| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08109402B2 |
Collapsible container for transport and storage
Collapsible container which includes a base member, collapsible side walls, which adjacent side walls are inter-connectable. The base member is provided with feet members, a circumambient edge and a mainly horizontal load surface. The load surface is provided with recesses extending downwards from the load surface, said recesses being arranged adjacent the edge. At least one side wall is provided with downwards extending protrusions, said protrusions being arranged to interact with said recesses. Said at least one side wall engages the base member through vertical motion. |
| US08109401B2 |
Frame for a wall cut-out
For a wall cut-out (100) defining a void (101) within a wall (102) for receiving a utility receptacle (104) wherein the cut-out has a perimeter edge (103) surrounding the void (101), the frame (10) includes an insert-flange (12) dimensioned to be inserted into and to sit within the void (101) adjacent the perimeter edge (103). The insert-flange (12) defines a through void frame opening (14) between opposed edges of the insert-flange (12). A wall-shelf (20) is secured to the insert-flange (12), and a mud-ridge (22) is secured to the wall-shelf (20) adjacent to and surrounding an interior perimeter (24) of the frame opening (14). The mud-ridge extends away from the wall-shelf (20) to facilitate application of a bonding compound and secure mounting of a receptacle component (106) within the utility receptacle (104). |
| US08109400B2 |
Industrial package having pressurization capability
Example embodiments are directed toward industrial packages. Example embodiments may meet several packaging requirements for different modes of transport, including both roadway and flight regulations such as Department of Transportation (DOT) Class 7 requirements for ground transport of radioactive materials and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations for air transport of radioactive materials. Example embodiments may include integrated bumpers, specialized bottom tube skids, lid lattice support, multiple gasket pressurization seal, corner reinforcement, and/or multiple shielding and modular interior components. |
| US08109399B1 |
Drink bottle funnel
A drink bottle funnel for attaching securely to a drink bottle to facilitate pouring flavoring into the drink bottle includes a main portion formed by a circumferential wall having a top opening and a bottom opening. A tubular connection portion extends from the main portion around the bottom opening. An interior surface of the connection portion has interior surface threads. Thus, the connection portion is designed for threadably engaging the threaded neck of a drink bottle. |
| US08109398B2 |
Multi-panel plastic container with asymmetric vacuum panels
A plastic container that particularly adapted for hot-fill applications includes a bottom portion; and a sidewall portion that is unitary with the bottom portion. The sidewall portion has a maximum outer diameter, and includes first and second pairs of opposing first and second vacuum panels, respectively. At least one of the second vacuum panels includes gripping structure. The first and second vacuum panels respectively have first and second substantially constant radii of curvature as measured in a horizontal plane that are substantially constant from upper to lower ends of the vacuum panels. At least one of the second vacuum panels may be asymmetric about a central vertical axis as viewed in side elevation. |
| US08109397B2 |
Plastic container with curved base section
A container made from plastic for holding beverages. The container comprises a mouth, a wall section which adjoins the mouth in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container, and a base section which is designed as a standing face. The wall section merges into the base section. The container is formed in one piece. The base section has an injection point located in the interior in a radial direction (R) with respect to the longitudinal direction (L), and a central region which surrounds this injection point, and also a transition section which extends from the central region to the wall section. The transition section has a curvature with a finite radius of curvature in at least one and preferably in every radial direction (R) of the container in every geometric sub-section. |
| US08109396B1 |
Slide rails and friction surfaces for closure
A bi-injected closure is provided which includes a gripping area molded on the exterior of the closure through a bi-injection technique. As a result of the closure having a high frictional material positioned on the exterior of the closure, the slide area acts to allow the closure to move freely and unrestricted in material handling machinery without the gripping material restricting movement of the closure. |
| US08109395B2 |
Gantry positioning system
A gantry system is provided that comprises a gantry beam having a first section and a second section and first and second motors cooperating to drive the respective first and second sections in parallel directions to position the gantry beam along a linear axis. A flexure is connected between the first and second sections about which the second section is deflectable relative to the first section, which is advantageous to reduce any stresses that may be caused in the gantry system when driving the gantry beam. |
| US08109392B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing impurities in crushed recycled material
A concrete processing apparatus (10) including at least one chute (14) along which crushed concrete and impurities is to pass. The chute (14) is downwardly inclined and has an air outlet to which air is delivered from a blower (29). An air stream issuing from the air outlet is directed across the interior of the chute (14) to deliver impurities to an impurities outlet (23). |
| US08109382B2 |
Article metering apparatus
A machine for forming a stream of articles into spaced groups of articles, which machine has a working reach and a metering element for being brought into contact with an article passing in a stream, into the working reach, which metering element is driven by a drive means, wherein a speed at which the metering element is driven, is retarded as the metering element enters the working reach without retarding the drive means. |
| US08109381B2 |
Apparatus for sorting piece goods
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for sorting piece goods. The apparatus comprises a sorting arrangement which comprises two rollers arranged parallel to one another, wherein these rollers can rotate about their longitudinal direction and wherein the rollers are configured in such a way that the piece goods are transported along the rollers, and comprising a transport device which conveys the piece goods in the direction of the sorting arrangement. According to certain embodiments, arranged above the transport device are displacement devices which make contact with the piece goods at least temporarily and displace said piece goods relative to the transport device. |
| US08109380B2 |
Intermediate storage for bulk goods
An intermediate storage including an intake station and an output station, two vertical conveyors, and two horizontal conveyors forming a conveying circuit with the two vertical conveyors. All conveyors are in a form of chain conveyors. The two vertical conveyors each include chains including catches and are arranged in pairs, each with an individual chain drive. Level differences which occur in operation between transferring edgers of unit load suppliers and carrier plates can be identified and corrected immediately. To keep a mutual gap between successive gondolas small, the gondola of a gondola pair that is running ahead is deflected sideways in the region of the deflection. A collision with the following gondola is thus reliably avoided. |
| US08109378B2 |
Bottled water distribution method and bottle return apparatus
Method and apparatus for bottled beverage distribution. Apparatus includes bin, means for receiving bottles, sensor and receipt dispenser. Method of selling includes providing an inventory, assigning identification indicia, assigning first and second purchase prices and positioning apparatus for receiving, storing and dispensing receipt. Method of distributing includes delivering to a first location water bottles, positioning at a second location a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus, and retrieving empty bottles from the apparatus. Method of distributing includes creating an account, assigning a first amount charged for each bottle sold, assigning a second amount deducted from the first amount for each bottle received, delivering bottles and positioning a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus. Method of distributing includes delivering inventory of drinking water, transferring ownership of the inventory, invoicing for each bottle delivered and retrieving empty drinking water bottles from bottle return apparatus. |
| US08109373B2 |
Pumping device and height adjuster for vehicle seat
A pumping device and a height adjuster for a vehicle seat are disclosed. The pumping device comprises a support plate; a cam receiver accommodated in the support plate; a brake cam received in the cam receiver to be integrally rotated with the shaft, and defining receiving spaces between the brake cam and the cam receiver; locking means received in each receiving space to allow and prevent rotation of the brake cam in the cam receiver; a control plate for applying the pushing force to the locking means; a bidirectional clutch coupled to the control plate if rotating force is applied and returned to a state of being decoupled from the control plate if the rotating force is not applied; a cover plate assembled with the support plate; a lever plate provided outside the cover plate; and elastic returning means for returning the lever plate to a predetermined reference position. |
| US08109372B2 |
Damping valve
A damping valve includes a valve body, the valve body having at least one through hole and a valve seating surface. There is at least one valve disk configured to mate with the valve seating surface and at least partially seal the through hole and a first spring configured to bias the at least one valve disk towards the valve seating surface. A stop ring is configured to support the first spring on a first surface and an intermediate ring is configured to be supported by the stop ring on a second surface of the stop ring opposite the first surface. A second spring is configured to bias the intermediate ring against the stop ring. |
| US08109371B2 |
Damper
A damper is comprised of an actuator (A) connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator (A) including a motion converting mechanism (T) for transforming a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the transformation by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E) including a cylinder (C), a piston (P) inserted slidably into the cylinder (C) and defining two pressure chambers within the cylinder (C), and a rod (R) connected at one end thereof to the piston (P), wherein a linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) while the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; and biasing means (1, 2, X, Y, Z) for biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in both compressing and extending directions. |
| US08109370B2 |
Electric linear-motion actuator and electric brake assembly
An actuator has planetary rollers disposed between a rotor shaft of an electric motor and an outer ring member fixed around the rotor shaft. The planetary rollers are rotated about the axis of the rotor shaft and about their own axes, thereby converting rotary motion of the rotor shaft to linear motion of the planetary rollers A helical groove is formed in the radially outer surface of each planetary roller in which a helical rib formed on the radially inner surface of the outer ring member is received. The helical groove has a pitch equal to that of the helical rib and a lead angle different from that of the helical rib. The amount of the linear motion of the planetary rollers relative to the amount of the rotary motion of the rotor shaft is determined by the difference in lead angle between the helical groove and the helical rib. |
| US08109364B2 |
Portable self-contained fluid system
The present invention provides a new and unique portable, self-contained, fluid system. The portable, self-contained, fluid changing system may be used as a fluid changing device for changing a fluid such as oil or another suitable fluid in a container of a boat, recreational vehicle (RV), automobile or other suitable military, agricultural or industrial device. Alternatively, portable, self-contained, fluid system may also be used for providing fluid such as water or other suitable fluid for cleaning or showering. Moreover, the portable, self-contained, fluid system may also have a reversible electric pump that may be adapted or switched for pumping in either direction once the pump is affixed on the reservoir so the system may be sold and marketed for use in a fluid changing type of device or in a water providing or cleaning type of device consistent with that described above. |
| US08109363B2 |
Modular retaining wall fall protection system
The present disclosure provides a retaining wall fall protection system having a plurality of base plates. It further includes a plurality of uprights pivotally attached to the base plates and a cross-brace attached to adjacent uprights at opposite ends of the cross-brace. A plurality of guardrails are provided and attached to guardrail adjustment brackets. The guardrail brackets are removably attachable to the uprights at various positions along the length of the uprights. Finally, there is provided an attachment assembly which secures the uprights in position adjacent the retaining wall. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment strap which is mounted to the upright and sized to extend through the retaining wall. A retainer on the opposite side of the wall engages a distal end of the attachment strap to secure the scaffolding to the retaining wall under construction. |
| US08109362B2 |
Passive noise attenuation system
A passive noise attenuation device and system is provided having a reticulated open-cell porous structure configured to acts as a passive control device in order to mitigate combustion noise and instability problems in combustion systems. A porous inert media structure is placed downstream of the reaction zone of a combustion chamber to dissipate noise and/or instability generated upstream in the flame. The porous inert media also limits and/or disintegrates vortical structures in the flame to produce a homogeneous flow field to facilitate distributed reaction zones. |
| US08109358B2 |
Electronically controlled locking differential having under-dash control system
An electronically controlled locking differential includes an electromagnetic coil and a control system adapted to control operation of the differential. The control system has a module adapted to be mounted under a dashboard of a vehicle and a circuit electrically interfacing with the module. The circuit has a latching switch that is electrically connected to first and/or second sources of power and adapted to provide latching power of the differential. A latching component is electrically connected to the latching switch and adapted to provide latching power of the differential. The circuit is disabled when power to the control system is turned off and in “standby” mode when power to the control system is turned on. Upon the latching switch being activated, current flows through the circuit to activate the latching component, and the differential is actuated. |
| US08109348B2 |
Down-the-hole hammer drill
There is provided a downhole hammer including a drill bit (2) retained by short (4) and long (5) drive pins in the bore of a driver chuck (1). The chuck (1) and bit (2) shank have machined longitudinal grooves (3), every second bit shank groove being blind and connected to the adjacent open groove by a short-pin length relief. The shorter pins (4) are inserted into the visible holes formed by the alignment of the open drill bit grooves and driver chuck grooves (3). The chuck (1) is then indexed which shunts the short pins (4) sideways until the longer pins (5) are insertable. The driver chuck (1) and drill bit (2) are engaged rotationally. The bit (2) slides by the desired distance due to the shorter pins (4) being entrapped in the blind grooves. The arrangement does not require a bit shank extension to accommodate a conventional bit retainer ring. |
| US08109347B2 |
Core catcher and corer having it
The present invention relates to a core catcher and a corer having the same, and more particularly, to a core catcher provided with dual blade radial pins for preventing loss of sediments and a corer having the same. |
| US08109343B2 |
Multi-mode drill with mode collar
A drill includes a housing and a motor coupled to an output member by a transmission. The transmission can selectively couple the output member to an output spindle through a low speed output gear or a high speed output gear for rotating the output spindle at a first speed or a second speed, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, a low speed mode can be provided by actuating an electronic switch that limits the speed of the motor. A rotatably fixed hammer member and a rotatable hammer member can be mounted around the output spindle. A mode collar can be rotatably mounted on the housing and around the output member for movement to positions that correspond to various mode of operation, including a low speed mode, a high speed mode, and a hammer-drilling mode. In the hammer-drilling mode, the transmission operates in the high speed mode. |
| US08109342B2 |
Beach-cleaning system for separating litter from sand, trailer incorporating same, and method of using same
A box-shaped beach-cleaning trailer is configured to be loaded with, and collectively carry beach-cleaning equipment and a litter collection station. The beach-cleaning equipment are towed by a vehicle to collect litter on the sands. The litter collected by the beach-cleaning equipment is collected in the litter collection station. The trailer includes a pair of rail members disposed on upper edges of the respective opposite side wall portions such that the rail members face each other with an opening therebetween. A sieve unit is detachably mounted on the rail members, and is configured to move a back-and-forth direction along the rail members. The sieve unit is moved in a back-and-forth direction manually; or by using a driving mechanism including a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a connecting rod arranged between the sieve unit and the driven wheel, for separating colleted litter of various sizes from sand. |
| US08109331B2 |
Slickline conveyed debris management system
A wellbore cleanup tool is run on slickline. It has an onboard power supply and circulation pump. Inlet flow is at the lower end into an inlet pipe that keeps up fluid velocity. The inlet pipe opens to a surrounding annular volume for sand containment and the fluid continues through a screen and into the pump for eventual exhaust back into the water in the wellbore. A modular structure is envisioned to add debris carrying capacity. Various ways to energize the device are possible. Other tools run on slickline are described such as a cutter, a scraper and a shifting tool. |
| US08109327B2 |
Temperature control system having heat exchange modules with indirect expansion cooling and in-tube electric heating
A temperature control system for a container includes a refrigeration circuit having a primary fluid circulating therein and a secondary fluid circuit in communication with a first compartment of the container and a second compartment of the container. The secondary fluid circuit has a secondary fluid separate from the primary fluid circulating therein. The secondary fluid circuit includes a first heat exchange module in communication with an interior load space of the first compartment and a second heat exchange module in communication with an interior load space of the second compartment. Each of the first and second heat exchange modules includes a pump, a heater, a heat exchanger, and a three-way valve. A heat exchange interface between the refrigeration circuit and the secondary fluid circuit is operable to transfer heat from the secondary fluid to the primary fluid. |
| US08109318B2 |
Methods of deploying a cover utilizing active material and an external heat source
Methods of deploying and stowing a cover coupled to an actuator comprising active material, includes the steps of heating the material with an external heat source, so as to cause a change in physical property and deploying the cover due to the change, and preferably includes accelerating the heating of the material by focusing the energy of the source with a lens or prism, engaging the cover with an input device and retracting the cover upon input, releasing stored energy as a result of the change, or further deploying the cover by use of a ratcheting mechanism, use of a timer for delayed actuation, use of a sensor configured to determine a condition, such as an opened door or the presence of an occupant, interconnecting to a windshield wiper, immersing the actuator in a heated fluid, and conduction heating the actuator through contact with a heated panel. |
| US08109316B2 |
Slat member and fireproof, heat-insulating slat and rolling door
A fireproof, heat-insulating slat consists of a pair of slat members having the same structure and disposed in the opposite directions. An enclosed space is formed between the pair of slat members. A first upper shoulder and a first lower shoulder are formed on the top end of the slat from the left to the right, and a second lower shoulder and a second upper shoulder are formed on the bottom end of the slat from the left to the right. An upper hinge and a lower hinge part are formed on the first lower shoulder and the second lower shoulder, respectively, and the upper hinge part and the lower hinge part are bent toward the first upper shoulder and the second upper shoulder, respectively. The enclosed space is filled with a fireproof, heat-insulating material. |
| US08109306B2 |
Luggage piece with expandable access opening
A luggage piece which provides a slim profile in a closed position and a larger opening in an open position when compared to a similar article without features according to this invention. The luggage piece includes at least one gusset, positioned along a side of the luggage piece, which is folded in the closed position and releases and/or expands in the open position to provide a larger opening and thus greater access to a storage space. |
| US08109301B1 |
Illuminated refrigerator dispenser system with sensors
A refrigerator having a dispenser that includes an outlet and that is configured to dispense content through the outlet and along an output flow path. The refrigerator also includes a detection unit configured to detect user activity that is indicative of a desire to fill a container with content using the dispenser. The refrigerator further includes an optical system that is configured to, in response to detecting the user activity, direct a beam of light along at least a portion of the output flow path of the dispenser to assist a user in positioning a container to receive content dispensed along the output flow path. |
| US08109300B2 |
Fuel transferring system and method of use
A portable system for transferring liquids such as fuels from a first tank to a second tank. The first tank may be, for example, a railcar and the second tank a transport trailer. The portable system is separated into multiple compartments with an engine compartment and a pump compartment. A wall separates the engine and pump compartments and may be sealed to prevent the passage of air or vapor therethrough. The pump is utilized to transfer liquid from the first tank to the second tank. |
| US08109298B2 |
Aircraft duct system
A duct system comprises a duct region to be monitored and an aircraft leakage monitoring element (2). The aircraft leakage monitoring element comprises a sensor wire which is designed, at least in one section, in the shape of a coil with a plurality of windings. |
| US08109296B2 |
Fluid flow passage structure and manufacturing method thereof
A fluid flow passage structure and a manufacturing method therefor are provided, in which fluid flow passages can be easily produced employing a simple structure and process, while also being suitable for reducing the weight thereof. Wire members having a predetermined pattern are disposed between a first block member and a second block member. Airtight and fluidtight hermetic fluid flow passages are formed between such members, by forming the first block member, the second block member, and the wire members together as an integral structure. |
| US08109295B2 |
Manifold assembly
A manifold assembly used to control the flow of oxygen in an oxygen concentrator system The manifold assembly provides a series of internal pathways which receive a primary and secondary relief valves via external orifices. The manifold reduces the number of component connections and potential leak paths for control and monitoring of process media. |
| US08109292B2 |
Insertion piece to a single-grip mixing faucet
An insertion piece to a single-grip mixing faucet developed as a control unit. On one side, the control unit is connected to a footing having warm and cold water inlets. On the other side, the control unit is connected to a driving arm. The control unit includes a fixed inlet disc and a moving control disc arranged above the inlet disc to form together a plane sealing. The side of the inlet disc opposite the control disc is coupled to the footing, whereas the side of the control disc opposite the inlet disc is in connection with a ceramic moving element, which, in turn, is in connection with the driving arm. The inlet disc includes at least one inlet opening for warm water, at least one inlet opening for cold water, and an outlet hole forming at least two outlet openings, preferably one for tub filling and one for shower filling. The driving arm independently controls the separate outlets. |
| US08109285B2 |
Roll over vent valve
A roll-over vent valve comprising a housing formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve seating bounding an outlet aperture of the housing, a float member received within the housing and axially displaceable between a sealed position wherein a sealing member thereof sealingly bears against the valve seating of the outlet aperture to seal the fluid outlet, and an open position wherein the sealing member is disengaged from the valve seating whereby the fluid outlet is in flow communication with the fluid inlet. There is further provided a pressure-retention device extending intermediate the valve seating and the fluid outlet, to thereby shut fluid flow therebetween as long as pressure differential between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet does not exceed a minimal pressure threshold. The valve further comprises a one-way fluid inlet valve being in flow communication with said fluid outlet to allow fluid flow towards said fluid inlet a substantially high flow rate at the event of under-pressure at the fluid inlet. |
| US08109284B2 |
Bubble trap assembly for critical bioprocess applications
A bubble trap assembly for critical bioprocess applications. The assembly includes a disposable liner including a gas port disposed on a top of the liner, and two fluid ports disposed on the bottom of the liner. The fluid ports coupled in-line to the critical bioprocess application. A rigid vessel is included for housing the liner. The liner being sized to substantially conform to a shape of the inside of the vessel. The vessel includes an upper aperture for aligning with the gas port and a bottom opening opposed to the upper aperture. A bottom cap is included, removeably secured to the vessel and closing the bottom opening. The bottom cap together with the vessel substantially enclosing the liner. The bottom cap includes two lower apertures for aligning with the fluid ports. The bottom cap being formed by two cap portions capable of being separated. |
| US08109282B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A rinsing liquid (DIW) is discharged from a rinsing liquid discharge port formed in a blocking member to perform rinsing processing to a substrate surface while a nitrogen gas is supplied into a clearance space, and a liquid mixture (IPA+DIW) is discharged from a liquid mixture discharge port formed in the blocking member to replace the rinsing liquid adhering to the substrate surface with the liquid mixture while the nitrogen gas is supplied into the clearance space. Thus, an increase of the dissolved oxygen concentration of the liquid mixture can be suppressed upon replacing the rinsing liquid adhering to the substrate surface with the liquid mixture, which makes it possible to securely prevent from forming an oxide film or generating watermarks on the substrate surface. |
| US08109281B2 |
Cleaning assembly for containers
A cleaning assembly for containers, particularly for bottles, having a conveying device on which the containers are arranged by means of a receptacle means. To economically and ecologically improve the cleaning assembly, the receptacle means contains a liquid-tight tubular for an individual cleaning of the containers. |
| US08109274B2 |
Methods and electrode apparatus to achieve a closure of a layered tissue defect
Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as a patent foramen ovale generally involve positioning a distal end of a catheter device at the site of the defect, exposing a housing and energy transmission member from the distal end of the catheter, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the defect, applying suction or other approximating tool to the tissue via the housing to bring the tissue together, and applying energy to the tissue with the energy transmission member or to deliver a clip or fixation device to substantially close the defect. Apparatus generally include a catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissue at the site of the defect, and further adapted to house a fusing or fixation device such as an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, or a clip or fixation delivery element. |
| US08109273B2 |
Shoulder immobilizer and fracture stabilization device
A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient. |
| US08109271B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a patient interface to a patient's face
A breathing assistance system may include a patient interface configured to interface with a patient to communicate gas received from a gas delivery apparatus to the patient, and a securing system configured to secure the patient interface against the patient's face. The securing system may include one or more walls forming a generally tubular structure open at least at one end. At least a portion of the one or more walls may be elastic such that at least a portion of the generally tubular structure can be stretched over the patient's head. |
| US08109270B2 |
Dispensing valve for breathing gas
A dispensing valve with admission pressure compensation and a safety device for maximum pressure limitation of the admission pressure. To accomplish the object, a deformation zone (18), which can be brought into contact with a support surface (14) by the admission pressure by admitting pressure in the direction of a reduction of the active area of the compensating diaphragm (10), is provided in the area of a compensating diaphragm (10). |
| US08109269B2 |
Method of automatically controlling a respiration system and a corresponding respirator
A method of automatically controlling a respiration system for proportional assist ventilation with a control device and with a ventilator. An electrical signal is recorded by electromyography with electrodes on the chest in order to obtain a signal uemg(t) representing the breathing activity. The respiratory muscle pressure pmus(t) is determined by calculating it in the control unit from measured values for the airway pressure and the volume flow Flow(t) as well as the patient's lung mechanical parameters. The breathing activity signal uemg(t) is transformed by means of a preset transformation rule into a pressure signal pemg(uemg)(t)) such that the mean deviation of the resulting transformed pressure signal pemg(t) from the respiratory muscle pressure pmus(t) is minimized. The respiratory effort pressure ppat(t) is determined as a weighted mean according to ppat(t)=a·pmus(t)+(1−a)·pemg(t), where a is a parameter selected under the boundary condition 0≦a≦1. |
| US08109264B1 |
Hot water solar heating system and method
A hot water solar heating system includes a solar collector assembly located outside a building, a hot water tank located inside the building and supply and return pipes connecting the tank to the solar collector assembly. Portions of the supply and return pipes are located outside the building and are subject to below freezing temperatures and ice blockages. The system includes resistance heating wires which melt ice blockages in the exterior portions of the supply and return pipes. |
| US08109263B2 |
User activated grease tray drain
An outdoor cooking grill includes a removable grease drip pan. The grease drip pan has a drain hole and a drain assembly having a plug that is selectively moveable to seal the drain hole. The user may use the drain assembly to drain grease and other liquid collected in the grease drip pan. |
| US08109254B2 |
Method of controlling the spark lead of an internal combustion engine
A method of controlling the spark lead of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder fitted with a spark plug; the method including the steps of: determining a standard spark lead value; determining an engine knock index in the cylinder; calculating a correction factor as a function of the engine knock index; determining a modified spark lead value by applying the correction factor to the standard spark lead value; and controlling the spark plug using the modified spark lead value. The correction factor is calculated by statistically analyzing a number of engine knock indexes to calculate a cumulative distribution; comparing the cumulative distribution with at least one target value; and modifying the current correction factor value as a function of the comparison between the cumulative distribution and the target value. |
| US08109250B2 |
Glow plug with integrated pressure sensor
A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head as well as a fixing zone including elements (12, 13) for being fixed in a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head, and a pressure sensor (8) sealingly insulated from the corresponding cylinder. The arm (4) is fixed to an elastically deformable tubular zone (17) designed to project inside the cylinder. The pressure sensor (8) is mounted between the arm (4) and a support component (18) fixed inside the tubular body (2). |
| US08109249B2 |
Valve control for a gas exchange valve in an internal combustion engine
A valve control for a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine includes at least one spring element for preloading the valve in an end position and a fixing device for the releasable fixing of the valve. The spring element in a moveable insert, which by means of an actuation device is adjustable in actuation direction of the valve between an end position close to the valve disc and an end position far from the valve disc for adjusting a preload applied on the valve by the spring element. |
| US08109247B2 |
Wear resistant camshaft and follower material
A materials combination for a camshaft and follower of an engine valve train provides excellent wear resistance. The camshaft or camshaft lobes are made from a malleable cast iron and the cam followers are made from a carbonitrided 52100 or 4130 steel to provide excellent wear resistance equivalent to diamond-like coatings at greatly reduced cost. |
| US08109245B2 |
Variable valve apparatus
A drive cam opens or closes an intake valve via a variable mechanism, a split-type rocking cam arm, and a valve actuating mechanism. The variable mechanism varies a position of an intermediate roller corresponding to a rotating angle of a control shaft, thereby variably setting a lift amount of the intake valve. The split-type rocking cam arm includes an input arm and an output arm, and a connection selection mechanism is disposed between the arms. When the arms are connected together, the intake valve performs an ordinary open/close operation. When the arms are disconnected, an input of the drive cam is absorbed by a relative rocking motion between the arms, so that the intake valve is retained in a pause state. |
| US08109242B2 |
Multi-thermostat engine cooling system
A cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The cooling system may have a pump driven by the engine to pressurize coolant, a single heat exchanger configured to cool pressurized coolant, and an aftercooler configured to transfer heat from air entering the engine to pressurized coolant. The cooling system may also have a multi-thermostat arrangement configured to always direct at least a portion of the pressurized coolant from the pump through the aftercooler, and selectively direct pressurized coolant from the pump through the single heat exchanger. The multi-thermostat arrangement may also be configured to selectively mix pressurized coolant from the aftercooler with a remaining portion of the pressurized coolant from the pump to form a coolant mixture, and to selectively direct the coolant mixture through the engine or around the engine. |
| US08109240B2 |
Pet harnesss with restraint
The pet harness with restraint includes a rigid lateral bar or rod attached across the shoulder strap of a harness. The bar serves to prevent the animal from escaping between the vertical uprights of a fence or similar enclosure. The harness preferably comprises a pair of foreleg loops, a chest strap interconnecting the foreleg loops, and a pair of connecting straps that extend from the loops over the shoulders of the animal. Alternatively, the harness may comprise a collar portion and a body-encircling strap joined by longitudinal chest and dorsal straps. The bar may be permanently attached across the shoulder or dorsal straps of the harness, but is preferably removable to provide a versatile harness. The bar may be attached to the harness by snap fasteners, by insertion into a sleeve attached to the harness, etc. The harness may include elastic sections therein to provide greater adjustment for growing pets. |
| US08109238B2 |
Litter box interface junction cover
The present invention relates to a device for facilitating and maintaining the cleanliness of a self cleaning cat litter box. The device is a structure that contains two plastic strips attached to a tape and attaches to an interface junction located at the top of a litter box container ramp. The device facilitates and guides the waste as it is moved from the litter box into a waste receptacle insert by rake tines and prevents contamination of areas along the path of the moving waste. |
| US08109236B2 |
Fluid delivery assembly
Assemblies in accordance with the invention can lead to an exceptionally easy to use, safe, and convenient system and method of applying a fixed dosage of chemicals to which a user might wish to avoid contact, such as parasiticides. In the present invention, a fluid, such as a pesticide or parasiticide, glue, solvent, lubricant, medicament and the like is loaded into a fluid reservoir and the reservoir sealed. The reservoir can be attached to a cap-applicator structure which is in an inactive configuration. In the inactive configuration, a piercing tip remains poised over the reservoir in an inactive configuration without forming an opening in the reservoir. The cap-applicator can have a sharp intsernal piercing tip capable of piercing the reservoir when the assembly is converted into an active configuration. This will allow the user to dispense the liquid out of the reservoir through the applicator. |
| US08109234B1 |
Collapsible pet bowl
A collapsible bowl apparatus and related methods of use. |
| US08109231B1 |
Imparted charge in situ pipelining device
The invention pertains to a lining device that can be pulled through a pipe having an approximate diameter between 1 and 36 inches. The device sprays an electrically charged lining mixture 360° onto the inside pipe surface. The lining mixture is electro-statically charged to facilitate full encapsulation and adhesion to all pipe wall surfaces in a circumferentially uniform thickness. The lining device can be contained in a multipart housing having flexible rod-like components that hold the device in the center of the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The lining mixture is conveyed to the device through heated non expanding hose. The non expanding properties facilitate the delivery of the lining under pressure to the device. The device also incorporates a dwell cone having a knurled edge that atomizes the lining mixture as it is centrifugally thrown onto the pipe wall. The device may further incorporate nitrogen in mixing the lining material. |
| US08109229B2 |
Spreading head particularly for spreading one or more adhesives or mixtures of adhesives
A spreading head particularly for spreading one or more adhesives or mixtures of adhesives, of the hot-melt or cold type, comprising a body for conveying the one or more adhesives to an extrusion tool; the body has two or more ducts, which are all separate or of which two or more converge, and the tool has one or more first extrusion channels and/or one or more mixing chambers which are connected to one or more second extrusion channels, the first and/or second extrusion channels being optionally mutually superimposed and/or laterally adjacent. |
| US08109227B2 |
Automotive tire dressing applicator including cylindrical foam rollers with incremental rotation
A tire dressing applicator comprises a support shaft mounted between the ends of a bracket and a plurality of tire dressing applicator foam rollers mounted on the shaft for rotation both with the shaft and in unison with one another and, as necessary when contacting a tire sidewall, relative to the shalt itself to prevent and/or reduce unnecessary roller wear. A drizzle-type system of dressing dispenser pipes drizzles dressing onto the outside surfaces of the rollers and a felt flap spreads the dressing and prevents waste which is characteristic of spray type systems. A quick-release mechanism associated with one end of the roller shaft where it is connected to the bracket permits the shaft to be released for the purpose of replacing worn rollers. Individual rollers are constructed using hard plastic cages which are adhesively bonded in toroidal foam volumes to prevent lateral scrunching or distortion of rollers during use. |
| US08109225B2 |
Banner support system
A banner raising apparatus is described for use with a halyard (228) for raising and lowering a banner. The apparatus is mounted to a generally vertical support surface (222) and comprises an upper halyard guide (220) mounted at an upper portion of the support surface and guiding the halyard travelling in a secure halyard passageway. A halyard fastener (218) is operable to releasably fasten the halyard exiting the secure halyard passageway adjacent a lower portion of the support surface, and a secure housing (212) is mounted externally of the support surface adjacent the lower portion, the secure housing configured to contain the halyard fastener and having sufficient internal volume to securely house the halyard of a raised banner. The secure housing is configured to enable access to the halyard. An elongate conduit defining the secure halyard passageway may be mounted externally to the support surface. The secure halyard passageway may be a secure internal cavity defined in the support surface. |
| US08109221B2 |
Single drive catamaran hull
The catamaran hull includes a pair of substantially parallel separate hulls, connected by an intermediate hull portion, wherein only one of the separate hulls includes a propulsion assembly. Each hull is asymmetric, but differently configured, such that the off-center thrust created by the propulsion assembly in the one hull is substantially offset by the turning force created by the difference in the two asymmetric hull shapes. |
| US08109210B2 |
Device for producing compressed bales
The invention relates to a device for producing compressed bales from compressible pressed product pieces, each compressed bale produced having a cuboid form with edge lengths A, B and C. The device includes a press housing having at least one press chamber and a press shield that can be moved in the press chamber in the press direction and back by means of a mechanical drive. The press chamber has a cross-sectional surface of A×C/n. In the press chamber, n partial compressed bales can be produced in n first press steps, with a flat cuboid form with the edge lengths A, B and C/n. A storage space is arranged downstream from the press chamber, n partial compressed bales being transferable into the storage space. The partial compressed bales can be joined in the storage space to form the cuboid compressed bales with the edge lengths A, B and C. The press chamber is separated from the storage space by a mobile partition, and an opening-that can be freed by the partition has at least the dimension A×B in the opening position, such that a partial compressed bale formed in the press chamber can be transported into the storage space through the opening. |
| US08109209B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing the number of microbes during tandem operation
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (2) for reducing the microbial count in particulate bulk material, in particular herbs and spices and other particulate foodstuffs, by treating batches of the bulk material with hot steam. In order to make better use of the thermal energy contained in the steam, the invention proposes that the bulk material is in each case alternately treated with steam in two separate chambers (6, 8), and that, after treatment of the bulk material in a chamber (6 or 8), some of the steam which is supplied to this chamber (6 or 8) is introduced into the other chamber (8 or 6) in order to preheat the still untreated bulk material in said other chamber (8 or 6). |
| US08109203B1 |
Kitchen apparatus for food preparation
An apparatus for preparing tostones, referred to herein as a tostonera, has a base member with an upper surface including a plurality of concave recesses therein and a relatively planar bottom surface. A first press member is connected to the base member along a first periphery, and has a plurality of punches equal in number and co-located with the plurality of concave recesses. The first press member hingedly connected to the base member is capable of engaging the base member when pressure is applied to the first press member. A second press member hingedly connected to the base member along a second periphery, has at least one depression therein. The depression within the second press member may be configured to permit either a series of tostones or an entire half banana to be pressed at a single time. |
| US08109202B2 |
Cooking apparatus and method with product recognition
Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor. |
| US08109195B1 |
Gas venting system for firearms
A gas operated firearm having a gas venting system which configures the carrier key and the gas tube so that a substantial portion of the recoil gas is vented from the gas tube into the cavity defined by a hand guard to reduce fouling and high temperatures associated with conventional venting systems which route gases into the receiver. |
| US08109192B2 |
Locking mount system for weapons
