| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08122518B2 |
Secure input method based on virtual machine
The present invention provides a secure input method based on a virtual machine, in which an application invokes directly a secure input interface provided by a virtual machine monitor and transfers the address and length of input buffer area of the application as input parameters when it requires a secure input, and the virtual machine monitor receives keyboard input information, converts it into a key value and saves the converted key value directly into the input buffer area for the application. This prevents another application from using different filtering drivers and keyboard hooks to acquire the user input and thus enhances the security for a user input. |
| US08122514B2 |
Software enhanced trusted platform module
Computer-executable instructions can implement a software-based Trusted Platform Module (TPM) that can have more computational power than the hardware TPM. The software TPM can be protected from modification, or other unauthorized access, via a memory partitioning scheme that enables other computer-executable instructions to access the software TPM in a predefined manner, but yet prohibits other access. A tri-partied partitioning scheme can be used wherein the computer executable instructions of the software TPM reside in a first region, a jump table to appropriate ones of those instructions resides in a second region, and everything else resides in the third region. The storage key of the software TPM can be sealed by the hardware TPM to be released only if the software TPM, and the computing device, are in a known good state, as determined by the Platform Configuration Registers of the hardware TPM, thereby further protecting the software TPM from tampering. |
| US08122513B2 |
Data storage device, data storage method, and program thereof
A method of storing data that is accessible by a specific user includes issuing authentication information for confirming that a user other than the specific user has a right to use a storage area that is temporarily available within a data processing device, obtaining a data registration request sent from a terminal operated by the other user and the authentication information issued, registering data sent from a terminal of the other user in the storage area that is temporarily available, when the authentication information obtained in the obtaining step is confirmed as valid, and storing data registered in the storage area that is temporarily available, in the storage area to which an access right is given to the specific user. |
| US08122512B2 |
Dynamic configuration of a gaming system
A method to enable dynamic configuration of gaming terminals installed in one or a plurality of gaming premises whereby certified games, certified data files and certified support software components are activated in accordance with a predetermined schedule or automatically in response to the observed gaming activity. The method may include allocating an individual PKI certificate to each executable software component and each of its versions, binding the PKI certificate to the executable software, associating a distinctive policy for each certificate and then enforcing the software execution policies in accordance with the desired authorized game configuration and schedule. The PKI certificate's “Subject Name” (or “Issued to” field or “CommonName” field) may be a concatenation of the software component identification, its version number and optionally other identification characters. The method applies equally to other network connected gaming subsystems. The method enables a fine-grained and secure control of the authorized software components and thus the flexibility to securely configure the gaming system in accordance with a schedule or in a close-loop fashion in order to meet business objectives. In addition, a method to enable the certification authority to bind the certificates to the tested code is described. |
| US08122510B2 |
Method for analyzing and managing unstructured data
A system and method for managing unstructured data that includes identifying at least one unstructured data environment with unstructured data, identifying mitigating controls in each of the unstructured data environments, the mitigating controls reducing a security risk associated with each of the unstructured data environments, and generating at least one process for managing the unstructured data in each of the unstructured data environments, the process including defining mitigating controls for managing the unstructured data in each of the unstructured data environments. |
| US08122507B1 |
Efficient scanning of objects
Scanning is disclosed. A scan collection period is determined. A system is monitored to detect object events during the scan collection period, and differential and incremental scan lists may be updated with information regarding objects to be scanned, based on some of the object events. Objects are scanned based on the information in the incremental scan list. Objects are scanned based on the information in the differential scan list. The incremental scan may be performed more than once before the differential scan is performed. Information regarding objects associated with object events occurring outside the scan collection period may be removed from the scan list. |
| US08122504B1 |
Flood attack projection model
A flood attack of an information system is simulated by injecting an algorithmically compressed flood attack model into the information system to assess the effect of the attack upon the system. The flood attack model propagates from node to node throughout the system by way of virtual messages that time-project the flood attack model and do not disrupt system operation while the simulated flood attack is taking place. Programs of executable code installed on nodes of the information system generate and send the virtual messages describing the flood attack. |
| US08122503B2 |
Methods and systems for managing a potential security threat to a network
Methods, systems and computer readable mediums storing computer executable programs for managing a potential security threat to a network are disclosed. Network data received at a network system within a network is monitored at a network management system. A determination is made at the network management system regarding whether the network data received at the network system poses a potential security threat to the network. A threat type associated with the potential security threat is identified at the network management system based on the determination. A threat assessment system operable to evaluate the identified threat type is identified at the network management system. A command is issued from the network management system to the network system to mirror network data received at the network system to the identified threat assessment system. |
| US08122500B2 |
Tracking the security enforcement in a grid system
The “Grid Security Monitor” tracks the security status of resources in a grid computer system. When a client submits a job to the grid scheduler, the Grid Security Monitor creates a security contract. The security contract comprises all the security credentials needed to access the resource executing the job, as well as privacy and security requirements. The Grid Security Monitor compares the security status of the resource to the requirements of the security contract. If the security status of the resource changes or violates the security contract, then the Grid Security Monitor notifies the client. The Grid Security Monitor has a user interface that allows the client to perform a manual security validation by asking the grid management system to verify the security status of the resource. |
| US08122498B1 |
Combined multiple-application alert system and method
A system, method and computer program product are provided for combined alerting. Initially, an event is identified. First information relating to a first response to the event associated with a first application is received. Further received is second information relating to a second response to the event associated with a second application. In response thereto, a single alert is displayed including the first information and the second information. |
| US08122497B2 |
Networked physical security access control system and method
A distributed networked physical security access control system for controlling a plurality of security access devices comprises a plurality of access server appliances in communication with a primary network. Each access server appliance includes an appliance management module being accessible through a web browser in communication with the primary network. The appliance management module configures the access server appliances to a user specified security configuration. The plurality of access server appliances are in peer-to-peer communication on the primary network to bridge the access server appliances for providing consistency in each of the access server appliances. |
| US08122495B2 |
Integrated computer security management system and method
The present invention is generally directed to a computer security management system that integrates a firewall with an intrusion detection system (IDS). In other words, the firewall and IDS of the present invention can be designed to communicate process or status information and packets with one another. The present invention can facilitate centralized control of the firewall and the IDS and can increase the speed at which packets are passed between a secured computer network and an external network. Increased packet processing speed can be achieved in several ways. For example, the firewall and IDS can process packets in series, in parallel, and sometimes singularly when one of the components is not permitted to process a packet. Alternatively, singular processing can also be performed when one component is permitted to pass a packet to the secured computer network without checking with the other component. |
| US08122493B2 |
Firewall based on domain names
The invention is a firewall capable of blocking access to a website or other Internet node based on a domain name. A DNS request is monitored and a domain name is decoded from the DNS request. An IP address is received in a response to the DNS request. The IP address and domain name are associated with each other. The steps are executed non-intrusively with respect to traffic flow through the firewall. Afterward, a determination is made if the IP address is associated with a domain name for which access is restricted. If the domain name is a restricted domain name, access to content of the website is denied by blocking traffic flow on the basis of identifying the source IP address of data packets. |
| US08122492B2 |
Integration of social network information and network firewalls
A firewall functions normally to pass data on open ports to a respective service or endpoint associated with an open port. Invitations may sent to from an internal endpoint to an external peer-to-peer network endpoint inviting a connection back to the internal endpoint. Rather than leave ports open in a firewall for such connections, an invitation manager analyzes the invitation and in real time programs an exception in the firewall based on the invitation. The exceptions may be programmed for a limited duration, based on the nature of the internal endpoint. When an authenticated connection is required, a public key or handle to a public key for the external endpoint may be passed to the firewall for use in establishing the connection. |
| US08122485B2 |
Authentication techniques
Techniques for authenticating clients of differing capabilities in an efficient manner. Two or more authentication techniques, including one preferred authentication technique, are initiated to run in parallel to authenticate a client. Upon determining that the client can support the preferred authentication technique, the preferred technique is used to authenticate the client and the other authentication techniques are aborted. If it is determined that the client cannot support the preferred authentication technique, then one of the other authentication techniques is used to authenticate the client. In this manner, based upon the capabilities of the client, an appropriate authentication technique is used to authenticate the client in an efficient manner. |
| US08122484B2 |
Access control policy conversion
Methods and apparatus are provided for generating an access control policy data structure for a single-authorization-query access control system from a source policy data structure of an access control system in which primary authorizations can be subject to auxiliary constraints. Authorizations in the data structures are defined in terms of subject, resource and action elements. For each resource in a set of resources in the source policy data structure, the data structure is analyzed to identify primary authorizations relating to that resource. For each primary authorization, policy data which represents a policy defining an access rule expressing that authorization is generated and stored in system memory and analyzed to identify any auxiliary constraints associated with that primary authorization. For each auxiliary constraint so identified, policy data is generated and stored in system memory. |
| US08122480B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating interactions with an object in a digital video feed to access associated content
A system that facilitates interactions with a digital video feed. During operation, the system receives the digital video feed, which includes a corresponding content feed, wherein the corresponding content feed is synchronized with the digital video feed, and wherein the corresponding content feed contains information associated with moving objects within the digital video feed. Next, the system plays the digital video feed within a viewer and allows a user to select a moving object being displayed within the viewer. In response to the selection, the system obtains content associated with the moving object and displays the content to the user. |
| US08122475B2 |
Remote control for video media servers
Systems and methods are described for remote control of a media server computer from a controller device, typically a laptop computer, where remote operation of the media server, including the selection of videos and other digital media may be performed from the controller while normal TV programming (cable, satellite, or broadcast) is viewed on the TV. Other embodiments describe background operations performed on the controller device, the media server, or both, such that new videos may be located on the web or locally on the LAN while a current video is playing on the media server and viewed on the TV. Methods are also described for more reliably establishing network connections between the controller and media server, and systems and methods are described for implementing a multi-video display on the media server where videos to be displayed on the media server are displayed on and selected by a controller device. |
| US08122474B2 |
Multimedia presentation resumption within an environment of multiple presentation systems
With at least one implementation described herein, one or more viewers are able to watch the same source multimedia content at multiple locations within an environment (e.g., a household). With at least one implementation described herein, a viewer is able to resume watching such content at a new location (or “locus”) from the point that she bookmarked the content at an original location. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims. |
| US08122469B2 |
Assisted user control in recommenders
A method and arrangement for modifying settings of a television program recommender displays the rating (recommended or not recommended) for a selected television program, and also displays icons for selection by the user to indicate whether the user agrees or disagrees with the recommendation. The television program recommender then updates its settings based on the user's icon selection. In addition, if the user indicates that he/she disagrees with the recommendation, the television program recommender determines and displays the number of times that the user needs to indicate his/her desires with respect to the selected television program in order for the recommendation to agree with the user's desires. |
| US08122461B2 |
Optical disc device having a plurality of trays with a cam for contacting the plurality of trays
An optical disc device is disclosed. In the optical disc device, a cam portion configured to include a holder that is supported on the outside of a cam member to turn and move vertically is provided in a position that is in vicinity of a tray being supported by elevator cam gears. In disc loading/ejecting operations, the cam portion is turned and a projecting portion pushes down a tray projecting portion of the tray, so that a space S if formed between the tray and the disc. Since the tray is shaped into a closed circular tray, a rigidity of the tray can be ensured and also the space used to avoid a contact between a projecting portion on a lower face of the disc and a surface of the tray can be provided by bending the tray. |
| US08122457B2 |
System and method for facilitating the exchange of information among applications
Facilitating the exchange of information among applications (e.g., business support systems or operational support systems or a combination thereof) may involve receiving a data object from a first application, using a first controller to route the received data object to a first transformer, using the first transformer to transform the data object from a first format used by the first application into a common format object, publishing the common format object to a communication channel, receiving a request from a subscribing application to subscribe to the communication channel, using a second controller to route the common format object to a second transformer, using the second transformer to transform the common format object into a data object in a second format used by the subscribing application, and sending the data object in the second format to the subscribing application. |
| US08122455B2 |
Balancing of load in a network processor
According to an aspect of the present invention, a scheduler balances the load on the microengines comprising one or more threads allocated to execute a corresponding microblock. The scheduler determines the load on each microengine at regular time intervals. The scheduler balances the load of a heavily loaded microengine by distributing the corresponding load among one or more lightly loaded microengines. |
| US08122454B2 |
Managing memory resources in a shared memory system
The memory used by individual users can be tracked and constrained without having to place all the work from individual users into separate JVMs. The net effect is that the ‘bursty’ nature of memory consumption by multiple users can be summed to result in a JVM which exhibits much less bursty memory requirements while at the same time allowing individual users to have relatively relaxed constraints. |
| US08122453B2 |
Method and system for managing resources in a data center
The present invention provides dynamic configuration and allocation of resources in a data center. These resources are monitored for availability and performance information according to their assigned execution (or application) environments. The measured performance information for each environment is used to predict levels of demand for an application in the environment. From the predicted levels of demand resource requirements can be determined to provide a predetermined level of performance under the demand changes. The resources can then be reconfigured or reallocated to different environment so that the requirements of each environment can be met. |
| US08122449B2 |
Determining whether to retain or terminate a thread based on a minimum number of threads in a thread pool and a maximum number of threads allowed waiting on the channel
Provided are techniques for workload balancing. A message is received on a channel. A thread in a thread pool is selected to process the message. In response to determining that the message has been processed and a response has been sent on the channel by the thread, it is determined whether a total number of threads in the thread pool is greater than a low water mark plus one and whether the channel has more than a maximum number of threads blocked on a receive, wherein the low water mark represents a minimum number of threads in the thread pool. In response to determining that a number of threads in the thread pool is greater than the low water mark plus one and that the channel has more than the maximum number of threads blocked on a receive, the thread is terminated. In response to determining at least one of the number of threads in the thread pool is less than or equal to the low water mark plus one and the channel has less than or equal to the maximum number of threads blocked on a receive, the thread is retained. |
| US08122445B2 |
Processing system capable of downloading firmware code and being tested at same site during MP phase
A processing system capable of downloading a firmware code and being tested at the same site during a mass production phase includes: a processor for performing operations of the processing system, where the processor has a plurality of terminals as communication terminals of the processing system, and is capable of receiving the firmware code through the plurality of terminals of the processor; and a storage unit, coupled to the processor, for storing the firmware code received from the processor. |
| US08122436B2 |
Privacy enhanced error reports
