| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08117666B2 |
File system operation and digital rights management (DRM)
File system interaction with digital rights management (DRM) is facilitated by enabling one or more file system components to be DRM-aware. These one or more file system components may be part of a computer operating system. An exemplary system implementation includes: one or more processors; and one or more media in operative communication therewith, the media storing one or more file system components that are configured to provide content having DRM controls to a requesting program in either a raw form or a decrypted form in dependence on whether the DRM controls comprise simple DRM content controls or complex DRM content controls. In another exemplary system implementation, the one or more file system components are configured to provide files with simple DRM content controls to requesting applications in a decrypted form and to provide files with complex DRM content controls to requesting applications in an unaltered form. |
| US08117662B2 |
Smartcard system
A programmable smartcard device (10) carries a file system (22, 24) and operating software enabling the on-device file system to interface with at least one off-device file and/or application. It also has a script engine (32) capable of running one or more Application Protocol Data Units (1APDUs') associated with a particular form of transaction so as to modify the structure and/or content of the file system, or the commands to be used for accessing the file system or any security conditions associated therewith. The smartcard device (10) is provided with comparator means (34) configurable by a security APDU run by the script engine (32) so that it operates in use to compare the commands carried out in implementing the transaction with one or more reference commands and to restrict or prevent further access or modifications to the on-device data, file system, commands or security conditions in dependence on the outcome of the comparison carried out by the comparator means (34). Thus, the smartcard device can, because the comparator (34) is configured for each different kind of transaction to be carried out, provide improved security within the contraints of memory storage and processing power available on the smartcard device itself. |
| US08117661B2 |
Encryption based silicon IP protection
A method and system for protecting silicon IPs from unauthorized use, transfer and sale, and for hiding confidential technology information contained in silicon IPs is described. The method and system create a content-encrypted silicon IP layout database from its original layout database. Both the layout database may be GDSII files, OASIS files, or other format layout database file, in which multiple records sequentially build the layout database. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, first, the original layout database is parsed and saved as sequential records in the memory. Next, the structure records, which construct structures in the original layout database, are selected from the saved records. Once the structure records have been selected, the data of the structure records may be compressed with using a public compressing method, and may be encrypted with using a public cryptography algorithm. Next, each byte of the data after compression and encryption is mapped to one or two printable ASCII characters for building up multiple new text element records in a new structure. Finally, the newly created structure records replace the selected structure records in the original layout database to create the content-encrypted silicon IP layout database. |
| US08117659B2 |
Malicious code infection cause-and-effect analysis
A malware analysis system for automating cause and effect analysis of malware infections is provided. The malware analysis system monitors and records computer system activities. Upon being informed of a suspected malware infection, the malware analysis system creates a time-bounded snapshot of the monitored activities that were conducted within a time frame prior to the notification of the suspected malware infection. The malware analysis system may also create a time-bounded snapshot of the monitored activities that are conducted within a time frame subsequent to the notification of the suspected malware infection. The malware analysis system provides the created snapshot or snapshots for further analysis. |
| US08117655B2 |
Detecting anomalous web proxy activity
A method, system and apparatus for detecting anomalous web proxy activity by end-users are disclosed. The techniques include analyzing records from a web proxy log and determining whether the records contain anomalous end-user activity by inspecting a uniform resource locator and a connect instruction included therein. The techniques also include generating an alert in response to the analysis. |
| US08117652B1 |
Password input using mouse clicking
Digits are randomly distributed into any number of a first group of sets. A type and frequency of a user input action, such as clicking a computer mouse, is associated with each set. Next, all the digits from each set are randomly distributed into a second group of sets. Each of the second group of sets may contain at most a single digit from one of the first group of sets, but may contain any number of digits total. A user input action, is also associated with each set in the second group. To input a particular digit in the password, the user selects one set of the first group of sets that contains the correct digit and selects one set of the second group of sets that also contains the same digit. Selection may occur by mouse clicking, key pressing or touching a screen. Once all digits of the password have been selected in this manner, the software determines the correct digits of the password by comparing the user selections for each digit in the password. The software outputs a result or stores the input password. |
| US08117651B2 |
Method and system for authenticating an accessory
A method, system, and connector interface for authenticating an accessory. The method includes performing a first authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication certificate is validated; and performing a second authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication signature is validated. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the media player. |
| US08117648B2 |
Secure information storage and delivery system and method
A system for secure information storage and delivery includes a vault repository that includes a secure vault associated with a user, wherein the secure vault is associated with a service level including at least one of a data type or a data size limit associated with the secure vault, the secure vault being adapted to receive and at least one data entry and securely store the at least one data entry if the at least one of a size or a type of the at least one data entry is consistent with the service level. A mobile vault server coupled to the vault repository creates a mobile vault on a mobile device based on the secure vault and is capable of authenticating the mobile device based on user authentication information. The mobile vault server includes a mobile device handler that communicates with the mobile device. A synchronization utility determines whether the at least one data entry on the secure vault is transferable to or storable on the mobile vault based on at least one of the size or the type of the at least one data entry and transfers the at least one data entry from the secure vault to a corresponding data entry on the mobile vault if the at least one data entry on the secure vault is determined to be transferable to or storable on the mobile vault. |
| US08117646B2 |
Method and system for providing online records
A method is provided for providing a user with the ability to access and collect records associated with the user in a secure and private manner. The method includes assigning a phone number to the user for private fax and voice communications from service providers, associating access information with the user for the user to use to access a web site, receiving a private fax communication comprising a record associated with the user for which the user has requested and given permission to the service provider to send to the phone number, converting the private fax communications into an image file format, storing the record encoded in the image file format, and providing the user with access to the web site using the access information and providing on the web site an interface to the records of the user for the user to access the record. |
| US08117644B2 |
Method and system for online document collaboration
A method and system for online document collaboration includes the steps of establishing on a server computer coupled to the Internet an account for each of a plurality of users; storing on the server computer a document created by a first user; associating a set of access restrictions with the document, said access restrictions including an ability to access the document for modification by one of a first group of users, said first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer; receiving, from a second user, a request to modify the document, wherein said request to modify accompanies the second user's identification information; verifying the identity of the second user; permitting the second user to modify the document based on a set of access rights granted to the second user; receiving approval or disapproval for the modifications from one or more users; and storing identifying information of the one or more users who approved or disapproved the modifications to the document. In alternative embodiments, the method further includes the step(s) of storing the modified document, storing the identity of the user who modified the document, notifying one or more members of a group if the document is modified or transmitting the modified document to one or more members of a group. |
| US08117643B2 |
Mathematical definition of roles and authorizations in RBAC system
A process, apparatus and program product create a new role in a Role Based Access Control (RBAC) system by using mathematical operators with either one or more authorizations, or one or more existing roles, or a combination thereof. |
| US08117640B1 |
Systems and methods for analyzing application security policies
A system and method for analyzing application security policies is provided. One or more application security policies are retrieved. An optimized policy is then generated utilizing the one or more application security policies. One or more queries related to the one or more application security policies are received. The one or more queries are decomposed. The one or more decomposed queries are then processed utilizing the optimized policy. |
| US08117638B2 |
System and method for improved multi-stream multimedia transmission and processing
A method for efficiently transmitting several multimedia streams to one or more multimedia receivers comprises transmitting a first plurality of channels within a first plurality of frequency blocks having a first frequency range, said first frequency range being the range to which a legacy group of multimedia receivers are capable of tuning; and simulcasting said first plurality of channels within one or more alternate frequency blocks having an alternate frequency range, said alternate frequency range being the range to which an alternate group of multimedia receivers are capable of tuning. |
| US08117631B2 |
Pickup with asymmetrically arranged lens for accessing moving storage media and drive having the pickup
A pickup for accessing moving storage media carrying substantially parallel information tracks has a carrier, an actuator with a lens and suspension wires extending from the rear of the carrier and joining the carrier and the actuator. The actuator is movable in the focus direction and in a tracking direction and has a substantially rectangular flat board carrying the lens and a counter weight. The flat board is arranged orthogonal to a focus direction and carries tracking and focus coils. The pickup has a magnet configuration connected to the carrier with at least two tracking magnets, which are arranged in the tracking direction at opposite sides of the flat board and extend orthogonal to the focus direction above and/or under the flat board, and with at least two focus magnets, which are arranged in front of and behind the flat board and extend orthogonal to the direction of the tracks. According to the invention, the lens is arranged asymmetrically in reference to an axis through a center of the flat board parallel to the direction of the tracks while the lens and the counter weight are symmetrically arranged in reference to the center of the flat board. |
| US08117630B2 |
Optical disk player with head feeding mechanism
An optical disk player includes a chassis, an optical pick-up head including a support member defining a guiding slot, and a guiding member molded integrally with the chassis, wherein the guiding member is received in the guiding slot and the optical pick-up head is slidably supported on the guiding member. |
| US08117624B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing real-time commands in a non real-time operating system environment
A method and apparatus is disclosed for performing real-time execution of a plurality of commands in a non real-time operating system environment using a driver, running at the privileged level and which comprises a command dispatcher, receiving a plurality of commands provided by a user application, and a command queue storing the plurality of commands provided by the user application for further providing the plurality of commands to a target unit for execution. |
| US08117623B1 |
System and method for providing notices to users of a computer program in a flexible way
A system and method provides messages received from a program to a user in an area used for displaying messages from multiple programs. The message may be received with an indication that the user is to be notified upon receipt of the message, however the user can disable or enable such notifications. |
| US08117621B2 |
Simulating a multi-queue scheduler using a single queue on a processor
A method and system for scheduling tasks on a processor, the tasks being scheduled by an operating system to run on the processor in a predetermined order, the method comprising identifying and creating task groups of all related tasks; assigning the tasks in the task groups into a single common run-queue; selecting a task at the start of the run-queue; determining if the task at the start of the run-queue is eligible to be run based on a pre-defined timeslice allocated and on the presence of older starving tasks on the runqueue; executing the task in the pre-defined time slice; associating a starving status to all unexecuted tasks and running all until all tasks in the run-queue complete execution and the run-queue become empty. |
| US08117620B2 |
Techniques for implementing a communication channel with local and global resources
Apparatus, system, and method including a local resource to transfer information between a first processing unit and a second processing unit; and a global resource to transfer information between said first processing unit and said second processing unit, and to transfer information between said first processing unit and a third processing unit if said local resource is full are described. |
| US08117618B2 |
Forward progress mechanism for a multithreaded processor
A processing device includes a storage component configured to store instructions associated with a corresponding thread of a plurality of threads, and an execution unit configured to fetch and execute instructions. The processing device further includes a period timer comprising an output to provide an indicator in response to a count value of the period timer reaching a predetermined value based on a clock signal. The processing device additionally includes a plurality of thread forward-progress counter components, each configured to adjust a corresponding execution counter value based on an occurrence of a forward-progress indicator while instructions of a corresponding thread are being executed. The processing device further includes a thread select module configured to select threads of the plurality of threads for execution by the execution unit based a state of the period timer and a state of each of the plurality of thread forward-progress counter components. |
| US08117613B2 |
Optimized virtual machine migration mechanism
A virtual machine management system may perform a three phase migration analysis to move virtual machines off of less efficient hosts to more efficient hosts. In many cases, the migration may allow inefficient host devices to be powered down and may reduce overall energy costs to a datacenter or other user. The migration analysis may involve performing a first consolidation, a load balancing, and a second consolidation when consolidating virtual machines and freeing host devices. The migration analysis may also involve performing a first load balancing, a consolidation, and a second load balancing when expanding capacity. |
| US08117609B2 |
System and method for optimizing changes of data sets
A system and method for generating an update data set to be sent to remote terminals. The update data set comprises operators describing differences between two data sets, so that a remote terminal is able to transform an old data set into a more recent data set. The system comprises a comparator for comparing data elements in the data sets, and a selector for selecting operators based on a change parameter stored in a memory. |
| US08117606B2 |
System and method for application migration in a grid computing environment
A system and method for assessing performance of a software application migrated to a grid infrastructure is provided. The system comprises a grid code analyzer for generating a directed acyclic graph (DAG) corresponding to the software application by performing static and dynamic analysis; a grid task generator for reducing the DAG generated by the grid code analyzer; and a grid simulator for simulating performance of the software application on one or more predetermined grid infrastructures. The grid simulator accepts the reduced DAG as input and produces performance data as output. |
| US08117605B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving transactional memory interactions by tracking object visibility
In a multi-threaded computer system that uses transactional memory, object fields accessed by only one thread are accessed by regular non-transactional read and write operations. When an object may be visible to more than one thread, access by non-transactional code is prevented and all accesses to the fields of that object are performed using transactional code. In one embodiment, the current visibility of an object is stored in the object itself. This stored visibility can be checked at runtime by code that accesses the object fields or code can be generated to check the visibility prior to access during compilation. |
| US08117601B2 |
Internal test and manipulation of an application
System(s) and method(s) facilitate testing and manipulating an application internally within a client-server configuration coordinated by a communicator object. A client test-object conveys a test to a server test-object through a remoting channel and over disparate processes, e.g., a test process and designer process. A service in an application developer intermediates communication across a communicator thread and a designer thread. In response to a test, information is received in the client end as a serialized wrapper object. Manipulation is accomplished by deserializing and modifying the received information, and then transmitting the information in a serialized object through the remoting channel across processes, and via the intermediary service component across threads in the designer process. Testing and manipulation can facilitate optimizing an application, improving application's functionality as well as a user experience. |
| US08117594B2 |
Graphical editor with incremental development
Techniques for developing a graphical editor using an incremental development approach. Externally-stored descriptors are used to specify information on which a graphical editor engine operates to create a graphical editor. Developers can thus redefine the look and feel of the graphical editor by modifying these descriptors, effectively re-configuring the elements of visual models without changing the code of the graphical editor engine. Visual models for modeling a domain can be created and used, without first requiring the domain model to be defined. |
| US08117591B1 |
Graphical model for test case viewing, editing, and reporting
Various techniques for interacting with a test case via a graphical model are disclosed. For example, one method involves displaying a first icon, which represents a first testing activity within a test case; displaying a second icon, which represents a second testing activity within the test case; and displaying a connector, which couples the first icon and the second icon. An assertion (e.g., against test results obtained by performing the first testing activity) is associated with the connector. |
| US08117590B2 |
Program developing apparatus, program developing method and computer readable medium
There is provided a method including: dividing codes included in a first source code into a plurality of groups virtually; partitioning each arranged group into one or more sections made up of one or more codes which should be sequentially executed; store the sections in a storage; setting constraints of an execution order among the sections on a basis of the first source code; exhibiting contents of the storage to a user; exhibiting constraint information representing the constraints of the execution order to the user; editing the contents of the storage based on a first editing command from the user; editing the constraint information based on a second editing command from the user; and synthesizing the first source code and edited contents of the storage into a second source code according to edited constraint information. |
| US08117588B2 |
Spatial iteration node for a graphical program
A system and method for creating a distributed application using graphical programming techniques are disclosed. The distributed application may comprise a first graphical program and a second graphical program, where a host computer system executes the first graphical program, and a plurality of remote computer systems or computing devices each execute an instance of the second graphical program. In some embodiments the first graphical program may utilize a node that represents the second graphical program. The node may be operable to exchange data with a plurality of instances of the second graphical program executing on a plurality of remote devices. |
| US08117587B1 |
Microcontroller-resident software development environment supporting application-level asynchronous event handling, interactive debugging and pin variables for embedded systems
An operating system including a software development environment is programmed into the on-chip flash memory of a system-on-a-chip type microcontroller. The software development environment is configured to reside entirely in the microcontroller's on-chip flash memory and includes an editor, a line-by-line bytecode compiler, a flasher, and an interactive debugger. A user operating a terminal emulator on a host computer connects to the microcontroller chip by means of a serial (USB) connection based on an FTDI protocol, or other serial link, in order to develop a BASIC program for the embedded system. The operating system is configured to permit external I/O pins on the microcontroller chip to be mapped to special “pin variables” for manipulation or examination by the user program, and to manage internal peripherals (timers, UARTs) of the microcontroller chip so as to permit application-level interrupt handling. |
| US08117584B2 |
Method of implementing low ESL and controlled ESR of multilayer capacitor
Disclosed is a method of implementing controlled equivalent series resistance (ESR) having low equivalent series inductance (ESL) of a multi-layer chip capacitor which includes a plurality of internal electrodes each having first polarity or second polarity which is opposite to the first polarity, and dielectric layers each disposed between the internal electrodes of the first polarity and the second polarity, wherein the internal electrodes having the first polarity and the internal electrodes having the second polarity are alternated at least once to form one or more blocks being stacked. |
| US08117583B2 |
Determining macro blocks terminal for integrated circuit layout
Provided is an integrated circuit layout design supporting device which can reduce the wiring length by avoiding bypass wirings when a plurality of same-type macro blocks are used. The integrated circuit layout design supporting device includes a terminal coordinate calculation control unit and a layout processing control unit. The terminal coordinate calculation control unit considers the plurality of same-type macro blocks included in a plurality of types of macro blocks as each of different types of macro blocks, and calculates the optimum coordinate positions of each macro terminal of each macro block. The layout processing control unit performs various types of wiring layout processing related to each of the macro terminals based on each of the macro terminal positions calculated by the terminal coordinate calculation control unit. |
| US08117582B2 |
Method for placing dummy patterns in a semiconductor device layout
Disclosed is a method for placing dummy patterns in a semiconductor device layout. More specifically, the method places the dummy patterns densely between main patterns in accordance with a sequence and configuration. The method includes placing vertical dummies having a greater length than width in a region other than main patterns to form a first layout, removing the vertical dummies within a first distance from the main patterns to form a second layout, placing horizontal dummies having a greater length than width in a vacant space of the second layout to form a third layout, and removing the horizontal dummies within a second distance from the main patterns in the third layout. The method prevents and/or inhibits pattern deformation. |
| US08117580B1 |
Multiple bitstreams enabling the use of partially defective programmable integrated circuits while avoiding localized defects therein
Memory devices and data structures including multiple configuration bitstreams for programming integrated circuits (ICs) such as programmable logic devices (PLDs), thereby enabling the utilization of partially defective ICs. A user design is implemented two or more times, preferably utilizing different programmable resources as much as possible in each configuration bitstream. The resulting configuration bitstreams are stored in a memory device. Test bitstreams associated with the user bitstreams are optionally also included in the memory device. Under the control of a configuration control circuit, the various bitstreams are sequentially loaded into a partially defective IC and tested using an automated testing procedure. When a bitstream is found that enables the design to function correctly in the programmed IC, i.e., that avoids the defective programmable resources in the IC, the configuration procedure terminates. When separate test bitstreams are used, the configuration procedure programs the IC with an associated user bitstream before terminating. |
| US08117578B2 |
Static hazard detection device, static hazard detection method, and recording medium
There is provided a check target extraction unit that receives logic circuit information describing a logic circuit, and extracts at least one set of a start point register and an end point register from registers in the logic circuit, the start point register outputting an exception signal to be supplied to the end point register via the propagation control circuit, and a static hazard detection unit that determines whether, for the at least one set extracted by the check target extraction unit, there are a plurality of paths through which propagation of an exception signal from a start point register to an end point register is possible when the propagation control circuit, in response to a control signal, inhibits propagation of the exception signal. |
| US08117576B2 |
Method for using an equivalence checker to reduce verification effort in a system having analog blocks
A computer-implemented method of performing an equivalence check on a mixed-signal circuit is performed on a server system, and includes responding to a verification request. In the method, the following operations are performed. A static analysis is performed on a first netlist, and a synthesizable section and non-synthesizable section of the first netlist are identified. A functional equivalence is determined between the non-synthesizable section of the first netlist and a corresponding non-synthesizable section of a second netlist, and a logical equivalence is determined between the synthesizable section of the first netlist and a corresponding synthesizable section of a second netlist. An equivalence result is provided based on the determined functional equivalence and the determined logical equivalence. |
| US08117575B2 |
System and method for on-chip-variation analysis
Apparatus is provided for performing timing analysis on a circuit. A first storage device portion stores a state dependent stage weight for each of a rising time arc and a falling time arc of each of a plurality of cells in a cell library. An adder is provided for calculating a sum of the state dependent stage weights for each of the cells that are included in a circuit path. A second storage device portion stores a table containing on chip variation (OCV) derating factors. The table is indexed by values of the sum. A total path delay is calculated for the circuit path, based on the OCV derating factor corresponding to the sum of the state dependent stage weights for the cells in the circuit path. |
| US08117573B2 |
Verification-scenario generating apparatus, verification-scenario generating method, and computer product
Hardware blocks respectively of an arbitrary access origin and an arbitrary access destination that are mutually accessible are extracted from among a plurality of hardware blocks constituting a bus system to be verified, and a path reaching from the access-origin hardware block to the access-destination hardware block is searched for. For each path found, a verification scenario is generated to verify transactions of the access-origin hardware block for a case where access to an address range assigned to the access-destination hardware block occurs, and the verification scenario is output being correlated with the path that corresponds thereto. |
| US08117570B2 |
Integrated circuit design phase technique with virtual power switch
An integrated circuit design system able to generate circuit data enabling a clear grasp of power switch cells and circuit cells whose power is cut off without obstructing the efficiency of the design, a method of same, and a program of same, wherein in the description of RTL data generated at an RTL data generation unit, a hierarchical block of an upper level with a lower level comprised of a hierarchical block corresponding to a circuit whose power should be cut off in response to a control signal and a predetermined virtual power switch cell to which this control signal is input is prepared. By obtaining a grasp of the relationship between the virtual power switch cells in the description of the RTL data and the hierarchical blocks of the same level as the virtual power switch cells, the relationship between the power switch cells and the circuits whose power should be cut off in a real circuit can be clearly grasped. |
| US08117567B2 |
Structure for implementing memory array device with built in computation capability
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes computational memory device having an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and a pair of read word lines associated with each row of the array. The array is configured to implement, for a given cycle, either a read operation of data contained in a single selected row, or one of a plurality of different bit wise logical operations on data contained in multiple selected rows. |
| US08117563B2 |
Three-dimensional motion graphic user interface and method and apparatus for providing the same
A three-dimensional motion graphic user interface (MGUI) and a method and apparatus for providing the same. The apparatus includes a control module which creates a polyhedron component that can be opened and that has at least one opening face and an internal space containing at least one information object related to information displayed on a face of the polyhedron component. A storing module stores the polyhedron component created by the control module, and an input module inputs data about a user's action with respect to the polyhedron component. A user interface module assigns predetermined attributes to at least one of a plurality of subordinate faces, maps information displayed on an information face according to the predetermined attributes, processes motion of the polyhedron component according to the input data, changes an information display according to the motion, and manages at least one group of a plurality of polyhedron components. An output module displays a processing result of the user interface module. |
| US08117556B2 |
Target-alignment-and-drop control for editing electronic documents
A target-alignment-and-drop control for an electronic document editing tool which ensures that objects are inserted only in valid drop target areas and are aligned according to predetermined alignment rules. |
| US08117554B1 |
Seamless integration of non-native widgets and windows with dynamically scalable resolution into native operating system
A method, system and computer program product recorded on a computer-readable medium for execution on at least one processor, for seamless integration of a non-native application into a host OS, including launching a first Virtual Execution Environment (VEE) on a computing system that has a host operating system and a host desktop displayed to a user; displaying a window corresponding to the VEE on the host desktop; upon a user invoking a user application that is non-native to both the host OS and the first VEE, (a) installing a second VEE that is compatible with the user application, (b) installing the user application into the second VEE, (c) launching the application inside the second VEE, and (d) displaying the non-native application window within a window of the second VEE. The VEE can be a Virtual Private Server or a Virtual Machine. |
| US08117551B2 |
Computer system and method of using presence visualizations of avatars as persistable virtual contact objects
Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command. |
| US08117549B2 |
System and method for capturing user actions within electronic workflow templates
The invention provides an electronic workflow method and system that includes a client workstation having a high-resolution image displaying device and an input device, that captures actions that are performed on the image displaying device. The performed actions may include actions that are performed in an interpretation process of medical images displayed by the displaying device. An extensible markup language (XML) schema may be employed to capture and represent the tasks or subtasks. The XML schema records the condensed audit trail of the user actions that are performed during the image review and interpretation process. The invention stores the instructions or actions of the electronic workflow system, although the actions may be stored as an entire “movie” of the electronic workflow system. Thus, the invention dramatically reduces storage, transmission, and time requirements for play back, among providing other benefits. |
| US08117548B1 |
Image preview
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for displaying a graphical representation of at least a portion of a file by interfacing with a graphical interface relating to the file. A request for viewing a file content is received. A window for viewing a graphical representation of at least a portion of the content of a file is provided. |
| US08117547B2 |
Environment-interactive context-aware devices and methods
Location-aware methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, a portable computing device determines its location by accessing one or more hierarchical tree structures each of which comprising multiple nodes that represent physical or logical locations, and traversing at least one node on the one or more hierarchical tree structures to ascertain the location. The device then acquires digital data associated with the determined location and that can permit the device to interact with a location environment. The device then enables interaction with the location environment based, at least in part, on the acquired digital data. |
| US08117545B2 |
Hosted video discovery and publishing platform
A hosted system provides any Internet user with the ability to quickly set up and customize a video channel, preferably as a web page or site that can be reached from any Internet-accessible device having a web browser. The solution includes tools for use by channel site creators to customize the look, feel, and page design. A particular web page or site may be associated with a given subject. As used herein, a page or site that has such an association is sometimes referred to as “subject-specific.” Once a subject-specific channel is created, a site administrator or individual visitors can search across the web and choose to bring those search results into the channel architecture. The system also enables a multiplatform search as an integrated part of a library build; if desired, search results are automatically populated into the channel content. The system also enables the characterization of the material returned, preferably according to a user-generated taxonomy. |
| US08117544B2 |
System and method for detecting user actions in a video stream
Embodiments of the present invention include a video server that can detect and track the image of a pointing indicator in an input video stream representation of a computer display. The video server checks ordered frames of the video signal and determines movements for a pointing indicator such as a mouse arrow. Certain motions by the pointing indicator, such as lingering over a button or menu item or circling a button or menu item can provoke a control action on the server. |
| US08117541B2 |
Rendering of two-dimensional markup messages
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and apparatuses configured to receive or retrieve markup data associated with a message formatted for two-dimensional (2D) rendering, virtually render, by a first rendering module, the message in a non-displayed image in accordance with the markup data, and render, by a second rendering module, a three-dimensional (3D) object in a 2D display environment including texturing the non-displayed image on a surface of the 3D object in order to render the message. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08117540B2 |
Method and device incorporating improved text input mechanism
The invention relates to a method and device incorporating an improved text input mechanism. The text input method comprising the steps determining a list of candidates for the present context, a candidate being a possible textual continuation of the present context and having a relevance score assigned; arranging the candidates in groups, each group having a group designator; displaying the group designators; prompting the user to select a group and receiving the user selection; displaying candidates of the selected group, the displayed candidates being arranged according to their respective scores; prompting the user to select a candidate and receiving the user selection; accepting the selected candidate as text input and updating the context. |
| US08117538B2 |
Method for dynamically converting voice XML scripts into other compatible markup language scripts based on required modality
In a contact center, a routing interface for enabling redirection of interactions from one scripted resource type to another includes a language transformation engine executable from a browser application resident on a digital medium installed on or accessible to a computing appliance, and an interactive panel accessible through the browser application the panel containing selectable modality options. The language transformation engine has network access to a language server, and a routing strategy server, and wherein VXML scripts downloaded to the browser are transformed into scripts expressed in another markup language for presentation and wherein the transformed scripts are used at an end resource that the interaction is redirected to. |
| US08117532B2 |
Reformatting regions with cluttered hyperlinks
A method for presenting a page, having a set of links, on a data processing system is provided. The page is preprocessed to form a processed page, wherein the processed page is unpresented within the data processing system. A determination is made as to whether or not the links within the page fall within a proximity policy. Responsive to a determination that the page falls outside of the proximity policy, the page is reformatted to fall within the proximity policy. The mechanism of the present invention includes a preprocessing process and a policy structure for reformatting an electronic document page. The policy structure of the present invention allows the user to specify the appearance of the electronic document page. The policy structure as defined by the user is stored such that when the user returns to the page, the page may be displayed according to the policy structure defined by the user. |
| US08117525B2 |
Method for parallel data integrity checking of PCI express devices
An apparatus and method for supporting PCI Express is disclosed. A physical layer has a PCI Express interface for receiving data from a PCI Express compatible communication medium. The data is in the form of a packet. A data link layer is disclosed for verifying a CRC value and a sequence number received within the packet. A transaction layer is disclosed for receiving the packet from the data link layer and for processing thereof. The transaction layer processes at least some of the packet data in parallel to the data link layer. |
| US08117521B2 |
Implementation of recycling unused ECC parity bits during flash memory programming
Methods for recycling unused error correction code (ECC) during flash memory programming, comprise generating ECC from user data to form a syndrome and storing the syndrome into volatile memory. ECC is re-encoded corresponding to the syndrome read from the memory with new user data. Re-encoding ECC comprises comparing new ECC with the most recent ECC of the previous syndrome, correcting a bit error in the new ECC, and indicating if the new ECC has failed. |
| US08117515B2 |
Methodology and apparatus for soft-information detection and LDPC decoding on an ISI channel
A system comprising a plurality of channel detectors (CDs) receiving quantized and equalized ISI channel information indicative of an LDPC codeword. The channel information is split for input to the CDs, such that each CD receives channel information indicative of a portion of the LDPC codeword. Each CD outputs at least first soft information for bits of the codeword portion of that CD. The first soft information for the codeword is received by an LDPC decoder, which uses the soft information to produce a user bit sequence and second soft information about the user bit sequence. The system can cause the second soft information to be input to the plurality of CDs, such that iterative processing can occur for the codeword. Other aspects include a system providing clocking of one or more CDs at a frequency selected to balance codeword throughput of the CDs with codeword throughput of an LDPC decoder clocked by a second clock, and methods according to each system. |
| US08117513B2 |
Test method and test program of semiconductor logic circuit device
In a combinational portion, when there is one or more unspecified bits in pseudo external input lines and there is no unspecified bit in pseudo external output lines, an assigning operation is carried out. In the combinational portion, when there is one or more unspecified bits in the pseudo external output lines and there is no unspecified bit in the pseudo external input lines, first and second justifying operations are carried out, and a necessary logic value is determined for an unspecified bit of the test cube. In the combinational portion, when there are one more unspecified bits not only in the pseudo external input lines but also the pseudo external output lines, an assigning operation, a justifying operation or first and second assigning/justifying operations are performed upon a focused bit pair. |
| US08117511B2 |
Communication device and method of correcting the same
A communication device includes a reference clock generator that generates a first reference clock signal, and a super frame timer that clocks a period of super frame based on the first reference clock signal generated by the reference clock generator. The communication device further includes a physical layer that performs wireless communication and generates a second reference clock signal, and a timer correcting part that corrects an error in the clocking in the super frame timer based on the first reference clock signal generated by the reference clock generator and the second reference clock signal generated by the physical layer. |
| US08117510B1 |
Circuits, architectures, apparatuses, systems, methods, algorithms, software and firmware for using reserved cells to indicate defect positions
A circuit including a memory and an error correction code circuit. The memory including (i) a plurality of data storage cells and (ii) at least one reserved cell configured to store status information identifying a status of one or more of the plurality of data storage cells. Each of the data storage cells is configured to store a plurality of data bits. Each of the at least one reserved cell includes a multi-bit cell configured to store a lower density of information than each of the data storage cells. The error correction code circuit is configured to indicate, in a data stream formed from the memory, positions of data from the data storage cells for which status information is stored. |
| US08117498B1 |
Mechanism for maintaining cache soft repairs across power state transitions
A processor core includes one or more cache memories and a repair unit. The repair unit may repair locations in the cache memories identified as having errors during an initialization sequence. The repair unit may further cause information corresponding to the repair locations to be stored within one or more storages. In response to initiation of a power-down state of a given processor core, the given processor core may execute microcode instructions that cause the information from the one or more storages to be saved to a memory unit. During a recovery of the given processor core from the power-down state, the processor core may execute additional microcode instructions that cause the information to be retrieved from the memory unit, and saved to the one or more storages. The repair unit may restore repairs to the locations in the cache memories using the information. |
| US08117496B2 |
Detecting and recovering from silent data errors in application cloning systems
A method, system, and article for resolving a silent error is disclosed. A primary program copy runs on a primary host, and a secondary program copy runs on a secondary host. The primary and secondary copies communicate to maintain synchronized execution. A third copy of the data is stored on a storage device as a write operations log and maintained in memory on the primary host while the program is running. The primary copy is synchronized with the secondary copy by computing a first checksum of data on the primary host in response to a read operation local to the primary host, computing a second checksum of data on the secondary host in response to a read operation local to the secondary host, and periodically communicating the first checksum to the secondary host, and resolving any discrepancies between the first and second checksum of data reflecting a silent data error. |