The invention relates to weapon mount systems that can be locked into a particular position. In an embodiment, the invention includes a weapon mount including a base structure; a mounting structure pivotably coupled to the base structure; a weapon cradle pivotably coupled to the mounting structure, the weapon cradle configured to hold a weapon. The weapon mount also includes a first locking mechanism configured to restrict pivoting of the weapon cradle relative to the mounting structure in a vertical plane, the first locking mechanism comprising a first brake caliper; and a first brake rotor, wherein the first brake caliper selectively engages the first brake rotor. The weapon mount also includes a second locking mechanism configured to restrict pivoting of the mounting structure relative to the base structure in a horizontal plane, the second locking mechanism comprising a second brake caliper; and a second brake rotor, wherein the second brake caliper selectively engages the second brake rotor. The weapon mount also includes a first control interface configured to actuate the first locking mechanism and a second control interface configured to actuate the second locking mechanism. Other embodiments are also included herein. |
| US08109190B2 |
Railgun system
A system for accelerating an armature to launch a projectile by injecting liquid aluminum between the armature and a pair of electrically conductive rails. A system for accelerating an armature by injecting liquid metal between the armature a plurality of electrically conductive rails and collecting the liquid metal. The liquid metal or liquid aluminum can comprise solid particles. A railgun structure with mechanical guide rails. A railgun structure with a film stack of alternating copper and nickel layers. An armature with guide rail supports. A method of using the system by placing liquid metal in the armature, placing the armature between conductive rails, and applying an electric current to the rails. |
| US08109186B2 |
Gripping food products in slicing machines
An apparatus for gripping food products such as bacon, cheese or cooked meat in a slicing machine, together with methods of operation thereof. The gripper apparatus comprises hooks for gripping one end of the food product. During slicing, the slicing machine cuts slices from the other end of the food product. Two sets of hooks are present and each set of hooks is moveable between a retracted inoperative position and an extended product-gripping position, independently of the other set. The second set of hooks, when in their extended position, projects for a distance greater than the first set of hooks. Both sets of hooks occupy their extended positions during initial stages of slicing and the second set of hooks is withdrawn to their retracted position during a final stage of slicing so that more of the remaining end of the product can be sliced. The hooks of the first and second sets are curved and occupy parallel planes when in their extended positions, with the planes occupied by the first set of hooks being orthogonal to the planes occupied by the second set of hooks. |
| US08109185B2 |
Method for cutting protective tape of semiconductor wafer and protective tape cutting device
A cutter blade is cut-in by being moved towards a deep part of a notch from one open end of the notch while being moved in a forward direction with respect to an outer periphery of a wafer. Immediately before a blade edge reaches the deep part of the notch, cutting movement of the cutter blade is once stopped, reversely moved to a initial piercing position, and thereafter, the cutter blade is moved towards the deep part of the notch from the other open end of the notch while being moved in a reverse direction with respect to the outer periphery of the wafer. |
| US08109181B2 |
Ratchet screwdriver and construction method
A ratchet screwdriver with an assembly of a handle (10), a body (17), a gear (56), a pawl (21, 22, 71), and a selector (27) movable on the assembly. The selector carries a pawl actuator (38, 81) for pivoting the pawl, and there is a rotation lock (42, 92) on the selector for releasably holding the rotated selector. The selector can be axially, and also rotationally, movable on the body for controlling the lock. The assembly is along an axis (A), and there are a member (44) and axial force appliers (62, 64) effective between the body and the member, thus restricting axial movement in the assembly. There is provision for assembly along the axis from adjacent the handle. There are modifications and an assembly method. |
| US08109179B2 |
Power tong
A power tong continuously rotates tubulars for spinning and torquing threaded connections. Continuous rotation is achieved through a rotating jaw having grippers that grip the tubular and continuously rotate with it. Hydraulic and electrical power necessary for actuating the grippers is generated on board. A serpentine belt system turns the motors of the on-board hydraulic power unit and electric generators to supply the grippers with hydraulic and electrical power. The serpentine belt system is driven by a secondary drive mounted on a fixed frame. The rotating jaw is rotatably mounted to the fixed frame and driven during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation by a primary drive, mounted on the fixed frame. A fixed jaw is also mounted to the frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grippers on the rotating jaw grip the opposite second side of the tubular joint. High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw torques the joint. Low torque high-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw spins the joint. |
| US08109178B2 |
Side-load nail holding hammer
An ergonomic side-load nail holding hammer for the industry of striking tools and hammers. It comprises a magnetic hammerhead including a multinail holder and starter, with half conical shaped vertical slots (such as 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) with magnets (9) and self-releasing groove. It also permits nails to be straightened when hammered. It has curved shaped claws (6) for digging nails and preventing damage to the surface where the nail is located. The claw body (7) has a curved shape and the claws have a small claw end (5a) and a larger claw end (5b). The neck includes an indentation (3). |
| US08109176B1 |
Cutting elements with serrated cutting edge
A cutting system with enhanced wear resistance comprises a first cutting element having a first surface and a second surface, and a first cutting edge formed at an intersection of the first surface and the second surface. The first cutting element comprises a body with a first base surface and a second base surface intersecting the first base surface. The first base surface has an undulating contour character along the intersection of the first base surface and the second base surface. A layer of wear resistant material is applied to the first base surface of the body adjacent to the first cutting edge. The layer of wear resistant material has a substantially uniform thickness along the first cutting edge to transfer the undulating contour character of the first base surface to the first surface of the first cutting element to give the first cutting edge a serrated character. |
| US08109174B2 |
Differential cover providing lubricant flow control
An axle assembly with an axle housing assembly and a differential that is mounted in the axle housing assembly for rotation about a first axis. The axle housing assembly defines an interior cavity with a sump having a static liquid lubricant level. The axle housing assembly includes a housing structure and a cover that is coupled to the housing structure. First and second sets of ribs are coupled to the cover and extend into the interior cavity. The first and second sets of ribs are disposed on opposite sides of a ring gear associated with the differential and include a plurality of ribs. A first portion of at least one of the ribs extends below the static liquid lubricant level to thereby be immersed when a liquid lubricant fills the sump to a level that coincides with the static liquid lubricant level. |
| US08109169B2 |
Ball screw device
A ball screw device 10 capable of increasing a load capacity by increasing the size of ball diameter and the number of threads by preventing the cutout of a nut from being interfered with a thread groove adjacent to the cutout even in the thread groove of a small lead screw and a multiple thread screw, wherein a circulating block 18 forming, in association with the cutout 17, a ball 15 circulation passage 21 for communicating an area between both thread grooves 11 and 13 with a ball return passage 16 is fitted to the cutout 17 formed at the end of the nut 14 so that the large number of balls 15 can be endlessly circulated between both thread grooves 11 and 13, ball circulation passage 21, and ball return passage 16. The face of the cutout 17 facing the axial direction thereof is used as a ball running surface 23, a ball circulating groove 20 is formed at the portion of the circulation block 18 opposed to the ball running surface 23, and the ball circulation passage 21 is formed of the ball circulating groove 20 and the ball running surface 23. |
| US08109168B2 |
Converter gearing having eccentric bushes
The invention relates to a converter gearing, comprising a gear rim (7), which is connected to the pivoting axis (6) of a converter box, said gear rim being engaged with at least one drive pinion (8) of the converter gearing (9) and at least one locking device, which can be pivoted to engage with and be disengaged from the toothed gearing of the gear rim, (7) in the form of a locking arm (12) that is positioned on a horizontal shaft (10) and configured with toothed gearing (11). The aim of the invention is to improve said locking device. To achieve this, the shaft (10) of the locking arm (12) is mounted in at least one terminal bearing (13, 13′) and the locking arm (12) can be engaged with and disengaged from the toothed gearing of the gear rim (7) in a non-positive manner, preferably by means of active force elements (14, 14′) in its end regions. In addition, the shaft (10) of the locking arm (12) is mounted in the housing of the converter gearing (9) by means of two eccentric bushes (4, 5), which rotate freely within one another, at each of its ends. The mounting is configured in such a way, that by the independent rotation of the same, an ideal mutual engagement position of the two interacting toothed gearing regions of the locking device (12) and the gear rim (7) can be set. |
| US08109167B2 |
Gear box for a motor vehicle
A gearbox is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to at least a first input shaft and at least a first output shaft. The first input and output shafts carrying at least a first drive gearwheel and a first driven gearwheel, respectively, for establishing a forward gear ratio, and a second drive gearwheel and a second driven gearwheel, respectively, coupled by a 10 first intermediate gearwheel for establishing a reverse transmission ratio. The second driven gearwheel meshes with a third driven gearwheel on a second output shaft for establishing a further forward gear ratio. |
| US08109166B2 |
Twin clutch speed-change apparatus
A twin clutch speed-change apparatus that can reduce shift shock includes a transmission with multiple gear pairs disposed between a main shaft and a countershaft. A twin clutch is provided on the main shaft, a rotational drive force from an engine being connected/disconnected between the transmission and the engine, a dog clutch is provided between an axially slidably attached slidable gear and an axially non-slidably attached non-slidable gear to select a gear pair, for transmitting a rotational drive force, from the multiple gear pairs. Dog teeth of the dog clutch include steps different in axial height from each other between a portion abutted against a lateral wall surface of a dog hole when the rotational drive force is transmitted by the dog clutch, and a portion abutted against a lateral wall surface of the dog hole when the rotational drive force is not transmitted by the dog clutch. |
| US08109165B2 |
Compliant non-jamming end of travel stop for a ball screw actuator
A linear actuator includes a first structure having an axis. A second structure is configured to translate relative to the first structure in response to rotation of the first structure. First and second stops are respectively operatively connected to the first and second structures. The first and second stops are configured to engage with one another at a travel limiting position. A compliant member is operatively arranged between the first and second structures and is configured to absorb energy between the first and second structures in the travel limiting position. |
| US08109159B1 |
Instrumentation installation tool for a pressure vessel test rig
A pressure vessel test rig for testing a component under high pressure and temperature, the pressure vessel having a flange with an opening so that instrumentation lines can pass from inside the vessel to outside, and a sealing plate with grooves that provide a seal for the instrumentation lines when a cover plate is secured to the flange. A removable instrumentation hold-down tool is attached to the flange and includes a number of spring biased clamps that secure the instrumentation lines to the flange during changes to the component within the vessel. |
| US08109155B2 |
Methods and apparatus to measure fluid flow rates
Example methods and apparatus to measure fluid flow rates are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a circulator to selectively circulate a fluid in a flowline, a generator thermally coupled to the flowline at a first location and controllable to form a heat wave in the fluid, a sensor thermally coupled to the flowline at a second location to measure a first value representative of the heat wave, a phase detector to determine a second value representative of a wavelength of the heat wave based on the first value, a frequency adjuster to control the generator to form the heat wave in the fluid at a first frequency, the first frequency selected so that the second value is substantially equal to a distance between the first and second locations, and a flow rate determiner to determine a flow rate of the fluid based on the first frequency. |
| US08109152B2 |
Multiphase Coriolis flowmeter
A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable flowtube, and a driver connected to the flowtube that is operable to impart motion to the flowtube. A sensor is connected to the flowtube and is operable to sense the motion of the flowtube and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to determine a first flow rate of a first phase within a two-phase flow through the flowtube and determine a second flow rate of a second phase within the two-phase flow. |
| US08109150B2 |
Crack-propagation prediction method and program
The precision of crack-propagation prediction is improved by taking into consideration a variation in the error due to inspectors and inspection methods. There is provided a crack-propagation prediction method including a correlation-information preparing step of measuring the length of a crack initiated in a test object by a plurality of inspectors and/or a plurality of inspection methods and obtaining correlation information between data acquired through the measurement and the condition of an actual crack; a crack-length estimating step of estimating the actual length of the crack initiated in an inspection target on the basis of the crack length measured by an inspector during inspection of the inspection target and the correlation information; and a crack-propagation-curve estimating step of estimating a crack-propagation curve of the inspection target originating from the crack length estimated in the crack-length estimating step. |
| US08109148B2 |
Pressure compensation unit for use in a pressure sensor
A pressure compensation unit for use in a pressure sensor includes a housing which has at least one continuous channel, at least one opening being provided in a wall of the channel. The opening is connectable to a reference pressure chamber of the pressure sensor via at least one air passage in the housing. The opening is closed by at least one gas-permeable and preferably fluid-tight filter diaphragm. |
| US08109145B2 |
Micro hemispheric resonator gyro
One embodiment is a micro hemispheric resonator gyro having: a plurality of pickoff and forcer electrodes; a hemispheric resonator; a guard ring having first and second opposed sides, the guard ring containing the plurality of pickoff and forcer electrodes, and the hemispheric resonator; a top cover operatively coupled to the first side of the guard ring; and a bottom cover operatively coupled to the second side of the guard ring; wherein the plurality of pickoff and forcer electrodes, the hemispheric resonator, the guard ring, the top cover and the bottom cover form a micro hemispheric resonator gyro. |
| US08109144B2 |
Inertia sensor
A multi-axis accelerometer or a multi-axis angular rate sensor which can be made by an easy process and the size of which can be greatly reduced is provided. An inertia sensor has a substrate, a flat proofmass formed on the substrate and a stacked structure including at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, an anchor unit formed in a cutout inside of the proofmass and fixed on the substrate, and a plurality of flat piezoelectric beams each having one end connected to the proofmass, the other end connected to the anchor unit, and a stacked structure formed in a cutout inside of the proofmass and including at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, wherein the inertia sensor enables to detect an acceleration applied on the proofmass based on charges generated to the electrodes of the piezoelectric beams. |
| US08109141B2 |
Moisture sensor for detecting rain or other material on window or on other surface
A system and/or method for sensing the presence of moisture (e.g., rain) and/or other material(s) on a window such as a vehicle window (e.g., vehicle windshield or backlite). In certain example embodiments, a capacitor-based system and/or method is provided for auto-correlating sensor data to determine the existence of a material on the window, and then cross-correlating sensor data to identify the type and/or amount of that material (e.g., rain). This data may be used to actuate and/or deactivate a vehicle's wiper(s), and/or adjust wiper speed. In certain example embodiments, the sensor may include an array of at least two capacitors. In certain example embodiments, the system and/or method may perform check(s) to enhance the accuracy of the detection by comparing, for example, the sign of autocorrelation values, maximum autocorrelation values, and/or gradients of autocorrelation values. |
| US08109140B2 |
Downhole sampling apparatus and method for using same
A reservoir sampling apparatus (20) is described having at least one probe (26) adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with the flow path being sealed from direct flow of fluids from the borehole annulus with a heating projector (251) adapted to project heat into the formation surrounding the probe and a controller (253) to maintain the temperature in the formation below a threshold value. |
| US08109139B2 |
Method and system for monitoring tire pressure
The invention relates to a method for monitoring air pressure in vehicle tires using wheel electronics, which comprise a pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure present in the tire, a transmitter for transmitting pressure information, and a receiver for receiving interrogation signals, wherein a transmission activity of the wheel electronics is triggered by the reception of an interrogation signal, which is transmitted as a pulse train comprising a command section that encodes a transmission instruction for the wheel electronics. According to the invention, the pulse train comprises an adjustment section having several pulses before the command section. |
| US08109135B2 |
Cantilever assembly
A cantilever assembly (1) comprises a cantilever (10) having a cantilever tip (11). The cantilever is mounted to a rigid support (12,120,121) and is provided on its back side with an area (110) of a high reflectance material having a boundary (111) sloping towards the support (12). The extensions (c, Δc) of the area (110) and of the boundary (111) towards the support fulfil the condition c/Δc≧1 wherein c denotes the extension of the area (110) of the high reflectance material in the direction towards the support (12), and Δc denotes the extension of the sloped boundary (111) of the area (110) of the high reflectance material in the direction towards the support (12). |
| US08109134B2 |
Nondestructive methods for testing the degree of hardening or drying of inks and coatings
In a method for determining the degree of hardening or drying of one or more printed ink and/or coating film(s) on a substrate, for instance, paper, cardboard, plastic film or composite materials, a faster and more efficient measuring method can be found that furthermore supplies secure and easily interpreted results. The method is to be used in the mass production printing processes comprising intaglio printing, flexographic printing, screen printing or offset printing. The degree of hardening or drying is determined indirectly by way of the change in the mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate that result from the hardening or drying process. The detection of acoustic waves by means of a piezoelectric sensor is used as the measuring method. |
| US08109130B2 |
Apparatus and process for sensing fluoro species in semiconductor processing systems
A gas detector and process for detecting a fluorine-containing species in a gas containing same, e.g., an effluent of a semiconductor processing tool undergoing etch cleaning with HF, NF3, etc. The detector in a preferred structural arrangement employs a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based device structure and/or a free-standing metal element that functions as a sensing component and optionally as a heat source when elevated temperature sensing is required. The free-standing metal element can be fabricated directly onto a standard chip carrier/device package so that the package becomes a platform of the detector. |
| US08109128B2 |
Cavity-enhanced photo acoustic trace gas detector with improved feedback loop
A photo acoustic trace gas detector (100) is provided for detecting a concentration of a trace gas in a gas mixture. The detector (100) comprises a light source (101) for producing a light beam and a light modulator (103) for modulating the light beam into a series of light pulses at a chopping frequency for generating sound waves in the gas mixture. The amplitude of the sound waves is a measure of the concentration of the trace gas. The detector (100) further comprises an optical cavity (104a, 104b) with the gas mixture. The optical cavity (104a, 104b) amplifies the light intensity of the light pulses. A transducer (109) converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A feed back loop (110, 111, 113, 114) regulates a ratio of a length of the optical cavity (104a, 104b) and a wavelength of the light beam for amplifying the light intensity of the light pulses in the optical cavity (104a, 104b). The feedback loop (110, 111, 113, 114) comprises ratio modulating means (113, 114) for modulating the ratio at a modulation frequency, a photo detector (110) for measuring the light intensity of the light pulses and adjusting means (111), coupled to the photo detector (100) and to the ratio modulating means (113, 114) for, in dependence of the measured light intensity, adjusting an average of the ratio. The chopping frequency is higher than the modulation frequency. |
| US08109127B2 |
Measurement of entrained and dissolved gases in process flow lines
A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line. The third module responds to the first signal and the second signal, for providing a third signal containing information about a dissolved air/gas flowing in the process line based on a difference between the sensed entrained air/gas and the sensed bleed line entrained air/gas. |
| US08109125B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing ultralow-resistance current sensors
A method for manufacturing ultralow-resistance current sensors of size 0402 to 4518 of IEEE specifications includes the steps of: a raw metallic strip being pressed to roll over a first tension roller, a cutting tool over the first tension roller being fed to cut the raw metallic strip so as to form a deep groove thereof along the moving metallic strip, an insulating material being filled into and along the deep groove so as to form an lengthwise insulating portion of the metallic strip, and the metallic strip with the insulating portion being segmented into a plurality of ultralow-resistance current sensors. |
| US08109124B2 |
Split strap
An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over. |
| US08109117B2 |
Method for cambering glass sheets by suction
A method and device for bending superposed sheets of glass. The sheets are picked up by a top form furnished with a suction creating an upward airflow blowing over the rim of the sheets, the suction being sufficient to lift and hold the superposed sheets against the top form, then the sheets are pressed between the top form and a full surface solid concave bottom form furnished with openings, the pressing beginning conducted while the suction is not yet finished or is finishing, then the superposed sheets are formed, by suction of the main face of the bottom sheet through the openings of the bottom concave mold, the forming by suction beginning while the pressing is not yet finished, and then the sheets are cooled. Windshields free of optical defects may thus be produced. |
| US08109116B2 |
Dual compressor air conditioning system with oil level regulation
A refrigeration air conditioner includes a first equalizer pipe connecting a bottom portion of a first hermetic vessel, which contains a main compression mechanism and lubricating oil, to a bottom portion of a second hermetic vessel, which contains an expansion mechanism, a sub-compression mechanism, and lubricating oil. A second equalizer pipe connects a side of the second hermetic vessel at a position higher than a minimum oil level to a suction side of the main compression mechanism. The space within the second hermetic vessel is isolated from the expansion mechanism and the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel is not dependent upon the pressure within the expansion mechanism and the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism. |
| US08109113B2 |
Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products
An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup lifter disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop. |
| US08109111B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus having an intermediate-pressure refrigerant gas-liquid separator for performing refrigeration cycle
An optional unit (30) including a high pressure side compressor (31) and a gas-liquid separator (33) is provided between an outdoor unit (20) including a low pressure side compressor (21) and an indoor unit (40). During a defrosting operation, refrigerant discharged from the low pressure side compressor (21) defrosts an outdoor heat exchanger (21) while refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator (33) is sucked into the high pressure side compressor (31) and is then discharged to the suction side of the low pressure side compressor (21). The optional unit (30) includes an injection pipe (36) for returning part of the refrigerant discharged from the high pressure side compressor (31) to the suction side of the high pressure side compressor (31) in the defrosting operation. Hence, the refrigerant flowing into the high pressure side compressor (31) from the gas-liquid separator (33) is gasified by the high-temperature discharged refrigerant. |
| US08109107B2 |
Mixed-phase regulator
Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load. |
| US08109105B2 |
Refrigerating air conditioning system, method of controlling operation of refrigerating air conditioning system, and method of controlling amount of refrigerant in refrigerating air conditioning system
In a refrigerating air conditioning system using refrigerant such as CO2 used in a supercritical area, a highly efficient refrigerating air conditioning system is provided by adjusting the amount of refrigerant in a radiator which contributes to the efficiency of the system stably and quickly. During heat utilizing operation, the superheat at the exit of an evaporator is controlled to a predetermined value by controlling the opening of an expansion valve provided on the upstream side of the evaporator, and an expansion valve is controlled so that the state of refrigerant in a connection pipe on the high-pressure side becomes a supercritical state. In this state, a flow rate control valve is controlled to change the density of the refrigerant stored in a refrigerant storage container and the amount of refrigerant existing in the radiator is adjusted. A target high-pressure value and a target value of the radiator exit temperature are set and the capacity of the compressor is controlled to obtain the target values, and the amount of refrigerant existing in the radiator is adjusted by the refrigerant amount adjusting circuit. |
| US08109102B2 |
Adjustment of compressor operating limits
A refrigerant system includes a compressor that has safe operating limits that are also built into a refrigerant system control to protect the compressor. Under certain conditions, these safe operational limits may be changed to allow the compressor to operate beyond the safety limits at least for a period of time. |
| US08109098B2 |
Combustor liner for gas turbine engine
A combustor liner (230) for a gas turbine engine combustor (200) comprises an inner wall (232), an outer wall (238), a cooling air flow channel (244) formed there between, and a flow control ring (246). The flow control ring (246) is sealingly attached to the downstream ends of the inner wall (232) and the outer wall (238), and comprises a plurality of holes (250) that, during gas turbine engine operation, may regulate a flow of cooling air that passes through the cooling air flow channel (244). One or more surfaces may be coated with a thermal barrier coating (237) to provide additional protection from thermal damage. |
| US08109092B2 |
Methods and systems for engine control
Methods and systems for controlling an engine are provided. In some examples, the engine has at least a cylinder and a compression device coupled to an intake of the engine, and the method includes, during engine re-start operation of an engine idle-stop condition, commencing combustion in the cylinder from a non-combusting condition, the combustion in a two-stroke combustion cycle of the cylinder. However, in some examples, at least partially electrically powered boosting operation may also be used to extend the two-stroke operation during a start. |
| US08109090B2 |
Variable turbo supercharger and method of returning oil from hydraulic drive
Provided are a variable geometry turbocharger in which a drain pipe from a hydraulic servo drive device can be omitted and in which a member for transmitting power of the hydraulic servo drive device can be efficiently lubricated, and a method of returning oil from the hydraulic servo drive device. The variable geometry turbocharger includes a slide mechanism for changing an opening degree of a nozzle, the hydraulic servo drive device for driving the slide mechanism by hydraulic pressure, and drain flow paths for delivering oil exhausted from the hydraulic servo drive device into an oil return chamber adjacent to a turbocharger body. |
| US08109087B2 |
Overheating protection for shape memory alloy actuators
An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element. |
| US08109083B2 |
Aspirator support structure
An aspirator includes converging and diverging cones, and singular support tube structure concentrically surrounding and mounting both the converging cone and the diverging cone and maintaining predetermined axial spacing and alignment of the cones in a cost-effective manufacturing assembly. |
| US08109079B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for controlling ammonia slip from an SCR catalyst
Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing NOx emissions on an SCR catalyst. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in an engine exhaust includes a NOx reduction target module that is configured to determine a NOx reduction requirement that includes an amount of NOx in the exhaust gas stream to be reduced on a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The apparatus also includes an ammonia target module that is configured to determine an ammonia addition requirement that includes an amount of ammonia added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the NOx reduction requirement. The apparatus also includes a reductant target module that is configured to determine a reductant injection requirement that includes an amount of reductant added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the ammonia addition requirement. The apparatus further includes a reductant limiting module that is configured to determine at least one reductant limiting condition and to limit the amount of reductant added in response to the reductant limiting condition. |
| US08109078B2 |
Method of operating a syngas generator
A method of operating a syngas generator within a desired temperature range, despite a need for intermittent syngas output, involves switching between operating the syngas generator in a rich mode and a lean mode. Operation of the syngas generator in both the rich mode and the lean mode sustains the operating temperature of the syngas generator within that desired temperature range, particularly for non-catalytic reactors. The method of switching from the lean mode to the rich mode of operation can include decreasing the oxygen-to-carbon ratio of reactants supplied to the syngas generator. The flow rate of one or more of the reactant streams supplied to the syngas generator can be actively controlled in order to switch operation of the syngas generator between the rich and lean modes. |
| US08109076B2 |
Method and device for purging an injector in a fuel injector system of use in the regeneration of a particulate filter
A method and a device for purging an injector in a fuel injector system of use in regeneration of a particle filter. The aging of fuel is determined and compared with a fuel aging threshold value, and a purge request is activated if the threshold value is exceeded. On activating the purge request the satisfaction of the conditions of purge activation are verified and, if satisfied, the purge is activated. The purge is continued while the conditions are satisfied until the quantity of fuel purged reaches a quantity of fuel to be purged. |
| US08109074B2 |
Gas turbine engine system
An engine system comprises at least a first volumetric device, and a second volumetric device in which said second volumetric device is larger in volume than said first volumetric device, in which, during continuous flow of a compressible fluid from said first to said second volumetric device work is performed. |
| US08109070B1 |
Dual windrow crop inverting and combining apparatus and method
Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus for selectively inverting one or more windrows of crop material on the ground as the apparatus is moved in a forward direction, each of the windrows having a lower surface and a generally defined width, the apparatus comprising, a frame for attachment to a vehicle, a first transport mechanism for picking up the crop material of a windrow, moving the crop material in a rearward direction, turning the crop material through a generally horizontal arc and depositing the turned crop material in an inverted condition, the first transport mechanism being movable between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position, a second transport mechanism having substantially the same structure and functionality as the first transport mechanism, and a hydraulic control system selectively moving the transport mechanisms between the raised and lowered positions and for driving the transport mechanisms. |
| US08109069B2 |
Proportional counterbalance system for mower cutting units
A proportional counterbalance system comprises an electronic controller operatively connected to a proportional hydraulic control valve to substantially continuously and infinitely adjust the backpressure in a fluid return circuit from the lift and lower cylinders of a plurality of cutting units on a mower. The backpressure is infinitely adjusted within a band between a minimum and a maximum backpressure in concert with a varying input parameter to the controller to transfer desired amounts of weight of the cutting units from the ground to the traction vehicle of the mower to enhance traction as needed. A wide variety of input parameters can be used, including a selected operating condition of the mower, a selected environmental condition of the turf surface being mowed, the actual, real time location of the mower on the turf surface, altitude above sea level, and manual input from the operator. |
| US08109064B2 |
Methods and systems for contact lens sterilization
A method of sterilizing a contact lens includes at least partially sterilizing the contact lens with an application of electrolyzed brine. A system for at least partially sterilizing a contact lens in initial packaging includes a generator for producing electrolyzed brine with biocidal activity, and a dispenser for dispensing a quantity of electrolyzed brine from the generator into the initial packaging with the contact lens. |
| US08109060B1 |
Storm shutter
A light transmitting storm shutter for protectively covering building portals, windows and the like from hurricane damage. A corrugated polycarbonate panel is formed having lengthwise corrugations, each of which preferably has radiused side margins and a generally flattened central portion offset from a neutral axis of the panel. A central corrugation extending along the centerline of the panel, preferably has a depth in a range of at lest 10% greater than that of the edge corrugations, the central corrugations also preferably have a width in a range of at least 4% less than that of the edge corrugation wherein impact and wind resistance of the panel are enhanced. Impact resistant film bonded to one panel surface preferably adds impact strength and sputter coating one panel surface with a transparent metallic or ceramic material enhances solar and UV rejection. |
| US08109058B2 |
Building panel with a rigid foam core, stud channels, and without thermal bridging
A structural insulated panel includes a rigid foam core without thermal bridging. A particular embodiment includes a rigid foam core having first and second faces, a plurality of stud channels being formed on the first and second faces of the rigid foam core, each of the stud channels being formed in the rigid foam core in an L-shape in cross-section. The particular embodiment includes a plurality of studs being insertable into the plurality of stud channels such that one face of each of the plurality of studs being external to the first and second faces of the rigid foam core and substantially flush with a face of the rigid foam core, each of the plurality of studs being fabricated using no more than four bends to produce a stud with a hat channel shape in cross-section. |
| US08109055B2 |
Building panel with a rigid foam core, stud channels, and without thermal bridging
A structural insulated panel includes a rigid foam core without thermal bridging. A particular embodiment includes a rigid foam core having first and second faces, a plurality of stud channels being formed on the first and second faces of the rigid foam core, each of the stud channels being formed in the rigid foam core in an L-shape in cross-section. The particular embodiment includes a plurality of studs being insertable into the plurality of stud channels such that one face of each of the plurality of studs being external to the first and second faces of the rigid foam core and substantially flush with a face of the rigid foam core, each of the plurality of studs being fabricated using no more than four bends to produce a stud with a hat channel shape in cross-section. |
| US08109054B2 |
Construction fastener
Embodiments of the present invention include a construction fastener configured to secure a utility box in a specified position within a wall. The construction fastener includes a front portion, a center portion, and an end portion. The end portion and center portion of the fastener are inserted through the utility box, with part of the end portion extending beyond the back surface of the utility box. The front portion thus rests across a front surface of the utility box. The end portion is secured against the back surface of the utility box and the position of the utility box within the wall is maintained. |
| US08109051B2 |
Insulating corrective lens system for aftermarket windows
An aftermarket application to improve the insulating properties of an existing window using vessels filled with nanotechnology insulating materials. Application does not impede users' ability to see through while minimizing heat transfer allowed through the window. The vessels can be customized by contractors and engineers to control range and direction of vision that viewers from the inside and outside can see. |
| US08109045B2 |
Form drain for incorporation into a building foundation
An improved building foundation form system that includes an integral drain and a spacer bar with engagement lugs at each end adapted to engage a T-shaped engagement channel formed in each of the form surfaces of the inner and outer forms. |
| US08109044B2 |
Outdoor shower enclosure kit
An outdoor shower enclosure that may include a roof and a base frame having a plurality of metal structural members that are connected together to define a peripheral edge with a plurality of mounting plates. A plurality of substantially vertically extending support posts may be provided that extend between the mounting plates and the roof. In some cases, the support posts may be spaced apart approximately equidistant from each other along the peripheral edge. The shower enclosure may include a plurality of vinyl wall panels disposed between the posts. In some cases, a vinyl floor panel could be carried by the base frame. |
| US08109042B2 |
Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors
Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized. |
| US08109041B2 |
Powered device for vehicle sliding member
A powered device for a vehicle sliding member includes a base member, a shaft rotatably supported on the base member, a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism, an output drum rotatably supported on the base member through the shaft, a clutch mechanism which includes a rotor rotatably and coaxially disposed on the shaft, a generally cylindrical field core disposed on the rotor, and an armature which is disposed on the shaft so as to be rotatable about and moveable in an axial direction of the shaft, a first stop which limits axial displacement of the rotor relative to the shaft, and a second stop which limits axial displacement of the field core relative to the rotor. |
| US08109040B2 |
Linear drive arrangement for a sliding door
A linear drive arrangement for a sliding door includes a guide track, a stator arrangement which is fixed with respect to the guide track, a guide carriage to which a door leaf can be fixed for movement parallel to the guide track, and a plurality of permanent magnets fixed to the carriage so that the carriage can be suspended by magnetic forces between the stator and the magnets. A pair of supporting rollers support the carriage on the guide track when the carriage is not fully suspended by the magnetic forces, particularly at the beginning and end of movement of the carriage. |
| US08109038B2 |
Door operator
A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion. Rotation of the drive member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation in a direction toward an adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close. |
| US08109037B2 |
Active sealing system for single-hung door/window
A combined sealing system for connecting a first panel to a frame includes a first, second, and third active sealing systems. The first active sealing system engages a sill rail of the first panel with a sill of the frame. The second active sealing system engages a meeting rail of the first panel with a meeting rail of a second panel within the frame. The third active sealing system engages a stile rail of the sash with a jamb of the frame. Upon the first panel being in a closed position relative to the frame, each of the first, second, and third active sealing systems having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. |
| US08109030B2 |
Aiming device
An aiming device is provided. The aiming device includes an erector tube assembly, a moving plate and a crosshair. The moving plate, disposed on the erector tube assembly, is movable along a direction. The crosshair is disposed on the moving plate. When the moving plate moves, the crosshair moves with the moving plate along the direction. |
| US08109029B1 |
Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges. |
| US08109011B2 |
Clothes dryer bulkhead recess
A bulkhead structure for a clothes dryer has a generally cylindrical outer wall that fits within an open end of the clothes dryer drum to define a junction. The bulkhead has two side wall portions facing into the drum on opposing sides of a bulkhead access opening. Each of the side wall portions has a recess extending from the bulkhead access opening towards the cylindrical outer wall. The recess has a concave curvature terminating in an outer deflection wall inwardly spaced from the cylindrical outer wall. The recess and the outer deflection cause clothing contacting the recess and moving towards the dryer drum to be swept away from the junction. |
| US08109009B1 |
Air seal for rotary dryer/kiln
A rotating drum in an oven is sealed against hot gas and air transfer. An annular outer seal holder has an L shaped cross section. A first end of the holder is connected to the oven. A second end is a radial flange. A backing plate has first and second sections. The first section has an inward extending guide. The second section has an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the guide portion. Bolts hold the backing plate and the seal retainer segments assembled on the flange. A cylindrical space between the radially guide portion of the backing plate and the seal retainer segments receives radially outwardly extending holder plates of segmental inner sealing elements. Partially cylindrical plates welded to the holder plates engage a drum wear plate. Leaf springs are connected to the seal retainer segments. Inner edges pressing the cylindrical plates radially inward. |
| US08109008B1 |
Digital height rod
A device and method for determining the length of an object. The device includes a height rod assembly with a uniform marker row and a non-uniform marker row detected by sensors to determine the location of the height rod assembly which is translated to the height or length of the measured object. The uniform marker row includes uniform markers of equal length spaced apart by a uniform length. The non-uniform marker row is divided into equal sections, each section including a non-uniform marker with a unique length adjacent to a non-uniform spacing with a unique length. Upon startup, a controller determines the location of the height rod assembly within a set distance of movement regardless of the position of the height rod assembly. The height rod assembly is telescoping rod assembly including sensors, uniform marker row, and non-uniform marker row for each height rod section. |
| US08109004B2 |
Constant force mechanical scribers and methods for using same in semiconductor processing applications
A scribing system comprising a mounting mechanism, stylus, and force generating mechanism is provided. The mounting mechanism is configured to rotate an elongated object in such a manner that the object is subjected to a bow effect wherein a middle portion of the object bends relative to the end portions of the object. The stylus is for scribing the object at a position x along the long dimension of the object while the mounting mechanism rotates the object. The force generating mechanism is connected to the stylus so that the stylus applies the same constant force to the elongated object regardless of the position x along the long dimension of the object that the stylus is positioned, while the mounting mechanism rotates the object and thereby subjects the object to the bow effect, thereby scribing the object. |