Methods and apparatus for generating error reports with enhanced privacy are described. In an embodiment the error is triggered by an input to a software program. An error report is generated by identifying conditions on an input to the program which ensure that, for any input which satisfies the conditions, the software program will follow the same execution path such that the error can be reproduced. The error report may include these conditions or may include a new input generated using the conditions. |
| US08122426B2 |
Governance framework for architecture design in a service oriented enterprise
A reusable framework is utilized for creating a software architecture in a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). After a general framework is created, that general framework is divided into a governance domain and an architecture domain. The architecture domain is further divided into architecture sub-domains within the architecture domain. Activities that are required for the governance domain and each of the architecture sub-domains and identified and described in detail, and owners and progress status markers for these activities are identified. The detailed descriptors of the activities, identified owners and progress status markers are then mapped onto a client-specific System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) work product to create an SOA-based software architecture. Deployment timelines for the governance domain and the architecture domain are determined, and a project plan for deploying the SOA-based software architecture is created. |
| US08122422B2 |
Establishing benchmarks for analyzing benefits associated with voltage scaling, analyzing the benefits and an apparatus therefor
Methods for establishing benchmarks and for analyzing benefits associated with voltage scaling are provided. In one embodiment, the method for establishing benchmarks includes: (1) synthesizing a netlist from a RTL of a functional IC design; (2) implementing a layout of an IC from the netlist, wherein the synthesizing and the implementing are performed at designated voltages and frequencies over a voltage and a frequency range, the voltage range including a voltage scaling range and a voltage associated with a designated implementation of the IC; (3) obtaining measurements of at least one voltage scaling metric associated with the IC at each of the designated voltages and frequencies; and (4) normalizing measurements associated with the voltage scaling range to measurements associated with the designated implementation employing a processor to obtain normalized benchmarks for analyzing optimization of the IC associated with voltage scaling. EDA tools may be used for synthesizing, implementing and obtaining. |
| US08122415B2 |
Method and system for the modular design and layout of integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (IC) and fabrication method thereof is provided that include the steps of specifying a plurality of required tile modules suitable for a particular end application, each of the modular tiles being configured to perform a predetermined function and constructed to have approximately the same length and width dimensions. The modular tiles are used to form the IC in a standard IC fabrication process. In many implementations, physical layout of the IC does not include the step of routing. Capabilities also include configuring the modular tiles to have programmable performance parameters and configuring the modular tiles to cooperate usefully with one another based on a programmable parameter. |
| US08122413B2 |
Transparent test method and scan flip-flop
Logic blocks for IC designs (including gate-array, standard cell, or logic array designs) provide Design-for-Test-enabled flip-flops (DFT-enabled FFs) that inherently insure compliance with DFT rules associated with scan shifting. Test scan-chains are configured by daisy-chaining instances of the logic block in a transparent (invisible) manner to user-designed application circuits, which can be designed without any user-inserted test structures or other regard for DFT considerations. User asynchronous set and reset inputs and all Stuck-At faults on all user pins on these DFT-enabled FFs are observable via capture and scan-out. A first type of these DFT-enabled FFs features addressable control to partition test the application circuit. A second type of these DFT-enabled FFs features integral capture buffering that eliminates the need for partition test, simplifying control logic and reducing the number of test vectors needed. |
| US08122412B2 |
Shelding mesh design for an integrated circuit device
Methods and apparatuses to design an Integrated Circuit (IC) with a shielding of wires. In at least one embodiment, a shielding mesh of at least two reference voltages (e.g., power and ground) is used to reduce both the capacitive coupling and the inductive coupling in routed signal wires in IC chips. In some embodiments, a type of shielding mesh (e.g., a shielding mesh with a window surrounded by a power ring, or a window with a parser set of shielding wires) is selected to make more routing area available in locally congested areas. In other embodiments, the shielding mesh is used to create or add bypass capacitance. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08122406B2 |
Generating models for integrated circuits with sensitivity-based minimum change to existing models
A method for generating model files of target devices of an integrated circuit includes providing the target devices; providing a device target set for the target devices, wherein the device target set comprises target values of parameters of the target devices; determining a nearest known model related to the target devices, wherein the nearest known model comprises a first model file; performing a sensitivity analysis to determine sensitive parameters in the first model file; modifying the sensitive parameters in the first model file to generate a second model file; and determining a fitness value of a circuit simulated using the second model file with values of parameters in the device target set. |
| US08122405B2 |
Delay adjusting method and LSI that uses air-gap wiring
Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device which enables a timing optimization without giving additions to a manufacturing process and increasing cost and TAT. Existence of a timing constraint violation is determined, and when a timing constraint violation is detected, to dissolve the violation, a void formation inhibition zone is set up in a part or all of a spacing (inter-wiring spacing) between an optimization-target wiring which needs a further delay time of a signal and clock and an adjacent wiring adjacent to the optimization-target wiring having a spacing within a specified wiring spacing, and an insulating film is formed in a spacing (inter-wiring spacing) between the optimization-target wiring and the adjacent wiring in the void formation inhibition zone, and voids are formed in a spacing (inter-wiring spacing) between the optimization-target wiring and the adjacent wiring outside the void formation inhibition zone. |
| US08122401B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for determining equivalence of netlists utilizing at least one transformation
A system, method and computer program product are provided for determining equivalence of netlists utilizing at least one transformation. In use, a netlist including a plurality of infinite portions and a plurality of finite portions is identified. Additionally, at least some of the finite portions are transformed, utilizing at least one predetermined transformation. Further, an equivalence of the netlist and another netlist is determined, utilizing at least a subset of the finite portions and the infinite portions. Moreover, the transformation identifies a word-level functionality of the at least some of the finite portions by converting bit-level functionality into word-level functionality. |
| US08122396B1 |
Local searching techniques for technology mapping
Local searches are provided for improving technology mapping for programmable logic integrated circuits. A local search algorithm is applied to a solution for mapping logic gates in a netlist to lookup tables (LUTs) on a programmable logic IC. The local search algorithm applies a series of local moves to the solution. At each move, a small change to the LUT mapping is proposed, and the change in cost for that LUT mapping change is computed. If the cost is improved, the change is accepted and the LUT mapping is replaced by the changed LUT mapping. Otherwise, the change in solution is either rejected, or accepted with a probability that depends on the cost change. The cost function can be chosen to represent one or more features of the LUT mapping, such as area, speed, power consumption, or a combination thereof. |
| US08122395B2 |
On chip timing adjustment in multi-channel fast data transfer
A method and structure for an apparatus for maintaining signal integrity between integrated circuits residing on a printed circuit board. The apparatus has adjustable delay circuitry within the circuits and the adjustable delay circuitry adjusts the timing of signals processed within the circuit. A phase monitor connects to the circuits. The phase monitor detects phase differences between signals output by the circuits. A controller connected to the delay circuitry, the phase monitor, and the controller adjust the delay circuitry to compensate for the phase differences. |
| US08122393B2 |
Integrated circuit transformer devices for on-chip millimeter-wave applications
Methods are provided for building integrated circuit transformer devices having compact and optimized architectures for use in MMW (millimeter-wave) applications. The integrated circuit transformer devices have universal and scalable architectures that can be used as templates or building blocks for constructing various types of on-chip devices for millimeter-wave applications. |
| US08122392B2 |
Robust design using manufacturability models
The present invention allows for a robust design using manufacturability models. A method, system and/or computer usable medium may be provided in an integrated circuit design to track sensitivity to a variation of process from wafer to wafer and/or fab to fab in order to assist the designers to anticipate the variations to improve the final yield of the products. |
| US08122390B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus, and apparatus and method for correcting dimension error of pattern
A charged particle beam writing apparatus which the apparatus includes a first area density calculation unit and a first dimension error calculation unit. The apparatus includes a first dimension calculation unit which calculates a second dimension of a pattern obtained by correcting the first dimension error of the first dimension, a second area density calculation unit which calculates a second area density occupied by the pattern of the second dimension in the predetermined region, a second dimension error calculation unit which calculates a second dimension error caused by the loading effect, a second dimension calculation unit which calculates a third dimension by adding the second dimension error to the second dimension, a judgment unit which judges whether a difference between the first dimension and the third dimension is within a predetermined range, and a writing unit which writes the pattern of the second dimension onto a target workpiece. |
| US08122389B2 |
Apparatus and method for segmenting edges for optical proximity correction
An apparatus and method for modifying a mask data set includes calculating a derivative of a figure-of-merit, indicative of a data set defined by a plurality of polygon edges and then segmenting polygon edges in response to said step of calculating. |
| US08122379B2 |
Zooming operations and magnification for groups of images
A disclosed image display apparatus for displaying multiple images on a single screen includes a magnification unit configured to, in response to a zooming operation on the screen, magnify distances between centroids of first group images included in the multiple images and magnify the first group images; and a display control unit configured to display in a space of the magnified distances one or more images different from the multiple images. A magnification rate of the distances between the centroids has a nonlinear relationship to a magnification rate of the first group images, and within an extent of the nonlinear relationship, the magnification rate of the distances between the centroids has a predetermined range in which the magnification rate of the first group images is larger than the magnification rate of the distances between the centroids. |
| US08122378B2 |
Image capture and manipulation
The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for image capture and manipulation. |
| US08122374B2 |
Dynamic value sets in a service-oriented business framework
A method includes receiving a representation of a service, the service including handling of a request for a context-dependent data set derived from one or more collections of data elements. The representation includes a specification of a first data field, a specification of an input data structure including two or more data fields and the first data field, the two or more data fields defining a context for the first data set, a specification of an output data structure, instances of the output data structure including the context-dependent data set, and a name of a service provider. The method stores the representation of the service in a repository, receives a request for the service by a software entity, the request including an instance of the input data structure, checks the request against the representation of the service, sends the request to the service provider, receives one or more instances of the output data structure from the service provider, and sends the one or more instances of the output data structure to the software entity. |
| US08122373B2 |
Image display control apparatus and program and method therefor
An image display control apparatus, an image display control method for the image display control apparatus, and a program for the image display control apparatus that control display of windows on a screen on the basis of window headers, the program including the steps of: creating the window headers, in which coordinates on the screen of the windows are described, on a memory; sorting y coordinates in coordinates of the windows described in the window headers; linking the window headers in an order of the y coordinates sorted; and setting a position on the memory of the window header at the top of the link. |
| US08122371B1 |
Criteria-based structured ratings
Criterion-based feedback allows users to provide useful information in a quick and easy to understand fashion. When information for an item is relayed to a user, the user is provided with the ability to provide feedback for any criteria relating to the item. In some embodiments, this feedback takes the form of a submission of a response to a question or statement pertaining to a criterion for the item. The user is able to create new responses if the existing responses do not adequately convey the feedback that the users wishes to submit. Further, a user can also submit entirely new questions and/or statements, along with corresponding new responses, that correspond to a criterion relating to the item. Such an approach provides flexibility for users to quickly and easily provide feedback on specific criteria that might be useful for other users viewing information for that item. |
| US08122366B2 |
Systems and methods for visualization of exception handling constructs
Disclosed are various embodiments for visualization of exception-handling constructs. In one embodiment, among others, a system includes at least one computing device; a program maintained in a memory accessible to the at least one computing device; and logic executable in the at least one computing device configured to analyze the program to determine exception-handling information; generate a graphical user interface based upon the exception-handling information; and provide the graphical user interface for display on a display device. |
| US08122361B2 |
Providing a graphical user interface in a system with a high-assurance execution environment
Techniques are disclosed to provide security for graphical user interface elements being displayed in a system having a host operating system and a high assurance operating system. Graphical user interface elements associated with the high-assurance operating system may be prevented from being obscured and from any partial transparency. Additionally, a piece of secret information may be stored and displayed by graphical user interface elements associated with the high-assurance operating system. Coordinating certain elements of the graphical user interface elements associated with the high assurance operating system also helps to identify legitimate elements associated with the high assurance operating system. Public title information may be furnished to a host operating system windowing system to identify a window owned by a process running on a high-assurance operating system. Private title information associated with the same window may be used in the high assurance operating system. |
| US08122356B2 |
Method for image animation using image value rules
A method for image presentation are provided, in which at least one theme for image presentation is obtained; at least one set of images is acquired for presentation in association with each theme; and a presentation area image is generated for presentation on a display with a plurality of separate presentation objects in the presentation area image; an image value for each of the acquired images is determined; an emphasis score is determined for each of the acquired images. The presentation area image is presented with one of the acquired images in each of the presentation objects; and the presentation objects are animated by moving the presentation objects relative to each other in a manner that attracts more attention to presentation objects that are used to present images having a higher emphasis score than presentation objects that are used to simultaneously present images having a lower emphasis score. |
| US08122354B1 |
Systems and methods for providing an indicator of detection of input related to an element of a user interface
Systems and methods are provided for detecting an action providing input associated with an element of a user interface and/or graphical model, and providing an indicator to indicate the action has been detected. The user interface and graphical model may provide one or more elements that may be editable or otherwise changeable by a user or programmatically via executable instructions. The action may provide input that may change a value of the editable element of the user interface or alter an element of the graphical model. Upon detection of the action, the present invention provides an indicator in the user interface or the graphical model in a manner associated with the detected changed element. The indicator may be a visual indicator or may be any other sensory type of indicator, such as a sound, force, or tactile indicator. As such, the indicator provides a prompt to a user that one or more elements of the user interface or graphical model may need to be saved, applied, or any changes canceled. |
| US08122350B2 |
Packages that contain pre-paginated documents
Modular content framework and document format methods and systems are described. The described framework and format define a set of building blocks for composing, packaging, distributing, and rendering document-centered content. These building blocks define a platform-independent framework for document formats that enable software and hardware systems to generate, exchange, and display documents reliably and consistently. The framework and format have been designed in a flexible and extensible fashion. In addition to this general framework and format, a particular format, known as the reach package format, is defined using the general framework. The reach package format is a format for storing paginated documents. The contents of a reach package can be displayed or printed with full fidelity among devices and applications in a wide range of environments and across a wide range of scenarios. |
| US08122348B2 |
On-demand bursting in a content management system
When creating or editing a document in a content management system and specific content is needed, documents in the repository are searched for an element that has the desired content. If an element is found in a document in the repository that has the desired content, the element is bursted on-demand by extracting the element from the parent document where it was found and creating a document in the repository for the element. A link that points to the bursted document in the repository is then inserted into the document that needed the element. If the parent document from which the element was extracted is mutable, then the element in the parent document is replaced with a link to the bursted document. If the parent document is immutable, a copy of the content is created as a document in the repository, and a version policy corresponding to the parent document is stored so that if the parent document becomes mutable, the parent document will include information in the version policy to allow linking to the bursted document. |
| US08122345B2 |
Function-based object model for use in WebSite adaptation
By understanding a website author's intention through an analysis of the function of a website, website content can be adapted for presentation or rendering in a manner that more closely appreciates and respects the function behind the website. Various inventive systems and methods analyze a website's function so that its content can be adapted to different client environments, e.g. devices, network conditions, or user preferences. A novel function-based object model automatically identifies objects associated with a website, and analyzes those objects in terms of their functions. The function-based object model permits consistent, informed decisions to be made in the adaptation process, so that web content is displayed not only in an organized manner, but in a manner that reflects the author's intention. |