| US08117493B1 |
Fast recovery in data mirroring techniques
One or more data mirroring techniques are provided in which data storage units are pre-connected to a host node in a clustered network, in preparation for a potential data access failure. One or more data storage units are mirrored (e.g., replicated) between a source volume and a destination volume. A destination host node is pre-connected to the one or more mirrored data storage units in a destination volume prior to a data access failure at the source volume. After a data access failure occurs at the source volume (e.g., due to a hardware failure) access to the mirrored one or more data storage units is granted in an efficient manner due to the pre-connection of the destination node to the one or more mirrored data storage units. |
| US08117488B2 |
Cluster neighborhood event advisory
Database server instances in a database server cluster broadcast, to other instances in the cluster, information concerning certain problem events. Because each server instance is aware of problems that other server instances are experiencing, each server instance is enabled to make more intelligent decisions regarding the actions that it should perform in response to the problems that the server instance is experiencing. Instead of terminating itself, a server instance might opt to wait for a longer amount of time for an operation to complete. The server instance may do so due to the server instance having received information that indicates that other server instances are experiencing similar problems. Whenever the information received from other server instances makes it appear that a problem is unlikely to be solved in the cluster as a whole by terminating a server instance, that server instance may continue to wait instead of terminating itself. |
| US08117482B2 |
Timer unit circuit having plurality of output modes and method of using the same
First and second counter circuits output a signal based on a trigger signal and a clock signal respectively. A selection circuit selects first to fourth signals as the trigger signal, the clock signal, the trigger signal and the clock signal. In a first output mode, an output circuit outputs signals exhibiting normal-phase and reversed-phase PWM waveforms based on both of the signals of the first and second counter circuits. In a second output mode, the output circuit outputs signals that are each based only on either of the signals of the first and second counter circuits. |
| US08117480B2 |
Dependent temperature control within disk drive testing systems
A method of controlling a temperature of a subject test slot in a cluster of test slots includes evaluating a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot to determine if sufficient power is available to achieve the requested temperature change, and inhibiting the requested temperature change unless or until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change. |
| US08117478B2 |
Optimizing power usage by processor cores based on architectural events
A method and apparatus to monitor architecture events is disclosed. The architecture events are linked together via a push bus mechanism with each architectural event having a designated time slot. There is at least one branch of the push bus in each core. Each branch of the push bus may monitor one core with all the architectural events. All the data collected from the events by the push bus is then sent to a power control unit. |
| US08117474B2 |
CPU clock control during cache memory stall
An instruction detecting section (235) detects whether or not there is any succeeding instruction executable regardless of an order based on a data dependency relationship between a presently executed instruction and a succeeding instruction following the presently executed instruction. A clock switch judging section (236) receives notification of the start and end of a memory stall, determines whether or not a memory stall is occurring, and judges whether to switch a clock signal to be supplied to a CPU (200) to a low clock signal (239) or to stop the clock signal based on a detection result of the instruction detecting section (235) if it is judged that the memory stall is occurring. A clock switching section (237) switches the clock signal based on judgment by the clock switch judging section (236). By this construction, power consumption can be reduced without reducing performance. |
| US08117472B2 |
Semiconductor device
Semiconductor device reduces power consumption of total display system. A display memory 12 is operated by a power RVDD and stores display data WD at a determined timing based on various signals from a logic section 11. The display memory 12 outputs the stored display data WD as display data RD to a source driver 15 based on the various signals from the logic section 11. A bias circuit 14 detects a memory write signal MAW and a memory read signal MAR of the logic section 11 to the display memory 12 and controls bias of a power section for memory 13a based on detected result. The power section for memory 13a is configured by an analog amplifier and steps down voltage of a power terminal VCC and keeps constant and supplies the constant voltage as the power RVDD to the display memory 12. A driving capacity of the power section for memory 13a can be varied by changing a bias current by controlling the bias circuit 14. |
| US08117471B2 |
Power management method for handheld electronic device using G-sensor
A power management method for a handheld electronic device is provided. In the present method, a G-sensor is used for detecting a normal vector of a plane of the handheld electronic device. The normal vector is then determined whether being directed toward a downward direction. When the normal vector is determined as being directed toward the downward. Accordingly, the handheld electronic device can be controlled to enter the power saving mode timely according to the positioned state of the device without going through complicated procedures such as operating a menu, so as to provide a more intuitive and convenient way for power management. |
| US08117469B2 |
Automatically determining operating parameters of a power management device
Automatically determining operating parameters of a power management device is described. |
| US08117465B2 |
Mobile device and power control method thereof
A power control method of a mobile device includes the following steps. First, a power management module receives an externally triggered power control signal and accordingly generates an interrupt request (IRQ) at a first time point. Next, a processing unit receives the IRQ and accordingly executes a synchronization processing procedure. A file system timely stores data from a temporary cache area to a permanent storing area according to the synchronization processing procedure. Furthermore, a calculating unit calculates a first time period between a present time point and the first time point and determines whether the calculating unit reaches a maximum waiting period. When the maximum waiting period is reached, the power management module performs a power operation according to the power control signal. |
| US08117464B1 |
Sub-volume level security for deduplicated data
A network storage server receives write requests from clients via a network and internally buffers data blocks written by the write requests. At a consistency point, the storage server commits the data blocks to nonvolatile mass storage. In the consistency point process, a storage operating system in the network storage server compresses the data blocks, encrypts selected data blocks, and stores the compressed and (possibly) encrypted data blocks in the nonvolatile mass storage facility. Data blocks can also be fingerprinted in parallel with compression and/or encryption, to facilitate deduplication. Data blocks can be indexed and classified according to content or attributes of the data. Encryption can be applied at different levels of logical container granularity, where a separate, unique cryptographic key is used for each encrypted data container. To facilitate deduplication, the system creates an additional, shared encryption key for each data block duplicated between two or more logical containers. |
| US08117462B2 |
Delivery point validation system
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention encode a list so users of the list may make inquiries to the coded list without the entire content of the list being revealed to the users. Once each item in the list has been encoded by an encoder, a bit array with high and low values may be used to represent the items in the list. The bit array may be embodied in a validation system for allowing users to query the list to determine whether an inquiry item is on the list. The validation system determines which bits to check by executing the same coding process executed by the encoder. If all the bits are high, then the inquiry item is determined to be part of the list, if at least one of the bits is low, then the inquiry item is determined not to be part of the original list. |
| US08117458B2 |
Methods and systems for graphical image authentication
Systems and methods for providing authentication using an arrangement of dynamic graphical images, which may display a popup element while a pointing device indicator is over a graphical image. The graphical images can be arranged as a grid or matrix for presentation on a device display for authentication of a user. The kinds of graphical images can be derived from a designated authentication category and non-authenticating categories. A series of password elements corresponding to the graphical images can be displayed with the graphical images. The user may enter the series of one or more password elements corresponding to graphical images from the authentication category which combine to form a password entry. An authentication server can compare the password entry to an authentication password corresponding to the particular arrangement of dynamic graphical images. The selection of graphical images, their arrangement and their corresponding password elements, may dynamically change in between authentication processes. |
| US08117456B2 |
Network system, server and information terminal for list matching
A method, apparatus and system to ensure the security in the information exchange and to provide list matching with higher efficiency and practicality. In a particular embodiment, each of lists to be subject to list matching is represented as a polynomial having roots equivalent to the items of the list. Then, polynomials generated for the lists to be subject to list matching are added according to a distributed secret computation. A list containing an item equivalent to a root of a polynomial resulting from the addition is created and output as the list of a common item. |
| US08117455B2 |
Object authentication from a signature part
A method of authenticating an object in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device. The indicating data is generated in response to sensing of coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object and is indicative of an identity of the object and at least part of a signature. The signature is in turn a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The computer system uses the indicating to determine a received identity and a received signature part, before using the using the received identity to determine at least a determined signature part. The determined signature part is then compared to the received signature part to authenticate the object. |
| US08117453B2 |
Customization of an electronic circuit
A method and a system of customization and authentication of an electronic circuit for an application implementing an asymmetrical algorithm and using a certification authority, including use of an authentication channel of another application implementing the same asymmetrical algorithm and using another certification authority. |
| US08117449B2 |
Method to detect man-in-the-middle (MITM) or relay attacks
A method for detecting a communication relay attack involves the steps of counting a number of clock cycles occurring in a clock signal between transmission of two predetermined elements of data with a data transmission device, counting a number of clock cycles occurring in the clock signal between receipt of the two predefined elements of data and comparing the number of clock cycles counted by the data transmission device with the number of clock cycles counted by the data receiving device. |
| US08117447B2 |
Authentication method employing elliptic curve cryptography
Disclosed is an authentication method employing elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), applicable to a mobile broadcast TV system having one or more head end systems, at least a transmitter, and at least a mobile set. The authentication method comprises at least one request message from mobile sets simultaneously or in a short period of time arriving at a head end system for authentication; manipulating each broadcast authentication message by ECC; manipulating each service request message by ECC and pairing operation; performing a mutual authentication between the head end system and mobile sets by ECC and pairing operation; and broadcasting one group of authentication messages to all the mobile sets of many requests arrived at the head end system simultaneously or in a short period of time for the same service. |
| US08117446B2 |
Method and system for secured real time protocol in scalable distributed conference applications
A method of providing secured teleconference in a distributed teleconference system including providing one or more servers interconnected in a distributed structure, providing at least two participants which include at least one speaker; where each participant is a listener. Each participant is connected to a server and is associated with a secured teleconferencing application, encrypting the data that is created by the speaker's application, building an authentication tag by the speaker application, transmitting a media packet by the speaker's application to the connected server, checking authentication tag validity by each server that receives a media packet and selectively distributing the media packet if the authentication tag check succeeded and checking authentication tag validity by each listener that receives a media packet and decryption of the encrypted data provided that the authentication tag validity check succeeded. |
| US08117445B2 |
Near field communication, security and non-volatile memory integrated sub-system for embedded portable applications
An architecture is presented that facilitates integrating memory, security functionalities and near field communication (NFC) capabilities in a mobile device. A memory module is provided that comprises non-volatile memory that stores security software, sensitive data, and keys and a security processor that accesses the security software from the nonvolatile memory and performs security functions based on the security software stored. A NFC radio frequency transmitter and receiver (RF) is directly integrated into the security processor to facilitate NFC capabilities within the secure environment of the memory module. Further, the non-volatile memory directly interfaces to an NFC antenna positioned outside of the memory module via the integrated NFC RF. The integration of the security processor, memory, and NFC RF into the memory module provides a trusted environment for the manipulation and decryption of data received through the NFC antenna. |
| US08117443B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating location independent unique identifiers
Universal Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) are generated using a variety of algorithms and these algorithms are themselves encoded into the UUID. Each UUID includes two parts: a first part that is an identifier, which is unique to the second part. The second part identifies the algorithm that was used to generate the identifier. Thus, the uniqueness of the identifier is based on how the identifier was created not the entity that created it. The identity of two UUIDs is determined by comparing both the generator algorithm ID and the relative ID. |
| US08117440B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enabling unified (internet protocol version) IPV6/IPV4 routing services over IPv4-only interfaces
Some embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that provides routing services between a red network and a black network. The apparatus includes a red router within the red network, a black router within the black network, and an IP encryptor having a red side IPv4-only interface and a black side interface, with the red side interface operatively coupled to the red router and the black side interface operatively coupled to the black network. The apparatus is configured to provide unified IPv6/IPv4 OSPFv3 routing over IPv4-only interfaces using cross-layer extensions. |
| US08117437B2 |
System for providing services for applications available under different protocols
In a service providing system, a plurality of application users can work together in real time, and an application can be created which can handle a plurality of protocols. In the system where the web-AP and SIP server environments are cooperative with each other, a web-AP execution server executing a web application associated with a web context is connected to a web context manager managing a context of the HTTP protocol. A SIP-AP execution server is connected to a SIP context manager managing a context of the SIP protocol for executing a SIP application associated with a SIP context related to a web context. A handler manager passing a message between HTTP and SIP handlers is connected to the web-AP execution server. The web and SIP context managers have cooperation managers working together. |
| US08117435B2 |
Method and system for secured dynamic bios update
In some embodiments, the invention involves providing a secure BIOS update to selective user operating systems in a platform conforming to virtualization technology. In an embodiment, a provision agent in a service operating system identifies requests for BIOS updates received from a management console and forwards authorized update requests to a virtual machine monitor (VMM) for processing the updates according to platform policy. An update may be applied immediately to some user operating systems and be delayed in others. Some updates may require an immediate reboot of the platform. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08117427B2 |
Motherboard, storage device and controller thereof, and booting method
A motherboard, a storage device and a controller thereof and a booting method are provided. In the present invention, when powered on, an unfetch signal is transmitted to a central processor unit (CPU) by a controller such that an operation of the CPU is suspended. Next, a system firmware in the storage device is loaded by the controller. After the system firmware is loaded, a fetch-done signal is transmitted to the CPU by the controller such that the CPU starts executing a booting procedure. |
| US08117424B2 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing programmable logic controller processing
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a programmable logic controller, which can comprise a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor. The RISC processor can be adapted to, responsive to a received request to process a Boolean operation, execute a single processor data access instruction addressed to a region of a memory-mapped register corresponding to the Boolean operation. |
| US08117419B2 |
Storage apparatus and method for eliminating redundant data storage using storage apparatus
A storage apparatus provides, in a dynamic provisioning system, a virtual logical device (DP-LDEV) that is a virtual logical device configured of a real logical device (N-LDEV). In the storage apparatus, a storage area of a real logical device is managed by being divided into unit cache areas (SLCBs), which are predetermined management units. A storage area of a virtual logical device is managed by being divided into virtual unit areas (PSCBs), which are predetermined management units. Multiple virtual unit areas having the same data stored therein are made to correspond to the same unit cache area, and thereby data stored in a storage device is managed. The correspondence is established with at the timing of, for example, destaging data from a cache memory. |
| US08117418B1 |
Method and system for managing virtual addresses of a plurality of processes corresponding to an application
The present invention provides a method and system for managing virtual addresses of a plurality of processes corresponding to an application. The method comprises designating a first set of ranges of virtual addresses to the plurality of processes, wherein the virtual addresses of the first set of ranges map to a memory region shared among the plurality of processes. Further, the method comprises designating a second set of ranges of virtual addresses to the plurality of processes, wherein the virtual addresses of the second set of ranges map to a memory region independently used by a process of the plurality of processes. Furthermore, the method comprises adding or removing virtual address ranges from one of the first set of ranges and the second set of ranges based on requirements of the application, wherein the addition or removal is performed in virtual addresses of the plurality of processes. |
| US08117417B2 |
Dynamic address translation with change record override
What is provided is an enhanced dynamic address translation facility. In one embodiment, a virtual address to be translated and an initial origin address of a translation table of the hierarchy of translation tables are obtained. A segment table entry obtained from a segment table contains a format control field. If the format control field is enabled, a segment-frame absolute address of a large block of data in main storage is obtained from the segment table entry. Each 4K byte block of data within the large block has an associated storage key. Store operations associated with the virtual address are performed to the desired block of data. If the change recording override field is disabled, the change bit of the storage key associated with the desired 4K byte block is set to 1. An indication is then provided that the desired 4K byte block has been modified. |
| US08117415B2 |
Storage device estimating a completion time for a storage operation
A storage device or system provides to a host processor an estimation of a completion time of a storage operation. The completion time may be based on the duration of automatic storage operations, which are not administered by the host processor. The storage device includes a non-volatile memory and a controller. The storage system includes: a storage device having a non-volatile memory; and a controller module. The controller or controller module estimates the completion time of a storage operation and provides to the processor the estimated completion time before the storage operation completes. |
| US08117414B2 |
Method for prioritized erasure of flash memory
A method for prioritized erasure of a non-volatile storage device, the method including the steps of: providing at least one flash unit of the storage device, wherein each flash unit has a plurality of blocks; writing data into the plurality of blocks; assigning an erasure-priority to each block, wherein the erasure-priority correlates with an erasure-priority of the data; and erasing the data in each block according to the erasure-priority of each block upon receiving an emergency-erase command. Preferably, the step of writing data into the plurality of blocks is performed in an arbitrary order in a first flash unit, and the step of writing into subsequent flash units is performed in correlation with the order in the first flash unit. Preferably, the step of erasing includes aborting erasure, before completing the erasure, for at least some of the plurality of blocks. |
| US08117411B2 |
Storage system and remote copy recovery method
Data written in the primary logical volume of the first storage device are transmitted to the third storage device via the second storage device, the data being written in the same location as the primary logical volume within the secondary logical volume in the third storage device; when transmission of the data stops among the first to the third storage devices, the respective second storage device and the third storage device manage locations in the secondary logical volume where the data held thereby are to be written; and, when transmission of the data resumes among the first to the third storage devices, the locations in the secondary logical volume managed by the respective second and the third storage devices are aggregated, the data to be written in the respective aggregated location in the secondary logical volume being transmitted from the first storage device to the third storage device via the second storage device. |
| US08117408B2 |
Buffer for object information
A buffer that is state-aware and/or node-oriented. In a state-aware buffer, one or more operations relating to a state can be performed. In a node-oriented buffer, instances of a node can be accessed without regard to an object structure in which the instance is included. |
| US08117407B2 |
Information storage medium, recording/reproducing apparatus, and recording/reproducing method
A recording/reproducing apparatus is configured to record a replacement block by logical overwrite (LOW) for updating data recorded on an information storage medium in a first area of the medium, record a replacement block for replacing a defect block generated on the medium in a second area of the medium, and record a second replacement block for replacement by defect of a first replacement block in the second area if the defect is detected while the first replacement block is being recorded in the first area to perform the logical overwrite of an original block recorded in a predetermined area of the medium, generate a defect list (DFL) entry including location information of the original block and location information of the second replacement block in order to indicate the replacement state, and move location information of the first replacement block in the second replacement block. |
| US08117406B2 |
Method of storing data into flash memory in a DBMS-independent manner using the page-differential
The present invention proposes an effective and efficient method of storing data called page-differential logging for flash-based storage systems. The primary characteristics of the invention are: (1) it writes only the page-differential that is defined as the difference between an original page in flash memory and an up-to-date page in memory; (2) it computes and writes the page-differential only when an updated page needs to be reflected into flash memory. When an updated page needs to be reflected into flash memory, the present invention stores the page into a base page and a differential page in flash memory. When a page is recreated from flash memory, it reads the base page and the differential page, and then, creates the page by merging the base page with its page-differential in the differential page. This invention significantly improves I/O performance of flash-based storage systems compared with existing page-based and log-based methods. |
| US08117405B2 |
Storage control method for managing access environment enabling host to access data
A computer system wherein a first access environment program converts an application data created by the first application program, according to access environment information, and sends the converted application data to a first volume, wherein a management computer stores the access environment information, and relationship between the second volume and the access environment information, wherein, when the management computer receives a request to access the second volume from the second host computer, the management computer identifies the access environment information based on the relationship, and sends the access environment information to the second host computer, and wherein the second host computer configures a second access environment program stored in the second host computer based on the access environment information, and wherein and a second application program stored the second host computer, accesses to the second volume via the second access environment program configured by the access environment information. |
| US08117402B2 |
Decreasing shared memory data corruption
The shared memory includes a header section and a data section, wherein said header section includes at least two headers in which control information is stored. The method comprises the steps of: judging whether or not there is data corruption in one of said at least two headers; and copying the control information in any one of other headers to said one header if there is data corruption in said one header. A method for controlling access to a shared memory is also disclosed. |
| US08117397B2 |
Victim cache line selection
A cache memory includes a cache array including a plurality of congruence classes each containing a plurality of cache lines, where each cache line belongs to one of multiple classes which include at least a first class and a second class. The cache memory also includes a cache directory of the cache array that indicates class membership. The cache memory further includes a cache controller that selects a victim cache line for eviction from a congruence class. If the congruence class contains a cache line belonging to the second class, the cache controller preferentially selects as the victim cache line a cache line of the congruence class belonging to the second class based upon access order. If the congruence class contains no cache line belonging to the second class, the cache controller selects as the victim cache line a cache line belonging to the first class based upon access order. |
| US08117395B1 |
Multi-stage pipeline for cache access
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a command processing pipeline to be operatively coupled to a shared cache, the command processing pipeline comprising a command processing pipeline operatively coupled to the N-way cache and configured to process a sequence of cache commands, wherein a way of the N ways of the cache with which an address of a cache command matches is a hit way for the cache command in case the cache command is a hit. In one embodiment, the command processing pipeline may be configured to receive a first cache command from one of the plurality of processing cores, select a way, from the N ways, as a potential eviction way, and generate, based at least in part on the received first cache command, N selection signals corresponding to the N ways, wherein each selection signal is indicative of whether the corresponding way is (A). the hit way and/or the eviction way, or (B). neither the hit way nor the eviction way. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08117394B2 |
Consistency model for object management data
A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining cache coherency of object management data in a computer system. The computer system is configured with a bit mask to represent changes in object management data. All changes in an object are reflected by setting an associated bit in the bit mask. A cache update of object management data is limited to the bit(s) set in the bit mask. |
| US08117392B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient ordered stores over an interconnection network
A physically distributed cache memory system includes an interconnection network, first level cache memory slices, and second level cache memory slices. The first level cache memory slices are coupled to the interconnection network to generate tagged ordered store requests. Each tagged ordered store requests has a tag including requester identification and a store sequence token. The second level cache memory slices are coupled to the interconnection network to execute ordered store requests in-order across the physically distributed cache memory system in response to each tag of the tagged ordered store requests. |
| US08117391B2 |
Storage system and data management method
A storage system, which is coupled to a computer, includes a storage device, a controller, a plurality of cache memory units, and a connecting unit. Each of the plurality of cache memory units includes: a cache memory for storing data; an auxiliary storage device for holding a content of data even after shutdown of power; and a cache controller for controlling an input/output of data to/from the cache memory and the auxiliary storage device. The cache controller store data stored in the cache memory, which is divided into a plurality of parts, into a plurality of the auxiliary storage devices included in the plurality of cache memory units. |
| US08117389B2 |
Design structure for performing cacheline polling utilizing store with reserve and load when reservation lost instructions
A design structure for performing cacheline polling utilizing store and reserve and load when reservation lost instructions is disclosed. In one embodiment a method is provided which comprises storing a buffer flag busy indicator data value within a first cacheable memory location and setting a load/store operation reservation on said first cacheable memory location via a store and reserve instruction. In the described embodiment, a data value stored within the first cacheable memory location is accessed via a conditional load instruction in response to a determination that the load/store operation reservation on the first cacheable memory location has been reset. Conversely, execution of the conditional load instruction is stalled in response to a determination that the load/store operation reservation on the first cacheable memory location has not been reset. |
| US08117385B2 |
System and method of maximization of storage capacity in a configuration limited system
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing management of serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) storage devices. A host computer comprises a storage controller connected to a SAS port expander comprising a plurality of ports that are logically assigned to target storage devices. The device ports of all storage devices physically attached to the SAS port expander are bypassed to remove their logical SAS expander port assignments. The storage controller unbypasses the device ports, allowing it to recognize the presence of all physically attached storage devices. The recognized storage devices are inventoried and storage devices that are not logically assigned a SAS expander port are designated as being spare storage devices. SAS expander ports are logically assigned to the non-spare storage devices and SAS storage operations are performed. |
| US08117384B2 |
Searching a content addressable memory with modifiable comparands
A method includes searching a content addressable memory based on a comparand. The comparand includes a collection of bits. A modified comparand is generated by modifying the comparand. The modified comparand is based at least in part on a comparand overlay data value. The content addressable memory is also searched with the modified comparand. |
| US08117377B2 |
Flash memory device having secure file deletion function and method for securely deleting flash file
Disclosed is a flash memory device having a secure flash file deletion function and a method for securely deleting a flash file. Data and object headers as actual contents of the flash file are separately stored in data blocks and header blocks. At this time, the data is encrypted and stored, and a decryption key is included in an object header and stored in a header block. When the flash file is deleted, the object header is deleted by searching the header block where the object header including the decryption key is stored. In order to search the header block, a binary tree structure is used in which a terminal node indicates an LSB of a file ID. Disclosed may be applied to an embedded system where a flash memory is used as a storage medium. In particular, disclosed is suitable for a NAND flash memory device. |
| US08117372B2 |
Virtualization of a host computer's native I/O system architecture via internet and LANs
A hardware/software system and method that collectively enables virtualization of the host computer's native I/O system architecture via the Internet and LANs. The invention includes a solution to the problems of the relatively narrow focus of iSCSI, the direct connect limitation of PCI Express, and the inaccessibility of PCI Express for expansion in blade architectures. |
| US08117370B2 |
IC for handheld computing unit of a computing device
An IC includes a processing module, on-chip memory, one or more block input/output (I/O) interfaces for coupling to one or more off-chip block I/O devices, one or more character I/O interfaces for coupling to one or more off-chip character I/O devices when active, a main memory interface for coupling to off-chip main memory, a baseband processing module, an RF section, a processing module interface, and an IC bus structure. The processing module interface couples the processing module to an off-chip connection structure, wherein, when a handheld computing unit that includes the IC is docked to an extended computing unit, the off-chip connection structure couples the handheld computing unit to the extended computing unit such that the IC is in a docked mode. |
| US08117362B2 |
Programmable multi-function Z-wave adapter for Z-wave wireless networks
The present invention provides a programmable multi-function adapter for a wireless network that includes a wireless communications module, a control module, a data communications interface and a programmable non-volatile memory. The data communications interface is coupled to the control module, while the programmable non-volatile memory is coupled to the control module and the wireless communications module. The programmable non-volatile memory stores information accessible by the control module and the wireless communications module. |
| US08117361B2 |
Dynamic compression of systems management data
A method, system, and medium for compressing systems management information in a historical data store. Dynamically determining the appropriate compression algorithm to apply based on the type of data being compressed and stored. As further input is received for any particular measurement, the appropriate compression algorithm will be automatically selected from the set of available compression algorithms or be defined by a user configuration parameter. The amount of historical data stored with the minimal amount of data loss is optimized by the system dynamically changing the compression algorithm used for the given input data over a particular time span. The system engineer is therefore presented with the pertinent information for monitoring, administrating and diagnosing system activities. |
| US08117357B2 |
System core for transferring data between an external device and memory
Details of a highly cost effective and efficient implementation of a manifold array (ManArray) architecture and instruction syntax for use therewith are described herein. Various aspects of this approach include the regularity of the syntax, the relative ease with which the instruction set can be represented in database form, the ready ability with which tools can be created, the ready generation of self-checking codes and parameterized test cases. Parameterizations can be fairly easily mapped and system maintenance is significantly simplified. |
| US08117355B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method that monitors and controls mounting and unmounting of a removable storage device
A data processing apparatus includes an operating system that performs a mounting and an unmounting of a removable external storage device; a plurality of application programs each configured to independently access the external storage device; and an external-storage-device monitoring unit that instructs the operating system, based on a request for mounting or unmounting the external storage device, which is output from each of the application programs, to perform the mounting and the unmounting of the external storage device. |
| US08117354B2 |
Automatically disabling input/output signal processing based on the required multimedia format
A system and method operable to automatically disable input/output signal processing based on the required data format is provided. The need for an input/output module, such as an encoder, required to process input signal having a first data format (i.e. multimedia format) and produce an output signal having a second format (i.e. multimedia format) is determined. When the input/output module is not required to produce the output signal in the second format, the input/output module is disabled. |
| US08117350B2 |
Configuration space compaction
The described embodiments provide a system for accessing values for configuration space registers (CSRs). This system includes a CSR data storage mechanism with an address input and a CSR data output. The CSR data storage mechanism includes a memory containing a number of memory locations for storing the true or actual values for CSRs for functions for corresponding devices. In these embodiments, the memory locations are divided into at least one shared region and at least one unique region. In these embodiments, in response to receiving an address for a memory location on the address input, the CSR data storage mechanism accesses the value for the CSR in the memory location in a corresponding shared region or unique region. |
| US08117348B2 |
User interface apparatus, digital apparatus connected to the same, data transmitting system including the user interface, and user interface method
Provided is a user interface apparatus including a plurality of regions and method for operating the same. The user interface apparatus may be configured to respond to a digital apparatus being disposed in a region, by sending information associated with the region. The information indicative of a command for the digital apparatus to execute to interact with a host apparatus. The digital apparatus may include an information recognizing unit configured to recognize the command indicated by the information provided by the information providing units; and a control unit configured to transmit data or receive data based on the command. Thus, a user can input a user control signal to a digital apparatus in a user friendly manner. |
| US08117347B2 |
Providing indirect data addressing for a control block at a channel subsystem of an I/O processing system
An computer program product, apparatus, and method for facilitating input/output (I/O) processing for an I/O operation at a host computer system configured for communication with a control unit. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes the host computer system obtaining a transport command word (TCW) for an I/O operation. The TCW specifies a location of one or more I/O commands and a flag. The flag is set to indicate that the location is an indirect address. The host computer system extracts the location of the one or more I/O commands and the flag from the TCW. The host computer system gathers the one or more I/O commands responsive to the location specified by the TCW and the flag, and then forwards the one or more I/O commands to the control unit for execution. |
| US08117345B2 |
Signal processing device and method, program, and signal processing system
A signal processing device is a predetermined signal processing device among signal processing devices which perform signal processing on an input signal that is input to any one of the signal processing devices in such a manner that the signal processing devices share signal processing. The signal processing device includes a signal processing section that performs signal processing on a first-bandwidth signal, which is included in the input signal, in accordance with a processing capability of the signal processing device to generate a first output signal; and a signal integration section that integrates a second output signal with the first output signal, and that outputs the integrated signal to a second different signal processing device, the second output signal being generated in a first different signal processing device by performing signal processing on a second-bandwidth signal, which is included in the input signal. |
| US08117344B2 |
Global server for authenticating access to remote services
A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied. |
| US08117343B2 |
Landmark chunking of landmarkless regions
A computer-executed method for forming data chunks from a sequence of data values comprises determining whether processing of the sequence of data values has entered a landmark-free region. If processing has entered a landmark-free region, a data chunk is produced using a specialized landmark chunking technique that is specialized for landmark-free regions. Otherwise, the method comprises producing a data chunk using a standard-data landmark chunking technique. |
| US08117341B2 |
Determining and presenting communication device proximity information
A location and mapping application takes device information and produces location information for display on a communication-enabled computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or wireless phone). A current location of a wireless device may be provided with an announcement of an incoming call or message and may be in the form of a street address or a map. Location information for a wired (or fixed-location) device may be provided in the form of a map. Location information for nearby wireless and wired devices may also be provided. Location information may be updated for wireless devices that are moving. |
| US08117338B2 |
Border gateway protocol procedures for multi-protocol label switching and layer-2 virtual private networks using Ethernet-based tunnels
Described are a network device and method for distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) from a first provider edge (PE) router to a second provider edge (PE) router. An Ethernet switched path (e.g., a Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) tunnel) is established between the first and second PE routers. The first PE router is at a source end of the Ethernet switched path and the second PE router is at a destination end of the Ethernet switched path. A BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) message is sent from the first PE router to the second PE router. The BGP message contains routing information for a VPN route in a VPN supported by the PSN. An association between the VPN route in the VPN and the Ethernet switched path is determined from the routing information in the BGP message. |
| US08117334B2 |
System and methods for workflow management
The workflow management system includes various modules that manipulate incoming messages from a variety of clients, translate and route the messages to the appropriate backend applications, monitor completion by the backend applications and provide responses to the clients. A common database is operatively connected to the applications and modules to manage and monitor the workflow of an enterprise over time and provide support of service. |
| US08117332B2 |
Network streaming over multiple physical interfaces
The present disclosure is directed to controlling a sending of a single data stream from a sending endpoint to a receiving endpoint. Both of the endpoints each have multiple physical interfaces connecting each endpoint to one or more networks. A buffer size is selected for a buffer at the receiving endpoint, and an estimation is made by the receiving endpoint of a fill rate of the buffer. The estimated fill rate is then compared with a target fill rate. Feedback is then sent by the receiving endpoint over one or more of the physical interfaces instructing the sending endpoint to reduce or increase a rate at which data is being sent, if the estimated fill rate is more than the target fill rate or the estimated fill rate is less than the target fill rate, respectively. The splitting and sending of data is then adjusted according to the feedback. |
| US08117330B2 |
Information processing device for relaying streaming data
According to one embodiment, a method is described for relaying streaming data from a first external device and to transmit streaming data to a second external device. The method comprises (i) receiving a first delay time to be needed by the second external device from the second external device, (ii) calculating a third delay time by adding the first delay time to a second delay time to be needed in the information processing device, and (iii) transmitting the third delay time to the first external device. |
