print job suites. The system further includes a print job production manager which uses the time estimated by the print job processing estimator to cause the first one of the two or more print job suites to be processed for shipment before a second one of the print job suites is processed for shipment. |
| US08102547B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program to prevent computer recognition of data
A text modification mechanism is provided for formatting data such that the information can be reasonably deciphered by a human, but cannot be easily recognized by computer recognition techniques. The text modification mechanism alters printed text so that computer recognition of characters becomes difficult. Modification of the text may be accomplished with manipulation of the fonts or the background. The mechanism may also modify the text based on user preferences. |
| US08102544B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
A terminal is provided with an image obtaining portion that obtains an image including a code representing a location of a web page, a web page obtaining portion that obtains the web page based on the code included in the image, a calculation portion that compares the image except the code with the web page to calculate a degree of relevance between the image except the code and the web page, and a print controller that issues a command to print the image with the code excluded if the degree of relevance is lower than a predetermined threshold, and to print the image without excluding the code if the degree of relevance is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08102543B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and printing control program
When draw data that has been created by an application program is spooled, whether the resolution of the draw data is to be lowered is decided. If it is decided that the resolution of the draw data is to be lowered, printer information in which the resolution of print data to be spooled has been lowered is returned and spooling is performed at the lowered resolution. The draw data thus spooled is rasterized into a raster image at a resolution that conforms to the resolution of an image forming device, and the raster image that has been rasterized is output to a printer to thereby form an image. |
| US08102539B2 |
Method for measuring a gap between a multibladed rotatable member and a surrounding housing
A method for measuring the gap between a multibladed rotatable member and a surrounding housing in a gas turbine engine. In accordance with the method, a blade is removed from the rotatable member and replaced by a distance measuring clearance probe. The distance from the probe to the housing is then measured at a number of axial positions of the rotatable member. |
| US08102536B2 |
Determining and compensating for modulator dynamics in interferometric fiber-optic gyroscopes
Determining linear modulator dynamics in an interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope may be accomplished by applying a stimulus at a point within the gyroscope, observing a response in an output of the gyroscope, and determining, from the observed response, the linear modulator dynamics. |
| US08102530B2 |
Colour measuring unit
A colour measuring unit (1) comprising a radiation device (2) which emits light onto a surface (9) to be examined, wherein the radiation device (2) comprises at least one semiconductor-based light source (6), and a radiation detector device (12) which receives at least a portion of the light scattered by the surface and outputs a signal characteristic of this light, wherein the radiation detector device (12) allows a spectral analysis of the light impinging thereon. According to the invention, the colour measuring unit comprises at least one sensor device (10) which determines at least one electrical parameter of the light source (6), and also a processor device (14) which outputs from this measured parameter at least one value characteristic of the light emitted by the radiation device (2). |
| US08102527B2 |
Spectrometer assembly
The invention relates to a spectrometer arrangement (10) having a spectrometer for producing a spectrum of radiation from a radiation source on a detector (34), comprising an optical imaging Littrow arrangement (18, 20) for imaging the radiation entering the spectrometer arrangement (16) in an image plane, a first dispersion arrangement (28, 30) for the spectral decomposition of a first wavelength range of the radiation entering the spectrometer arrangement, a second dispersion arrangement (58, 60) for the spectral decomposition of a second wavelength range of the radiation entering the spectrometer arrangement, and a common detector (34) arranged in the image plane of the imagine optics, characterized in that the imaging optical arrangement (18, 20) comprises an element (20) that can be moved between two positions (20, 50), wherein the radiation entering the spectrometer arrangement in the first position is guided via the first dispersion arrangement and in the second position via the second dispersion arrangement. |
| US08102526B2 |
Spectrometer with a slit for incident light and fabrication of the slit
A spectrometer including an entrance slit and the production of the entrance slit. The spectrometer includes a housing, an entrance slit, and an imaging diffraction grating inside the housing for splitting and imaging the light onto an optoelectric detector. The detector is arranged inside the housing. The housing and the base plate are connected to each other by mutually cooperating positioning members. The entrance slit, the positioning members of the base plate and the holding members for receiving and mounting the detecting device are integral parts of the base plate and are produced from the base plate in a precise manner, in a suitable form and in defined mutual positions by, for example, laser cutting or liquid jet cutting. The positioning members of the base plate and/or the holding members for the detecting device can be provided as resilient elements. |
| US08102518B2 |
Zero angle photon spectrophotometer for monitoring of water systems
A method and apparatus for monitoring water and other fluid systems is described. The fluid is continually monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring many optical parameters in an in-line, on-line system, which compensates for normal fluid changes while detecting abnormalities. |
| US08102513B2 |
Method for positioning an object by an electromagnetic motor, stage apparatus and lithographic apparatus
A method for positioning an object by an electromagnetic motor which, in use, produces a plurality of primary forces and a pitch torque associated with the primary forces. The method includes a cycle which includes: determining the desired forces and torques for positioning the object, determining the primary forces to be generated by the motor, determine the pitch torque from either the primary forces or from the desired forces and torques, determine the desired signals for the motor to generate the primary forces. In a next cycle, prior to the determination of the primary forces, the desired forces and torques for positioning the object are modified using the pitch torque determined in the previous cycle of steps. |
| US08102512B2 |
Substrate holding device, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
To provide a substrate holding apparatus which can prevent a liquid from entering into a rear surface side of a substrate. A substrate holding apparatus (PH) is provided with a base material (PHB), a first holding portion (PH1) formed on the base material (PHB) for holding the substrate (P), and a second holding portion (PH2) formed on the base material (PHB) for holding a plate member (T) by surrounding the circumference of a processing substrate (P) held by the first holding portion (PH1). The second holding portion (PH2) holds the plate member (T) so as to form a second space (32) on the side of the rear surface (Tb) of the plate member (T). On the rear surface (Tb) of the plate member (T), an absorbing member (100) is arranged for absorbing the liquid (LQ) entered from a gap (A) between the substrate (P) held by the first holding portion (PH1) and the plate member (T) held by the second holding portion (PH2). |
| US08102510B2 |
Projection optical system, exposure apparatus and device fabricating method
There is provided a projection optical system for projecting a pattern on an object surface onto an image surface in a reduced size. The projection optical system includes six reflective surfaces that includes, in order of reflecting light from the object surface, a first reflective surface, a second convex reflective surface, a third convex reflective surface, a fourth reflective surface, a fifth reflective surface and a sixth reflective surface, and an aperture stop along an optical path between the first and second reflective surfaces. |
| US08102506B2 |
Method and device for controlling a plurality of actuators and an illumination device for lithography
The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling multiple actuators with a controller and multiple actuators controllable by the controller. At least several groups of actuators are individually controllable by the controller and to each actuator or each group of actuators is assigned at least one memory storage unit, which can store at least one parameter for controlling one or more actuators. At least two parameters are assigned to each actuator or each group of actuators, with one position of the actuator(s) being assigned to each of the parameters. |
| US08102504B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
A lithographic apparatus includes an illuminator configured to condition a radiation beam; a support constructed to hold a patterning device, the patterning device configured to impart the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam; a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate; and a liquid supply system configured to at least partly fill a space between the projection system and the substrate with a liquid, wherein the liquid has a contact angle of (a) less than 60° with the projection system, or the liquid supply system, or both, or (b) less than 80° with a surface of the substrate, or (c) both (a) and (b). |
| US08102502B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
Liquid is supplied to a space between the projection system of a lithographic apparatus and a substrate. A flow of gas towards a vacuum inlet prevents the humid gas from escaping to other parts of the lithographic apparatus. This may help to protect intricate parts of the lithographic apparatus from being damaged by the presence of humid gas. |
| US08102499B2 |
Method for forming color cholesteric liquid crystal display devices comprising forming a patterned enclosed structure having a plurality of stripe wall structures connected to both a seal line and a solid bulk region
The invention provide a fabrication method for a color cholesteric liquid crystal display device, comprising: providing a first substrate; forming a patterned enclosed structure on the first substrate, wherein the patterned enclosed structure comprises a plurality of stripe wall structures, and one end of each stripe wall structure is connected to and perpendicular to a straight seal line, thereby dividing a first LC channel with a first opening, a second closed LC channel, and a third closed LC channel, and the length of the first LC channel exceeds that of the second LC channel, and the length of the second LC channel exceeds that of the third LC channel; providing a second substrate with an adhesion layer formed thereon; assembling the first substrate and the second substrate to tightly seal the adhesion layer and the patterned enclosed structure. |
| US08102497B2 |
Display device