| US08122342B2 |
Enforcing accessible content development
A mechanism is provided for enforcing accessible content development. The mechanism enforces accessible content development by accessing a tag library descriptor for each of a plurality of markup tags for web content authoring where the tag library descriptor notes one or more tag sub-elements required for accessibility. The mechanism analyzes each markup tag in a piece of web content by comparing the tag library descriptor accessibility requirements to sub-elements included with each markup tag to determine whether all required accessibility sub-elements are present. The mechanism generates an error message if all required accessibility sub-elements of a markup tag are not present. |
| US08122341B1 |
Sharing geographical information between users
Users can collaborate to annotate a map by sharing geographical information. Map data can be stored locally or remotely while annotations are stored in an annotation server. A presentation device such as a personal computer can use the map data to display a map and can access the annotations on the annotation server and display them. Different users can edit the annotations and save them on the annotation server. The annotations presented to users who are simultaneously viewing them can be synchronized. Presentation devices can download modules for sharing geographical information from servers such as web servers. |
| US08122339B2 |
Automatic forms processing systems and methods
Systems and methods analyze the physical structure of text rows in a document image, including the positions of one or more alignments of one or more character blocks in one or more text rows of the document image. The systems and methods determine one or more groups of text rows that are placed into a class based on the structures of the text rows, such as the positions of the one or more alignments of the one or more character blocks in each text row. |
| US08122336B2 |
Web page link-tracking system
A link-tracking server receives a request for a Web page or an image and stores link-tracking information in one or more link-tracking files to create a record of link-tracking information. The link tracking files may later be accessed by a link-tracking subscriber, such as by logging onto the link-tracking server. A content provider embeds link-tracking code in each Web page where link-tracking information is desired to be captured. Such Web pages embedded with such link-tracking code are then stored in a content provider server, which then serves such tracking-enabled Web pages to users on the network. When a user requests a tracking-enabled page, the link-tracking code sends one or more requests to a link-tracking server to record link-tracking information. |
| US08122331B1 |
Media defect compensation system and method
A system and method of media defect compensation incorporate an architecture capable of modifying a signal representative of data reproduced from a recording medium to compensate for defects in the medium. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a media defect compensator may incorporate one or two data detectors cooperating with a defect detector to compensate for signal loss due to media defects. |
| US08122329B2 |
Methods of operating memory devices using error correction and rereading techniques
Various read level control apparatuses and methods are provided. In various embodiments, the read level control apparatuses may include an error control code (ECC) decoding unit for ECC decoding data read from a storage unit, and a monitoring unit for monitoring a bit error rate (BER) based on the ECC decoded data and the read data. The apparatus may additionally include an error determination unit for determining an error rate of the read data based on the monitored BER, and a level control unit for controlling a read level of the storage unit based on the error rate. |
| US08122328B2 |
Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem error correction method and circuit for checking error using error correction encoder
A Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) error correction circuit and method including storing normal data and first parity data in a memory cell array, the normal data and first parity data forming BCH encoded data; generating second parity data from the stored normal data; comparing the first parity data with the second parity data; and checking for an error in the normal data in response to the comparing. |
| US08122326B2 |
Encoding and error correction system for enhanced performance of legacy communications networks
A system includes a header stripper configured to strip header data from a plurality of legacy system frames. Each of the plurality of legacy system frames (i) being in accordance with a legacy system frame format and (ii) including a header block and a traffic channel block. A first encoder is configured to encode speech data for a plurality of slots of the traffic channel blocks. A second encoder is configured to encode the stripped header data as a frame header. A combiner is configured to combine the frame header and the encoded speech data to generate a frame. A segmenter segments the frame into a plurality of segments. A transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of segments as traffic channel data in accordance with the legacy system frame format. |
| US08122323B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for dynamic ECC code rate adjustment
A method, apparatus, and system for dynamic adjustment of an error control coding (ECC) code rate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a code rate may be changed from a first code rate to a second code rate in response to a change in a bit error rate. |
| US08122317B1 |
Two-dimensional parity technique to facilitate error detection and correction in memory arrays
The present invention is directed to a two-dimensional parity technique for data to be stored in one or more memory arrays, each of which has various rows and columns of cells. A row of bits in a super bundle is referred to as a row bundle. A super bundle includes numerous rows of row bundles, and corresponding bits in each of the row bundles in the super bundle are aligned in columns. A row check bit is provided for each row bundle in each super bundle. Each row check bit provides a parity bit that is derived from the k bits of the corresponding row bundle. A column check bit is provided for each column in each super bundle. Each column check bit provides a parity bit that is derived from each of the bits in the corresponding column in the super bundle. |
| US08122316B2 |
Error detector and error detection method
An error detector has a parity bit generator which generates error detection data for data strings sent from a CPU I/F to a memory, a parity checker which detects an error in the data strings output from the memory based on the error detection data, and a selector circuit which switchingly outputs the data from the parity bit generator and the data from a CPU which sends diagnostic data. While the selector circuit is switched to output the data from the CPU, based on the error detection data output from the selector circuit, the error detector conducts a failure diagnosis of error detection functions including at least one of the parity bit generator and the parity checker. |
| US08122313B2 |
Acknowledgment packet
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a receiving station in a wireless network may receive a plurality of Medium Access Control Packet Data Units (MPDUs) from a transmitting station. Each of the plurality of MPDUs may include a sequence number. The receiving station may also determine which of the plurality of MPDUs were successfully or not successfully received from the transmitting station. The receiving station may also transmit, to the transmitting station, at least one automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback information element (IE). The at least one ARQ feedback IE may include a number of acknowledgment maps field indicating a number of acknowledgment maps included in the ARQ feedback IE and the indicated number of acknowledgment maps. Each of the acknowledgment maps may include a sequence format field indicating a number of block sequence fields and the indicated number of block sequence fields. Each of the block sequence fields may indicate a sequence length of successive packets which were successfully or not successfully received based on the determining which of the plurality of received MPDUs were successfully received from the transmitting station. |
| US08122312B2 |
Internally controlling and enhancing logic built-in self test in a multiple core microprocessor
A mechanism is provided for internally controlling and enhancing logic built-in self test in a multiple core microprocessor. The control core may use architectural support for scan and external scan communication (XSCOM) to independently test the other cores while adjusting their frequency and/or voltage. A program loaded onto the control core may adjust the frequency and configure the LBIST to run on each of the cores under test. Once LBIST has completed on a core under test, the control core's program may evaluate the results and decide a next test to run for that core. For isolating failing latch positions, the control core may iteratively configure the LBIST mask and sequence registers on the core under test to determine the location of the failing latch. The control core may control the LBIST stump masks to isolate the failure to a particular latch scan ring and then position within that ring. |
| US08122311B2 |
Apparatus and method for clock signal synchronization in JTAG testing in systems having selectable modules processing data signals at different rates
In a test and debug system in which a plurality of selectable modules under test have different operational rates, a selection unit associated with each module is used to control the application of the RCLK signal from the module to the combiner unit, the combiner unit providing a composite RCLK signal. Each selection unit has output signals of RCLK_NE and RCLK_PE signals which are applied to an combiner unit to form the composite RCLK signal. In response to the SELECT signal, the RCLK_NE and RCLK_PE are synchronized with the module RCLK signal. When the SELECT signal is removed, the RCLK_NE and RCLK_PE signals are continuously applied to the combiner unit. |
| US08122308B2 |
Securely clearing an error indicator
In one embodiment, a controller can perform a secure clear of a poisoned indicator associated with an uncorrectable error (after recovery from the error). To this end, the controller may access a register storing an address of a memory location associated with indicator, determine whether the address corresponds to an entry in a table storing a list of such errors, and perform the clear based at least in part on the determination. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08122300B2 |
Non-volatile redundant verifiable indication of data storage status
A non-volatile redundant verifiable indication of data storage status is provided with respect to data storage operations conducted with respect to removable data storage media, and store the indication with an auxiliary non-volatile memory of the data storage media, such that the indication stays with the media. At least one state value indicating the status of the data storage operation is written to one page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory, and a redundancy check is provided with respect to at least the written state value of the one page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory; and the same state value is written to a second page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory, and a redundancy check is provided with respect to at least the written state value of the second page of the auxiliary non-volatile memory. The redundancy checks indicate the validity of the state values. |
| US08122298B2 |
Methods and systems for capturing error information in a SATA communication system
Methods and systems for capturing error information regarding a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA). An initiator device is enhanced in accordance with features and aspects hereof to detect an error condition in operation of the system and to transmit error information to the SATA target device during a soft reset condition applied to the SATA target device. The SATA target device discards all such frames received during the soft reset condition until the initiator device clears the soft reset condition. The error information may be captured for further analysis and debug of the error condition by suitable error analyzer equipment such as a SATA bus analyzer. The initiator device may be a SATA initiator or a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) initiator using the SATA Tunneling Protocol (STP). Features and aspects hereof may also include a SAS/SATA bridge device coupling a SAS initiator to the SATA target device. |
| US08122296B2 |
Information processing apparatus and job processing method
When an image processing apparatus acquires job log information and error log information from an image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus identifies a job processing time from a job start time and a job end time of each job which are recorded in the acquired job log information. Subsequently, the information processing apparatus identifies a job suspension time from an occurrence time and a recovery time of an error of each log which is recorded in the error log information. Then, the information processing apparatus calculates a job execution time based on the identified job processing time and the job suspension time. |
| US08122287B2 |
Managing a data storage system
A RAID storage system is provided with a plurality of disk drive modules in communication with a processor through a RAID controller. Tools and processes are provided for managing failure of individual modules in the RAID, identifying and managing excess spare modules, and migrating modules among array sites to produce uniform or near-uniform array sites. |
| US08122285B2 |
Arrangements detecting reset PCI express bus in PCI express path, and disabling use of PCI express device
A computer system including a plurality of PCIe paths is configured such that a failed PCIe path only is disabled, thereby preventing the computer system from system resetting. The computer comprises a root port for detecting a failure on a PCIe path, and then for issuing a SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt) to a CPU; and the CPU for, on the receipt of the SMI, executing BIOS to issue, through the root port, a PCIe reset to the PCIe path on which the failure has occurred. |
| US08122278B2 |
Clock skew measurement for multiprocessor systems
Systems and methods (“utility”) for providing more accurate clock skew measurements between multiple CPUs in a multiprocessor computer system by utilizing the cache control or management protocols of the CPUs in the multiprocessor system. The utility may utilize a time stamp counter (TSC) register of the CPUs in the multiprocessor computer system to detect the clock skew between the various CPUs in the system. Further, the delay between measurements of the TSC registers of the CPUs may be minimized by utilizing the features of the hardware cache control or management protocols of the computer system, thereby providing more accurate clock skew measurements. |
| US08122275B2 |
Write-leveling implementation in programmable logic devices
Circuits, methods, and apparatus for memory interfaces that compensate for skew between a clock signal and DQ/DQS signals that may be caused by a fly-by routing topology. The skew is compensated by clocking the DQ/DQS signals with a phase delayed clock signal, where the phase delay has been calibrated. In one example calibration routine, a clock signal is provided to a receiving device. A DQ/DQS signal is also provided and the timing of their reception compared. A delay of the DQ/DQS signal is changed incrementally until the DQ/DQS signal is aligned with the clock signal at the receiving device. This delay is then used during device operation to delay a signal that clocks registers providing the DQ/DQS signals. Each DQ/DQS group can be aligned to the clock, or the DQS and DQ signals in a group may be independently aligned to the clock at the receiving device. |
| US08122271B1 |
System, method, and device for providing secure operating environments for computer systems
The present invention includes a system, method, and device for providing secure operating environments for computer systems. In one form, a method for providing a secure operating environment for a network accessible system is disclosed. The method includes accessing a delay timer having a delay time interval operably coupled to a communication module. The delay time interval may be compared to activity operably associated with the system communicating with the network. The communication module may be enabled in response to the comparison and in one form may be isolated if the communication port remains idle for a time period greater than the delay time interval. |
| US08122269B2 |
Regulating power consumption in a multi-core processor by dynamically distributing power and processing requests by a managing core to a configuration of processing cores
Methods, systems, and design structures for providing power-regulated multi-core processing. The method includes determining a configuration of processing cores for optimal power consumption. The configuration of processing cores for optimal power consumption comprises a managing core and zero or more active processing cores wherein the active processing cores are selected from one or more available processing cores operatively coupled to the managing core. The managing core receives processing requests and processes them by dynamically retaining or distributing power to the configuration of processing cores. The managing core presents an appearance of a single core to an electronic system comprising the processing cores. |
| US08122261B2 |
Data communication apparatus and data communication method
Realizing a data communication device and a data communication method enabling to specify an IC memory mounted in the communication device and to perform data communication to the communication device in which the IC memory is mounted.A mobile device 100 of transmitting side accepts a domain ID specifying a detachable IC memory uniquely from an application 102, a communication driver 105 obtains an IP address of the device of correspondent on the basis of the accepted domain ID from a name server 300 storing the domain ID and the IP address being associated with each other. Then, the communication driver 105 obtains a port ID which an IC memory of the device of correspondent assigned to an application, and transmits the domain ID and the port ID together with a transmission data to the IP address. The device of correspondent rims the application based on the received port ID and executes an appropriate processing. |
| US08122259B2 |
Systems and algorithms for stateless biometric recognition
A system and algorithms to authenticate a person where a system only has some standard personal text data about the person, and cannot have a real biometric template obtained using an enrollment procedure. The authentication allows access to restricted resources by the person. This method is especially useful when it is used as an auxiliary authentication service with other methods such as password or Callback that dramatically lower the chances for an imposter. |
| US08122248B2 |
Preventing unauthorized distribution of media content within a global network
One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client. |
| US08122246B2 |
Method for generating decryption key, apparatus and method using decryption key
A decryption key unique to each user system is a value obtained by (a)assigning different individual key generation polynomials to a root, a plurality of nodes, and a plurality of leaves of a tree structure, respectively, (b) assigning the different leaves on the tree structure a plurality of subgroups obtained by dividing a group of a plurality of user identification information items which are for individually identifying the user systems, and (c) substituting the user identification information item of the each user system into one of the individual key generation polynomials which corresponds to one of leaves assigned to one of the subgroups to which the user identification information item corresponding to the each user system belongs or an ancestor node of the one of the leaves and a common key generation polynomial common to the root, the nodes, and the leaves. |
| US08122243B1 |
Shielding in wireless networks
Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to provide shielding from key cracking in wireless networks are described. In one embodiment, a first frame having a first content is identified. Determination is made whether the first frame needs to be shielded. A second frame having at least a portion of the first content is transmitted in response to determining that the first frame needs to be shielded. The first frame has data encrypted with a first encryption and the second frame has data encrypted with a second encryption. |
| US08122241B2 |
Method for delivering a confidential e-mail
A method for delivering a confidential e-mail is disclosed. The application software loads a first e-mail, checks if an attached file of the first e-mail is encrypted, opens a second e-mail for delivering a password of the attached file when the attached file is encrypted, and loads at least one receiver of the first e-mail to the second e-mail for sending the second e-mail. |
| US08122240B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing a security association