| US08108999B2 |
Method of assembling a hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a shell (104) manufactured by a rapid prototyping process, so as to include a first part customized to adapt it to the shape of the ear canal of a user, and a second part that defines an aperture; an electronics module; and a plug (200) with means for retaining it in a fixed position in the shell. The shell has guideways (212) for guiding lateral portions of the plug to support the plug in the aperture. The shell is adapted to receive by the aperture the electronics module; and the electronics module is adapted to engage a lip (206) of the plug to secure it in the shell. The invention further provides a method of assembling a part of a hearing aid. |
| US08108996B2 |
Method of producing shafts
A method of producing shafts such as shafts used in a transmission, particularly for a motor vehicle, is provided. A shaft base body and at least one gearwheel, which is at least substantially finished separately from the shaft and subsequently is fixed to the shaft in such a way as to transmit torque available at the shaft or input torque by the gearwheel having a hollow hub body and being axially pressed onto a seat on the shaft base body so as to form a frictional connection which transmits the torque from the shaft to the gearwheel. |
| US08108995B2 |
Valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A method includes coupling a cylinder head to a cylinder block. A valve member is then moved into a valve pocket defined by the cylinder head such that a first stem portion of the valve member engages an actuator. A first portion of the biasing member is then disposed against a second stem portion of the valve member, the second stem portion being opposite the first stem portion. An end plate is then coupled to the cylinder head such that a second portion of the biasing member engages the end plate. |
| US08108991B2 |
Method and device for connecting a wiring board
Connection with an ACF is realized relative to a wiring board having an electronic component mounted on the rear surface thereof with high connection reliability and uniform thermal compression bonding. A thermal compression bonding head 12 is used to apply pressure to flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 relative to a motherboard substrate 1 having an electronic component 6 mounted thereon and heat an anisotropic conductive film, thereby connecting the motherboard substrate 1 with the ACF to the flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 that are connecting members. At this time, in a state in which a receiving plate 13 made of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, and provided at a mounting position of the electronic component 6 of the motherboard substrate 1 with a concave portion 13a corresponding in shape to the electronic component 6 supports thereon the rear surface of the motherboard substrate 1, the thermal compression bonding is performed. |
| US08108989B2 |
Manufacturing cell and elements of the cell
A manufacturing cell has a plurality of stations arranged in two rows having a main aisle therebetween. Each of the plurality of stations has a station-aisle interface that provides an interaction area to the main aisle. The manufacturing cell also comprises a plurality of storage units that are located within the cell along the main aisle and a guided forklift truck that traverses the main aisle without requiring steering control of a stock handler operating the forklift truck within the main aisle to relocate containers from the storage units to designated station-aisle interfaces and to remove containers from the designated station-aisle interfaces when work is completed at the corresponding stations. |
| US08108988B2 |
Method of manufacturing a laminated iron core
A method of manufacturing a laminated iron core using a die, includes punching out iron core pieces from a thin steel sheet material by a first working row, each piece having a spindle hole and a plurality of slot holes of a given configuration. Electrically insulating sheet pieces are punched out from an electrically insulating thin sheet material by a second working row, each piece having a spindle hole and a plurality of slot holes with a configuration similar to, but smaller than, the slot holes of the iron core pieces. Thereafter, the iron core pieces and electrically insulating sheet pieces are stacked such that edges of the slot holes of the electrically insulating sheet pieces extend outwardly beyond edges of the slot holes of the iron core pieces. |
| US08108987B2 |
Method of manufacturing a pole face for a permanent magnet MRI system with laminated structure
A method of manufacturing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided including providing at least one magnet positioned between a keeper device and a yoke, the keeper device being positioned at a pole region of the at least one magnet, positioning at least one pole device at the pole region of the at least one magnet, and removing the keeper device from the pole region to allow the at least one pole device to be positioned at the pole region of the at least one magnet. |
| US08108984B2 |
Method for manufacturing integrated circuit inductors having slotted magnetic material
Methods of manufacture of integrated circuit inductors having slotted magnetic material will be described. The methods may employ electro- or electroless plating techniques to form a layer or layers of magnetic material within the slotted magnetic material structure, and in particular those magnetic material layers adjacent to insulator layers. |
| US08108981B2 |
Method of making an electrostatic chuck with reduced plasma penetration and arcing
A method of making an electrostatic chuck comprising positioning a plate into a channel in a body to form a plenum and inserting a dielectric component into an opening in the plate, where the dielectric component defines a portion of a passage from the plenum. Thereafter, depositing a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the body and at least a portion of the plate to form a support surface. The dielectric layer is polished to a specified thickness. In one embodiment, the polishing process forms an opening through the dielectric layer to enable the dielectric component to define a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the dielectric layer is porous proximate the dielectric component such that the porous dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In a further embodiment, a hole is formed through the dielectric layer and the hole in the dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum. |
| US08108977B1 |
Machine, methods, and program product for electronic order entry
Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network. An electronic order card configured to interface with a conventional point-of-sale terminal can be used to facilitate the electronic ordering over the existing financial services electronic payment network when presented to the point-of-sale terminal with a product order code identifying a selected product. |
| US08108974B2 |
Closure for joining at least two pieces of material
Disclosed is a closure for joining at least two pieces of material, especially layers of material (14, 20). Said closure comprises two closure elements (2, 3) which are spaced apart in some sections. The first closure element (2) is provided with at least one fastening means (7) while the second closure element (3) is fitted with an especially central gap (4). |
| US08108970B2 |
Hinge mechanism and an electronic device therewith
A hinge mechanism has at least one hinge assembly, a rail assembly and a sliding bracket. The hinge assembly has a hinge and a lifting seat. The hinge is adapted to pivotally connect a cover and a base of an electronic device. The lifting seat is attached to the cover and has a recess. The rail assembly has at least one rail seat having a rail slot. The sliding bracket is adapted to be deposited an input unit, is movably mounted between the hinge assembly and the rail assembly and has at least one upper sliding shaft and at least one lower sliding shaft. The upper and lower sliding shafts are respectively mounted in the recess and the rail slot. A side of the sliding bracket would be elevated by the lifting seat to allow the sliding bracket to be inclined to the cover, whereby the input unit is convenient for use. |
| US08108968B2 |
Grommet assembly
A grommet assembly includes a retainer including a sleeve, and a boot secured to the retainer, including a first and a second series of pleats aligned with the sleeve, each pleat of the second series decreasing in size as distance from the retainer increases, each pleat of the first series having a substantially uniform size and spaced from a consecutive pleat of the first series by a distance that is less than a space between consecutive pleats of the second series. |
| US08108966B1 |
Vacuum acoustic ceiling removal system
A ceiling tool assembly has a unique ergonomically curved handle supported by a user at its rearward end with a cantilever rocker-shaped arm and forwardly slanted pistol grip. A curved concave surface conforms to the underarm part of a user's forearm above the elbow and further includes a forwardly slanted pistol grip with stub extension and an upward handle offset bend. Scraping force is provided by handle shape and handle attachments of my scraping unit for easy removal of popcorn from an overhead ceiling. A forearm resting area allows the user to provide either a right handed or left handed lifting force to the scraper unit. The offset portion, provided at the mid point of the handle, together with a handle attachment/design allows a two arm back and forward scraping force to be exerted along the length of the scraper unit. |
| US08108961B2 |
Broom assembly
A broom assembly includes a head structure and a rod structure. The head structure includes a base having a coupling face formed with a reception chamber and an opening for access into the reception chamber, and a plurality of resilient ribs provided at the periphery confining the opening and extending inwardly and radially toward a center axis of the opening. The rod structure includes a coupling member provided partially, rotatably and detachably within the reception chamber in the coupling face of the base. When the coupling member is detachably received within the reception chamber, the coupling member biases against and engages the resilient ribs so as to be prevented untimely disengaging from the base. |
| US08108959B2 |
Washing a tub or a drum in a washing machine
The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub (120) in a washing machine, and a washing machine having a washing tub washing course provided thereto for enabling washing tub (120) washing by the same, and more particularly, to a method for which makes effective washing tub washing, with a small amount of washing water consumption, a lower power consumption, and high washing effect; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. A method for washing a tub (120) or a drum (130) in a washing machine having the tub (120), the drum (130) rotatably mounted in the tub (120), and a steam supply unit for supplying steam to the tub (120), includes a steam supply step for supplying steam to the tub by using the steam supply unit. |
| US08108955B2 |
Motor-and-nozzle combinational apparatus for a massage bathtub
A motor with nozzle for a massage bathtub includes a cover, a silica gel ring, a water separator, at least one vent silica gel, at least one removable nozzle, a butterfly bolt, a propeller, a seat, and a motor. The seat is installed by an air inflow pipe, and air outlets and lamp holes are formed therein. A center axle of the motor is scaled from water and a connecting hole is formed on an end of the center axle. The butterfly bolt is screwed to the connecting hole to fix the propeller. The water separator is installed above the propeller and the vent silica gel and the removable nozzle are installed to the water separator. The cover is covered onto the seat of a motor body through the silica gel ring. |
| US08108952B2 |
Controlling apparatus for automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device
A controlling apparatus for automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device is provided, including a mat, at least a detection module, and a control module. The detection module is located inside the mat. The control module is electrically connected to the detection module and an automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device, respectively. The mat is placed in front of the toilet. When a user steps on the mat, the detection module and the control module detects the orientation and position of the footprint to determine whether the user is facing or facing away from the toilet and sends control signals to the automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device to operate accordingly. Also, the detection module can detect the user finishing using the toilet and leaving the mat, a corresponding signal is sent to the automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device to close the lid and flush. |
| US08108945B2 |
Knee pocket system
The invention entitled Knee Pocket System is a pocket design that includes; a pocket made of durable material, stitches, a locking device and a uniquely fitted comfort pad. The said invention is attached to a garment, a garment consisting of two pant legs of equal length surpassing the knees and reaching the ankles in most cases; in this case a pant garment. Identical shaped pocket designs are stitched to the exterior knee area of each pant leg. A locking device opens and closes the top edge of the pocket design allowing a uniquely fitted comfort pad to be implanted or removed at will. The said invention provides comfort and protection for the knees while walking in the park, while playing in the playground or while kneeling part time or full time at work. |
| US08108944B1 |
Headwear apparatus
A headwear apparatus comprising a base ring assembly, a support assembly and a bill. The base ring assembly has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface includes a hook and loop fastener positioned therealong, and, an adjustment configuration positioned at the back region of the base ring assembly to facilitate an altering of the circumference thereof. The support assembly has a first cross strap and a second cross strap. The two cross straps intersect above the base ring assembly. The cross straps and the base ring define a hemispherical frame, and in turn, a cavity, appropriately sized to receive the head of a wearer therewithin, with a plurality of generally wedge shaped openings therebetween. The bill extends outwardly from the front region of the base ring. |
| US08112809B2 |
Method and system for locally activating a DRM engine
A method for locally activating a DRM engine is disclosed. A preprocessing operation is performed, wherein rights objects are bound with digital content files with a first format. The digital content files with the first format are converted to the digital content files with a second format. The digital content files with the second format file are encrypted and a corresponding decryption key is generated. The encrypted digital content files and the decryption key are stored in a memory device. An application is designed and installed on the electronic device and the memory device is installed to the electronic device. The application is authorized according to the rights objects bound in the digital content files, decrypts the encrypted digital content files using the decryption key, wherein the digital content files with the second format can be recovered from the third format, and activates a DRM engine of the electronic device. The DRM engine binds an IMEI code of the electronic device with the digital content files, enabling the digital content files to only be accessed by the specific electronic device. |
| US08112808B2 |
Server apparatus and installation information making method
A license server generates USB serial IDs for USB memory secured in a multi-function machine and then makes electronic signature files using the USB serial IDs and firmware that is the target of installation at the multi-function machine. The license server further makes electronic signature files using the firmware installer and SD card serial IDs. The license server then stores data for installation use including the electronic signature files in an SD card inserted in a client device connected to the license server. |
| US08112799B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for avoiding cross-site scripting attacks
A system and method for protecting a user against a cross-site scripting attack or other network attack that relies on scripting code embedded within a uniform resource locator (URL) are described. Validation software executing on a client computer system may intercept a URL in response to a user providing the URL to a web browser or other client application. The validation software may analyze the URL to determine whether the URL includes scripting code. If the URL includes scripting code then the validation software may block the client application from accessing the URL or may otherwise inhibit access to the URL. |
| US08112797B2 |
System and method to provide built-in and mobile VPN connectivity
A system and method for facilitating the establishment of a virtual private network between a network and a remote computer, the system having: a mobile device connectable to the remote computer and storing a user profile, virtual private network information, and password information; virtual private network software being located on one of the mobile device and the remote computer; an access point communicating with the network; and communication means for communications between the access point and one of the mobile device and the remote computer, wherein the user profile, virtual private network information, and password information is passed to the virtual private network software upon connection of the mobile device to the remote computer, the virtual private network software using the user profile, virtual private network information, and password information to establish a virtual private network through the communications means and the access point to the network. |
| US08112796B2 |
Secure federation of data communications networks
Techniques for secure federation of data communications networks are provided. The techniques employ an edge proxy server to route messages depending on a federation mode. In Direct federation mode, an edge proxy server of a network is configured to exchange messages with a specified set of entities, such as other networks, servers, other devices, or users. In Automatic federation mode, an edge proxy server may accept all incoming messages from entities that have a valid certificate. In Clearinghouse federation mode, the edge proxy server forwards all outgoing messages to a specified, trusted clearinghouse server. |
| US08112794B2 |
Management of multiple connections to a security token access device
A security token access device, a user device such as a computing device or communications device, and a method for managing multiple connections between multiple user devices and the access device. The access device maintains connection information, including security information, for each user device securely paired with the access device. Each time a new user device is paired with the access device, the access device transmits a notification to the user devices already paired to the user device. A user may provide instructions to the access device to terminate a pairing with one of the user devices by overwriting at least a portion of the connection information associated with the designated user device. A user device may further request a listing of all user devices currently paired with the access device. |
| US08112792B2 |
Network node and method for providing internet services on internet marketplaces
A network node provides an Internet service executed in a server for Internet marketplace users. An outer connector receives a request initiated in a user computer, and transmits to the user computer a result from the provider server. The service is requested via an Internet marketplace website on a server connected to the user computer. The outer connector is adapted to change the format of the request and the result for the Internet marketplace. A transformation unit is connected to the outer connector, and adapted to ascertain a provider server for the service based on the request, and addressing the request to the provider server. The node comprises a unit adapted to verify user authorization to access the service, based on an Internet marketplace profile. An inner connector is connected to the transformation unit for transmitting the request to, and receiving the result from, the provider server. |
| US08112791B2 |
Secure launching of browser from privileged process
Methods and apparatus include securely launching a web browser from a privileged process of a workstation to minimize enterprise vulnerabilities. The workstation includes a web browser pointed toward a web server and a Logon API for use with a password/credential. An executable file is wrapped about the browser and imposes restrictions, such as preventing the writing to a registry or installing ActiveX controls. It also has functionality to prevent users from linking to web locations in other than an https protocol or following links beyond an original host. Upon indication of a forgotten password/credential, a DLL logs onto a user account which invokes the executable file to launch the web browser in the https protocol. Upon authentication of identity, the user changes their password/credential for later logging-on to the workstation via the Logon API, but in a capacity without the limited functionality or the imposed browser restrictions. |
| US08112790B2 |
Methods and apparatus for authenticating a remote service to another service on behalf of a user
Methods and apparatus are provided for authenticating a remote service to another service on behalf of a user. A user client authorizes a remote application client to perform one or more actions with a server on behalf of the user client. The user client provides one or more keys to a remote authentication service; receives an identifier of the remote application client, where the remote authentication client is remote from the server; and notifies the remote authentication service that the remote application client is authorized to obtain a response from the remote authentication service regarding a challenge from the server, where the response is based on at least one of the one or more keys stored by the remote authentication service on behalf of the user client. The remote application client provides a challenge that is received from a server that the remote application client is attempting to access for the user client and an identifier of the user client to a remote authentication service and receives a response to the challenge from the remote authentication service, wherein the response is based on one or more keys stored by the remote authentication service on behalf of the user client. |
| US08112788B2 |
Systems and methods of controlling network access
A new approach to network security includes manipulating an access point such that an initial communication from an external device is passed to a restricted subset of a computing network including a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is configured to enforce a security policy against the external device before granting access to a less-restricted subset of the computing network. If requirements of the security policy are satisfied, then the gatekeeper reconfigures the access point such that further communication from the external device may be received by elements of the less-restricted subset. Enforcement of the security policy optionally includes performing a security audit of the external device. |
| US08112786B2 |
Security policy generation
The invention provides security policy generation methods and devices for generating a security policy that is set up for an information processing apparatus comprises a step of generating an application model having a transmitter and a receiver of a message decided, for each of a plurality of messages that are communicated, a step of storing in advance a plurality of security patterns with a signer of electronic signature appended to the message as an undecided parameter, a step of selecting a security pattern that is a model of security policy to be set up for the transmitter or receiver of the message, corresponding to each of the plurality of messages included in the application model, and a step of substituting the identification information of the transmitter or receiver of each message included in the application model for the undecided parameter of the security pattern selected corresponding to the message. |
| US08112781B2 |
Content delivery system having an edge resource manager performing bandwidth reclamation
A method is provided for reclaiming bandwidth from an edge device. The method includes communicating a bandwidth query message to at least one session manager. The bandwidth query message specifies an amount of bandwidth that needs to be reclaimed from a single one of a plurality of edge devices in order to establish at least one additional session that delivers a digital service to a subscriber in a service group serviced by the plurality of edge devices over an access network. In response to communication of the bandwidth query message, a bandwidth query response message is received from the session manager identifying an edge device from which at least the specified amount of bandwidth can be reclaimed. A response is communicated to the session manager requesting the session manager to reclaim the specified amount of bandwidth from the edge device that has been identified. |
| US08112779B2 |
Automatic reporting of antenna installation
A method for validating antenna installation to a broadcast provider to ensure proper alignment of the antenna with the broadcast provider's satellite system. The feedback provided by the customer, the installer, and signal strength and quality information communicated from the receiver to the broadcast provider are used to confirm proper installation. Upon confirmation of proper installation, the data can be used to troubleshoot equipment, or issue payment to the installer. |
| US08112778B2 |
Video mail and content playback control with cellular handset
The playback of video content delivered over a wireless network can be controlled by the provision of various control functions that can be actuated by the user. The controlled playback can be implemented on a system level, in which the delivery of the video content is controlled in response to receiving control actuation signals from a receiver device or can be implemented at the receiver device level by storing the video content and controlling the rendering of the content based on user actuations. In either implementation, the playback control can include pausing, stopping, fast-forwarding, rewinding, reversing, fast-reversing and skipping of the video content. |
| US08112777B2 |
Method of controlling and apparatus of receiving mobile service data
A data transmission system for minimizing the number of errors during Tx/Rx times of mobile service data under mobile environments, and a data processing method for the same are disclosed. The system additionally codes mobile service data, and transmits the resultant coded mobile service data. As a result, the mobile service data has a strong resistance to noise and channel variation, and can quickly cope with the rapid channel variation. |
| US08112776B2 |
Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV. |
| US08112775B2 |
IPTV receiver and method of providing channel details information
An IPTV receiver and a method of providing channel details information are provided. A network interface transmits and receives an IP packet through a network. An IP network stack checks a destination of the received IP packet and classifies the IP packet according to a protocol. A Service Information (SI) decoder parses a channel map record included in the IP packet to read a channel map instance included in the channel map record, parses a channel details record included in the IP packet to read the channel details information included in the channel details record, wherein the channel map instance includes channel details reception information. an IPTV terminal function (ITF) operation controller controls the reception of the channel details record based on the channel details reception information. |
| US08112772B2 |
Electronic apparatus
The present invention is an electronic apparatus including: an electronic apparatus main body 1; a panel main body that has a first guided component guided by a first guide groove C1 formed in the electronic apparatus main body, and moves in an inclined state with respect to the electronic apparatus main body; and a hold plate 6 that has a second guided portion guided by a second guide groove C2 formed in the electronic apparatus main body, and slidably holds the panel main body. According to the present invention, a mechanism for tilting the panel main body and a mechanism for sliding the panel main body are provided separately from each other, so that the panel main body having an increased weight can be operated smoothly in the inclined state. |
| US08112770B2 |
Providing alternative content in a windowed environment
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture or extension to a window manager. In particular, the extension can provide for a window rotation feature that can be exposed as a rotate button. Additionally or alternatively, the rotation feature can be activated based upon a diverse set of conditions, events, and/or commands. Upon activation of the rotation feature, the window manager can rotate a window about an axis to expose a secondary surface that can be populated with alternative content that is distinct from the content of the primary surface of the window. In addition, the architecture provides techniques for identifying both double-sided graphical objects and potentially double-sided objects. |
| US08112769B2 |
System and method for implementing and/or operating network interface devices to achieve network-based communications
A computer system, and related components including network interface devices, as well as methods for implementing and/or operating network interface devices to achieve network-based communications, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the computer system includes a network interface device, and a bus driver in communication with the network interface device. The bus driver has access to a plurality of driver programs, and the bus driver is capable of causing an installation of one such driver program on the network interface device. Also, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver facilitates communications between multiple network interface devices and an operating system of the computer system, and/or between the network interface devices and user mode applications implementing graphical user interfaces. Further, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver governs operation of the network interface devices, for example, in relation to power management and/or interrupt handling. |
| US08112759B2 |
Grouping resource allocation commands in a logically-partitioned system
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment determine a group associated with a command, wherein the command comprises a resource-allocating command in a logically-partitioned electronic device and determine when to perform the command based on the group. By grouping commands and scheduling the commands based on the group to which they belong, in an embodiment commands may be performed at an appropriate time when their impact on the performance of the logical partitions will be reduced. |
| US08112757B2 |
Apparatus and method of dynamically repartitioning a computer system in response to partition workloads
A method, system and apparatus for dynamically repartitioning a partitioned computer system in response to workload demands are provided. In one embodiment, a monitoring software is used to monitor workloads on all resources in all the partitions. If a workload on a resource in a partition is determined to exceed a maximum threshold, a similar resource is allocated to the partition. The similar resource is preferentially an unassigned or unallocated resource. However, resources from other partitions may also be used. In another embodiment, a workload schedule is stored in a workload profile. If a scheduled workload in any of the resources of a partition is to exceed a maximum threshold, additional similar resources will be allocated to the partition before the scheduled workload. |
| US08112754B2 |
Controlling body-bias voltage and clock frequency in a multiprocessor system for processing tasks
In case of a task scheduling processing that assigns plural divided execution program tasks to plural processor units, a multiprocessor system using SOI/MOS transistors employs two processes; one process is to determine an order to execute those tasks so as to reduce the program execution time and the other process is to control the system power upon task scheduling so as to control the clock signal frequency and the body-bias voltage to temporarily speed up the operation of a processor unit that processes another task that might affect the processing performance of one object task if there is dependency among those tasks. |
| US08112749B2 |
Dynamic, temporary resource pools for use in virtualization
A method of implementing virtualization involves dynamic, temporary resource pools. A virtualizing subsystem is capable of partitioning a plurality of physical resources to create resource pools. The virtualizing subsystem is further capable of creating separate environments that logically isolate applications from each other, and assigning a created separate environment to a created resource pool. A separate environment is configured by defining properties of the separate environment. Configuring the separate environment includes specifying at least one resource pool attribute. When the separate environment is started, a temporary resource pool is created from available physical resources and the separate environment is assigned to the temporary resource pool. The temporary resource pool is created in accordance with the at least one resource pool attribute specified when the separate environment was configured. The temporary resource pool may be destroyed when the separate environment is shutdown. |
| US08112746B2 |
Method for upgrading application data according to a new application definition
A method is disclosed for upgrading preexisting application data according to a new application definition, the method comprises parsing the preexisting application data to provide parsed preexisting application data and converting the parsed preexisting application data according to the new application definition to thereby provide application data compliant with the new application definition. |
| US08112742B2 |
Method and system for debugging data integration applications with reusable synthetic data values
A method and system for debugging data integration applications with reusable synthetic data values. The method includes receiving a specification for a data integration application comprising transformation rules, receiving synthetic data values to use as test values for the inputs of the transformation rules, and using the synthetic data values for testing the functionality of the transformation rules. |
| US08112740B2 |
Core object-oriented type system for semi-structured data
A type system employing structural subtyping is disclosed herein. A core type system supports several structural types, such as stream, choice, intersection and sequence. Also part of the core type system is a new invariant type, which denotes values whose dynamic type is the same as its static type, and type restrictions for limiting a range of a base type. Furthermore, a streamlined structural version of delegates, called structural delegates and a validation method thereof are introduce into the type system. To further facilitate type safety, strict statically checked interface casts are introduced. |
| US08112737B2 |
Contact resistance and capacitance for semiconductor devices
A method generates a design layout for an integrated circuit. A design is provided for an integrated circuit. Library cells are selected according to the design. The library cells are mapped into a chip area map. Unmapped cells are filled with filler cells. Critical cells of the library cells are selected. The selected critical cells are altered with respect to contact resistance and/or contact capacitance. The map including the altered cells is provided as the design layout. |
| US08112736B2 |
Differential voltage defectivity monitoring method
A method uses a differential voltage response to identify fabrication process defects that would result if an IC design is fabricated (without re-designing to correct such defects). The method uses two stacks, whose respective outputs may be compared by a comparator, and comparator's output used to determine defectivity. In some embodiments, each stack includes a first-type device (e.g. a p-channel device) and at least two second-type devices (e.g. n-channel devices). The first-type device is used as a current source or as a select switch (depending on the mode of operation of the differential voltage defectivity monitoring circuit). One second-type device may be used as a select switch and for back-bias control, while another second-type device may be used as a blocking switch and/or a select switch. The method may use an addressable array of multiple test structures that have digitally multiplexed control lines, in some embodiments. |
| US08112730B2 |
Various methods and apparatuses for memory modeling using a structural primitive verification for memory compilers
A structural primitive verification tool for memory compilers is described. A first set of memory structural primitives are supplied by a designer by filling in fields of a presented user interface. The first set of structural primitives describe certain physical layout features of a proposed memory array in an integrated circuit. A first model of a memory instance derived from the first set of memory structural primitives supplied by the designer is compared to a second model of a memory instance derived from a memory layout file from a memory compiler under-test. The first model is verified against the second model to verify to an integrity of the first set of memory structural primitives supplied by the designer compared to the memory layout file derived from a second set of memory structural primitives configuring that memory instance from the memory compiler. |
| US08112729B2 |
Method and system for selective stress enablement in simulation modeling
A method and system for modeling an integrated circuit. The method includes converting a representation of the integrated circuit into design shapes of design levels of a design of the integrated circuit; adding control shapes to the design, the control shapes not defining any physical part of the integrated circuit; extracting layout-dependent stress parameters of the devices from the design levels of the design based on the control shapes and the design shapes; converting the layout-dependent stress parameters to stress parameters using a stress algorithm; generating stressed device parameters from the stress parameters using a compact model; and simulating performance of the integrated circuit using the stressed device parameters in a simulation model of the integrated circuit design. |
| US08112727B2 |
Method and system product for implementing uncertainty in integrated circuit designs with programmable logic
Disclosed is a method, system and computer program product to specify an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a hardwired specific logic technology portion and a programmable specific logic technology portion. The method includes generating a hybrid logic network by mapping each uncertain logic function to an abstract programmable logic element implementation thereof and by mapping each known logic function to a technology-independent logic element implementation thereof; simplifying the hybrid logic network using logic synthesis optimizations; mapping the simplified hybrid logic network to a specific technology by mapping the abstract programmable logic element implementation to the specific programmable logic technology and the technology-independent logic element implementation to the specific logic technology; and further includes optimizing the mapped network to meet performance constraints. Generating involves using integrated circuit specification language extensions that include an Uncertain Function that is used in place of a logic function or operator, an Uncertain Function Assertion for imposing at least one constraint on the Uncertain Function, an Uncertain Register for a register having a programmable size within a specified range and an Uncertain Constant. |
| US08112723B2 |
Previewing next state based on potential action in current state
A method, program and system for displaying the consequence of an input in a graphical user interface (GUI) are provided. The invention comprises displaying a GUI including a plurality of interaction control mechanisms (controls) having a selected or a deselected state. An input to a first control may cause a change in state to at least one other of the plurality of controls. Responsive to a first input at the first control (e.g., holding down a mouse button with the pointer on the first control), the invention displays a preview of the change in state of the plurality of controls that would occur if a second input is made at the first control (e.g., releasing the mouse button with the pointer still on the first control). If the user does not want the previewed change in state to occur, the user has simply to avoid making the second input (e.g., move the pointer off the first control before releasing the mouse button). |
| US08112721B2 |
Image reproduction device and method thereof
An image reproduction device comprises: a thumbnail image read device which reads a thumbnail image file having recorded thereon two or more types of thumbnail images produced based on a stereo image composed of a plurality of images obtained by capturing the identical subject from a plurality of viewpoints; a thumbnail image selection device which selects one thumbnail image to be used for displaying from among the plurality of thumbnail images recorded on the read thumbnail image file; and a thumbnail image reproduction device which causes the selected thumbnail image to be displayed on a display device. Thereby, the device enables to reproduce in a short length of time, an optimum one of different thumbnail images of plural types, or a thumbnail image of a type desired by a user. |
| US08112717B1 |
Automatic formatting of display screen to reflect past correlative changes to data display windows
A method for automatically formatting a display screen upon initialization or refresh to reflect a user's prior resizing of frames with respect to one another. |
| US08112714B2 |
Customizing application page loading in a discovery interface
A system provides customized user interface data to a media application, such as a media discovery interface, or to any application for that matter, thereby extending the original application. Via a network connection, elements of the user interface can be downloaded to the application in a package of markup data and resources, including images, text, and links. A user interface framework of the media application processes the markup data from the downloaded package and utilizes packaged resources, local code components, and externally-obtained (e.g., Web resources) to render a customized application page for the media application. Based on a wide variety of computing system and user parameters, the offerings and application pages presented to the user can be filtered and/or reordered to be more appropriate for the computing system and user. |
| US08112711B2 |
System and method of playback and feature control for video players
A method and a system of displaying a user interface to control playback and features that may be associated with a prerecorded media. A media player, such as a DVD player, a personal computer, a home media server, a high definition video player, an optical player, a hard drive based player, or a software DVD-ROM player receives streams of video from different media and displays its content. Simultaneously, and without interrupting the video playback, a user interface is overlaid on the video image. The user interface may include menu selections to control the playback of the video including scene selection, settings, and viewing rights. The user interface may include menu selections to control features associated with the video such as Documentaries, Games, Purchases, Activities, Commentaries, Outtakes, Karaoke, Trailers, Songs, Wishlists, and Events. |
| US08112704B2 |
Method for loading large XML documents on demand
Systems and methods for loading XML documents on demand are described. The system provides a Wrapper class for the XML Document class and the Element class. A user application then utilizes the Wrapper class in the same way that the Element class and Document class would be used to access any element in the XML Document. The Wrapper class loads external components as required. The external component retrieval is completely transparent to the user application and the user application is able to access the entire XML document as if it were completely loaded into a DOM object in memory. Accordingly, each element is accessible in a random manner. In one configuration, the XML document components or external components are stored in a database in a BLOB field as a Digital Document. The system uses external components to efficiently use resources as compared to systems using Xlink and external entities. |
| US08112699B2 |
Error detecting/correcting scheme for memories
A method for detecting and correcting errors in a memory having a read/write paradigm is presented. In these implementations, various approaches to detect errors on a per word or per group of words basis and correct errors on a per group of words or per page basis, respectively, in relation to a memory and its associated differing read/write operations, are provided. For instance, in one implementation, errors are detected on a per word basis and corrected on a per page basis for a NOR Flash Memory having differing read/write operations of reading on a per word basis and writing on a per page basis. Advantageously, benefits of the various implementations include reduced encoder/decoder complexities, reduced parity overhead requirements, and reduced performance degradation. |
| US08112697B2 |
Method and apparatus for buffering an encoded signal for a turbo decoder
A method and apparatus for buffering an encoded signal having a plurality of codewords for a turbo decoder is provided. The method comprises de-interleaving each sub-block of the codeword received at the turbo-decoder; and storing LLRs of the de-interleaved codeword LLRs into an input buffer. Thereafter, each of punctured locations, if any, in the de-interleaved codeword is indicated to a read logic for enabling the latter to fill in each of those locations with a pre-determined LLR value as and when a read request corresponding to one of those locations arrives. This method obviates the need for storing the pre-determined LLRs at the punctured locations into the input buffer and thereby cuts down the input latency of turbo decoder significantly for higher code rates. |
| US08112694B1 |