| US08117328B2 |
System and method for automatically recovering from failed network connections in streaming media scenarios
Automatically recovering from broken network connections in streaming media scenarios. Server software executing on the server communicates with client software executing on the client during the streaming media session. If the streaming media session is interrupted, the server software and the client software exchange messages to associate the client with a client state stored by the server and to re-synchronize playback of the content. |
| US08117320B2 |
Allocation of tracker resources in a computing system
A number of caching agents are interconnected by a ring. A number of trackers of a home agent are pre-allocated to each of the number of caching agents. A tracker provides a permit for a caching agent to issue a request to the home agent. In case a caching agent needs to issue more requests to the home agent, the caching agent may borrow a tracker from another caching agent by sending a message via the ring to other caching agents. A caching agent receiving the borrowing message may either respond the borrowing message by lending a tracker pre-allocated to the corresponding caching agent, or deny the borrowing request by forwarding the borrowing message to another caching agent. |
| US08117319B2 |
Domain name service resolver
A content delivery network (CDN) for providing content objects and domain resolution. The CDN includes a connection with a terminal device, a second domain name service (DNS) system, an IP address store for holding authoritative Internet protocol (IP) addresses, and a content store holding at least one of the first or second content object. A first request to resolve a first domain name is received by the second DNS system at a second location. A second request to resolve a second domain name is received by the second DNS system at the second location. The first domain name is associated with a first content object, and the second domain name is associated with a second content object. The first and second requests are relayed with the terminal device, which receives Internet access from an access network. The access network comprises a first DNS system that functions in a recursing DNS mode. The content object is realized in a first location that is different from the second location of the terminal device. The second DNS system operates in a recursing DNS mode to retrieve a first IP address corresponding to the first domain name. The first IP address for the first domain name is returned from the second DNS system to the terminal device to fulfill the first request. The second DNS system operates in an authoritative DNS mode to retrieve a second IP address from the IP address store. The second IP address for the second domain name is returned from the second DNS system to the terminal device to fulfill the second request. |
| US08117317B2 |
Systems and methods for integrating local systems with cloud computing resources
In one embodiment the present invention includes systems and methods for integrating local systems with cloud computing resources. In one embodiment, shared security information is stored on a local system and on a cloud computer system to allow secure communications between software applications on the two systems. In another embodiment, a tunnel agent client on a local system and a tunnel agent server on a cloud computer system are used to establish a secure connection point between the two systems. |
| US08117316B2 |
Terminal shift management system and method thereof
The present invention relates to a terminal control system, and more particularly, to a system and a method which allows a user to shift an IP service from a terminal to which the service is currently provided to a user's other terminal, thereby enabling the user to continuously using the IP service without disconnection. The system comprises: an authentication authorization accounting (AAA) interface unit which receives unique information having fixed properties with respect to a terminal authenticated by a subscriber terminal authentication system and a user of the authenticated terminal; a terminal interface unit which receives status information having variable properties with respect to the authorized terminal and a currently used service; a unique information managing unit which stores and manages the unique information; a status information managing unit which stores and manages the status information; and a terminal shift management control unit which provides information regarding terminals available for the current service with reference to the unique information and the status information, when there is a terminal shift request, generates service session information which is required when the currently used service is sent to a terminal selected from the information and sends the generated service session information to the selected terminal to which the service is to be shifted. Accordingly, the user of the terminal can conveniently change the terminal to continuously use the IP service without disconnection while using the IP service. |
| US08117314B2 |
Methods and systems for providing remote access to a computing environment provided by a virtual machine
A method for providing remote access to a computer environment provided by a virtual machine includes the step of receiving authentication information associated with a user of a client machine. Based on the received authentication information, a computer environment provided by a virtualized operating system and already associated with the user is identified. A connection is established between the client machine and the identified computing environment. |
| US08117313B2 |
System and method for adaptive formatting of image information for efficient delivery and presentation
A content server distributes image information to networked devices. The content server receives a request for delivery of information to a networked device, including image information. The content server determines, based on at least one of an image delivery parameter and an image presentation parameter associated with the networked device, an image format for the image information for delivery of the image information to the networked device and for presentation of the image information at the networked device. The content server sends a response to the networked device, responding to the request, the response comprising at least a portion of the image information in the image format. The image delivery parameter corresponds to at least one network communication link type and the image presentation parameter corresponds to at least one presentation platform type. |
| US08117310B2 |
Method for the central control of resources in expandable medical platforms
A method of at least one embodiment uses a central instance for receiving all orders within the platform. A meta interface regulates the assignment of resources to orders. In addition, in at least one embodiment, each order is performed by at least one process handler. This assures the deadlock-free use of resources within the platform. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention allows controlled stopping of active process handlers and hence interruption of running processes. |
| US08117306B1 |
Optimizing content management
A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance metric information associated with processing a request for an original resource and any embedded resource. The processing device uses the processed performance metric information to determine a CDN service provider for alternatively hosting at least a portion of the original resource and/or any embedded resources. In some embodiments, in making such a determination, the processing device assesses performance metric information collected and associated with subsequent resource requests for the original resource and any embedded resources using each of a variety of alternative CDN service providers. The processing device may also consider CDN selection criteria obtained from the original content provider. Aspects of systems and methods for generating recommendations associated with monitoring the operation and performance of CDN service providers with respect to specific resource requests are also provided. |
| US08117303B2 |
Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products for downloading content for offline browsing
Systems, methods, devices and computer program products are provided for: receiving an indication that an electronic device is to be communicatively disconnected from a network; downloading information from the network in response to the received indication, but before the electronic device is disconnected from the network; and storing the downloaded information in the electronic device so that the information is available for offline browsing. For example, a user may instruct an electronic device to disconnect from a network. The user may also specify an amount of time before the device must disconnect from the network. The device may then begin pre-caching network content until the specified amount of time expires. When the specified amount of time expires, the device may disconnect from the network, but the user can continue to browse network content offline by browsing the pre-cached network content stored in a local memory. |
| US08117300B2 |
Supporting both asynchronous and synchronous data transfers between production event information sources and a production information database
A production information reporting/recording system is disclosed herein including a number of features to ensure efficient, flexible and reliable recording of production data in a manufacturing system. Such features include validating the content of event messages to ensure compliance of event report information with a standard. The system also supports caching IDs associated with particular aspects of an event message (e.g., a production request, a process segment) as well as a unique ID corresponding to the ID assigned by the production event database to reduce the need to access the database when assigning unique database IDs to received events. The production event messaging system also supports both asynchronous and synchronous transactional messaging between the sources of events and the production database service. Furthermore, the system supports including extensions to a base production message schema through the inclusion of metadata that designates a particular production server to parse and apply/store the extension information. |
| US08117296B2 |
Domain name resolution using a distributed DNS network
A distributed DNS network includes a central origin server that actually controls the zone, and edge DNS cache servers configured to cache the DNS content of the origin server. The edge DNS cache servers are published as the authoritative servers for customer domains instead of the origin server. When a request for a DNS record results in a cache miss, the edge DNS cache servers get the information from the origin server and cache it for use in response to future requests. Multiple edge DNS cache servers can be deployed at multiple locations. Since an unlimited number of edge DNS cache servers can be deployed, the system is highly scalable. The disclosed techniques protect against DoS attacks, as DNS requests are not made to the origin server directly. |
| US08117295B2 |
Remote apparatus management system, remote apparatus management method and remote apparatus management program
In an environment such as the Internet where a wide variety of electronic apparatuses should be managed and which includes many electronic apparatuses, connection must be modified smoothly according to a status change. An apparatus status collection unit collects apparatus status such as types, loads and positions of electronic apparatuses. A communication status collection unit collects communication status such as a type, path and load of communication. A connection rule retention unit retains beforehand a connection rule indicating a communication connection method being relevant to certain apparatus status, communication status and terminal status. A connection method decision unit compares apparatus status, communication status and terminal status with connection rules to extract a connection rule indicating an appropriate connection method. Then, the connection method decision unit causes an apparatus driver unit, the protocol conversion unit and a network communication unit to set the units to the decided connection method. |
| US08117288B2 |
Optimizing layout of an application on a massively parallel supercomputer
A general computer-implement method and apparatus to optimize problem layout on a massively parallel supercomputer is described. The method takes as input the communication matrix of an arbitrary problem in the form of an array whose entries C(i, j) are the amount to data communicated from domain i to domain j. Given C(i, j), first implement a heuristic map is implemented which attempts sequentially to map a domain and its communications neighbors either to the same supercomputer node or to near-neighbor nodes on the supercomputer torus while keeping the number of domains mapped to a supercomputer node constant (as much as possible). Next a Markov Chain of maps is generated from the initial map using Monte Carlo simulation with Free Energy (cost function) F=Σi,jC(i,j)H(i,j)− where H(i,j) is the smallest number of hops on the supercomputer torus between domain i and domain j. On the cases tested, found was that the method produces good mappings and has the potential to be used as a general layout optimization tool for parallel codes. At the moment, the serial code implemented to test the method is un-optimized so that computation time to find the optimum map can be several hours on a typical PC. For production implementation, good parallel code for our algorithm would be required which could itself be implemented on supercomputer. |
| US08117284B2 |
Unsolicited and unconfirmed computing platform service information
An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to receive solicited or unsolicited computing platform service information associated with services offered by a plurality of service points in a range area, store some portion of the received information, and periodically transmit, with or without confirmation, some portion of the stored information to one or more potential subscribers. |
| US08117268B2 |
Hosted voice recognition system for wireless devices
Methods, systems, and software for converting the audio input of a user of a hand-held client device or mobile phone into a textual representation by means of a backend server accessed by the device through a communications network. The text is then inserted into or used by an application of the client device to send a text message, instant message, email, or to insert a request into a web-based application or service. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of initializing or launching the application on the device; recording and transmitting the recorded audio message from the client device to the backend server through a client-server communication protocol; converting the transmitted audio message into the textual representation in the backend server; and sending the converted text message back to the client device or forwarding it on to an alternate destination directly from the server. |
| US08117267B2 |
System and method for provisioning an email account using mail exchange and address records
A system for provisioning an electronic mail (email) account of a user for allowing access to an electronic mailbox from a remote device to retrieve email includes a communications module that receives email address parameters entered by the user and transmits a domain name system (DNS) query to the Internet for returning mail exchange (MX) and address (A) records corresponding to the entered email address parameters of the user. A configuration module processes any returned MX and A records to determine whether the email address parameters entered by the user are valid before attempting to provision the email account of the user. |
| US08117265B2 |
Identifying and using identities deemed to be known to a user
The people a user is presumed to know or be associated with may be determined using a number of techniques. This information about people that the user knows is used in relation to the user's communications. For example access to a user's online presence may be restricted based on the known people such that access to presence is provided only to those people that the user knows. |
| US08117262B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for locating an application during a collaboration session
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses include requesting an expert during a collaboration session; determining a subject matter of the collaboration session; detecting a potential participant to serve as the expert; and inviting the potential participant to join the collaboration session. |
| US08117254B2 |
User name mapping in a heterogeneous network
A user information management service including features and/or methods for user information mapping. |
| US08117251B2 |
Computation of a multiplication operation with an electronic circuit and method
A computing method and circuit for computing a modular operation with at least one operand having a binary representation. Iteratively for each bit of this operand, doubling the value of an intermediate result stored in a first memory element by shifting the bits of the intermediate result towards the most significant bit and, while the most significant bit of the intermediate result is one, updating this intermediate result by subtracting a modulus stored in a second memory element. |
| US08117249B1 |
Equalizer systems and methods utilizing analog delay elements
Systems and methods provide analog delay elements, which may be utilized in isolation or in a cascade, such as for use within equalizers or other types of applications. For example, a delay element may include a broadband amplifier and a passive, programmable filter, which may provide a desired magnitude and group delay response over a wide frequency range while being tolerant of process variations. An equalizer, for example, may include the delay element within its feed forward filter and/or within its other circuits, such as within its adaptive coefficient generator or slicer input time-align circuit. |
| US08117245B2 |
System and method for using demographic organization and segmentation to manage large scale projects
A method and system is provided to demographically represent and implement one or more projects associated with an entity such as a corporation in a database so that the views into the database reflect a defined hierarchy of the demographics of the project or entity. The views may be created to reflect various aspects such as technological components, physical attributes of the entity, processes, or other attributes. The processes reflected by the views may also provide action based data elements for supporting the activities necessary to accomplish the processes over time. The project and associate views may also be organized by language or geographic requirements. In use, the invention may provide for management and control for large scale projects such as a migration from one organizational state to another. |
| US08117235B1 |
Techniques for binding resources for use by a consumer tier
Described are techniques for configuring resources of a data storage system. A definition for each of one or more tiers is provided. Each of the tiers corresponds to a different class of consumer of data storage system resources and has a different corresponding definition including a set of one or more clauses and a priority of each clause in said set relative to other clauses in said set. Each of the clauses in the set is one of a plurality of predefined types of clauses. One or more data storage consumers are associated with each tier. A first set of data storage system resources is associated with a first of said one or more tiers in accordance with a corresponding first definition for said first tier. The first set is used when processing storage provisioning requests and I/O requests for data storage consumers associated with the first tier. |
| US08117229B1 |
Fast identification of complex strings in a data stream
A method for detecting and locating occurrence in a data stream of any complex string belonging to a predefined complex dictionary is disclosed. A complex string may comprise an arbitrary number of interleaving coherent strings and ambiguous strings. The method comprises a first process for transforming the complex dictionary into a simple structure to enable continuously conducting computationally efficient search, and a second process for examining received data in real time using the simple structure. The method may be implemented as an article of manufacture comprising at least one processor-readable medium and instructions carried on the at least one medium. The instructions causes a processor to match examined data to an object complex string belonging to the complex dictionary, where the matching process is based on equality to constituent coherent strings, and congruence to ambiguous strings, of the object complex string. |
| US08117225B1 |
Drill-down system, method, and computer program product for focusing a search
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for focusing a search. In operation, a first search is performed. Additionally, first search results of the first search are displayed. Further, at least one term of the first search results is identified. Still yet, a second search is performed, based on the at least one term of the first search results. In addition, second search results of the second search are displayed. |
| US08117222B2 |
Method and apparatus for representing an interest priority of an object to a user based on personal histories or social context
A method and apparatus assigns a quantitative variable to each object (or set of objects) in a collection available to a user. The quantitative variable is referred to as the Interest Priority Value (IPV). The IPV defines a range of states of the object, between ‘accessed’ and ‘unaccessed’, and is calculated based on one or more attributes of the object. A object with the highest IPV is the most ‘unaccessed,’ and the object with the lowest IPV is the least ‘unaccessed.’ The IPV may be used in a visual representation of the collection of objects, thereby permitting a user to readily identify and obtain those objects of greatest interest to the particular user. |
| US08117219B2 |
Generation of updatable anonymized data records for testing and developing purposes
A mechanism is described for the computer-aided generation of anonymized data records for developing and testing application programs that are intended for use in a productive network (12). A method according to the invention comprises the provision of at least one productive database (14) containing data records that contain productive data elements to be anonymized, provision of at least one non-productive database (22) containing data records that likewise contain data elements, the generation of an assignment between data records of the non-productive database (22) and data records of the productive database (14), and also the generation of an anonymized data record by replacing the data elements to be anonymized in a data record from the productive database (14) with the data elements of an assigned data record from the non-productive database (22). The assignment is maintained during a later generation of new anonymized data records and/or during an updating of already generated anonymized data records in order to be able to maintain the test data and in order to make simpler error analysis possible. |
| US08117218B2 |
Methods and systems for automated data mapping and analysis
A method for automated data mapping and analysis is described. The method includes receiving test data from a plurality of test objects at a data storage facility, selecting a test environment and analysis parameters from a user interface, retrieving a portion of the test data from the data storage facility based on the selected test environment and analysis parameters, ensuring the retrieved test data is in a common format, and analyzing the retrieved test data to generate at least one of a trending profile, an overlay profile, and a maintenance profile for the test objects for the selected analysis parameter. |
| US08117217B2 |
Information processing apparatus and encoding method
There is provided an information processing apparatus for providing encoding technology that enables data size reductions and analysis processing speed improvements even for data including elements having complex attribute values. The apparatus includes a file input unit that inputs a file including elements having a data stream of a predetermined format as an attribute value, a hierarchy information setting unit that sets hierarchy information indicating hierarchical positions for each of one or more delimiters included in the data stream, a structure information generating unit that generates structure information that defines mutual relations between hierarchy information, a designating unit that designates a region of a data stream of a predetermined format from the input file, and an encoding unit that detects delimiters from the designated region and, based on detected delimiters and structure information, encodes a data stream of the designated region based on a preset structured description language. |
| US08117213B1 |
Method and apparatus for fast similarity-based query, self-join, and join for massive, high-dimension datasets
A method and apparatus for fast similarity-based query, self-join, and join for massive, high-dimension datasets have been disclosed. |
| US08117203B2 |
Method and system for automatically extracting data from web sites
In accordance with an embodiment, data may be automatically extracted from semi-structured web sites. Unsupervised learning may be used to analyze web sites and discover their structure. One method utilizes a set of heterogeneous “experts,” each expert being capable of identifying certain types of generic structure. Each expert represents its discoveries as “hints.” Based on these hints, the system may cluster the pages and text segments and identify semi-structured data that can be extracted. To identify a good clustering, a probabilistic model of the hint-generation process may be used. |
| US08117195B1 |
Providing blog posts relevant to search results
A device identifies a search result document based on a search query, and searches a blog post repository to identify a blog post relevant to the search result document. The device also rejects the blog post if the blog post has insufficient length, contains outgoing links located a predetermined distance from the beginning of the blog post, has a large out-degree, was created before or after a predetermined time, or has incoming links with a low link-based score. The device further provides the blog post in connection with the search result document if the blog post was not rejected. |
| US08117193B2 |
Tunersphere
Methods and systems are provided for identifying one or more media items played within a geographic area selected by a user. In one embodiment, a media service tracks play histories for a number of users registered with the media service, where each play history identifies media items played by the corresponding user as well as the locations at which at least a subset of the media items were played by the corresponding user. The media service enables a requesting user to select or otherwise define one or more geographic areas of interest. Then, based on the play histories, the media service identifies one or more media items played within the one or more geographic areas of interest. The media service then provides data reflecting the one or more media items played within the one or more geographic areas of interest to a device of the requesting user. |
| US08117190B2 |
Method of pattern searching
Structural join mechanisms provide efficient query pattern matching. In one embodiment, tree-merge mechanisms are provided. In another embodiment, stack-tree mechanisms are provided. |
| US08117183B2 |
Accurate content-based indexing and retrieval system
The computer algorithm described which indexes and retrieves images. A query in the form of an image object or an image facilitates image retrieval in order to retrieve several images close to user's request. A thumbnail form of rank ordered images is provided for viewing. The user selects the images and down loads the images for inclusion in the job. The images are then ripped and printed. |
| US08117178B2 |
Natural language based service selection system and method, service query system and method
The present invention relates to a natural language based service selection system for complementing incomplete queries, which comprises a semantic analyzing device which analyzes an incomplete query from a user semantically, a service selecting device which complements the incomplete query based on the semantic-analyzed query so as to acquire the corresponding selected service, and a retrieving device which retrieves an answer according to the selected service. The present invention also relates to a natural language based service selection to method as well as a service query system and method thereof, and thus can process an incomplete query from a user and provide a selected service. |
| US08117173B2 |
Efficient chunking algorithm
The present invention provides a method for chunking an object. The method is arranged to provide efficient chunking of objects such that objects can be efficiently updated between a remote machine and a local machine over a network. The chunking algorithm is applicable in networked application such as file synchronization using remote differential compression (RDC) techniques. The chunking algorithm provides enhanced efficiencies by locating chunk boundaries around local maxima. |
| US08117170B2 |
Transient range versioning based on redirection
A method (and an article of manufacture having computer readable program code to implement the method) is disclosed to version a node range and locate a versioned node range in a storage architecture, wherein the method comprises: maintaining a set of node ranges, with each node range being formed from a range of node ID values assigned to each node among a plurality of nodes, receiving a node modification request for a node range from a database system, versioning the node range by copying (to a storage) a node range to which the node modification request is to be made, labeling the copied node range with a timestamp, locating the labeled node range via the timestamp and a hash on the node range, and outputting the located labeled node range. Optionally, versioning is done by shadowing nodes in the range to a version hash table based on a range identifier. |
| US08117169B2 |
Performing scheduled backups of a backup node associated with a plurality of agent nodes
Provided are a system and article of manufacture for performing scheduled backups of a backup node associated with a plurality of agent nodes. Backup data sets on at least one machine in a network are associated with a backup node and a plurality of agent nodes in the network are associated with the backup node. The agent nodes are associated with machines in the network capable of backing up the backup data sets associated with the backup node. A schedule indicating a scheduled backup to backup scheduled data sets associated with the backup node is processed. At least one of the agent nodes is contacted to request the at least one agent node to perform the scheduled backup and backup the scheduled data sets, wherein the at least one contacted agent node performs the scheduled backup to backup the scheduled backup sets. |
| US08117166B2 |
Method and system for creating snapshots by condition
A data management method in a storage device system having a control device connected to a computer, and a storage device connected to the control device. The control device saves data stored in an area corresponding to a write request, and then writes the data to the area specified in the write request in accordance with the write request, if a file corresponding to the write request is a file meeting the conditions included in the request. Alternatively, the control device writes the data to the area corresponding to the write request in accordance with the write request, if a file corresponding to the write request is not a file meeting the conditions. |
| US08117165B1 |
Disk-to-disk backup of database archive logs
An archived log backup solution is introduced to perform backups of archived database logs from a primary storage location towards a secondary storage location on disk-to-disk basis. The backed up archived logs are organized on the secondary in such a way that allows recovering a database from these logs by directly mounting the secondary storage location to a host where the archived logs are needed in order to perform a recovery. In addition, the archived log backup solution is implemented in such a way that backup network traffic is separated from the servers and their network. |
| US08117164B2 |
Creating and utilizing network restore points
The creation and utilization of network restore points is provided by a schema associated with a structured data set that can be conveniently backed up by periodically taking snapshots of the structured data to establish a series of restore points that can be used in the event that the primary structured data becomes lost or corrupted. In general, the snapshots are only taken after the structured data set has undergone a change in content, although they may be taken at other times as well. The snapshot may be taken by a network restore point engine that can be accessed by a user over the Internet. In addition, the snapshot may be stored on an Internet-based storage medium or it may be pushed to or pulled by the client so that the snapshot resides on a client-resident storage medium. |
| US08117162B2 |
Determining which user files to backup in a backup system
A backup program, method and system is disclosed that monitors changes to a file in a storage, checks whether backup settings related to the file already exist and requests and applies backup settings related to the file in response to the file being changed if they do not. The backup settings are applied to control operation of a backup system to make one or more backup copies of the file. The backup settings may be electively saved to be applied automatically in the event of future changes to the file without requesting the settings. One or more lists may be used to identify (e.g. include or exclude) files for backup. Files may be identified by different categories including file name, file type, or file type group associated with a particular application. A typical backup system may save backup copies to a storage area network, e.g. controlled by a backup server. |
| US08117160B1 |
Methods and apparatus for creating point in time copies in a file system using reference counts
Embodiments of the invention relate to maintaining reference counts in a file system to track when a block is available to be freed. When a snapshot copy of a file is created, rather than copying all the blocks of the file for the snapshot copy, the snapshot inode is given pointers to the blocks of the file. Rather than updating the reference counts for all these blocks to indicate that they are now in use by more than one file, the update of reference counts for at least some of these blocks may be deferred until a later time. |
| US08117157B2 |
External evaluation processes
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing data. The technique includes defining a secondary data set in a primary data set, linking the secondary data set to state information of the primary data set, transmitting the secondary data set to an external entity, receiving a modified secondary data set from the external entity and linking the modified secondary data set to a version of the primary data set stored with reference to state the information. The state information defines the state of the primary data set at the time the secondary data set is defined. The link between the modified secondary data set and the primary data set allows access by a user of a modified primary data set if the primary data set has changed with reference to the state information. |
| US08117155B2 |
Collection-based object replication
Collection-based object replication for a system that includes a client computing device (client) connected to a server and multiple data storage nodes. In certain cases, a data storage node generates a replica of multiple replicas of a collection. The collection is a unit of data placement, access, replication, and repair. Other data storage nodes are also configured with a respective replica of the multiple replicas. The data storage node verifies whether an object received directly from the client for storage in the collection has been fully replicated by the other data storage nodes in respective replicas. |
| US08117153B2 |
Systems and methods for a distributed cache
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide managing a distributed database cache. A database cache is provided. The database cache is distributed over at least two data processing systems. |
| US08117146B2 |
Computing the values of configuration parameters for optimal performance of associated applications
Computing the values of configuration parameters for optimal performance of associated applications. In one embodiment, a rules data is maintained indicating a corresponding rule for each of the configuration parameters of an application sought to be optimized. Each rule specifies the manner of calculation of the corresponding configuration parameter based on a corresponding set of production metrics. On receiving an indication that the value of a specific configuration parameter is to be computed, the rules data is examined and a specific rule (indicating a set of production metrics) corresponding to the specific configuration parameter is identified. The corresponding values of each of the set of production metrics are then determined and the value for the specific configuration parameter is calculated using the identified rule and the estimated values of the set of production metrics. |
| US08117145B2 |
Analytical model solver framework
A solver framework for use with an analytical model. The analytical model includes multiple model parameters and includes definitions for analytical relationships between the model parameters. The solver framework coordinates the processing of multiple specialized solvers. In particular, the solver framework identifies which model parameters are input model variables and which are output model variables. The solver framework then analyzes dependencies to determine a solve order to solve for the output model variables. The solver framework then charged the specialized solvers with performing portions of the solve operation such that the specialized solvers solve for the output model variables in an order which considers the dependencies. In one embodiment, additional or replacement solvers may register with the solver framework to thereby make the specialized solver available for solving for output model variables in the future. |
| US08117143B2 |
Using affinity measures with supervised classifiers
A non-binary affinity measure between any two data points for a supervised classifier may be determined. For example, affinity measures may be determined for tree, kernel-based, nearest neighbor-based and neural network supervised classifiers. By providing non-binary affinity measures using supervised classifiers, more information may be provided for clustering, analyzing and, particularly, for visualizing the results of data mining. |
| US08117142B2 |
Method of real-time crystal peak tracking for positron emission tomography (PET) avalanche-photodiodes (APD) detector
The present invention provides a method of real-time crystal peak tracking for avalanche-photodiode (APD) detectors on positron emission tomography (PET) scanners that satisfies the need to compensate for the significant gain drifting due to thermal variations in APD detectors on PET scanners. |
| US08117141B1 |
Hierarchical system for multi-objective shape control of variable stiffness structures
The present invention relates to a hierarchical system for multi-objective shape control of variable stiffness structures. The system operates by initializing a hierarchical hybrid Gur-game controller that is affixed to a variable stiffness structure. The hierarchical hybrid Gur-game controller includes a hierarchy of Gur-games being utilized, at each level of the hierarchy, to control at least two angular rotations and at least one stiffness setting of the variable stiffness structure. The Gur-game controller is utilized to optimize variables, including angular rotations and stiffness settings of the variable stiffness structure to morph into a desired shape. Finally, the variable stiffness structure is morphed into the desired shape according to the optimized angular rotation and stiffness settings. |
| US08117139B2 |
Methods and systems for interactive evolutionary computing (IEC)
Methods and systems for interactive evolutionary computing may include generating a set of candidate molecules based on an evolutionary scheme in which an objective function is a priori mathematically unexpressed, presenting data based on the set of candidate molecules to one or more users, receiving at least one input from the user(s), the input(s) based on the user(s)'s evaluation of the presented set of candidate molecules, and, based on the input(s), using at least the evolutionary scheme and the input(s) to generate an updated set of candidate molecules, and repeating the presenting and receiving. |
| US08117138B2 |
Method and apparatus for location evaluation and site selection
Method, apparatus and system for location evaluation and site selection, capable of effectively configuring the site network and evaluating the facility location by scientifically modeling and incorporating human knowledge are provided. In one aspect, geographic and demographic data associated with a plurality of locations and human knowledge comprising partial rating knowledge and pair-wise preference knowledge are used in a regression algorithm to construct a location evaluation model. The regression algorithm is further refined using active learning that identifies a plurality of pairs of locations to improve precision of the regression algorithm. |
| US08117137B2 |
Field-programmable gate array based accelerator system
Accelerator systems and methods are disclosed that utilize FPGA technology to achieve better parallelism and flexibility. The accelerator system may be used to implement a relevance-ranking algorithm, such as RankBoost, for a training process. The algorithm and related data structures may be organized to enable streaming data access and, thus, increase the training speed. The data may be compressed to enable the system and method to be operable with larger data sets. At least a portion of the approximated RankBoost algorithm may be implemented as a single instruction multiple data streams (SIMD) architecture with multiple processing engines (PEs) in the FPGA. Thus, large data sets can be loaded on memories associated with an FPGA to increase the speed of the relevance ranking algorithm. |
| US08117134B2 |
Neutral pixel correction for proper marked color printing
A system calculates appropriate billing within an imaging pipeline. An input component receives an image that is described as a plurality of pixels. A PDL component receives the image and determines a location, a color and a designation for each of the one or more pixels. A marking engine modifies the one or more pixels based at least in part on the location and the color provided by the PDL component and places each of the one or more pixels as a monochrome or a composite pixel on a substrate. An analysis component counts the number of monochrome and composite pixels placed on the substrate by the marking engine, the number of composite pixels that include a designation are counted as monochrome. A billing component calculates the cost for placing each of the monochrome and the composite pixels counted by the analysis component. |
| US08117131B2 |
Distributed technology transfer department
An online, and therefore distributed, technology transfer department accessible by multiple inventive entities is provided. The systems and methods of the invention provide a comprehensive interface to a remote application that collects information related to inventions, ranks the inventions, solicits approval for pursuing intellectual property protection, funding, financing, commercializing or otherwise exploiting the invention, solicits bids from a stable of service providers, manages the award of contracts to provide services, facilitates collaboration between users internal and external to the inventive entities and between different entities, implements security protocols, and reports government funded inventions to the appropriate regulatory agencies, and manages intellectual property portfolios. Each inventive entity may specify the level of control to be retained to utilize the distributed technology office application as a supplement for or as a substitute for full time technology transfer personnel. |
| US08117125B1 |
Method and system for controlling certificate based open payment transactions
Methods and systems for controlling certificate-based open payment transactions involving a merchant and a customer utilizing various types of networks and terminals. Prior to accessing a merchant POS terminal or, for example, a merchant website, a customer obtains a certificate from a service provider (SP), such as a bank, certifying his identification (ID) and his relevant financial information, in a form that is understandable by the SP. The SP is capable of performing multiple functions. For example, the SP is capable of acting as a certificate authority when it issues the customer's certificates, an authenticator when it receives private-key encrypted certificates from the customers to be decrypted using the corresponding public-key, and an authorizing authority when it checks the value available in a customer' chosen payment account against the requested purchase or transfer amount. |
| US08117121B2 |
System and method for implementing a consolidated application process
A system and method for dynamically creating and presenting a network based application for any number of a plurality of products. The method and system upon receiving a request to apply for one or more of a plurality of products, dynamically creates an application pages that includes fields to input the specific information required to apply for the selected products. The application page is provided to the applicant through the network and the application data is received by the system. The method and system causes the application data to be processed and provides the results to the applicant. The applicant is provided the results of multiple specific applications in with minimal data input and in real time. |
| US08117113B2 |
System and method for determining right of access
Various methods and systems for auctioning items such as golf tee times, restaurant reservations, concert tickets or hotel reservations are disclosed. Users can effectively bid on a large number of items but receive at most one item at the end of the auction. This has the favorable effects for the users of: (1) increasing the probability of successfully bidding for at least one item; (2) making the auction process more convenient by greatly reducing the need for actively monitoring the auction; and, (3) decreasing the possibility a user will be out bid at the last moment and receive no item. This also has the favorable effects for the seller of increasing the probability their listed items will sell and increasing the expected average sales price. |
| US08117111B2 |
Trading of derivative secured index participation notes
Techniques are described for securitizing, administrating and trading various index shares securitized by derivative, cash-settled instruments on the underlying index. |
| US08117108B2 |
Proxies for actively managed funds