A method for establishing a security association between a client and a service node for the purpose of pushing information from the service node to the client, where the client and a key server share a base secret. The method comprises sending a request for generation and provision of a service key from the service node to a key server, the request identifying the client and the service node, generating a service key at the key server using the identities of the client and the service node, the base secret, and additional information, and sending the service key to the service node together with said additional information, forwarding said additional information from the service node to the client, and at the client, generating said service key using the received additional information and the base key. A similar approach may be used to provide p2p key management. |
| US08122237B2 |
Device and method for adjusting a converged device having barcode reading and RFID functionalities
A method adjusts a computing device. The method receives configuration data relating to at least two functionalities of the device. The method adjusts configurations of components of the device as a function of the configuration data so that the device performs as if a first functionality of the at least two functionalities is a primary functionality of the device. The components are at least partially capable of the at least two functionalities. |
| US08122233B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device, including: a processing unit; a peripheral circuit module; and a boot address register, wherein the information processing device comprises a first operation mode and a second operation mode having an operating current which is lower than that of said first operation mode, wherein the boot address register holds an address of an instruction to be executed by said processing unit first when the boot address register returns from said second operation mode to said first operation mode, wherein the address is output from said boot address to the processing unit when said information processing device shifts from said second operation mode to said first operation mode. |
| US08122229B2 |
Dispatch mechanism for dispatching instructions from a host processor to a co-processor
A dispatch mechanism is provided for dispatching instructions of an executable from a host processor to a heterogeneous co-processor. According to certain embodiments, cache coherency is maintained between the host processor and the heterogeneous co-processor, and such cache coherency is leveraged for dispatching instructions of an executable that are to be processed by the co-processor. For instance, in certain embodiments, a designated portion of memory (e.g., “UCB”) is utilized, wherein a host processor may place information in such UCB and the co-processor can retrieve information from the UCB (and vice-versa). The UCB may thus be used to dispatch instructions of an executable for processing by the co-processor. In certain embodiments, the co-processor may comprise dynamically reconfigurable logic which enables the co-processor's instruction set to be dynamically changed, and the dispatching operation may identify one of a plurality of predefined instruction sets to be loaded onto the co-processor. |
| US08122225B2 |
LUN masking/mapping in a SR-IOV enabled SAS adapter
A “LUN Table” enables Logical Unit Number (LUN) mapping/masking within an Input/Output Virtualization IOV adapter included in a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (“SAS” or “Serial Attached SCSI”). A plurality of System Images (“SI”) share block storage through the SAS. The IOV adapter includes one or more Virtual Functions (VF), a Physical Function (PF), and a LUN Table within the PF. The VF allows each SI to communicate I/0 requests with a storage device through the PF. The LUN Table maps the I/0 requests to unique locations within the storage device. Each SI is isolated from all other SIs. Interference between each SI is avoided. A VIOS or a LUN mapping/masking SAN are not required. I/0 latency, processor overhead and storage cost are improved over prior LUN mapping/masking solutions. |
| US08122223B2 |
Access speculation predictor with predictions based on memory region prior requestor tag information
An access speculation predictor may predict whether to perform speculative retrieval of data for a data request from a main memory based on whether or not a current requestor tag matches a previous requestor tag. In particular, a first address and a first requester tag may be extracted from a first data request and a finite state machine (FSM) of a memory controller may be selected whose memory region includes the first address. A second requester tag, that identifies a previous requester that attempted to access the memory region association with the selected FSM, may be retrieved from a register associated with the selected FSM and compared to the first requester tag. Speculatively retrieving the data for the first data request from a main memory may be controlled based on results of the comparison of the first requester tag to the second requester tag. |
| US08122221B2 |
Method and apparatus to combine scattered buffer addresses into a contiguous virtual address space
A method of combining scattered buffer addresses into a contiguous virtual address space comprises; receiving a plurality of read completion data portions corresponding to a single read request, storing the plurality of read completion data portions in a memory device such that an individual read completion data portion is stored in an individual address of the memory device, storing a valid indicator for a memory device address which contains the individual read completion data portion in an external storage location, storing a tag indicator associated with the read request for the individual read completion portion in an external storage location associated with the memory device address containing the individual read completion data portion, storing a sequence number associated with an individual read completion data portion in an external storage location associated with the memory device address containing the individual read completion data portion; and outputting an individual read completion data portion from the memory device to an external device. |
| US08122217B2 |
Method of a full coverage low power mode for storage systems storing replicated data items
A novel and useful method of implementing a full coverage low power mode in a storage system comprised of one or more memory storage devices storing replicated data items. A subset of the memory storage devices is chosen whose replicated data items require the least amount of storage. If the chosen subset stores uncovered data items, these data items are copied to an auxiliary memory storage device. The storage system can enter a full coverage low power mode by powering down the chosen subset of memory storage devices. |
| US08122210B2 |
Data backup device, data backup system, and data backup program
The data backup device comprising a receiver unit receiving from an image forming apparatus via a network, backup data and sender information indicating the location of the image forming apparatus on the network; a memory unit storing the backup data and the sender information that are received; an operating state acquiring unit acquiring based on the sender information, the operating state of the image forming apparatus whether or not it is ready to receive the backup data; a judgment unit judging based on the acquired operating state, whether or not the image forming apparatus is ready to receive the backup data; and a transmitting unit sending back the backup data to the image forming apparatus based on the sender information when the judgment unit judges that the image forming apparatus is ready to receive the backup data. |
| US08122208B2 |
System and method for memory architecture configuration
Systems and methods for reducing problems and disadvantages associated with physically asymmetrical memory structures are disclosed. A method for configuring memories in an information handling system having a plurality of memories, each memory local to one of a plurality of nodes, and wherein at least one memory of the plurality of memories has a different memory capacity than at least one other memory of the plurality of memories is provided. The method may include determining a smallest memory capacity of the plurality of memories. The method may also include allocating a node-interleaved memory using a portion of each memory equal to the smallest memory capacity. For each particular memory not fully allocated to the node-interleaved memory, each portion of each particular memory not allocated to the node-interleaved memory may be associated with a node local to the particular memory. |
| US08122197B2 |
Managing coherence via put/get windows
A method and apparatus for managing coherence between two processors of a two processor node of a multi-processor computer system. Generally the present invention relates to a software algorithm that simplifies and significantly speeds the management of cache coherence in a message passing parallel computer, and to hardware apparatus that assists this cache coherence algorithm. The software algorithm uses the opening and closing of put/get windows to coordinate the activated required to achieve cache coherence. The hardware apparatus may be an extension to the hardware address decode, that creates, in the physical memory address space of the node, an area of virtual memory that (a) does not actually exist, and (b) is therefore able to respond instantly to read and write requests from the processing elements. |
| US08122193B2 |
Storage device and user device including the same
A storage device includes a host interface, a buffer memory, a storage medium, and a controller. The host interface is configured to receive storage data and an invalidation command, where the invalidation command is indicative of invalid data among the storage data received by the host interface. The buffer memory is configured to temporarily store the storage data received by the host interface. The controller is configured to execute a transcribe operation in which the storage data temporarily stored in the buffer memory is selectively stored in the storage medium. Further, the controller is responsive to receipt of the invalidation command to execute a logging process when a memory capacity of the invalid data indicated by the invalidation command is equal to or greater than a reference capacity, and to execute an invalidation process when the memory capacity of the invalid data is less than the reference capacity. The logging process includes logging a location of the invalid data, and the invalidation process includes invalidating the invalid data. |
| US08122192B2 |
Data processing apparatus and data processing method
The data processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first processor; a second processor; and an external RAM to/from which the first processor writes/reads data, the first processor including a cache memory for storing data used in the first processor in association with an address on the external RAM, and the data being written to the cache memory by the second processor not through the external RAM. |
| US08122189B1 |
Methods for logically combining range representation values in a content addressable memory
A method may include comparing a first content addressable memory (“CAM”) entry with a first key value to generate a first comparison result; comparing each of multiple second CAM entries with a second key value to generate multiple second comparison results; and generating a match signal if the first key value matches the first CAM entry and the second key value matches at least one of the multiple second CAM entries. |
| US08122187B2 |
Refreshing dynamic volatile memory
A memory system, and process for refreshing the memory, is disclosed. The memory system includes memory, a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the memory, and a memory controller configured to refresh the memory at a refresh rate, the refresh rate being controlled as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. |
| US08122184B2 |
Methods for managing blocks in flash memories
A method for managing blocks in a flash memory is provided, which includes dynamic and static block managing methods. In the dynamic block managing method, a blank block is selected as a swap block for write operation. During each write operation, new data and/or original data in an object block to be operated are written into the swap block, and the object block is erased. Then, a logical address of the object block is changed to be a logical address of the swap block, so that the object block served as the swap block for a next write operation. In the static block managing method, a variable seed parameter is set. Different values of the seed parameter are each associated with a logical address of a respective flash memory block. When the value of the seed parameter varies, data in the flash memory block and the swap block associated to the value of the seed parameter are exchanged, so that the flash memory block associated to the value of the seed parameter becomes the swap block for the next write operation. |
| US08122179B2 |
Memory apparatus and method of evenly using the blocks of a flash memory
A memory apparatus and a method of evenly using the blocks of a flash memory are provided. The memory apparatus comprises a flash memory and a controller. The flash memory comprises a data region with a plurality of data blocks and a spare region with a plurality of spare blocks. The controller is configured to receive data corresponding to the first data block, select a spare block, program data into the spare block when the erase count corresponding to the spare block is less than the predetermined value or to select a second data block and program data stored in the second data block into the spare block when the erased count corresponding to the spare block reaches the predetermined value. As a result, the blocks of the flash memory are used evenly. |
| US08122178B2 |
Filesystem having a filename cache
A system comprising a processor, a data storage device that is accessible by the processor, and filesystem software that is executable by the processor to organize files on the data storage device are provided. The filesystem software is executable to maintain a filename cache comprising filename entries. The filename entries may include a filename header section and each filename entry identifies a filename of a corresponding file. |
| US08122170B2 |
Adaptive keyboard layout mapping
A method for processing keystrokes is described herein. A first keystroke representing a symbol for a first operating system may be received on a first computer. The first keystroke may be translated to a second keystroke representing the symbol for a second operating system on a second computer. The second operating system is different from the first operating system. The second keystroke may be sent to the second computer. |
| US08122162B2 |
Method of optimized-sharing of multimedia content and mobile terminal employing the same
An apparatus and method for displaying information using a mobile terminal connectable to peripheral devices through corresponding wireless communication is provided. The method includes receiving profile information from one or more of the peripheral devices connected through the corresponding wireless communication, each received profile information having identification information identifying the corresponding one or more peripheral devices and content information on the corresponding one or more peripheral devices, and listing the received profile information organized according to signal strength of the one or more peripheral devices from which the profile information is received. |
| US08122159B2 |
Determining addresses of electrical components arranged in a daisy chain
In one aspect, a system includes electrical components arranged in a daisy chain that include a first electrical component disposed at a first end of the daisy chain and a second electrical component disposed at an opposite end of the daisy chain than the first end. Each of the first and second electrical components includes an input port, an output port and a common port. The input port of the first electrical component is coupled to one of a supply voltage port or ground and the common ports of the first and second electrical components are coupled to the other one of the supply voltage or the ground. An address of the second electrical component is determined before addresses of the other of the electrical components are determined, and the addresses of the electrical components determine a position of an electrical component with respect to the other of the electrical components in the daisy chain. |
| US08122158B1 |
Method for improving I/O performance of host systems by applying future time interval policies when using external storage systems
A method, system, and a computer program product for improving IO (input/output) performance of host systems using external storage systems. An aspect of the present invention predicts policies to be applied in the host system based on historical information. Several characteristics of a set of IO requests sent by a host system are collected and analyzed to determine a usage/IO pattern. A suitable policy is then determined based on the pattern and applied on the host system when a similar pattern of IO requests is sought to be sent again, thereby improving the IO performance of the host system. |
| US08122155B1 |
RDMA write completion semantics
An RDMA Network Interface Controller (NIC) is operated to accomplish an RDMA WRITE operation initiated by an application operating on a host computing device to which the RDMA NIC is coupled for RDMA communication over a network with a peer device. The RDMA NIC receives an RDMA WRITE request from the host device, for writing data from a memory associated with the host device to a memory associated with the peer device using an RDMA protocol. The RDMA NIC initiates an RDMA WRITE operation from the memory associated with the host device to the memory associated with the peer device. Furthermore, the RDMA NIC automatically generates a completion indication for the RDMA WRITE operation to the host computing device by performing an RDMA READ operation and converting a READ COMPLETION for the RDMA READ operation to the completion indication for the RDMA WRITE operation. |
| US08122154B2 |
Storage system
In a storage system that manages update prohibition (WORM) information, when time management is not performed with precision, there arises a possibility that an update prohibition (WORM) attribute may be erased before a preservation period expires. This invention provides a storage system coupled to at least one of time servers through a network, including: a first time information holding unit that holds first time information to be used to manage an update prohibition attribute of data; a second time information holding unit that holds second time information to be used to establish time synchronization with a device coupled to the network; and a time update unit that manages the first time information and the second time information, in which the time update unit receives third time information from the at least one of the time servers and judges whether the third time information satisfies a predetermined condition, and updates the first time information based on the third time information when the third time information satisfies the predetermined condition. |
| US08122153B2 |
Individuals' URL identity exchange and communications
A method for managing data associated with a data profile involves providing a web server hosting facility, providing a set of remote-hosted second.top domains, storing, on the web server hosting facility, a set of web-accessible data profiles for a third level domain name of the set of remote-hosted second.top domains with any file suffixes, and searching and extracting data from the set of web-accessible data profiles to obtain extracted data. |
| US08122145B2 |
System, method and computer program product for grouping clients and transferring content in accordance with the same
A system is provided that includes a plurality of clients and a server capable of assigning the plurality of clients to at least one group for the transfer of content to the server and/or from the server. The server is capable of assigning at least one of the clients based upon a size of the content, a transfer speed, and a probability of transferring the content without experiencing an interruption in the transfer. In this regard, the server can also be capable of collecting statistical data relating to the transfer speed and probability to thereby determine the transfer speed and probability. After assigning the clients to the group(s), at least one of the clients can be capable of downloading content from, or uploading content to, the server based upon the group(s). |
| US08122140B2 |
Apparatus and method for accelerating streams through use of transparent proxy architecture
A communication apparatus for remote communication may include a local transparent proxy module configured to intercept a first stream destined to a remote destination and configured to make a first determination whether to accelerate communication associated with the first stream. The communication apparatus may include a local proxy module configured to receive the first stream based on the first determination and configured to make a second determination whether a connection to a remote proxy module is established. If the connection is established, then the local proxy module may receive one or more additional streams and may direct the one or more additional streams to the remote proxy module utilizing an accelerated mode. If the connection is not established, then the local transparent proxy module may direct the first stream to the remote destination utilizing a non-accelerated mode. A machine-readable medium and a method are also disclosed. |