System and method for reliably communicating information without explicit acknowledgements including retransmission of older, missed commands
A system and method communicates commands from a command originator to receiving devices, yet the receiving devices do not confirm receipt of the command. The most current command (e.g. the one with the highest sequence number) is rebroadcast by the command originator and the receiving devices, tending to be more frequent upon detection of an event indicating that the most current command was not received by at least one other device, and less frequently upon detection of an event indicating that the most current command was provided with sufficient duplication that if another device could receive it, the device likely did receive it, subject to a maximum and minimum rate. |
| US08112693B2 |
Error control code apparatuses and methods of using the same
An Error Control Code (ECC) apparatus applied to a memory of a Multi-Level Cell (MLC) method may include: a bypass control signal generator generating a bypass control signal; and an ECC performing unit that may include at least two ECC decoding blocks, determining whether to bypass a portion of the at least two ECC decoding blocks based on the bypass control signal, and/or performing an ECC decoding. In addition or in the alternative, the ECC performing unit may include at least two ECC encoding blocks, determining whether to bypass a portion of the at least two ECC encoding blocks based on the bypass control signal, and/or performing an ECC encoding. An ECC method applied to a memory of a MLC method and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for implementing an EEC method applied to a memory of a MLC method are also disclose. |
| US08112692B2 |
Flash memory device error correction code controllers and related methods and memory systems
An ECC controller for a flash memory device storing M-bit data (M: a positive integer equal to or greater than 2) includes an encoder and a decoder. The encoder generates first ECC data for input data to be stored in the flash memory device using a first error correction scheme and generates second ECC data for the input data using a second error correction scheme. The input data, the first ECC data, and the second ECC data are stored in the flash memory device. The decoder calculates the number of errors in data read from the flash memory device and corrects the errors in the read data using one of the first ECC data and the second ECC data selectively based on the number of the errors. |
| US08112691B1 |
Method for efficient generation of a Fletcher checksum using a single SIMD pipeline
The generation of Fletcher/Alder partial checksums are transformed from a space that requires integer multiplications and additions to a space that requires only integer additions and shifts on a single SIMD pipeline capable processor. This transformation permits the use of Fletcher/Alder checksums on processors where the performance of SIMD instructions are sub-optimal, on CMT processors that support a single SIMD pipeline as well as other processors that can be configured by executing software to implement SIMD operations for a single SIMD pipeline. The implementation of the process with this transformation on a general-purpose computer system transforms that general-purpose computer system into a special-purpose computer system that uses a single SIMD pipeline to generate a Fletcher/Alder checksum. The elimination of integer multiplications in the generation of the partial checksums results in a significant improvement in performance. |
| US08112690B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for connection state recovery after fault
A method, system, and computer program product for connection state recovery of a connection after fault in a networked channel-to-channel computer system are provided. The method includes identifying essential data in response to detecting a state change in a channel of the computer system, the essential data including connection state information used in performing a recovery operation. The method also includes separating the essential data from transient or incidental data, augmenting the essential data with validation data, and storing the augmented essential data in a memory location of a control unit in communication with the channel. In response to initiation of a recovery operation, the method includes retrieving the augmented essential data and validating contents of persistent data fields containing the essential data. The method further includes using the contents to restore the connection to an operational state when it is determined that the contents of the persistent data fields are valid. |
| US08112688B2 |
Data-transmission control method and transmission device
A data-transmission control method is implemented when transmitting data after dividing the data into a plurality of blocks and performing error correction when performing data transmission. The method includes obtaining additional information indicating a result of error correction process of received data and a result of data transmission (ACK/NACK) from a reception station, and deciding a data length of data to be retransmitted when NACK is obtained as the result of data transmission so that a rate of occurrence of transmission errors upon retransmission is minimized, based on a number of blocks in which error correction has failed indicated by the additional information. |
| US08112687B2 |
Systems and methods for mitigating impulse noise
Various embodiments for mitigating impulse noise are disclosed that cooperatively use impulse noise statistics to utilize retransmission, forward error correction (FEC), and blanking to mitigate the effects of a wide variety of impulse noise sources. |
| US08112686B2 |
Deterministic logic built-in self-test stimuli generation
Techniques for storing and using compressed restrict values for selected scan chains and flip-flops, such that the states that need to be applied to those flip flops need not be solved by a linear equation system solver, such as a linear equation system solver provided by an automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) tool. Selected restrict values can then be injected into test patterns for those flip-flop combinations that need to be set in a certain shift cycle or those flip-flops that need to be initialized one after another (e.g., for serial settings in one scan chain). |
| US08112683B1 |
System and application debugging
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for system and application debugging are described herein. A tested platform may include a debug event monitor in a boundary scan interface that detects a debug event in a process and determines a characteristic associated with the debug event. The debug event monitor may trigger an application debug event or a boundary scan debug event based at least in part on the determined characteristic. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08112674B2 |
Device activity triggered device diagnostics
A diagnostic control methodology provides reduced disruption of device operation when performing diagnostics on devices within a computer system. A diagnostic application notifies a device driver that controls a particular device that diagnostics should be performed during a period of low activity on the device. In response to receiving the notification, the device driver waits for a time of low activity and either notifies the application to unload the device driver and load a diagnostic device driver, or enters a diagnostic mode directly if such operation is supported by the functional device driver. A timeout duration can be specified, and may be set by the notification, so that the diagnostics will be performed within the timeout period even if a time of low activity has not occurred by the expiration of the timeout. |
| US08112667B2 |
Automated system problem diagnosing
Embodiments of the invention relate to automated system problem diagnosing. An index is created with problem description information of previously diagnosed problems, a diagnosis for each problem, and a solution to each diagnosis. System states, traces and logs are extracted from a source system with a new problem. The problem diagnosis system generates problem description information of the new problem from the system states, traces and logs. Problem description information of the new problem is compared with problem description information in the problem description index. A search score is computed for each document in the problem description index. The search score is a measure of similarity between each document in the index and the description of the new problem. A matching score is assigned to each previously diagnosed problems based on the search score. The matching score is a measure of similarity between the new problem and each previously diagnosed problem. The system determines a diagnosis and solution of the new problem based on a diagnosis and solution of one of the previously diagnosed problems. |
| US08112665B1 |
Methods and systems for rapid rollback and rapid retry of a data migration
Methods and systems for rapidly rolling back and retrying a data migration between a first and a second storage system. In one embodiment, upon receiving a request at a provisioning manager to perform a rollback of a first data migration, the first storage system merges, to a baseline dataset, a first incremental dataset received by the second storage system after the first data migration. In another embodiment, upon receiving a request at a provisioning manager to perform a retry of the data migration, the second storage system merges, to the data received by the second storage system during and immediately after the first data migration, a second incremental dataset received to the first storage system after performance of the rollback. Throughout the migration rollback and retry, the data of the baseline dataset, first incremental dataset, and second incremental data set is made available to the client. |
| US08112662B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus, processing apparatus for portable electronic apparatus, and data processing method in portable electronic apparatus
A smart card comprises a storage unit in which various data are stored, a communication unit to perform data communication with an external apparatus, and a processing unit which executes processing corresponding to a command received via the communication unit. The processing unit of the smart card detects data judged to have data abnormality from the data stored in the storage unit in a case where the command received from the external apparatus is an abnormal data confirmation command, and notifies the external apparatus of response data including information indicating the data in which the data abnormality has been detected by the detection. |
| US08112660B2 |
Router synchronization
Example systems and methods associated with router synchronization are described. One example method includes reducing a likelihood that a first network device will be favored over a peer device as a router. This likelihood may be increased after the first network device has received a threshold amount of routing information from the peer device. This may allow the first network device to begin performing non-routing related tasks after it starts up without causing interruption of data streams for which the first network device does not have current routing information. |
| US08112656B1 |
Clock distribution chip
In one embodiment, a clock distribution chip includes a first clock input adapted to receive a first single-ended input clock signal, a second clock input adapted to receive a second single-ended input clock signal, and input buffer circuitry coupled to the first and second clock inputs. The input buffer circuitry is adapted to select an input clock signal among the first single-ended input clock signal, the second single-ended input clock signal, and a differential input clock signal derived from the first and second single-ended input clock signals. A phase-locked loop (PLL) is adapted to receive an input clock signal selected by the input buffer circuitry and to generate a PLL clock signal based on the selected input clock signal. A clock output provides an output clock signal based on the PLL clock signal. |
| US08112655B2 |
Mesosynchronous data bus apparatus and method of data transmission
A memory system is described, where the transmission time of data between memory modules is managed so that the overall time delay between specified points in the memory system is maintained a constant. Each lane of a multilane bus may be separately managed, and a data frame evaluated at the destination module, without a need for deskewing at intermediate modules. The time delay in propagation of the data through a module, which may have a switch to route the data, is reduced by operating the data path through the module at one or more submultiples of the bus serial data rate, and selecting the sampling point of the received data so that variations in time delay due to temperature changes or ageing are accommodated. |
| US08112652B2 |
Multiprocessor system power management of shared memories powering down memory bank only when all processors indicate not powering that memory bank
This invention manages power down and wakeup of shared memories in a multiprocessor system. A register for each shared memory has bits corresponding to each master. When a master wants to power down a memory, it sets its corresponding bit in the register. A hardware power down controller for the memory bank powers the memory bank if any processor signals powering the memory bank. The hardware power down controller for the memory bank powers down the memory bank only if all processor signal powering down the memory bank. The hardware power down controller waits for all masters to set their corresponding bits in the register before initiating power down of the memories. Software running on any processor has a view of the shared memory independent of the other processors and no inter-processor communication is needed. |
| US08112651B2 |
Conserving power in a computer system
A power management unit (PMU) may determine an optimal power saving state using a break-even period of a power saving state and an expected idle duration based on a first policy. The PMU may determine the optimal power saving state using a first break even period and actual idle duration based on a second policy. The break-even period may equal a minimum time a computer system should remain in a power saving state to compensate for the power consumed by the system to enter and exit that power saving state. The expected idle time duration is determined as an average of idle duration and a recent sample of idle duration. The actual idle duration is the difference of a first and second time point that represents entry and exit points to and from the power saving state. The PMU may transition the system to the optimal power saving state. |
| US08112644B2 |
Dynamic voltage scaling scheduling mechanism for sporadic, hard real-time tasks with resource sharing
A dynamic voltage scaling scheduling method executes one of the steps. When one task in the delayed task set requires for being executed, a working voltage required for executing the task is increased, and the task is removed from the delayed task set; when one task in the delayed task set requires for sharing resources, the working voltage required by the task is set as the current working voltage or a larger one in the minimum upper bounds of all the works requiring for sharing resources; and when one task does not belong to the delayed task set, but the waiting time has exceeded the period of the work, the working voltage for executing the task is reduced, and the task is added in the delayed task set. |
| US08112643B2 |
Methods and apparatus to selectively power functional units
A processing engine fetches one or more lines of software instructions into an instruction cache. Based on the contents of the cache, potentially needed functional units are identified as functional units that are operable to execute at least one software instruction stored within the instruction cache. Unneeded functional units are identified as functional units that are not operable to execute a software instruction stored within the instruction cache. A power increase is initiated for selected ones of the potentially needed functional units that are determined to be in a low power state. A power decrease is initiated for selected ones of the unneeded functional units that are determined to be in an operable power state. |
| US08112642B2 |
Method and system for controlling power in a chip through a power-performance monitor and control unit
A system and method for controlling power and performance in a microprocessor system includes a monitoring and control system integrated into a microprocessor system. The monitoring and control system includes a hierarchical architecture having a plurality of layers. Each layer in the hierarchal architecture is responsive to commands from a higher level, and the commands provide instructions on operations and power distribution, such that the higher levels provide modes of operation and budgets to lower levels and the lower levels provide feedback to the higher levels to control and manage power usage in the microprocessor system both globally and locally. |
| US08112637B2 |
System and method for programming a data storage device with a password
There is provided a system and method for programming a data storage device with a password. Specifically, there is provided a method comprising initiating a password programming routine for a data storage device, and programming the data storage device with the password associated with an external storage medium, wherein the data storage device is configured to condition access to the data stored on the data storage device based on the password. |
| US08112628B2 |
Using a portable computing device as a smart key device
A first data processing system, which includes a first cryptographic device, is communicatively coupled with a second data processing system, which includes a second cryptographic device. The cryptographic devices then mutually authenticate themselves. The first cryptographic device stores a private key of a first asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a public key of a second asymmetric cryptographic key pair that is associated with the second data processing system. The second cryptographic device stores a private key of the second asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a public key of the first asymmetric cryptographic key pair that is associated with the first data processing system. In response to successfully performing the mutual authentication operation between the two cryptographic systems, the first data processing system is enabled to invoke sensitive cryptographic functions on the first cryptographic device while the first data processing system remains communicatively coupled with the second data processing system. |
| US08112625B2 |
Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection
The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node. These techniques may be used to support an all-electronic information distribution, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway.” |
| US08112623B2 |
Communication terminal apparatus, server terminal apparatus, and communication system using the same
A communication terminal apparatus includes a storage section configured to store a library function in which a first specific instruction is executed a process to be executed prior to a communication with a communication target and a second specific instruction is executed before returning to a call source, a client application, an attribute value group of the client application, and an permissible address range of the first specific instruction. A communication instruction execution control section controls execution of a communication instruction based on the attribute value group of the client application, when the client application executes the communication instruction to generate an internal interruption. A security gate entering section checks whether or not an address of the first specific instruction is within a permissible address range when the client application executes the first specific instruction to generate the internal interrupt, and changes the attribute value group of the client application when the address of the first specific instruction is within the permissible address range. A security gate exiting section returns the attribute value group of the client application to an original state when the client application executes the second specific instruction to generate the internal interrupt. |
| US08112618B2 |
Less-secure processors, integrated circuits, wireless communications apparatus, methods and processes of making
An integrated circuit (122) includes an on-chip boot ROM (132) holding boot code, a non-volatile security identification element (140) having non-volatile information determining a less secure type or more secure type, and a processor (130). The processor (130) is coupled to the on-chip boot ROM (132) and to the non-volatile security identification element (140) to selectively execute boot code depending on the non-volatile information of the non-volatile security identification element(140). Other technology such as processors, methods of operation, processes of manufacture, wireless communications apparatus, and wireless handsets are also disclosed. |
| US08112617B2 |
Information processing device, and method of starting information processing device
In an information processing device, a screen display control part displays an operation screen, and a firmware update part updates a firmware of the screen display control part. An operating state holding part stores an operating state of the information processing device at a time of displaying the operation screen after the firmware is updated by the firmware update part. A high-speed starting part starts the information processing device and displays the operation screen based on the stored operating state. |
| US08112616B2 |
Reduced instruction set baseband controller
In wireless communications such as in the Bluetooth communication system, an execution unit sequentially receives software instructions for execution. Prior to completing each instruction, the execution unit issues an interrupt indicating the upcoming completion of the instruction execution and awaits receipt of the next instruction. A Link Manager issues limited instructions, and a Link Controller includes a hardware execution unit for executing the limited instructions. A processing unit in the Link Manager performs remaining functions under control of a software program. |
| US08112613B2 |
Selecting broadcast SIMD instruction or cached MIMD instruction stored in local memory of one of plurality of processing elements for all elements in each unit
Disclosed is a mixed mode parallel processor system in which N number of processing elements PEs, capable of performing SIMD operation, are grouped into M (=N÷S) processing units PUs performing MIMD operation. In MIMD operation, P out of S memories in each PU, which S memories inherently belong to the PEs, where P |
| US08112612B2 |
Processing system with interspersed processors using selective data transfer through communication elements
A processing system comprising processors and the dynamically configurable communication elements coupled together in an interspersed arrangement. The processors each comprise at least one arithmetic logic unit, an instruction processing unit, and a plurality of processor ports. The dynamically configurable communication elements each comprise a plurality of communication ports, a first memory, and a routing engine. For each of the processors, the plurality of processor ports is configured for coupling to a first subset of the plurality of dynamically configurable communication elements. For each of the dynamically configurable communication elements, the plurality of communication ports comprises a first subset of communication ports configured for coupling to a subset of the plurality of processors and a second subset of communication ports configured for coupling to a second subset of the plurality of dynamically configurable communication elements. |
| US08112610B2 |
Partition bus
A method and system are provided for integrating partitions in a virtual machine environment. Specifically, a partition bus is provided, where the partition bus operatively connects partitions in such a way that it functions as a data transport mechanism allowing for data transfer and device sharing between partitions. The partition bus relies on virtualizing software in order to establish itself and to establish channels of communication between partitions and to inject interrupts to partitions where it is appropriate to do so. Furthermore, the partition bus employs such mechanisms ring buffers, transfer pages, and memory map changes to transfer information (requests and data). Furthermore, it uses policy agents to decide when information should be transferred or when devices should be shared among partitions. Lastly, it employs various mechanisms to ensure smooth integration between partitions, which includes remote services that have proxy devices and device versioning functionalities. |
| US08112608B2 |
Variable-width memory
Described is a memory system in which the memory core organization changes with device width. The number of physical memory banks accessed reduces with device width, resulting in reduced power usage for relatively narrow memory configurations. Increasing the number of logic memory banks for narrow memory widths reduces the likelihood of bank conflicts, and consequently improves speed performance. |
| US08112604B2 |
Tracking load store ordering hazards
A method and system for processing data. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of stores into a store queue, where each store is a result from a processor, and where the plurality of stores are destined for at least one memory address. The method also includes marking a most recent store of the plurality of stores for each unique memory address, comparing a load request against the store queue, and identifying only the most recent store for each unique memory address for the purpose of handling load-hit-store ordering hazards. |
| US08112603B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for file relocation on a data storage device
A method, system, and computer program product for file relocation on a data storage device are provided. The method includes initiating file relocation in response to invoking a cleaner function for a data storage device. The method also includes examining metadata associated with a file on the data storage device to determine an access frequency of the file, and classifying the file as a function of the access frequency. The method further includes relocating the file to a fast region of the data storage device when the file is classified as frequently accessed, and relocating the file to a slow region of the data storage device when the file is classified as infrequently accessed. |
| US08112599B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing an amount of memory on demand when monitoring remote mirroring performance
A method and storage system for increasing an amount of memory in a queuing area on. The storage system includes first and second storage subsystems connected to each other via a path. A primary volume in the first storage subsystem and a remote secondary volume in the second storage subsystem are mirrored and operated in the asynchronous mode. A queuing area having memory is provided in the second storage subsystem for temporarily storing data transferred to the second storage subsystem from the first storage subsystem in response to a write input/output (I/O) issued by a host to write data in the primary volume. Data temporarily stored in the memory is retrieved and stored in the remote secondary volume. An unused area of the queuing area is monitored and the memory increased if the unused area becomes less than a predetermined amount. |
| US08112587B2 |
Shared data prefetching with memory region cache line monitoring
A method, circuit arrangement, and design structure for prefetching data for responding to a memory request, in a shared memory computing system of the type that includes a plurality of nodes, is provided. Prefetching data comprises, receiving, in response to a first memory request by a first node, presence data for a memory region associated with the first memory request from a second node that sources data requested by the first memory request, and selectively prefetching at least one cache line from the memory region based on the received presence data. Responding to a memory request comprises tracking presence data associated with memory regions associated with cached cache lines in the first node, and, in response to a memory request by a second node, forwarding the tracked presence data for a memory region associated with the memory request to the second node. |
| US08112586B1 |
Predicting and optimizing I/O performance characteristics in a multi-level caching system
A predictive model specifies a workload to be applied to a hierarchy of caches having multiple levels of caches. The predictive model defines a configuration for the hierarchy of caches by specifying cache characteristics of each level of the hierarchy of caches and the underlying storage pool and applies the workload to the configuration. For each level of the configuration, the predictive model computes a performance metric based on a portion of the workload satisfied at the level and the cache characteristics of the level. The predictive model computes resource allocation metrics based on the performance metric for the levels and a cost associated with the configuration. Based on the workload, the configuration, performance metrics, and resource allocation metrics, the predictive model creates a design time recommendation for the hierarchy of caches, a configuration time recommendation and run time recommendation for the hierarchy of caches. |
| US08112585B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically switching cache policies
A method implements a cache-policy switching module in a storage system. The storage system includes a cache memory to cache storage data. The cache memory uses a first cache configuration. The cache-policy switching module emulates the caching of the storage data with a plurality of cache configurations. Upon a determination that one of the plurality of cache configurations performs better than the first cache configuration, the cache-policy switching module automatically applies the better performing cache configuration to the cache memory for caching the storage data. |
| US08112584B1 |
Storage controller performing a set of multiple operations on cached data with a no-miss guarantee until all of the operations are complete
Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, data structures, computer-readable media, mechanisms, and means for a storage controller (e.g., memory controller, disk controller, etc.) performing a set of multiple operations on cached data with a no-miss guarantee until the multiple operations are complete, which may, for example, be used by a packet processor to quickly update multiple statistics values (e.g., byte, packet, error counts, etc.) based on processed packets. Operations to be performed on data at the same address and/or in a common data structure are grouped together and burst so that they arrive at the storage system in contiguous succession for the storage controller to perform. By not allowing the storage controller to flush the data from its cache until all of the operations are performed, even a tiny cache attached to the storage controller can reduce the bandwidth and latency of updating the data. |
| US08112582B2 |
Redundant array of inexpensive disks configuration using simple network management protocol
A method of configuring a storage device is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) receiving a single data unit over a communication network, the data unit (i) being transferred via the communication network using a standard communication protocol, (ii) defining both (a) a plurality of new configuration items that define a new configuration of the storage device and (b) a command to be performed by the storage device and (iii) having a standard markup language format, (B) calculating at least one configuration change from a plurality of current configuration items to the new configuration items, the current configuration items defining a current configuration of the storage device, (C) adjusting the storage device into the new configuration based on the at least one configuration change and (D) performing a requested operation with the storage device in the new configuration in response to the command. |
| US08112578B2 |
Low power, hash-content addressable memory architecture
A comparand word is input to a plurality of hash circuits, with each hash circuit responding to a different portion of the comparand word. The hash circuits output a hash signal which enables or precharges portions of a content addressable memory CAM. The comparand word is also input to the CAM. The CAM compares the comparand word in the precharged portions of the CAM and outputs information responsive to the comparison. When Internet addresses are processed, the output information is either port information or an index for locating port information. |
| US08112577B2 |
Concurrently communicating refresh and read/write commands with a memory device
Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-readable media, mechanisms, and means for communicating with a memory device, such as by a memory controller, a refresh command at least partially overlapping in time with a read and/or write command. The refresh command typically specifies a group of locations (e.g., a bank) for being at least partially refreshed. |
| US08112573B2 |
Non-volatile memory with erase block state indication in a subset of sectors of erase block
An improved Flash memory device with a distributed erase block management (EBM) scheme is detailed that enhances operation and helps minimize write fatigue of the floating gate memory cells of the Flash memory device. The Flash memory device of the invention combines the EBM data in a user data erase block by placing it in an EBM data field of the control data section of the erase block sectors. Therefore distributing the EBM data within the Flash memory erase block structure. This allows the Flash memory to update and/or erase the user data and the EBM data in a single operation, to reduce overhead and speed operation. The Flash memory also reduces the process of EBM data structure write fatigue by allowing the EBM data fields to be load leveled by rotating them with the erase blocks they describe. |
| US08112569B2 |
Integrated circuit and electronic device
An IC (100) for communicating over a data communication bus (220) comprising a first pair of conductors including a data signal conductor (SDA) and a synchronization signal conductor (SCL), e.g. an I2C bus, is disclosed. The IC comprises a group of address pins (106a-c) for defining the bus address of the integrated circuit (100), each address pin being arranged to be coupled to a conductor from a group of conductors comprising the first pair of conductors and a second pair of conductors including a conductor for carrying a fixed high potential (Vdd) and a conductor for carrying an fixed low potential (GND). The IC (100) further comprises first and second further pins (102, 104) for being coupled to the data signal conductor (SDA) and the synchronization signal conductor (SCL) respectively and a bus address decoder (110) comprising, for each address pin, first means (118) for distinguishing between the first pair of conductors and the second pair of conductors and second means (112, 116) for distinguishing between the conductors belonging to the same pair of conductors. The IC (100) of the present invention provides an area-efficient implementation of an address decoder (110) capable of decoding addresses in an enhanced addressing scheme. In addition, an electronic device (200 comprising a data communication bus (220) and an IC (100) coupled to the data communication bus (220) is disclosed. |
| US08112568B1 |
Cable presence detection system
The present invention is a system and method for detecting the presence of a cable in a connector. The system may comprise one or more of the following features: (a) a first circuit contact; (b) a second circuit contact; (c) a first capacitive element; (d) an electrical ground; (e) a voltage source; and (f) a logical output. The second circuit contact may be connected to ground. The capacitive element may be driven to ground by connection of the first and second circuit contacts to corresponding cable contacts. |
| US08112562B2 |
Path changeover support device and method
Port management information is prepared for managing information related to the status of each of a plurality of ports possessed by a storage system in a unified manner. Change of the status related to any one of a plurality of ports from “normal” to anomalous is detected. For a subject external device which is using the anomalous path as an I/O path, a “normal” port is selected, on the basis of the port management information, from one or more ports related to one or more paths which are being used as alternate paths. And information related to this “normal” port which has been selected is notified to the subject external device. During path changeover, the subject external device selects as an I/O path an alternate path which is related to the “normal” port specified from the notified information. |
| US08112561B2 |
Updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system
A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests. |
| US08112558B2 |
Frame buffer management program, program storage medium and management method
This is a computer-readable portable storage medium which is used by a computer managing a plurality of frame buffers and which stores a program enabling the computer to execute a process, and the process comprises preparing an area in which data of a valid chain indicating a connection among frame buffers storing valid image data of the plurality of frame buffers and data of a vacant chain indicating a connection among frame buffers storing no valid image data, is stored, on memory and generating/updating data of the valid chain and the vacant chain when valid image data is stored in one of the plurality of frame buffers and storing it in the memory. |
| US08112555B2 |
Peripheral adapter interrupt frequency control by estimating processor load at the peripheral adapter
Interrupt frequency control by estimating processor load in the peripheral adapter provides adaptive interrupt latency to improve performance in a processing system. A mathematical function of the depth of one or more queues of the adapter is compared to its historical value in order to provide an estimate of processor load. The estimated processor load is then used to set a parameter that controls the frequency of an interrupt generator, which may be controlled by setting an interrupt queue depth threshold, packet frequency threshold or interrupt hold-off time value. The mathematical function may be the ratio of the transmit queue depth to the receive queue depth and the historical value may be predetermined, user-settable, obtained during a calibration interval or obtained by taking a long-term average of the mathematical function of the queue depths. |
| US08112554B2 |
Method and devices for transmitting data on a data line between a control device and at least one decentralized data processing device
A method of transmitting data on a data line between a central control device and a decentralized data processing device. During a normal operation of the system, the central control device periodically sends synchronization pulses to the at least one data processing device via the data line in order to request data packets, and the decentralized data processing device sends the data thereof to be transmitted, as data packets, to the central control device, following the synchronization pulse. The data line is embodied as a data bus. Each of the decentralized data processing devices is configured by the central control device before the first transmission of data packets to the central control device. In order to configure the system, a bi-directional communication is carried out between the central control device and the at least one decentralized data processing device. |
| US08112551B2 |
Addressing scheme to allow flexible mapping of functions in a programmable logic array
A programmable processing device comprises a plurality of universal digital blocks (UDBs) in a UDB linear array. Each register in each UDB is associated with a plurality of memory addresses, where each memory address is from each of the different memory address spaces associated with different access mode widths of different digital peripheral functions. A digital peripheral function of an access mode width is mapped to one or more contiguous UDBs starting with a first UDB in the UDB linear array. Based on the access mode width, one of the associated memory addresses is chosen for the first UDB. |
| US08112550B2 |
System and method for preserving consumer choice
Methods and systems for preserving user attribute data by way of managing and synchronizing redundant storage locations. |
| US08112549B2 |
Alert mechanism for notifying multiple user devices sharing a connected-data-set
System and method for notifying a user status of communications between a server and the user having one or more user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a server for communicating with the user, where the server includes a connected-data-set and the one or more user devices share portions of the connected-data-set, logic for monitoring communications between the server and the one or more user devices for a predetermined set of notification conditions, and logic for sending a notification message to the one or more user devices when a notification condition is detected. |
| US08112547B2 |
Efficiently hashing packet keys into a firewall connection table
A method for increasing the capacity of a connection table in a firewall accelerator by means of mapping packets in one session with some common security actions into one table entry. For each of five Network Address Translation (NAT) configurations, a hash function is specified. The hash function takes into account which of four possible arrival types a packet at a firewall accelerator may have. When different arrival types of packets in the same session are processed, two or more arrival types may have the same hash value. |
| US08112539B2 |
Methods and systems to fast fill media players
Methods and systems are provided to fast fill media players and buffers associated with media players. A bandwidth associated with initial startup of a media player is overloaded to rapidly fill the buffer and initiate the media player. Alternatively, multiple simultaneous data communication sessions are established with a media data source device, and the media data are concurrently received from the simultaneous sessions into the buffer or transferred of out the buffer at startup, thereby decreasing the latency associated with initiating the media player. |
| US08112535B2 |
Securing a server in a dynamic addressing environment
A dynamic address router may provide dynamically updated routing to a device with a dynamic network address as well as provide a security certificate for the device. The device may be routed using a subordinate domain name. The principal domain name and a security certificate may be held by a single service provider that may enable a simple setup and configuration mechanism, as well as to guarantee the authenticity of the security holder even though the holder may connect through a dynamic address connection. |
| US08112534B2 |
Apparatus and method for remote power control
An apparatus for remotely controlling power includes an information handling system platform a plurality of devices disposed on the platform, an interface in data communication with the first platform that receives a device request from a second platform, a monitor circuit that monitors one or more parameters, and a controller that controls a plurality of devices disposed on the platform, the control being based at least in part on the monitored one or more parameters and the device request. A method includes receiving at a first platform a device request from a second platform, monitoring one or more parameters, and controlling a plurality of devices disposed on the first platform using at least in part the monitored parameters and the device request. |
| US08112531B2 |
Grouping of session objects
An object delivery session, such as a File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session, is joined and a description of a plurality of objects provided by the session are provided. The description indicates one or more groupings of the plurality of objects. An interesting object is determined from the plurality of objects. Based on the interesting object and the description of the plurality of objects, one or more of the plurality of objects are identified for downloading. |
| US08112530B2 |
Active medium for reserving resources in a communication network
A method for reserving resources in a packet communication network, preferably an IP protocol network. The method includes sending an active packet containing a request for reservation of resources for an active data flow, receiving the packet by an active node in the network, and reserving resources of the node according to the request. In this method, an active packet communication network node, in particular an IP active router, reserves resources for processing data of an active data flow according to a resource reservation request for this active data flow contained in this active packet received by the node. |
| US08112523B2 |
Group access to IP multimedia subsystem service
A method of facilitating access to services of an IP Multimedia Subsystem network by user terminals located behind an access point to said network. The access point is associated with a subscription to the IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The method comprises including within an Implicit Registration Set defined for said subscription, a wildcarded Public User Identity or Public User Identity sub-domain representative of a range of Public User Identities. At IP Multimedia Subsystem registration of said access point with the IP Multimedia Subsystem network, the Public User Identities contained in the Implicit Registration Set are distributed to a Serving Call Session Control Function allocated to said access point and to a Proxy Call Session Control Function to which said access point is attached. |
| US08112520B2 |
Method of assigning service and information processing apparatus for implementing the method
To provide a method for assigning a service wherein power consumption can be reduced, and an information processing apparatus for implementing the method. The method includes: receiving a request of a service provided by a device connected to a network; checking whether or not a device providing the requested service is in a sleep state; selecting a device to be used based on the checked sleep state of the device, a service table that stores a combination of a service provided via the network and a device connected to the network and providing the service, and a power consumption table that stores a device connected to the network and power consumption of the device, under conditions of a time until the service is provided and power consumption; and issuing an instruction of providing the service to the selected device. |
| US08112517B2 |
Relay system, relay program, and relay method