Among other things, receiving public information about an actively managed fund, selecting a group of financial assets, determining a group of weights corresponding to the group of financial assets thereby determining a weighted group of financial assets, the weights being determined based only on the public information, and publishing the contents of the weighted group of financial assets, wherein an expected valuation of the weighted group of financial assets is within a threshold percentage of an expected valuation of the actively managed fund. |
| US08117105B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating electronic securities transactions
A method for facilitating securities transactions is shown. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying, by a computer system from an OMS comprising a plurality of stored security orders, a subset of orders specifying at least a minimum available quantity; transmitting, by the computer system to an ETM, a non-binding indication corresponding to one order of the subset of orders, the non-binding indication comprising a security identifier and the order type; receiving, by the computer system, an indication that a match exists to the non-binding indication; determining, by the computer system, a total available quantity for the order corresponding to the non-binding indication; and transmitting, by the OMS, a binding order corresponding to the non-binding indication, the binding order comprising the determined total available quantity. Corresponding systems are also described. |
| US08117101B1 |
Database structure for a consumer reporting agency
A database used by a consumer reporting agency for storing application information data in association with transaction and experience information. A consumer applying for credit submits personal and financial information either verbally or by filling out a form. The application information data submitted verbally or by a form is submitted by an institution along with a request for a credit report on the consumer. The consumer reporting agency receives the request and stores the application information separately from the transaction and experience information. Each time an institution submits application information data related to the consumer, the data is accumulated in successive records and maintained. In response to a request for a report on a consumer, the consumer reporting agency forwards a response based on the application records accumulated. |
| US08117090B2 |
Motor vehicle remarketing service
A method in combination with a nationwide alliance of professional car care service providers for remarketing privately owned motor vehicles. Successfully registered sellers present their privately owned motor vehicles at a participating professional car care service provider for processing into the system. The computer-implemented system employs a method based on three-dimensional facial image technology in combination with personal relational identifiers to monitor, identify, isolate, ban, and enforce the express prohibition of used car dealer, used car broker, and curbstoner participation within the system, in any fashion. The service is national in its reach while local in its execution, and provides a national platform for green-marketing the benefits of professional car care versus individual car care alternatives. |
| US08117089B2 |
System for segmentation by product category of product images within a shopping cart
A shopping cart utility for e-commerce has a first workspace for retrieving and storing electronic catalog items; a second workspace for receiving specific ones or combinations of the catalog items; and a device display mechanism for displaying the items and associated item information in one of a thumbnail, collage, or list view. A user may reorder and reposition items in the collage view and wherein the first and second workspaces are functionally integrated. |
| US08117087B2 |
Customer loyalty, product demonstration, and store/contact center/internet coupling system and method
A system for storing information about searches and inquiries by a customer is provided. The system includes a customer service server that receives information from two or more sources, such as from a retail location sales agent, a website, a call center agent, etc. The information is associated and correlated to interrelate inquiries from the different sources. Further, when the user enters a retail location, a node or server at the retail location can push test application to a user's mobile device based on the past inquiries. These test applications are provided only when the customer is present in the retail location. As such, hacking the application is prevented. Further, with the customer using the application in the retail location, a sales agent is present to assist the customer. |
| US08117082B1 |
Comparing environmental impact of electronic and conventional transactions
The environmental impact of various transactions can be reduced or offset by determining the impact of various shipping and packaging options, and providing these options to customers. Customers then have the ability to select options that reduce the environmental impact of each transaction. A customer also can purchase environmental offsets to offset the determined impact. Customers can be provided with environmental impact information determined or tracked for each item viewed by the customer, such that each customer can be informed of the additional impact of each individual when making a selection. The selections and/or actions of a customer can be tracked such that environmentally friendly options and suggestions can be provided for subsequent transactions. |
| US08117081B2 |
System to recommend listing categories for buyer request listings
A system comprises a buyer request creation module to receive a buyer request listing, the buyer request creation module automatically to determine a listing category for the buyer request listing. A buyer request searching module locates a buyer request listing corresponding to a search criteria. A buyer request response module adds a response to the buyer request listing, the response comprising a reference to a listing for an item offered for sale on the system. |
| US08117080B1 |
Pooling method for auction or raffle in a social network system
This invention relates to a pooling method for an auction existing in a social network system wherein bidding back-up friends who provided the best bidder or raffle winner with bidding money, bidding ticket, or raffle ticket are compensated. The compensation is proportional to the amount of bidding money provided, and the order of the winner and the bidding back-up friend. The pooling method for an auction bid in a social network system comprises the steps of: providing users with bidding money, building a bidding back-up friendship among the users, providing the users with bidding tickets, providing one user's bidding money or bidding ticket to his bidding back-up friend who participates in an auction, and best bidder wins the auction and his bidding back-up friends are compensated. |
| US08117078B2 |
Method and program product for event monitoring
An event management method, program product and system for monitoring the status of a purchase order involves receiving purchase order information from a user, obtaining timeline information corresponding to the purchase order, receiving information from one or more sources on the status of the purchase order, using the received information to monitor progress of the purchase order against the timeline information, and providing a notification to the user upon identification of a missed date in the timeline information. Remedial measures are suggested or taken by the event management system. |
| US08117073B1 |
Method and system for delegation of travel arrangements by a temporary agent
A method and system for delegation of service procurement by a temporary agent. In one embodiment, in response to an event, a first entity is automatically identified to adjust travel or meeting plans pre-established for one or more group members. The identified first entity adjusts the pre-established travel or meeting plans for one or more members, and notifies one or more group members of the adjustment to the pre-established travel or meeting plans. In one embodiment, the identified first entity is at least one of the one or more group members, not one of the one or more group members, or a software agent. In one embodiment, in response to an unavailability of the first entity, a predetermined alternative first entity is identified to adjust the pre-established travel or meeting plans. In one embodiment, in response to receiving a decline from one or more group members, the one or more group members are presented with one or more second travel or meeting adjustments. In one embodiment, the adjusting of the pre-established travel or meeting plans is based at least in part on a profile of one or more group members. |
| US08117070B2 |
Fixed amount sales system
A fixed amount sales system adopted in a gasoline stand or the like for preventing operation efficiency reduction which is the case due to independent payments of fuel supply charge and option item amount is disclosed. In the fixed amount sales system, in which the amount of gasoline corresponding to balance amount as a difference of the money amounts of items desired to be bought by a customer among option items (or TBA items) from a preliminarily selected fixed amount is sold by weighing, thus making the giving and taking of small amounts of money and changes between the customer and the shop unnecessary. The fixed amount of money and option items as selected by the customer, are displayed on a menu 22 in the POS terminal 20 for selection by a touch operation of electronic buttons or the like. |
| US08117068B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network
A method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network enables Web sites to deliver audio advertisements that cannot be bypassed by a visitor. More particularly, an advertising or sponsoring Web site receives a request from at least one user for delivery of a user-selected Web page associated with the Web site. The Web site selects at least one audio advertisement from a plurality of audio advertisements for delivery to the user in conjunction with the user-selected Web page. The Web site then delivers the audio advertisement to the user via the network in a format that precludes the user from controlling the manner of playback of the audio advertisement. |
| US08117066B1 |
Continuous value-per-click estimation for low-volume terms
An estimated conversion rate for a desired advertisement term is calculated. A total number of conversion events for terms having a conversion rate is determined for each of a plurality of conversion rates, and data is generated that describes a first distribution function representing the conversion rates and the associated numbers of conversion rates. Additionally, data describing a second distribution function representing the probability of a given number of conversion events occurring is also generated. Based at least in part on the first distribution function and the second distribution function, the estimated conversion rate for the desired advertisement term is computed. |
| US08117060B2 |
Geographic demand distribution and forecast
A computerized method and a system for providing geographic demand distribution and forecast are provided. Example embodiments may include receiving a criterion to identify an item and searching a database for data associated with a geographic distribution of demand for the item identified by the criterion. The computerized method may also include presenting the geographic distribution of the demand for the item on a map. The map may display multiple geographic areas; each one of the multiple geographic areas may be displayed with a first and a second attribute. The first and the second attributes may be associated with the demand. |
| US08117059B1 |
Pull planning for serviceable parts to facilitate on-demand repair planning
In an embodiment, a method for on-demand repair planning includes modeling for a repair location: a good parts buffer; a first buffer for unserviceable parts determined to be serviceable without repair; and a second buffer for unserviceable parts determined to be repairable. A forecasted demand, for a specified quantity of serviceable parts, is accessed. Parts available in the first buffer to help satisfy the forecasted demand is estimated. If a part is available, an operation plan is generated for a use-as-is operation. If the forecasted demand is not fully satisfied, a quantity of parts available in the second buffer to help satisfy the forecasted demand is estimated and, if one or more parts are available: the latest time at which a repair operation can begin is estimated; a repair order is planned; and an operation plan is generated for the repair operation. |
| US08117058B2 |
Method for data processing and display for detecting and/or predicting possible trends
A method for detecting trends based on outcomes generated by a first process, comprising the steps of: (a) determining all possible outcomes associated with the first process, wherein the first process is associated with a range of possible outcomes; (b) coding the possible outcomes to provide a plurality of separate groups, wherein each possible outcome is systematically allocated to one of the groups; (c) allocating an identifier to each of the groups; (d) monitoring the first process such that actual outcomes generated by the first process are mapped to an identifier in accordance with coding step (b); (e) providing a matrix made up of rows and columns; (f) allocating each identifier generated in step (d) to the matrix, and (g) repeating step (f) until a trend of duplicating identifiers becomes self-evident. |
| US08117057B2 |
Retail production guide for store-prepared food items
A computer-assisted method of determining and producing quantities of perishable, store-prepared food items that should be displayed for consumer selection and purchase on a daily basis is provided. The method includes collecting daily sales data for the perishable, store-prepared food items and saving the daily sales data in memory. For a current specific day of the week, the daily sales data is processed for prior occurrences of the specific day to determine, for each of the perishable, store-prepared food items, a quantity to be placed on display. A total preparation quantity is reported for each of the perishable, store-prepared food items. |
| US08117052B2 |
Multi-tier cross-department scheduling model for order processing operations
A multi-tier cross-department scheduling model for order processing operations. A scheduling model for planning assignment of discrete jobs to multiple departments for shipment, wherein selected jobs are assignable to respective selected departments and the departments share finite capacity resources, includes a programmable computer system having loaded therein an objective function, and the computer system being operable to minimize a value of the objective function; and wherein the objective function comprises a sum of cost to ship containers in at least one of consolidated and unconsolidated forms, cost for each of a container equivalent not completed in a selected scheduling horizon, cost to process each job in each department, and cost for setup due to at least one of shift crossing and job splitting. |
| US08117051B2 |
Method for determining the number of available transport seats in a computerized reservation system
A process for determining the number of available transport seats in a computerized reservation system, which includes elements for storing data on services that provide transportation between two locations and their current reservation status, broken down by class of service, a process in which, at a predefined level of expected revenue, a number of seats available locally for a given class of service of a transport service is determined. The following process are carried out: selection of at least one other class of service of a transport service; determination of the number of seats available locally for the class of service of the transport service, at the predefined level of expected revenue; determination of an overall number of seats available for the class of service of the transport service at the predefined level of expected revenue as a function of the different numbers of seats available locally. |
| US08117050B2 |
Advertiser monetization modeling
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a method and system for modeling advertiser monetization. The claimed subject matter provides a method and system from which an advertisement may be evaluated according to various metrics to determine a quality relative to other advertisements. The relative quality considers the content of the advertisement, the performance of the advertisement and the history of the advertiser's bidding behavior.One embodiment of the claimed subject matter is implemented as a method for advertiser monetization modeling. One or more advertisements are received from one or more advertisers. The quality of the advertisement(s) is defined according to certain metrics, such as the quality of the content of the advertisement, the quality of the past and estimated future performance of the advertisement and the history of bidding behavior of the advertiser. After the respective quality of the advertisement(s) is determined, the advertisement(s) is ranked with other advertisements according to the determined quality. |
| US08117049B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior
Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses. |
| US08117048B1 |
Electronic health record system and method for an underserved population
A system for managing electronic health records, including: an interface element in at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer for receiving data regarding at least one environmental condition, at least one symptom related to physical or mental health, and background for the patient; a memory element for the computer for storing the data; and a processor in the computer for: generating, using the data, information regarding at least one concern with respect to the physical or mental health of the patient; and generating, using the data, at least one action item for addressing the at least one concern. The interface element is for transmitting at least a portion of the information regarding the at least one concern for the physical or mental health of the patient and the at least one action item for display and receiving data regarding compliance with the at least one action item. |
| US08117044B2 |
Bio-photonic feedback control software and database
A process, apparatus, and method for computerized detection, tracking, and feedback control of nutritional supplements in an animal, including humans relies on Raman scattering effects on skin or other tissues to determine the content of carotenoids or other nutrients as evidenced in that skin. Serum levels of nutrients may vary dramatically with time, but skin tissues may average such nutrition over time. Skin and other tissues may be scanned with light to produce accurate measurements of carotenoids or other nutrients accumulated in the skin based on the Raman scattering affect of those nutrients in the skin. A score can be derived from a properly calibrated bio-photonic scanner to reflect an averaged effective uptake of the detected nutrient (e.g. such as the carotenoid example). This feedback control is thus much more immediate than any anecdotal, long-term, report of general well being, which would vary so much between individuals as to be nearly impossible to ascertain on an individual level, and difficult, invasive, and expensive to determine individually in a conventional clinical procedure. |
| US08117043B2 |
System for evaluating potential claim outcomes using related historical data
A computer system includes a data storage device. The data storage module receives, stores, and provides access to historical claim data. A categorical aggregation component comprising program instructions stored in a program memory provides categorized and aggregated historical claim data by identifying claim categories based on the historical claim data, each of the one or more claim categories associated with a respective set of claim characteristics, identifying claims of the historical claim data associated with one of the claim categories, assigning each identified claim to one of a plurality of total severity ranges based on the total severity of the identified claim, and determining an average cost per claim year for claims of each total severity range when executed by a computer processor. |
| US08117036B2 |
Non-disruptive side conversation information retrieval
Information is exchanged between a user of a communications device and an application during an ongoing conversation between the user using the communications device and a party, without disrupting the conversation. An application associated with the communications device is accessed via the communications device in response to a command and keyword spoken by the user during the communications session. Information is retrieved from the application according to the keyword spoken by the user. When the information is retrieved from the application, the user is prompted in a manner transparent to the party, after which a response is sent to the user. |
| US08117032B2 |
Noise playback enhancement of prerecorded audio for speech recognition operations
A speech processing method including the step of identifying prerecorded audio comprising an original speech segment and a corresponding original noise segment. An audio stream can be generated from the prerecorded audio. The audio stream can comprise a stream speech segment and a stream noise segment. The stream speech segment can have approximately a same duration as the original speech segment. The stream noise segment can have a longer duration than the original noise segment. The audio stream can be conveyed to a speech recognition engine. The speech recognition engine can automatically determine an end of utterance condition based upon the stream noise segment. The original noise segment can be of insufficient duration for the speech recognition engine to determine the end of utterance condition. Responsive to the determining of the end of utterance condition, the stream speech segment can be speech recognized. |
| US08117030B2 |
System and method for analysis and adjustment of speech-enabled systems
A method for analyzing and adjusting the performance of a speech-enabled application includes selecting a number of user utterances that were previously received by the speech-enabled application. The speech-enabled application receives such user utterances and associates each user utterance with an action-object based on one or more salient terms in the user utterance that are associated with the action-object. The method further includes associating one of a number of action-objects with each of the selected user utterances. Furthermore, for each action-object, the percentage of the utterances associated with the action-object that include at least one of the salient terms associated with the action-object is determined. If the percentage does not exceed a selected threshold, the method also includes adjusting the one or more salient terms associated with the action-object. |
| US08117025B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining text passage similarity
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method classifying a number of noun phrases in a first text passage and a second text passage into a number of classifications. The method also includes determining a similarity between a noun phrase from the first text passage and a noun phase from the second text passage for each of the noun phrases of a same classification. Additionally, a similarity between a sentence from the first text passage and a sentence from the second text passage is determined for each of the sentences in the first and second text passages based on similarities between the noun phrases. The method also includes determining a similarity between the first text passage and the second text passage based on a similarity between sentences. |
| US08117021B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a software program using mock translation input method editor
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for testing software programs running on a data processing system. Text is translated from the source language to the target language to form translated text in response to a user input, containing the text in a source language. The text is entered through a computer interface in the data processing system. The translated text is inserted into a user interface of the software program to be tested to form inserted, translated text. The software program is written using the target language. A determination is made as to whether the software program functions correctly using the inserted, translated text. |
| US08117019B2 |
Method for evaluating sedimentary basin properties by numerical modeling of sedimentation processes
A method is disclosed for simulating the formation of sedimentary deposits. In one embodiment, this method involves, (a) solving a two-dimensional time-dependent map view system of equations for at least flow momentum, flow height, suspended sediment concentration, and entrainment of overlying water, (b) calculating net sediment deposition at each map view location using the flow properties, (c) recording the time-variability of the net sediment deposition. |
| US08117009B1 |
Data recorder for munitions
Disclosed is a data recorder for munitions. The data recorder includes a power source, a processor, and an acceleration sensor. The data recorder further includes a trigger validation feature which is operably coupled to the data recorder to verify the occurrence of a secondary environmental/input event. This envisioned data recorder can contain a digital or analog device as a primary or secondary trigger. Data from an accelerometer is stored in FRAM memory. |
| US08117002B2 |
Method and device for measuring a vehicle
The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring a damaged vehicle, in which inclination of the vehicle is measured with the measuring device and the measured inclination of the vehicle is used as a datum plane, distances of measuring points (9a, 9b) of the damaged vehicle (8) are measured with a measuring sensor of the measuring device and the measured data are compared to registered reference values of the measuring points, and inclination of the measuring device is measured with an inclination sensor of the measuring device. According to the invention, the measuring device simultaneously measures the distance between the measuring points and the inclination of the damaged vehicle and height difference of the measuring points is calculated from the values of distance between the measuring points and inclination. |
| US08117001B2 |
Measurement system for correcting overlay measurement error
A measurement system and a measurement method, which can obtain a measurement value close to a true value considering an overlay measurement error according to a higher order regression analysis model. The measurement system and the measurement method provide a technique for determining optimal positions of shots to be measured using an optimal experimental design. When the regression analysis model and the number of shots to be measured are determined in advance, a method is used for determining an optimal number of shots to be measured according to the regression analysis model and process dispersion using a confidence interval estimating method. A dynamic sampling method is used for dynamically changing the number and positions of shots to be measured according to a change in process features by combining the above two methods. And, when erroneous data is detected, or when measured data is missing, a robust regression analysis method and a technique for filtering the erroneous data and the missing data are used. |
| US08116996B2 |
System and method utilizing virtual switching for upgrading multifunction devices
A system and method utilizing virtual switching in an electrical panel meter or multifunction device is provided. The virtual switching enables the meter or multifunction device to be upgraded or downgraded through a switching signal, by activating or deactivating multiple operative functions that are to be performed in the meter or multifunction device, such as operative functions for substation automation. Accordingly, when the upgrade or downgrade is necessary, the meter or multifunction device does not have to be replaced. |
| US08116989B2 |
Device and method for determining a runway state, aircraft comprising such a device and piloting assistance system using that runway state
A device and associated method for determining an airport runway state includes a device that determines a runway state and is placed on board an aircraft. The device collects measured deceleration data of the aircraft during taxiing of the aircraft on the runway. Then at least one runway state is estimated from the collected data, and the estimate is transmitted to another aircraft or to a broadcasting center during the other aircraft's runway approach. |
| US08116987B2 |
Methods for the identification of microRNA and their applications in research and human health
The present invention concerns a method for prediction and identification of microRNA precursors (pre-microRNA) and microRNA molecules using data processing programs and databases. The invention also pertains to the isolated form of these pre-microRNAs, microRNA molecules and derived nucleic acids there of. The invention also relates to recombinant vector, host cell, support, pharmaceutical composition or kit comprising such microRNA molecules or there of derivated molecules. The invention also applies to the use of such microRNA molecules and/or their identified targets in research, prognostic, diagnostic tools/methods as well as for therapeutic applications. |
| US08116986B2 |
Pattern discovery techniques for determining maximal irredundant and redundant motifs
Basis motifs are determined from an input sequence through an iterative technique that begins by creating small solid motifs and continues to create larger motifs that include “don't care” characters and that can include flexible portions. The small solid motifs, including don't care characters and flexible portions, are concatenated to create larger motifs. During each iteration, motifs are trimmed to remove redundant motifs and other motifs that do not meet certain criteria. The process is continued until no new motifs are determined. At this point, the basis set of motifs has been determined. The basis motifs are used to construct redundant motifs that are formed by determining sets for selected basis motifs. From these sets, unique intersection sets are determined. This process continues, by selecting additional basis motifs, until all basis motifs have been selected. An apparatus for performing the process is also disclosed. |
| US08116985B1 |
Real time sampling, monitoring and exposure control of test animals
An automated blood or bodily fluid sampling machine for collecting, measuring and monitoring real time samples from test animals during dosing of the animals, automatically provides real-time adjustment of dosing during testing. Such automated blood or bodily fluid sampling is performed in tandem with implanted physiological monitoring devices to monitor biological and physiological parameters in restrained or freely-moving test animals. The real-time feedback provides for dosing adjustment within testing protocols. |
| US08116980B2 |
Testing process for hydrocarbon wells at zero emissions
Testing process for testing hydrocarbon wells at zero emissions in order to obtain general information on a reservoir. The process includes injecting into the reservoir a suitable liquid or gaseous fluid, compatible with the hydrocarbons of the reservoir and with the formation rock, at a constant flow-rate or with constant flow rate steps, and substantially measuring, in continuous, the flow-rate and injection pressure at the well bottom. Then, the well is closed and the pressure is measured during the fall-off period (pressure fall-off). The measured fall-off data is interpreted in order to evaluate the average static pressure of the fluids (Pav) and the reservoir properties including actual permeability (k), transmissivity (kh), areal heterogeneity or permeability barriers and real Skin factor (S). Then, well productivity is calculated. |
| US08116978B2 |
Navigation device with improved interface and mounting features
A device with an improved user interface and mounting features comprises a sensor operable to detect a mounting configuration of the device, a display, and a processing system coupled with the sensor and the display. The processing system is generally operable to receive an indication of the detected mounting configuration from the sensor and present information on the display according to the detected mounting configuration. |
| US08116977B2 |
Automatic control of passive, towed implements
An automatic control system for passive, towed implements is described. The system provides a strategy for optimal control of a towed implement using a nudge input to an autopilot-controlled tractor. Implement path-tracking error, as measured by a GNSS receiver, is consistently corrected to zero. |
| US08116971B2 |
Training a driver of a vehicle to achieve improved fuel economy
A system for training a driver to achieve improved fuel economy monitors the driving parameters of a vehicle, analyzes the monitored driving parameters, calculates suggested driving behavior adjustments, and communicates the driving behavior adjustments to the driver as the driver is driving. |
| US08116965B2 |
Apparatus for and method of controlling variable valve mechanism
The present invention provides an apparatus for and method of diagnosing whether or not a failure occurs in a variable valve mechanism on the basis of a manipulated variable of an electric actuator. The variable valve mechanism is operated by the electric actuator and varies an open characteristic of an engine valve. The time for determining occurrence of a failure in the electric actuator is changed according to a temperature condition. |
| US08116962B2 |
Method of fuel injection
A method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to charge air using an injector (116) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fuel. The amount of fuel supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116) operates in each cycle. A desired fuel demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fuel demand is rounded to a near integer to provide an output fuel demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine. The controller calculates an aggregate number of operations for a plurality of engine cycles which is closer to an aggregated desired fuel demand for the plurality of cycles than if for each cycle of the plurality of output cycles the output fuel demand is calculated independently. |
| US08116960B2 |
Method for operating a combustion machine, device for obtaining thermal energy, and motor vehicle
A method for operating a combustion machine, such as an internal combustion engine, has the following steps: provision of a combustion machine for producing thermal energy; operation of the combustion machine, and thereby burning fuel to obtain the thermal energy; detection of the concentration of at least one pollutant, which is produced during the combustion, in the surroundings of the combustion machine; regulation of the operation of the combustion machine, in which a characteristic variable of the combustion machine is set according to the detected concentration in such a way that the emission of the pollutant is reduced. |
| US08116959B2 |
System and method of vehicular wireless communication
A system and method of vehicular wireless communication over a Dedicated Short Range Communication service band is provided. The system includes a vehicle having a navigation means, a processor, and a communication means for transmitting a message via a wireless communications link. The system includes a control channel for communication a safety communication and a service channel for communicating a non-safety communication. The control channel is subdivided into a contention-free period having a safety exchange interval of time for transmitting a safety communication and a contention period having a non-safety service interval of time for transmitting a non-safety communication. The system further includes an access point in communication with the vehicle via the communications link within region. The method includes the steps of determining if the vehicle is within communications range of the region, determining if the vehicle is registered with the access point, and if the vehicle is within the communications range of access point, determining if a current time is within the safety exchange interval, and transmitting the safety communication by each registered vehicle during the safety exchange interval at the predetermined time for each registered vehicle. The method further includes the steps of determining if the safety communication exchange by every registered vehicle is completed, and permitting the vehicle to leave the control channel if the safety communication exchange is complete, and determining if a current time is within a contention period, and transmitting the non-safety communication if the current time is within the contention period. |
| US08116957B2 |
System and method for controlling clutch engagement in hybrid vehicle
The present invention provides a system and method for controlling clutch engagement in a hybrid vehicle, in which an appropriate clutch engagement mode is selected based on vehicle state, and the like, and a speed difference between both sections of a clutch and a torque transmitted to the vehicle during the clutch engagement process are controlled by reflecting a parameter changed by the clutch engagement mode, thus improving acceleration performance and driving performance, reducing engagement impact, and simply providing various clutch engagement modes. |
| US08116955B2 |
Method of controlling brake power for a vehicle with an electrically variable transmission
A method of controlling brake power flow for a vehicle with an electrically variable transmission is provided. When the brake power exceeds a power absorption capability of the energy storage system, then vehicle conditions are evaluated to determine if control of an engine fan is allowable. When conditions allow for fan control then the remaining brake power is provided for operation of the engine fan. Any excess brake power is dissipated through the exhaust brake or used by other vehicle accessories. |
| US08116949B2 |
Method and device for determining an initial float angle for skid detection in rollover sensing
A method for determining an initial float angle for skid detection in rollover sensing of a rollover of a vehicle having at least one sensor system for vehicle-dynamic signals and a control unit for activating a restraining device, which divides the driving state of the vehicle into chronologically consecutive state phases, having the following method steps carried out continuously in the first state phase: calculating a change in the float angle from the vehicle-dynamic signals; comparing the calculated change in the float angle with a predefinable threshold value; and determining the initial float angle on the basis of the calculated change in the float angle as a function of the threshold value for a first range of small changes in the float angle or for a second range of larger values of changes in the float angle and a device therefor. |
| US08116948B2 |
Force limiter
An energy-absorbing force limiter for a safety device comprises a first component (5) and a second component (2), such as a seat-belt, that is moveable relative to the first component (5). The force limiter provides an energy-absorbing movement-resisting effect, for example by means of a frictional brake (4, 5), to resist movement of the second component relative to the first. An adjustable control element (6) actuates the brake. The magnitude of the frictional effect is a function of the degree of adjustment of the control element and at least one parameter, such as temperature, which influences the coefficient of friction. The control mechanism (9) adjusts the adjustable control element (6) to control the magnitude of the movement-resisting effect in response to a signal (12) representative of the desired resistance to movement together with a signal (10, 11) representative of that at least one parameter. |
| US08116946B2 |
Electric power steering device
An electric power steering (EPS) device including a rack actuator that applies assist force to a rack shaft, a column actuator that applies assist force to a column shaft, and an ECU that controls operation of the actuators by supplying drive power to motors, each of which is a drive source of the corresponding one of the actuators. A permanent magnet motor (BLDC) is employed as the motor of the rack actuator and an induction motor, which is a non-permanent magnet motor, is used as the motor of the column actuator. |
| US08116939B2 |
Suspension system for vehicle
A suspension system for a vehicle, including (a) four displacement force generators (152) each configured to generate a displacement force forcing sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle toward or away from each other; and (b) a control unit (200) configured to control the displacement force that is to be generated by each displacement force generator. The control unit is capable of executing a plurality of vibration damping controls concurrently with each other, by controlling the displacement force, so as to damp a composite vibration containing a plurality of different vehicle-body vibrations which are to be damped by the respective vibration damping controls. The control unit is configured to refrain from executing at least one of the vibration damping controls for damping one of the vehicle-body vibrations that is not required to be damped, in a low vibration intensity situation in which intensities of sprung-portion resonance-frequency vibration components in respective four sprung portions of the vehicle are lower than a threshold intensity degree. |
| US08116938B2 |
Vehicle state estimating apparatus, suspension control apparatus and suspension system
A first observer gain of an actual damping force estimating observer 21 calculates a dynamic characteristic compensating signal, and a second observer gain of an actual vehicle model state amount estimating observer 23 calculates a vehicle model compensating signal, from an output deviation corresponding to a difference between a sprung speed (observation output) provided from a vehicle 2 and an estimated sprung speed (estimated observation output) provided from a vehicle approximation model of the actual vehicle model state amount estimating observer 23. The dynamic characteristic compensating signal is input into a dynamic characteristic providing unit of the actual vehicle model state amount estimating observer 23, and is used for adjustment of the setting of the dynamic characteristic providing unit. Therefore, it is possible to curb time lag occurrence in a control, and thereby perform a vibration control with improved accuracy. |
| US08116935B2 |
Failure detecting method for steering angle sensor
Disclosed herein is a failure detecting method for a steering angle sensor that detects a turning angle, turning direction and central position of a steering wheel of a vehicle. It is determined whether the steering angle sensor has failed using traveling behavior of the vehicle, and therefore, the failure of the steering angle sensor is effectively detected even when the steering angle center or the turning angle is incorrectly detected. Also, it is determined whether the steering angle sensor has failed using characteristic differences among pulse signals of the sensor, and therefore, three pulse signals output from the steering angle sensor are effectively detected although any of the pulse signals has failed, whereby the vehicle is stably traveled. |
| US08116931B2 |
Fast fuel adjustment system diagnostic systems and methods
A control system for diagnosing a fuel system of a vehicle is provided. The system generally includes a correction term module that estimates a fuel correction term based on a first fuel correction value and a second fuel correction value, wherein the first fuel correction value is based on a first period and the second fuel correction value is based on a second period, and wherein the first period is longer than the second period. A diagnostic module diagnoses the fuel system of the vehicle based on the fuel correction term. |
| US08116926B2 |
Motor power control
A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a traction battery, and a hybrid electric powertrain including an electric motor powered by the traction battery. A method of controlling the vehicle includes determining a desired motor torque, and calculating a desired total motor power based on the desired motor torque, current motor speed, and a loss map indicating motor losses as a function of motor torque and motor speed. The desired total motor power is limited to system limits based on traction battery charge and discharge power limits. A motor torque command which will achieve the limited total motor power is calculated. The motor is controlled based on the motor torque command. |
| US08116925B2 |
Dynamic hysteresis evaluation method for hybrid vehicles based on optimal power loss control strategy
A hybrid control system comprises a power loss (PL) determination module, a hysteresis estimation module, and a mode determination module. The PL determination module determines a power loss of a hybrid drivetrain based on an engine speed, a motor speed, and a vehicle speed. The hysteresis estimation module determines an average power loss of the hybrid drivetrain based on the power loss and determines a hysteresis power loss of the hybrid drivetrain based on the average power loss. The mode determination module selects an operation mode of the hybrid drivetrain based on the hysteresis power loss. The hybrid control system controls the hybrid drivetrain based on the operation mode. |
| US08116919B2 |
Circuit breaker configuration
A circuit breaker configuration contains a number of circuit breakers each to be connected via lines to a system component of a power distribution system and a plurality of control buttons with a respective one of the control buttons connected to a respective one of the circuit breakers. The respective control button for the respective circuit breaker passes through a control panel and is actuated from a front side of the control panel. A coupling element accessible from the front side of the control panel is provided for an interchange of diagnosis data and/or parametrization data. The coupling element is associated with the circuit breakers. |
| US08116918B2 |
Systems, program product, and methods for synthesizing heat exchanger networks that exhibit life-cycle switchability and flexibility under all possible combinations of process variations
A system, methods, and user-friendly program product to optimize energy recovery for a process or cluster of processes under all possible combinations of given process changes and stream-specific minimum temperature approach values without enumeration, are provided. The systems, methods, and program product can include steps/operations to synthesize multiple heat exchanger network designs according to different process variations schemes, analyze the impact of process variations on each heat exchanger network, and identify which design provides a more optimal heat exchanger network design and which process variation scheme represents a more optimal flexibility index. |
| US08116916B1 |
Homogeneity based diversity prediction method for transformer selection
A method, system, and computer program product for selecting a transformer size for an industrial or commercial facility. A plurality of end-use connected load data for the facility is entered via a user interface into a memory of a computing system for determining facility load diversities. A base homogeneity is determined for the end-use connected load data. An initial facility diversity is determined based on the end-use connected loads and initial end-use diversities. A total facility diversity is determined based on the initial facility diversity, the base homogeneity, and a total connected load. An expected energy demand is determined based on the total facility diversity and a total connected load. The end-use diversity is adjusted for at least one end-use and a change in expected energy demand for the facility is allocated to each end-use. The transformer size is determined for a total expected energy demand and a total hours use for each connected load. |