| US08122139B2 |
Scheduling of multiple files for serving on a server
Multiple files a served using a server coupled to a data network. A plurality of files is determined, wherein a file includes an integer number of blocks, and wherein each block includes at least one input symbol. For each file, an indication of at least one channel on which to serve the file is determined, and, for each file, a rate at which to serve the file is determined. Also, a schedule for processing the blocks is determined, and output symbols for the blocks are generated according to the schedule. The output symbols are transmitted on the corresponding at least one channel, wherein the files are concurrently served at their corresponding rates. |
| US08122138B2 |
Method and system for user-determined attribute storage in a federated environment
A system is presented for facilitating management of user attribute information at one or more attribute information providers (AIPs), which can manage the user's attribute information in accordance with user-selected or administratively-determined options, including options that are stored in attribute release policies and/or dynamically determined during a transaction. E-commerce service providers (ECSPs), such as online banks or merchants, also maintain a relationship with an AIP such that the ECSP can trust the user attribute information that is provided by the AIP on behalf of the user. The user can complete transactions that require user attribute information at any ECSP without having to have previously established a relationship with that particular ECSP. If the ECSP has a relationship with one of the user's AIPs, then the user will be able to direct the ECSP to an AIP when the ECSP needs user attribute information to complete a transaction for the user. |
| US08122136B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing security to a computerized device
When establishing a communications channel to a wireless network, through a wireless connection, a computerized device receives an Internet protocol (IP) address from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server associated with the wireless network. The computerized device is configured with a table or list of IP addresses associated with wireless networks requiring a VPN or secure connection. The computerized device compares the IP address received from the DHCP server with the IP address entries of the table stored by the computerized device. If the computerized device detects a correspondence between the IP address received from the DHCP server and an IP address entry within the table, the computerized device automatically initiates a secure or VPN connection with the wireless network associated with the DHCP server. The computerized device therefore actively establishes a secure connection with the wireless network, prior to user login and without user intervention, based upon the computerized device being a client of the wireless network. |
| US08122135B2 |
System, computer program product and method for managing and controlling a local network of electronic devices and reliably and securely adding an electronic device to the network
A system method and computer program product for setting up a wireless electronic device to join a wireless local area network (LAN). The method upon which the system and computer program product is based includes sending a setup request from the wireless electronic device to a control device, the setup request including a request to be added to the wireless LAN, and receiving at the wireless device a data package from the control device, the data package including network information necessary for the wireless device to join the wireless LAN. The network information are then executed at the wireless device to establish a wireless connection to an access point of the wireless LAN. The setup request may be sent at a low power to ensure that only the control device in close proximity can receive the request. After the wireless connection to the LAN is established, the wireless electronic device resumes full power communications. |
| US08122134B2 |
Reducing loop effects in a wireless local area network repeater
A method and apparatus are provided for operating a frequency translating repeater in a wireless local are network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters (200, 204), a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units (100) and one or more client units (104, 105). A first frequency channel may be used for receiving and transmitting, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies monitored to detect a transmitted signal. The signal is characterized to determine if associated with the base units. A second frequency channel selected for use by one of the repeaters for retransmission of additional signals based on the characterization. |
| US08122133B2 |
Method for monitoring and providing information over a peer to peer network
The present invention relates to a pseudonode used for deployment on a peer to peer network which pseudonode comprises an IP address and client ID that is changeable upon the occurrence of a preselected event and includes a list containing at least one searchable data object. The pseudonode is programmed for monitoring the network to receive search requests therefrom and to compare each said received search with said list of data objects and to respond to such request. The invention also provides a method for monitoring search requests for selected objects by nodes on a peer to peer network. The method includes interposing the pseudonodes on the network in which it is configured to provide at least one IP address and optionally at least one client ID. The pseudonode has at least one stored object corresponding to a request object stored at said pseudonode; and monitors the network to detect requests matching at least one of the stored objects and acquires a unique ID generated by any network node requesting the object matching that stored object on the pseudonode and responding to substantially each node representing an acquired ID. |
| US08122118B2 |
Selection of communication protocol for message transfer based on quality of service requirements
Provided are a message brokering systems, computer program products and methods for communication in a publish/subscribe environment in which publisher application programs send messages to subscriber application programs via one or more message brokers, the method comprising the following steps: responsive to receipt of a published message at a message broker, referring to characteristics of the received message and subscriber-specified quality of service requirements to determine an appropriate quality or service for onward transmission of the message; selecting a communication protocol in accordance with the determined quality of service; and transmitting the message using the selected communication protocol. Information relating to the quality of service requirements of a first message broker's subscribers is passed to other brokers and subsequently used for selection of an appropriate communication protocol for transmitting messages between the brokers. |
| US08122116B2 |
Storage management method and management server
A method for moving a virtual machine is provided which considers an input/output between array groups and virtual machines after being moved. The computer system includes a physical server executing the virtual machines, a storage device having array groups, and a management server that manages a link between the virtual machines and the array groups. The computer system is characterized in that an estimated I/O volume of the virtual machine after being moved is calculated and that, if the estimated I/O volume exceeds the maximum I/O volume of the array group connected to the moved virtual machine, a search is made to find an array group whose maximum I/O volume is smaller than the estimated I/O volume. |
| US08122113B2 |
Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) message interception and modification
In an embodiment, a method includes intercepting a configuration message from a first network node addressed to a third network node, and modifying the intercepted configuration message to provide a modified configuration message that includes address information associated with a second network node that is configured to provide bootstrap information for the third node. |
| US08122112B2 |
Method and apparatus for removable device modification of system configuration
A method and apparatus for updating the system configuration settings of a computer system. Embodiments include a remote system configuration system that enables a user to update the system configuration of a target machine from a server machine over a network or similar communications system. Another embodiment includes a system configuration method using a bus master device to write system configuration data into a target computer system. |
| US08122111B2 |
System and method for server configuration control and management
Methods of obtaining and comparing data processing system configurations, and producing reports of differences between the configurations, where the configurations include elements to control access from a remote client to a storage facility of a data processing system, are described. Systems to receive and alter a configuration based on local conditions, and to use the altered configuration to control data exchange logic are also described. Software to display configuration elements, identify differences between configurations, and attach attributes to configuration elements is also described. |
| US08122107B2 |
Method for extending business systems to a mobile workforce
Systems, software, and methods for reliable wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, a computer program control device, called a node, is configured to be transmitted from a first device for receipt and processing on a second, disparate device. The node comprises a collection of managed objects or managed object representations that is effective to control said disparate device. In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the node is configured to control the processing of multiple data types. |
| US08122106B2 |
Integrating design, deployment, and management phases for systems
Integrating design, deployment, and management phases for a system in accordance with certain aspects includes using a system definition model to design a system. The system definition model is subsequently used to deploy the system on one or more computing devices and, after deployment of the system, the system definition model is used to manage the system deployed on the one or more computing devices. |
| US08122101B2 |
Methods and systems for distributing software
Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to the distribution of software. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for distributing software from a first system to a second system comprises determining a software object to be transported. The method stores the software object in a storage device and creates, on the first system, a transport request which comprises an object list. The method defines, on the first system, a transport container and includes a reference to the stored software object in the transport container. The method also includes the transport container in the object list of the transport request and provides the transport request to the second system. |
| US08122097B2 |
System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications
A communication system is provided in which users associate handling data identifying how messages are to be processed with contact data. Handling data for the identified contacts in the contact data is then dispatched to those contacts. Subsequently when messages are dispatched from the locations identified by the contact data a sender of a message selects handling data to be associated with a message being dispatched. Upon receipt of a message associated with handling data the message is then processed in the manner identified by the handling data. |
| US08122095B2 |
System and method for extracting and managing message addresses
A system and method is disclosed for extracting and maintaining in a virtual address book one or more electronic mail addresses from one or more of the various address fields (e.g., “From,” “To,” “Cc,” “Bcc”) of one or more e-mail messages either transmitted from or received at a predetermined network node (e.g., a client or server). Electronic mail addresses stored in the virtual address book may be made available to “auto-complete” capabilities utilized during the addressing of electronic mail messages. |
| US08122092B2 |
Auto-resolve recipients cache
In embodiments, mobile devices request and utilize recipient caches. Recipient caches store information regarding previous recipients of communications. The information on recipients includes when the recipient was last contacted and the frequency with which a recipient is contacted. In embodiments, a mobile device requests a recipient cache from a server. When a user types a string of text, the mobile device then uses the recipient cache as well as the contacts and emails on the mobile device and resolves a recipient list. In other embodiments, a recipient cache on a server is updated when a mobile device sends a message with new recipient information. In another embodiment, a server resolves conflicting messages by using recipient information. |
| US08122091B2 |
System and method for name resolution
A plurality of relationships of a user are analyzed. A social network of the user based upon, at least in part, the plurality of relationships of the user, is analyzed, the social network identifying one or more relationship users. A collaborative user is identified based upon, at least in part, a name input received from the user and the social network of the user. |
| US08122090B2 |
Method for requesting the termination of a communication session
A method for terminating a communication session is present. During a communication session in which communication devices are in communication through a server, one of the devices decides to terminate the session. This device generates a first message requesting permission to terminate participation in the session and sends it to the server. The server, receiving the first message, determines whether or not there is session media being communicated or pending communication to the device. If not, the server generates a second message authorizing the device to terminate its participation in the session and sends it to the device. The device continues to listen for session media until, upon receiving the second message, it terminates its participation in the session. |
| US08122089B2 |
High availability transport
A system provides high availability electronic message forwarding. When an electronic message is communicated to a first server, a copy of the electronic message is maintained at a second server. The electronic message is maintained on both servers until the electronic message is successfully communicated to a third server. After the message is delivered to the third server, the electronic message is removed from both the first server and the second server. If the first server fails to communicate the electronic message to the third server, the second server does so. |
| US08122087B2 |
Matching engine for comparing data feeds with user profile criteria
An event notification matching system, including an event matching table forming a plurality of nodes. Each node is assigned a subscriber request value and contains identifiers for one or more subscribers to be notified at the occurrence of an event relating to the subscriber request value. The event notification matching system may also include a table index. The table index receives input values from an event processing module and selects one or more of the nodes that have subscriber request values corresponding to the received input values. The event processor receives event data from a predetermined source, and formats the input values to simplify the operations performed by the event matching table. The event notification matching system is configured such that the event data need not be compared to non-matching nodes in the event matching table. |
| US08122086B1 |
Strategies for presenting a sequence of messages to a user
Functionality is described herein for presenting a sequence of messages to the user arranged in chronological order. The functionality additionally annotates the messages with identifiers. Some of the identifiers convey the manner in which the identified messages relate to other messages in the sequence. The functionality therefore uniquely combines the merits of both a flat paradigm for organizing messages (by virtue of the arrangement of the messages in chronological order) and a nested paradigm for organizing messages (by virtue of the linking identifiers added to the messages). |
| US08122082B2 |
System and method for detecting a proxy between a client and a server
A method and system for determining whether a proxy is present in a communication link between a client and a server, and if so, certain characteristics of the proxy. |
| US08122080B2 |
Aggregation system
Machine, method for use and method for making, and corresponding products produced thereby, as well as data structures, computer-readable media tangibly embodying program instructions, manufactures, and necessary intermediates of the foregoing, each pertaining to digital aspects of a computerized aggregation system. The system can include a user computer system interposed between a segment of a network allowing communication between the user computer system and at least one server system, and other segments allowing communication between the user computer system and a plurality of third party server systems. The one server system enables the user computer system to access the plurality of other servers. The access permits forming an aggregation of information obtained from the third party server systems. |
| US08122076B2 |
Digital-signal-processing apparatus and method
Digital-signal-processing apparatus has a ringing-suppression-coefficient-generating device that generates a ringing suppression coefficient according to an amount of ringing occurred at an input signal, and a ringing suppression device that generates a ringing suppression signal based on high-frequency component of the input signal and the ringing suppression coefficient and suppresses the ringing by giving the ringing suppression signal to the input signal. |
| US08122071B2 |
Desk-top, stream-based, information management system
A steam-based document storage and retrieval system accepts documents that are in diverse formats and come from diverse application, automatically creates document model objects describing these documents in a consistent format and associating time stamps with the documents to automatically create a main stream in chronological order. The stream, or sub-streams meeting selected search criteria, are displayed in a variety of forms, including a receding, partly overlapping stack with aids that facilitate user interaction. |
| US08122070B1 |
Document management system user interfaces
Systems, methods, and software to provide document management system user interfaces to clients. Some embodiments include an intermediary server to provide document management system indexing data to a client in a form that is displayable within an existing client file browsing user interface, such as Windows Explorer. |
| US08122067B2 |
Data storage system
A data storage system for storing a number of versions of a number of objects, the versions of the objects being arranged in branch groups, wherein at least one version of at least one object defines a branch group, and wherein the versions of the objects are stored in accordance with their branch group, the system comprising an object versions table operable to include information relating to each version of each object and identifying, for each version of each object, a branch group to which the version of the object belongs and an object branches table operable to include information relating to each branch group and identifying, for each branch group, each version of each object that belongs to the branch group. |
| US08122066B2 |
Database query profiler
A query profiling system and associated operating methods implement a database query profiler. The illustrative database system comprises a parser, a query model, a catalog manager, a binder and view rewriter, and a query analyzer. The parser parses statements by checking syntax of a statement according to a structured query language (SQL) grammar and representing the statements in a syntax-oriented internal format. The catalog manager processes data definition SQL statements (DDL) that are transformed to the internal representation; transform the representations of the DDL to database objects abstractions; groups the database objects into a Catalog. The binder and view rewriter take the internal representations obtained by parsing workload queries (data manipulation SQL statements or DML) and rewrite table references by their corresponding View definitions; bind database object references to their actual database objects contained in the catalog. The query analyzer analyzes the queries for relevant attributes and stores the attributes in a profile repository. |
| US08122064B2 |
Computer program, method, and apparatus for data sorting
A data sorting program that is capable of performing a data sorting process by using a small capacity of memory at a fast speed. A computer executing the data sorting program has the following functions. A concise ordered TRIE creator creates a root, sequentially reads the characters of each data, and when a prescribed number of data passed a certain node connected to the root before and a child node corresponding to a character next to a character associated with the certain node has not been created, creates the child node so that the child nodes of the certain node have a prescribed arrangement. A partition determination unit sets partitions between prescribed nodes. A data grouping unit groups the data into a plurality of data groups according to the partitions. |