The present invention realizes a display device with dummy pixel portions and a frame region required for the dummy pixel portions and code notation, in which the frame region is minimized while achieving code notation in required size.In a dummy pixel portion (122) of the present display device, the number of gate electrodes in a thin film transistor formed by a semiconductor layer (11) is reduced to two, so that distances from a contact hole (12) to another contact hole (13) and to a through-hole (14) can be shortened as compared to those in pixel formation portions (112a, 112b), making it possible to dispose the contact hole (13) and the through-hole (14) in a lower portion in the figure. In addition, provided in the vicinity of the center of the dummy pixel portion (122) is only an electrode equivalent to a storage capacitance line (170). Thus, a wide transparent region can be ensured to note a code (22) of a sufficient size in the dummy pixel portion (122). |
| US08102487B2 |
Dual panel liquid crystal display device
A LCD device includes first and second LCD panels stacked one on another. Each of the first and second LCD panels includes a pair of transparent substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of polarizing films sandwiching therebetween the pair of transparent substrates. A light diffusion layer having light diffusion function is interposed between the first LCD panel and the second LCD panel. The light diffusion layer reduces the intensity of the light passed by the first LCD panel, thereby alleviating the periodicity of the arrangement of dark areas and bright areas to alleviate the moire caused by light interference. |
| US08102486B2 |
Display panel and display device
A liquid crystal panel comprises a temperature sensor (1) formed on a glass substrate (11). The temperature sensor (1) includes two junction structures (2) and (5). The junction structure (2) is formed such that two different semiconductor films (3) and (4) are joined together. The junction structure (5) is formed such that two different semiconductor films (6) and (7) are joined together. The liquid crystal panel outputs divided voltage between the voltage applied to the junction structure (2) and the voltage applied to the junction structure (5) as the voltage depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal panel. As the result, the liquid crystal panel comprising the temperature sensor (1) of simple structure and high performance is provided. |
| US08102479B2 |
Thin film transistor display panel and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor display panel includes an insulating substrate, gate lines and data lines disposed intersecting each other on the insulating substrate so as to be electrically insulated from each other, common lines provided on the insulating substrate in parallel to the gate lines, a gate insulating film disposed on the gate lines and the common lines, contact holes disposed passing through the gate insulating film disposed on the common lines, a plurality of common electrodes electrically connected to the common lines through the contact holes and arranged in parallel to each other, and a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in parallel to the common electrodes. The thickness of the common electrode and the pixel electrode is smaller than that of the data line. |
| US08102477B2 |
Stereographic imaging device without image mirror and the manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a stereoscopic imaging device with no need for an image mirror circuit, including a first display device comprising a LCD panel, and a backlight disposed toward a rear surface of the LCD panel and configured to supply lighting to the LCD panel, wherein two polarization filters having a polarization angle difference of 90 degrees are attached to front and rear surfaces the LCD panel; a second display device having a type in which the LCD panel is rotated 180 degrees with its top and bottom remaining intact and the backlight is positioned on the front surface of the LCD panel in the first display device, the second display device being disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the first display device; and a half mirror disposed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the first display device and the second display device between the first display device and the second display device. |
| US08102467B2 |
Camera module and imaging device
Provided are a camera module and electronic equipment that are advantageous in alleviating a stress to be imposed on connectors and a flexible substrate at the time of attaching a printed wiring substrate. A first flank 44 of a lens barrel 22 and a second flank 46 thereof intersect each other. An image sensor 26 is mounted with the back surface 26A thereof directed to a flexible substrate. A signal processing unit 30 is formed on a rigid printed wiring substrate 32. A flexible substrate 28 has a projecting portion 50 that projects from an intersectional part 48 at which the first flank 44 and second flank 46 intersect each other. The printed wiring substrate 32 is disposed on the second flank 46 via a temporary lock mechanism 54. The projecting portion 50 of the flexible substrate 28 is folded at the intersectional part 48, a flexible substrate-side connector 52 is coupled to a printed wiring substrate-side connector 56, and an adhesive layer 58 is bonded to the second flank 46. The flexible substrate 28 and printed wiring substrate 32 are thus mounted on the lens barrel 22. |
| US08102466B2 |
Imaging device and control method therefor, and program for the same
An imaging device capable of preventing the imaging device from becoming unusable due to the battery running out or a lack of storage capacity in the storage medium, by performing battery charge and data transfer in a limited period of time. The imaging device includes a battery charge function for charging a battery and a data transfer function for transferring data recorded in a storage medium to an external apparatus. An amount of charge remaining in the battery is detected. A remaining storage capacity available for recording data in -the storage medium is detected. An order of priority for performing battery charge and data transfer is set. The function of the imaging device is switched between the battery charge and the data transfer based on the order of priority set by the setting unit, and the battery charge is executed in accordance with a detection result of the remaining charge detecting unit and the data transfer in accordance with a detection result of the remaining storage capacity detecting unit is executed. |
| US08102461B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for displaying image using focus information thereof
A portable terminal and a method for displaying an image using focus information are disclosed. An interested area of the captured subject image can be rapidly displayed on the display. The captured subject image can be displayed on the display, according to the features of an interested area image. At least one interested area is extracted from the captured subject image. When one of the extracted interested areas is selected, image information of the captured subject, which includes focus information of the selected interested area, is generated. When requesting that the captured subject image is displayed, an interested area image of the captured subject image is displayed according to focus information of the generated image information. |
| US08102460B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A CCD image sensor which is a solid-state imaging device has four kinds of pixels of first pixel to fourth pixel arranged in a predetermined pattern. The each pixel has each PD and each microlens. The first pixel and the fourth pixel are dedicated imaging pixels. The fourth pixel is placed adjacent to the second pixel and the third pixel which are pixels for phase difference detection, and its microlens is formed smaller than the microlens of the first pixel. Accordingly, since quantity of the light to be incident on the PD from the microlens is lowered corresponding to the incident light from the gap between the microlenses, light with approximately uniform quantity is incident on the each PD. |
| US08102453B2 |
Photoelectric converter
Provided is a photoelectric converter capable of performing high-speed image reading and resolution switching at the same time. The photoelectric converter includes a plurality of common read lines, and thus parallel output is produced, which enables image reading at high speed. In addition, a photoelectric conversion block (10) is capable of communicating with another photoelectric conversion block (10), whereby the common read lines, to which nodes (E) of a plurality of the photoelectric conversion blocks (10) adjacent to each other are connected, can be made the same. For this reason, voltages of those nodes (E) can be equalized in the same common read line, and hence switching between image resolutions can be realized. |
| US08102450B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus and driving method for the same
A solid-state imaging device includes first-group pixels 41, second-group pixels 42 skipped during thinning drive, and a scanning section 13. The scanning section 13 drives each of the first-group pixels 41 to perform read operation of outputting the output signal and initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a first level, and also drives each of the second-group pixels 42 to perform discharge operation of initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a second level that is higher than the first level and lower than a saturation signal level of the photoelectric conversion element 12. |
| US08102448B2 |
Image sensor with enlarged outward appearance of microlens and method for fabricating the same
An image sensor with an enlarged outward appearance of a microlens and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes: a plurality of microlenses formed on a semiconductor substrate with a certain spacing distance; and a protection layer formed over the microlenses, wherein the protection layer includes a first oxide layer which is formed by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method and a second oxide layer which is formed by a spin on glass (SOG) method over the first oxide layer to maintain sufficient step coverage over chasms between the microlenses. |
| US08102446B2 |
Image capturing system and image processing method for applying grayscale conversion to a video signal, and computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an image processing program for applying grayscale conversion to a video signal
The present invention aims at obtaining a high-quality video signal by reducing tone jumps. A second grayscale conversion characteristic is calculated from a video signal to which a first grayscale conversion process has been applied using a first grayscale conversion characteristic used to convert an M-bit video signal into an N-bit video signal, where M and N are integers and M is larger than N. The second grayscale conversion characteristic is corrected by using the first grayscale conversion characteristic. A second grayscale conversion process is applied to the video signal by using the corrected second grayscale conversion characteristic. |
| US08102444B2 |
Method and apparatus for post noise reduction black level correction
Techniques for implementing a Black Level Correction (BLC) processing operation on image data signal pixel values that results in little to no nonlinearity in the dark areas of the image due to black noise clipping, and avoids reducing image quality or adding cost, are provided. Image data signal pixel values are caused to maintain black level while being operated on by image data signal processor circuits that precede a Noise Reduction (NR) processing operation, thus allowing the BLC processing operation to be executed after the NR processing operation. With black noise mostly removed, little to no nonlinearity in the dark areas of the image due to black noise clipping results from the BLC processing operation. |
| US08102443B2 |
CCD image sensor having charge storage section between photodiode section and charge transfer section