A technique is provided to dynamically change priority, according to content of communication data, when the communication data is relayed between a client device and a host device. A communication gateway (102) is a relay system for relaying the communication data between a thin client device (101) and the host device (103). The communication gateway (102) monitors communication performed by the host device (103) in response to a request from the thin client device (101). The communication gateway (120) determines priority of the communication that is returned to the client device by the host device (103) in response to the request, based on a protocol for the communication performed by the host device (103). |
| US08112515B2 |
Reputation management system
A reliable reputation management system in which the users of the services vote for reputation. The votes are collected to a reputation server which computes reputation for specific services. When a large group of users have voted, the result will be reliable. The reputation server is independent in order to guarantee objective reputation management. If the user does not vote but keeps using the service, the system will compute a vote by itself. The user may change the vote later. |
| US08112507B2 |
Remote node list searching mechanism for storage task scheduling
According to one embodiment, a device is disclosed. The device includes a first protocol engine (PE) to process tasks to be forwarded to a first remote node, a remote node search unit (RNSU) having a three-dimensional (3-D) task list corresponding to tasks to be forwarded to the two or more sub-nodes, and a connection pointer to maintain a connection between the first PE and the first remote node. |
| US08112506B2 |
System and method for automatically setting up configurations of home network
Provided are a system and method for automatically setting up configurations of a home network. The system includes a setting information manager, placed within an individual home, for collecting and managing setting information associated with configurations of the home network. The setting information manager shares the setting information with a remote setting information management server or another setting information manager. Since customized setting information of an individual home is shared, setting information of home network configurations can be effectively managed, thereby reducing costs and efforts required for maintenance and repair of the home network. |
| US08112503B2 |
Content delivery method, server, and terminal
In hybrid peer-to-peer type content delivery, a server confirms user's intension as to content disclosure, guarantees content delivery by mutual authentication between a client to which content has been delivered and a client to which content has not been delivered, and guarantees the integrity of content having been delivered. Further, the server configures delivery connection based on the network relationship between the clients and priority factors taking account of a reservation status. |
| US08112502B2 |
Interactive server side components
Server side internet applications are created by placing interactive server side components (ISSC's) on internet pages. ISSC's encapsulate dynamic page functions including processing of user responses on the server and thus can be reused, which drastically reduces programming effort. The ISSC technique remembers information (in form of an ISSC object) about each ISSC during dynamic page generation on the server. Then, it generates HTML code in a way such that the ISSC event is sent to the server using a conventional HTTP GET or POST request. On the server, the event is then passed to the corresponding ISSC object. All components work without disturbing each other, even when nested or combined. A browser based editor can also be used to place ISSC's on pages and to modify their properties. During dynamic page generation, scripts and handles are embedded into the page that permit editing of the page itself. |
| US08112497B1 |
Online educational software
The invention relates to a method of educating a user about the use of a website. The method includes the step of obtaining interactive web content from the website, and displaying the interactive web content to the user, along with information educating the user about how to interact with the website. The method then further includes receiving user input for a user interaction with the web content. The user interaction is assessed, to determine if it is in accordance with the information presented to the user. If so, the interaction is transmitted to the website. The present invention has particular application to social networking websites, and educating a user about behavioral and ethical issues associated with social networking online. |
| US08112496B2 |
Efficient algorithm for finding candidate objects for remote differential compression
The present invention finds candidate objects for remote differential compression. Objects are updated between two or more computing devices using remote differential compression (RDC) techniques such that required data transfers are minimized. An algorithm provides enhanced efficiencies for allowing the receiver to locate a set of objects that are similar to the object that needs to be transferred from the sender. Once this set of similar objects has been found, the receiver may reuse any chunks from these objects during the RDC algorithm. |
| US08112495B2 |
Transmitting information about distributed group memberships
A method, system, and computer usable program product for transmitting information about dynamic group memberships of an entry stored in a computer memory are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A set of dynamic group filters is received from a server in a distributed data environment. The set of dynamic group filters provides a set of attributes. A determination is made whether the entry includes a subset of the set of attributes. A request for dynamic group memberships of the entry is sent to the server. The request includes the subset of attributes and excludes attributes not used by any of the dynamic group filters. Information about at least one dynamic group of which the entry is a member is received for evaluation. A proxy server may receive the request for dynamic group filters and distribute the request to one or more servers in a distributed data environment. |
| US08112494B2 |
Systems and methods for provision of content data
A method for content data management and provision. The method includes receiving a registration message from a user, the registration message containing user identification information. The user may registered, the registering including storing the received user identification information. A blank message may be received, the blank message being addressed to a number associated with a broadcast entity. A user identity is determined based upon the received blank message, at least one of a date or a time of transmission of the blank message is determined, and a broadcast entity is determined based upon the blank message. The at least one determined date or time is compared with content broadcast information associated with the broadcast entity, and at least one piece of content data is identified based upon the comparing. The at least one piece of identified content data is transmitted to the user. |
| US08112493B2 |
Programmatic role-based security for a dynamically generated user interface
The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for programmatically applied role-based security in a dynamically generated user interface. In accordance with the present invention, a server page can be configured for processing by a server page engine. The server page can include at least one markup language fragment defining a user interface for a first view and an additional markup language fragment defining a link to a second view. A custom tag can be included in the additional markup language fragment to conditionally include the link to the second view only if a role detected for an end user attempting to access the first view also has been defined in a deployment descriptor as an authorized role for accessing the second view. Notably, in a preferred aspect of the invention, the first and second views can be JSPs and the deployment descriptor can be a configuration file for an application framework incorporating the JSPs. In this regard, the application framework can be the Struts framework. |
| US08112492B2 |
Shared object stores for a networked computer system
A store of interfaced software objects are distributed between a server computer and multiple client computers to support an object oriented application communication environment that provides communication between software applications on each client computer. The application communication environment may include a central shared object store of interfaced software objects that operate on a server computer and communicate with one or more software applications on the server computer. A local shared object store of interfaced software objects operates on each client computer and communicates with the central shared object store and one or more software applications on that client computer. Changes to interfaced software objects in the local shared object stores may be automatically propagated to the interfaced software objects in the central shared object store. A local private object store of interfaced software objects may operate on a client computer and communicate with one or more software applications on the client computer. |
| US08112491B1 |
Methods and systems for providing direct DMA
A method and system for efficient direct DMA for processing connection state information or other expediting data packets. One example is the use of a network interface controller to buffer TCP type data packets that may contain connection state information. The connection state information is extracted from a received packet. The connection state information is stored in a special DMA descriptor that is stored in a ring buffer area of a buffer memory that is accessible by a host processor when an interrupt signal is received. The packet is then discarded. The host processor accesses the ring buffer memory only to retrieve the stored connection state information from the DMA descriptor without having to access a packet buffer area in the memory. |
| US08112488B2 |
Methods and computer programs for formulating messaging platform capacity projections
Computer-executable methods and programs for formulating a planning recommendation for a messaging platform. Mailbox data is received specifying a projected maximum number of mailboxes. Growth assumption data is received that specifies a change in average message size of messages. Traffic assumption data is received that identifies a portion of message traffic projected to occur during any recurring time interval for which message traffic has previously exceeded a threshold. Baseline data is received specifying maximum performance capabilities of the messaging platform. Messaging platform data is received specifying a quantity of messages accepted, stored, deleted, and/or retrieved. A planning recommendation is generated by applying an algorithm to the mailbox data, traffic and growth assumption data, baseline data, and messaging platform data. The planning recommendation is placed into a physically tangible, humanly discernible form by printing the recommendation, displaying the recommendation, or outputting the recommendation in audible form. |
| US08112486B2 |
Signature generation using message summaries
Systems and methods for processing a message are provided. A message may be processed to generate a message summary by removing or replacing certain words, phrases, sentences, punctuation, and the like. Message signatures based upon the message summary may be generated and stored in a signature database, which may be used to identify and/or classify spam messages. Subsequently received messages may be classified by signature and processed based on classification. |
| US08112485B1 |
Time and threshold based whitelisting
In response to a user sending an electronic mail message to a recipient, a whitelist manager creates a temporary whitelist entry for the recipient on the user's whitelist. The temporary whitelist entry is set to expire after a set period of time. During the period of time that the temporary whitelist entry is in effect, electronic mail messages from the recipient are passed to the user without being subject to security screening. The whitelist manager keeps track of email traffic between the user and the recipient during this time period. If the nature of this email traffic is sufficient to establish that the recipient is legitimate, the whitelist manager converts the temporary entry to a permanent one. Otherwise, the whitelist manager disables the temporary entry, after which email from the recipient to the user is subject to normal security processing. |
| US08112480B2 |
Signaling support for sharer switching in application sharing
Architecture for seamless role switching in application sharing. A multipoint control unit (MCU) can be used for connecting multiple clients over a network. An application sharing component establishes an application sharing session over the MCU, and application content is exchanged from a sharer client to one or more viewer clients. Each client can communicate a media connection preference to the session. Client sharer and viewer roles are defined during creation of the application sharing session. A client can seamlessly switch roles during the session from a viewer to a sharer, and vice-versa, so that different application content can be shared to the session viewers. The session can be restricted to only one sharer so that the viewing clients view one sharer client at a time. |
| US08112478B2 |
Email and discussion forum system
Systems, methods, and media associated with coordinating a discussion forum application and an email application are described. One example system includes a data store and a coordination logic. The data store may store a discussion forum message in a data structure accessible to both an email logic and a discussion forum logic. The coordination logic may provide access to the discussion forum message for the email logic and the discussion forum logic. The coordination logic may also maintain read status consistency for the discussion forum message and cause threading information associated with the discussion forum message to be honored. |
| US08112473B2 |
Method for the server side processing of user interactions with a web-browser
The present invention relates to a method and system for client-side interacting with a server-side web application in a web-based client-server environment, in which a client-side web browser is used as a user interface for displaying web pages sent by the web application within a browser application frame and for converting events triggered by one or more user actions within said application frame into a request directed to said server-side web application, wherein an executable program object for example a Java Script is used at the client side as a part of the client-side web application user interface.In order to improve the user interface it is proposed to use an additional frame in the browser which communicates with the server and which prevents the displayed document from being reloaded when the server sends its response. Instead, only delta information (50) is displayed within the frame. |
| US08112470B2 |
Virtual javascript object notation
A client receives an object definition defining an object and an array of elements from a server. Each of the elements in the received array includes data representing objects associated with a data store of the server. The client instantiates a plurality of objects based on the received array and based on the received object definition. The objects are then accessed via a web application executing on the client. |
| US08112466B2 |
Field programmable gate array
An efficient implementation of DSP functions in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) using one or more computational blocks, each block having of a multiplier, an accumulator, and multiplexers. The structure implements most common DSP equations in a fast and a highly compact manner. A novel method for cascading these blocks with the help of dedicated DSP lines is provided, which leads to a very simple and proficient implementation of n-stage MAC operations. |
| US08112462B2 |
Distributed garbage collection in a dataflow system
A method and system for distributed garbage collection in a pipelined workflow environment comprising a plurality of processing nodes that pass item references to each other. Each node maintains a reference list of local item references and a reference dictionary of remote item references, and periodically synchronizes the reference list with the reference dictionaries of other nodes in the workflow, so that item references are not marked for garbage collection while other processing nodes may still have outstanding references to them. |
| US08112460B2 |
Framework for applying rules
Generally described, the present invention is directed to a network operating system that provides more effective ways of leveraging the connectivity of computer networks. In one embodiment, an XML virtual machine is implemented that accepts high-level application code written in an XML programming language as input. Functionality is provided to interpret or translate the application code written in an XML programming language into code that is suitable for execution across computer platforms. Moreover, the XML virtual machine supports the Model View Controller (MVC) design paradigm that facilitates true data abstraction from applications to a common data model. Multi-instance applications, with each instance potentially supporting multiple views, may be created and executed. |
| US08112456B1 |
Implicit ranking of audio content
A media player device configured to store and play content for a user uses an implicit rank to add and delete content from the device. The rank is determined implicitly by gathering available information about a user directly and by monitoring user listening activity. The gathered information about the user and the monitored information are used to determine the user rank. Content is managed by comparing content stored on the media player device to the user rank to determine a preference order for storing content on the device; receiving content at the media player device; deleting one or more stored content objects from a computer readable storage medium so there is sufficient space to store the received content; and storing the received content on the computer readable storage medium. |
| US08112455B2 |
Fort.22 file creation tool
A method for creating a fort.22 input file is provided that comprises the steps of receiving a plurality of user parameters, the plurality of user parameters comprising one or more meteorological data sources, a defined date range, and a data processing request. Then, the one or more meteorological data sources are read for the defined date range. A properly formatted fort.22 file is prepared based on the reader data. Next, it is determined whether a data processing request is present, and if a data processing request is present, an extension/ramping processing program is performed. Finally, the fort.22 file is outputted to a user. |
| US08112452B2 |
Serverless distributed file system
A serverless distributed file system manages the storage of files and directories using one or more directory groups. The directories may be managed using Byzantine-fault-tolerant groups, whereas files are managed without using Byzantine-fault-tolerant groups. Additionally, the file system may employ a hierarchical namespace to store files. Furthermore, the directory group may employ a plurality of locks to control access to objects (e.g., files and directories) in each directory. |
| US08112447B2 |
System and method for parsing a text file
A method for parsing a text file defines a tree pattern and a plurality of character string patterns. A tree structure corresponding to the text file is determined according to the tree pattern, and the desired data are retrieved from the text file according to the character string patterns. The retrieved desired data are output into a storage system. |
| US08112439B2 |
Data processing method and system capable of reducing required memory
A data processing system is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a transformer, a first memory buffer, a second memory buffer, a first filter, and a second filter. An obtained transmission signal symbol is first transformed to first data. The first memory buffer stores the first data. The processor obtains peak data based on the first data according to a predetermined threshold. The transformer transforms the peak data to second data and stores the second data in the second memory buffer. The first filter filters the second data to determine reserved data of the second data and removes the reserved data from the second data to generate third data. The transformer transforms the third data to fourth data and stores the fourth data in the second memory buffer. The processor merges the first and fourth data to generate fifth data. The second filter filters the fifth data based on the transmission signal symbol and a previously obtained transmission signal symbol. |
| US08112437B1 |
Automatically maintaining an address book
Techniques are disclosed for automatically generating and maintaining personal data, such as an address book, a financial portfolio, a discussion groups or blogs book, or other types of personal data stores, based on a person's structured search data and/or usage data (e.g., browsing) and/or other sources of personal data (e.g., emails the user receives). Related metadata can also be used in the generating and/or maintaining of the personal data. Dynamic personal data ranking and/or autocomplete functions are also provided, which can be used in conjunction with the automatic generation and maintenance of the user's personal data, to further ease the user's burden in managing and/or handling such data. |
| US08112431B2 |
Method and system for processing search requests
Methods and system for processing search requests are described. In one embodiment, a term of a search request may be received. A determination of whether the term is a meta-keyword may be made. One or more linguistically transformed keywords associated with the meta-keyword may be obtained. A search may be run on at least one of the one or more linguistically transformed keywords to obtain a result of the search. |
| US08112430B2 |
System for modifying a rule base for use in processing data
A system for modifying a rule base for use in processing data, wherein an instance of an entity comprises associated data, for use with a parser for identifying a first instance of an entity in data associated with a document set in accordance with a first rule and for using the first instance of the entity to identify a second instance of the entity in the data associated with the document set. The system comprises an accessor for accessing data associated with the second instance of the entity; and a generator for using the data associated with the second instance of the entity to generate a second rule. |
| US08112429B2 |
Detection of behavior-based associations between search strings and items
A system and method are disclosed for automatically detecting associations between particular sets of search criteria, such as particular search strings, and particular items. Actions of users of an interactive system, such as a web site, are monitored over time to generate event histories reflective of searches, item selection actions, and possibly other types of user actions. An analysis component collectively analyzes the event histories to automatically identify and quantify associations between specific search strings (or other types of search criteria) and specific items. As part of this process, a decay function reduces the weight given to a post-search item selection event based on intervening events that occur between the search event and the item selection event. |
| US08112428B2 |
Clustering image search results through voting: reciprocal election
A search results page contains images that are organized based on the visual features of those images; images that have common visual features are grouped together using either a folding or a reciprocal election technique. Images that pertain to a particular meaning of a query term are less likely to be scattered across the page. A group of images that have common visual features is represented on the page by a single representative image from that group. Consequently, space for more representative images becomes available on the image search results page. Thus, search results page contains visually diverse representative images; space on the results page is not wasted by repeatedly showing the same image. The initial image search results page also therefore is more likely to contain representative images that otherwise would have occurred too far down a relevance-ranked list to be included within the initial search results page. |
| US08112425B2 |
Time series search engine
Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention provide the ability to organize, index, search, and present time series data based on searches. Time series data are sequences of time stamped records occurring in one or more usually continuous streams, representing some type of activity. In one embodiment, time series data is organized into discrete events with normalized time stamps and the events are indexed by time and keyword. A search is received and relevant event information is retrieved based in whole or in part on the time indexing mechanism, keyword indexing mechanism, or statistical indices calculated at the time of the search. |
| US08112423B2 |
Fast primary cluster recovery
A cluster recovery process is implemented across a set of distributed archives, where each individual archive is a storage cluster of preferably symmetric nodes. Each node of a cluster typically executes an instance of an application that provides object-based storage of fixed content data and associated metadata. According to the storage method, an association or “link” between a first cluster and a second cluster is first established to facilitate replication. The first cluster is sometimes referred to as a “primary” whereas the “second” cluster is sometimes referred to as a “replica.” Once the link is made, the first cluster's fixed content data and metadata are then replicated from the first cluster to the second cluster, preferably in a continuous manner. Upon a failure of the first cluster, however, a failover operation occurs, and clients of the first cluster are redirected to the second cluster. Upon repair or replacement of the first cluster (a “restore”), the repaired or replaced first cluster resumes authority for servicing the clients of the first cluster. This restore operation preferably occurs in two stages: a “fast recovery” stage that involves preferably “bulk” transfer of the first cluster metadata, following by a “fail back” stage that involves the transfer of the fixed content data. Upon receipt of the metadata from the second cluster, the repaired or replaced first cluster resumes authority for the clients irrespective of whether the fail back stage has completed or even begun. |
| US08112420B2 |
Information search system, information processing apparatus and method, and information search apparatus and method
The present invention relates to an information search system, an information processing apparatus and method, and information search apparatus and method. A PC extracts, from the mail document transmitted/received by a user, words corresponding to the user's interests and records the interest data. In steps S121 and S122, upon logged in by the user, an HDD recorder requests the acquisition of interest data. On the basis of this request, the PC sends the interest data corresponding to the login user. In steps S123 and S124, the HDD recorder sends the received interest data to a server. In step S131, the server searches for the program information that matches the received interest data. In step S125, on the basis of the program information contained in the search result, the HDD recorder sets the timer-recording of a program. The present invention is applicable to programs which are installed in personal computers. |
| US08112415B1 |
Optimized field unpacking for a data stream management system
Two methods and computer-readable medium for obtaining information using field group unpacking functions. The first method obtains information using field group unpacking functions by identifying an optimized unpacking function from field group unpacking functions, and an optimized unpacking function is used to unpack a field associated with the data stream. The second method obtains information using field group unpacking functions by identifying an optimized unpacking function from the field group unpacking functions. Then, a prefilter is applied and associated with the optimized unpacking functions and used to unpack a field associated with the data stream. The computer-readable medium obtains field group unpacking functions for execution by a computing device using field group unpacking functions that identify an optimized unpacking function from the field group unpacking functions, and use an optimized unpacking function to unpack a field associated with the data stream. |
| US08112405B2 |
Method and system for securing user identities and creating virtual users to enhance privacy on a communication network
A method of enabling a real entity to access a service on a communication network using a virtual entity, the method including the steps of establishing a user account including at least first data corresponding to the identity of the real entity and second data corresponding to the virtual entity and not identifying the real entity, storing the first and second data in a first database, linking between the first and second data in the first database, storing the second data at a second database, associating the second database with a communication network site, connecting the communication network site to the communication network, receiving the second data from an unidentified user on the communication network site, identifying the unidentified user as the virtual entity based on receiving the second data, and allowing the virtual entity to access the service. |
| US08112403B2 |
Providing a rating for a web site based on weighted user feedback
A method of (and associated system and computer program product for) providing a rating for a web site (205). The rating is obtained from a plurality of member users. A member user (405) submits (320) feedback data (215), that may be stored in a database (220), using an interface (415) provided on a member user terminal (210), the feedback data (215) related to the web site. A member user submitting feedback data (215) has a member user weighting, a member user weighting is preferably obtained (330) from one or more other member users, or may be initially allocated as a default weighting. The rating for the web site (205) is determined (340) at least partially based on the feedback data (215) and the member user weighting of the member user who submitted the feedback data (215). The rating may be determined or adjusted by feedback data and respective member user weightings received from other member users. |
| US08112398B1 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively marking and retrieving data from an event log file
Methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively marking and retrieving data from an event log file are described. One method includes providing a first syntax for user insertion of at least one bookmark into an event log file associated with a computing system, wherein the event log file records event data that pertains to the computing system. The first syntax is received and, in response, the at least one bookmark is inserted into the event log file. The method also includes providing a second syntax for retrieving a user-specified portion of the event log file using the at least one bookmark. The second syntax is received and, in response, the user-specified portion of the event log file is retrieved. |
| US08112395B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a distributed file system utilizing metadata to track information about data stored throughout the system
The intelligent distributed file system enables the storing of file data among a plurality of smart storage units which are accessed as a single file system. The intelligent distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy within a single file system, to facilitate the change of redundancy parameters, to provide high-level protection for metadata, to replicate and move data in real-time, and so forth. |
| US08112392B1 |
Methods and systems for creating snapshots of virtualized applications
A method may include identifying a virtualized application that has a read-only virtualization sublayer and a read-write virtualization sublayer. The read-only virtualization sublayer may represent a base state of the virtualized application and the read-write virtualization sublayer may be configured to store changes to the base state of the virtualized application. The method may also include determining a first difference between the read-only virtualization sublayer and the read-write virtualization sublayer at a first point in time and using the first difference between the read-only virtualization sublayer and the read-write virtualization sublayer to create a first snapshot that represents a state of the virtualized application at the first point in time. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08112389B2 |
Extended transactions
Multiple atomic “component” database transactions are combined into a single extended transaction through message passing. The multiple component transactions that comprise a single extended transaction may, in combination, perform a single computation. The component transactions may pass messages to each other by writing and reading records to and from one or more databases. The resulting extended transaction may be distributed and/or long-lived. |
| US08112388B2 |
Dependency processing of computer files
A method and apparatus for dependency processing of computer files. An embodiment of a method for dependency processing of computer files includes receiving a data stream input at a scanner component, where the data stream input represents multiple computer files. The data stream input is scanned for data types, where scanning the data stream input includes encountering a definition of a data type; determining whether to process program elements within the data type, and, if there is a determination to process the program elements in the data type, scanning the program elements of the data type to identify usages of the data type. The identified data type definition and data type usages are provided to a listening component. |
| US08112384B2 |
System and method for problem solving through dynamic/interactive concept-mapping
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method of problem solving that includes graphically displaying a plurality of concepts, dynamic links between the concepts, and solving a problem based on the displayed concepts and dynamic links. Other embodiments include: a computer-readable medium having instructions thereon for causing a suitably programmed information-processing apparatus to perform a method of the problem solving that includes graphically displaying a plurality of concepts, displaying dynamic links between the concepts, and solving a problem based on the displayed concepts and dynamic links. Still other embodiments include a computerized apparatus that includes a display output unit, a display drive unit that causes a plurality of concepts to be displayed on the display unit, and that causes dynamic links between the concepts to be displayed, and a solution unit that solves a problem based on the displayed concepts and dynamic links, and that displays the solution. |
| US08112372B2 |
Prediction by single neurons and networks
An artificial neuron integrates current and prior information, each of which predicts the state of a part of the world. The neuron's output corresponds to the discrepancy between the two predictions, or prediction error. Inputs contributing prior information are selected in order to minimize the error, which can occur through an anti-Hebbian-type plasticity rule. Current information sources are selected to maximize errors, which can occur through a Hebbian-type rule. This insures that the neuron receives new information from its external world that is not redundant with the prior information that the neuron already possesses. By learning on its own to make predictions, a neuron or network of these neurons acquires information necessary to generate intelligent and advantageous outputs. |
| US08112371B1 |
Systems and methods for generalized motion recognition
Techniques for performing motion recognition using generalized motion recognition capability are disclosed. At least two types of sensors are used to generate sensor signals about a motion made by a user. The sensor signals are then transformed to device-independent motion signals that may be used to build generalized motion recognizers or used with one or more generalized motion recognizers responsive to the sensors. At least one of objects in a virtual interactive environment is responsive to a recognition signal determined from the motion signal and the generalized motion recognizers. |
| US08112370B2 |
Classification and policy management for software components
A method, system, and computer usable program product for classification and policy management for software components are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A metadata associated with an application or component is identified. A mapping determination is made whether the metadata maps to a classification in a set of classifications. A policy that is applicable to the classification is identified and associated with the classification. If the mapping determination is deterministic, the component is assigned to the classification and the policy associated with the classification is associated with the component. If the mapping determination is not deterministic, a user intervention may be necessary, the component may be classified in a default classification, or both. Because of the policy being associated with the classification, associating the policy with the component may occur based on the metadata of the application or component and its resultant classification. |
| US08112366B2 |
Expert system and visualization for multi-server capacity management
A system is disclosed that includes an interface to receive a resource governance rule applicable to one or more hardware resources supporting a monitored software application. The system includes utilization logic to measure usage of a particular hardware resource by the monitored software application. An available utilization of the particular hardware resource is determined based on the resource governance rule, and a total utilization of the particular hardware resource is also determined. One or more utilization metrics are determined based on historical usage of the particular hardware resource as compared to a governed capacity and a non-governed capacity available to the particular hardware resource. The system also includes recommendation logic to determine a recommended action to be taken with respect to the monitored software application. |
| US08112364B2 |
Pre-authenticated identification token
An identification token such as a proximity payment device may be integrated with a wristwatch. For security purposes, the identification token may be disabled when removed from the user's wrist. The identification token may be re-enabled by interaction with a docking station or personal computer at the user's residence. |
| US08112363B2 |
Selecting, ordering and accessing copyrighted information from physical documents
A method and associated computer program product for processing edited objects associated with a physical document. The method is for use in a user workstation by a user. The method includes: determining a position of a point pressed on a touch foil to select an item on a page of the physical document; identifying the selected item by correlating the determined position of the pressed point with a position of the selected item in a list of item positions recorded in an edited objects table; identifying a first edited object in the edited objects table from an association of the first edited object with the selected item identified by the correlating; ascertaining, that the user does not have a license to use and/or copy the first edited object; and sending, from the user workstation to an edited objects server, a request for information concerning the first edited object. |
| US08112361B2 |
Method and system for dynamic, real-time addition of advertisement to downloaded static content
A method and system for dynamic, real-time addition of advertisements to downloaded static content. The method comprises seamlessly combining a downloaded original content file with personalized information on a user device, and allowing the user either to use the combined original content and personalized information without possibility of personalized information removal, or to remove the personalized information after a fee payment. The seamless combination and removal operations are done by a player located in the user device. |
| US08112357B2 |
Systems and methods for preventing duplicative electronic check processing
Preventing duplicate ICL files and/or ICL file elements, including duplicate ICLs, items, and item bundles, from being processed for payment and/or presentment. A duplicate detection module can assign a predictable and repeatable unique identifier to each ICL file and/or ICL file element. The duplicate detection module can determine whether each ICL file and/or element is a duplicate by comparing the identifier associated with the ICL file and/or element with information stored in a record of already processed files/elements. In response to determining that an ICL file and/or element is a duplicate, the duplicate detection module can determine not to process the file/element for payment and/or presentment. In response to determining that the ICL file and/or element is not a duplicate, the duplicate detection module can store information regarding the file/element in the record. For example, the stored information can include the unique identifier associated with the file/element. |
| US08112352B2 |
Electronic system and method for executing a trade
An Internet based investment account management system that consists of data, a rules database, a business logic manager and user profiles is described. The rules database stores information about system responses to modifications of the data. The user profiles store information concerning the availability of information and displays depending upon the user. Automatic updates to user profiles in response to modifications to the data are performed. The business logic manager can be configured to define whether the trader is authorized to execute a trade and whether sufficient holdings are available at a custodian bank in order to execute trade. A data exchange link may then be used to send data to a broker/dealer system to execute the trade. |
| US08112350B2 |
Computerized trading system
The present invention relates to computerised trading systems and associated methods, particularly those that implement trades in basis trading where the two instruments have different and non-universally agreed pricing mechanisms and metrics, such as futures crosses in the European derivative markets. The present invention allows traders to enter orders expressed in terms of their own metrics. These orders are then converted to be expressed according to a standardised metric such that comparisons may be made and orders matched. Once matching orders are identified, these orders can be reported back to the traders, expressed in terms of their own metrics. |
| US08112348B2 |
Trading system with price improvement
Traders in an electronic trading system are provided an opportunity to improve prices for an item trading in an active market are provided. After a trader hits a bid or lifts an offer, a market becomes active. When the market is active, traders can submit orders that improve on the price of the current market price of an item. Whenever a price improvement order is currently available for use in a transaction order, a price improvement indicator is displayed to indicate to other traders that price improvement is occurring. When a price improvement order is used to fill a transaction order, a portion of the difference between the market price and the price improvement price may be divided between the trader associated with the price improvement order, the trader associated with the transaction order, and the system host. |
| US08112340B2 |
Collateralized debt obligation evaluation system and method
A computerized system and method for evaluating collateralized debt obligations receives user input selecting a scenario or feature, loads data related to a portfolio of securitized assets on to the computer storage medium, determines a scenario default rate using at least one of a beta distributed recovery, a counterparty risk, a loss given default, or a non-zero inter-sector correlation, or models at least one of a short position scenario, a nth to default basket, a forward start date and an equity default swap, and reports a result relating to the scenario default rate. |
| US08112337B2 |
Method and system for clearing financial instruments
A method and system for electronically clearing financial instruments may include receiving electronic files of items containing data scanned from financial instruments including an amount of each instrument, and applying a rule to sort the items by determining whether the item may be stored or forwarded for clearing without storage. The rule may include determining whether an amount of the instrument exceeds a predetermined value, and if so, forwarding the instrument for clearing, or if not, storing the item for forwarding at a later time when the per item fee for clearing is lower. The system may include a control for receiving electronic files from a scanning device and applying a rule to sort the files by determining whether each file should be stored or forwarded and an image export server for converting the files to a preferred format and transmitting them for clearing. |
| US08112334B2 |
Method and system for converting an annuity fund to a life insurance policy
A method and system for converting an annuity fund to a life insurance policy at a predetermined conversion date comprising the following steps: establishing an annuity fund of a predetermined and purchasing a fixed annuity for the annuity fund, establishing an irrevocable life insurance conversion plan including selecting the predetermined conversion date, selecting a predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date and purchasing a guaranteed insurability option to guarantee the availability of the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing fixed investment income within the annuity fund on a tax deferred basis until the predetermined conversion date, converting the annuity fund to the life insurance policy with the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing income within the life insurance policy until the death of the insured under the life insurance policy and disbursing the death benefit consisting of mortality insurance and accrued cash values to the beneficiary at the death of the insured under the life insurance policy. |
| US08112332B1 |
Financial assessment systems and methods
Financial assessment systems, methods and graphical user interfaces are described. Financial information for an individual is received and integrated in a financial plan. A synopsis view of the financial plan is graphically presented. The synopsis view of the financial plan may include one or more financial recommendations for the individual. The recommendations and the synopsis view may be updated in real-time in response to a change in the financial information. The recommendations and the synopsis view may be used by the individual who is the subject of the financial plan or may be used by financial advisors. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08112327B2 |