| US08116915B2 |
Methods and apparatus using hierarchical priority and control algorithms for grid-integrated vehicles
A method and apparatus for managing system energy flow. The apparatus includes an energy storage unit to store energy to be used by a system and a power conversion unit configured to be coupled between the energy storage unit and a utility grid. The apparatus also includes a controller to selectively control the power conversion unit to transfer energy between the utility grid and the energy storage unit based at least in part on an anticipated use of the system. |
| US08116912B2 |
Control device and control method of temperature controller
A control device of a temperature controller, for adjusting the temperature of an environment having at least one active object, includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a process unit and a control unit. The first image sensor is for capturing a first image containing the image of the active object. The second image sensor is for capturing a second image containing the image of the active object. The process unit calculates a distance between the active object and the temperature controller according to the first and second images. The control unit controls an operational status of the temperature controller according to the distance calculated by the process unit. The present invention further provides a control method of a temperature controller. |
| US08116910B2 |
Telepresence robot with a printer
A remote controlled robot system that includes a robot and a remote controlled station. The robot includes a camera and a printer coupled to a mobile platform. The remote control station may display one or more graphical user interfaces with data fields. The graphical user interfaces allow a user to enter information into the data fields. The information is then transmitted to the robot and printed by the robot printer. The information may include a medical prescription and the name of the patient. Providing a robot printer allows the user to directly provide a medical prescription while remotely observing and interacting with the patient. |
| US08116906B2 |
Pneumatic tube carrier tracking system
A system and method provides for a pneumatic tube carrier tracking system having a system control module that captures and presents tracking information associated with sending and receiving carriers. The pneumatic tube carrier tracking system comprises sending and receiving stations connected by pneumatic tubing, and which are configured to securely send carriers, with receiving users optionally being restricted from unauthorized access of carriers. The sending and receiving stations have identifying tag readers configured to scan identifier tags to read carrier delivery, carrier receipt and receiving user information. Destination and intended recipient information are entered at the sending station when sending a carrier and are transmitted to a system control module, which routably delivers and secures the carriers in response the destination and intended recipient information. |
| US08116904B2 |
Object search apparatus and method
An object search apparatus acquires, from each IC tag of IC tags corresponding to objects respectively, an object information item including an identifier of an object, a hierarchical level, a detection method for detection of the object, and a manipulation method for the object, to obtain a plurality of object information items including a target object information item of a target object, selects, from the object information items, an object information item higher in the hierarchical level than the target object, detects an object corresponding to selected object information item by using the detection method in the selected object information item, manipulates detected object in accordance with the manipulation method in the selected object information item, selects target object information item from the object information items, and detects the target object from the detected object by using the detection method in the target object information item. |
| US08116896B2 |
Method for creating panels for a garment
A method for creating panels comprises steps of: defining a horizontal axis on a pattern-making window; defining a vertical axis; defining an outward side on the pattern-making window toward an observer; forming the textile coordinate system defined by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis; providing a first panel; providing a plurality of first pattern-making layers associated with the first panel; visualizing the first panel and at least one of the plurality of first pattern-making layers; and storing the plurality of panel points and lines and the plurality of pattern-making points and lines in a pattern-making computer file. |
| US08116893B2 |
Dicing method
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dicing apparatus in which: in a case where a control device detects, during an image pickup of a workpiece set onto a second worktable by a first image pickup device and a second image pickup device, that an image of a workpiece set onto a first worktable also needs to be picked up by the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device, the control device determines a priority between an operation performed on the first worktable and an operation performed on the second worktable; and when it is determined that the operation performed on the first worktable has a higher priority, the image pickup of the workpiece set onto the second worktable is interrupted, and the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device are moved to perform an image pickup of the workpiece on the first worktable. |
| US08116890B2 |
Portable sound reproducing system and method
A portable audio device suitable for reproducing MPEG encoded data includes a plurality of inputs, a data storage, a display, an audio output, at least one processor, and a battery. The plurality of inputs includes a forward input, a play control input, and a random input. The data storage stores compressed digitized audio data. The at least one processor is responsive to selection of at least one of the plurality of inputs to convert selected compressed digitized audio data stored in the data storage for reproduction by the audio output and to provide information to the display. |
| US08116889B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for managing controlled residential or non-residential environments
A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality. |
| US08116887B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing auxiliary functions when electronics are switched to hold
A method and an apparatus for automatically performing auxiliary functions of an electronic device when the device is switched to hold mode. The apparatus includes a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores a table that includes conditions to perform the auxiliary functions in an electronic device. The control unit automatically performs the auxiliary functions when the conditions are met after a hold switch is switched on in the electronic device. The method and apparatus determine the needs of a user when the user switches on the hold function in the electronic device, while at the same time determining the state of the electronic device, in order to perform needed auxiliary functions before switching to the hold mode. Thus, power is conserved and user convenience is enhanced. |
| US08116886B2 |
Electrode arrays and systems for inserting same
Electrode arrays and systems for inserting same are disclosed. In some embodiments, electrode arrays are provided, the electrode arrays comprising: a passive-bending portion; an active-bending portion coupled to the passive bending portion; a plurality of electrodes located in at least one of the passive-bending portion and the active bending portion; and an actuator that causes the active-bending portion to deflect from the passive-bending portion. In some embodiments, systems for inserting an electrode array in the body are provided, the systems comprising: an insertion module for controllably inserting the electrode array in the body and sensing forces applied to the electrode array; a monitor for providing information to a user; and a controller coupled to the insertion module and the monitor, wherein the controller causes the insertion module to control an amount of force that is applied to the electrode array. |
| US08116881B2 |
Electrode assembly for nerve control
Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing, configured to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve. At least one electrode is fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode does not come in direct physical contact with the nerve when the housing is placed in the vicinity of the nerve, and such that the electrode surrounds greater than 180 degrees of a circumference of the nerve after the placement of the housing. Two end insulating elements are fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode is between the end insulating elements, and the end insulating elements come in contact or practically in contact with the nerve when the housing is placed in the vicinity of the nerve. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08116880B2 |
Paddle-style medical lead and method
A medical lead for electrical stimulation or sensing. The medical lead has a generally flat paddle on the distal end of the lead body. An electrode array is provided on the paddle, with the electrode array displaced along the length of the paddle toward the distal end. Advantages include allowing the electrode array may be advanced into position for electrical stimulation or sensing with the flat paddle extending through connective tissue, such as the ligamentum flavum, thus facilitating repositioning, withdrawal or explanting the medical lead, as well as using the flat features of the paddle to anchor the lead to the connective tissue. |
| US08116879B2 |
System and method for stimulating sensory nerves
An electrotherapy system for stimulating sensory nerves within skin tissue includes a electrode carrier, a pulse generator, an array of skin-penetrating electrodes and surface skin electrodes, a pulse conditioning circuit, and a power source. The system administers biphasic pulsed current at the surface skin electrodes and monophasic pulsed current at each skin-penetrating electrode. The skin-penetrating surfaces and skin contact surfaces of the electrotherapy system may be sterilized or may be replaceable for outpatient reusability. |
| US08116877B2 |
Systems and methods for treating pain using brain stimulation
The invention comprises systems and methods for treating nociceptive pain including at least one force-regulatable device in mechanical, electrical, or chemical communication with at least one brain area identified as processing nociceptive pain signals. The force-regulatable device acts to alter the nociceptive pain signals in a brain area to alleviate nociceptive pain. |
| US08116876B2 |
Multiplexed electrode array extension
A method for selectively interacting with electrically excitable tissue of a patient is provided. In one configuration, an implantable pulse generator with a number of outputs and an array of electrodes with a number of electrodes being greater than the number of outputs may be implanted in a patient. An extension unit may be implanted between the implantable pulse generator and array. The extension unit acts to electrically couple the inputs of implantable pulse generator with the greater number of electrodes in the array so that the output sources are coupled to a portion of the electrodes. |
| US08116873B2 |
Measurement of patient physiological parameters
A method of determining one or more physiological parameter of a patient by providing a plurality of implantable electrodes proximate a blood vessel of the patient, applying a measurement signal through the plurality of electrodes, the measurement signal having a known parameter, obtaining a resultant signal through the plurality of electrodes, the resultant signal having a resultant parameter, calculating vascular impedance based on the measurement signal and the resultant signal, and calculating a physiological parameter based on the vascular impedance. In some embodiments, the physiological parameter is utilized to modify a therapy signal controlling therapy delivered to the patient. |
| US08116872B2 |
Device and method for biasing and stimulating respiration
A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level. |
| US08116870B2 |
Capture detection for multi-chamber pacing
Multi-chamber pacing may result in capture of one chamber, capture of multiple chambers, fusion, or non-capture. Approaches for detecting various capture conditions during multi-chamber pacing are described. Pacing pulses are delivered to left and right heart chambers during a cardiac cycle. A cardiac electrogram signal is sensed following the delivery of the pacing pulses. Left chamber capture only, right chamber capture only, and bi-chamber capture may be distinguished based on characteristics of the cardiac electrogram signal. Multi-chamber capture detection may be implemented using detection windows having dimensions of time and amplitude. The detection windows are associated with expected features, such as expected signal peaks, under a particular capture condition. The cardiac electrogram signal features are compared to detection windows to determine the capture condition. |
| US08116868B2 |
Implantable device with cardiac event audio playback
Cardiac monitoring and stimulation methods and systems provide audio playback of cardiac events and transthoracic monitoring and therapy. A medical system includes a housing and electrodes configured for sensing cardiac electrical activity. Another sensor may be configured to sense heart movement and produce a signal in response, such as an audio signal. Memory stores the audio signal and the cardiac electrical signal. A controller and communications circuitry telemeter the cardiac electrical signal and the audio signal to a patient-external device. Energy delivery circuitry may deliver cardiac therapy. The device may further include a patient actuatable trigger configured to communicate to the controller via the communications circuitry. The controller may initiate storing of the cardiac electrical signal and the audio signal in response to the trigger. The patient-external device may further include a storage media. |
| US08116866B2 |
Morphology-based optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy
A method and apparatus for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in which an evoked response electrogram is recorded during one or more cardiac cycles and used to aid in the selection of resynchronization pacing parameters and/or to monitor the effectiveness of resynchronization therapy. The morphology of an evoked response electrogram may be recorded and analyzed to determine if and when intrinsic activation of one ventricle is occurring in order to optimally adjust the programmed atrio-ventricular (AV) delay interval for ventricular resynchronization pacing of a patient with intact AV node conduction. |
| US08116865B2 |
Defibrillation shock output circuit
This document discusses, among other things, techniques for generating and delivering a high voltage defibrillation shock using an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. An output energy delivery bridge can be programmed to provide desired shock vectors or polarities. A bootstrapped fully solid-state switch control voltage generation circuit is described. Automatic polarity or vector reconfiguration embodiments are described, such as in response to an unsuccessful attempt to convert the heart to a normal rhythm. |
| US08116860B2 |
Transdermal porator and patch system and method for using same
A transdermal permeant delivery system for delivery of at least one permeant composition into a tissue membrane of a subject including a disposable substrate having at least a portion of a bottom surface of a first release liner connected to an upper surface of the substrate and a patch having a backing layer and a reservoir that is selectively removable from the top surface of the first release liner. In a connected position, a first portion of the backing layer of the patch is releaseably mounted to a top surface of the first release liner in spaced registration with a poration area of the substrate. |
| US08116859B2 |
Electrocardiologic device for the assisted diagnosis of brugada syndrome or early repolarization syndrome
Electrocardiologic device for assisted diagnosis, preferably for the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome or Early Repolarization syndrome. This device allows characterizing the ventricular repolarization wave of an ECG signal collected from a patient. Extracting out of the ECG signal, for each heart beat, an ST segment is constituted of a succession of samples of the ventricular repolarization wave, taken within a time window ([QON+80 ms, QON+140 ms]) of a predetermined duration spreading from a moment of window onset defined by a time offset applied to a predetermined temporal origin given by the moment (QON) of appearance of the QRS complex, whose time position is determined on the ECG signal for each heart beat. Quantizing computes an elevation index compared to a predetermined reference level (BL), and analyzing over a succession of heart beats the persistence and/or variation of this elevation index. |
| US08116855B2 |
Fetal surveillance
The spatial position of a fetus within the womb is determined and monitored through analysis of ECG waveform data received from a set of electrodes that are attached to a maternal abdomen in a predetermined configuration. The waveform is compared with a set of predefined stored templates to determine the position of the fetus. An event logger may determine the number of fetal movements during a period of time. |
| US08116854B2 |
Imaging tray with medium disposed therein for ratiometric determination of object shape
The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth. |
| US08116853B2 |
Three-dimensional imaging using an inflatable membrane and an intensity ratio based on differential light absorption at two wavelengths
The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth. |
| US08116851B2 |
Living body measurement apparatus with waveguide light source and light extracting pattern
Disclosed is a living body measurement apparatus including: a first light source placed on the surface of the skin in a living body and radiating a first light in a visible light wavelength range onto the surface of the skin; a second light source placed on the surface of the skin and radiating a second light in a near-infrared wavelength range onto the surface of the skin; an optical detector placed on the surface of the skin at a predetermined distance from the first and second light sources to detect, as an electric signal, first or second detection light penetrating up through the skin and inputted thereto among the radiated first or second light; and a controller for sequentially driving the first and second light sources. |
| US08116847B2 |
System and method for determining an optimal surgical trajectory
A method and corresponding system for calculating an optimum surgical trajectory or path for displacing a surgical instrument through the interior of the body of a patient. Upon obtaining a volumetric scan of a patient, such as a CT scan, the surgeon can identify and assign weight values indicating a preference on whether an anatomical area be utilized in plotting an optimum instrument trajectory. Upon providing a starting and destination point for a surgical instrument, an optimum surgical trajectory can be determined in essentially real time and graphically presented to the surgeon by superimposing the proposed trajectory upon the patient's volumetric scan. Furthermore, the system and method is interactive, allowing the surgeon to deviate from the proposed optimum path if desired and choose another path. In response, the system will determine and present, in essentially real time, a new optimum trajectory based on the current location of the surgical instrument. |
| US08116843B2 |
Method for automatically selecting region of interest covering heated area
In a method for automatically selecting a region of interest covering a heated area, in the context of high intensity focused ultrasonic technology during acquisition of magnetic resonance data, phase data of a scanned area are acquired, and a heated area is identified in the scanned area according to the phase data acquired. An image is reconstructed and displayed, and in the displayed image a region of interest covering the heated area is automatically demarcated according to a predetermined size of said region of interest that covers and is larger than the heated area. The method causes the heated area to be automatically and completely included in the region of interest; and eliminates the instability of a manual selection of the region of interest. |
| US08116842B2 |
Bio-photonic feedback control software and database
A process, apparatus, and method for online control and database collection and management of a computerized detection, tracking, and feedback control system. The system tests for nutrients by Raman scattering effects on skin or other tissues to determine the content of carotenoids or other nutrients as evidenced in that skin. Serum levels of nutrients may vary dramatically with time, but skin tissues may average such nutrition over time. Skin and other tissues may be scanned with light to produce accurate measurements of carotenoids or other nutrients accumulated in the skin based on the Raman scattering affect of those nutrients in the skin. A score can be derived from a properly calibrated bio-photonic scanner to reflect an averaged effective uptake of the detected nutrient (e.g. such as the carotenoid example). |
| US08116833B2 |
Grounding apparatus of portable electronic devices
A grounding apparatus (200) for a portable electronic device (100) includes a conductive member (20), at least one connecting member (30) and a grounded sliding mechanism (40). The connecting member is electronically connected to the conductive member. The sliding mechanism is electrically connected to the conductive member via the connecting member. |
| US08116831B2 |
Hand-held communication device with auxiliary input apparatus, and method
A hand-held communication device (100), such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), comprises a sensor assembly (200) and an auxiliary input interface (300). Auxiliary input interface (300) is situated along one or more exterior surfaces (110) of device (100) and is electrically coupled to processing circuitry within device (100). Sensor assembly (200) is removably attached to the one or more exterior surfaces (110) of device (100). Sensor assembly (200) preferably includes multiple pressure sensors for receiving tactile inputs from a user, and multiple outputs for coupling to auxiliary input interface (300). Sensor assembly (200) provides signals at the multiple outputs in response to tactile inputs from the user. In one form, during an assignment procedure, tactile inputs from the user are assigned to predefined functions of the device and/or one or more software applications installed in the device. Subsequently, during normal operation of the device (100), each of the specific tactile input results in the execution of one or more predefined functions. Sensor assembly (200) is preferably realized by a combination that includes an elastomeric connector (210) and a top portion having a flexible shroud (250) and multiple conductive strips (270, 272, . . . , 284) that are configured for contacting conductive regions (220, 222, . . . , 232) of elastomeric connector (210). |
| US08116829B2 |
Radio station and method of operating a radio station
A first radio station (100) monitors, either continuously or intermittently, a channel for an indication of a transmitted data packet and measures the quality of the channel. The first radio station (100) transmits indications of the measured quality and when the measured quality falls below a quality threshold, it reduces the proportion of time spent monitoring the channel by introducing or increasing time periods when no monitoring takes place, and subsequently increases the time spent monitoring when the quality recovers. A second radio station (200) transmits data packets to the first radio station (100) and receives the indications of measured channel quality. When the measured quality falls below the quality threshold, the second station reduces the proportion of time spent transmitting the data packets to the first radio station (100) by introducing or increasing time periods between transmitted the data packets. |
| US08116828B2 |
Current consumption controlling apparatus and method in portable terminal
A current consumption controlling apparatus and method in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a first transceiver for outputting a signal indicative of a transmit burst time of a first communication system mode supported by the first transceiver to a second transceiver, and adjusting a gain of a power amplifier by receiving a signal indicative of a transmit burst time of a second communication system mode from the second transceiver; and the second transceiver for outputting the signal indicative of the transmit burst time of the second communication system mode to the first transceiver, and adjusting a gain of a power amplifier by receiving the signal indicative of the transmit burst time of the first communication system mode. |
| US08116826B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for automatic adjustment of call and message alert levels for missed/rejected calls/messages
A device for intelligently adjusting a volume level for call/message alerts includes a processor, an interface(s), a memory, a timer and a volume adjuster. The processor receives a call(s)/message(s) and causes the memory to store data associated with the call(s)/message(s). The processor invokes a timer and instructs a ringer to generate a call/message alert. The processor receives an additional call(s)/message(s) and determines if these calls/messages are sent from the same user of an electronic device as a previous call/message within a time period. If a previous call/message was missed by a user of a terminal, the processor causes a ringer to increase the volume of a subsequent call/message sent from the user of the electronic device. If a previous call/message was rejected by a user of a terminal, the processor causes the ringer to decrease the volume of a subsequent call/message sent from the user of the electronic device. |
| US08116823B2 |
Modular ear-piece/microphone (headset) operable to service voice activated commands
The present invention provides a modular headset operable to support both voice communications and voice activated commands. This may involve the use of multiple voice CODECs to process voice communications and voice activated commands. The modular headset includes both a microphone and wireless earpiece. The earpiece may further include an interface, a processing circuit, a speaker, a user interface, a pairing circuit, and a registration circuit. The interface allows the earpiece to communicate with the base unit that couples the modular headset to a servicing network. This coupling to the servicing network and base unit only occurs when the headset is successfully registered to the base unit. The pairing circuit and registration circuit allow the exchange of pairing or registration information between various components. The pairing circuit allows the wireless earpiece and microphone to exchange pairing information which is then compared to determine whether or not a successful pairing can be achieved. Analog to digital converts (ADCs), which may be located within either the microphone or earpiece are operable to process the transduced voice communications in accordance with either a voice CODEC or voice recognition CODEC depending on the selected mode of operation. |
| US08116820B2 |
Method for transmitting data in multiple antenna system
A method for transmitting data in a multi-antenna system includes determining a candidate mode in which a maximum upperbound approximation of an average total data rate is maximized as a transmission mode, selecting a user equipment to receive data by using the transmission mode, and transmitting data to the selected user equipment. |
| US08116816B2 |
Radio communication apparatus, radio communication system and signal switching method
A radio communication system for conducting the radio communication with a terminal device includes a first radio communication apparatus for processing a first signal; a second radio communication apparatus for processing a second signal, and to combine the first signal and the second signal; a common amplifier for amplifying the first and second signals from the second radio communication apparatus, transmitting the amplified signals to the terminal device, amplifying first and second signals received from the terminal device, and outputting the amplified signals to the second radio communication apparatus, the second radio communication apparatus separating the amplified first and second signals; and a switching apparatus coupled to the first radio communication apparatus, the second radio communication apparatuses and the common amplifier to disconnect the first or second radio communication apparatus when a fault occurs in the first or second radio communication apparatus, respectively. |
| US08116814B2 |
Mobile communications terminal using multi-functional socket and method thereof
A mobile communications terminal using a multi-functional socket and a method thereof, the mobile communications device comprising a connector capable of connecting the mobile communications device to at least one external device for establishing an electrical connection between the at least one external device and the mobile communications device; a switching unit; and a controller cooperating with the connector and the switching unit to perform, sending and/or receiving at least one signal with respect to the at least one external device via at least one dedicated path according to at least one identification signal; and generating a control signal to control the at least one signal, wherein the at least one signal comprises at least one of a power signal and data. |
| US08116813B2 |
System for product retrieval using a coded surface
A system of retrieving a product using a print medium with a print media identifier linked to a product. A mobile telecommunications device with a sensor module for determines the print media identifier from the print medium such that the product is retrieved using the mobile telecommunications device and the print media identifier. The print medium is provided with first coded data in a first format and second coded data in a second format. The first coded data encodes first information and the second coded data encodes second information. The first information is indicative of the print media identifier and of size and orientation data of the print medium. The first format is a linear pattern. At least some of the second information is indicative of the print media identifier and a two-dimensional coordinate grid. The second format is a two-dimensional pattern, the first and second coded data each being encoded in a plurality of tags printed on the print medium. Each tag has a structure that includes a target and the first and second coded data. The targets are sensed by the sensor module to determine the presence of the tags. |
| US08116812B2 |
Systems and methods for providing wireless communications for data and voice communications
A wireless communications system that provides communication for a plurality of communication devices. The wireless communications system includes an interface including a local exchange carrier (LEC) connection port, a subscriber connection port and a wireless connection port. The wireless communications system includes a wireless terminal connected to the interface that provides wireless data and voice connectivity over a wireless network. |
| US08116809B2 |
Method and apparatus of multiple entity wireless communication adapter
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for a multiple-entity wireless communication adapter, including at least a first connection module to communicate first signal traffic corresponding to a basic service set station entity, a second connection module to communicate second signal traffic corresponding to an entity that is not a basic service set station, and a shared physical layer able to process both the first and the second signal traffic. Additional features are described and claimed. |
| US08116807B2 |
Airplane mode indicator on a portable multifunction device
A graphical user interface on a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display includes an airplane mode switch icon with an “on” position and an “off” position. A communications signal strength icon is displayed if the airplane mode switch icon is at the “off” position. The communications signal strength icon is replaced with an airplane icon upon detecting a movement of a finger contact on or near the airplane mode switch icon. The detected movement of the finger contact is from the “off” position to the “on” position. |
| US08116796B2 |
Multi-transceiver portable radio communications device and related method
A portable radio communications device is for transmitting data and voice communications. The portable radio communications device may include a portable housing, a radio transceiver operating at a frequency in a range of 30 MHz-3000 MHz and being carried by the portable housing for direct communication with a corresponding radio transceiver, and a metropolitan area network (MAN) transceiver carried by the portable housing for indirect communication with a corresponding MAN transceiver via a MAN base station. The portable radio communications device may also include a controller carried by the portable housing for selectively allocating transmission of the data and voice communications between the radio transceiver and the MAN transceiver based upon a received signal characteristic. The controller may preferentially allocate the voice communications and the data communications to the radio transceiver and the MAN transceiver, respectively. |
| US08116794B2 |
Channel impulse response extraction for mobile terminals
Finding a channel impulse response estimation window in a current cell for at least one mobile terminal in a neighboring cell is disclosed. This can serve to mitigate interference caused by mobile terminals in neighboring cells in and among communications ongoing in a current cell. In one example, a method for A method for determining such a channel impulse response estimation window includes presetting, in the neighboring cell, at least two channel impulse response peak locations of respective mobile terminals in first and second predetermined periods with a predetermined peak location change pattern, and then upon receiving communication from a mobile terminal of the neighboring cell, analyzing channel impulse responses to identify the peak location change pattern with regard to first and second peak locations. The method further includes identifying a variation range for a channel impulse response of a primary path of the mobile terminal, and determining a channel impulse response estimation window for the mobile terminal based on the identified variation range and a preferred estimation window size. |
| US08116789B2 |
Terminal positioning technique
A technique of estimating the location of a mobile terminal in a mobile communications network having a plurality of base stations, including: determining at least one signal parameter measurement for the mobile terminal in relation to each of the plurality of base stations; using the determined signal parameter measurements to obtain a first distance estimation of the location of the mobile terminal from each of the plurality of base stations; and using at least one estimator to obtain a positional estimation of the mobile terminal. The estimators are statistical estimators that can be applied to a distance estimation of the mobile terminal from each of the base stations and/or applied to a triangulation estimation of the actual position of the mobile terminal, based upon estimated distances of the mobile terminal from the plurality of base stations. Preferably the signal parameter measured is the Received Signal Strength. |
| US08116786B2 |
Set initiated area event triggered positioning method in mobile communication system
A SET-initiated area event triggered positioning method in a session-based service system is disclosed. The method is variously performed according to a proxy mode or a non-proxy mode, and further according to which SLP (SUPL location platform) has a positioning procedure. |
| US08116785B2 |
Method for providing location-based service using location token
Provided is a method for providing a location-based service using a location token. The method includes the steps of: a) receiving an encrypted token message including constraints for location information access from a terminal; b) decoding and storing the transmitted token message in a token database; c) creating a location token accessible to the transmitted token message and transmitting the location token to the terminal; d) extracting a token message number in the location token transmitted from a location-based service server, checking constraints of a user and updating an exception list; and e) acquiring location information of the terminal and transmitting the location information to the location-based service server. |
| US08116784B2 |
Mid-call synchronization for U-TDOA and AoA location in UMTS
In a wireless location system, a method for determining frame and slot timing information for use in receiving an uplink signal from a user equipment (UE) device assigned to an uplink Dedicated Physical Control Channel (DPCCH) includes receiving signals in the uplink DPCCH at a location measurement unit (LMU) of the WLS. The method also includes detecting a predefined bit pattern known to be present in a plurality of predefined slots of the uplink DPCCH. Next, the frame and slot timing information are determined for the uplink DPCCH based on the detected bit pattern. Finally, the frame and slot timing information is used for collecting uplink signals from the UE for use in location processing. |
| US08116783B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the location of a wireless client device on a wireless network
The rate at which a particular wireless client may be PINGed may depend on many factors, including the accuracy with which the location of the wireless client is required to be known, how accurate the system has historically been able to locate other previous clients in the same general area; the speed with which the client is moving, the amount of other data being transmitted by the client, the needs of other clients being serviced by the access point that will need to PING the client, the current battery life of the client, and the priority of obtaining an accurate location for a particular wireless user verses other uses of the network bandwidth. Based on the multiple factors considered by the system, the rate at which the client will be PINGed is adjusted to optimize the amount of bandwidth used to determine the client's location. |
| US08116781B2 |
Method and system of managing wireless resources
The invention provides for the management of wireless resources, which can reduce call blocking by allowing high priority services, under suitable conditions, to use resources allocated to low priority services. Thus high priority services can pre-empt the usage of wireless resources by low priority services. This has the advantage of reducing call blocking for high priority calls, while permitting low priority calls to have more access to radio resources than conventional systems with the same call blocking rate. Thus a base station can implement a preemption mechanism that would reclaim Walsh Code and Forward Power resources from an active Supplemental Channel (SCH) burst in order to accommodate incoming Fundamental Channel (FCH) requests. |
| US08116778B2 |
Method and system for controlling a plurality of transmitters
Mobile station transmits a scheduling request message to base station to request a grant for transmitting packets in a cellular mobile communication network. Base station transmits at least a deactivation scheduling grant message to mobile station to deactivate packet transmission of mobile station. Mobile station fails to receive the first grant message but successfully receives the second grant message. Upon receiving a scheduling grant confirmation message responding the second grant message from mobile station, base station transmits an activation scheduling grant message to mobile station. |
| US08116776B1 |
Mobile communication handoff between heterogeneous networks
A method for providing telecommunication service includes transmitting a node identifier to a mobile station over a first network that supports a first communication protocol and receiving a handoff call, based on the node identifier, from the mobile station over a second network that supports a second communication protocol. The handoff call includes a mobile station identifier. The method further includes identifying a first communication link over the first network based on the mobile station identifier and initiating a second communication link with the mobile station over the second network. The method also includes terminating the first communication link. |
| US08116775B2 |
System and method of providing user equipment initiated and assisted backward handover in heterogeneous wireless networks
The present invention relates to the field of mobility in heterogeneous wireless networks. In particular, the invention proposes a system and method of providing User Equipment (UE) initiated and assisted backward handover in the heterogeneous wireless networks. Depending on certain criteria, the UE may decide that if it needs a handover from a serving network to a target network. The UE initiates the backward handover by sending handover request message to the target network through the serving network. The serving network checks for the capabilities of the UE and authorizes the backward handover. The target network prepares for the backward handover and informs the UE when the target network is ready. The UE then starts the handover procedure. |
| US08116771B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient paging group updates in a wireless communication system including mobile relay stations
A wireless communications network includes a base station and a number of mobile relay stations. Each mobile relay station within an area of coverage for the base station has associated with it a unique paging group identification value as well as the paging group identification value of the base station. |
| US08116770B2 |
Mobile communications system and control method thereof
Disclosed is a mobile communications system including a plurality of base station apparatuses which are located at geographically dispersed locations and perform a wireless communication with a mobile device. The system further includes a maximum ratio combining unit which performs maximum ratio combining processing regarding a signal the base station apparatuses receive from the mobile device, and a selection combining unit which performs selection combining processing regarding the signal from the mobile device. A selection unit included in the system selects one or both of the maximum ratio combining unit and the selection combining unit according to at least one of an external factor and a change of a distribution state of the mobile device under communication. |
| US08116768B2 |
Automatic selection of a background image for a display on a mobile telephone
A method for providing a background image on a display of a mobile telephone, whereby the data of one or more background images are stored in at least one memory accessible for the mobile telephone, comprises an automatic selection of a background image to be displayed, a retrieving of the data of the automatically selected background image from the memory, and a displaying of the retrieved background image on the display of the mobile telephone. |
| US08116763B1 |
Airborne basestation
A wireless communications basestation that utilizes a light weight high directivity electronically-steerable antenna mounted on a lighter-than-air vehicle to providing relay broadband communication service among mobile units in a geographic area is provided. The lighter-than-air vehicle carries aloft the antenna; a radio and a switching device for routing. A gateway may also be provided to enable communications with a wide area network. A communication system for a geographic area utilizing the airborne wireless communications basestation is also presented. The system includes a number of user equipment units located in the geographic area in communication with the airborne wireless communications basestation. The user equipment units may utilize omni-directional antennas for low data rate communications, and/or a high directivity antenna. |
| US08116762B2 |
Method and system for providing aeronautical communication services
Aeronautical communication services is disclosed. For example, an aeronautical vehicle for use in a first aeronautical communication system to allow communication to and from a land-based station is disclosed, wherein the land-based station transmits communications using a first low frequency band and receives communications using a second low frequency band in accordance with a second aeronautical communication system. In the first aeronautical communication system, the aeronautical vehicle transmits communications using the first low frequency band and receives communications using the second low frequency band. |
| US08116760B2 |
Method for implementing dual-homing
The invention discloses a method for implementing dual-homing, including: setting each one of any two core control equipment as a standby for each other, connecting a network entity belonging to one of the core control equipment with the two core control equipment through a primary link and a standby link respectively; setting the primary link connected with the core control equipment as activated, and setting the standby link connected with the core control equipment inactive; determining whether the core control equipment corresponding to the primary link is out of service, if the core control equipment corresponding to the primary link is out of service, activating the standby link; otherwise, continuously determining whether the core control equipment corresponding to the primary link is out of service. The invention also discloses another method for implementing dual-homing, by which the reliability of the network can be improved. |
| US08116757B2 |
Virtual network service provider for mobile virtual network operator activation
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods and system configurations to activate a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). A method includes wirelessly broadcasting a virtual Network Service Provider (NSP) to provide wireless activation of one or more Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) associated with a NSP, directing a mobile station (MS) connected to the virtual NSP to a subscription portal that presents to a user of the MS the one or more MVNOs for selection, and provisioning the MS with configuration parameters for a selected MVNO to allow connection of the MS with the selected MVNO. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US08116754B2 |
Method of providing service menu and service in network environment and service providing apparatus thereof
A method of providing a service menu and a service in a network environment and a service providing apparatus thereof are provided. The method includes evaluating a context on a current situation of an electronic, and creating and displaying a user menu on which information on external service providing apparatuses associated with the evaluated context is enumerated. The list of the service functions required according to the condition of the user and the context is provided, and the service function desired by the user is automatically executed, thereby improving the user convenience. |