The signal charge corresponding to the amount of light is obtained from a photodiode section and is then stored in a charge storage section under the control of a first control gate. An additional charge storage section may be provided between the photodiode section and the charge storage section. The signal charge thus stored in the charge storage section is supplied to a charge transfer section under the control of a second control gate. The charge storage section is set to operate in a PIN-ing state during its operation, which may be carried out by, for example, covering an N-type region with a storage control electrode to which a predetermined DC bias voltage is applied, or by forming a P-type region in surface portion of the N-type region. |
| US08102435B2 |
Method for acquiring a digital image with a large dynamic range with a sensor of lesser dynamic range
A method is provided for obtaining an image with a large dynamic range. An image is acquired such that each image pixel is represented by a plurality of values obtained at the same time but for different integration levels (effective exposures). For each pixel, a representative value is selected among those available, such that it is neither saturated nor blackened. |
| US08102420B2 |
Portable digital photographing system combining position navigation information and image information
Taught is a portable digital photographing system combining position navigation information and image information, wherein the position navigation information and the captured image information is combined and processed by a digital signal processing unit. The combined information then is stored in a register and displayed through an interface circuit. The portable digital photographing system can merge the location, time, and position information into the image or video. In addition, an electronic map corresponding to a position navigation information can be displayed on a display monitor. |
| US08102418B2 |
Microscope observation system
This is a microscope observation system comprising a microscope, a camera unit, a light-amount adjustment unit for controlling adjustment parts included the microscope in order to suppress the amount of reflected light of a specimen image formed on the camera unit, a camera adjustment unit for controlling an adjustment part group of the camera unit in order to adjust image signals photo-electrically converted by the camera unit to a desired state, a light measurement unit for measuring the brightness of the specimen, a display unit for displaying a captured image, a control unit for controlling continuous display speed indicating the continuous display interval of an image continuously displayed on the display unit and at least one of an observation position shifting unit for changing the observation position or observation magnification of the specimen or an observation state detection unit for detecting the observation position or the observation magnification. |
| US08102412B2 |
Calibrating a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic device
Methods and apparatus include aligning printing of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine. At least first and second scan lines formed in opposite directions define a calibration page for manufacturing, servicing or end-user operation. The page includes pluralities of objects with one formed from either the first or second scan lines, but not both, and another of the objects formed from the other of the first or second scan lines, but not both. In this manner, corrections can be implemented by simply observing misalignments between the objects. Printed calibration pages also include visually or mechanically read objects for implementing corrections. In this regard, calibrating devices external to the EP device are contemplated. Objects include lines, squares or other shapes and their arrangement on a page varies. Fiducials for macro-scale observations are also contemplated. |
| US08102410B2 |
Writing apparatuses and methods
Patterns are written on workpieces, such as, glass sheets and/or plastic sheets used in, for example, electronic display devices such as LCDs. The workpiece may be larger than about 1500 mm may be used. An optical writing head with a plurality of writing units may be used. The workpiece and the writing head may be moved relative to one another to provide oblique writing. |
| US08102404B2 |
Method and system of cyclical screen rotation for near unity scaled printer video data
A method for enabling near unity scaling of printer video data to provide compensation for paper shrinkage caused during duplex printing. To achieve high quality image output, near neighbor interpolation may be used at very high resolutions. However, the insertion of extra interpolated subpixels may cause an edge transition to be shifted away from its original subpixel location with respect to an applied anti-aliasing rendering screen thereby causing ragged edges. The method aligns the edge position and the anti-aliasing rendering screen by applying a cyclical rotation of the screen. |
| US08102400B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing enhanced resolution display for display telephones and PDAs
In a mobile device with a mobile device video driver that can be interdicted, such as a display telephone or PDA, a method and system for display on a remote video display device is provided involving forming an enhanced display image in an enhanced video frame buffer and reconstructing the display image in a duplicate enhanced video frame buffer in the remote video display device. |
| US08102397B2 |
Method for improving uniform width character strokes using multiple alignment zones
A method aligns a character to a sampling grid of an image. An original uniform width path that traces a skeleton of the character is specified by input pen commands having original coordinates. The width of the original path is rounded to a nearest integer to produce a hinted width. The original path is traversed using the input pen commands to identify segments of the path. The segments are stored in an array. Hinted coordinates are determined for each segment in the array. The array is sorted, and a directed acyclic graph (DAG) is constructed. Collisions between the segments are resolved using the sorted array, the DAG, and the width of the hinted path. The segments are fitted to the sampling grid, and the result is stored in output pen commands, thereby aligning the skeleton of the character to the sampling grid. |
| US08102396B2 |
Apparatus and method for improved measurement speed in test and measurement instruments
An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a digitized signal including a digitizer to digitize an input signal into a digitized signal, a rasterizer to generate a raster image from the digitized input signal, a processor to receive the raster image, and a control interface to receive an input control signal indicating a request for a measurement. The rasterizer is responsive to the control signal to generate the raster image from the digitized input signal, and the processor is responsive to the control signal to generate a histogram from the raster image. |
| US08102395B2 |
Display apparatus, image processing apparatus and image processing method, imaging apparatus, and program
A system and method displays a realistic image that allows a user to readily grasp his/her own positional relationship and also to experience a sense of presence. An outer dome screen is disposed so as to surround a user, and an immersion image such as the scenery of the surroundings of an object is displayed thereon. An inner dome screen is disposed inside the outer dome screen, and it displays a bird's-eye image of the object as perceived by the vision of the user when the object is viewed from a viewpoint of the user. In this case, the user is allowed to readily grasp his/her own positional relationship by the bird's-eye image and is allowed to experience a sense of presence by the immersion image. |
| US08102390B2 |
Frame by frame, pixel by pixel matching of model-generated graphics images to camera frames for computer vision
The invention employs state-of-the-art computer graphics to advance the field of computer vision. The invention uses model-generated graphics in image processing: match image frames rendered by a graphics engine to those from a camera, in real-time, frame by frame, pixel by pixel. An a priori model of the world is required, but the benefit is very accurate position and pose of the camera for every frame. |
| US08102387B2 |
Image display device
The invention provides an image display device that has an especially satisfactory display quality for animated images, and sufficiently suppresses the irregularities of display quality among pixels. The image display device includes a light emitting drive means that drives a light emitting means, based on an analog display signal inputted to the pixels, and a light emitting control switch for controlling a light-on or light-off of the light emitting means on one end of the light emitting drive means in each pixel. |
| US08102384B2 |
Interface device
An interface device (15) is provided that includes an operating knob (30) for outputting an operation command signal to in-vehicle equipment, the operating knob (30) being provided with a palm rest portion (30a) for an occupant's palm to be placed on, and a switch (31) being disposed on the operating knob (30) within a region that a fingertip can reach while the palm is placed on the palm rest portion (30a). Since this determines the positional relationship between the switch (31) and the fingertip when the palm is placed on the palm rest portion (30a), even if the switch (31) is operated without being visually checked it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation from occurring and, moreover, the operability is remarkably improved. Furthermore, since tilting the operating knob (30), which is supported so that it can tilt in fore-and-aft and left-and-right directions, outputs an operation command signal to in-vehicle equipment, coupling this with operation of the switch (31) enables many types of operation command signal to be outputted. |
| US08102381B2 |
Display system and method of restricting operation in same
A control section 10 makes a judgment about which occupant the menu icon of an operation restricted item is operated by, and thereby makes invalid the operation of a touch panel related to the operation restricted item by an occupant on a driver's seat side while a vehicle is moving by using any means of the operation of a push switch 171 provided at a position where only an occupant on a passenger seat side can operate; the touch operation or drag-and-drop operation of a marker of any shape displayed at any position of a passenger seat side screen; monitoring by an infrared sensor array 164 disposed in the peripheral portion of an LCD panel 162; and monitoring the occupant on the driver's seat side by a monitoring camera 172 disposed at a position where the camera can monitor the direction toward which the face of the driver's seat side occupant is facing. |
| US08102379B2 |
Touch sensing device and touch sensing apparatus
The invention discloses a touch sensing device, which includes a containing space, a first substrate layer, a second substrate layer, a driver, and a sensor. The first substrate layer and the second substrate layer define the containing space for containing a fluid. The driver can provide charges to a first conducting layer of the first substrate layer, a second conducting layer of the second substrate layer, and the fluid. The sensor can sense the electric characteristics of the fluid. When a point unit approaches the touch sensing device and influences the charges, the appearance of the fluid could be changed and then the electric characteristics could also be changed. |
| US08102372B2 |
Optical mouse testing device
An optical mouse testing device includes a testing frame, a control unit, a transmission unit, a rolling unit and an indicating unit. An optical mouse to be tested is placed on an upper surface of the testing frame. The control unit is used for driving the transmission unit according to the route coordinate data. The transmission unit is used for rendering a rolling motion of a ball of the rolling unit. The optical mouse senses the rolling motion of the ball, thereby providing a route coordinate data to the control unit. The control unit compares the route control signal with the route coordinate data, thereby generating an indicating signal to indicate a testing result. |