| US08122061B1 |
Systems and methods for information management using socially constructed graphs
The present invention allows for an easy-to-use, web-based, schema-less database system that provides organizations the ability to organically model, store, and access information in an iterative and evolutionary manner. Users are encouraged to grow and explore the information domain intuitively. One embodiment is a method of collaboratively managing an entity-relationship database, including: displaying an entity-relationship graph to a first user, and creating a new relationship in the database in response to an input from said first user. Then, displaying an updated entity-relationship graph to a second user, and creating a second new relationship in the database in response to an input from the second user. Finally, assigning a voting weight to one or more relationships in the database in response to an input from a voting user, and disambiguating two or more relationships based on the voting weight from the voting user. |
| US08122060B2 |
Tracking of object versions in different project stages
A system and method to maintain versions of an object for each lifecycle stage of the object are described. The system maintains versions and archives of objects in memory. The system includes an object repository to maintain new objects. The system has a lifecycle stage module to manage lifecycle stages, an origin matrix builder to build origin matrices, an archive version manager to manage archives. The system further retrieves usages of objects across lifecycle stages using a usage logic module and compares the content of objects from different stages using a comparison module. |
| US08122059B2 |
Cache system and method for generating uncached objects from cached and stored object components
Methods and apparatus for constructing objects within a cache system thereby allowing the cache system to respond to requested objects that are not initially available within the cache system. One embodiment of the invention caches image files, where the images are divided into components and stored in a format that allows identification and access to the components. The cache system determines that an object, such as an image file, is missing from the cache memory, locates sufficient components from the cache memory and/or external storage, and constructs the object from the located components. |
| US08122055B2 |
Hosted multi-tenant application with per-tenant unshared private databases
Technologies are described herein for providing a hosted multi-tenant application that utilizes per-tenant unshared private databases. A shared middle-tier is utilized in conjunction with private, unshared databases for each of the tenants. The private, unshared databases are utilized to store application data for an associated tenant, along with any customizations to the application implemented by the tenant. A shared configuration database is also utilized that stores application data that is shared among the tenants. When a request is received from a tenant to access the hosted application, the shared configuration database is utilized to locate the private, unshared database associated with the tenant making the request. The contents of the private, unshared database associated with the tenant making the request are then utilized to response to the request. |
| US08122051B2 |
Support applications for rich media publishing
Identifying a source of user referral for a media publishing website includes: storing a referring URL in a cookie variable; retrieving the referring URL from the cookie variable during a registration process to enter the media publishing website; dynamically customizing a home page of the media publishing website according to the referring URL; and adding a distinction between original and current session referrals. |
| US08122049B2 |
Advertising service based on content and user log mining
A system and method are disclosed for providing documents related to a search request. The search request may include a search query of one or more keywords, or the search request may be a demographic search query including one or more demographic attributes. An index containing data crawled from publisher's websites, demographic information of registered users, along with the search history of the registered users can be created. Once a search request is received, the search request can be compared to the information stored in the index, and one or more documents related to the request can be provided. |
| US08122047B2 |
Recommendation systems and methods using interest correlation
A search technology generates recommendations with minimal user data and participation, and provides better interpretation of user data, such as popularity, thus obtaining breadth and quality in recommendations. It is sensitive to the semantic content of natural language terms and lets users briefly describe the intended recipient (i.e., interests, eccentricities, previously successful gifts). Based on that input, the recommendation software system and method determines the meaning of the entered terms and creatively discover connections to gift recommendations from the vast array of possibilities. The user may then make a selection from these recommendations. The search/recommendation engine allows the user to find gifts through connections that are not limited to previously available information on the Internet. Thus, interests can be connected to buying behavior by relating terms to respective items. |
| US08122045B2 |
Method for mapping a data source to a data target
The invention relates to a method for mapping at least one data column from a database source to at least one data column of a data target, the method comprising: defining at least one reference column of the data target and at least one database source column; performing a comparison of data contained in the data column(s) with the reference column(s); and determining mapping candidates between the data column(s) and the reference column(s). |
| US08122042B2 |
Method and system for determining a relevant content identifier for a search
In a method for a direct answer for search, a search query is received over a network, one or more answer entities are determined from one or more answer candidate snippets, with an answer candidate snippet having at least a portion of content available over the network for an answer candidate, a content identifier is determined for an answer candidate, a title is tokenized for the content identifier, a comparison is performed between a vector of tokens for the title and a vector of the one or more answer entities, an indicator of the relevance is adjusted for the content identifier in accordance with the comparison, and at least one answer candidate snippet is sent for a response to the search query. |
| US08122039B2 |
Apparatus for multimedia integrated retrieval and storage medium storing a multimedia integrated retrieval program
A multimedia integrated retrieval apparatus includes a feature value extracting unit calculating a feature value of single media data; a media information storage unit storing the feature value and storing composite media data in association with the single media data; a retrieval processing unit identifying other pieces of single media data corresponding to the single media data; a retrieval controlling unit, generating structural body data that includes a first node indicative of the single media data, a second node indicative of the another piece of single media data, a first link connecting the first node to the second node, a third node indicative of another composite media data, and a second link connecting the third node to the second node, if the another piece of composite media data including the another piece of single media data is present; and a display unit displaying the structural body data. |
| US08122037B2 |
Auto-selection of media files
Apparatus and methods to control selection of media content provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08122027B2 |
Message filtering
The invention relates to a communications manager for receiving publications and forwarding these publications on to parties who have subscribed to receive such publications. The communications manager is able to store a plurality of filter expressions independently of the process of registering subscriptions, with each filter expression being stored in an optimized format. Means are provided for permitting the optimized format of a stored filter expression to be referenced by a party wishing to receive publications filtered according to that filter expression and publications received can be parsed against the optimized filter expression in order to determine which publications should be forwarded on to the party concerned. |
| US08122024B2 |
Method and system for storing multiple geo-tagged media files and rendering the same
A method and apparatus for organizing a geographically tagged media file, the method obtaining geographical information for the media file; identifying a subfolder for the media file; and placing the media file in the identified subfolder. Also, a method and apparatus for utilizing an album of geographically tagged media files within a media application, the method allowing a third party application access to the geographically tagged media files; and upon selection of the third party application within the media application, launching the third party application populated with the album of geographically tagged media files. |
| US08122022B1 |
Abbreviation detection for common synonym generation
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for determining an abbreviation for a term. During operation, the system receives a candidate abbreviation for the term. If the term is a compound term comprised of a number of constituent terms, the system then determines if the candidate abbreviation is substantially equal to at least one of the constituent terms. If so, the system determines that the candidate abbreviation is not an abbreviation for the term. |
| US08122020B1 |
Recommendations based on item tagging activities of users
A system provides a user interface through which users can flexibly tag individual items represented in an electronic catalog with user-defined tags, such as text strings, and obtain recommendations that are specific to particular tags. The tags and tag-item assignments created by each user are stored persistently in association with the user, and may be kept private to the user or exposed to others. Once a user has assigned a tag to a number of items, the user (or another user in some embodiments) can request and obtain recommendations that are specific to this tag. These recommendations may be generated in real time by a recommendation service that identifies items that are collectively similar or related to the items associated with the tag. |
| US08122017B1 |
Enhanced retrieval of source code
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products are provided for indexing tags in source code. Implementations provide an enhanced retrieval of source code, in which a score for each of a plurality of files is derived based on a quantity of references to each file in source code of the remaining plurality of files. A query is received identifying a source code tag. Matching files of the plurality of files that satisfy the query are identified, a ranking of the matching files is generated based on the derived scores, and the ranking is provided. |
| US08122016B1 |
Determining concepts associated with a query
Determining one or more concepts associated with a query is disclosed. A query is received. A list of concepts and associated scores is received. The concepts fit within a concept hierarchy. A density function is used to evaluate the received concepts. One or more concepts are associated with the query based at least in part on the results of the density function. |
| US08122014B2 |
Layered augmentation for web content
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods (and corresponding systems and computer program products) that augment content in web pages with resources and provide the resources based on user interaction with the augmented content in the web pages. The disclosed embodiments analyzes a web page to identify a keyword, locates a piece of reference data matching the identified keyword, generates an association of the located piece of reference data and the keyword, and embeds the association in an augmented web page. Upon receiving a request from a client computer corresponding to a pointer being positioned over the keyword in the augmented web page, the disclosed embodiments determines relevant resources, and transmits the resources to the client computer for display in a multi-layered dialog box, such that a viewer can access the plurality of resources by interacting with the multi-layered dialog box without leaving the augmented web page. |
| US08122012B2 |
Abstract record timeline rendering/display
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for constructing a database abstraction model over an underlying physical database. Once constructed, users may interact with the database abstraction model, rather than the underlying physical database representation, to query the database and view query results. In one embodiment, information is retrieved from the underlying physical database that is related to a model entity and displayed on a timeline. Generally, a model entity identifies the logical focus, or the central entity, being queried by user interacting with a query application. An abstract record identifies what data about each model entity is available to query using the database abstraction model. |
| US08122010B2 |
Dynamic query optimization
Methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamically adjusting computer resources, as appropriate, in response to predictions of query runtimes as well as for rendering costs of the computer resources actually utilized, which costs are consistent with consumer demands. |
| US08122007B2 |
Method and system for interactively exploring data objects
A method and system for interactively exploring data objects is provided. A user action selecting a portion of a first one of the data objects. The selected portion of the first one of the data objects comprising at least one attribute correspondingly mapped to a meaning. At least one query is retrieved, the at least one query comprising at least one input parameter correspondingly mapped to the meaning associated with the at least one attribute of the selected portion. In response to a user selection of the retrieved query, a value of the at least one attribute of the selected portion is passed as input to the retrieved query. A search request is generated based on the retrieved query with the passed value as the input parameter to obtain at least a second data object representing supplementary data related to the first one of the data objects. |
| US08122006B2 |
Event processing query language including retain clause
An event processor can use event processing queries to operate an event. Event processing queries can include a “retain” clause that limits the amount of data over which the query is run. |
| US08122003B2 |
Request-based knowledge acquisition
One implementation provides a method for acquiring knowledge from multiple knowledge bases in a knowledge repository. The method includes identifying first and second knowledge bases within the knowledge repository by analyzing a search request received from a client system. The first knowledge base contains knowledge of a first type and the second knowledge base contains knowledge of a second type. The method further includes generating instructions that, when executed, cause first and second requests to be sent to the knowledge repository in sequential fashion to acquire knowledge from the first and second knowledge bases, such that the second request is sent after the first request, and such that the second request includes knowledge of the first type from the first knowledge base acquired in response to the first request. |
| US08122002B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing device includes an obtaining unit to obtain two pieces of information that are targets for searching for connections; a connection searching unit to use an action model wherein the manner of obtaining, from input information, obtain related information that relates to the input information is modeled, and find connection information to connect the two pieces of information, thereby searching connections between the two pieces of information; and a search result output unit to output the search results of the connections between the two pieces of information. |
| US08122000B2 |
Extensible data provider querying and scheduling system
Embodiments provide an independent layer between an application user interface and various data sources so that both the user interface and data sources can be added to, removed, or modified without affecting the other. The independent layer provides scalability to allow data sources and data providers to be plugged into a system in an easy manner. In one or more embodiments, the independent layer provides a common set of query APIs that can be used by client applications to make queries on one or more data sources. The independent layer then communicates the queries to one or more data providers associated with individual data sources. Queries are executed on the data sources and results are returned back up through the data providers and independent layer for consumption by a client application. In at least some embodiments, the client application comprises a web browser that makes use of the independent layer. |
| US08121996B2 |
Optimization of aspects of information technology structures
A computer system and computer program product for optimizing an aspect of an Information Technology (IT) structure of an IT system. The aspect of the IT structure is optimized with respect to at least one control parameter. The IT structure includes a plurality of elements. Each element independently is a hardware element, a software element, or a combination of a hardware element and a software element. Each control parameter has a value that is specific to each element of the IT structure. |
| US08121995B2 |
Service search system, method, and program
The invention provides a support system for searching for a function, including: a first storage for storing a history of at least one output parameter of each of a plurality of functions; an input section for receiving an input of an output parameter expected as an output of a function for a search; a calculating section for calculating first indexes respectively indicating proximity of the output parameter as inputted to each of those stored in the first storage, and summing the calculated first indexes for each function; and an output section for selecting, from among the plurality of functions, a function having a sum of the first indexes larger than a predetermined value, and outputting the selected function. |
| US08121994B2 |
Partially embedded database and an embedded database manager for a control system
A method is used for editing a data element stored in a static memory device comprising a plurality of storage units. The method includes a step of copying a content of one of the storage units to a dynamic memory device, wherein the content comprises the data element. The method further includes editing the data element while the data element is stored in the dynamic memory. The method also includes erasing said one of the storage units, and writing the content, including the data element that has been edited, into one of the storage units. |
| US08121986B2 |
Method and apparatus to capture and transmit dense diagnostic data of a file system
A processor selects file system metadata. A processor identifies each unit of data in a file system. The processor determines if the unit of data contains file system metadata. The processor writes a unit of data of metadata to a diagnostic file system, provided it was determined that the unit of data contains file system metadata. The processor then determines if the unit of data contains user data. If the unit of data contains user data, the processor writes a sparse object to the diagnostic file. |
| US08121976B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting legacy programming language data structures to schema definitions
A method and apparatus for creating a schema definition from a language-specific metamodel of a data structure written in a legacy computer language involves walking through the nodes of the metamodel, and creating corresponding schema element objects in a schema tree that is serialized to create the schema definition. The creation of the schema element objects follows rules, and permits the definition of nested data structures having conjunctive-type and disjunctive-type membership. |
| US08121973B2 |
Event handling system
An event handling system to schedule and translate semantic deductions form Intelligent Agents and sensors into events capable of being made observable by a Recipient system such as monitor that provides a particular view of virtual objects and events is disclosed. The event handling system also encapsulates the system's notion of time. In fact, a human observer can shift the system along the temporal axis (up to the present) in order to replay events, or undertake analyses as a result of speeded-up or slowed-down notions of system time. The event handling system receives events from Clients/Sources via connections through the event handling system Input Portals, and uses Shared Memory as its form of inter-process communication with the Monitors. The event handling system makes events available for a recipient observation sub-system to read and provide their particular view. There can be many Clients and Recipient systems connected to the event handling system at the same time. |