| US08116748B2 |
Management of locations of group members via mobile communications devices
The location of group members having mobile communications devices such as cellular telephones, PDAs, and the like are managed by maintaining group member location awareness among the individual group members. The location of each group member is known on the basis of the determined location of the mobile communications device of each, either in absolute terms or in relative terms. The absolute and/or relative location may be reported by the mobile communications devices, such as to a mobile communications device of an administrator of the group or directly to individual group members. Rules may be established for providing notifications such as alerts and alarms to the group members when a group member strays from the group or from a fixed reference point and information may be provided to the straying member to assist the straying member in returning to the group. |
| US08116744B1 |
Advanced message waiting indication system
An advanced message waiting indication system includes the ability to provide message waiting indicators for a plurality of voice mail (“VM”) systems. When a message is left on a remote VM system, a message waiting notification is passed to a centralized VM system. The centralized VM system can connect to the remote VM system, authenticate as the user, download the messages and accompanying data, and then disconnect from the remote VM system. The message and accompanying data can then be used to determine a message waiting indicator (MWI) that is then passed to an electronic device for display. The MWI can inform a user about many aspects of the waiting messages. |
| US08116740B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method
A method in electronic messaging in a mobile telecommunications network for mobile communication terminals is disclosed. The method involves, in a sender terminal, the steps of generating an electronic message, associating the electronic message with a message notification, and representing the electronic message and the message notification in a signal which is transmittable over the mobile telecommunications network to a receiver terminal. The signal is adapted, when received in the receiver terminal, for performance of the message notification in a user interface of the receiver terminal as a notification of the reception of the electronic message. Further disclosed are an associated method in a receiver terminal, and a sender terminal and a receiver terminal capable of performing the respective method, as well as a system including such sender and receiver terminals. |
| US08116739B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic session placeholder for message collection user interface
A method and apparatus for representing a conversation of related messages is provided. In a message collection user interface for displaying messages sent and received by a communications device, a dynamic session placeholder is used for a respective conversation of related messages. The message collection user interface is displayed including any dynamic session placeholders in the list of messages. As messages from the conversation are occasioned, the dynamic session placeholder is updated. When the message collection is displayed, it is displayed in accordance with the updated session placeholder. |
| US08116737B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for locking information
In embodiments of the invention, there is provided with a method, system, and apparatus for locking information. Specifically, a server sends a lock message carrying lock object information to a mobile terminal; the mobile terminal locks a lock object according to the lock message, the lock object corresponding to the lock object information. With the solutions provided in the embodiments of the invention, a server may lock information for a mobile terminal, so as to prevent other servers from manipulating the information. |
| US08116736B2 |
Forbidden tracking area optimization for private/home networks
Access verification is adaptively done using an identifier of a first or a second length, by comparing a field of a node address that has the determined first or second length against a locally stored access list. At least the compared field of the node address is either added to a locally stored list of cell selection candidate nodes where the access list is allowed identifiers, or excluded from it where the access list is restricted identifiers. The node identifier is in three sections. The first section is service type, which the UE can use to determine whether or not it is restricted/allowed. The first length is the length of the second section, which is a service area ID of a group of network nodes. The second length is the length of the second section plus the third section, which identifies one node of the group of network nodes. |
| US08116732B2 |
Routing mobile users to secure locations based on transaction type
Systems and methods are disclosed for routing mobile users to safe, or secure, locations. In one embodiment, based on threat information obtained from one or more source, a threat level is determined for a location of a user of a mobile device. The threat level is indicative of physical safety and/or network safety at the location of the user of the mobile device. The threat level may be a function of a transaction type of a transaction being performed or desired to be performed by the user of the mobile device. If the location is unsafe, a safe location is identified, and the user of the mobile device is routed to the safe location. |
| US08116731B2 |
System and method for mobile identity protection of a user of multiple computer applications, networks or devices
An automated system and method for authenticating entities or individuals engaging in automated or electronic transactions or activities such as financial transactions, accessing computer applications, computer software, data networks or other automated or electronic devices requiring identity verification is provided. A unique Personal Identity Value is computed and stored in an Identity Register for the entity or individual and may be used for a variety of applications including recognizing incidents of identity theft. This Personal Identity Value is based on one or more computer logic resources that incorporate the relationship among a variety of identification information elements and parameters associated with the entity or individual, such as the entity's or individual's wireless device location, the entity's or individual's home location, other associated locations, automated activities engaged in and applications accessed. |
| US08116730B2 |
Systems and methods to control online transactions
Systems and methods are provided to control online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a first telephone number with a second telephone number; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to receive a payment request including the first telephone number, identify the second telephone number based on the data, and communicate with a mobile phone at the second telephone number for approval of the payment request. |
| US08116729B2 |
System and method for peer-to-peer transfer of multimedia content and reconciliation thereof
A system and method to enable a transfer of multimedia content between mobile telecommunication devices while maintaining the multimedia traffic within a wireless local network. Multimedia content may be sent from one of the mobile telecommunication devices and delivered to another one or more of the mobile telecommunication devices. The multimedia transfer is facilitated and monitored by a secure agent located within the local network. The secure agent maintains a record of the multimedia content sessions and transmits such information to a billing component. The billing component utilizes the record of content transfer to assess a fee or other charge on the sending device, the receiving device(s), or both sending and receiving devices. In some embodiments, such a charge may include a credit or other reward that is provided to sending devices or receiving devices for implementing a local transfer of multimedia content. |
| US08116728B2 |
Charging in LTE/EPC communication networks
Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing charging in LTE/EPC communication networks. In an LTE/EPC communication network, a PCRF stores charging rules for online and offline charging. To perform charging for a session, LTE network elements that are serving the session request charging rules from the PCRF. The PCRF identifies the charging rules, and assigns a unique LTE charging identifier for the session across all network elements in the LTE/EPC communication network. The LTE network elements receive the charging rules from the PCRF along with the LTE charging identifier for the session. The LTE network elements generate charging messages for the session, and insert the LTE charging identifier in the charging messages. The LTE network elements then transmit the charging messages to a charging system, such as an OCS or an OFCS. The OCS/OFCS may then correlate the charging messages for the session based on the LTE charging identifier. |
| US08116724B2 |
System containing location-based personal emergency response device
A safety system comprising a plurality of wearable transceiver devices for operation in independent use with a plurality of a landline-based phone and a cell phone to establish contact between a user of a wearable transceiver device and a central monitoring station. The wearable transceiver devices sense a crash or a fall and notify a monitor by a landline-based phone or a cell phone of this incident and the assisted GPS determined location of the incident. The information is provided to the monitor a short predetermined time following activation unless the device is deactivated by pressing a communication button. When the device has not been activated by a crash or fall, the user may press the communication button to communicate with the monitor to obtain a wide variety of services. A cell phone having reserve batteries, accelerometers, and assisted GPS location capabilities is also disclosed. |
| US08116718B2 |
Power management for a mobile communication device and method for use therewith
A communication device includes a voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC) that includes a memory module that stores a plurality of applications corresponding to a plurality of uses of the communication device. A processing module executes a selected one of the plurality of applications and selects one of a plurality of power modes based on a current one of the plurality of uses of the communication device corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of applications. The processing module generates a power mode signal based on the selected one of the plurality of power modes. An off-chip power management circuit receives the power mode signal and that generates a plurality of power supply signals to the voice data and RF IC based on the power mode signal. |
| US08116717B2 |
Self-calibrating direct conversion transmitter with converting/steering device
A steering and mixing module comprises a double balanced switch quad and a steering quad. The double balanced switch quad comprises a first output pair, and the first output pair is coupled to a first load stage. The steering quad comprises a second output pair, and the second output pair is coupled to a second load stage. The double balanced switch quad and the steering quad share an input pair. |
| US08116715B2 |
Filter circuit and communication semiconductor device using the same
The present invention intends to provide a filter circuit in which an area occupied by the circuit can be reduced by suppressing the scale of its circuit configuration while a predetermined vicinity disturbance wave rejection ratio is maintained and a communication semiconductor device using the same, the filter circuit filtering an analog signal and including a voltage/current conversion circuit for converting the analog signal from voltage to current, and a capacitor array which executes signal processing by charging/discharging the current converted by the voltage/current conversion circuit to/from plural capacitors, the capacitor array being so constructed that the plural capacitors are divided to plural stages so that signals averaged by the capacitor on a preceding stage are accumulated in the capacitor on a next stage successively. |
| US08116714B2 |
Use of powerlines for transmission of high frequency signals
Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided. |
| US08116713B2 |
Automatic bandwidth control with high-deviation detection
A signal processing system and methods for controlling a bandwidth of the signal processing system are disclosed. One method includes the steps of detecting a presence of an adjacent signal on at one adjacent channel relative to a desired channel, detecting a modulation characteristic of the desired channel, measuring a signal strength on the at least one adjacent channel, measuring a signal strength on the desired channel, and adjusting a bandwidth filter applied to the desired channel in response to the measurements and detection steps. |
| US08116712B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling a gain state of a wireless receiver operating in an idle mode
Techniques for controlling a gain state of a wireless receiver involve causing the wireless receiver to enter into a sleep mode; causing the wireless receiver to exit from the sleep mode and enter into a wake-up period; providing, via a multiplexer, a stored gain control state value to the wireless receiver for use during a warm-up period of the wake-up period, the stored gain control state value being previously read from a gain controller during a previous wake-up period of the wireless receiver; and after the warm-up period of the wake up period, providing, via the multiplexer, a current gain control state value from the gain controller to the wireless receiver for use during the wake up period, the current gain control state value being based on a signal level of a currently-received signal in the wireless receiver. |
| US08116705B2 |
Simplified high frequency tuner and tuning method
A disclosed method tunes a signal from a channelized spectrum having a predetermined channel spacing. A signal of interest having a predetermined maximum bandwidth is mixed with a local oscillator signal, which has a frequency that is an integer multiple of the channel spacing or one-half of a channel spacing displaced from an integer multiple of the channel spacing. The local oscillator signal is selected to frequency translate the signal of interest to within a near-baseband passband whose lower edge is spaced from DC by at least about the maximum bandwidth of the signal of interest. Problems associated with 1/f noise, DC offsets, and self-mixing products are avoided or substantially diminished. Other methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08116702B2 |
Transmission over a multiple input multiple output broadcast channel (MIMO-BC)
A Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication system 1 has a transmitter for transmitting signals over a MIMO Broadcast Channel (MIMO-BC) 6. Data for communication to respective receivers 41, 4K-1, 4K is encoded by encoding stages 101, . . . , 10K-1, 10K in a selected order by selecting codewords c1, . . . cK-1, cK from codebooks C1, . . . CK-1, CK of a nested lattice code. Dither adders 111, . . . , 11K-1, 11K are arranged to add a respective dither d1 . . . , dK-1, dk to the selected codewords c1, . . . cK-1, cK. Quantising stages 121, . . . , 12K-1, 12K each perform respective quantising operations mod ΛS,1, . . . , mod ΛS, K-1, mod ΛS, K using the shaping lattice ΛS of the nested lattice code. Quantised signals u1, . . . , uK-1, uK of data encoded earlier in the selected order are output to feedbackward filter stages 141, . . . , 14K-1 for filtering the codewords c1, . . . cK-1, cK of data encoded later in the selected order before they are quantised by the quantising stages 121, . . . , 12K-1 using a feedbackward filter Fb. At the receivers 41, 4K-1, 4K feedforward filter stages 151, . . . , 15K-1, 15K filter received signals y1, . . . , yK-1, yK by applying a feedforward filter Ff. A combination of the feedbackward and feedforward filters Fb, Ff is substantially equivalent to a single filter for extracting the signals representing the data intended to be communicated to the receivers 41, 4K-1, 4K with a minimum mean squared error, but the feedforward filter Ff can be applied by each of the receivers 41, . . . , 4K-1, 4K without knowledge of signals y1, . . . , yK-1, yK received by the other receivers 41, . . . , 4K-1, 4K. |
| US08116701B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for setting an analog output signal
A circuit arrangement includes a signal processing unit and a regulation unit. The signal processing unit processes an input signal to form an analog output signal. The regulation unit is coupled to the signal processing unit in order to produce a digital regulation signal as a function of the analog output signal for regulation of the analog output signal. |
| US08116700B2 |
Reducing common mode effects in an output stage
In one embodiment, a power amplifier may include an output stage with multiple transformers and corresponding matching capacitances. The capacitances may include a first matching capacitance coupled in parallel with a secondary coil of a first transformer and a second matching capacitance coupled in parallel with a secondary coil of a second transformer, where the secondary coils are coupled in series in an output stack configuration. By accounting for parasitics present in the power amplifier, the first matching capacitance can be designed to have a greater capacitance than the second matching capacitor, even where the first and second transformers are configured to output substantially equal power levels. |
| US08116697B2 |
System and method for reducing multi-modulation radio transmit range
Systems and methods are provided for reducing multi-modulation radio transmit range. The method comprises determining a data modulation type at which a transmitter is operating, and adjusting a transmitter power according to the data modulation type to control transmit range. Each data modulation type may be determined to operate at a designated transmit power level by determining each data modulation type and arranging in order of a data connection rate corresponding to each data modulation type. For each data modulation type, the difference between a minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the connection rate and a minimum SNR at the next higher connection rate is calculated. Starting with the lowest data connection rate and at the maximum transmit power, the transmitter power levels are calculated for each data connection rate such that the transmitter range is limited and operation at the highest data connection rate is permitted. |
| US08116689B2 |
Determination of antenna noise temperature for handheld wireless devices
Antenna noise temperature is determined for a handheld wireless communication device which typically includes a radio, e.g. having a wireless transceiver and associated circuitry connected thereto, and an antenna connected to the radio. The method includes measuring an antenna thermal noise component, measuring a radio noise component, measuring an environmental background noise component, and determining the antenna noise temperature based upon the measured antenna thermal noise, radio noise, and environmental background noise components. The method may include measuring antenna efficiency, and determining further includes weighting at least one of the measured antenna thermal noise, radio noise and environmental background noise components based upon the measured antenna efficiency. |
| US08116688B2 |
Wireless apparatus, wireless communication system, control method, and control program
A wireless apparatus which can realize a DFS function that avoidance of interference with radar is considered in an Ad-Hoc mode under a multihop circumstance is provided. A Beacon frame is transmitted at a shorter interval than a previously set interval when radar is detected by wireless apparatuses N1 to N6 which have a DFS function which perform avoidance of interference with radar. |
| US08116686B2 |
Instant message audio connection management system and method
An instant message monitoring and controlling system includes an instant message monitoring and controlling module, a user operation interface and a bluetooth module. The instant message monitoring and controlling module is used for monitoring and controlling plural instant message tools. The user operation interface is used for defining a bluetooth device therevia. The bluetooth module automatically searches the pairing codes required for connection with the bluetooth device. When the instant message monitoring and controlling module receives data from the instant message tools, one of the instant message tools is communicated with the bluetooth device. |
| US08116684B2 |
Techniques to improve the radio co-existence of wireless signals
Techniques are described that can be used to perform one or more of the following actions in order to reduce signal interference between WLAN and BlueTooth radios that are proximate to one another. One action is to selectively reduce a filter bandwidth in a WLAN radio applied to a received WLAN radio signal to reduce BlueTooth signal interference. An additional or alternative action is to selectively indicate a WLAN radio channel bandwidth larger than a channel bandwidth used for the WLAN radio so that the BlueTooth radio avoids transmitting over the indicated channel bandwidth. An additional or alternative action is to selectively reduce BlueTooth transmitter power in response to antenna isolation between BT and WLAN radio being less than a first threshold in order to reduce the likelihood of WLAN radio front end saturation. |
| US08116683B2 |
Adaptive inductive power supply with communication
An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast. |
| US08116682B2 |
Near field communcation device
The present invention relates to a near field communication device containing a ZigBee communication module circuit linking with a Bluetooth communication module. A ZigBee module is equipped with a master central processing unit (CPU) to identify N-Fi communication protocol and enable wireless communication. The master CPU is connected with a communication chip to transmit or receive packets, and includes a ZigBee memory to store the packets temporarily. Besides, the master CPU is linked with a signal conversion/transmission circuit to enable internal exchange of information packets with the Bluetooth communication module. The Bluetooth communication module has a Bluetooth master CPU to control Bluetooth communication, and is connected with a Bluetooth communication chip to transmit and receive Bluetooth-based packets. Thus, the embedded Bluetooth module can be used to connect the electronic device that includes a ZigBee module to carry out transmission of NFC signals. |
| US08116681B2 |
Adaptive inductive power supply with communication
An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast. |
| US08116678B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for interacting with ISO 14443-4 and MIFARE® applications on the same wireless smart device during a common transaction
Methods, systems, and computer program products for interacting with ISO 14443-4 and MIFARE® applications on the same wireless smart device during a common transaction are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes detecting and communicating with an ISO 14443-4 application located on a wireless smart device that includes an ISO 14443-4 and a MIFARE® application to perform at least part of the common transaction. Termination of the ISO 14443-4 application is detected, and the MIFARE® application located on the wireless smart device is detected and communicated with for performing at least part of the common transaction. |
| US08116669B2 |
Image forming apparatus and electric discharge device
An image forming apparatus includes a diode for restraining deterioration of an electric discharge device caused when a voltage applied to a discharge electrode and a shield electrode is switched. By switching the voltage at only one position using the diode, both of the voltage applied to the discharge electrode and the voltage applied to the shield electrode can be switched simultaneously. |
| US08116665B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
A technology for controlling the generation of damages of a photoconductive surface caused due to the attachment of a carrier to a photoconductor in an image forming apparatus using a two-component developing agent is provided. An image forming apparatus is configured to include an intermediate transfer body having prescribed elasticity on a transfer surface onto which a toner image is transferred; plural image carriers which transfer a toner image onto the transfer surface and which are disposed along a movement direction of the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body; plural development sections which form toner images having a different color from each other with respect to the plural image carriers by using a two-component developing agent made of a toner and a carrier; and developing agent replenishment sections which replenish a toner and a carrier in the development sections. |
| US08116662B2 |
Development device and image forming apparatus
A development device includes a plurality of development units and a waste substance container or containers storing the waste substance removed by the cleaning member. Each of the plural development units includes an image carrier carrying a developer image formed by developer and a cleaning member cleaning the image carrier by removing a waste substance. A number of the waste substance containers disposed is smaller than a number of development units disposed, and the number of the waste substance containers is greater than or equal to one. |
| US08116659B2 |
Image-forming device capable of positioning developing unit and developer cartridge precisely
An image-forming device includes a casing, a process unit, a first shutter, a toner cartridge, a second shutter, and a wall. The process unit is detachably mounted in the casing and formed with a first opening, the process unit having a developer roller carrying a toner. The first shutter opens and closes the first opening. The toner cartridge is detachably mounted in the casing, accommodates the toner, and is formed with a second opening, the second opening being in alignment with the first opening. The second shutter opens and closes the second opening. The wall is disposed between the developer unit and the toner cartridge and is formed with a third opening, the third opening being in alignment with the first opening and the second opening. By providing the wall, the process unit and toner cartridge can be detachably mounted in the casing, thereby avoiding a drop in precision for positioning the process unit and toner cartridge relative to the casing. |
| US08116655B2 |
Charge roller cleaning member for use in media processing device
A segmented cleaning member for removing particulate from a charge roller of a media processing device. The cleaning member in one embodiment includes a substrate and an open-cell foam cleaning pad disposed onto the substrate. The cleaning pad is segmented by a plurality of cuts into a plurality of longitudinal sections capable of contacting the charge roller for removing the particulate from the charge roller. Various cut patterns made be used to form the sections. The cleaning member can be used in media processing device and cartridge therefor for removing the particulate from the charge roller. |
| US08116654B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a heating rotor which heats a toner image while nipping and conveying a recording material on which the toner image is borne, a fan which cools the heating rotor, a blowing port which is arranged facing the heating rotor and through which blowing air passes from the fan toward the heating rotor, and a shutter which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the heating rotor so as to change opening area of the blowing port, wherein the shutter is moved in the longitudinal direction while rotating the fan after heating operation of the heating rotor to the toner image is completed. |
| US08116653B2 |
Aerator and image forming apparatus which restrains air from flowing to a heat generating object
An aerator includes a ventilating member that opposes a heat generating object and through which air flows, and an inlet device that takes in air from an outside and sends the air to the ventilating member. The ventilating member includes a discharging portion that discharges the air flowing through the ventilating member to the outside, an opening through which heat generated by the heat generating object enters the ventilating member, and a restraining portion that restrains the air taken in by the inlet device from flowing to the heat generating object through the opening. |
| US08116647B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling same
An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductive drum; a developing roller carrying toner; a DC voltage application portion outputting a DC voltage to be applied to the developing roller, and receiving a feedback voltage; an AC voltage application portion applying an AC voltage to be applied to the developing roller; a detection portion detecting occurrence of electric discharge; a first resistor portion generating a feedback voltage that is fed to the DC voltage application portion; a second resistor portion connected between the DC voltage application portion and the AC voltage application portion, and having a switching portion with which conducting on and off are switchable; and a control portion controlling the switching portion, at the time of printing, to bring the second resistor portion into a conducting state and, at the time of electric discharge detection, to bring the second resistor portion into a non-conducting state. |
| US08116645B2 |
Image forming apparatus with multiple waste powder storing containers
The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section forming an image on a recording medium; first and second storing containers attachably and detachably provided and storing waste powder discarded from the image forming section; a first discharging part allowed to be shut off and discharging the waste powder to the first storing container; a second discharging part discharging the waste powder to the second storing container; a first transporting section transporting the waste powder to the first discharging part; a second transporting section transporting, toward the second discharging part, the waste powder transported to the first discharging part, when the first discharging part is shut off; and a controller shutting off the first discharging part and stopping the first transporting section or reducing an output of the first transporting section, when the first storing container is removed in a state where the first discharging part is opened. |
| US08116644B2 |
Image forming apparatus and waste powder transporting method
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium; a storage container that is detachably and attachably provided and that stores waste powder having been discarded and transported from the image forming section; a first transporting section that transports, from the image forming section, the waste powder having been discarded in the image forming section; a transport path through which the waste powder having been transported by the first transporting section is caused to fall down and is transported; a second transporting section that transports, to the storage container, the waste powder having been transported through the transport path; and a controller that stops driving of the second transporting section if an operation set in advance is executed when the storage container is removed. |
| US08116638B2 |
Radio frequency (RF) signal receiver using optical processing and associated methods
A signal receiver, such as an RF-matched filter receiver, includes an optical source (e.g. a mode-locked laser) providing an optical signal, and a first optical modulator to modulate the optical signal with a received RF signal and provide a modulated optical signal. A second optical modulator modulates the modulated optical signal with a reference signal and provides a twice modulated optical signal. The modulators may be Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZM) and/or Indium Phosphide (InP) modulators. An optical detector receives the twice modulated optical signal and provides a detected signal, and a processing unit receives the detected signal and extracts or measures cross-correlation between the received RF signal and the reference signal. |
| US08116636B2 |
Transceiver and method for high-speed auto-compensating quantum cryptography
Provided are an auto-compensating quantum cryptography transceiver and method of transmitting a quantum cryptography key at a high speed. A quantum cryptography transmitter includes a wavelength converter, an optical attenuator, an optical phase modulator, and a Faraday mirror. A quantum cryptography receiver includes a polarization beam splitter, an optical coupler, an optical filter, and a photon detector. Thus, a limit of a transmission rate caused by Rayleigh scattering of an optical fiber can be overcome. |
| US08116633B2 |
Optical-electrical transceiver module
An optical-electrical transceiver module is to connect an optical-electrical composite cable incorporating an optical fiber and an electric wire to a receptacle of external electrical equipment. The module comprises a base; an optical path conversion element provided on the base; a flexible printed circuit sheet provided on the optical path conversion element and having electrical wiring; a support plate provided on the base to support the flexible printed circuit sheet; an optical element provided on the flexible printed circuit sheet; and an electric connector. The flexible printed circuit sheet is extended over the support plate and the base. The base, support plate, and flexible printed circuit sheet are connected to the electric connector by insertion into the electric connector. |
| US08116632B2 |
Space-time division multiple-access laser communications system
A space-time division multiple-access (STDMA) laser communications (lasercom) system and related techniques. The STDMA system includes a plurality of remote nodes and an STDMA access node which uses precise electronic beam steering and beacons to provide access to each of a plurality of remote access nodes by means of both space and time-division multiple access. |
| US08116626B2 |
Optical transmission apparatus and optical attenuation amount control method
In an optical transmission apparatus, levels of signal lights obtained by demultiplexing a WDM signal and corresponding to channels are detected, based on which a channel in which a signal is transmitted and a channel in which no signal is transmitted are determined. An attenuation amount of a channel in which no signal is transmitted in a predetermined range from the channel in which the signal is transmitted is set to a value equal to an attenuation amount of the channel in which the signal is transmitted. An attenuation amount of a channel in which no signal is transmitted out of the predetermined range from the channel in which the signal is transmitted is set to a value larger than the attenuation amount of the channel in which the signal is transmitted. The signal lights are attenuated based on the values and multiplexed. |
| US08116618B2 |
Heating apparatus, substrate processing apparatus, and method of manufacturing semiconductor devices
A heating apparatus comprises a wall for surrounding and defining a heating space, a heating element mounted on the inner side of the wall, reflecting members for reflecting the heat emitted from the heating element. Also, a moving unit joined to one end of each of the reflecting members for moving the reflecting members. Moreover, pivotal members joined to the reflecting members beside more their respective other side than one side of the reflecting members for controlling as pivots the movement of the reflecting member driven by the moving unit. |
| US08116617B2 |
Disk unit-integrated television and disk unit-integrated display
A disk unit-integrated display capable of being downsized while inhibiting the number of components from increase is obtained. This disk unit-integrated display includes a disk unit, a cover member arranged on an upper surface of the disk unit and including a mounting portion, a first circuit board mounted on the mounting portion of the cover member, a second circuit board arranged below the disk unit, and a relay board so mounted as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the second circuit board and supported by the first circuit board, wherein the first circuit board includes a first terminal portion, and the relay board includes a first terminal receiving hole receiving the first terminal portion. |
| US08116616B2 |
Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement. |
| US08116615B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program storage medium, and program
An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program storage medium, and a program for permitting the selection of a recording method maximizes the number of consecutive angle change units with priority given to an AV stream rate. A target AV stream rate is acquired, a jump distance is selected, and a jump time corresponding to the selected distance is acquired. A minimum angle change time is calculated from the jump time and a data read rate. The size of a minimum angle change unit is determined from the minimum angle change time and the AV stream rate. The number of minimum angle change units within the jump distance is calculated. The number of recordable angles is checked. The method is selected whereby the largest number of data items can be recorded consecutively on condition that the necessary number of angles is provided. This invention can be applied to recording/reproducing apparatuses. |
| US08116600B2 |
Optical phase modulation element and optical modulator using the same
Provided is a small-size optical phase modulation element and an optical modulator using it. The optical phase modulation element includes a Plasmon waveguide having a clad made of a metal material having a complex dielectric constant having a negative real part in the used wavelength and a core formed by a dielectric metal material having a complex dielectric constant having a positive real part in the used wavelength. The Plasmon waveguide is connected to an optical waveguide including a clad and a core both having a complex dielectric constant having a positive real part. The core of the Plasmon waveguide and the core of the optical waveguide are formed, at least partially, of the same semiconductor material. The Plasmon waveguide has a function to phase-modulate the incident light when voltage is applied. |
| US08116594B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes: a detecting unit configured to detect a motion vector from an input image signal acting as the image signal for each of chronologically input pixels; a determining unit configured to determine whether the input image signal in terms of a level meets a predetermined condition; and an interpolating unit configured such that if the input image signal is not found to meet the predetermined condition, then the interpolating unit interpolates and outputs an input image signal intermediate signal interposed at a predetermined point in time between the input image signal and a preceding input image signal that precedes the input image signal, in accordance with the motion vector, and if the input image signal is found to meet the predetermined condition, then the interpolating unit allows the input image signal to be output unchanged as the input image signal intermediate signal. |
| US08116593B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for determining a zoom area for a displayed zoom image
An image processing apparatus includes display means for displaying a zoom image resulting from enlargement of a certain area in an original image to a zoom area; important object determining means for determining whether the absolute value of the difference in pixel value between a pixel on a boundary line, which is the outermost circumference of the zoom area, and the pixel that adjoins the pixel on the boundary line in the direction perpendicular to the boundary line and outward from the zoom area is lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold value to determine whether any important object is across the boundary line; and resetting means for resetting a zoom parameter used for determining the zoom area if the important object determining means determines that any important object is across the boundary line. |
| US08116592B2 |
Method and user interface to generate and present medical examination results
A method for generation and presentation of medical examination results of at least one imaging device includes the steps of definition and input of measurement parameters via an input device, generation of spatially resolved image information with the at least one imaging device,) and storage of the image information as a respective image file on a storage medium, and selection of presentation parameters to show at least one of the image files depending on the selected presentation parameters. Selection and presentation of medical data acquired with imaging methods are optimized by the presentation parameters being automatically combined into multiple hierarchically organized groups. Each group of unselected presentation parameters is presented as a series of nested rectangles, wherein each presentation parameter corresponds to a rectangle, and each group of selected presentation parameters is presented as a step pyramid, wherein each presentation parameter corresponds to one pyramid level. |
| US08116589B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a partial image memory unit for reading partial image data from an image pickup device and sequentially storing the partial image data, and an image composition unit for generating the composite image data by synthesizing the partial image data from the partial image memory unit. Only when a composition incomplete signal does not exist, the partial image memory unit stores the partial image data and generates a storage completion signal upon completing storage of the partial image data. The image composition unit generates the composition incomplete signal when the composite image data is generated, on condition that the storage completion signal is present. The image composition unit reads at least one of the partial image data from the partial image memory unit and starts the generation of the composite image data using the partial image data when the composite image data is not generated. |
| US08116587B2 |
Method and apparatus for high-speed and low-complexity piecewise geometric transformation of signals
A method and system for high-speed and low-complexity geometric transformation of signals are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises an input patch consisting of a window of pixels from an input image. The system may further comprise a transformation selector to generate control data to control a geometric transformation mapping based on the location of a current pixel being processed. In one embodiment, the system may also comprise a hardware geometric transform engine to perform a geometric transformation mapping by switching on one path through the geometric transform engine from an input window to an output pixel using the control data. In one embodiment, the system may further comprise an interpolator to generate interpolated geometric transformation mappings using the control data and multiple outputs from the geometric transform engine by switching on multiple paths from an input window. |
| US08116586B2 |
Estimating and removing distortion from an image
Some embodiments provide a method of editing images with distortion caused by a camera lens. The method identifies a set of geometries on a set of images taken by the camera lens. The method finds transformations for applying on the set of identified geometries to remove distortion on the geometries. The method applies the transformations to images taken by the camera lens to remove distortions. In some embodiments the identified geometries are curvilinear lines that correspond to straight lines in the scene being captured by the lens. Some embodiments provide a method of matching distortion for adding graphical objects to images. The method first removes the distortion on the images as described above. The method then adds the graphical objects to these images. Finally, the method applies inverse transformations on the images to restore them to their original form. |
| US08116585B2 |
Background noise detection on rendered documents
A method of detecting background noise in a rendered electronic image derived from an electronic image includes capturing a rendered image to generate captured image data. From the captured image data, a subset of the image data corresponding to a region of interest in the electronic image comprising only blank pixels is identified. For the subset of image data, any background noise in the rendered image not present in the electronic image is detected from the image data. |
| US08116584B2 |
Adaptively de-blocking circuit and associated method
The present invention discloses an adaptively de-blocking circuit and associated method. A mean is derived according to the neighboring pixels surrounding a central pixel of an image. A blending factor is determined according to a flatness of the image. An updated pixel value of the central pixel is determined by blending the original pixel value of the central pixel and the mean according to the blending factor. Finally, alternatively output the updated pixel value and the original pixel value of the central pixel in response to a block border signal. |
| US08116581B2 |
Efficient image representation by edges and low-resolution signal
An exemplary method for encoding an image includes receiving image data, detecting edges in the image data, selecting at least some of the detected edges, encoding the selected edges as selected edge information, down-sampling the image data, encoding the down-sampled image as down-sampled image information and multiplexing the selected edges information and the down-sampled image information. In such a method, the selected edges information and the down-sampled image information can be stored as an encoded image file. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems are also disclosed. |
| US08116577B2 |
Encoding method, encoding device, encoding process program, and recording medium on which encoding process program is recorded
The present invention is applicable to video cameras, for example. The present invention encodes input image data D1 on the basis of a true predicted code quantity TRUE PRED(n) calculated by correcting a roughly calculated predicted code quantity ROUGH PRED(n), predicted from the input image data D1, with a correction coefficient ADJUST(n) and sets the correction coefficient ADJUST(n) of a corresponding picture type on the basis of an actual generated code quantity BIT(n). |
| US08116572B2 |
Method for detecting image edge and image interpolation using the same
A method for detecting an image edge is provided. Pixel data of neighbor lines of an image are read to generate a first and a second inclined edge areas between two neighbor lines. The incline edge areas are determined by detecting whether a difference of two corresponding pixel data exceeds a preset edge threshold. Then, whether there is an overlapped or nearby portion between the inclined edge areas is determined, so as to find an incline edge. |
| US08116570B2 |
User interface for providing digital ink input and correcting recognition errors
In embodiments consistent with the subject matter of this disclosure, a user may input one or more strokes as digital ink to a processing device. The processing device may produce and present a recognition result, which may include a misrecognized portion. A user may indicate a desire to correct the misrecognized portion and may further select one or more strokes of the misrecognized portion. The processing device may then present the one or more recognition alternates corresponding to the selected one or more strokes of the misrecognized portion. In some embodiments, the processing device may permit a user to rewrite the selected one or more strokes of the misrecognized portion with newly entered digital ink. Features, such as, rewriting and correction of the input digital ink may be discoverable in some embodiments. |