| US08102371B2 |
Calibration method of projection effect
The present invention provides a calibration method of projection effect. The calibration method of projection effect according to the invention comprises the following steps. The first, step (a) is performed to make an optical navigation system move along a predetermined trace relative to an object plane. Then, step (b) is performed to sense the predetermined trace by a sensor to obtain a projection trace. The next, step (c) is performed to calculate a projection effect value according to the included angle between a reflected light and the object plane. Finally, step (d) is performed to calibrate the projection trace with the projection effect value to obtain a calibration trace which is in proportion to the predetermined trace. |
| US08102369B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically modifying web page display for mobile devices
A method of dynamically modifying web page displays used in various mobile devices. The method uses a motion detection mechanism to detect whether the mobile device is moving or in motion and then modifies web page displays sent to the device based upon the sensor readings. As such, the method, system, and apparatus are capable of automatically modifying a display provided to a mobile device based upon a determination that the user and/or device are moving and/or in motion. In another aspect, the method, system, and apparatus are also capable of modifying the complexity of a display provided to a mobile device based upon the degree of movement and/or motion by the user and/or device. |
| US08102365B2 |
Remote control systems that can distinguish stray light sources
Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can be configured to exhibit signature characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths. The predetermined light sources also can emit light polarized in one or more predetermined polarization axes. Remote control systems of the present invention also can include methods for adjusting an allocation of predetermined light sources and/or the technique used to distinguish the predetermined light sources from the stray light sources. |
| US08102363B2 |
Electrophoresis display device, electrophoresis display device driving method, and electronic apparatus
In at least one embodiment, a driving method of an electrophoresis display device includes an image-erasing step in which an old image displayed on the displaying section of the electrophoresis display device is erased. The image-erasing step of the driving method of the electrophoresis display device further includes a first image-erasing sub step of displaying a first gradation in each of the pixels of a first area and displaying a second gradation in each of the pixels of a second area; and a second image-erasing sub step of displaying the second gradation in each of the pixels of the first area and displaying the first gradation in each of the pixels of the second area. |
| US08102361B2 |
Liquid crystal display for adjusting the brightness of a backlight
Provided is a liquid crystal display for adjusting the luminance of a backlight of a liquid crystal display panel in accordance with the illuminance of external light. The liquid crystal display comprises: an external light sensing circuit including a photosensor, a capacitor and a write switch; and a PWM duty controller controlling the duty ratio of a pulse width modulation signal used for controlling the brightness of the back light, wherein a control signal applied to the gate electrode of the photosensor is generated at a first logic level during a sensing permitting period, and is generated at a second logic level during a sensing blocking period. |
| US08102360B2 |
Methods and apparatus of dynamic backlight control
A method of adjusting image intensity to compensate backlight dimming in dynamic backlight control, the method including estimating distortion of an image that corresponds to different mapping index values 204 selected from the intensity levels 202 of an image. The estimated distortion of image represents factors including the quantity of pixels 205 that have intensity exceeding a mapping index value 204; and the amount 206 that the intensity of each pixel exceeds the corresponding mapping index value. The method further includes selecting from a plurality of schemes 301 for adjusting image intensity to minimize the estimated distortion obtained from the estimating. |
| US08102355B2 |
Source driver capable of removing offset in display device and method for driving source lines of display device
A source driver and a source line driving method capable of removing the offset effect of an amplifier for every two frames. The source driver includes an amplification unit, an input controller and an output controller. The amplification unit includes a positive amplifier outputting an output voltage having a positive deviation relative to an input voltage applied thereto and a negative amplifier outputting an output voltage having a negative deviation relative to an input voltage applied thereto. The input controller transfers a first gray-level voltage corresponding to a driving voltage of a first source line and a second gray-level voltage corresponding to a driving voltage of a second source line adjacent to the first source line to the amplification unit in response to input positive control signals or input negative control signals. The output controller applies the output voltage of the positive amplifier or the output voltage of the negative amplifier to the first or second source line in response to output positive control signals or output negative control signals. |
| US08102354B2 |
Data driver and liquid crystal display using the same
A data driver includes a gamma voltage generator that generates red, green, and blue gamma voltages according to red, green, and blue adjustment signals, and a digital to analog converter that converts data signals received from a latch to positive or negative analog video signals using the red, green, and blue gamma voltages received from the gamma voltage generator. |
| US08102353B2 |
Display device
The present invention is to prevent a capture error of display data caused by a delay due to a built-in driving circuit in a display device with a built-in driving circuit. The display device comprises: a display area having a plurality of sub pixels; and a driving circuit formed at the periphery of the display area; wherein the driving circuit includes: a first scanning circuit that performs scanning in a first direction; and a latch circuit which latches display data inputted from external based on a scanning output outputted from the first scanning circuit; wherein the driving circuit includes a timing correction circuit which corrects the timing of level change of the scanning output outputted from the first scanning circuit based on a display data synchronization clock inputted from external; wherein the latch circuit latches display data by means of a corrected scanning output outputted from the timing correction circuit; and wherein a transmission line up to the latch circuit of the display data and a transmission line up to the timing correction circuit of the display data synchronization clock are adjacently arranged. |
| US08102352B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and data driving circuit thereof
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a timing controller providing an enable signal to output a digital image data, a data driver converting the digital image data into an analog image signal, and a polarity generator in the data driver for dividing a frequency of the enable signal to generate a polarity control signal for changing the polarity of the analog image data at each rising edge of the enable signal. |
| US08102350B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and driving method are provided. A display device includes a display area that includes a plurality of pixel cells in respective pixel regions defined by a plurality of gate and data lines crossing each other. A data driver is operable to supply data signals to the pixel cells. The pixel cells are connected with the first data line and are divided into a plurality of pixel-cell groups. The data driver is operable to supply the data signal of first polarity to the pixel cells included in the odd-numbered pixel-cell groups, and to supply the data signal of second polarity to the pixel cells included in the even-numbered pixel-cell groups. The first polarity is opposite to the second polarity. A shift register that is operable to drive the gate lines to supply the scan pulses of different amplitudes to neighboring pixel cells included in the different pixel-cell groups. |
| US08102346B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus including the same
An electro-optical device includes a pixel circuit with a driving transistor element, a storage capacitor, and a capacitive element. The driving transistor element is electrically connected to a corresponding data line and a corresponding driving electrode. The storage capacitor is electrically connected to the driving transistor element and the driving electrode. The storage capacitor holds an image signal supplied through the corresponding data line as potential at the driving electrode. The capacitive element is electrically connected to the driving transistor element and the driving electrode. The capacitive element compensates for a change in the potential of the driving electrode when the driving transistor element is switched from a selection state to a non-selection state. The capacitive element is supplied with a correction signal that defines timing at which the potential of the capacitive element is controlled. |
| US08102345B2 |
Method of driving a color liquid crystal display and driver circuit for driving the display as well as portable electronic device with the driver circuit
The present invention provides a method and a circuit for driving a color liquid crystal display in a normal driving mode and a power saving mode, wherein in the normal driving mode, voltages corresponding to image display data are applied to data electrodes of the color liquid crystal display, and wherein in the power saving mode, voltages corresponding to highly significant bit signals of the image display data are applied as display data signals to the data electrodes. |
| US08102338B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting device including a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel displaying different colors from each other according to the present invention, the organic light emitting device includes a reflecting electrode and a translucent member forming a micro-cavity along with the reflecting electrode, wherein a optical path length is an interval between the reflecting electrode and the translucent member, and wherein the light path lengths of at least two pixels among the first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel are the same. |
| US08102337B2 |
Driving circuit for display device, and display device
A driving circuit of display device includes digital/current converting (DCC) circuits one for each data line. The DCC circuit operates to charge a capacitor with a reference current according to a supplied signal from a shift register. The DCC circuit stores a current value of the reference current and outputs it to a data line via a switching element that has been turned on by a digital image data signal (H) of a single line supplied from a line latch. The output value of each DCC circuit is reset one after another in every select scan period in which an OFF signal is sent to all the data lines. In this way, the reset of the output value and the output of the image data signal can be successively carried out within one frame period, enabling the data to be applied to the pixel circuit with the DCC circuits provided one for each data line. This simplifies the driving circuit that drives the pixel circuits provided with an electro-optic element and disposed in a matrix. |