| US08121971B2 |
Intelligent drilling advisor
An information integration environment identifies the current drilling sites, and drilling equipment and processes at those current drilling sites. Based upon that identification, and upon data received from the drilling sites, servers access and configure software agents that are sent to a host client system at the drilling site; these software agents operate at the host client system to acquire data from sensors at the drilling site, to transmit that data to the information integration environment, and to derive the drilling state and drilling recommendations for the driller at the drilling site. These software agents include one or more rules, heuristics, or calibrations derived by the inference engine, and called by the information integration environment. In addition, the software agents sent from the information integration environment to the host client system operate to display values, trends, and reliability estimates for various drilling parameters, whether measured or calculated. |
| US08121969B2 |
Interpreting a plurality of M-dimensional attribute vectors assigned to a plurality of locations in an N-dimensional interpretation space
A method for interpreting a plurality of m-dimensional attribute vectors (m2) assigned to a plurality of locations in an n-dimensional interpretation space (n1), which method comprises arranging at least a subset of the attribute vectors as points in an m-dimensional attribute space; defining k classes (k2) of attribute vectors by identifying for each class at least one classification point in attribute space; postulating a classification rule for points in attribute space; determining a class-membership attribute of a point in attribute space using the classification points and the classification rule to obtain a classified point; and assigning a display parameter to the classified point which is related to the class-membership attribute. In one embodiment the display parameter is a mixed display parameter derived from probabilistic membership values each representing a probability that the classified point belongs to a selected class. In another embodiment classified points are displayed in attribute space and in interpretation space at the same time. The method can be used in a method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation. Also provided are corresponding computer program products and computer systems. |
| US08121968B2 |
Long-term memory in a video analysis system
A long-term memory used to store and retrieve information learned while a video analysis system observes a stream of video frames is disclosed. The long-term memory provides a memory with a capacity that grows in size gracefully, as events are observed over time. Additionally, the long-term memory may encode events, represented by sub-graphs of a neural network. Further, rather than predefining a number of patterns recognized and manipulated by the long-term memory, embodiments of the invention provide a long-term memory where the size of a feature dimension (used to determine the similarity between different observed events) may grow dynamically as necessary, depending on the actual events observed in a sequence of video frames. |
| US08121960B2 |
Portal performance optimization
A method for portal performance optimization comprises receiving a request for a portal page, the portal page comprising a plurality of portlets; determining a current system load; determining, based on the current system load, whether a performance rule is triggered; and in the event a performance rule is triggered, deactivating at least one of the plurality of portlets. A system for portal performance optimization comprises a portal server configured to receive a request for a portal page, the portal page comprising a plurality of portlets, the portal server comprising a performance management component, the performance management component configured to determine a current system load; and a rules engine, the rules engine configured to determine if a performance rule is triggered by the determined current system load, and, in the event a performance rule is triggered, to apply the triggered performance rule to at least one of the plurality of portlets. |
| US08121958B2 |
Approach for determining alternative printing device arrangements
According to one embodiment of the invention, an approach is provided for determining alternative printing device arrangements. In general, the geographic locations, usage and costs of an existing set of printing devices are analyzed. A determination is made, based upon this analysis, whether one or more of the existing printing devices can be replaced by one or more replacement printing devices to provide an alternative printing device arrangement that has lower costs. The lower costs may reflect lower operational costs, lower energy costs, lower acquisition costs, or any combination of lower operational costs, lower energy costs and lower acquisition costs. |
| US08121957B1 |
Discrete verification of payment information
In a computing system, in response to an order placed by a customer, a request for verification information is received from a merchant. Customer information is communicated to an issuing organization associated with the customer, while the information is withheld from the merchant. The merchant is connected for communication with the issuing organization for verification of information associated with the order. |
| US08121948B2 |
Automated document cashing system
Validation of the identity of the user is performed with the use of a card associated with intelligence that identifies the user. Validation of the document involves one or more of: validating the presence of a signature; validating the amount of the monetary transaction document including a manual entry of the amount by the user; validating CAR against the LAR; and validating the banking system parameters and rules for the customer and/or the transaction. To assist in the automatic analysis of data on monetary transactional documents or on remittance documents, the user is prompted to provide a bounding box about the data. An image touch screen may be touched by the user to locate the bounding box and the user may magnify the data to fill the boundary box to exclude other data from analysis. After document and person validation, the system will dispense money or transfer monies to a savings account, a checking account, a smart card, or the like. The system will also write money orders or wire transfer money. |
| US08121944B2 |
Method and system for facilitating network transaction processing
An exemplary method and system may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent, wherein the one or more payment items comprise one or more electronic images and paper instruments; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity by the centralized agent for settlement processing. |
| US08121943B2 |
Financial account management
An automated account management system provides a user with the ability to establish rules that dictate how the account management system is to manage the user's accounts. Once the user specifies a set of rules, the system automatically manages multiple accounts across multiple financial institutions in accordance with the user-defined rules. Other features, such as an on-line bill payment system, a money transfer system, and a retirement planning system, may be integrated within the automated account management system to provide the user with even greater control over his or her financial assets. |
| US08121941B2 |
System and method for automatic reconciliation of transaction account spend
A system and method for facilitating automatic reconciliation of transaction card transactions is disclosed, wherein a user may request single-use account codes via the Internet. The system comprises various hardware and software systems to enable a card member, program administrator, or any other designated third-party to request one or more single-use account codes. The requestor may further assign a descriptor for each of the one or more account codes. After receiving a requested account code, the requester may communicate the account code to a merchant to facilitate a purchase transaction. The system retrieves a list of transactions from the card issuer at regular intervals, matches the account codes in the list to an account code and associated descriptor, and records the reconciled transaction within a database. |
| US08121940B2 |
Consumer behaviors at lender level
The present disclosure generally relates to financial data processing, and in particular it relates to lender credit scoring, lender profiling, lender behavior analysis and modeling. More specifically, it relates to rating lenders based on data derived from their respective consumers. Also, the present disclosure relates to rating consumer lenders based on the predicted spend capacity of their consumers. |
| US08121936B2 |
Foreign currency index
Systems and methods are provided for trading and calculating the composition of foreign currencies indexed financial instruments. The compositions of the financial instruments are determined by calculating a geometric average of the exchange rates of foreign currencies with corresponding competitive weights. The competitive weights for each of the foreign currencies reflects competition between the goods of the United States and a country corresponding to the foreign currency in the markets of third countries. |
| US08121930B2 |
Fuel offering and purchase management system
The present disclosure is directed towards apparatuses, systems and methods to facilitate the pricing, sales and delivery of a commodity fuel to a Customer. In one embodiment, the disclosure teaches a Fuel Offer Generator that facilitates the purchase and management of fuel offerings. The Fuel Offer Generator allows Customers interested in securing fuel to obtain an offer for fuel at lock-in prices for various tenors. Fuel Customers can buy these fuel offers such that they may later exercise the fuel offers so their fuel costs are locked-in at desired levels (e.g., they may be set to strike prices). The Fuel Offer Generator also can establish a Premium Price that will be part of the fuel offer. The Fuel Offer Generator may generate hedges to counteract fuel related risks stemming from fuel offer purchases. Ultimately, a customer that purchases a fuel offering can exercise their fuel offering order at a specified price and redeem any difference between the market price for their purchased fuel and the price specified in their fuel offering order. The Fuel Offer Generator determines which metrics are relevant to pricing the fuel offering and then employs those determined metrics to establish the pricing of fuel offerings. |
| US08121927B2 |
Method of optimum auction using network service
An optimum auction method using a network is disclosed. Especially, being different from a typical auction method for simply evaluating a personally proposed bod price, the optimum auction method evaluates various evaluation particulars for the auction and evaluation methods in overall, thereby selecting an optimum bidder who is close to an intention or taste of an auction initiator or able to maximize a profit even though the selected optimum bidder does not propose the highest or the lowest bid price. Accordingly, it is also possible to broaden a range of participation and improve efficiency on the auction. Also, there are various types of the optimum auction method including a reverse auction, a lease auction and a reverse lease auction which can proceed with various trading methods by maximizing the profit of the auction initiator. |
| US08121925B1 |
Method for managing an investment company
Funds are received into an investment company from investors. The investment company approves a counterparty that wants to acquire asset exposure by means of a total return swap and the credit terms for the counterparty, including a derivatives position limit. The investment company the proposed total return swap including an identification of reference assets to which the counterparty wants to acquire exposure. The investment company approves the proposed swap based on availability of the reference assets and on transaction terms of the proposed total return swap. The investment company then purchases the reference assets with the funds and executes the swap with the counterparty. The purchasing of the reference assets and executing of the swap are performed in a manner that precludes the investment company from holding an unhedged position with respect to the reference assets. |
| US08121919B2 |
Method and system for banking using coded forms
Methods and systems are disclosed which relate to online banking via interface surfaces printed with information and coded data. The coded data, encoded visibly or invisibly, may be queried by an appropriate sensing device. The sensing device communicates with a computer system. Together, the interface surfaces, sensing device and computer system are capable of effecting banking transactions over a network. |
| US08121915B1 |
Generating financial plans using a personal information aggregator
A method for generating financial plans for an individual includes requesting and receiving one or more data feeds from an individual's personal information aggregator. One or more financial plans for the individual are generated based on the data contained in the received data feeds. |
| US08121914B1 |
Automated banking machine customer profile method
A method for visual programming an automated transaction machine (12). The method includes the creation of terminal directors (225) that generally correspond to transactions performed by the automated transaction machine. The terminal directors are programmed by visually creating associations (238) between a plurality of ATM objects (230, 232) in a work space (224). Exemplary ATM objects include an authorization object (260), a back stage control object (262), a card reader object (264), a customer profile object (266), a depositor object (268), a dispenser object (270), keypad object (272), a logic object (274), a OCS object (276), a presenter object (278), a PIN entry object (280), a printer object (282), a sync object (284), and a transaction data object (286). The customer profile object is operative to retrieve customer profile information responsive to a determined customer of a person using the ATM. A portion of the exemplary ATM objects are operative to interface with a device interface layer (728) for communicating with physical hardware devices (724, 726). The device interface layer is operative to retrieve rules (721) and capability features from a data store (720) for automatically switching between two or more different devices of similar type when one of the devices becomes inoperative. |
| US08121913B2 |
Architecture for account reconciliation
An architecture and methodology provides a uniform approach for reconciling accounts in a manner that ensures proper controls, both legal and financial, are being met. In the described implementation, the architecture offers a web-based solution that facilitates online account reconciliation in a central and controlled method across many different divisions and business units, located within in the U.S. or around the world. The system architecture enables creation and maintenance of reconciliation profiles that define how different accounts are to be reconciled. The system architecture further supports creation of reconciliation documentations, based on the reconciliation profiles, which are used to reconcile individual accounts. |
| US08121907B2 |
System for transferring large supplier catalogs through the internet network
System for transferring large supplier catalogs in a data transmission system including the Internet network, a marketplace site able to be addressed through the Internet network, a first plurality of customers connected to the Internet network and a second plurality of suppliers connected to the Internet network, each supplier having a catalog file of available goods to be supplied to any customer. A supplier requests the transfer of its catalog file to the marketplace site through a B2B gateway by using a catalog control protocol. The catalog file is transferred to the marketplace site through a catalog gateway by using a catalog transfer protocol. The catalog file received from the supplier is aggregated to a general catalog. The updated general catalog is published onto a storefront web site so that any one of the customers can view the goods of the supplier. |
| US08121904B2 |
Electronic proposal preparation system
An electronic system for creating customized product proposals stores a plurality of pictures and text segments to be used as building blocks in creating the proposal. The pictures may include various products, environments in which the products may be used, and available product options. The text segments may include textual descriptions of the product, environments in which the product may be used, and its performance specifications. The system queries a user to determine a customer's needs and interests. Based upon the answers to the queries, the system selects the appropriate picture and text building blocks to fill in proposal templates. The system can print the completed proposal templates to provide the user with a customized, printed proposal that describes features and benefits of a product, in a particular environment, that are of interest to the customer who is to receive the proposal. |
| US08121900B1 |
Facilitating review of products considered for purchase
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating review of products considered for purchase. An electronic commerce application generates a plurality of network pages in a server that are served up to a client to facilitate a purchase of at least one product. At least a subset of the network pages are configured to display a plurality of images of a corresponding plurality of products. The network pages facilitate a selection of at least one of products depicted in the images to be considered for purchase. A region that persists throughout at least the subset of the network pages is employed to display a collection of at least one image corresponding to at least one selected one of the products. |
| US08121897B2 |
System and method of advertisement via mobile terminal
The present invention provides a method for delivering an advertisement to a user comprising providing an advertisement by the advertiser to the service system, followed by delivering the advertisement by the service system to a mobile phone of a user through mobile phone communication network. The user determines to browse the advertisement or not. The user watches and brows the advertisement via the display of the mobile phone. |
| US08121895B2 |
Method and system for delivering electronic communications
A system directs a browser or browsing application associated with a user to a targeted web site after the user performs at least two activations or “clicks” of his pointing device. The first “click” is typically on a communication provided by the system, serving as an intermediary, and the second “click” is typically on a first data object or web page of the intermediary, before the browser of the user is redirected to a second data object or targeted web page, typically associated with a party unrelated to the party or entity controlling the system. |
| US08121893B1 |
Customizing advertisement presentations
Customization settings are received from a content publisher. The customization settings control a manner in which information is displayed to users. A request for an advertisement presentation to be displayed with content associated with the content publisher is received. The requested advertisement presentation is rendered in a content-related site hosted by the content publisher. In response to receiving a user selection of the advertisement presentation, a customized advertisement presentation is rendered in an advertisement-related site hosted by the content publisher based on the user selection and the customization settings. |
| US08121890B2 |
Method and system for automated service climate measurement based on social signals
A computer-implemented method for measuring a system includes providing an automated service climate measurement system (ASCMS) comprising an evaluation function, receiving customer input by the ASCMS, measuring a service climate variable of the customer input, determining a social-signal feature of the customer input, correlating the social-signal feature with the service climate variable, and determining a value of the evaluation function based on the correlation of the feature to the service climate variable. |
| US08121888B1 |
Facilitating improvement of results of human performance of tasks
Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between task requesters who have tasks available to be performed and task performer users who are available to perform tasks, such as interactions that enable improvement of unsatisfactory task performance results from human task performer users. In some situations, after a task performer user has generated initial results from performance of a task supplied by a task requester, the task requester indicates that the initial results are only partially satisfactory (e.g., only partially satisfy one or more criteria for the task performance results), and may result in only a partial payment rather than a full payment amount associated with fully satisfactory performance of the task. The task requester may also supply information to provide one or more opportunities to the task performer user to supply additional improved supplemental results (e.g., so as to receive the full payment amount). |