| US08116568B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image reading apparatus, image data output processing apparatus, and image processing method
A ruled-line extraction section can be performed with high precision by providing a main-scanning ruled-line extraction section for determining whether a target pixel of binary image data of a document image is a black pixel or a white pixel, for counting the number of black pixels connected one after another upstream in a main scanning direction with respect to the target pixel of the binary image data and for, when the target pixel of the binary image data is a black pixel and when a value counted for the target pixel is not less than a main-scanning run determination threshold value that has been set in advance, generating ruled-line image data by correcting, to pixel values corresponding to black pixels, pixel values of a predetermined number of pixels connected to the target pixel upstream in the main scanning direction. |
| US08116566B2 |
Unknown pattern set recognition
A pattern recognition system compares a set of unlabeled images (or other patterns) having a variation of state in a set-by-set comparison with individual data sets of multiple labeled images (or other patterns) also having a variation of state. The individual data sets are each mapped to a point on a parameter space (e.g., a Grassmannian manifold, a Stiefel manifold, a flag manifold, etc.), and the set of unlabeled images is mapped to a point in the same parameter space. If the point associated with the set of unlabeled images satisfies a distance criterion on the parameter space with regard to one of the points on the parameter space, the data set of unlabeled images is assigned to the class attributed to that point. |
| US08116562B2 |
Image processing including, but not limited to, logarithimic coding in color coordinate systems including systems with a coordinate defined by a square root of a quadratic polynomial in tristimulus values and, possibly, by a sign of a function of one or more of tristimulus values
Color is edited using a color representation including digital values B (brightness), e and f such that B=√{square root over (D2+E2+F2)}, e=E/B, f=F/B, where DEF is a linear color coordinate system. Alternatively, color is represented using digital values B, C (chroma) and H (hue), where cos C=D/B and tan H=E/F. Brightness can be changed without a color shift by changing the B coordinate and leaving unchanged the other coordinates e and f or C and H. Other features are also provided. Brightness coding methods are provided to reduced the size of image data for storage and/or network transmission. The coding methods include logarithmic coding. Some embodiments use logarithmic or linear coding depending on the brightness at a particular pixel. |
| US08116560B2 |
Color processing method and apparatus
A method for generating a color processing parameter used in color processing performed on an image captured by an imaging unit includes inputting data of an image captured by the imaging unit, inputting target data corresponding to the data, generating a pair of data and target data based on the data and the target data, and generating a color processing parameter for converting the data to the target data. |
| US08116556B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing defect data and a review system
In a process for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer, defect distribution state analysis is performed so as to facilitate identification of the defect cause including a device cause and a process cause by classifying the defect distribution state according to the defect position coordinates detected by the inspection device, into one of the distribution characteristic categories: repeated defects, clustered defects, arc-shaped regional defects, radial regional defects, line type regional defects, ring and blob type regional defects, and random defects. |
| US08116554B2 |
Two colour vision system
A vision system for viewing the end face of product mounted in a machine which in use produces measurements relating to the area of the end face and of at least one constituent part of the product which is visible in the end face. The end face is illuminated by light of two different wavelengths. One wavelength illuminates an area which contains both the end face and surrounding parts of the machine, while light of the other wavelength from a laser source produces a pattern of parallel spaced apart lines of light of the other wavelength. The parallel lines cross the end face at a specific given angle. Gating excludes video signal of parallel lines in the image which are not at the specific angle to leave a residual video signal corresponding to the end face. A full color video signal of the field of view is gated by the mask. |
| US08116551B2 |
Method and system for image analysis
The present invention relates generally to a method for determining the level of expression of one or more candidate objects of interest in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for determining the level of expression of one or more candidate objects of interest using image analysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a system for determining the level of expression of one or more candidate objects of interest using an automated (computer-aided) image analysis system. |
| US08116550B2 |
Method and system for locating and focusing on fiducial marks on specimen slides
Methods are disclosed for locating and focusing on a fiducial mark on a specimen slide. A plurality of pixels are identified as candidate pixels. A pixel is identified as a candidate pixel based on a number of empty pixels in an area defined by boundary lines extending from the pixel, and one or more dimensions, such as the perimeter, of the defined area. The candidate pixel enclosing the largest area is selected from the group or set of candidate pixels, and the coordinates of that pixel are considered to be the coordinates of the corner of the fiducial mark. The methods can be performed using different gray values that define dark or fiducial pixels and light or empty pixels. Differences between the results at different gray values can be used as focus scores for automatic focusing on the fiducial mark. |
| US08116547B2 |
Signal to noise ratio in digital pathology image analysis
A digital slide analysis system comprises an algorithm server that maintains or has access to a plurality of image processing and analysis routines. The algorithm server additionally has access to a plurality of digital slide images. The algorithm server executes a selected routine on an identified digital slide and provides the resulting data. Prior to the application of selected routine, the system employs a digital pre-processing module to create a metadata mask that reduces undesirable image data such that the image data processed by the selected routine has an improved signal to noise ratio. The pre-processing module uses a classifier that may be implemented as a pattern recognition module, for example. Undesirable image data is therefore excluded from the image data that is processed by the digital pathology image processing and analysis routine, which significantly improves the digital pathology image analysis. |
| US08116544B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program for detecting three dimensional abdominal cavity regions
An apparatus is provided with: a bone region extracting section for extracting bone regions representing bones of a subject within a plurality of axial tomographic images obtained from a three dimensional image representing a portion of the subject from the vicinity of the upper end of the liver to the vicinity of the pubic symphysis; a bone boundary point detecting section for detecting a plurality of bone boundary points representing the boundaries between the detected bone regions and regions positioned toward the interiors of the bone regions within the plurality of axial tomographic images; and an abdominal cavity region extracting section for estimating curved surfaces within the three dimensional image that substantially contact the interiors of the plurality of bone boundary points detected in each of the plurality of axial tomographic images, and for extracting a region surrounded by the curved surfaces as a three dimensional abdominal cavity region. |
| US08116543B2 |
System for and method of intelligently directed segmentation analysis for automated microscope systems
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to intelligently directed segmentation analysis for automated microscope systems. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes obtaining an image of at least a portion of a scan region including a biological specimen, partitioning the obtained image into zelles, determining one or more parameters of the zelles, performing a cluster analysis on the one or more parameters of the zelles, differentiating tissue of greater interest from tissue of lesser interest in the obtained image based on the cluster analysis and based on a test being performed for the biological specimen, and storing more information for the tissue of greater interest than information for the tissue of lesser interest. The cluster analysis can be a multivariate statistical cluster analysis, and the zelles can be test-dependent zelles (e.g., having dimensions defined according to the test being performed for the biological specimen). |
| US08116542B2 |
Determining hazard of an aneurysm by change determination
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations changes in an aneurysm in a patient over time are identified by determining temporal differences between segmented aneurysms in a plurality of longitudinal exams and visually presenting the temporal differences. |
| US08116541B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-coil magnetic resonance imaging
A method for determining weights (or coefficients) for synthesizing k-space data for autocalibrated parallel imaging (API) combines training data sets (including k-space data such as autocalibrating signals (ACS)) acquired at multiple successive time points. Combining training data sets from multiple successive time points together to determine a set of weights increases the accuracy of the calculated weights. The weights may be applied to k-space data from a single or multiple time points. The method retains the phase information of the individual time point images and may thus be applied, for example, to phase-sensitive multi-point imaging such as chemical species separation studies. |
| US08116540B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits
An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal. |
| US08116531B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program product
An image processing apparatus includes an edge intensity calculator which calculates an edge intensity of a pixel in an image; and a correlation value calculator which calculates a correlation value between the calculated edge intensity and a bubble model set in advance based on characteristics of a bubble image. The apparatus also includes a bubble area detector which detects a bubble area based on the calculated correlation value. |
| US08116524B2 |
Method of object detection
A method is set forth for the detection of an object, in particular in a road, in particular of a pedestrian, in the surroundings in the range of view of an optical sensor attached to a carrier such as in particular a vehicle, wherein, from the range of view of the optical sensor, a relevant spatial region disposed below the horizon is determined, a gray scale image is produced by means of the optical sensor which includes a relevant image region corresponding to the relevant spatial region, and a search for a possible object is only made in this relevant image region corresponding to the relevant spatial region disposed below the horizon for the detection of the object. |
| US08116522B1 |
Ship detection system and method from overhead images
Methods for automatic detection of ships in overhead images of bodies of water are disclosed. The image is initially analyzed to determine if land is present, and the portions of the overhead image where land is present are masked and not processed further. The methods include the steps of chipping the unmasked portions of the overhead image into a series of tiles, discriminating and removing clouds from the tiles using two-dimensional Fourier transforms, and characterizing tile background noise from the water's surface. Different ship detection algorithms are used, according to the level of background noise detected. Detected ships are output into a format that is easily interpreted by the user. The formatted output can also include a confidence rating, or a calculation of the certainty that the detected object in an output file is actually a ship. |
| US08116521B2 |
Moving body image extraction apparatus and computer readable storage medium storing program
A moving body image extraction apparatus calculates difference intensity relating to a background portion with respect to a plurality of frame of continuous shoot, calculates a value by dividing difference intensity of an arbitrary frame of the plurality of frames by summed difference intensity for the plurality of frames, outputs an extracted image of a moving body in the arbitrary frame based on the calculated value. |
| US08116520B2 |
System and method for overlaying computer generated highlights in a display of millimeter wave imagery
A system and method for overlaying computer-generated highlights in a display of millimeter wave imagery is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, visible spectrum and algorithmically created images are displayed adjacent to corresponding millimeter wave imagery on a graphical user interface (GUI). The millimeter wave imagery is used to detect a threat such as a concealed object. A computer generated highlight coinciding with a location of the detected concealed object is used to automatically overlay at least one or more of the visible spectrum images, algorithmically created images, and millimeter wave imagery. The computer generated highlight is encoded with information valuable for aiding the user when viewing and assessing the image date. |
| US08116518B2 |
Enhanced input using flashing electromagnetic radiation
Enhanced input using flashing electromagnetic radiation, in which first and second images, captured on a first side of a screen, of an object and an ambient electromagnetic radiation emitter disposed on a second side of the screen, are accessed. The first image being captured while the object is illuminated with projected electromagnetic radiation, and the second image being captured while the projected electromagnetic radiation is extinguished. A position of the object relative to the screen based on comparing the first and second images is determined. An application is controlled based on the determined position. |
| US08116515B2 |
Image processing system, computer readable media and method of outputting image data
A system includes a reading device configured to read an image on an original document, a first writing device configured to write image data read by the reading device into an image storage portion, a communication device configured to communicate with a separately-portable storage medium and a second writing device configured to transmit authentication information to the separately-portable storage medium, which is used to control output of the image data from the image storage portion. |
| US08116512B2 |
Planar speaker driver
A planar magnetic driver includes covering plates that are maintained under tension to form a buckled or curved surface, thereby providing for a larger magnetic gap, and allowing for a larger excursion of the diaphragm and extended lower frequency response. Another aspect of the driver includes a corrugated region along the periphery of the diaphragm, which provides increased internal dampening. |
| US08116505B2 |
Speaker apparatus and display apparatus with speaker
A speaker apparatus arranged in a predetermined casing includes a speaker unit disposed at a predetermined position in the casing, a speaker grill section whereto sound output holes are provided, and the speaker grill section being disposed on the front of a sound output surface locating at the position of the speaker unit in the casing, while a predetermined distance is kept from the speaker unit, a first front air chamber which is disposed between the speaker unit and the speaker grill section in the casing, and separated from other sections in the casing, and a second front air chamber extending from the first front air chamber on the front of the speaker unit. |
| US08116503B2 |
Bend switch for wired headset
This is directed to a bend switch constructed from two substantially co-linear elongated bodies having opposing contact surfaces. In an open switch position, the contact surfaces remain apart, preventing electrical coupling. To close the switch, a user can bend the elongated bodies relative to each other to cause the contact surfaces to meet, thus creating an electrical coupling. Each elongated body can have several independent conductive portions. The bend switch can include a movable space member placed between the elongated bodies to maintain the contact surfaces a predetermined distance apart in the open switch position. The movable space member can include preferred or non-preferred bending orientations, equilibrium positions, and/or a potentiometer for closing the switch. The bend switch can control one or more functions (e.g., microphone, volume, or playback controls) of an electronic device (e.g., portable media device or cellular telephone) coupled to the bend switch. |
| US08116502B2 |
In-ear monitor with concentric sound bore configuration
A multi-driver, in-ear monitor is provided that is coupleable to an external audio source, for example via a source input cable or a wireless receiver. A circuit, for example comprising a passive or active crossover circuit, receives the electrical signal from the external audio source and provides separate input signals to the drivers contained within the in-ear monitor. A plurality of sound delivery tubes acoustically couple the audio output from each of the drivers to the acoustic output surface of the in-ear monitor. The in-ear monitor may be configured as a custom fit IEM or configured to accept a removable eartip. The plurality of sound delivery tubes may be comprised of a pair of concentric tubes; a pair of concentric tubes and a discrete tube; or three concentric tubes. |
| US08116493B2 |
Method of preparing a hearing aid, and a hearing aid
The present invention relates generally to hearing aids and to methods of manufacturing hearing aids. The invention further relates to shells for hearing aids and methods of manufacturing thereof. The invention, more particularly, relates to custom-made BTE hearing aids. A shell comprising a first part, and a second part, wherein said first part is adapted to fit the contour of the cleft between a pinna and the skull of an individual is provided. The shell may be part of a hearing aid (17) that is connected with a tube (9) in a first end and an earplug (20) in a second end. In a third aspect of the invention a method of preparing the shell is disclosed and in a fourth aspect a method of manufacturing a hearing aid is also disclosed. |
| US08116489B2 |
Accoustically transparent occlusion reduction system and method
A system and method that reduces the perceptual effect resulting from ear occlusion include an electro-acoustic feedback network that produces phase canceling sounds in the ear, where a receiver and a microphone are located. A control mechanism controls the response of the feedback network to minimize distortion in the ear while maintaining a desired frequency response for external signals. Devices producing the external signal include hearing aids, personal sound devices, in ear monitors, communications headsets and hearing protectors. The integration of the above with these devices improves a user's perception of their own voice. |
| US08116488B2 |
Sound reproducing apparatus and vehicle using the sound reproducing apparatus
The sound reproducing apparatus for use with a signal source comprises, a first output unit connected to the signal source via a first power amplifier, a first phase shifter connected to the signal source, a second output unit connected to the first phase shifter via a second power amplifier, a second phase shifter connected to the signal source, a third output unit connected to the second phase shifter via a third power amplifier, a fourth phase shifter connected to a third phase shifter, and a fourth output unit connected to the fourth phase shifter via a fourth power amplifier, wherein the first output unit and the second output unit are in right and left relation with each other, the third output unit and the fourth output unit are in right and left relation with each other, a group of the first output unit and the second output unit and a group of the third output unit and the fourth output unit are in front and rear relation with each other. The vehicle is equipped with the sound reproducing apparatus. In this way, it is possible to obtain a sound reproducing apparatus improved in sound quality and a vehicle using the sound reproducing apparatus. |
| US08116483B2 |
Speaker device with the phase changing device for varying the phase of the audio signal
A speaker device comprises a first speaker (SP1) for reproducing an audio signal and a second speaker (SP2) adapted for reproducing an audio signal and spaced from the first speaker horizontally by a predetermined distance. At least one of the first and second speakers phase has varying means (APF1, APF2, . . . ) for varying the phase of the audio signal by a predetermined quantity of phase according to (i) the frequency of the audio signal and (ii) the predetermined distance. |
| US08116480B2 |
Filter coefficient calculation device, filter coefficient calculation method, control program, computer-readable storage medium, and audio signal processing apparatus
In a filter coefficient calculation device according to the present invention, a gain correction characteristic calculation section calculates impulse responses corresponding to a linear-phase filter having an inverse characteristic of a gain characteristic of a reproduction system, and calculates, as a gain correction characteristic, a frequency characteristic of continuous-time impulse responses that include a peak value, the continuous-time impulse responses being impulse responses, clipped from the calculated impulse responses, whose number is identical to the preset number of filter taps. Moreover, a phase correction characteristic calculation section calculates a phase correction characteristic by normalizing, from an inverse characteristic of a frequency characteristic of the reproduction system, a gain characteristic of the inverse characteristic, and a filter coefficient calculation section calculates, as filter coefficients of the reproduction characteristic correction filter, filter coefficients of a filter having a synthetic correction characteristic obtained by combining the gain correction characteristic with the phase correction characteristic. This makes it possible to correct acoustic characteristics with high accuracy even in cases where the number of taps is limited. |
| US08116476B2 |
Audio signal receiving apparatus, audio signal receiving method and audio signal transmission system
An audio signal receiving apparatus includes a sound source information receiving portion to receive sound source information containing sound source type information indicating a sound source type of the audio signal being transmitted through channels and externally connected equipment playback sound source information indicating a sound source type of the audio signal being played back by the externally connected equipment from externally connected equipment, an audio signal receiving portion to receive the audio signal from the externally connected equipment, and a playbackable sound source setting portion to determine and set a sound source type of the audio signal that can played back to a playbackable sound source based on the sound source information. The playbackable sound source setting portion sets a sound source type of the audio signal being played back by the externally connected equipment to the playbackable sound source as an externally connected equipment playback sound source. |
| US08116474B2 |
System for suppressing ambient noise in a hands-free device
In order to suppress as much noise as possible in a hands-free device in a motor vehicle, for example, two microphones (M1, M2) are spaced a certain distance apart, the output signals (MS1, MS2) of which are added in an adder (AD) and subtracted in a subtracter (SU). The sum signal (S) of the adder (AD) undergoes a Fourier transform in a first Fourier transformer (F1), and the difference signal (D) of the subtracter (SU) undergoes a Fourier transform in a second Fourier transformer (F2). From the two Fourier transforms R(f) and D(f), a speech pause detector (P) detects speech pauses, during which a third arithmetic unit (R) calculates the transfer function HT of an adaptive transformation filter (TF). The transfer function of a spectral subtraction filter (SF), at the input of which the Fourier transform R(f) of the sum signal (S) is applied, is generated from the spectral power density Srr of the sum signal (S) and from the interference power density Snn generated by the adaptive transformation filter (TF). The output of the spectral subtraction filter (SF) is connected to the input of an inverse Fourier transformer (IF), at the output of which an audio signal (A) can be picked up in the time domain which is essentially free of ambient noise. |
| US08116473B2 |
Output phase modulation entrainment containment for digital filters
Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents. |
| US08116469B2 |
Headphone surround using artificial reverberation
A surround experience for headphones can be created using various techniques and tools. The described techniques and tools can be applied separately or in combination. For example, a surround experience can be created by splitting input audio channel signals into high-pass and low-pass signals. The low-pass signals can undergo cross-mixing and artificial reverberation. The artificial reverberation can apply different delay profiles to the low-pass audio signals. The high-pass and low-pass audio signals can be combined to generate output audio channel signals. A surround experience can be crated using a system comprising an input module, a crossover module, a channel cross-mixing module, a reverberation module, and an adder module. |
| US08116465B2 |
Measuring apparatus and method, and recording medium
A sound measuring apparatus includes an impulse response obtaining section obtaining an impulse response, a positive transform section performing a positive transform on the impulse response obtained by the impulse response obtaining section, a filter low-pass filtering the response waveform on which the positive transform was performed by the positive transform section, a frequency characteristic obtaining section obtaining a frequency characteristic of the impulse response obtained by the impulse response obtaining section, a filter characteristic setting section setting a filter characteristic of the low-pass filter so as to be variable depending upon the frequency characteristic obtained by the frequency characteristic obtaining section, and a measurement result obtaining section obtaining a measurement result about a predetermined measurement item, based on the waveform obtained by the low-pass filter. |
| US08116461B2 |
Sound volume automatic adjustment method and system
A control method to automatically adjust the volume of a sound transmitter based on the measurement and the computation of the acoustic statistics of the room where the sound is emitted. The system comprises at least one sensor, a calculator determining statistics of the signal collected by the at least one sensor and a controller using these statistics provided by the calculator to adjust the volume of the transmitter in the room. |
| US08116458B2 |
Acoustic image localization apparatus, acoustic image localization system, and acoustic image localization method, program and integrated circuit
An acoustic image localization apparatus according to the present invention that outputs sound from a plurality of speakers so as to localize an acoustic image at a predetermined position on a space as viewed from a listener, the acoustic image localization apparatus comprising: amplitude characteristic adjusting means for adjusting an amplitude frequency characteristic of an inputted acoustic signal such that the acoustic image is localized at a position rotated by a first angle about a position of a listener toward an upper direction from a facing position of the listener; and a plurality of level adjusting means, provided so as to respectively correspond to the plurality of speakers, for adjusting a level of the acoustic signal outputted from the amplitude characteristic adjusting means and for outputting, to a corresponding speaker, the acoustic signal whose level has been adjusted, wherein each of the level adjusting means adjusts the level of the acoustic signal, which is outputted from the amplitude characteristic adjusting means, to a level of the corresponding speaker such that the acoustic image is localized at the predetermined position rotated by a second angle about the position of the listener toward one of directions orthogonal to the rotated directions from the position rotated by the first angle. |
| US08116452B2 |
Content playback device
To provide a content playback device capable of protecting content according to DRM, when decrypting encrypted content recorded on a recording medium and playing the decrypted content. If key generation information is “00”, a key control unit 104 concatenates a decrypted media key and content information in this order, and applies a one-way function to the concatenation result to generate a content key. If the key generation information is “10”, the key control unit 104 sets a rights key as the content key. If the key generation information is “01”, the key control unit 104 concatenates the decrypted media key and the rights key in this order, and applies a one-way function to the concatenation result to generate the content key. |
| US08116451B2 |
Key validation scheme
A system and method for validating digital information transmitted by one correspondent to another in a data communication system. The method comprising the steps of generating a public key in accordance with a predetermined, generating a public key in accordance with a predetermined cryptographic scheme having predetermined arithmetic properties and system parameters. The verifying said public key conforms to said arithmetic properties of said scheme, transmitting said verified public key to a recipient. |
| US08116449B2 |
Cost-effective, multichannel digital logger
A digital logger system includes a multichannel interface circuit that: 1. concurrently and continuously-receives audio telecommunication signals for at least two telephone calls from a digital hybrid telephone line; and 2. continuously transmits linearly encoded digital audio data representing the received audio signals. A Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) hub of the system receives the transmitted digital data for retransmission to a USB root hub. A USB root hub of personal computer (“PC”) receives transmitted digital data, and executes PC software which continuously monitors the digital data for embedded line status and signaling information including a telephone line “going off hook.” When a telephone line goes “off hook,” the software records both: 1. an audio header that stores information about a telephone call; and 2. an audio file that stores compressed digital data for the telephone call. Jul. 2, 2009. |
| US08116440B2 |
Transmitting apparatus and transmitting method
When a transmission of image data to a destination has not been completed, retransmission processing in which the image data is repeatedly transmitted to the destination is performed and the number of times the transmission has been performed is counted. When the number is higher than a predetermined value, the sender is informed about the occurrence of transmission error and whether the modification of destination information has been requested is determined. When the modification has been requested, the destination information is modified; when the modification has not been requested, the destination information is deleted and then the deletion of the destination information is informed. When stored destination information including destinations of data is wrong, the use of the destination information is inhibited, which prevents users as recipients from feeling displeasure. |
| US08116439B1 |
Call intrusion
A computational system is provided that includes: (a) a boundary analyzer 164, 168, and 216 operable to identify a next boundary in a predetermined activity; and (b) an interrupt handler 160 operable to (i) determine that a notification is to be provided to a user, (ii) determine that the user is currently engaged in the predetermined activity on a computational device, and (iii) provide the notification to the user in temporal proximity to the identified next boundary. |
| US08116438B2 |
System for providing telephonic voice response information related to items marked on physical documents
A system to telephonically access information related with items printed on a physical document. Items marked on the physical document or on any other physical surface is touched with a finger. The system includes a touch foil placed over (or under) the document, for reading the coordinates of selected marked items, a telephone set for receiving the coordinates of the items selected by the user and for dialing to an interactive voice response (IVR) service used for accessing and retrieving selected hyperlinked documents from the web through a documents proxy server, for converting retrieved documents to synthesized speech, and for providing to the user through the telephone network, the selected documents that have been converted into speech. |
| US08116434B2 |
Telecommunications patching system that facilitates detection and identification of patch cords
A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports. |
| US08116432B2 |
X-ray tube target brazed emission layer
A target for generating x-rays includes a target substrate comprising at least one layer of a target material, a track comprising at least one layer of a track material, the track configured to generate x-rays from high-energy electrons impinging thereon, and a braze joint attaching the target substrate to the track. |
| US08116429B2 |
Diagnostic delivery service
Systems, methods, and other modalities are described for (a) obtaining an indication relating to an emission module (which may be dangerous, e.g.) or its user (who may be untrained, e.g.) and for (b) configuring the module or causing an irradiation (for imaging, e.g.) in response to the indication. |
| US08116425B2 |
Shift register
A shift register includes a first flip-flop group composed of a plurality of cascaded first flip-flops, each first flip-flop having a first master latch and a first slave latch and having first and second transmission paths for transmitting a master clock and a slave clock, a second flip-flop group composed of a plurality of cascaded second flip-flops, each second flip-flop having a second master latch and a second slave latch which are each composed of a transistor with a relatively small transistor size and having a third transmission path connected to the first transmission path and a fourth transmission path connected to the second transmission path, and a transfer portion configured to transfer pieces of data held in the second flip-flops to one of the first master latches and the first slave latches of the first flip-flops. |
| US08116422B2 |
LWR flow channel with reduced susceptibility to deformation and control blade interference under exposure to neutron radiation and corrosion fields
A zirconium alloy suitable for forming reactor components that exhibit reduced irradiation growth and improved corrosion resistance during operation of a light water reactor (LWR), for example, a boiling water reactor (BWR). During operation of the reactor, the reactor components will be exposed to a strong, and frequently asymmetrical, radiation fields sufficient to induce or accelerate corrosion of the irradiated alloy surfaces within the reactor core. Reactor components fabricated from the disclosed zirconium alloy will also tend to exhibit an improved tolerance for cold-working during fabrication of the component, thereby simplifying the fabrication of such components by reducing or eliminating subsequent thermal processing, for example, anneals, without unduly degrading the performance of the finished component. |
| US08116420B2 |
Clock-forwarding technique for high-speed links
A repeater circuit, such as a clock regeneration and multiplication circuit, is described. In this repeater circuit, a clock multiplier unit (CMU) generates an internal clock signal based on a forwarded clock signal, which is received on a link. Furthermore, a phase interpolator (PI) in the repeater circuit provides the output clock signal based on the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal. Note that the CMU and the PI filter reduce the cycle-to-cycle jitter in the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal, and that the output clock signal has a phase that is a weighted average of the phases of the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal. In addition, the relative weights of the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal (i.e., the amount of phase averaging and jitter filtering) may be adjusted based on a position or location on the link. |
| US08116417B2 |
Deskewing method and apparatus, and data reception apparatus using the deskewing method and apparatus
An up/down detection unit samples a received data signal and determines in which of first through third areas of the data signal the logic level of the data signal transitions, wherein the data sampling clock signal, the first edge sampling clock signal, and the second edge sampling clock signal are sequentially activated. A lower limit detection unit detects a lower limit of the first area if the logic level of the data signal transitions in the first area. An upper limit detection unit detects an upper limit of the third area if the logic level of the data signal transitions in the third area. A phase detection unit determines a delay amount indicating the amount by which the data signal is to be delayed according to the upper limit and lower limit detected. A buffer unit delays the data signal by the delay amount determined by the phase detection unit. |
| US08116412B1 |
Modulation division multiple access
The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit information on different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Initially, first data to be transmitted is assigned to a first modulation layer and second data is assigned to a second modulation layer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second data are assigned based on reliability criteria. The first and second modulation layers are hierarchical modulation layers of the carrier RF signal. Once assigned, the first data is transmitted using the first modulation layer of the carrier RF signal and the second data is transmitted using the second modulation layer of the carrier RF signal. In one embodiment of the present invention, information may be transmitted to one end user using one modulation layer, and information may be transmitted to a different end user using a different modulation layer. |
| US08116411B2 |
Method to detect data transmitted from multiple antennas and system thereof
A method to detect data transmitted from multiple antennas, said method comprising steps of: selecting a starting data block and calling it as previous data block; defining a set of indices of bits to be checked for possible flip in the previous data block as a check candidate set; applying update rule to obtain updated data block using the previous data block and the check candidate set, wherein the update is made in such a manner that change in likelihood is positive; checking if the updated data block and several consecutive previous data blocks are the same; if yes, declare the updated data block as the detected data block; if no, make updated data block as previous data block and repeat updation of data block. |
| US08116410B1 |
Communication signal decoding and soft demapping methods and systems
Symbol detection and soft dempapping methods and systems are provided. Individual subset symbol detection according to an embodiment of the invention involves identifying a search subset of a transmission symbol set for a transmission symbol. For each other transmission symbol in communication signals, multiple search subsets of the transmission symbol set are identified. The multiple search subsets include respective search subsets based on each transmission symbol in either the search subset for the first identified one of the transmission symbols or each of the multiple search subsets identified for a different one of the other transmission symbols. Symbol detection errors may be detected by identifying competing symbols and computing competing distances. Soft demapping may be provided by calculating soft decision results based on detected symbols and weighting the soft decision result. |
| US08116406B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating soft bit metric and M-ary QAM receiving system using the same
Provided are an apparatus and method for generating a soft bit metric and a multi-level (M-ary) Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) receiving system using the same. The apparatus includes an analog to digital converter for converting an analog symbol signal of a demodulated I (Inphase) or Q (Quadrature) channel into a digital signal, a scaler for scaling the converted digital signal based on a reference value used for determining a space between symbols, a positive integer converter for calculating a positive integer of the scaled digital I or Q channel symbol signal, a sign determinator for determining a sign of the scaled digital I or Q channel symbol signal, and a bit information converter for converting the scaled digital I or Q channel symbol signal into soft bit metric information per bit on the basis of the calculated positive integer and the determined sign value. |
| US08116405B2 |
Method and apparatus for time synchronization using GPS information in communication system
A method and apparatus for time synchronization (TS) method using GPS information in a communication system synchronizing the time of slave nodes, which do not have a GPS receiver, by using GPS information of a node having a GPS receiver. The method includes the steps of extracting 1PPS, TOD, 1PPS_en, and clocks using GPS signals by a grand master node having a GPS receiver, stabilizing the signals, generating a sync message for TS, and transmitting the sync message to a slave node; receiving the sync message by the slave node and conducting a TS operation using OFCC synchronization technology extracting 1PPS, TOD, and 1PPS_en signals using the modified TOD information by the block and delivering to a stabilization block of the slave node for stabilization; and redelivering to the TS block to update TOD information and generate a sync message for TS of a second slave node. |
| US08116403B2 |
Wireless transmission device and wireless transmission method
A wireless transmission device of the present invention includes n (where n is an integer of two or more) transmission antennas and a delay imparting section for delaying transmission signals supplied to the n transmission antennas by a maximum delay time (n−1)T or less based on a delay time T dependent upon a communication signal, which indicates whether to transmit the transmission signals by way of frequency diversity or multiuser diversity. |
| US08116402B1 |
Method and system for cognitive radio
Systems and methods for cognitive radio are disclosed herein. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may provide systems, methods and apparatuses for a cognitive radio which is operable to tailor its operation based on one or more criteria, which may pertain to the operating environment of the radio. In one embodiment, a cognitive radio may be operable to determine criteria associated with potentially interfering signals in the operating environment and determine corresponding transmission properties corresponding to protocol, power level, frequency, coding or timing of transmissions, so that these potentially interfering signals may be avoided or otherwise accounted for by transmitting according to these transmission properties. |
| US08116399B2 |
Multiple-input multiple-output signal detectors based on relaxed lattice reduction
System and methodologies for reduced-complexity signal detection and decoding in a wireless communication system are provided herein. Systems and methodologies presented herein can utilize a relaxed form of the Lenstra-Lenstra-Lovasz (LLL) lattice reduction algorithm to reduce the complexity of lattice reduction operations in the context of MIMO detection. Additional systems and methodologies presented herein can apply lattice reduction in the context of a maximum likelihood (ML) detector for spherical or elliptical lattice space-time (LAST) codes. |
| US08116395B2 |
MB-OFDM receiver that weights a quality of each subcarrier
An exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is a receiver comprises a subcarrier unit combination section that performs weighting corresponding to quality of each subcarrier with respect to each subcarrier relating to a received symbol, a symbol unit combination section that performs common weighting based on quality of the symbol with respect to each subcarrier, and a combination system switching unit that switches between use of the symbol unit combination section and the subcarrier unit combination section. |
| US08116393B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating channel state information
An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) receiver includes a n average power calculation unit and an output unit. The average power calculation unit calculates and outputs a first average power of a null symbol section of each transmitted frame output from an OFDM transmitter and calculates and outputs second average powers of sub-carriers that correspond to each null symbol section. The output unit compares the first average power and the second average powers, to perform a reciprocal transformation on difference values of the first average power and each of the second average powers based on results of the comparisons, and to store and output reciprocally transformed values as channel state information. |
| US08116390B2 |
Apparatus and method for allocating resources and performing communication in a wireless communication system
Disclosed is a method for allocating resources in a base station of a wireless communication system that performs communication using frequency resources. The method includes dividing subcarriers into subcarrier sets each including a predetermined number of consecutive subcarriers, and generating a resource index table mapped to consecutive indexes such that a distance between subcarriers in the subcarrier sets is maximized; and determining an amount of resources to be transmitted through a downlink according to a channel condition, for data to be transmitted to each terminal, and allocating resources to the terminal using the index value in the resource index table. |
| US08116384B2 |
Filtering strength determination method, moving picture coding method and moving picture decoding method
A moving picture coding apparatus includes an inter-pixel filter having filters for filtering decoded image data so as to remove block distortion which is high frequency noise around block boundaries. The inter-pixel filter includes filters having different filtering strengths. The coding apparatus also includes a filter processing control unit for determining a filtering strength of the inter-pixel filter. |