| US08102332B2 |
Intensity scaling for multi-projector displays
Methods having corresponding apparatus and computer-readable media comprise: receiving a first digital image representing a first composite projection, wherein each first composite projection comprises a plurality of overlapping component projections, wherein each of the component projections is generated by a respective projector; and generating one or more respective first intensity scaling maps for each of the projectors, comprising, for each of the first intensity scaling maps, identifying a displayed non-overlap projection region for the projector associated with the first intensity scaling map based on the first digital image, and generating a first intensity scaling map for the projector, comprising determining a distance to the nearest pixel within the displayed non-overlap region of the projector for each pixel outside the non-overlap region of the projector, and assigning a first intensity scaling value to each pixel outside the displayed non-overlap region of the projector based on the respective distance. |
| US08102327B2 |
Balanced microstrip folded dipole antennas and matching networks
Balanced microstrip folded dipole antennas and matching networks are disclosed. In some examples, an antenna system includes a printed circuit board having first and second dielectric layers, and respective portions of the first and second dielectric layers bound a ground plane. The system further includes a balanced folded dipole, wherein a first portion of the folded dipole is located on the first dielectric layer, and a second portion is located on the second dielectric layer. First and second transmission lines are coupled to respective folded dipole portions. A matching network includes first and second portions that are coupled to respective transmission lines and have equal impedances. Each matching network portion includes a tapered first microstrip, having a narrow end coupled to a respective transmission line, a second microstrip coupled to the first microstrip, and a third microstrip coupled orthogonally to the second microstrip via a mitered bend. |
| US08102325B2 |
GNSS antenna with selectable gain pattern, method of receiving GNSS signals and antenna manufacturing method
An antenna is provided for GNSS and other applications and includes an adjustable-height vertical support PCB mounted on a ground plane and mounting a crossed-dipole radiating arm element assembly. The gain pattern of the antenna can be varied by constructing the vertical support PCB with different heights or adjusting the height and gain pattern in the field. Vehicles with significant pitch and roll can be provided with low-horizon tracking capability by providing a high-profile antenna configuration. Alternatively, low-profile configurations provide steeper gain pattern rolloff at the horizon for maximal multipath rejection and high accuracy. The droop angles of the radiating arm elements are also adjustable for varying the gain pattern and beamwidth. A matching and phasing network is connected to the radiating arm elements and provides a relatively constant input impedance for the various antenna configurations. Alternative aspects of the invention have different configurations of the radiating arm elements and ground planes. |
| US08102320B2 |
Antenna structure for portable electronic device
An antenna structure for portable electronic device includes an antenna and an electrical connection element. The portable electronic device includes a main body, a slotted section, a shaft, and a slot cover. The slot cover is coupled to the main body via the shaft, and the slot cover is located on the slotted section. The antenna is disposed on the slot cover, and the electrical connection element is coupled to the shaft and a printed circuit board mounted in the main body, so that the antenna is electrically coupled via the electrical connection element to the printed circuit board. Since the antenna disposed on the slot cover is not parallel with the printed circuit board, a clearance distance required between the antenna and the printed circuit board can be reduced to enable reduction of a volume of the portable electronic device. |
| US08102319B2 |
Hybrid antennas for electronic devices
A portable electronic device is provided that has a hybrid antenna. The hybrid antenna may include a slot antenna structure and a planar inverted-F antenna structure. The planar inverted-F antenna structure may be formed from traces on a flex circuit substrate. A backside trace may form a series capacitance for the planar inverted-F antenna structure. The antenna slot may have a perimeter that is defined by the location of conductive structures such as flex circuits, metal housing structures, a conductive bezel, printed circuit board ground conductors, and electrical components. Springs may be used in electrically connecting these conductive elements. A spring-loaded pin may be used as part of an antenna feed conductor. The pin may connect a transmission line path on a printed circuit board to the planar inverted-F antenna structure while allowing the planar inverted-F antenna structure to be removed from the device for rework or repair. |
| US08102317B2 |
Location identification using broadcast wireless signal signatures
An apparatus comprises a receiver to receive a plurality of wireless television signals each representing a television channel, and a measurement circuit to identify the television channels based on the wireless television signals. One or more of a plurality of possible locations of the apparatus are selected based on identities of the television channels identified by the measurement circuit and a plurality of associations each associating one of the possible locations with identities of the television channels expected at one of the possible locations. |
| US08102316B1 |
System and method for tracking lost subjects
A method for monitoring and tracking the position of a subject comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, the steps of embedding a transponder into an article to be worn by the subject and installing software in a GPS-enabled receiver, such as a cell phone or the like, for synchronizing and communicating with the transponder. The receiver is to be maintained by a user, such as a guardian or the like, and stores a unique transponder code, allowing the receiver to synchronize with the transponder. The receiver may remotely activate the transponder manually or automatically, at which point the receiver triangulates the geographic position of the transponder and determines distance and direction of the transponder from the receiver in order to guide the user in the direction of the transponder. In further embodiments, the receiver communicates the subject's information and tracking code to other subscribing receivers to increase the number of searchers. |
| US08102312B2 |
Method and system for processing positioning signals based on predetermined message data segment
A method and system for determining a geolocation of an object includes collecting a positioning signal including a predetermined message data segment. A time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined in the positioning signal. Information based on the time of arrival may be provided for determination of a geolocation of an object. The time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined based on a time search for the predetermined message data segment in the positioning signal. |
| US08102311B2 |
Locating satellites
A system and method of locating the position of a satellite or a user using a satellite positioning system. The system and method includes receiving, at a terminal, satellite positioning data for at least one specified time period over a communications channel. In addition, the system includes storing, at the terminal, the satellite positioning data for the at least one specified time period. Responsive to an event at a later time, the system generally calculates, at the terminal, the satellite position at the later time based only on the satellite positioning data for the at least one specified time period. |
| US08102306B2 |
Active-radar-assisted passive composite imagery for aiding navigation or detecting threats
Typical inventive practice provides for electronic communication of a computer with a display, an active radar device (for transmitting target-location data and environmental data), a light measurement device (for transmitting visual light data), and passive imaging devices covering bands in the visual, infrared (MWIR and/or LWIR), and millimeter wave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Inventive software in the computer's memory establishes “operational modes.” Each operational mode is defined at least by a predominant environmental (obscuration and lighting) character, ascribes “modal indices” to individual imaging devices, and carries its own multispectral image fusion algorithm (which, pursuant to the ascribed modal indices, attributes weights to the imaging data from the respective imaging devices). The inventive software aims the imaging devices toward the target, selects an operational mode (based on the environmental data), and executes the image fusion algorithm associated with the selected operational mode so that a fused multispectral image is displayed. |
| US08102301B2 |
Self-configuring ADS-B system
Techniques are described that allow information to be acquired by an ADS-B system of an aircraft without the installation of ADS-B dedicated flight crew controls or wired data interfaces in the aircraft. In one or more implementations, a receiver is associated with the ADS-B system in the aircraft. The receiver is configured to receive transmissions from a transponder of the aircraft, such as a radar transponder of a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), or the like. Information used by the ADS-B system is extracted from the received transmissions and furnished to the ADS-B transceiver for broadcast over the ADS-B datalink. |
| US08102297B2 |
Method and system for deinterleaving signals
There are provided method and system for deinterleaving signals. The method comprises: (a) recording plural signal reception events, wherein each signal reception event is associated with a received signal at a receiver, and represented by a space-time coordinate having a space component based on a location of the receiver and a time component based on an arrival time of the received signal; (b) selecting a subset of signal reception events from the recorded signal reception events, wherein the number of signal reception events in the subset is based on the dimension of the space component; and (c) determining whether the signal reception events in the selected subset satisfy a predetermined condition, and if the determination is in the affirmative, associating the signal reception events in the selected subset with an emission of an emitter. |
| US08102296B2 |
Electromagnetic conductor reflecting plate and antenna array thereof and radar thereof and communication apparatus thereof
An exemplary example of the present disclosure proposes an electromagnetic conductor reflecting plate including a perfect electronic conductor and at least two artificial magnetic conductors, wherein the each of the artificial magnetic conductor is disposed on arbitrary one side of the perfect electronic conductor, and a boundary between the perfect electronic conductor and each of the artificial magnetic conductor forms a virtual radiation unit. In addition, an exemplary example of the present disclosure further proposes an antenna array including an antenna and the electromagnetic conductor reflecting plate, wherein the antenna is disposed on the electromagnetic conductor reflecting plate. |
| US08102293B2 |
Digital direct conversion receiving apparatus and method