Method and system of bidirectional marketing with feedback
The invention discloses a method and system of bi-directional marketing with feedback, comprising: building up a consuming net system that promotes the business between customer and seller. The consuming net system signs a contract with customer, then the consumer built up, on the other hand, said system signs contract with seller, then the provider built up. The consuming net system receives commission from the provider and returns interest to the consumer according to the contract. The method and system adds the steps of interest distributing and information distributing during circulate service, so that customer can get balanced information during consuming, and also he can get balanced interest. The present invention changes the way of information dissemination and unfair distributing system. It eludes the economic crisis at all. |
| US08112319B2 |
System and method for generating exponential expansion of commerce
A system and method for turning a buyer into a prospective seller in an electronic marketplace. After the buyer enters into a binding agreement to purchase an item, the buyer is provided with an option of re-listing the purchased item for resale. The purchased item is re-listed if the buyer opts to re-list it. An ecommerce listing to sell the purchased item is automatically generated based on the previous listing. The user only needs to provide the selling price to complete the listing. The purchased item can be re-listed in the same marketplace where the item was purchased or in a different marketplace. |
| US08112311B2 |
Systems and methods for distribution of entertainment and advertising content
A device for generating audiovisual display signals, including a first input terminal receiving content signals representative of an audiovisual event, the signals including insertion points indicating the output of an advertisement, a second input terminal receiving ad signals representative of an advertisement, a first buffer storing the ad signals, and a processor converting the content signals into display signals of the event and converting ad signals stored in the first buffer into display signals of an advertisement upon detection of an insertion point. |
| US08112310B1 |
Internet advertising system that provides ratings-based incentives to advertisers
An ad placement system provides functionality for users to rate advertisers associated with particular ads they view, and/or to rate particular ads. The ratings supplied by individual users in association with a given advertiser are used by the system to generate an average or other aggregate rating for the advertiser. This aggregate rating is exposed to users in association with the advertiser's ad or ads, allowing users to efficiently take the advertiser's reputation into consideration in deciding whether to click through or otherwise select such ads to access the advertiser's web page or site. For example, in one embodiment, each ad is displayed with a corresponding visual indication of the aggregate rating of the advertiser. |
| US08112305B2 |
Systems and methods for distribution-transition estimation of key performance indicator
Systems and methods for distribution-transition estimation of key performance indicator (KPI). Exemplary embodiments include a method including establishing a state-space model in a computer memory, the model for handling measurement errors and modelling errors as noise, wherein time-varying indices have historical data and a correlation with KPI, adaptively estimating parameters related to the time varying indices, and obtaining residuals from the adaptive estimate of the parameters, estimating a probability distribution in order to generate random numbers from the probability distribution, generating random numbers related to the estimated probability distribution, thereby enabling prediction of future indicator distributions through a Sequential Monte Carlo method, providing models to input KPI intensity levels for a scenario level and to predict future values for a plurality of scenarios as point estimates and distributing and synthesizing the point estimation results for the plurality of scenarios based on KPI estimated probability distributions. |
| US08112300B2 |
Production optimizer for supply chain management
One embodiment of the invention provides a method for optimizing a supply chain management (SCM) problem. A genetic algorithm optimization technique may be used to generate a production solution for the production side of an SCM problem and an ant colony optimization technique may be used to generate a solution for the distribution side of the SCM problem. Together, the genetic algorithm optimization technique and the ant colony optimization technique operate to quickly identify high-quality solutions to an SCM problem. |
| US08112296B2 |
Modeling of job profile data
A job profile class is defined that represents a job profile and identifies relationships of the job profile with various entities related to the job profile. |
| US08112291B2 |
User interface for prioritizing opportunities for clinical process improvement
Methods and user interfaces are provided for prioritizing opportunities for optimizing clinical processes within clinical facilities. An optimized practice process model may be defined for a particular clinical procedure, setting forth an optimal clinical process. In addition, critical levers may be identified within the optimal clinical process, representing the activities that have the greatest impact on outcomes. Clinical facilities may collect current measures for the critical levers, and the current measures may be compared against an optimal, benchmark, and/or target measure. Based on the comparison, opportunities for clinical process optimization may be identified. User interfaces are provided for prioritizing the opportunities, for example, based on benefit indexes and effort indexes determined for each opportunity. |
| US08112289B2 |
Method for electronic examination of medical fees
Disclosed is a method for electronic examination of medical fees, and more particularly to a method for electronic examination of medical fees using a system for electronic examination of medical fees. The system includes a transmit/receive server, a bill examination server, a management terminal and examiner terminals, and communicates with each medical institution server and a national health insurance corporation server. The bill examination server checks any error in medical bills and specifications received from each medical institution server through description inspection, automatic inspection, specialist inspection and computational examination. The bill examination server returns, corrects or adjusts any erroneous bill or specification, or inserts a message into the erroneous bill or specification. The management terminal distributes medical bills and specifications on which computational examination has been completed to the examiner terminals. Each examiner terminal produces a statement of examination adjustment according to the examination results inputted by an examiner during on-screen examination and sends the statement to the bill examination server. Then the bill examination server generates an examination decision file based on the examination results and sends the file to the corresponding medical institution server and simultaneously to the national health insurance corporation server. |
| US08112283B2 |
In-vehicle audio apparatus
An audio apparatus has a function of correcting an audio signal in response to a noise level. The audio apparatus includes a correction unit that corrects an input audio signal on the basis of a weighting factor, an output unit that produces a played-back audio sound on the basis of the corrected audio signal, a microphone for receiving an external sound that includes the played-back audio sound and noise, a noise-extracting unit that extracts a noise signal from an external sound signal, the noise-extracting unit including a speech-removing unit that removes a speech signal from the noise signal on the basis of noise spectrum data, and a weighting factor calculation unit that calculates the weighting factor on the basis of the extracted noise signal and supplies the calculated weighting factor to the correction unit. |
| US08112274B2 |
Method of determining model-specific factors for pattern recognition, in particular for speech patterns
A method for recognizing a pattern that comprises a set of physical stimuli, said method comprising the steps of: providing a set of training observations and through applying a plurality of association models ascertaining various measuring values pj(k|x), j=1 . . . M, that each pertain to assigning a particular training observation to one or more associated pattern classes; setting up a log/linear association distribution by combining all association models of the plurality according to respective weight factors, and joining thereto a normalization quantity to produce a compound association distribution; optimizing said weight factors for thereby minimizing a detected error rate of the actual assigning to said compound distribution; recognizing target observations representing a target pattern with the help of said compound distribution. |
| US08112273B2 |
Voice activity detection and silence suppression in a packet network
The present invention is a system and method that improves upon voice activity detection by packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise. In accordance with the present invention an access network receives an input voice signal (including noise) and converts the input voice signal into a packetized voice signal. The packetized voice signal is transmitted via a network to an egress network. The egress network receives the packetized voice signal, converts the packetized voice signal into an output voice signal, and outputs the output voice signal. The egress network also extracts and stores noise packets from the received packetized voice signal and converts the packetized noise signal into an output noise signal. When the access network ceases to receive the input voice signal while the call is still ongoing, the access network instructs the egress network to continually output the output noise signal. |
| US08112272B2 |
Sound source separation device, speech recognition device, mobile telephone, sound source separation method, and program
A sound source signal from a target sound source is allowed to be separated from a mixed sound which consists of sound source signals emitted from a plurality of sound sources without being affected by uneven sensitivity of microphone elements. A beamformer section 3 of a source separation device 1 performs beamforming processing for attenuating sound source signals arriving from directions symmetrical with respect to a perpendicular line to a straight line connecting two microphones 10 and 11 respectively by multiplying output signals from the microphones 10 and 11 after spectrum analysis by weighted coefficients which are complex conjugate to each other. Power computation sections 40 and 41 compute power spectrum information, and target sound spectrum extraction sections 50 and 51 extract spectrum information of a target sound source based on a difference between the power spectrum information. |
| US08112258B2 |
PDC drill bit using optimized side rake angle
A fixed cutter drill bit and a method for designing a fixed cutter drill bit includes simulating the fixed cutter drill bit drilling in an earth formation. A performance characteristic of the simulated fixed cutter drill bit is determined. A side rake angle distribution of the cutters is adjusted at least along a cone region of a blade of the fixed cutter drill bit to change the performance characteristic of the fixed cutter drill bit. |
| US08112257B2 |
Semantic extensions of business process modeling tools
A method and a system directed to semantically annotating business process modeling components of a business process model are described. For example, a definition of a business process modeling component and an association of a domain element with the business process modeling component are received. Then, the definition of the business process modeling component is semantically annotated using the domain element. |
| US08112255B2 |
Method and apparatus for computer-aided design of three-dimensional objects to be fabricated
A computer-aided design apparatus generates a tree structure of coordinate systems defining the topology of a three-dimensional object to be fabricated. The coordinate systems are positioned and orientated in accordance with mathematical functions. The mathematical function positioning child coordinate systems has the identity of the parent coordinate systems as a variable so that the positions of the child coordinate systems relative to their parent coordinate systems vary in accordance with the identity of the parent coordinate systems. Data defining the coordinate systems and connections therebetween is stored in a graph. Bases having a defined relationship are identified and three-dimensional content objects are added thereto. The content objects are added using the same mathematical function to generate a three-dimensional content object in each of a plurality of coordinate systems. The mathematical function for generating the content objects has the identity of the coordinate systems as a variable thereof to generate the content object in each coordinate system with a different shape. |
| US08112253B2 |
Energy management system that provides real time situation awareness of a potential energy management failure
An energy management system has a control center at a utility company, and logic resources coupled to the power system that provide a real time notice of conditions which effect energy management of the utility company. At least one user interface is provided at the control center that is coupled to the logic resources. The user interface provides a real time situation awareness of a potential energy management failure. |
| US08112249B2 |
System and methods for parametric test time reduction
A parametric test time reduction method for reducing time expended to conduct a test program flow on a population of semiconductor devices, the test program flow comprising at least one parametric test having a specification defining a known pass value range characterized in that a result of the test is considered a passing result if the result falls within the known pass value range, the method including: computing an estimated maximum test range, at a given confidence level, on a validation set including a subset of the population of semiconductor devices, the estimated maximum test range including the range of values into which all results from performing the test on the set will statistically fall at the given confidence level and at least partly disabling the at least one parametric test based at least partly on a comparison of the estimated maximum test range and the known pass value range. |
| US08112246B2 |
Apparatus for and a method of determining surface characteristics
Light reflected by a sample surface region and a reference surface interfere. A detector senses light intensity at intervals during relative movement along a scan path between the sample surface and the reference surface to provide a series of intensity values representing interference fringes. A data processor receives first intensity data comprising a first series of intensity values resulting from a measurement operation on a surface area of a substrate and second intensity data including a second series of intensity values resulting from a measurement operation on a surface area of a thin film structure. A gain is determined for each thin film of the thin film structure. Substrate and apparent thin film structure surface characteristics are determined on the basis of the first and second intensity data, respectively. The apparent thin film structure surface characteristic is modified using the substrate surface characteristic and the determined gain or gains. |
| US08112242B2 |
Paving-related measuring device incorporating a computer device and communication element therebetween and associated method
A system for determining a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property. A computer device is capable of executing a software program product and communicating with the measuring device. The computer device directs the measuring device to measure the property of the paving-related material according to a parameter determined by the software program product, and to receive data comprising the measured property from the measuring device. A communication element operably engaged between the measuring device and the computer device allows communication therebetween. The communication element is configured to allow the computer device to be spaced apart from the measuring device, thereby allowing the computer device to be prepared, to include the parameter and to manipulate the data, in spaced apart relation with respect to the measuring device. An associated method is also provided. |
| US08112239B2 |
Method and system of performing a functional test of at least one embedded sub-element of a wind turbine
A method of performing a functional test of at least one embedded sub-element of a wind turbine, the wind turbine being controlled by a control algorithm of a wind turbine controller, includes the steps of: executing a predefined event pattern activating at least one sub-element of the wind turbine, obtaining measure data on the basis of measurements of at least one sub-element according to the predefined event pattern, and relating the measure data to predefined reference data and establishing a test result indicating the condition of the embedded sub-element on the basis thereof. The predefined event pattern is executed by a test algorithm overriding the control algorithm of the wind turbine controller at least partly. It is a very advantageous feature according to the present invention that the sub-elements may be tested while being embedded in the wind turbine. |
| US08112236B2 |
Device for accurately measuring amplifier's open-loop gain with digital stimuli
A device capable of receiving one or more digital stimulus signals and accurately measuring an open-loop gain of an amplifier comprises: a digital charge converter (DCC), a charge integrator, an A/D converter, a control logic circuit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The DCC and the charge integrator are composed of a plurality of switches, one or more sampling capacitor, at least one integrating capacitor and an operational amplifier under test (OPAUT) with a single-ended output or differential-ended outputs. The DCC, the charge integrator, and the A/D converter are controlled by control signals generated by the logic control circuit and can be reconfigured as a first-order Sigma-Delta modulator capable of receiving at least one of the digital input stimulus signals. The ALU calculates the open-loop gain of the OPAUT with single-ended output or differential-ended outputs according to the digital stimulus signals and the digital output of the first-order Sigma-Delta modulator. |
| US08112235B2 |
State and topology processor
A State and Topology Processor (STP) may be communicatively coupled to one or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) communicatively coupled to a electrical power system to obtain one or more current measurements, voltage measurements, and dynamic topology data therefrom. The STP may receive the measurement data and may determine a current topology and a voltage topology therefrom. A current processor may use the current topology and the current measurements to refine the measurements, perform KCL, unbalance, symmetrical component, and consistency checks on the electrical power system. The voltage processor may use the voltage topology and the voltage measurements to perform similar checks on the electrical power system. One or more alarms may be generated responsive to the checks. The data may be displayed to a user in a display of a human machine interface and/or may be transmitted to a user programmable task module, and/or an external control unit. |
| US08112231B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing and processing molecular information
To provide a molecular information providing system that allows the molecular information to be shared by providing high precision information without depending on the format of atomic arrangement notation from a terminal unit.The molecular information providing system of the invention has the terminal units to including molecular structure input/output means, and a molecular information providing apparatus connected via a network to the terminal units and including a database storing a molecular structure, an intermediate representation generated from the molecular structure, and a characteristic decided depending on the molecular structure. The molecular information providing apparatus comprises a coordinate system transforming part for calculating the principal axes of inertia from an atomic arrangement notation specifying the molecular structure, and registering in the database an intermediate representation that is a coordinate transformation of the atomic coordinates into a coordinate system in the directions of the principal axes of inertia, and a retrieval executing part for retrieving the molecular structure stored in the database, employing the intermediate representation. |
| US08112228B2 |
Statistical correction for standoff in two-terminal imager operating in oil-based mud
An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for estimating a resistivity property of an earth formation in a borehole filled with oil-based mud. The method includes conveying a logging tool into a borehole; measuring a plurality of impedance values of the earth formation, each of the plurality of impedance values being obtained at one of a plurality of measure electrodes on the logging tool; determining a coefficient related to an electrical property of the mud from a plurality of pairs of impedance values; estimating the resistivity property of the formation from the determined coefficient; and recording the resistivity property on a suitable medium. |
| US08112227B2 |
Processing of multi-component induction measurements in a biaxially anisotropic formation
Measurements made by a multi-component logging tool in a borehole are inverted to obtain three principal resistivities (or conductivities) and three associated angles of a bi-axially symmetric formation traversed by the borehole. |
| US08112225B2 |
Method and system for collision avoidance
A method for collision avoidance for a host vehicle includes the following steps; receiving input data relating to a set of objects external to the host vehicle, wherein an object position (r,Φ), and an object velocity ({dot over (r)}) are associated with each object by a sensor system arranged on the host vehicle, then estimating future trajectories of each external object, while considering influence by the future trajectories of the other external objects. |
| US08112220B2 |
Management of traffic signals at road intersection to avoid blocking vehicles
A computer controlled system for managing traffic signals at the intersection of at least two traffic lanes to avoid collisions between motor vehicles in intersecting lanes. An implementation for controlling traffic signals at the intersection to permit vehicles in each of the intersection traffic lanes a time period to pass through the intersection, detecting the presence of a vehicle in the intersection beyond the permitted time period, and responsive to a detection of the presence of the vehicle, controlling the traffic signals to stop other vehicles from passing through the intersection. |
| US08112219B2 |
System for and method of monitoring real time traffic conditions using probe vehicles
A system and method for updating and communicating traffic information to at least one receiving vehicle includes a traffic information center and at least one probe vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, major road sections are represented as links, the center stores and updates a parent map database of links that are associable with a first value of a condition, each probe vehicle is configured to receive a copy of the database either periodically or upon request, determine a second value of the condition, and compare the first and second values to determine a condition discrepancy. Where the discrepancy surpasses a threshold, each probe vehicle is further configured to upload at least the second value to the center, so as to update the parent map database. |
| US08112216B2 |
Late lean injection with adjustable air splits
A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel is combustible, a turbine into which products of at least the combustion of the first fuel are receivable, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, a plurality of fuel injectors which are configured to supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages, a compressor, by which air is supplied to the first and second interiors for the combustion therein, and a control system configured to control relative amounts of the air to the first and second interiors and relative amounts of the first and second fuels supplied to the first and second interiors. |
| US08112206B2 |
Method for controlling a powertrain system based upon energy storage device temperature
A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an input member of a transmission device operative to transmit torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring a temperature of the energy storage device, selecting a candidate powertrain system operating point, determining an output power from the energy storage device associated with the candidate powertrain system operating point, determining a power loss for operating the powertrain system at the candidate powertrain system operating point, and determining operating costs for operating the powertrain system at the candidate powertrain system operating point associated with the power loss and based upon the temperature of the energy storage device. |
| US08112203B2 |
System for assisting fuel-efficient driving
A system for assisting fuel-efficient driving includes a storage unit for storing a shift pattern map, a collection unit for collecting the driving state information of a vehicle, a driving state calculation unit for calculating a current driving state and a target driving region on the basis of the information from the collection unit and the shift pattern map, and a display control unit for displaying the current driving state and the target driving region on a display to make it possible to compare the current driving state and the target driving region on the basis of at least acceleration or speed. |
| US08112199B2 |
Suspension control device, vehicle comprising said device, production method thereof and associated program
The invention relates to a device for controlling the suspension of the body shell of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the device comprises: a means for measuring the travel (DEB(A)) and travel speed (VDEB(A)) of the right and left wheels on a front and/or rear axle system in relation to the body shell, a means (61, 62) for detecting a wide range of wheel movement when the travel (DEB(A)) and speed values exceed a threshold, and a means (64) for calculating a set value (ERGD) for the shock absorber actuator when a wide range of wheel movement is detected. |
| US08112197B2 |
Wiper apparatus control method and wiper control system
A wiper apparatus includes: a wiper blade driven by a first motor; and a wiper blade driven by a second motor. The motors are drive-controlled by control microcomputers, respectively. The control microcomputers are connected to each other through a communication line. While exchanging position information of the wiper blades through the communication line, the control microcomputers synchronously drive the motors on the basis of a position relationship between both of the wiper blades. When an abnormality occurs in a communication state of an in-vehicle LAN, a setting state of a wiper switch is grasped through a switch signal line directly connected to the wiper switch, and wipers are prevented from being stopped when such communication abnormality occurs. |
| US08112193B2 |
Virtual tensioner travel sensor for a serpentine belt tensioner assembly
A control module of a vehicle comprises a drive diagnostic module and a hybrid control module. The drive diagnostic module determines a load energy of an accessory drive system of the vehicle and determines a slip percentage of a belt of the accessory drive system based on an engine speed and a motor speed. The hybrid control module determines a requested motor torque based on at least one of the load energy and the slip percentage. The control module controls a motor of the vehicle based on the requested motor torque. |
| US08112191B2 |
System and method for monitoring the effectiveness of a brake function in a powered system
A system is provided for monitoring the effectiveness of a braking function in a powered system. The system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive data related to the parameter. Subsequent to activating the braking function, the processor is configured to determine the effectiveness of the braking function of the powered system, based upon whether the parameter data varies by a predetermined threshold. A method and a computer software code are also provided for monitoring the effectiveness of a braking function in a powered system. |
| US08112187B2 |
Formation flight control method
The invention relates to a method for controlling the formation flight of at least two aircraft (1,2). The first aircraft (1) includes means of transmitting its position, its velocity and its flight plan. The flight plan has predictions of altitude, velocity and time for at least one next waypoint (WPT). The second aircraft (2) includes means of receiving the information transmitted by the first aircraft (1). According to the invention, the second aircraft (2) determines its future flight plan as a function of the information received from the first aircraft (1) in order to maintain a constant separation (T) from the first aircraft (1). |
| US08112183B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A substrate processing apparatus detects malfunction of mechanisms in MFC. An inert gas supply line, a first shut-off valve shutting off the inert gas supply, a process gas supply line, and a second shut-off valve shutting off the process gas supply are installed upstream of the MFC. A gas supply pipe connected to a process chamber, a third shut-off valve shutting off gas supply to the gas supply pipe, an exhaust vent line which is exhaustible, and a fourth shut-off valve shutting off gas supply to the exhaust vent line are installed downstream of the MFC. A main control unit determines that the MFC is abnormal if a transition time exceeds a previously set time when the MFC transitions from a closed state to an opened state while the shut-off valves are in a closed state. |
| US08112182B2 |
Mass flow rate-controlling apparatus
A mass flow rate-controlling apparatus including a mass flow rate-detecting mechanism 8 a flow rate-controlling valve mechanism 10 and a mechanism 44 for controlling the flow rate-controlling valve mechanism based on a flow rate-setting signal S0 input from outside and a flow rate signal S1, the flow path being provided with a pressure-detecting mechanism 42 for detecting the pressure of the fluid to output the detected pressure signal, so that the controlling mechanism selectively switches a first control mode for controlling the mass flow rate based on the flow rate signal and the flow rate-setting signal without using the detected pressure signal, and a second control mode for controlling the mass flow rate based on the detected pressure signal, the flow rate signal and the flow rate-setting signal, based on a pressure variation obtained from the detected pressure signal. |
| US08112181B2 |
Automatic mold and fungus growth inhibition system and method
Apparatus for automatic environmental control includes an enclosed, zoned structure. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is incorporated into the structure. Each zone includes separate controls, separately-controlled air flow into and out of each zone, and separate intake, vent, damper, thermostat and humidistat for each zone. Temperature and humidity are separately controllable for each zone, and controller is in communication with HVAC system for controlling HVAC system and for controlling the damper for each zone, the controller having a map comprising a plurality of relative humidity and temperature combinations and one or more actions for automatic execution based on the combinations of temperature and humidity. A temperature sensor, a relative humidity sensor are included in each zone, and an indicator array/interface panel is in communication with the controller. The system provides for the automatic elimination of environmental conditions favorable to mold and fungus growth for each zone individually. |
| US08112172B2 |
Method and system for gash parameter extraction of a cutting tool
A method for extracting gash parameters of a cutting tool, comprises positioning the cutting tool on a moveable stage, scanning two or more gash sections of the cutting tool to generate two or more gash section scanning point clouds, indexing multiple points of the gash section scanning point clouds, detecting multiple gash features using the indexed gash section scanning point clouds, projecting multiple point clouds of the gash features of the indexed gash section scanning point clouds to form one or more projected gash feature point clouds, identifying one or more types of the one or more projected gash feature point clouds, segmenting the one or more projected gash feature point clouds based on the type identification, and extracting one or more gash parameters based on the segmentation of the one or more projected gash feature point clouds. A system for extracting the parameters is also presented. |
| US08112169B2 |
Polishing apparatus and polishing method
A polishing apparatus has a polishing table having a polishing surface and a top ring for pressing a substrate against the polishing surface while independently controlling pressing forces applied to a plurality of areas on the substrate. The polishing apparatus has a sensor for monitoring substrate conditions of a plurality of measurement points on the substrate, a monitor unit for performing a predetermined arithmetic process on a signal from the sensor to generate a monitor signal, and a controller for comparing the monitor signal of the measurement points with the reference signal and controlling the pressing forces of the top ring so that the monitor signal of the measurement point converges on the reference signal. |
| US08112164B2 |
Low maintenance spa control system
A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as-required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance. |
| US08112163B2 |
Embedded dynamic alarm control system
A system and method of modeling, prediction, optimization and controlling an embedded alarm control having a plurality of independently controlled, manipulated variables, at least one controlled variables and one or more disturbance variables. The method includes determining simultaneously a set number of dynamic moves of the manipulated variables along with steady state values of the manipulated and controlled variables with steady state constraints relating to the manipulated and controlled variables as well as dynamic constraints relating to the manipulated and controlled variables including relating to the disturbance variables. Embedding alarm controls in the simultaneous dynamic control and steady state optimization with varying type of alarming situations and aiding operator in recovery actions. Performing a receding horizon form of control wherein the optimization and control is performed at successive time interval by monitoring and feedback of process responses resulting from the control actions applied at previous time intervals. |
| US08112161B2 |
Implantable electrode with variable mechanical modulation wiring
A cochlear implant electrode is described. A basal electrode lead carries electrical stimulation signals from an implant housing to a cochleostomy opening, and a portion of the electrode lead has a periodically recurring lead shape. An apical electrode array at the cochleostomy end of the electrode lead passes into a cochlea scala and includes electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A portion of the electrode array has a periodically recurring array shape different from the lead shape. |
| US08112159B2 |
Kit for implantation of therapy elements
This disclosure describes a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient, and techniques for percutaneously inserting therapy elements into a patient. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for percutaneously inserting two or more therapy elements into a patient via a single needle. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The kit comprises a needle defining a lumen a first therapy element sized to pass through the lumen, and a second therapy element sized to pass through the lumen. The lumen is sized to receive both of the first and second therapy elements simultaneously. The first and second therapy elements are separate and not attached to one another such that distal ends of the first and second therapy elements can be positioned to provide therapy in distinct locations of the patient. |
| US08112154B2 |
Systems and methods for neuromodulation using pre-recorded waveforms
Methods for neuromodulation using waveform signals. In certain embodiments, an input waveform is obtained from a signal source site in a source subject and an output waveform is applied to a target site in a target subject. The source subject is a human or animal and the signal source site is in the nervous system, including the brain. The source subject and target subject are the same subjects or different subjects. The output waveform is identical to the input waveform or derived from the input waveform. In some embodiments, the output waveform is modified in response to physiologic feedback. Also provided are systems for neuromodulation using waveform signals. |
| US08112149B2 |
System and method for heart and activity monitoring
A system and method determining physiological status of a patient. A determination is made whether the patient is sleeping. The amplitude and change in voltage over time of any intramyocardial electrogram is measured for a right ventricle and a left ventricle of a heart of the patient for a predefined number of heartbeats at a specified time interval in response to determining the patient is asleep. The measurements are averaged for the right ventricle and left ventricle. The averaged measurements are transmitted to a receiver for communication to an intended recipient. |
| US08112148B2 |
System and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders
A medical device system and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders. In some embodiments, a brain signal and a cardiac signal are received by a processor, brain events are identified in the brain signal, and the brain events are used to identify portions of the cardiac signal. In some embodiments, Event portions of the cardiac signal are identified corresponding to brain event time periods, and Inter-event portions are identified corresponding to time periods between brain events. An Inter-event heart-rate variability (HRV) calculation is performed using Inter-event portions of the cardiac signal, and an output of the medical device system is modified based upon the calculated Inter-event HRV according to certain embodiments of the invention. An Event HRV may also be calculated according to certain embodiments, and an output modified based on comparisons of the Event HRV to the Inter-event HRV, for example. |
| US08112147B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating determination indexes for identifying ECG interfering signals
A method for generating determination indexes for identifying ECG interfering signals includes acquiring ECG signals to obtain a sequence of data values representing original ECG signals; dividing the sequence of data values acquired during a period of time into groups and collecting all the minimum data values in their respective groups on a statistical basis; determining the minimum and the maximum data values in a minimum set made up of all the minimum data values in their respective groups; and using the difference between the minimum and the maximum data values as a first baseline drift determination index to identify at least one of low frequency interference and irregular interference. |
| US08112145B2 |
MRI method for assessing myocardial viability
An assessment of myocardial viability in a subject is performed by acquiring an MR image which distinguishes infarcted myocardium from normal myocardium. A contrast agent is used and after a waiting period, a cardiac-gated segmented inversion recovery gradient-recalled radial sampling technique is employed to acquire NMR data over a substantial portion of the cardiac cycle. By interleaving the radial sampling patterns, images can be reconstructed over a range of possible TI intervals enabling the optimal TI for maximum contrast to be retrospectively selected. |
| US08112143B2 |
Using magnetic resonance images for locating anatomical targets
A novel MR method and system is described for using MR images for planning radiotherapy treatment. The images are obtained by a scanner which generates a magnetic field with a magnetic center (isocenter). First at least one fiducial marker (4; 5) is applied to the body (1) of the patient at a predetermined distance from the isocenter. The patient is repositioned within said scanner such that an anatomical target (2) is located in close vicinity of said isocenter. A first image of said target (2) is obtained and then the patient (1) is shifted such that the fiducial marker (4; 5) is close to the isocenter. A second image is obtained at the shifted position, in which the fiducial marker has an accurate geometrical position, that is merged into said first image. |
| US08112141B2 |
Method and device for quick press on EEG electrode
Embodiments relate to methods and systems for monitoring bioelectric potentials. In some instances, an electrode is applied to a patient's skin. The electrode may be at least partly inserted into the patient's skin, such as by inserting at least part of one or more teeth underneath the skin. |
| US08112139B2 |
Skin screw electrode
Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes that include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation are disclosed. The shallow and relatively long teeth preferably run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient's skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the teeth penetrate nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may house a diversity of electronic components to enable numerous experimental and medical implementations. The electrodes may also be used wirelessly without electrode leads. The electrodes may be fabricated using precision photo-chemical etching techniques that are well known in the art. An electrode installation device that preferably employs the electrodes is also disclosed. |
| US08112130B2 |
Receiver acoustic system
A mobile communications device has an outer housing with a front wall in which an acoustic opening is formed. A tub is disposed inside the housing, wherein an acoustic opening is formed in a bottom of the tub and is positioned to be aligned with the acoustic opening in the outer housing. A receiver is disposed within the tub so that a sound port hole of the receiver faces an inside face of the tub and is aligned with the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. A plate piece is disposed between an inside face of the housing and the face of the receiver in which the sound port hole is formed. An acoustic opening is formed in the plate piece and positioned to be aligned with the sound port hole of the receiver and the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08112126B2 |
System and method for changing instant messaging presence of a user profile relative to the active call mode of a communication device
The present invention is a method and system for changing the presence of a user profile logged into a communication device on a communications network relative to the active call mode of the communication device. In the first embodiment, the communication device first receives an indication that an event involving the communication device has triggered active call mode. The communication device next determines the new presence corresponding to the event triggering active call mode, and communicates the new presence to the communications network. In the second embodiment, the communication device is coupled to a client device. The client device receives an indication that an event involving the communication device has triggered active call mode and determines the new presence for the user profile corresponding to the event. The new presence for the user profile logged into the communication device is then communicated to the communications network. |
| US08112122B2 |
Mobile communication terminal having a context sensitive keypad and method thereof
A mobile communication apparatus comprising a numeric keypad is disclosed, wherein a number of functions are associated with keys of said keypad. The functions are related to a context of a present application running on said mobile communication apparatus, and associated with one or more further applications, wherein actuation of any of said keys results in activation of any of said one or more further functions to perform said related function by said associated applications. |
| US08112118B2 |
System and method for using a temporary electronic serial number for over-the-air activation of a mobile device
A system and method for activating a subscriber identification module (SIM) based mobile device in a PCS/ANSI type wireless network. The method comprises pre-programming the SIM card of the mobile device with temporary activation identifiers, such as an international mobile station identity (IMSI) and/or a mobile identification number (MIN), and a temporary electronic serial number. The temporary electronic serial number, rather than the mobile device actual electronic serial number, is used to identify the mobile device during registration and activation. The network identifies the temporary electronic serial number associated with the SIM vendor and invokes an over-the-air activation procedure especially for the SIM card mobile devices. A SIM-over-the-air-activation processor is notified to perform the activation for that mobile device on the PCS wireless network. Authentication of the mobile device may be bypassed and the mobile device is instructed to transmit its actual electronic serial number for future registrations. Once the activation process is completed, the temporary activation identifiers are overwritten. |
| US08112115B2 |
Portable base station device and charging method
A mobile base station device and billing method, which can provide an incentive for use at a specific position, while securing convenience for users, are provided. In a mobile base station device 10, upon installation by an owner, registered user terminal-specific information transmitted from a network N, and installation position information specifying the installation position, are stored. When there is transmission from a portable terminal 30, judgment is made as to whether the user of the portable terminal 30 is a registered user and as to whether transmission is from within a prescribed area; only when these conditions are satisfied, a communication connection is established at a flat rate. By this means, in the mobile base station device 10, an incentive can be provided to users for use in a specific position. Further, billing adjustments are made for use at other than the specific position, but communication service is not completely forbidden, and user convenience is secured. |