| US08116383B2 |
Efficient adaptive mode selection technique for H.264/AVC-coded video delivery in burst-packet-loss networks
A method of an efficient adaptive mode selection for H.264/AVC-coded video delivery in burst-packet-loss networks to generate the image data of the missing macroblocks in the decoded current frame by using the information related to the spatial redundancy in the same frame and the temporal redundancy in the inter frames is disclosed. The method first employs the Intra High-Speed Spatial Error Concealment (SEC) method for the initial frame. For the succeeding inter frames, the Temporal Error Concealment (TEC) method is used when the Adjacent External Boundary Matching Error (AEBME) of the surrounding macroblocks is not more than the dynamic threshold (DTα). The Intra High-Speed SEC is used when AEBME is more than (DTα) and the surrounding macroblocks are all coded intra-method, otherwise the task proceeds by employing Normal SEC. |
| US08116380B2 |
Signaling for field ordering and field/frame display repetition
A decoder processes a first bitstream element (e.g., a pull-down flag) in a first syntax layer (e.g., sequence layer or entry point layer) above frame layer in a bitstream for a video sequence, the bitstream comprising encoded source video having a source type (e.g., progressive or interlace). The decoder processes frame data in a second syntax layer (e.g., frame layer) of the bitstream for a frame (such as an interlaced frame or progressive frame, depending on source type, or a skipped frame) in the video sequence. The first bitstream element indicates whether a repeat-picture element (e.g., a repeat-frame element or a repeat field-element) is present or absent in the frame data in the second syntax layer. |
| US08116378B2 |
Variable length decoding method
The present invention is to provide a variable length decoding method for decoding complete binary tree code, which is implemented to an entropy coding module for executing the process comprising the steps of: procuring a TabIndex to calculate a value T=└log2(TabIndex)┘; reading T bits from a bitstream to obtain a first result M; determining whether or not the result M is smaller than (TabIndex-(1< |
| US08116377B2 |
Low cost video compression using fast, modified Z-coding of wavelet pyramids
An entropy efficient video coder for wavelet pyramids approaches the entropy-limited coding rate of video wavelet pyramids, is fast in both hardware and software implementations, and has low complexity (no multiplies) for use in ASICs. It uses a modified Z-coder to code the zero/non-zero significance function and Huffman coding for the non-zero coefficients themselves. The encoding unit includes a significance function generator that receives coefficients and outputs a single significance bit. A zero coefficient eliminator receives coefficients in parallel with the significance function generator and outputs coefficients if non-zero. Output from the significance function generator is coded using the modified Z-coder. Output from the zero coefficient eliminator is coded using Huffman coding. Both outputs are combined to form the resulting compressed stream. The modified Z-coder is similar to a standard Z-coder but uses a different technique for the LPS (least probable symbol) case during encoding and decoding that results in a Z-coder that functions appropriately. |
| US08116375B2 |
Method for obtaining motion vector and image reference block in a code mode of fixed reference frame a number
A method for obtaining an image reference block in a code mode of fixed reference frame number includes the steps of: performing motion estimation for each block of a current B frame and obtaining a motion vector MV of a corresponding block of a backward reference frame; discriminating whether the motion vector is beyond a maximum forward reference frame which is possibly pointed by the B frame, if not, then calculating the forward and backward motion vectors in a normal way; if yes, then using the motion vector of the forward reference frame that the B frame can obtain in the same direction to replace the motion vector of the corresponding block in the backward reference, and calculating the forward and the backward motion vectors of the B frame; finally, two image blocks pointed by the final obtained forward and backward motion vectors as the image reference blocks corresponding to the macro block. The present invention solves the possibly appeared problem of un-matching motion vectors, and can guarantee the coding efficiency to the largest extent. |
| US08116373B2 |
Context-sensitive encoding and decoding of a video data stream
Disclosed are methods and devices for compressing and decompressing video data streams, according to which the statistical relationship between image symbols and the context assigned thereto is used for compression. Particularly disclosed is a context-sensitive encoding unit in which the image symbols filed in an image storage are assigned to different encoding branches via a context switch, where they are encoded and compressed by a Golomb encoder and a run length encoder. |
| US08116370B2 |
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding video data
According to aspects of embodiments of the invention, a method of encoding a sequence of frames of image data, each frame including a number of lines of pixels equal to a frame height, and each line having a number of pixels equal to a line length, comprises: encoding as an encoded symbol stream a sequence of pixels of a frame without including an end-of-line code after each line; identifying as a run having a run length, a sequence of pixels having values less than a threshold; and encoding the run using digit encoding. According to other aspects, the digit encoding may further comprise: identifying a set of most frequently used symbols; assigning a symbolic digit to each of the set of most frequently used symbols; assigning a start symbol; and encoding using digit encoding may include: inserting in the encoded symbol stream the start symbol; and inserting in the encoded symbol stream after the start symbol a sequence of symbolic digits identifying the run length of the run. The method may yet further comprise: assigning an end symbol; and inserting the end symbol in the encoded symbol stream after the sequence of symbolic digits. According to yet another variation, the method may further comprise: defining the assigned start symbol to include a field indicating how many of the symbolic digits are required to identify the run length of the run. |
| US08116369B2 |
Multi-display supporting multi-view video object-based encoding apparatus and method, and object-based transmission/reception system and method using the same
Provided are a multi-display supporting multi-view video object-based encoding apparatus and method, and an object-based transmission/reception system and method using the encoding apparatus and method. The encoding apparatus includes: a shape abstracting means for receiving right/left-eye image object video and abstracting right/ left object image, respectively, to abstract the shape information of a multi-view video; a data separating means for receiving the right/left-eye image object video, and the right/left shape information, and separating them into odd-field objects and even field objects to transmit only the essential bit streams for a user display mode; a shape compensation means for compensating for the distortion of the shape information separated into odd and even fields; and an object-based encoding means for receiving the object-based information from the shape compensation means and the object-based information from the data separating means, forming four layers, and performing motion and disparity estimation to encode object-based data that are separated into odd and even lines. |
| US08116368B2 |
PWM signal generator, PWM signal generating device, and digital amplifier
In a full digital amplifier for an audio amplifier or the like, it is possible to suppress the concentration of an electromagnetic noise emission spectrum at a specific frequency. A sampling period variation type digital filter is realized by varying the coefficient of a noise shaping filter for the delta-sigma modulator of the full digital amplifier depending on a sampling period. This allows the variation in the carrier frequency of the pulse width modulation. |
| US08116367B2 |
Multidimensional decision-directed trained adaptive equalization
An embodiment of the invention is a technique to equalize received samples. An equalizer to equalize a multidimensional signal transmitted over a communication channel and having a dimensionality of four or higher. The equalizer is adaptively decision directed trained. |
| US08116362B2 |
Traffic shaping between the DMT processor and data link layer processor of a line-card
A line card is proposed in which one or more DMT processing modules 1 communicate with a data link layer platform, such as an ATM, POSPHY or Ethernet processor. The data relating to a single symbol is transmitted between the data link layer platform and a given one of DMT processing modules in a plurality of data portions spaced apart in time. The data portions relating to different channels of a given DMT processing module (or to different DMT processing modules) are interleaved in time. Since the data portions of a given symbol are spaced apart in time, the data relating to a single symbol is transmitted over a longer time period than in conventional devices which reduces the effective burstiness of the traffic, and thus reduces the memory requirements of the data link layer platform. |
| US08116359B2 |
Single oscillator transceiver
A frequency plan is provided for particular use in a transceiver. Advantageously, a single oscillator may be used to generate desired frequency signals. One or more power splitters receive the signal and equally divide the signal into first and second signals having a frequency substantially equal to the original. Multipliers on each arm of the transceiver receive a signal and increase the frequency of the signal. In one exemplary embodiment, multiple signals having different frequencies may be transmitted over the same cable due in part to the generated frequency separation between the signals. In another exemplary embodiment, multiple signals may be transmitted over multiple cables. Additionally, multiple signals over one or more cables may be transmitted at or below 3 GHz. |
| US08116357B2 |
Methods and circuits for power management in a transceiver
A transceiver circuit having 10 mb and 100 mb transmit and receive circuitries using the power saving methods of the present invention is disclosed. The power consumption of the transceiver circuit can be significantly reduced by providing each defined subcircuit with its own power supply and means of activation and deactivation. However, the method for activating and deactivating digital subcircuits and analog subcircuits are different and therefore different types of control signals and methods are provided. Furthermore, there are two general types of power-saving situations. The first type is near total circuit power-down and the second type is partial circuit power-down. The present invention in yet another embodiment discloses a method for minimizing energy usage during idle period. |
| US08116354B2 |
Sync detection device and method for GNSS
A sync detection device and method for a GNSS receiver. In modernized GNSS, each satellite transmits a data signal and a pilot signal. Correlations are performed between a data symbol stream converted from the data signal with possible hypotheses to find a leading edge of a frame of the data signal (i.e. frame sync detection) and between a pilot symbol stream converted from the pilot signal with possible hypotheses to find a leading edge of a code sequence of the pilot signal (i.e. pilot sync detection). The possible hypotheses for the frame sync detection are selected according to a result of pilot sync detection when pilot sync is done. Frame sync can be efficiently achieved since a range of the selected possible hypotheses is quite limited. |
| US08116352B2 |
Method for direct chaotic communications with predetermined spectral mask
Methods and apparatuses for chaotic communication in a wireless personal area network, A chaotic information carrier is generated for a first predetermined frequency range using a ring-structure oscillator. The ring structure oscillator includes a non-linear element. Chaotic pulses are generated by modulating the chaotic information carrier for the first predetermined frequency range with a data signal. A shape of a spectral density envelope of the chaotic information carrier for the first predetermined frequency range is determined based on a set of parameters which include a first set of values. |
| US08116351B2 |
Downlink power control with limit to dynamic range using detection of downlink transmit power
An apparatus and method is provided for dynamic range power control of a wireless downlink communication signal, such that target signal quality adjustments are held temporarily when it is apparent that transmit power control commands will not produce the desired response at the transmitting station. Comparisons of measured received signals to thresholds are performed to determine whether the transmitting station has either reached the maximum or minimum transmit power, in which case the target signal quality adjustment is controlled accordingly. When normal transmit power is detected, the target signal quality adjustments are allowed to resume as usual. |
| US08116345B2 |
Surface emitting laser and image forming apparatus
A surface emitting laser includes first mirror, a second mirror, and an active layer formed between the first mirror and the second mirror. A third mirror is formed between the first mirror and the active layer. A first cavity is constituted by the first mirror and the second mirror, and a second cavity is constituted by the first mirror and the third mirror. |
| US08116343B2 |
Method of driving a laser diode
An ultrashort pulse/ultra-high power laser diode with a simple structure and configuration. The laser diode can be driven by a pulse current which is 10 or more times higher than a threshold current value. The width of the pulse current is preferably 10 nanoseconds or less, and the value of the pulse current is specifically 0.4 amperes or over. |
| US08116342B2 |
Variable attenuator device and method
A new and useful attenuating device and method for attenuating a polarized laser beam is provided. At least one attenuating optic is located along, and is rotatable about, a polarized laser beam axis, and is configured to transmit and to reflect portions of the polarized laser beam. The attenuating optic provides predetermined attenuation of the polarized laser beam by changing the ratio between transmission and reflection of the polarized laser beam as a function of the incidence of the polarized laser beam on one or more partially reflective surfaces of the attenuating optic. The attenuating optic is rotatable about the polarized laser beam axis to control the incidence of the polarized laser beam on the one or more partially reflective surfaces of the attenuating optic, thereby to control the ratio between transmission and reflection of the polarized laser beam and provide a range of attenuation of the polarized laser beam. |
| US08116340B2 |
Quadratic nonlinearity-based high-energy pulse compressor for generating few-cycle pulses
A pulse compressor for compressing many-cycle femtosecond-duration high-energy pulses to near-single-cycle durations uses a single quadratic nonlinear crystal. A pulsed laser beam is controlled and its passage is aligned through the quadratic nonlinear crystal such that the detrimental effects of group-velocity mismatch are avoided, while still allowing enough nonlinear phase accumulation for compression to near-single-cycle pulse durations. To do so, the perturbation to nonlinear Schrödinger-type soliton compression due to group-velocity mismatch is minimized which requires that the soliton order must not exceed an optimal value set by the amount of group-velocity mismatch. |
| US08116339B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing metazones across dissimilar networks
A system and method for creating and enforcing meta-zones that cross the interface between different network protocols are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of enforcing meta-zones comprises: (a) receiving an Infiniband (IB) packet destined for a Fiber Channel (FC) target device; (b) comparing a partition key in the IB packet to a partition key associated with the FC target device; and (c) converting the IB packet to a FC frame only if the partition keys match. The method may further comprise receiving FC frames destined for an IB target device and converting the FC frame into an IB packet having a partition key associated with the source of the FC frame. Also disclosed are a gateway configured to create and enforce meta-zones, and computer networks having such a gateway. |
| US08116337B2 |
Bandwidth requests transmitted according to priority in a centrally managed network
Systems and methods are disclosed for a managed access network device that generates and transmits a schedule map for requesting bandwidth to a plurality of network devices. The managed access network device then broadcasts a request time where the request time is broken down into a plurality of periods. When a network device generates a packet having a priority, the schedule map is then consulted to determine one of a plurality of periods in which to transmit the request for bandwidth, where each period corresponds with at least one priority. The network device then subsequently transmits the request for bandwidth during the determined period within the request time. |
| US08116332B2 |
Switch arbitration
A method of providing switch arbitration for the passing of packets between transmitters and receivers in a switch having a plurality of transmitters and receivers, comprises globally distributing information about buffer contents and packet requests between transmitters and receivers. |
| US08116330B2 |
Bridge apparatus and methods for coupling multiple non-fibre channel devices to a fibre channel arbitrated loop
Apparatus and methods for an enhanced bridge device for coupling multiple non-Fiber Channel storage devices to a Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) communication medium. Features and aspects hereof provide for FC-AL enhanced circuits for processing loop port bypass (LPB) and loop port enable (LPE) primitive sequences addressed to any target arbitrated loop physical address (T-ALPA) associated with a storage device coupled with the bridge regardless of the present bypassed/non-bypassed status of other T-ALPAs processed by the bridge device and associated with other storage devices coupled with the bridge device. |
| US08116327B2 |
Communications network and management arbitrator
A method, information processing system, and network that expands safety network coverage for first responder safety within a building environment. Activity of at least one independent network (106) is monitored. The independent network (106) includes at least a safety network. An emergency signal is received from the at least one independent network (106). Communication between at least the safety network (106) and a First responder network (110) is automatically bridged in response to receiving the emergency signal so as to manage data control and bandwidth allocation between the safety network and the first responder network. Other networks that may also be bridged with the first responder network so as to manage data control and bandwidth allocation among the various networks include IT networks and building automation networks in order to expand first responder network coverage. |
| US08116326B2 |
Revenue management system and method
A revenue management system and method for telecommunication network use is disclosed. The revenue management system can be integrated with the internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS). The revenue management system and method can have a hardware and/or software revenue generation module or architecture, revenue capture module or architecture, revenue collection module or architecture, revenue analysis module or architecture, or combinations thereof. |
| US08116323B1 |
Methods for providing peer negotiation in a distributed virtual environment and related systems and computer program products
Methods are provided that include recursively negotiating a boundary between a first virtual space controlled by a first peer and a second virtual space controlled by a second peer in a distributed virtual environment responsive to profile data of the first peer and the second peer. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed. |
| US08116316B1 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling in a packet buffering network
A system and method that can be deployed to schedule links in a switch fabric. The operation uses two functional elements: to perform updating of a priority link list; and then selecting a link using that list. |
| US08116314B2 |
Apparatus for processing packets and method of doing the same
An apparatus for processing a packet includes a packet processor operating in accordance with a clock signal having a predetermined frequency, to process a packet, and a clock-signal generator producing the clock signal and transmitting the clock signal to the packet processor, wherein the clock-signal generator generates a clock signal having a frequency defined in accordance with a time interval at which packets are input into the apparatus. |
| US08116313B2 |
Data communication system, backup server and communication control apparatus
In order to distribute multicast packets, using different multicast addresses and avoiding fault points, a backup server is installed close to a master and converts backup multicast packets and sends them as master multicast packets to the client. At this time, backup multicast packets are delayed and sent while the delay is determined from an allowable retransmission time, a one-direction delay to the client, a time required to detect linkage problems, and a time required to establish backup paths and so on. |
| US08116312B2 |
Method and apparatus for multicast packet reception
Roughly described, incoming data packets are delivered by the NIC directly to at least two user level endpoints. In an aspect, only filters that cannot be ambiguous are created in the NIC. In another aspect, the NIC maintains a filter table supporting direct delivery of incoming unicast and multicast data packets to one user level endpoint. Additional requests to join the same multicast group cause replacement of the NIC filter with one in the kernel. In another aspect, a NIC has limited capacity to maintain multicast group memberships. In response to a new multicast filter request, the kernel establishes it in the NIC only if the NIC still has sufficient capacity; otherwise it is established in the kernel. |
| US08116307B1 |
Packet structure for mirrored traffic flow
Network traffic associated with a user is lawfully intercepted by mirroring data packets flowing to and from the user for which interception has been designated. A unique packet structure enables analysis of mirrored data packets of any network type. In one implementation, a packet structure comprises routable packets that encapsulate the mirrored packet stream. The routable packet structure may be formed by prepending a correlation header to each mirrored packet. The correlation header includes a routing header to allow the mirrored packets to be transportable across the public Internet. In addition, an intercept header may be embedded within the correlation header to easily support various analyzer-specific implementations. The intercept header may include a version field that is extensible for the various analyzer implementations. |
| US08116297B2 |
Routing data packets from a moving network to a home network
A system, method, and router for routing data packets from a moving network to an associated home network. A data packet originating from a mobile network node in the moving network is routed over any of a number of external accesses accessible from different mobile routers, which advertise different address prefixes to mobile network nodes. A first mobile router advertising a first address prefix receives a data packet with a source address with the first address prefix, and selects an external access for routing that is accessible from a second mobile router advertising a second address prefix. The first mobile router detects that the source address of the packet is different from the second address prefix and provides the packet with a different source address with the second address prefix. The first mobile router then transmits the packet to the second mobile router for transmission to the home network. |
| US08116289B2 |
Internetworking nodes based on connections, membership, and location
Methods and apparatus for inter-networking nodes are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a node arrangement includes a services engine, a communications engine, and a transport engine. The services engine includes at least a first service domain that provides at least one service associated with a first community of interest. The communications engine provides at least a first forwarding table which is associated with the first community of interest and arranged to support reachability for the first service domain. The transport engine manages the zero or more exterior connections associated with the node arrangement. |
| US08116288B2 |
Method for distributing data, adapted for mobile devices
A method for distributing data in a heterogeneous network. The method operates on a private mobile network, which includes a mobility server, mobile components and fixed components, on which the mobility server includes data storage units that store data on behalf of network members, at least some of such data being stored in multiple data formats. The distribution method includes transmitting upon request selected said data to addressees, each such transmission being formatted for acceptance by each respective addressee. |
| US08116286B2 |
Combined user agent for packet-based communication clients
The present invention provides a combined user agent, which acts on behalf of multiple packet-based communication clients that may have different media capabilities. The combined user agent allows the different communication clients to cooperate with one another and participate in the same multimedia session. Different ones of the communication clients may support different types of media sessions. The combined user agent may present a single interface, which is associated with a single identification, on behalf of the supported communication clients to remote communication clients. As such, the combined user agent may appear to remote communication clients as a single communication client having the combined capabilities of the supported communication clients. |
| US08116285B1 |
Intelligent wireless access point selection
A method or system of enabling a wireless client device to select an access point based on at least two performance related parameters. A performance related parameter is a measurement of how efficiently a particular access point transfers data. By selecting an access point based on more than one performance related parameter, a wireless client device is more likely communicate with the most efficient access point. In addition, the wireless network as a whole will be more balanced and have a greater capacity if each of the wireless client devices is connected to the access point that provides the most efficient communications. |
| US08116282B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping 3GPP service primitives to media independent handover event services
A Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) media independent handover (MIH) service access point (SAP) is configured to provide MIH event services, (e.g., IEEE 802.21 event services), by mapping service primitives to the MIH event services. The service primitives may be 3GPP service primitives which originate from at least one of a radio resources (RR) layer, a logical link control (LLC) layer, a general packet radio service (GPRS) mobility management (GMM) layer, a session management (SM) layer, a non-access stratum (NAS), an access stratum (AS) and an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA)/evolved core network (E-CORE) system. The event services may include a link parameter change event service, a link up event service, a link going down event service, a link down event service, a handover complete event service and a link detected event service. |
| US08116281B2 |
Network gateway and method for relocating the same
A method for relocating network gateways comprises the steps of obtaining a moving average of drop ratios and setting the duration of the next detection interval based on the moving average of drop ratios, and requesting at least one mobile station to perform a CSN mobility management procedure when the moving average of drop ratios exceeds a high drop ratio. |
| US08116273B2 |
Apparatus and method for supporting hybrid automatic repeat request in a broadband wireless communication system
A broadband wireless communication system using a plurality of Frequency Allocations (FAs) is provided. A method for packet transmission of a packet of a transmitting end includes dividing one encoded packet into a plurality of parts, mapping a plurality the plurality of parts of the packet to the FAs through the plurality of different FAs transmission, when a re-transmission request is received, re-mapping the plurality of parts of the packet to the FAs such that at least one of the at least one of the plurality of parts is re-mapped to an FA that is different than an FA previously mapped thereto. Retransmitting the encoded packet by at least one of a number of subunits. |
| US08116272B2 |
Method for dealing with the packet domain gateway support node errors
A method for dealing with the packet domain gateway support node errors, including: a Radio Network Controller (4) sends a notification message to a Serving GPRS Support Node (2) according to an error indication message; in the case of a direct tunnel, the Serving GPRS Support Node initiates a process of deactivating a packet data protocol context to a user equipment (1) according to the received notification message, so as to make the states of the packet data protocol contexts in the user equipment, the Serving GPRS Support Node and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (3) consistent. |
| US08116271B2 |
Methods and apparatus to allocate acknowledgement channels
A method and apparatus allocate acknowledgement channels in a communication network. A linking scheme is established between indices of physical hybrid automatic repeat-request indicator channels (PHICHs), and a combination of indices of control channel elements (CCEs) or indices of physical resource blocks (PRBs) and indices of demodulation reference signals (DMRSs). A scheduling grant is transmitted to a user equipment (UE) by using a plurality of CCEs. In response to receiving a data packet and a DMRS from the UE, an index of a PHICH within the plurality of PHICHs is determined based on at least one index of the CCEs used to transmit the scheduling grant or at least one index of the PRBs used to transmit the data packet, and an index of the DMRS in accordance with the linking scheme established. The BS transmits an acknowledgement signal to the UE using the PHICH indicated by the determined index. |
| US08116270B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving channel quality indicator in communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) in a communication system are provided. It is determined whether there is any uplink data to transmit, when a CQI transmission time arrives according to a predetermined CQI transmission period. If there is uplink data to transmit, a part of the uplink data is punctured to insert the CQI therein, and the inserted CQI is multiplexed with the uplink data before transmission. It is determined whether there is any uplink data to receive from a terminal, when a CQI reception time arrives according to a predetermined CQI transmission period. If there is uplink data to receive, the uplink data is received from the terminal, and the received uplink data is demultiplexed to extract the CQI. |
| US08116264B2 |
Femtocell architecture in support of voice and data communications
Methods and systems for providing voice and date services in a femtocell wireless network. The proposed approach integrates IWLAN architecture into femtocell architecture by introducing a gateway to serve both IWLAN and femtocell users. The proposed approach handles the voice and data in a different way so that it enhances the data handling efficiency while re-using existing MSC investment. The proposed approach carries the data traffic from a femtocell base station to the gateway in native IP packet, instead of encapsulating them in 3G data, thus enhancing the efficiency and performance for the data traffic. The data traffic can then be sent to GGSN or directly to packet data network. The approach tunnels voice traffic to MSC through the gateway as in conventional Iu-CS approach. |
| US08116263B2 |
Radio communication apparatus
An AN (Access Network) controlled by a communication control apparatus and communicating with a AT Access Terminal), wherein the AN receives control information including information for allocating communication information from the communication control apparatus, and the AN transmits transmission cycle information for transmitting the communication information in a predetermined transmission cycle to the AT and allocates the communication information in the predetermined transmission cycle based on the control information received from the communication control apparatus to send the communication information to the AT. |
| US08116258B2 |
Self-configuring, adaptive, three-dimensional, wireless network
A network for wireless transmission of a media data in a building includes a plurality of access points. A first access point receives the media data from a source and transmits the media data downstream at a first data rate. A plurality of additional access points is distributed about the building, each of which includes an upstream transceiver to receive the media content on a first channel and a downstream transceiver to re-transmit the media content at substantially the first data rate on a second channel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08116256B2 |
Wireless data frame structure among nodes
The embodiments provide transmitting at same time first and relay second node preambles aligning data frames among the first node and the relay second node wirelessly communicating in a channel and transmitting by the first node one or more radio resource control parameters managing radio resources of the wireless communicating in the channel among the aligned first node and the relay second node. A relay resynchronization amble sequence managing synchronizing in the channel the first node frames with the relay second node frames is periodically transmitted to the relay second node. |
| US08116254B2 |
Wireless repeater with smart uplink
An over the air repeater for enhancing wireless communication is provided. The repeater employs a system and method by which strong signals can be prevented from exceeding the repeater's uplink output limits while still providing full operational gain to any concurrently amplified weak signals, while adapting to time slot variations and optionally to frequency hopping variations. Power measurements are performed on each channel with resultant gain changes being performed on delayed versions of those same signals. Digital delay buffers are used to provide adequate processing time to make an accurate determination of the uplink signal levels of each RF carrier. The repeater alternatively monitors the downlink path from the donor base station to determine the frequencies to be processed on the uplink communication. |
| US08116248B2 |
Apparatus and method for power-saving in multiple antenna communication system
A multiple-antenna transceiver in the present invention includes a frame controller and circuitry for transmitting and receiving. The transmitting component includes a sequence selection circuit, a MIMO modulation and coding circuit, and numerous TX RFE and AFE circuits. The receiving component includes a MIMO demodulation and decoding circuit, a sequence separation circuit, and numerous RX RFE and AFE circuits. The frame controller can enable and disable the TX and RX RFE and AFE circuits individually so as to reduce power consumption of the whole system. |
| US08116246B2 |
System and method for data transmission/reception based on an operational state of a mobile station in a communication system
Disclosed is a system and method for transmitting data based on an operational state of a mobile station in a communication system. The method includes, when detecting a low battery state of the mobile station, storing one or more data packets to be transmitted to the mobile station, extracting at least one data packet, which has a transmission delay time larger than a difference between a maximum delay time and preset margin, from the one or more stored data packets, and transmitting at least a part of the extracted at least one data packet to the mobile station by using a resource allocated to the mobile station. |
| US08116239B2 |
Use of a filterbank in an adaptive on-channel repeater utilizing adaptive antenna arrays
A repeater environment is provided operative to deploy a feedback cancellation loop that is adaptively coupled with an antenna array such that a selected metric can be derived by deploying a selected filter bank operative to process the signal on a bin by bin basis and the derived metric can be applied to the antenna array and feedback cancellation loop combination to improve signal integrity and amplification. In an illustrative implementation, an exemplary repeater environment comprises, a transmitter, a receiver, an equalized feedback cancellation loop circuitry comprising a filter bank, the cancellation loop being operatively coupled to an antenna array. In the illustrative implementation, the feedback cancellation loop can receive signals as input from a cooperating antenna array and provide output signals such as a feedback leakage signal to a cooperating antenna array. |
| US08116238B2 |
Plural network protocol wireless transmit/receive unit
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) communicates in a system which includes plural network protocols. The WTRU includes a circuit configured to make an initial communication request. A communication circuit establishes a communication link in response to the initial communication request in a first direction of communication and a second direction of communication. Circuitry determines a protocol preference for the first direction of communication and to establish communication in the first direction according to the protocol preference separately from communication in the second direction of communication. Circuitry determines a protocol preference for the second direction of communication and to establish communication in the second direction according to the protocol preference separately from communication in the first direction of communication. A circuit determines the availability of communication services optimal for communicating the user data in a different protocol from the protocol used as the communication link. |
| US08116236B2 |
Audio conferencing utilizing packets with unencrypted power level information
In one embodiment, a method that includes receiving a plurality of packet streams input from different endpoints, packets of each stream including encrypted and unencrypted portions, the unencrypted portion containing audio power level information. The audio power level information contained in the packets of each of the packet streams is then compared to select N packet streams with loudest audio. The N packet streams are then decrypted to obtain audio content, and the audio content of the N packet streams mixed to produce one or more output packet streams. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08116228B2 |
Network path control system, path control device, and path control method
A path control device includes a TE database and a local database for storing topology information showing states of use of links in a network, a topology information collection unit collecting the topology information of the respective communication nodes therefrom and updating the TE database by the topology information, a path solution unit determining a path of the network referring to the local database, an internal update unit recognizing a link included in the determined path and updating a local database by information as to said link, and an update determination unit matching the topology information of both the databases by comparing both the databases. |
| US08116227B1 |
Optimal automated exploration of hierarchical multiprotocol label switching label switch paths
Optimal automated exploration of hierarchical MPLS LSPs is disclosed. A path verification message (PVM) is transmitted from an initial router. Each label in the PVM's label stack corresponds to a hierarchy layer and is associated with a time-to-live (TTL) field. The TTL field for the label of a current layer is set so the PVM travels one hop from the initial router. In response, a reply message indicating that the PVM reached its destination is received. These steps are then repeated. For each successive PVM transmitted, the TTL field associated with a label corresponding to the current hierarchy layer is incremented. For any reply message including information describing a non-current layer, modify the next PVM's label stack and increment the TTL field of the label for the described different layer; any other TTL fields are unchanged. If any received reply message indicates a destination router was reached, the process terminates. |
| US08116226B1 |
Method and apparatus for broadcast primitive filtering in SAS
Broadcast primitive filtering in a SAS expander using virtual domains. The virtual domains can be non-overlapping or overlapping logical subsets of the physical topology, or a logical construct based on the membership of a device within a group. Broadcast event propagation is handled in accordance with predetermined policies associated with the virtual domains. These policies can, for example, include limiting the broadcast traffic within the boundaries of the logical zones defined by the subsets, or routing the broadcast events in accordance with access policies, or privileges, associated with the group. |
| US08116225B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating channel bandwidth
A bandwidth estimation algorithm detects peaks and/or average per-user bandwidth of data communication networks, such as narrowband and broadband wide-area radio access networks. Estimation can be performed at the TCP/IP layer with no lower layer (PHY, MAC, etc.) information assumed to be available. However, the bandwidth estimation algorithm can be applied to anywhere bandwidth needs to be estimated as well. |
| US08116222B1 |
Methods and systems for embedding traffic state information within ethernet trailers
Methods and systems for creating a back channel between two network nodes using a packet trailer. The sending node establishes a communication channel between itself and the destination node. A packet is prepared having a header and a payload. Data associated with the tasks of the back channel from a lower data link layer is written into a trailer on the header. The packet is received at the second node and the data in the trailer is read. The trailer is stripped out prior to sending the packet to a higher layer of the destination node. |
| US08116218B2 |
Method and module for acquiring digital subscriber line parameter, and line management system
The present disclosure includes a method for acquiring DSL parameters, a module for acquiring Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) parameters, and a line management system. The method includes: obtaining the priority of a DSL; and acquiring parameters of the DSL in an acquisition period corresponding to the obtained priority, in accordance with a preset corresponding relationship between the priority of the DSL and the acquisition period. The system includes: a module for acquiring DSL parameters, configured to obtain the priority of a DSL and acquire parameters of the DSL in an acquisition period corresponding to the obtained priority in accordance with a preset corresponding relationship between the priority of the DSL and the acquisition period; a database configured to store the parameters acquired by the module for acquiring DSL parameters; a line management module configured to manage the DSL using the DSL parameters. |
| US08116213B2 |
Tracing routes and protocols
A computer-readable medium may include computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions including instructions for receiving a request to trace a route, in a network, from a source device to a target device and to identify protocols that are associated with the route, sending at least one test packet toward the target device, receiving at least one reply packet from the network, examining payload of the reply packet to determine the route and to identify the protocols, and outputting description of the route and identities of the protocols. |
| US08116212B2 |
Line status monitoring circuit, node, communication system, and failure occurrence determining method
A line status monitoring circuit receives a frame through one of a number of lines from another node connected through a redundant transmission channel which is made redundant by the lines. The line status monitoring circuit includes a line-specific check frame monitoring unit. If a line-specific check frame having an added dedicated header corresponding to each of the plurality of lines is received through one of the lines from another node, the line-specific check frame monitoring unit determines whether or not a further line-specific check frame corresponding to a frame for checking which is identical to a frame for checking to which the line-specific check frame corresponds is received through at least a predetermined number of lines within a predetermined time. If the further line-specific check frame is not received in this manner, the line-specific check frame monitoring unit discards the frame. |
| US08116211B2 |
Test method and test device
A test method according to the present invention includes: a first step of determining whether or not the mobile station detects the problem in a radio link state, when a radio quality is changed from a first state where the radio quality is equal to or more than a first threshold value to a second state where the radio quality is equal to or less than the first threshold value; and a second step of determining whether or not the mobile station does not detect the problem in a radio link state, when the radio quality is changed to a third state where the radio quality is equal to more than a second threshold value, after a lapse of a first time interval from a time point at which the radio quality is changed from the first state to the second state. |
| US08116210B2 |
System and program product to recover from node failure/recovery incidents in distributed systems in which notification does not occur
Epoch numbers are maintained in a pair wise fashion at a plurality of communication endpoints to provide communication consistency and recovery from a range of failure conditions including total or partial node failure and subsequent recovery. Once an epoch state inconsistency is recognized, negotiation procedures provide an effective mechanism to reestablish valid communication links without the need to employ global variables which inherently possess greater transmission and overhead requirements needed to maintain communications. Renegotiation of recognizably valid epoch numbers occurs on a pair wise basis. |
| US08116205B2 |
Vehicle active network
A vehicle active network (12) communicatively couples devices (14-20) within a vehicle (10). Device operation is independent of the interface (22-28) of the device (14-20) with the active network (12). Additionally, the architecture of the active network (12) provides one or more levels of communication redundancy. The architecture provides for the total integration of vehicle systems and functions, and permits plug-and-play device integration and upgradeability. |