A digital direct conversion receiving apparatus, including: a phase conversion unit to down-convert a Radio Frequency (RF) signal into a plurality of sample signals, and generate a certain phase difference among the plurality of sample signals when the RF signal is down-converted; and a variable complex gain unit to remove an image component from the plurality of sample signals using the generated phase difference. |
| US08102287B2 |
Compression/decompression apparatus and compression/decompression method
In a compression/decompression apparatus that compresses or decompresses a plurality of sub-block data elements, a compressing unit compresses the plurality of sub-block data elements in parallel by a plurality of compressors. A combining unit combines compressed data by the plurality of compressors to generate a transfer data such that the transfer data has a transfer data amount corresponding to a plurality of transferring cycles, each transfer data amount per one transferring cycle is divided into a plurality of segmented regions in same number as number of the sub-block data elements, and allocating each compressed data of the plurality of sub-block data elements is allocated to a corresponding segmented region of the plurality of segmented regions, and outputs the transfer data to the external memory. A decompressing unit decompresses the transfer data read from the external memory in parallel by using a plurality of decompressors. An arranging unit performs address conversion. |
| US08102285B2 |
Modular debouncing device
A modular debouncing device is adapted to be connected between an input device, such as a switch or sensor element, and a controlled element and analyzes an input signal from the input device according to a stored debouncing algorithm in order to determine whether a change of state of the input signal should be responded to by controlling an output control signal to change its state. |
| US08102283B2 |
Keypad assembly and portable electronic device using the same
A keypad assembly (20) including a key module (30) and a base unit (90) is described. The key module includes an operating surface (31), and the operating surface has a keypad (32) disposed thereon. The key module is rotatably and slidingly installed on the base unit. A portable electronic device (100) using the keypad assembly is also described. |
| US08102275B2 |
Package and merchandising system
A sensory interactable packaging assembly having a base and a container. The base has a power supply. The container may contain a consumer product. The container is removably attachable to the base. The container has an outer surface and a sensory interactable element disposed on the outer surface and a control system having an output. The control system is s in electrical communication with the sensory interactable element and the sensory interactable element is responsive to the output of the control system when the container is proximate to the base and the control system is in electrical communication with the power supply. |
| US08102272B2 |
Signal inspection system for rotation control device and method thereof
A signal inspection system for a rotation control device and a method thereof are disclosed. The signal inspection system comprises a signal capturing device, a determining module, a signal transforming device, and a processing module. A first signal and a second signal outputted by the rotation control device are captured by the signal capturing device, and the state of the first signal is determined by the determining module. Based on the state of the first signal, the machine language transformed from the first signal and the second signal are assembled by the processing module by use of a preset mode, and the assembled result is deciphered by the processing module for outputting a rotational direction of the rotation control device. Therefore, the accuracy of inspection result may be effectively improved up to one hundred percent. |
| US08102271B2 |
Apparatus and method for asset tracking based on ubiquitous sensor network using motion sensing
Provided are an apparatus and method for asset tracking based on a ubiquitous sensor network (USN) using a motion sensing. The apparatus may include: a motion sensing manager to receive motion sensing information from a sensor; a filtering processor to filter the motion sensing information based on a filtering parameter and to determine whether a motion occurs based on the filtered motion sensing information; and a location information update (LU) manager to perform LU depending on whether the motion occurs. |
| US08102267B1 |
Single antenna single reader system and method for locating a tag
A single antenna single reader (SASR) system and method for locating a tag. The reader connects to a single antenna that is in motion. The reader transmits an interrogation signal to the tag. The reader receives a response signal from the tag. The reader determines the range of the tag from the reader, the received signal strength (RSS) of the response signal at the reader from the tag, and the maximum correlation of the response signal at the reader from the tag. The reader determines the location of the tag using range of the tag from the reader, received signal strength and maximum correlation of the response signal. |
| US08102263B2 |
Passive tag including volatile memory
A passive tag including a volatile memory is provided. The passive tag includes: a sensing unit which senses or measures information about environmental surroundings of the tag; a volatile memory; a non-volatile memory; and a control unit which firstly stores resultant data sensed or measured by the sensing unit in the volatile memory and then moves the data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory according to pre-set conditions. Therefore, the life of the tag is prolonged and stability of important data can be secured. |
| US08102261B2 |
Microwave ranging sensor
A method for detecting an intruder in a protected space that uses a microwave frequency sensor to determine an accurate distance measurement to the intruder. The accurate distance measurement reduces the false alarms typically associated with microwave frequency sensors due to motion outside the protected space and vibration within the protected space. The motion detector transmits three microwave frequency signals of different frequencies in order to eliminate an ambiguity problem when determining the accurate distance measurement. The accuracy of the intruder distance measurement may be determined with greater resolution by reiteratively transmitting and evaluating microwave frequency signals of different frequencies. The motion detector of the present invention may include a PIR sensor. The accurate distance measurement allows the motion detector to precisely set signal threshold levels for the microwave frequency detector and the passive infrared detector to reliably detect an intruder while discriminating against an animal or other moving object. |
| US08102253B1 |
System and method for notifying a user of people, places or things having attributes matching a user's stated preference
A location-based and preference-based system and method for matching information such as the attributes, interests and/or characteristics profiles of persons with the expressed preferences of mobile users to alert and direct such users to any persons having information matching the user's express preferences. In particular, the system comprises a mobile device such as a GPS-capable PDA that stores the user's preferences and communicates with a server that contains or accesses the profiles of the persons to compare the profiles and preferences. Comparison of the user's preferences with the various profiles allows the user only to be informed of those persons that it is likely to be interested in. The system and method thus provides for a mobile real-time point of interest exchange network. |
| US08102252B2 |
First responder wireless emergency alerting with automatic callback and location triggering
Using wireless features, a public service agency is enabled to provide alert information to first responders. An automatic call back from the first responder triggers a voice call launching a location fix on the current location of the first responder. Preferably delivery confirmation that the responder has received the message is received. Once the location fix has been completed, then driving directions with map images are sent to the first responder based on their current location and desired destination for response. |
| US08102251B2 |
Threat detection and monitoring apparatus with integrated display system
The present invention is generally related to a threat detection and monitoring apparatus with an integrated display system. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for use as a public safety and emergency messaging system adapted to detect and identify threats in the surrounding environment and display useful information regarding the threat or other public information to the public. |
| US08102250B2 |
User customizable monitoring system
Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide a user customizable monitoring system. For example, in one embodiment, the user customizable monitoring system includes a set of user-programmable portable sensors and a communication hub for enabling a user to customize features associated with the set of user-programmable portable sensors. In one embodiment, the communication hub is further configured to receive data from the set of user programmable portable sensors and perform a user specified action based on the received data. In some embodiments, a user selects any desired combination of different types of user-programmable portable sensors that come preconfigured to operate with the communication hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, a user may configure particular parameters associated with a user-programmable portable sensor using the communication hub. |
| US08102249B2 |
Starting control apparatus and starting control method
An immobilizer type outputting part outputs information indicating that no immobilizer device is provided in the vehicle to an immobilizer-installed body ECU or a body ECU through an in-vehicle communication network in the case where an immobilizer type identification part of a remote start ECU judges that no immobilizer device is provided in the vehicle. In the case where the immobilizer type identification part judges that the immobilizer device is provided in the vehicle, the immobilizer type output part outputs information indicating the type of the immobilizer device to the immobilizer-installed body ECU or the body ECU through the in-vehicle communication network. |
| US08102244B2 |
Methods and apparatuses to identify devices
An apparatus and method to identify devices including a first set of commands to identify devices in a first state and a second set of commands to identify devices in a second state, wherein devices identified in the first state are placed in the second state and devices identified in the second state are placed in the first state. |
| US08102241B2 |
Vehicle control system
When a demodulated signal of a radio signal in Ch1 transmitted from a TPMS transmitter is acquired, a control IC controls the frequency of a signal inputted from a PLL circuit to a mixer into a frequency for converting a TPMS radio signal into an intermediate frequency signal of a specific frequency. When the demodulated signal of the radio signal transmitted from a portable unit through two frequency channels is acquired, the control IC determines a channel whose state of communication is favorable from between Ch2 and Ch3, and controls the signal frequency for conversion into a frequency for converting a keyless radio signal in the determined channel into an intermediate frequency signal. |
| US08102239B2 |
Smart key for vehicles and telematics system using the same
The present invention provides a smart key for vehicles and a telematics system using the same. The smart key includes a Radio Frequency (RF) Interface (I/F) unit, a smart key unit, a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), a USIM I/F unit, and a microcontroller. |
| US08102233B2 |
Coupled inductor with improved leakage inductance control