| US08112113B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a reception unit to receive, from at least one of a plurality of communication systems, an initial beacon containing information for establishing communication according to each of the plurality of communication methods, a request unit to generate a request by use of the initial beacon to transmit the request to the at least one of the plurality of communication systems, and a determination unit to determine, based on information as a response to the request, the communication method and the frequency band, which are to be used in a time zone by the mobile terminal. |
| US08112108B2 |
Methods and apparatus facilitating and/or making wireless resource reuse decisions
Methods and apparatus related to reuse of a wireless resource are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited to wireless communications systems lacking centralized control, e.g., an ad hoc peer to peer wireless communications system. A first wireless device of a first connection generates and transmits one or more control signals to be used by a wireless device of a second connection to make a resource reuse decision. The first connection is, e.g., an existing active connection and the second connection is, e.g., a potential connection. A transmission power level of a control signal is set based upon a predetermined relationship to at least one other signal previously communicated on the first connection, e.g., a peer discovery or paging signal. In some embodiments, the control signal is a single tone signal. The transmitted control signal facilitates the estimation of an expected SINR by a device of the second connection. |
| US08112107B2 |
Wireless communication system for updating logic-circuit data for implementing logic circuit in variable logic circuit unit
A transmission source device transmits a test signal to a transmission destination device and a transmitting device by wireless communication. The transmission destination device and the transmitting device add to a received test signal an identification number thereof and a receiving time and return the data-added test signal to the transmission source device. The transmission source device determines a communication route with a shortest communication time based on the received data-added test signal. The transmission source device transmits logic-circuit update data to the transmission destination device via the determined communication route. |
| US08112105B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for estimating channels
A method, an apparatus and a system for estimating channels are disclosed. A method for estimating channels includes: receiving downlink signals inclusive of reference signals from two or more Access Points (APs), where the relative frequency shift between reference signals sent by different APs is zero; and performing channel estimation according to the reference signals. Another method for estimating channels includes: receiving downlink signals inclusive of reference signals from two or more APs, where for a first AP and a second AP among the two or more APs, a specific time-frequency lattice in the downlink signals sent by the first AP does not include data signal, and the specific time-frequency lattice corresponds to a time-frequency lattice utilized by the second AP to send a reference signal; and performing channel estimation according to the reference signals. The technical solution disclosed herein eliminates the interference between the reference signal and the data signal, enables the UE to estimate the channel value between the UE and the cooperative APs accurately, and improves the UE performance. |
| US08112104B1 |
Adaptable communication techniques for electronic devices
Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages. |
| US08112094B1 |
Radio access layer management
Architecture that efficiently adds additional carrier(s) (e.g., UMTS) to a wireless operator's network which allows the additional carrier(s) network to co-exist with other technologies by sharing the spectrum in geographically adjacent sites. When employing UMTS, the UMTS is CDMA-based such that all users utilize the same frequency 5 MHz band. With this innovation, additional carriers (e.g., a 2nd 5 MHz UMTS carrier) can be added when capacity is needed on a site-by-site basis without clearing an additional 5 MHz of spectrum. |
| US08112091B2 |
Allocating radio resources in mobile communications system
Allocating radio resources in a mobile communication system, comprises transmitting first information to a network, wherein the first information is utilized by the network to allocate radio resources to a mobile terminal for allowing communication between the mobile terminal and the network, and receiving second information from the network, wherein the second information is related to an allocation of radio resources for the mobile terminal. |
| US08112087B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting up radio resource control connection
A method and apparatus for establishing an RRC connection are provided, in which a UE compares the strength of a signal received from a serving cell with a threshold, upon receipt of a request for RRC connection establishment, transmits an RRC connection request message to a RAN, measures the strengths of signals from neighbor cells during a first time period and monitors a downlink channel of the serving cell to receive a response message for the RRC connection request message during a second time period, if the signal strength of the serving cell is less than the threshold, and receives the response message from the RAN on the downlink channel. |
| US08112085B2 |
Anchor selection in distributed networks
Various embodiments are described relating to selecting anchor nodes among nodes in a wireless network. In an example embodiment, a topological arrangement of a first wireless node and one or more other wireless nodes neighboring to the first wireless node in a wireless network may be determined by the first wireless node. A second wireless node may be selected to perform anchor node operations for the first wireless node based on the determined topological arrangement. For example, the first wireless node may select itself to perform the anchor node operations based on the determined topological arrangement. |
| US08112084B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for performing mobile internet protocol deregistering
A method, a system and an apparatus for performing mobile Internet protocol deregistering, includes that the network element in the ASN to which the terminal attaches detects whether the MS terminates unconventionally, and sends the message with the MS identifier of the MS which terminates unconventionally to the ASN GW/DP. The ASN GW/DP instructs the ASN GW/FA to release the link resource with the MS and release the link resource with the HA proving service for the MS. |
| US08112080B2 |
Broadcast/multicast service system and method providing inter-network roaming
A method and system for providing a broadcast/multicast (BCAST) service, are provided. The method includes obtaining, by the terminal, at least one BCAST service from a visiting network when the terminal roams in the visiting network. |
| US08112077B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting media data
Media data from a first communication session and media data from a second communication session are received by a unit in the communication network and are combined therein to form at least one combined media data stream which contains the media data from the two communication sessions. The combined media data stream is sent to the communication terminal. |
| US08112075B2 |
HARQ-aware CQI reporting
The invention provides a method or system where the UE sends the CQI to the base station (Node B) based on whether a HARQ retransmission is expected. For example, if a HARQ retransmission is expected, then the UE can reduce the CQI information to sending less (or no) bits in the uplink. In effect, the UE will automatically stop sending CQIs to the base station (Node B) for time-periods where it is known that HARQ retransmissions will be scheduled. The method or system may include one or more steps or elements for implementing this functionality in the UE. |
| US08112070B2 |
Electronic device and method for searching a merchandise location
An electronic device and method for searching a merchandise location include creating a database to store merchandise maps, and receiving the name of a searched shopping location and the merchandise name of a searched merchandise as search keywords. The electronic device and method further include downloading a merchandise map of the searched shopping location comprising the searched merchandise from the server, if the database does not have any search result, and displaying the downloaded merchandise map on a display. |
| US08112069B2 |
System and method for establishing automated call back using a mobile communication device
A communication system for receiving incoming communications from mobile communication devices and for initiating a call-back is disclosed. The communication system receives incoming communications from a mobile communication device, such as data requests. The data requests may be for a list of providers or companies and for a list of corresponding queues related to customer services, such as billing, for example. Further, the communication system typically includes components and queues for initiating a call-back sequence to a communication receiving device and placing an identifier associated with the communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The communication system also determines the wait time in a queue and places an outgoing call to the communication receiving device. Also, a method for initiating a call-back to a communication receiving device is disclosed. The method includes receiving data from a mobile communication device and placing an identifier associated with a communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The method further includes determining and sending the expected wait time in the queue to the mobile communication device. If a call back request is received from the mobile communication device, a call back to the communication receiving device is placed based upon the assigned placeholder in the queue. |
| US08112068B2 |
Updating of intelligent message waiting notification
A system, computer-readable medium system, and method which provide for delivering notifications to a mobile device where the provider has first and second mobile technology types. Initially, a notification is received from a notification sub-system. A first communication of the notification to the mobile device is then attempted via the first technology type. Where the mobile device has the second technology type, an error signal is received that the attempt has failed. Next, a second communication of the notification to the mobile device is attempted via the second technology type. Where the mobile device has the second technology type and receives the notification, a delivery signal that the attempt was successful is received. After the delivery signal is received, logging of the second technology type of the mobile device is made so that thereafter, any new notification is attempted using the logged second technology type. |
| US08112067B2 |
Profile-driven response to communication events
A method includes storing a setting in a profile of a wireless device to cause an automatic message response to incoming calls. When the profile is set as the active profile and an incoming call is received, an automatic response is provided to the incoming call in accordance with the setting. |
| US08112065B2 |
Mobile authentication through strengthened mutual authentication and handover security
A method of mobile authentication with enhanced mutual authentication and handover security is disclosed. The method of mutual authentication in a mobile network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating at least one service ticket and session key corresponding to a mobile station in accordance with an authentication data request for the mobile station; encrypting the service ticket and the session key by using a user security key pre-assigned in accordance with the mobile station; sending the encrypted service ticket and session key to the mobile station by using a control message; and authenticating the mobile station by analyzing user mutual authentication information received from the mobile station. The present invention, therefore, can provide a more powerful and effective mutual authentication method in a mobile network. |
| US08112062B2 |
System and method for sending threshold notification in real time
A mobile station user is informed of reaching of at least one threshold level of data usage via a wireless communication network in real time. An account of the mobile station user has a maximum data plan limit defined by a user's plan and a data usage balance reflecting an amount of data usage remaining under the plan. When required data usage corresponding to requested data session does not cross the threshold level, a slice of data for the data session is allocated. When required data usage corresponding to the requested data session crosses the threshold level, reduced slice of data is allocated. Data usage is counted in real time during the data session, and a notification of reaching the at least one threshold level of data is sent to the mobile station in real time, at the time when data usage under the mobile station user's account reaches the at least one threshold level. |
| US08112059B2 |
Mixer circuit, integrated circuit device and radio frequency communication unit
A mixer circuit comprises an input stage arranged to convert an input voltage signal received at an input of the mixer circuit into at least one current signal, and a frequency conversion stage comprising at least one switching element arranged to convert a signal component of the at least one current signal from an input frequency to a output frequency. The input stage comprises at least one resistance connected between the input of the mixer circuit and the at least one switching element. The at least one switching element and the at least one resistance are arranged such that the at least one switching element comprises a ‘turn-on’ resistance that exhibits a resistivity that is a factor less than the at least one resistance connected thereto. |
| US08112055B2 |
Calibrating receive chain to reduce second order intermodulation distortion
Embodiments of apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for calibrating receive chain to reduce second order intermodulation distortion are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a reference sensing chain is used to generate reference second-order intermodulation distortion signals that may be used to adjust a calibration code. In some embodiments, a calibration code may be adjusted using one or more feedback loops of a baseband amplifier. The embodiments may be employed, e.g., to manage power in wireless networks. Other embodiments and usages may be described and claimed. |
| US08112054B2 |
Tri-stating a phase locked loop to conserve power
In a system with an intermittently operating radio, the frequency of which is controlled by a Phase Locked Loop (PLL), a method and system for reducing the power consumed by the PLL by tri-stating the control capacitor in the PLL after the PLL has stabilized at a design frequency. After the capacitor is stabilized, power to some of the components in the PLL is reduced. |
| US08112042B2 |
Wireless communication device capable of measuring quality of wireless signal at variable time intervals
A wireless communication device is disclosed in which signal quality values C[t] of a wireless signal received by the wireless communication device is successively measured at variable time intervals Δt, mean value μ of the successively-measured signal quality values C[t] is calculated, standard deviation σ of the successively-measured signal quality values C[t] is calculated, a determination is made as to whether the signal quality value C[t] at present time satisfies a predetermined inequality which represents that a signal quality value C[t] at arbitrary time lies within k times the standard deviations σ away from the mean value μ, and lengths of the time intervals Δt for the measurement device are controlled based on the determination. |
| US08112040B2 |
Method for measuring variable bandwidth wireless channel and transmitter and receiver therefor
Provided are a method for measuring a variable bandwidth wireless channel, and a transmitter and a receiver therefore. The transmitter, includes: a pre-processing unit for performing variable over-sampling and band-limited filtering on an original sequence for measuring the wireless channel according to a pre-determined digital-to-analog (D/A) operation speed and measurement bandwidth, and creating and storing a probing sequence whose frequency is up-converted into a fixed transmitting intermediate frequency; and a real-time processing unit for transmitting a probing signal that the stored probing sequence is converted according to the D/A operation speed to the wireless channel. |
| US08112039B2 |
System and method for detecting radar signals in wireless communications access points
A system and method for providing radar signal detection in a communications system. In an example method, a raw energy detect signal is received and analyzed to determine if the raw energy detect signal contains a valid radar pulse. A bit is stored in a bit sequence storage device such that the bit has a first value if a valid radar pulse was detected or a second value indicating that a valid pulse was not detected. A set of bits in the bit sequence storage device are accessed to determine if a plurality of waveform-indicating locations in the bit sequence storage device includes valid pulses. In another aspect of the invention, a system detects a radar signal in a communications device. The system includes a pulse detector to detect pulses in a raw energy signal having a pulse width within a predetermined minimum and maximum pulse width. The system includes a frequency detector having a bit sequence storage device to store the bits output by the pulse detector. The frequency detector detects whether the detected pulses conform to a waveform type by determining if the bits are stored in the bit sequence storage device in waveform-indicating locations. |
| US08112036B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, wireless communication method and program
A wireless communication method implemented by a wireless communication device includes performing a non-contact communication with an other wireless communication device. The method also includes receiving predetermined setting data from the other wireless communication device. Further, the method includes establishing a wireless connection with the other wireless communication device by using the predetermined setting data. The method additionally includes storing the predetermined setting data in a storage medium before the wireless connection is released. In addition, the method includes releasing the wireless connection. The method further includes establishing a wireless reconnection with the other wireless communication device by using the predetermined setting data stored in the storage medium. The wireless connection is not necessarily released by the wireless communication device while power is being supplied from outside. |
| US08112035B2 |
Sensor device, sensor network system, and sensor device control method
Disclosed are a sensor device and a sensor device control method. The sensor device comprises a reader for requesting a tag information and detecting an interference channel, and a short range wireless communication module for sharing a information of the interference channel through short range wireless communication, and reallocating channels to be used for the reader. |
| US08112034B2 |
Method and system for using PSK sync word for fine tuning frequency adjustment
In RF transceivers, a method and system for using phase shift key (PSK) sync word for fine tuning frequency adjustment are provided. One aspect of the invention provides for adjusting a local oscillator frequency in a radio frequency (RF) receiver when a residual DC offset remains after a coarse frequency offset adjustment if performed. The fine adjustment may be necessary because of the synchronization required with a PSK-based modulated portion of a Bluetooth packet. A residual phase shift detected in a sync sequence portion of the Bluetooth packet may be utilized to determine a residual or fine frequency adjustment. This approach may allow an RF receiver to operate, in some instances, without the need for an equalizer. In this regard, the power consumed by the RF receiver may be minimized and/or the overall cost of the RF receiver may be reduced. |
| US08112030B2 |
Ionizing communication disruptor unit
An apparatus includes a voltage generator and a superstructure. The voltage generator includes a conductive base, an insulating spacer and a conductive top. The superstructure includes a platform and an antenna system. The voltage generator provides a voltage difference between the conductive base and the conductive top that is greater than 10,000 volts. |
| US08112029B1 |
Method for developing writing skills by creating customized books using a network
A method for creating a book using a network, comprising using a processor to create a website to entice a user to become a subscriber. Computer instructions are used to provide a welcome message, provide a security feature to the user, provide a free tour of the service for creating the book, and offer a search tool to browse a dynamic information database containing artwork, text, characters, contact information for artists and authors to provide commissioned work, and rules of usage. The computer instructions also offer viewing of artwork having high viewing frequency, provide a payment selection to become a subscriber, and process payment by the user. A subscriber is then allowed to create a unique book, store selections and work under an account having a secure account number, and print at least a portion of the unique book on a printer owned, controlled, or designated by the subscriber. |
| US08112024B2 |
Heat fixing apparatus
The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. |
| US08112023B2 |
Image forming apparatus and fixing device
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to carry a toner image and a fixing device to fix the toner image transferred from the image carrier onto a recording medium by applying at least heat to at least one of the toner image and the recording medium. Such a fixing device includes: a magnetic flux generator to generate a magnetic flux; and a heat generating member disposed at least partially in the magnetic flux. The heat generating member includes a heat generating layer to generate heat via eddy currents therein induced by the magnetic flux, magnitudes of the eddy currents varying according to positions thereof in a width direction of the heat generating layer. Included within the heat generating layer is a magnetic layer having a Curie point in a range, e.g., from about 100 degrees centigrade to about 300 degrees centigrade. |
| US08112015B2 |
Belt unit and image forming apparatus
At least one of a plurality of rollers supporting an endless belt includes a flange arranged on an end portion of the roller. The flange includes a cylindrical portion that is inserted into an opening portion of the roller at its end. Outer circumference of the cylindrical portion makes contact with inner circumference of the roller, and inner circumference of the flange makes contact with a rotation shaft of the roller. The inner edge of a surface where the flange is in contact with the rotation shaft is located on the inner side of the outer edge of a surface where the cylindrical portion is in contact with the roller in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft. |
| US08112014B2 |
Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position which is inside the main assembly and an outside position which is outside the main assembly, supporting the cartridges, wherein the cartridges are mounted to and dismounted from the cartridge supporting member placed in the outside position, and wherein the cartridge supporting member is movable between the inside position and the outside position intersecting a feeding path of a recording material. |
| US08112009B2 |
Electrophotographic apparatus having fuser temperature control and corresponding methods
Disclosed are a method of forming images on media in an electrophotographic apparatus, and corresponding electrophotographic apparatus. The method includes measuring a temperature of the media with a sensor after the toner particles have been fused to the media, and controlling a temperature of the heater device with a controller based on the measured temperature of the media, wherein the temperature is controlled to obtain a desired gloss level for subsequent media to be fused. |
| US08112008B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, which has a plurality of image forming units, comprises a plurality of cartridges adapted to supply developer; a plurality of supply members adapted to supply developer to the image forming units from a plurality of the cartridges; a drive unit adapted to drive a plurality of the supply members; and a control unit adapted to supply developer from a plurality of the cartridges by selectively operating a plurality of the supply members based on the amount of developer accommodated in the cartridges. |
| US08112007B2 |
Image forming apparatus, tone correction method using tone patches and alignment markers, and computer-readable recording medium recorded with a tone correction program using tone patches and alignment markers
The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus and the like that perform a highly-accurate tone correction in a relatively short time and includes the following: a pattern former, with use of each image forming unit, on a sheet, forming tone patches in the main or sub scanning direction (41k,c,y,m) and aligning markers, which indicate positions of the tone patches, in the same direction as the tone patches (42k,c,y,m); a pattern reader reading the sheet with the tone patches and markers formed thereon; a coordinate determiner determining coordinates of the tone patches in the direction of the aligned tone patches based on the read markers (42k,c,y,m); a density determiner determining densities of the tone patches (41k,c,y,m) read based on the determined coordinates; and an updating part updating the tone correction table based on relationships between the determined densities and tone levels. |
| US08112005B2 |
Optical receiver scheme with all-optical decision element
A receiver scheme for optical signals in Return-to-zero (RZ) systems comprises a conventional receiver at the input of which is placed an all-optical decision element realized with nonlinear optical elements. This allows obtaining a substantial increase in performance compared with a simple conventional receiver optimized for NRZ signals. In particular, an optical decision is made up advantageously of two non-linear optical loop mirrors (NOLMs) arranged in cascade with an optical amplifier at the input and a pass-band filter at the output. The loops lengths may be different, as may be the splitting ratios of the couplers of the NOLMs. |
| US08111999B2 |
Inter-transceiver module communication for firmware upgrade
An operational optical transceiver configured to update operational firmware using an optical link of the transceiver. The optical transceiver includes at least one processor and a system memory capable of receiving firmware. The optical transceiver receives an optical signal over the optical link containing the update firmware. The optical transceiver then recovers the firmware from the optical signal. Finally, the optical transceiver provides to the system memory the recovered firmware, which when executed by the at least one processor alters the operation of the transceiver. |
| US08111994B2 |
Balanced bypass circulators and folded universally-balanced interferometers
The invention generally relates, in one aspect, to an interferometer system. The interferometer system includes a splitter/combiner element (SCE), a first bi-directional optical path, and a second bi-directional optical path. |
| US08111991B2 |
N-way broadcast / narrowcast combiner
Systems and methods are described for an optiplex. A method includes: conveying a first narrowcast signal to a first optical combiner; conveying a second narrowcast signal to a second optical combiner; tapping into said first narrowcast signal; monitoring a first characteristic of said first narrowcast signal; tapping into said second narrowcast signal; monitoring a second characteristic of said second narrowcast signal; combining a broadcast signal with the first narrowcast signal using the first optical combiner; and combining said broadcast signal with the second narrowcast signal using the second optical combiner. An apparatus includes: a first optical input; an optical splitter connected to said first optical input; a first optical waveguide connected to said optical splitter; a second optical waveguide connected to said optical splitter; a first optical combiner connected to said first optical waveguide; a second optical combiner connected to said second optical waveguide; a second optical input; an optical demultiplexer connected to said second optical input; a third optical waveguide connected to said optical demultiplexer; a fourth optical waveguide connected to said optical demultiplexer; a first tap coupler connected to said third optical waveguide and said first optical combiner; a second tap coupler connected to said forth optical waveguide and said second optical combiner; a first optical signal sensor coupled to both said first tap coupler and a signal processing unit; and a second optical signal sensor coupled to both said second tap coupler and said signal processing unit. |
| US08111988B1 |
Method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed signal
A method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal for detecting signal drift of objective signals, including generation of one or more objective signals and a guard signal. The guard signal has a wavelength that is within a range defined by a guard channel. The first and second objective signals and the guard signal are wavelength-division multiplexed to generate a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. The first objective signal, the second objective signal, and the guard signal are assigned to a first multiplexed objective channel, a second multiplexed objective channel, and a multiplexed guard channel, respectively. The wavelength-division multiplexed signal is received by a monitor and then the error rate of the multiplexed guard channel is determined. |
| US08111986B1 |
Testing of transmitters for communication links by software simulation of reference channel and/or reference receiver
A transmitter for a communications link is tested by using a (software) simulation of a reference channel and/or a reference receiver to test the transmitter. In one embodiment for optical fiber communications links, a data test pattern is applied to the transmitter under test and the resulting optical output is captured, for example by a sampling oscilloscope. The captured waveform is subsequently processed by the software simulation, in order to simulate propagation of the optical signal through the reference channel and/or reference receiver. A performance metric for the transmitter is calculated based on the processed waveform. |
| US08111983B2 |
Camera
A camera includes a display device capable of displaying on a single screen a plurality of images, each of which can be observed from one of a plurality of directions; a selection device that selects any one of a plurality of operating modes; and a display control device that displays at the display device the plurality of images each correlated to the operating mode selected via the selection device. |
| US08111982B2 |
Imaging device and electronic camera
An imaging device includes an arrayed imaging element group configured to receive light passing through a photographic lens, wherein the imaging element group includes a plurality of photographic elements used for photographic image data generation and a plurality of phase difference detection elements used for phase difference detection for focus detection of the photographic lens, each of the photographic elements and each of the phase difference detection elements include: an on-chip microlens configured to collect light passing through the photographic lens; a photoelectric conversion element configured to receive the light passing through the on-chip microlens; and an internal microlens disposed between the on-chip microlens and the photoelectric conversion element, the photographic element is configured such that an optical axis of the on-chip microlens matches an optical axis of the internal microlens, and the phase difference detection element is configured such that the optical axis of the on-chip microlens is shifted from the optical axis of the internal microlens. |
| US08111981B2 |
Focus detection apparatus and focus detection method
This invention includes accumulation units (102a, 102b) which accumulate signals obtained by sensing units (111a, 111b), an area determination unit (103, 100) which sets the size of an area of a sensing unit to be segmented into a plurality of areas on the basis of the information of a lens to be focus-detected, accumulation control units (104a-104c, 105) which control, for each of the areas, accumulation of signals obtained in a plurality of areas by the accumulation units, and a defocus detection unit (100) which detects defocus states in the respective areas from accumulated signals from a plurality of areas. |
| US08111975B2 |
Multimedia visual progress indication system
A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period. |
| US08111974B2 |
Enabling complete viewing content for selected programming
Enabling complete viewing of selected programming content is provided. In response to receiving an input data stream from a programming service provider, the input data stream is stored in a supplemental storage. In response to a user selecting a programming channel after a program starts to air, the input data stream is stored in a programming storage. Then, the stored data stream is outputted from the supplemental storage to a viewing device. |
| US08111972B2 |
Recording device, computer readable medium and recording method
A hard disk of a recording device is registered with in-advance setting data specifying a sports genre, a detection team/player and a detection period. A sports information service server accessible via a network N from the recording device includes a winning/losing outcome database recorded with information specifying a genre to which a game belongs and an outcome of wining or losing in each game with respect to the respective games held domestically and overseas. A CPU of the recording device, when reaching the detection time defined in the in-advance setting data, specifies the defined genre and the detection team/player, then receives the winning/losing data from the sports information service server, and determines whether the detection team/player defined in the in-advance setting data lost in the game or not. Then, when determining that the detection team/player lost in the game, a scheme is to prevent the already recorded data of the broadcast program of the game from remaining on the hard disk. |
| US08111969B2 |
Methods of fabricating light guide members and backlight units
A light guide member capable of guiding light received from at least a first light source and second light source, wherein the first light source is spaced a distance D3 from the second light source. The light guide member may include a first side including a plurality of first grooves extending along a first direction and a plurality of second grooves extending along the first direction, wherein the first grooves may have a first pitch and the second grooves have a second pitch, the first pitch being different from the second pitch. |
| US08111968B2 |
Optical devices for guiding illumination
Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device. Acutely angled ramp structures may be provided on both top and bottom surfaces of optical devices for distributing light along such top surface. Illumination apparatuses are also provided using such optical devices. |
| US08111966B2 |
Wall box adapted to be mounted at a mid-span access location of a telecommunications cable
A wall box includes an enclosure having a base and a cover connected to the base. The base and the cover enclose an interior region. The wall box further includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted to the enclosure. The fiber optic adapters include an inner port positioned inside the interior region and an outer port positioned at an outer surface of the enclosure. A tray stack is mounted within the interior region. The tray stack includes a tray mount pivotally connected to the enclosure. The tray mount includes a top surface and an oppositely disposed bottom surface. A first splice tray mounting area is disposed on the top surface and a second splice tray mounting area is disposed on the bottom surface. A plurality of trays is disposed in the first splice tray mounting area. A tray is disposed in the second splice tray mounting area. |
| US08111965B2 |
Waveguide for thermo optic device
A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught. |
| US08111962B2 |
Optical fiber connection structure and single-mode fiber
An optical fiber connection structure which reduces MPI in the use of an optical fiber with a bend resistance improved by forming holes in the fiber, and a single-mode fiber which reduces MPI are provided. A second cladding portion of a second single-mode fiber 20 includes holes 28, and thus, the second single-mode fiber 20 has low bending loss. A portion of the second single-mode fiber 20 connected to a first single-mode fiber 10a is made solid by filling corresponding portions of the holes 28 over the length L0, and light in a mode LP11 is significantly attenuated in this portion, thereby reducing MPI. |
| US08111961B2 |
Accelerated aging of phosphorus-doped optical fibers
Adverse hydrogen aging limitations in multiply-doped optical fibers are overcome by passivating these optical fibers using a deuterium passivation process. This treatment essentially pre-reacts the glass with deuterium so that the most active glass sites are no longer available to react with hydrogen in service. Optical fibers of main interest are doped with mixtures of germanium and phosphorus. Optimum passivating process conditions are described. |
| US08111953B2 |
Optical power modulation vital sign detection method and measurement device
A vital sign measurement device includes a sensor fixation device, a sensor frame, an optical sensing system, and an output unit. The sensor fixation device is adapted to be placed against an anatomical location of a subject. The optical sensing system includes an optical waveguide, an optical source device to supply optical energy to the optical waveguide, and an optical detector to detect an amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide. The optical sensing system is adapted to sense an arterial pulse from the compression or flexing of at least a portion of the optical waveguide resulting in reduction of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide. The output unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide and to generate a measure of the vital sign based at least in part on the received signal. |
| US08111950B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method to generate reduced image
An image processing apparatus and method are provided in which a reduced image is generated by removing some of a plurality of pixels of an original image. A pixel value of a pixel to be removed is reflected into a pixel value of an adjacent pixel and a reduced image is generated using the reflection result and the removal result. |
| US08111949B2 |
Image processing device, image projection apparatus, image processing method, recording medium, and computer data signal
A captured image projection apparatus obtains projection parameters and image effect correction parameters from a moving image captured at a low resolution in a task different from a task in which capturing of a high-resolution still image is to be performed, when a change ceases to occur in the moving image and before the capturing of the high-resolution still image is started. The apparatus changes the scale of the obtained projection parameters from one for low-resolution image to one for high-resolution image. The apparatus applies an image conversion process and an image effect process to the captured high-resolution still image by using the projection parameters and image effect correction parameters obtained before the still image is captured. Thereby, the captured image projection apparatus shortens the time required from the capturing of the image to projection thereof. |
| US08111945B2 |
System and method for providing a blended picture
A method, a system and a computer program product for generating a blended picture, the system includes: a storage unit, adapted to store pixels of a first picture, pixels of a second picture and alpha data; and a device, coupled to the storage unit via at least one data channel; wherein the device includes: a relevancy determination module, that is adapted to determine a relevancy of pixels of at least one of the first picture and the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with the pixels of the first picture; wherein the alpha data represents a degree of transparency of the pixels of the first picture to be overlaid over the second picture; an access controller, coupled to the relevancy determination module, adapted to prevent a transfer of irrelevant pixels from the storage unit; and a blending unit that is coupled to the access controller, adapted to provide a blended picture in response to values of the alpha data, by blending relevant pixels of the first and second picture. |
| US08111944B2 |
Method and system for optimizing web page images
In computer multimedia technology, a system, method and computer program product for optimizing images and transmission of images of a web-page transmitted over the Internet and furthermore, optimizing images of a web page on a network server. The method includes detecting the images in the web page to determine the relationship among the images; in response to the determination of the relationship among the images, combining two or more related images into a combinational image; and updating the web page to replace references to the related images with a reference to the combinational image. By optimizing web page images, the server's work required for handling heavy amount of HTTP requests in transmitting the web page images is decreased and the bandwidth requirement for transmitting the web page images is reduced. The quality of the original image is not lowered. And there is no need to make any change to the operation at the client side. |
| US08111936B2 |
Method and device for processing of images using a digital filter
A system, device and a method to perform bilateral filtering using linear convolution by way of an FFT or a recursive sequence method. Proper selection of functions for the photometric and spatial components of a bilateral filter may reduce the computational cost of the bilateral filter while preserving the bilateral filter de-noising and edge detection capabilities. Such functions may reduce the computational cost of a bilateral filter to substantially O(1). |
| US08111935B2 |
Image processing methods and image processing apparatus utilizing the same
An image processing method applied in an image processor for processing an image including first pixels each having a pixel value, a first reference pixel value representing a mean value of the pixel values of the first pixels, the pixel values of the first pixels being distributed within a first distribution range bounded between a second reference pixel value and a third reference pixel value. Second pixels are selected from the first pixels. The pixel values of the second pixels are distributed within a second distribution range. The second distribution range of the second pixels is smaller than the first distribution range of the first pixels. A local characteristic of the image is obtained according to the second pixels. A parameter of the image is adjusted according to the local characteristic. |
| US08111934B2 |
Extension of two-dimensional variable length coding for image compression
A method and an apparatus to encode a series of quantized coefficients of a transform of a block of image data. The transform is such that 0 is the most likely coefficient amplitude and 1 is the next most likely coefficient amplitude. The method includes forming symbols (called events) from the series of quantized transform coefficients. An event is a run of none or more zero-valued coefficients followed by a run of one of a predefined set of sequences, each sequence in the set being either a single coefficient of amplitude greater than one, or a sequence of 1's and 0's starting with a coefficient of amplitude 1. The method includes forming a codeword for each formed event. Relatively short codewords are formed to represent events that are relatively more likely to occur, and relatively long codewords are formed to represent events that are relatively less likely to occur. In one implementation, each event is a run of none or more zero-valued coefficients followed by one of a predefined set of sequences, each sequence in the set being either a single coefficient of amplitude greater than one, or a sequence of 1's and 0's starting with a coefficient of amplitude 1. |
| US08111932B2 |
Digital image decoder with integrated concurrent image prescaler
According to some embodiments, encoded information associated with an image is received at a decoder. The encoded information may be decoded at the decoder to generate full-sized first image pixels representing a full-sized version of the image. Moreover, the full-sized pixels may be scaled at the decoder to generate scaled image pixels representing a scaled version of the image. |
| US08111931B2 |
Image processing device
An image processing device and method decodes encoded image data, and converts a resolution of the decoded image data. The encoded image data is formed by encoding image data partitioned into blocks, each block including a plurality of pixels aligned in a matrix shape. The image processing device includes a decoding section that decodes and cuts out a portion of the decoded image data corresponding to a preset cut-out area and outputs the portion of the decoded image data on a block-by-block basis, a block buffer section that temporarily stores the portion of the decoded image data output, a horizontal resolution conversion section that converts the resolution of the decoded image data in the horizontal direction, a line buffer section that temporarily stores the horizontal-resolution-converted image data, and a vertical resolution conversion section that converts the resolution of the horizontal-resolution-converted image data in the vertical direction. |
| US08111929B2 |
Method and system to detect and quantify blockiness in video files
A method and system for detecting and quantifying blockiness in a video file is disclosed. The video file is a file that has been decompressed by using standard DCT algorithms. The method includes segmenting each frame of the video file into multiple blocks. The method also involves comparing the intensity gradients of each block with one or more threshold values. The one or more threshold values represent predefined intensity variation characteristics. Further, the method includes determining the intensity variation parameters of each block, based on the comparison. Thereafter, a blockiness index is calculated for each block, after which a blockiness value is calculated for each frame. Finally, a blockiness level is assigned to each frame, based on its blockiness value. The blockiness level is a comparative measure of the blockiness of a frame that represents the blockiness content in the frame. |