An M-winding coupled inductor includes a first end magnetic element, a second end magnetic element, M connecting magnetic elements, and M windings. M is an integer greater than one. Each connecting magnetic element is disposed between and connects the first and second end magnetic elements. Each winding is wound at least partially around a respective one of the M connecting magnetic elements, and each winding has a respective leakage inductance. The coupled inductor further includes at least one top magnetic element adjacent to and extending at least partially over at least two of the M connecting magnetic elements to provide a magnetic flux path between the first and second end magnetic elements. The top magnetic element forms a gap. The inductor may be included in an M-phase power supply, and the power supply may at least partially power a computer processor. |
| US08102231B2 |
End cap for an inductive component and inductive component
An end cap for an inductive component is disclosed. The end cap has a receptacle configured to receive the inductive component along a longitudinal direction, a jaw extending in the longitudinal direction, and a guide device disposed on the jaw and configured to allow turning of a wire thereon. |
| US08102229B2 |
System for a linear drive
A system, whereby drive units on a movable part, e.g., a turntable or linear drive, are powered in a contactless manner via, in each instance, an inductive coupling to one or more primary conductors. |
| US08102225B2 |
Acoustic wave filter device
An acoustic wave filter device having a greatly reduced size includes a balance-unbalance conversion function and an input/output impedance ratio of about 1. The acoustic wave filter device includes a second IDT of a first acoustic wave filter portion that is connected to an unbalanced terminal. The second IDT includes first and second divided IDT portions which are divided in an overlap width direction and connected in series with each other between the unbalanced terminal and a ground potential. A fifth IDT of a second acoustic wave filter portion connected to the first acoustic wave filter portion includes first and second divided IDT portions which are divided in an acoustic wave propagating direction. The first and second divided IDT portions of the fifth IDT are connected to first and second balanced terminals, respectively. |
| US08102224B2 |
Micromechanical resonator
The invention relates to design of micromechanical resonators and, more precisely, to the design of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators. The invention provides an improved design structure for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonator in which the width of the spring elements (3), (23-24), (27-30) is greater than the width of the electrode fingers (5-9), (25-26), (31-34), said widths specifically dimensioned so that the sensitivity of the resonant frequency change with respect to dimensional manufacturing variations d(Δω0/ω0)/dδ approaches zero. The improved structure is frequency robust to manufacturing variations and enables reliable frequency referencing with good performance, particularly in small size solutions. |
| US08102223B2 |
Dielectric ceramic composition, multilayer complex electronic device, multilayer common mode filter, multilayer ceramic coil and multilayer ceramic capacitor
A dielectric ceramic composition comprises as a main component, Cu oxide, Si oxide and one selected from the group consisting of Zn oxide alone and a combination of Mg oxide and Zn oxide, as a subcomponent, a glass component including B oxide and at least one selected from the group consisting of Si oxide, Ba oxide, Ca oxide, Sr oxide, Li oxide and Zn oxide, and having a glass softening point is 750° C. or less, wherein a content of said glass component is 1.5 to 15 wt % with respect to 100 wt % of said main component. According to the present invention, a dielectric ceramic composition can be provided which is available to be sintered at low temperature (for example, 950° C. or lower) while comparatively decreasing contents of a glass component, which shows good properties (specific permittivity, loss Q value and insulation resistance), and which is available to perform cofiring different materials. |
| US08102219B2 |
Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board
An electromagnetic bandgap structure is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic bandgap structure can include a dielectric layer, a plurality of conductive plates, placed on a planar surface which is different from that of the dielectric layer, vias, of which each is connected to each of the conductive plates, respectively, and penetrates through the dielectric layer from one end part that is connected to the conductive plates, and a conductive trace, which connects the other end parts of the vias with each other such that all of the conductive plates are electrically connected. |
| US08102217B2 |
Oscillator having feedback path which is capable of supplying reduced voltage potential to oscillation circuit
An oscillator creates a reference voltage based on a pulse signal corresponding to an oscillation output of a crystal oscillation circuit and controls a supply voltage to the crystal oscillation circuit according to the reference voltage. A control signal creating circuit creates a control signal based on the pulse signal and reference voltage generating circuits that control the reference voltage based on the control signal. The control signal creating circuit creates a low-level control signal when the pulse signal is in a low level, creates a high-level control signal when the pulse signal is in a high level, and prevents transition of the control signal from the high level to the low level. |
| US08102216B1 |
Voltage controlled oscillator having reduced phase noise
A VCO comprises an LC tank circuit coupled to a plurality of cross-coupled transistor devices. A first resonance frequency of a waveform output of the VCO is dependent upon the values of a first capacitor and a first inductor of the LC tank. The VCO further comprises a first series LC resonator comprising a second capacitor and a second inductor in parallel to the first capacitor and the first inductor. The values of the second capacitor and second inductor are selected to produce a second resonance frequency that is a third harmonic of the first resonance frequency, thereby increasing a slope of the voltage controlled oscillator output. The increased slope reduces phase noise, which leads to improved signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US08102211B2 |
Rail-to-rail input stage circuit with dynamic bias control
An improved rail-to-rail (R-R) input stage circuit with dynamic bias control is described. Input stage circuit includes a differential pair circuit, a level shifted differential pair and a bias control circuit. The differential pair circuit and the level shifted differential pair are of same type, non-complementary MOS devices. In exemplary embodiments, a first and a second bias control circuits dynamically control the bias current of the level shifted differential pair and the bias current of the differential pair circuit, respectively, in response to the input common mode voltage of the rail-to-rail input stage circuit. First and second bias control circuits maintain the output impedance of the R-R input stage circuit at a desired level, as the R-R input stage circuit operates outside the input common mode voltage range supported by the level shifted differential pair and the differential pair circuit, respectively. Further exemplary embodiments include a first and a second gm control circuits. Gm control circuits maintain the transconductance of the R-R input stage circuit substantially constant over the entire input common mode voltage range of the R-R input stage circuit. |
| US08102210B2 |
Low phase noise amplifier circuit
The amplifier circuit (1) includes a differential pair of PMOS transistors at input (P3, P4), whose source receives a current from a current source (3). The gate of the first transistor (P3) of the pair defines a non-inverting input (XOUT) and the gate of the second transistor (P4) of the pair defines an inverting input (XIN). A drain of the first transistor (P3) of the differential pair is connected to a diode connected NMOS transistor (N2) of a first current mirror (N1, N2), and a drain of the second transistor (P4) of the differential pair is connected to a diode connected NMOS transistor (N3) of a second current mirror (N3, N4). A diode connected PMOS transistor (P2) of a third current mirror is connected to the drain of a second NMOS transistor (N4) of the second current mirror, while a drain of a second PMOS transistor (P1) of the third current mirror is connected to the drain of a second NMOS transistor (N1) of the first current mirror to define a first output (OUT1), which is inverted by a reverser (N5, P7) to supply an inverted output signal (OUT) capable of varying rail to rail. A first complementary NMOS transistor (N6) is connected in the form of a reverser with the first PMOS transistor (P3) of the differential pair. A second complementary NMOS transistor (N7) is connected in the form of a reverser with the second MOS transistor (P4) of the differential pair. |
| US08102207B2 |
Apparatus and method for broadband amplifier linearization
An apparatus and method to improve broadband amplifier linearization. The present circuits make use of pre-distortion techniques to improve the 3rd order distortion of an amplifier to reduce the amount of DC power required to achieve a given system requirement. In addition, the amplifiers have broadband characteristics which lend themselves to simplified pre-distortion. A pre-distortion linearizer circuit is connected across the input terminals of an amplifier. The linearizer circuit includes multiple diodes to improve the clipping performance of the linearizer. In addition, RC circuits align the phase of the linearizer distortion to be opposite that of the amplifier. |
| US08102201B2 |
Reference circuit and method for providing a reference
A reference circuit configured to provide a reference value. The circuit includes a first circuit unit which is configured to provide a first electrical representation that varies linearly with temperature and has a crossover point where its polarity relative to zero changes from a negative value to a positive value. A second circuit unit is configured to provide a second electrical representation that varies linearly with temperature. The first and second circuit units are operable for facilitating combining the first and second electrical representations such that the combination has a value corresponding to the value of the second electrical representation at a reference temperature. |
| US08102199B2 |
Ultra-low voltage level shifting circuit
A voltage level shifting circuit for an integrated circuit system having an internal low voltage power supply (VCCL) and an external high voltage power supply (VCCH) is disclosed, the voltage level shifting circuit comprises a pair of cross coupled PMOS transistors connected to the VCCH, a NMOS transistor with a source connected to a ground (VSS) and a gate connected to a first signal swinging between the VCCL and the VSS, and a first blocking device coupled between the drain of the first PMOS transistor and a drain of the first NMOS transistor, the first blocking device being configured to conduct active current when the first signal is in static state or transitions from a logic HIGH to a logic LOW, and the first blocking device being configured to shut off active current when the first signal transitions from the logic LOW to the logic HIGH. |
| US08102198B2 |
Relay circuit, information processing apparatus, and relay method
A relay circuit for relaying signal transmission between a first circuit driven by a first voltage and a second circuit driven by a second voltage different from the first voltage, the relay circuit includes: a waveform shaping circuit that obtains a shaped voltage by shaping a waveform of the second voltage in order to make a change of the second voltage steeper; and a buffer circuit that is driven by the first voltage and interrupts a signal transmission by the buffer circuit if the shaped voltage obtained by the waveform shaping circuit falls to or below a predetermined value, the shaped voltage being input to the buffer circuit as a control signal. |
| US08102193B2 |
Current sensing circuit
A current sensing circuit includes a power transistor, a sensing transistor configured to copy a current flowing through the power transistor at a predetermined ratio, a current sensing resistor configured to detect a voltage from the current copied by the sensing transistor, an input resistor configured to convert an input voltage to a current, a cross self-biasing cascade block configured to adjust currents at both ends of the input resistor, and a common gate transistor and a reference resistor configured to convert a current output of the input resistor to a final sense voltage. |
| US08102192B2 |
DC brushed motor drive with circuit to reduce di/dt and EMI, for MOSFET Vth detection, voltage source detection, and overpower protection
A gate driver for performing gate shaping on a first transistor of having gate, source, and drain terminals, the first transistor being selected from a switching stage of a power switching circuit having high- and low-side transistors series connected at a switching node for driving a load. The gate driver includes the following steps: upon receipt of an ON pulse pre-charging the gate terminal until gate to source terminal voltage equals Vth, controlling the di/dt(ON) flowing in the first transistor while free wheeling current is flowing in a second transistor of the switching stage, and controlling the dv/dt(ON) of the first transistor while a charge on the gate terminal is present; and upon receipt of an OFF pulse controlling the dv/dt(OFF) of the first transistor until free wheeling current is flowing in the second transistor, and controlling the di/dt(OFF) flowing in the first transistor while the gate to source terminal voltage equals Vth. |
| US08102189B2 |
Clock guided logic with reduced switching
Methods and apparatuses for optimizing switching delay in integrated circuits are described. Combinational logic gates are modified with precharge circuitry and instantiated in order to reduce switching transitions of circuit elements in a signal path. |
| US08102188B1 |
Method of and system for implementing a circuit in a device having programmable logic
A method of implementing a circuit in a device having programmable resources and a predetermined amount of available internal memory is disclosed. The method comprises configuring the programmable resources of the device with a circuit design; storing a first page of data in a block of random access memory; determining a page fault while interfacing with the block of random access memory when implementing the circuit design; performing a partial reconfiguration of the device, wherein a second page of data is stored in the block of random access memory; and accessing the second page of data. A system of implementing a circuit in a device having programmable logic is also disclosed. |
| US08102185B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for controllably coupling qubits
A transverse coupling system may include a first qubit, a second qubit, a first conductive path capacitively connecting the first qubit and the second qubit, a second conductive path connecting the first qubit and the second qubit, and a dc SQUID connecting the first and the second conductive paths wherein the compound junction loop is threaded by an amount of magnetic flux. |
| US08102184B2 |
Test contact system for testing integrated circuits with packages having an array of signal and power contacts
A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120). |
| US08102177B2 |
Using S-parameter measurements to manage SAR and transmit gain in MRI
Systems and methods for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil with a plurality of conductive coil elements, control circuitry that determines, based at least in part on a measurement of scattering parameters, a plurality of forward voltages that will cause power deposition into an object within a predetermined specific absorption rate, and an amplifier configured to apply the determined plurality of forward voltages respectively to the plurality of coil elements. The control circuitry may determine the plurality of forward voltages based at least in part on an unloaded measurement of scattering parameters and a loaded measurement of scattering parameters. |
| US08102175B2 |
Magnetic field sensor device
A magnetic field sensor device includes at least two magneto-resistive sensor elements and one switch which is connected to the at least two magneto-resistive sensor elements, and makes at least one magneto-resistive sensor element of the at least two magneto-resistive sensor elements electrically connectable into a magnetic field detection arrangement. |
| US08102174B2 |
Techniques for electrically characterizing tunnel junction film stacks with little or no processing
Probes are electrically connected to a surface of a tunnel junction film stack comprising a free layer, a tunnel barrier, and a pinned layer. Resistances are determined for a variety of probe spacings and for a number of magnetizations of one of the layers of the stack. The probe spacings are a distance from a length scale, which is related to the Resistance-Area (RA) product of the tunnel junction film stack. Spacings from as small as possible to about 40 times the length scale are used. Beneficially, the smallest spacing between probes used during a resistance measurement is under 100 microns. A measured in-plane MagnetoResistance (MR) curve is determined from the “high” and “low” resistances that occur at the two magnetizations of this layer. The RA product, resistances per square of the free and pinned layers, and perpendicular MR are determined through curve fitting. |
| US08102173B2 |
Thermal control system for test slot of test rack for disk drive testing system with thermoelectric device and a cooling conduit
A disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot including a housing having an outer surface, an internal cavity defined by the housing and including a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing, and an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The disk drive test slot thermal control system also includes a cooling conduit, and a thermoelectric device mounted to the cooling conduit. The thermoelectric device is configured to cool or heat an air flow entering the internal cavity through the inlet aperture. |
| US08102170B2 |
Method for counting and validating articles, in particular pharmaceutical articles, and an apparatus for actuating the method
A method for counting and validating discrete articles to be introduced into containers, and an apparatus for actuating the method, which method includes distancing the articles from one another in a thinning-out section, and making the articles cross a detection zone such as to induce a consequent reactance variation in at least a variable reactance sensor. According to a reactance variation, an output signal of the variable reactance sensor takes on a specific waveform, the output signal being sent to an input of a processing unit. The processing unit provides in output data relating to a number of the articles which have passed through the at least a detection zone, a wholeness thereof as well as a passage of objects of a different nature from the articles into the detection zone. |
| US08102168B1 |
PSRR regulator with UVLO
The invention relates to a regulator with an under-voltage lock-out (UVLO) circuit and a reference generator circuit (e.g., a band-gap reference). The UVLO circuit includes an internal band-gap reference circuit and a comparison circuit. The UVLO circuit compares an input voltage with the output of the internal band-gap reference circuit to selectively enable the regulator. The output of the internal band-gap reference circuit is also employed to power the reference generator circuit. The reference generator circuit provides a reference signal which is employed to control steady-state regulation. The regulator also includes an operational amplifier circuit for increasing the drive and/or voltage level of the internal band-gap reference circuit output. |
| US08102161B2 |
Stable output in a switching power supply by smoothing the output of the secondary coil
This switching power supply provides a stable output. In the switching power supply, at least pairs of secondary side coils are connected to each of the center tap rectifier circuits and the secondary side coils of each of the center tap rectifier circuits are disposed in the core portions (cores) of mutually different transformers. |
| US08102155B2 |
Discharge controller
A discharge controller includes a secondary battery, a switch section for opening/closing a discharge path from the secondary battery to a load, a voltage detector for detecting a terminal voltage of the secondary battery, and a cut-off voltage control section for controlling the switch section to be opened when the terminal voltage as detected by the voltage detector is not more than a predetermined cut-off voltage of discharge VE, while measuring an amount of decrease per unit time of the terminal voltage as detected by the voltage detector to set the cut-off voltage of discharge VE to a lower voltage, for a larger amount of decrease per unit time of the terminal voltage as detected by the voltage detector. |
| US08102152B2 |
Deterioration detecting method and deterioration suppressing method for rechargeable lithium batteries, deterioration detector, deterioration suppressor, battery pack, and charger
According to a deterioration detecting method for rechargeable lithium batteries, battery voltages of a rechargeable lithium battery before and after the completion of charging or discharging are measured. An evaluation value is calculated based on the measured battery voltages. This evaluation value is compared with a reference value of the rechargeable lithium battery stored in advance. A deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery is estimated based on this comparison result. In addition, further deterioration can be suppressed by controlling charging and discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level. |
| US08102150B2 |
Electronic apparatus, charger, charging system, and charging method
An electronic apparatus 100 has a main circuit 4 operable by a power supply from a battery 1, and a switch 21 for changing ON/OFF of the power supply from the battery 1 to the main circuit 4. A switch control signal is produced to switch ON/OFF of the switch 21 responsive to whether or not the electronic apparatus 100 is connected to the charger 200. If the electronic apparatus 100 is removed from the charger 200, the switch 21 becomes ON. The power is supplied from the battery 1 to the main circuit 4. The electronic apparatus 100 is connected to the charger 200, the charge of the battery 1 and the power supply from the charger 200 to the main circuit 4 is started. The switch 21 is OFF by the switch control signal. The power supply from the battery 1 to the main circuit 4 is stopped. |
| US08102145B2 |
Internal packaged alternator with microprocessor controlled multi-input regulator
A vehicle alternator comprises a housing with a voltage regulator positioned within the housing. The alternator further comprises a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing and a stator positioned within the housing. The stator includes stator windings configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor. The voltage regulator is configured to receive a battery temperature signal from outside of the alternator and control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal. In at least one embodiment, the battery temperature signal is provided from a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the vehicle battery. The voltage regulator of the alternator includes a processor configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the particular type of vehicle battery used in association with the alternator. |