| US08111927B2 |
Shape clustering in post optical character recognition processing
Systems, methods and computer program products for shape clustering and applications in processing various documents, including an output of an optical character recognition (OCR) process. Clip images defined in a received OCR output are classified into a plurality of clusters of clip images. Clip images in each of the plurality of clusters are processed to generate a cluster image for each cluster. Shape differences between the cluster images of a first cluster and a second cluster and between the cluster images of the first cluster and a third cluster are used to determine a level of confidence in one or more first OCR character codes assigned to the first cluster. |
| US08111925B2 |
System and method for identifying object in image
According to one aspect, a method for identifying an object in an image includes steps of determining a center of the object; calculating a radius for scanning the image; scanning along a scan circle defined by the center and the radius; and identifying the object according to scanned data of the image along the scan circle. |
| US08111924B2 |
Remote sensing and probabilistic sampling based method for determining the carbon dioxide volume of a forest
A remote sensing and probabilistic sampling based method for determining carbon dioxide volume of a forest can correlate aerial data, such as LiDAR, CIR, and/or Hyperspectral data with actual sampled and measured ground data to facilitate obtainment, e.g., prediction, of an accurate forest inventory, and corresponding carbon dioxide volume thereof. |
| US08111923B2 |
System and method for object class localization and semantic class based image segmentation
An automated image processing system and method are provided for class-based segmentation of a digital image. The method includes extracting a plurality of patches of an input image. For each patch, at least one feature is extracted. The feature may be a high level feature which is derived from the application of a generative model to a representation of low level feature(s) of the patch. For each patch, and for at least one object class from a set of object classes, a relevance score for the patch, based on the at least one feature, is computed. For at least some or all of the pixels of the image, a relevance score for the at least one object class based on the patch scores is computed. An object class is assigned to each of the pixels based on the computed relevance score for the at least one object class, allowing the image to be segmented and the segments labeled, based on object class. |
| US08111917B2 |
Method for segmenting and computing the pattern of a road
The present invention relates to a method for subdividing the road pattern in digital road maps into segments, in which, starting from the digital road maps in which the road pattern is subdivided into successive segments, new segment borders are established via new segment starting points and segment end points, by selecting the segment starting points and the segment end points in such a way that the shape of the segments between the segment starting points and the segment end points does not change. The invention also relates to the computation of the road pattern with the aid of digital road maps, in which the road is subdivided into successive segments, to each of which one segment starting point and one segment end point is assigned. The shape of the segment is established and, from its relative position, its pattern is computed with the aid of the number of support points situated between the segment starting points and the segment end points, and/or with the aid of transition conditions between the segments and/or the consideration of attributes. |
| US08111916B2 |
Device of gathering statistics of gray distribution of image and method thereof
A device of gathering statistics of the gray distribution of an image and a method thereof are provided. The device includes a comparing unit, a count unit, a memory unit, and a data allotment unit. The comparing unit determines gray information of a plurality of gray data of the input image, and output a respective count signal accordingly. The count unit includes a plurality of counters. Each counter corresponding to predetermined gray information has a count value. The counters update the count values according to the respective count signals. When the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the count unit outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the predetermined gray information. The data allotment unit updates the statistics of the gray distribution of the image stored in the memory unit according to the pulse signal. The present invention reduces the number of the registers the counters require and decreases hardware costs. |
| US08111909B2 |
Dental CAD/CAM system for obtaining a position match of 3D data sets
Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A′), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideration the positional correlation of these models relative to each other. |
| US08111905B2 |
Autofocus video tool and method for precise dimensional inspection
A refined autofocus method provides optimized lighting between iterative autofocus operations, to reliably provide the best possible autofocus Z-height precision. The method includes a quantitative initial focus Z-height determination based on initial focus curve data from initial autofocus images acquired using initial light control parameters. Then, the camera is set at that initial focus Z-height such that well focused images are provided. Refined (optimized) light control parameters are then determined based on at least one respective image acquired using respective light control parameters at that Z-height, such that an image acquired using the refined light control parameters provides a near-optimum value for a contrast-related metric (e.g., a focus metric) at that Z-height. Then, refined autofocus images are acquired using the refined light control parameters and a refined precise Z-height is quantitatively determined base on the resulting focus curve. |
| US08111902B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defects of circuit patterns
The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus for inspecting defects in patterns formed on a semiconductor device, on the GUI of which for the confirmation of the inspection results an area is provided for displaying any one of or facing each other the features amount of defects, and the image during inspection or the reacquired image, and on the GUI of which a means is provided for setting the classification class and importance of the defects, and based on the classification class and the importance of the defects information set by this setting means, the classification conditions or the defect judging conditions are automatically or manually set so that the inspection conditions may be set easily. |
| US08111899B2 |
Substrate-check equipment
A substrate-check equipment has a conveyer, at least two lamps, at least two image acquisition units and a control unit. The conveyer conveys a substrate. The lamps are mounted respectively above and below the conveyer to respectively shine light onto the substrate. Each lamp has an adjusting unit for adjusting intensity of the lamp. The image acquisition units correspond to the lamps and are mounted respectively above and below the conveyer to respectively capture images of the substrate and generate image signals. The control unit is electronically connected to the lamp and the image acquisition units. Emitted light intensity of the lamps is adjusted to ensure consistent image quality and speed up procedures for checking the substrate. |
| US08111896B2 |
Method and system for automatic recognition of preneoplastic anomalies in anatomic structures based on an improved region-growing segmentation, and commputer program therefor
A process for the automatic recognition of anomalies in anatomical structures, as well as a processing system and a computer program for implementing the process are described, the process comprising the steps of: acquisition (10) of a plurality of two-dimensional images of at least a portion of a patient's body, which are suitable for forming a three-dimensional representation of at least one anatomical structure under observation, segmentation (20) of a region of interest of the three-dimensional representation, potentially bearing the anomalies, selection (30, 40) of the volume image elements (voxels) of the segmented region that are candidates for belonging to anomalies of the anatomical structure represented, on the basis of predetermined morphological parameters, and classification (70) of the voxels as elements suspected of belonging to anomalies or elements not belonging to anomalies, in which the segmentation (20) takes place by progressive growth of the region of interest by aggregation of voxels in accordance with a predetermined criterion of similarity, starting with seed voxels situated within the region of interest, the region growth step comprising a first volume growth stage in which the growth is carried out on the basis of a predetermined global criterion of similarity between voxels in each direction of growth, and a second fine growth stage for the definition of a boundary of the region of interest, in which the growth is carried out on the basis of local similarity criteria for each respective direction of growth. |
| US08111884B2 |
Medical diagnostic and data processing system
A medical diagnostic and data processing system is disclosed. The system includes, in at least one embodiment, an arithmetic logic unit and an imaging diagnostic device that can be connected to the latter for data purposes, and a data memory in which data describing anatomical structures including lymph nodes are stored. The arithmetic logic unit is set up programmatically in such a way to produce an automatic assignment between a lymph node recorded by way of the imaging diagnostic device and data describing the lymph node that are stored in the data memory. |
| US08111883B2 |
System and method for per-patient licensing of interventional imaging software
A method for implementing per-use licensing for image processing software includes acquiring image data from an image scanner. Processed image data is calculated from the image data using an image processing module. The processed image data is exported. The use of the image processing module is logged in an accounting database when the processed data are exported. Access to the accounting database is provided for account settlement. |
| US08111881B2 |
Image pickup device, face detection method, and computer-readable recording medium
An image pickup device can effectively detect a face in accordance with an object without causing a user to do bothersome setting. A speed preference mode and a person-number preference mode both having different detection conditions of a face region are prepared beforehand as face detection modes. The user is caused to select a desired face detection mode, and minimum values of a face size set as detectable in a face detection and a maximum number of face regions to be detected are set to values corresponding to the face detection mode selected by the user. In a case where an image-pickup preparation is set by pressing a shutter key halfway, when the face detection mode is the speed preference mode, the mode is forcibly changed to the person-number preference mode. |
| US08111875B2 |
Method of and apparatus for taking solid image and computer program for causing computer to execute the method
A solid image taking apparatus includes a plurality of image taking portions which obtain a plurality of images at each sight point by taking a plurality of images of objects from different sight points, a distance measuring portion which measures object distances which are distances to the objects from the plurality of image taking portions, and a classifying portion which classifies the objects included in the images into a plurality of groups according to the object distances and outputs the result of classification. |
| US08111872B2 |
Image maze generating system and method thereof
The present invention discloses an image maze generating system. The system is suitable for use with a digital camera to generate a maze of photographs. The system specially includes an image processing module and an image maze generating module. The image processing module assigns numbers to the photographs. And then the image maze generating module pieces the photographs together on a template which is attached to maze path information according to its numbers to generate the maze of photographs. |
| US08111868B2 |
Speaker device
A drive cone 11 and a diaphragm 14 are integrally driven by a voice coil 6 movably disposed in a magnetic gap 5. Peripheral edge portions of the drive cone 11 and the diaphragm 14 are supported by a frame 12 via different edge portions 13 and 15, respectively.The drive cone 11 is provided with a rising-up portion 11a which rises up toward an acoustic radiation direction from a inner circumferential end, and a rising-down portion 11b which rises down toward a direction reverse to the acoustic radiation direction. An inner circumferential edge of the diaphragm 14 is fixed at an annular top formed between the rising-up portion and the rising-down portion. Moreover, a first rib 11c and a second rib 11d are formed on the drive cone 11 in such a manner as to rise up toward the acoustic radiation direction integrally with the drive cone. The diaphragm 14 is supported also at the tips of the ribs. |
| US08111867B2 |
Electronic device with a speaker
An electronic device (100) having a speaker (30) located in a sealed and separate speaker enclosure is described. The electronic device includes a housing (20), a circuit board (70), a cover (60), and two connecting bodies (50). The housing includes a cavity (22) defined therein for receiving the speaker. The circuit board is electrically connected to the speaker. The cover has through holes (622) defined thereon and is disposed between the housing and the circuit board. In addition, one end of the connecting bodies connects to the speaker, and the other end of the connecting bodies is configured to resist the circuit board via the through holes to electrically connect the speaker and the circuit board. |
| US08111864B2 |
Earbud adapter
Adapters for use with sound devices and methods for making and using the same. In some embodiments, an example adapter may include an adapter body having a first side, a port or projection extending from the first side, and a second side. The second side is generally configured to be attachable to a sound device such as an earbud or earbud-type of headphone. The projection may include a sleeve attached thereto. The projection and sleeve are generally configured to at least in part extend into the ear canal of a user during use. |
| US08111860B2 |
Recreational bone conduction audio device, system
A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention uses commercially available transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user. |
| US08111858B2 |
Supra-aural headphone noise reducing
An earphone for a supra-aural noise reducing headphone, with a front cavity that includes a foam portion and an open passageway. The foam portion supplements the volumetric dimension of the passageway to improve passive attenuation. |
| US08111851B2 |
Hearing aid with adaptive start values for apparatus
Fine customization of a hearing aid to the individual hearing environments and habits of a user are to be simplified and improved. To this end, when the hearing aid is turned on or when the hearing aid is switched to a particular operating mode, neither the value most recently valid for the parameter prior to turning off or switching to a different operating mode nor the parameter value transferred to the hearing aid at the beginning of programming is set. Rather, from the changes to the value of the parameter taking place during operation of the hearing aid a new start value is ascertained and stored, which value is then set automatically after turning on or switching mode. |
| US08111849B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid which achieves a comfortable feeling to use while preventing generation of howling includes a microphone for converting an environmental sound to an electric signal, a hearing aid processor for hearing aid processing of an output signal of the microphone, an earphone for converting an output signal of the hearing aid processor to a sound signal, an external ear canal microphone converting a sound within an external ear canal to an electric signal, and an adaptive filter for comparing an output signal of the external ear canal microphone and the output signal of the hearing aid processor to automatically adjust the output signal of the hearing aid processor in such a manner that the output signal of the external ear canal microphone approaches the output signal of the hearing aid processor. The output signal of the hearing aid processor functions as an input signal and a desired signal of the adaptive filter, and the output signal of the external ear canal microphone functions as a response signal of the adaptive filter. |
| US08111839B2 |
Always on headwear recording system
A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device. |
| US08111827B2 |
Cryptographic processing apparatus and cryptographic processing method
A cryptographic processing apparatus for performing arithmetic operation on an FL function and an FL−1 function in a cryptographic process includes a first arithmetic gate is configured to receive a first input bit string and a first extended key bit string, a first XOR gate configured to receive an output of the first arithmetic gate and a second input bit string, a second arithmetic gate configured to receive an output of the first XOR gate and a second extended key bit string, a second XOR gate configured to receive an output of the second arithmetic gate and the first input bit string, a third arithmetic gate configured to receive an output of the second XOR gate and the first extended key bit string, and a third XOR gate configured to receive an output of the third arithmetic gate and an output of the first XOR gate. |
| US08111825B2 |
Encryption apparatus and method therefor
A modified implementation of the Kasumi algorithm executes on a 32-bit processor using full 32-bit operations. The implementation comprises a series of four rounds, each round including an intermediate sub-function executed between two executions of an FL sub-function. The intermediate sub-function is functionally equivalent to two consecutive 16-bit FO sub-functions. |
| US08111823B2 |
Method, device and system for realizing universal personal number ring back tone service
A method for realizing the universal personal number ring back tone service comprises: determining the ring back tone played according to the called information, and determining the media resources for playing the ring back tone according to the calling information, the media resources information and the said ring back tone information; the said media resource plays the said ring back tone. The present invention also discloses a device and a system for realizing the universal personal number ring back tone service. On the basis of the present invention, UPT users are supported to assign the different ring back tone for each destination number, respectively, and the ring back tone information of each media resource is dynamically updated in accordance with the using situation of the ring back tone, therefore realizing that the UPT ring back tone service utilizes the network resources effectively. |
| US08111822B1 |
System and method for mapping a voice identity across multiple telephony networks with time attributes
A system and method for mapping a voice identity to a telephone number includes: one or more phone systems; at least one policy processor coupled to the one or more phone systems; and a voice identity mapping data structure accessible to the at least one policy processor. The voice identity mapping data structure includes: search voice identities transitively mapped to one or more target voice identities, where the voice identity matches a first search voice identity, the first search voice identity is mapped by the policy processor to a first target voice identity according to a first mapping policy, the first target voice identity matches a second search voice identity of a second mapping policy, the second search voice identity is mapped by the policy processor to a second target voice identity according to the second mapping policy, where the voice identity includes a non-phone number voice identity. |
| US08111820B2 |
Audio conference platform with dynamic speech detection threshold
The present invention comprises a method for audio/video conferencing. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises using a dynamic threshold value to determine whether there is speech on a line. One aspect, the method comprises determining a dynamic threshold value based on one or more characteristics of signals received on a port, associating that dynamic threshold value with the port; and comparing one or more characteristics of signals subsequently received on the port to the dynamic threshold value. Signals received over a plurality of ports are summed, but for ports whose signal characteristics have a specified relationship to the dynamic threshold value associated with that port, signals are not contained in the sum. |
| US08111805B2 |
Clutch and mammography device
A clutch with a first clutch disk and a second clutch disk is provided. The first clutch disk includes at least one cylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in a displaceable fashion in each instance so as to press against a spring. The second clutch disk, which, for each shaft of the first clutch disk, includes a recess for partially receiving a sphere. |
| US08111804B2 |
Graded resolution field of view CT scanner
A CT scanner comprising: a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation: an X-ray source mounted to the rotor having a focal spot from which an X-ray beam emanates; an X-ray detector array comprising a plurality of X-ray detectors for detecting X-rays in the X-ray beam; wherein the detector array has at least one high resolution region in which detectors have a high packing density and at least one low resolution region in which detectors have a low packing density and are separated by X-ray insensitive regions substantially larger than insensitive regions resulting from septa between detectors that function to reduce detector cross talk. |
| US08111803B2 |
Method for energy sensitive computed tomography using checkerboard filtering
Methods for energy-sensitive computed tomography systems that use checkerboard filtering. A method of enhancing image analysis of projection data acquired using a detector configured with a checkerboard filter includes disposing in a system a detector to receive a transmitted beam of X-rays traversing through an object, where the system is configured so the detector receives both high- and one of total- and low-energy projection data; receiving the high- and one of total- and low-energy projection data at the detector; and then estimating an effective atomic number of the object and/or processing the projection data so as to mitigate reconstruction artifacts. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appended claims. |
| US08111802B2 |
Inspection, maintenance, repair, and operating methods for nuclear reactors
A method of inspecting, performing maintenance on, or repairing a nuclear reactor may include operatively connecting a fixing device, a first track, an arm including one or more second tracks, and an effector to form an apparatus; inserting the apparatus into the reactor; fixing the apparatus within the reactor; and operating the apparatus. At least one of the one or more second tracks may include at least three track sections. The arm may have a contracted length. The arm may have an expanded length. The expanded length may be greater than two times the contracted length. The first track may include one or more motors configured to move the arm relative to the first track. A method of operating a reactor may include shutting down; inspecting, performing maintenance on, or repairing the reactor; and starting up the reactor. |
| US08111800B2 |
Frequency ratio detection
A system and method are provided for determining a frequency ratio in a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit feedback path. The method accepts a reference signal having a predetermined first frequency and a PLL output signal having a non-predetermined second frequency. The reference signal cycles are counted, creating a first binary count. Likewise, the PLL output signal cycles are counted, creating a second binary count. The second binary count is sampled at an interval responsive to the first binary count, and a right-shifted second binary count is supplied as a ratio of the second frequency divided by the first frequency. More explicitly, the sampling is performed when a first binary count sampling threshold of 2n first frequency cycles is reached. Then, the radix point in the second binary count is shifted n number of radix places to the left. |
| US08111799B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for reducing power consumption at low to midrange resolution settings
A method for reducing power consumption in an information handling system (IHS) where the method includes receiving main data through a main link, wherein the main link provides at least one data lane. The IHS also receives a reference clock corresponding to the main data through an auxiliary channel and provides the reference clock to a first phase-lock loop, wherein the first phase-lock loop outputs a stream clock. |
| US08111797B2 |
Enhanced system and method for detecting the leading edge of a waveform
The present invention is an improved system and method for detecting the leading edge of a waveform. More specifically, the invention relates to detecting the leading edge of an ultra wideband waveform. The invention requires locking to the ultra wideband waveform at a lock reference time, and sampling the ultra wideband waveform during one or more time windows relative to the lock reference time to identify one or more leading edge candidate times based on one or more detection criterion. The ultra wideband signal is sampled at a band limited Nyquist rate that avoids aliasing within a band of interest of the ultra wideband waveform, but allows aliasing outside of the band of interest to minimize the number of samples for leading edge detection processing. |
| US08111795B2 |
Method and system for a multi-channel signal synchronizer
Certain aspects of a multi-channel signal synchronizer may comprise receiving a plurality of clock signals from a plurality of clock signal sources, wherein a portion of the received plurality of clock signals may be out of synchronization with a remaining portion of the received plurality of clock signals. A plurality of data signals may be received from a plurality of data signal sources, wherein a portion of the received plurality of data signals may be out of synchronization with a remaining portion of the received plurality of data signals. The received portion of plurality of clock signals and data signals may be synchronized to the received remaining portion of plurality of clock signals and data signals utilizing bit alignment and sample alignment. A plurality of synchronized output signals may be generated based on the synchronized received plurality of clock signals and synchronized received plurality of data signals. |
| US08111791B2 |
Differential evolution design of polyphase IIR decimation filters
A method for designing a digital filter, includes: (a) selecting a predetermined number of current sets of coefficients for the digital filter; (b) selecting a metric for evaluating coefficients of the digital filter; (c) computing a metric for each current set of coefficients; (d) deriving a next set of coefficients based on a subset of the current set of coefficients; (e) computing the metric for the next set of coefficients; (f) replacing a selected one of the current set of coefficients based on comparing the metric for the next set of coefficients with the metric for the selected current set of coefficients; and (g) iterating steps (a) to (e) until a termination criterion is met. In one embodiment, the selected metric represents a desired stop band response. The next set of coefficients may be derived by adjusting a first current set of coefficients by a weighted difference between a second current set of coefficients and a third current set of coefficients. The weighted difference may be obtained by multiplying a predetermined factor to the difference between the second current set of coefficients and the third current set of coefficients. In one embodiment, a scaling is performed such that the next set of coefficients does not include a pole outside of the unit circle. |
| US08111790B2 |
Mitigating interference in a coded communication system
A technique weights noise power used in a demodulation/demapping process using on an estimate of interference and its associated power. Using this technique the effect of partial interference can be ameliorated. For example, a value, σ2, can be used to represent the estimated noise and interference power, and σ2 can be used to modify a received signal to ameliorate the effects of noise and interference. σ2 can be adjusted in response to partial interference, and can be represented by the formula: σ2=σN2+q σI2, where σN2 is “noise power,” σI2 is “interference power,” and q is an interference correction factor. |
| US08111788B2 |
Apparatus for estimating and correcting baseband frequency error in a receiver
An apparatus for estimating and correcting baseband frequency error in a receiver is disclosed. An equalizer performs equalization on a sample data stream and generates filter tap values based on the equalization. An estimated frequency error signal is generated based on at least one of the filter tap values. A rotating phasor is generated based on the estimated frequency error signal. The rotating phasor signal is multiplied with the sample data stream to correct the frequency of the sample data stream. Alternatively, a channel estimator performs channel estimation and generates Rake receive finger weights based on at least one of the finger weights. An estimated frequency error signal is generated based on at least one of the finger weights. |
| US08111787B2 |
OFDM channel estimation method and apparatus
Smaller patterns of regularly-spaced pilot symbols are discerned from a larger pattern of irregularly-spaced pilot symbols transmitted in the time-frequency domain. Accordingly, the irregularly-spaced pilot symbols can be partitioned into at least two different groups of regularly-spaced pilot symbols in the time-frequency domain. Each group of regularly-spaced pilot symbols is individually processed with lower complexity and the results combined to generate an accurate time-frequency channel response estimate. According to an embodiment, a set of irregularly-spaced pilot symbols is transmitted over a time-frequency window. Channel response is estimated based on the pilot symbols by grouping the pilot symbols into subsets of regularly-spaced pilot symbols. An intermediate quantity is generated for each subset of regularly-spaced pilot symbols as a function of the pilot symbols included in the subset. The channel response is estimated over the time-frequency window as a function of the intermediate quantities. |
| US08111784B1 |
On-chip data signal eye monitoring circuitry and methods
Methods and apparatus for gathering information about the eye of a high-speed serial data signal include sampling each bit of a repeating, multi-bit data pattern at several eye slice locations. For any given eye slice location, each bit in the data pattern is compared in voltage to a base line reference signal voltage to establish a reference value for that bit. Then the reference signal voltage is gradually increased while the voltage comparisons are repeated until for some bit a result of the comparing is different than the reference value for that bit. This establishes an upper value for the eye at the eye slice location. The reference signal voltage is then gradually decreased to similarly find a lower value for that eye slice. |
| US08111778B2 |
Method for suppressing peak power of orthogonally multiplex signal, peak power suppressing circuit, and transmitter
To suppress the peak of the orthogonal multiplex transmission signal which is small in deterioration of the quality of the reception signal by generating the cancellation waveform in synchronization with the timing of the symbol of the transmission signal. There is provided a peak suppressing method that suppresses peaks of an orthogonally multiplexed signal whose orthogonality is ensured in given time units, the method comprising: a first step of detecting the peaks of the orthogonally multiplexed signal; a second step of generating a peak cancellation waveform based on the detected peaks of the orthogonally multiplexed signal; and a third step of removing the peak of the orthogonally multiplexed signal from the orthogonally multiplexed signal using the generated peak cancellation waveform. The second step comprises generating the peak cancellation waveform in said time units of the orthogonally multiplexed signal. |
| US08111775B2 |
Communication device adopted for multi-input multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system and method thereof
A communication device adopted for a multi-input multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system and a method thereof are provided. The MIMO-OFDM system comprises the communication device and a corresponding communication device, and they communicate with each other. The communication device comprises a transceiving module, a singular value decomposition (SVD) operation module, and an interpolation operation module. The transceiving module receives a channel state information (CSI) from the corresponding communication device, wherein the CSI comprises CSIs of a plurality of selected subcarriers. For each of the selected subcarriers, the SVD module performs an SVD decomposition operation on the channel matrix representing the CSI of the selected subcarrier to obtain a decomposed result, wherein the decomposed result comprises a beamforming matrix, an SVD matrix, and a decoding matrix. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the beamforming matrices of the selected subcarriers to derive beamforming matrices of the unselected subcarriers. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the decoding matrixes of the selected subcarriers to derive obtain decoding matrices of the unselected subcarriers. |
| US08111774B2 |
Method for transmitting/receiving signal in MIMO system
Disclosed is a method for transmitting a signal in a mobile communications system using a plurality of transmit/receive antennas. A method for transmitting a signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a receiving end's calculating a signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) with respect to every antenna pairs configuring STTD pairs to be transmittable from a transmitting end; feedbacking information indicating an antenna pair having the greatest SINR to the transmitting end; and the transmitting end's performing a D-STTD transmission through the antenna pair determined by the feedbacked information. A method for transmitting a signal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a receiving end's feedbacking information of an antenna pair and/or an eigenvector (weight vector) of a channel matrix with respect to transmit antennas included in the space-time multiplexing (STTD) pair to a transmitting end; and the transmitting end's forming beam by multiplying a symbol with respect to each STTD pair by the eigenvector, and thereafter transmitting the beam through each transmit antenna (in case of using two antennas) or a transmit antenna pair (in case of using more than four antennas) determined by the information of the antenna pair. |
| US08111773B2 |
Transmission method for multiple antenna system
A transmission method for a multiple antenna system including a first device having M (>1) transmitting antennas and a second device having N (>1) receiving antennas is disclosed. The method includes determining whether there is a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission scheme satisfying a condition that it consumes less energy than a single-input single-output (SISO) transmission scheme to transmit a frame at a given transmission power, among one or more MIMO transmission schemes available to the first device and the second device, the one or more MIMO transmission schemes being determined by the numbers of activated transmitting and receiving antennas, and MIMO code; determining a transmission mode as a MIMO mode when there is the at least one MIMO transmission scheme satisfying the condition, and otherwise determining the transmission mode as a SISO mode; and performing frame transmission from the first device to the second device in the determined transmission mode. Thus, frame transmission with power saving can be performed. |
| US08111772B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-antenna transmitting based on spatial-frequency encoding
The present disclosure relates to communication technologies and discloses a method and apparatus for multi-antenna transmitting based on spatial-frequency encoding. The method includes: performing spatial-frequency encoding on input data and outputting encoded data; mapping the encoded data to the same sub-carrier of each antenna in an antenna group; adding a phase shift to the encoded data on different sub-carriers of each antenna; OFDM-modulating the phase-shifted encoded data on each antenna; and transmitting the OFDM-modulated data by transmit antennas. |
| US08111771B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and method using beamforming
A wireless transmitting method includes calculating a beamforming channel matrix which is a channel matrix generated at a time when a transmitting apparatus applies a beamforming matrix to a data signal and transmits the data signal to receiving apparatuses, selecting a parameter to be used while transmitting the data signal based on the beamforming channel matrix and noise information fed back from the receiving apparatuses, and transmitting the data signal by using the selected parameter. |
| US08111768B2 |
Digital broadcast transmitter/receiver having an improved receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system, and a signal processing method thereof, includes a randomizer for randomizing a transport stream into a specified position of which stuff bytes are inserted, a stuff-byte exchanger for replacing the stuff bytes included in data output from the randomizer with specified known data, an RS encoder for performing an RS-encoding of data output from the stuff-byte exchanger, an interleaver for interleaving data output from the RS encoder, a trellis encoder for performing a trellis encoding of data output from the interleaver, an RS parity generator for generating a parity by performing an RS encoding of data output from the RS encoder, and outputting the generated parity to the trellis encoder, and a modulator/RF converter for modulating data output from the trellis encoder and performing an RF up-converting of the modulated data. The digital broadcast receiving performance can be improved even in an inferior multi-path channel by detecting the known data from the received signal and using the known data for synchronization and equalization in a digital broadcast receiver. |
| US08111764B2 |
Method for transmitting channel quality information
There is provided a method for transmitting channel quality information in a wireless communication system. Over-all band of the wireless communication system is divided by a plurality of sub-bands. The method includes selecting a first sub-band having the highest CQI among the plurality of sub-bands, transmitting CQI of the first sub-band and transmitting CQI of a second sub-band, the second sub-band having the CQI lower than the first sub-band, wherein the number of CQI levels of the second sub-band is less than that of CQI levels of the first sub-band. Overheads incurred by CQI feedback can be reduced. |
| US08111757B2 |
Method and apparatus for video signal processing
A first video signal processor (103) receives a first encoded video signal from which a video unit (201) generates a second encoded video signal, where the second encoded video signal is a reduced data rate version of the first encoded video signal. An error encoder (203) generates error redundancy data for the second encoded video signal and a multiplexer (207) generates output video data comprising the first encoded video signal and the error correcting data but not comprising the second encoded video signal. A second video processor (105) receives the output video data and a video unit (303) regenerates the second video signal from the first video signal. An error unit (305) detects errors for at least a first segment of the second video signal in response to the error redundancy data. A combiner (307) then generates combined video data by combining corresponding segments of the first encoded video signal and the second encoded video signal. |
| US08111755B2 |
Method and system for low-complexity Slepian-Wolf rate estimation in Wyner-Ziv video encoding
A method and system for low-complexity Slepian-Wolf rate estimator in a hybrid Wyner-Ziv video encoder determines the minimum Slepian-Wolf code rate required to allow correct decoding. The Slepian-Wolf estimator does not assume ideality of source and side-information statistics and does not require the presence of a feedback channel from the decoder to the encoder in order to determine the correct Slepian-Wolf coding rate. Instead, it adapts to the statistical properties of the video steam. The Slepian-Wolf estimator provides very efficient compression performance while avoiding Slepian-Wolf decoding failures. |
| US08111747B2 |
Picture coding method, picture decoding method, picture coding apparatus, picture decoding apparatus, and program thereof
A picture coding method of the present invention codes a picture signal and a ratio of a number of luminance pixels and a number of chrominance pixels for the picture signal, and then one coding method out of at least two coding methods is selected depending on the ratio. Next, data related to a picture size is coded in accordance with the selected coding method. The data related to the picture size indicates a size of the picture corresponding to the picture signal or an output area, which is a pixel area to be outputted in decoding in a whole pixel area coded in the picture signal coding. |
| US08111745B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding video signal according to directional intra-residual prediction
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a video signal according to directional intra-residual prediction. The video encoding method of the present invention includes calculating first residual data by performing directional intra-prediction on a first block of a base layer with reference to a second block of the base layer, calculating second residual data by performing directional intra-prediction on a third block of an enhancement layer that corresponds to the first block of the base layer with reference to a fourth block of the enhancement layer that corresponds to the second block of the base layer, and encoding the third block according to the directional intra-residual prediction by obtaining third residual data that is a difference between the first residual data and the second residual data. |
| US08111742B2 |
Data processing method, equalizer, receiver, communication system, network element, and terminal using simplified channel matrix inversion
The invention is related to a communication terminal, comprising: means (618) for creating at least one channel matrix assuming predetermined interfering signals as a part of a desired signal; means (618) for dividing the at least one channel matrix into multiple sub-matrices; means (618) for diagonalizing the sub-matrices by using a transformation matrix; means (618) for forming at least one block-diagonalized matrix using diagonalized sub-matrices; means (618) for inverting the at least one block-diagonalized matrix; and means (618) for generating channel equalizer coefficients by using at least one inverted block-diagonalized matrix. |
| US08111736B2 |
Rapid acquisition methods and apparatus for GPS signals
A method and apparatus for receiving a signal from transmitters such as GPS satellites, for fixing the location of the receiver. Each of the transmitted signals includes a unique periodically-repeating sequence. A received signal is stored by the receiver for at least two repetitions of the periodically-repeating sequence. FFT operations are performed, and the resulting data frequency samples are pruned responsive to a hypothesized residual frequency, a procedure which significantly reduces the total number of subsequent calculations and therefore significantly reduces processing time. A correlation series is determined from the pruned samples and reference frequency samples corresponding to a hypothesized transmitter. If a match is found in the examination of this series, a code phase offset is determined; if not the process is repeated with another hypothesized residual frequency. Multiple correlation series similarly obtained may also be incoherently combined prior to this examination. The apparatus and method disclosed herein is particularly useful for combined position location and communication systems, especially those that are unsynchronized, such as assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) utilized on GSM and UMTS cellular telephone systems. |
| US08111735B2 |
GNSS data/pilot correlator and code generator thereof
A correlator for a GNSS receiver and a code generator used in the correlator as well as a correlation method are disclosed. In the GNSS, each satellite transmits a data signal and a pilot signal. The correlator is adaptable for executing correlation to the data signal, the pilot signal and various combinations thereof, such as non-coherent and coherent combinations. The code generator generates primary ranging codes of the data and pilot signals as well as various combinations thereof, such as sum or difference of the primary ranging codes of the data and pilot signals. By using the various codes, the correlator is adaptable and flexible for different correlation requirements. |
| US08111731B2 |
Block scrambling for orthogonal frequency division multiple access
A method of transmitting signals in a communication system over at least two time periods including generating a base signal comprising of at least two samples in each time period, selecting a scrambling sequence of length equal to or greater than the number of time periods, scaling all samples in said signal in a time period with one element of said scrambling sequence and transmitting the scaled signal in said time period. Different elements of the scrambling sequence are used to scale the base signal in different time periods. The signal in each time period is obtained by scaling a base signal. The scrambling sequence is preferably a pseudo-random sequence. The step of scaling all samples in said signal in a time period consists of multiplying all samples of said signal with an element of said scrambling sequence. |
| US08111730B2 |
3D optoelectronic packaging
An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with a wiring layer. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. One or more first OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the first OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A second OE element embedded within the wiring layer. A carrier may be interposed between electrical interconnect elements and positioned between the wiring layer and a circuit board. |