| US08121886B2 |
Confidence based selection for survey sampling
A system and method for confidence-based selection of items for use in conducting a computer-implemented survey. The survey presents information about a selected plurality of items to a survey participant, to elicit survey feedback information. Information regarding the plurality of items is stored, the stored information including display information about each of the plurality of items for presentation to a survey participant. A subset of items for presentation to a survey participant is selected in accordance with a predetermined selection algorithm. Information corresponding to the selected subset of items is displayed to the survey participant via a survey user interface. Rating information is input by the survey participant via the survey user interface indicating the survey participant's preferences as to items in the presented subset of items. The rating information is utilized in various manners to affect the selection algorithm for a subsequent survey. |
| US08121883B2 |
Method and system for automatically prioritizing opportunity based customer requirements
A method and system for automatically prioritizing a plurality of customer requirements. A request for fulfilling a product-modifying customer requirement is received. Prioritization data associated with the customer requirement is obtained. The prioritization data includes revenue opportunity sizes, time constraints, the request's age, and indications of whether the product requires an operating system included in a predefined strategic operating system list and whether revenue associated with a business opportunity is lost if the request is rejected. Component scores for customer requirement-related variables are determined by evaluating formulas that include the variables. Evaluating the formulas includes applying weights to the variables and substituting the prioritization data for the variables. A priority score for prioritizing the customer requirement relative to other customer requirements is automatically determined by summing the component scores. |
| US08121882B2 |
Standard process and resource reference and instance
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for planning in a manufacturing process. In one embodiment, a library of standard manufacturing processes is created. The library comprises a plurality of master process objects. In response to generating a manufacturing project, a set of master process objects is selected from the plurality of master process objects in the library. The set of master process objects is associated with the manufacturing project to create a set of process usage objects within the manufacturing project. The set of master process objects in the library of standard manufacturing processes are linked to the manufacturing project without copying the set of master process objects into the manufacturing project. The set of usage process objects in the manufacturing project is populated with information specific to the manufacturing project. |
| US08121876B1 |
Generating current order fulfillment plans based on expected future orders
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for dynamically generating actual fulfillment plans for a current order or a potential order so as to enhance the future fulfillment process for expected future orders is described. In some situations, actual delivery information based on one or more such actual fulfillment plans will then be provided to a customer, such as by displaying actual delivery date and/or time before or during the ordering process based on one or more actual fulfillment plans that can be or will be used to fulfill the order. A variety of types of criteria can be used to evaluate the effects of using a fulfillment plan to fulfill a current order, including criteria that consider the modeled future cost of fulfilling expected future orders, such as an overall cost of fulfilling all orders during a specified time period that is at least partially in the future. |
| US08121872B2 |
System and method for allocating seats for a ticketed event
A system and method relates to allocating seats to a ticketed event. The method can include receiving a request for a number of seats at a ticketed event, selecting a first seat wherein the first seat is determined to be a best unassigned seat at the ticketed event, and determining a best grouping of seats wherein the best grouping of seats includes the number of seats requested and further wherein the best grouping of seats comprises the best unassigned seat at the ticketed event. |
| US08121866B2 |
System and method for displaying pediatric cardiology Z-scores
A method for simultaneously displaying a procedure documentation form and pediatric cardiology z-scores for a patient is provided. Documentation data for the patient is received and a database including pediatric cardiology data for a computerized z-score graph appropriate for a patient is accessed. The pediatric cardiology data and documentation data are utilized to calculate one or more z-scores for the patient. The one or more z-scores are displayed on a computerized graph simultaneously with the procedure documentation form. |
| US08121865B2 |
Method and system for acquiring claims in a health services environment
Methods and systems for acquiring claims in health services environments are presented. An exemplary method for processing service provider claims for payment includes: scheduling appointments with the service providers, receiving claims from the service providers, analyzing the scheduled appointments to identify at least one scheduled appointment corresponding to each of the received claims, automatically detecting scheduled appointments not identified as corresponding to any of the received claims within a predetermined period of time, and notifying respective service providers that no claims have been received for the detected scheduled appointments. Optionally, the method includes analyzing appointment information associated with a scheduled appointment to determine an anticipated number of received claims corresponding to the scheduled appointment, and automatically flagging the scheduled appointment for resolution when the scheduled appointment is identified as corresponding to fewer than the anticipated number of received claims within a predetermined period of time. |
| US08121864B2 |
Method and system for adjudicating claims in a health service environment
Methods and systems for adjudicating claims in health services environments are presented. An exemplary method for processing service provider claims for payment includes receiving a claim for payment, automatically identifying candidate appointments from a plurality of scheduled appointments based on a degree of similarity between service information associated with the received claim and appointment information associated with the scheduled appointments, analyzing the candidate appointments to determine whether to flag the received claim for resolution, and presenting the received claim for payment when at least one of the candidate appointments corresponds to the received claim. Optionally, the method includes automatically identifying already processed claims based on a degree of similarity between service information associated with the already processed claims and the service information associated with the received claim, analyzing the identified already processed claims to determine whether the received claim is a duplicate claim, and flagging potentially duplicate claims for resolution. |
| US08121863B2 |
Method for detecting abnormalities in medical screening
A computer-aided detection process for interpreting body images using knowledge based SMART algorithms. The process interprets, in real time, body scan images submitted from screening centers and other certified medical practitioners around the world, and then renders an accurate, reliable and reproducible analysis of each patient's health status relative to the specific body image submitted and returns the results to the originating source. |
| US08121859B2 |
Controlling and optimizing patient pathways within and across health care facilities
The present invention relates to a system to control and optimize clinical pathways of a plurality of patients within a medical facility as well as across several medical facilities. The method of controlling and optimizing pathways uses real-time localization devices for patients, resources, such as clinical images and employees of the medical facility (e.g. a service technician, a senior consultant or the like). Based on the local position of patients, staff members and/or resources, the system proposes a medical system that generates clinical pathways for patients, is adapted to change clinical pathways and to provide schedules for patients as well as the use of resources.The invention provides further means of real-time information of patients about changes in their schedule. The method provided enables a medical facility to streamline their processes and to increase patient throughput. |
| US08121857B2 |
Device and method for automatic data acquisition and/or detection
Methods and devices for providing diabetes management including automatic time acquisition protocol is provided. |
| US08121856B2 |
Remote access to healthcare device diagnostic information
A method and system for remote diagnostic monitoring of a healthcare device, for example, a patient support system. The system includes a communication device configured to transmit sensor data received from a sensor system coupled to the patient support system and configured to generate sensor data relating to diagnostic information of the healthcare device. The communication device can also be configured to receive configuration data for configuring at least one of the healthcare device and the sensor system. The monitoring device is located geographically distant from the healthcare device, is coupled to the communication adapter by a datalink, for example, a telecommunication network, and is configured to receive the sensor data. The monitoring device is configured to determine, based on the received data, whether service or replacement of the healthcare device or a portion thereof is indicated. |
| US08121855B2 |
Method and system for providing online medical records
A method for providing a consumer with the ability to access and collect personal health records associated with the consumer in a secure and private manner is provided. The method includes assigning a toll-free phone number individually associated with and dedicated to the consumer for private fax and voice communications from a health care provider, associating access information with the consumer for the consumer to use to access a secure web site, receiving a private fax communication comprising a personal health record associated with the consumer for which the consumer has requested and given permission to the health care provider to send to the toll-free number, converting the private fax communications into an image file format, storing the health record encoded in the image file format, and providing the consumer with secure access to the web site using the access information and providing on the web site an interface to the health records of the consumer for the consumer to access the health record. |
| US08121854B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensating defibrillator operators following an event
Methods, devices, and business systems are provided for insuring those who might use a defibrillator against at least some of the costs of using the device in a medical emergency event. The insurance may be purchased in advance of an event occurrence, and then redeemed after an event where the defibrillator is used. In a further embodiment, the insurer may request reimbursement from a patient or patient's insurance company following defibrillator use with or without involving the owner of the defibrillator. |
| US08121850B2 |
Encoding apparatus and encoding method
An encoding device and an encoding method are provided for encoding by reducing the number of samples to be processed when encoding higher-band spectrum data according to lower-band spectrum data in a wide-band signal. The device and the method can obtain a high-quality decoded signal even if a large quantization distortion is caused in the lower-band spectrum data. When encoding higher-band spectrum data in a signal to be encoded, according to lower-band spectrum data in the signal, only for a part (a head portion) of the higher-band spectrum data, the lower-band spectrum data after being quantized is subjected to approximate partial search and higher-band spectrum data is generated according to the search result. |
| US08121843B2 |
Fingerprint methods and systems for media signals
The present invention relates generally to fingerprinting, e.g., a reduced-bit representation or other identifier of a media signal (e.g., audio, video or still images). One method recites: receiving a partial fingerprint of a media signal, wherein the partial fingerprint is derived from the media signal itself, the partial fingerprint being computed a first location; processing the partial fingerprint to obtain a more refined fingerprint, relative to the partial fingerprint, the act of processing occurring at a second location that is remote from the first location; and based at least in part of the refined fingerprint, identifying the media signal or information associated with the media signal. Another method recites: obtaining a fingerprint derived from a media signal, the fingerprint comprising a reduce-bit representation of the media signal; determining information associated with the fingerprint or the media signal; and causing a text message to be sent to a mobile device representing at least a portion of the information. Of course, other methods and combinations are described and claimed as well. |
| US08121842B2 |
Audio output of a document from mobile device
Architecture for playing a document converted into an audio format to a user of an audio-output capable device. The user can interact with the device to control play of the audio document such as pause, rewind, forward, etc. In more robust implementation, the audio-output capable device is a mobile device (e.g., cell phone) having a microphone for processing voice input. Voice commands can then be input to control play (“reading”) of the document audio file to pause, rewind, read paragraph, read next chapter, fast forward, etc. A communications server (e.g., email, attachments to email, etc.) transcodes text-based document content into an audio format by leveraging a text-to-speech (TTS) engine. The transcoded audio files are then transferred to mobile devices through viable transmission channels. Users can then play the audio-formatted document while freeing hand and eye usage for other tasks. |
| US08121841B2 |
Text-to-speech method and system, computer program product therefor
A text-to-speech system adapted to operate on text in a first language including sections in a second language, includes a grapheme/phoneme transcriptor for converting the sections in the second language into phonemes of the second language; a mapping module configured for mapping at least part of the phonemes of the second language onto sets of phonemes of the first language; and a speech-synthesis module adapted to be fed with a resulting stream of phonemes including the sets of phonemes of the first language resulting from mapping and the stream of phonemes of the first language representative of the text, and to generate a speech signal from the resulting stream of phonemes. |
| US08121839B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting unsolicited multimedia communications
A service is configured to analyze multimedia communications to determine a likelihood that the communication is unsolicited. For example, the service may inspect e-mail messages, instant messaging messages, facsimile transmissions, voice communications, and video telephony, and analyze these forms of communication to determine whether an intended communication is unsolicited. In connection with voice and video telephony, a voice sample may be obtained from the caller and voice recognition may be performed on the sample to determine an identity of the person or the identity of the voice. The voice sample may also be used to determine the type of voice—i.e. if the voice is live, machine generated, or prerecorded. Where the call is a video telephony call, image recognition may be used to inspect an image of the person. The information obtained from voice recognition, voice type recognition, and image recognition may be used to detect whether the messages if from a known source of unsolicited communications. |
| US08121838B2 |
Method and system for automatic transcription prioritization
A visual toolkit for prioritizing speech transcription from a plurality of speech recognition tasks is provided. The toolkit can include a logger (102) for capturing information from a speech recognition system, a processor (104) for determining an accuracy rating based at least in part on information that is independent of a confidence score associated with a recognized phrase and independent of confidence scores associated with a plurality of phrases in an N-best match, and a visual display (106) for categorizing the information and prioritizing a transcription of the information based on the accuracy rating. The prioritizing identifies spoken utterances having a transcription priority in view of the recognized result. The visual display can include a transcription category (156) having a modifiable textbox entry with a text entry initially corresponding to a text of the recognized result, and an accept button (157) for validating a transcription of the recognized result. The categories can be automatically ranked by the accuracy rating in an ordered priority for increasing an efficiency of transcription. |
| US08121834B2 |
Method and device for modifying an audio signal
A method of modifying acoustic characteristics of an original audio signal as a function of modification instructions relating at least to the fundamental frequency and the spectral envelope of the original signal. The method comprises a first modification operation applied to the original signal to deliver an intermediate audio signal, the first modification operation being intended to deform the spectral envelope of the original signal in application of said spectral envelope modification instruction; and a second modification operation applied to the intermediate signal to deliver a final audio signal, the second modification operation being intended to modify at least the fundamental frequency of the intermediate signal, in application of a modification factor that is determined so as to take account of the effects of the first modification operation on the fundamental frequency of the original audio signal, so that the fundamental frequency obtained for the final signal conforms to said instruction relating to fundamental frequency. |
| US08121833B2 |
Signal modification method for efficient coding of speech signals
The exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least a method and an apparatus to perform operations including dividing a sound signal into a series of successive frames, dividing each frame into a number of subframes, producing a residual signal by filtering the sound signal through a linear prediction analysis filter, locating a last pitch pulse of the sound signal of a previous frame from the residual signal, extracting a pitch pulse prototype of given length around a position of the last pitch pulse of the previous frame using the residual signal, and locating pitch pulses in a current frame using the pitch pulse prototype. |
| US08121829B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing translation knowledge
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for constructing translation knowledge to be used in a translator. According to the invention, a source-language sentence and a target-language sentence are converted by receiving the source-language sentence and the target-language sentence corresponding to the source-language sentence and attaching a prototype, a part-of-speech, relative position information, and syntactic information in a base phrase to each morpheme of the source-language sentence and the target-language sentence. Then, word alignment and syntactic alignment are performed in the converted source-language sentence and target-language sentence, thereby extracting translation knowledge on words and syntaxes, translation knowledge on a subcategory of a bilingual inflected-word, and translation knowledge on a bilingual sentence pattern based on the results of the word and syntactic alignment. |
| US08121827B2 |
Efficient presentation of functional coverage results
Apparatus for presentation of functional coverage, including one or more processors and a memory, wherein the memory stores software instructions including instructions for representing a set of attributes of a design under test as a multi-dimensional cross-product space, comprising events corresponding to combinations of values of the attributes to be tested, the events comprising legal and illegal events, instructions for running at least one test on the design, instructions for identifying, responsively to the at least one test, a first group of the legal events that were covered by the at least one test and a second group of the legal events that remain non-covered after the at least one test, instructions for grouping one or more of the illegal events with at least one of the first and second groups so as to generate a simplified model of the functional coverage of the events in the cross-product space and instructions for presenting the simplified model of the functional coverage on an output device. The apparatus further includes an output device coupled to the coverage processor to present the simplified model of the functional coverage to a user. |
| US08121822B2 |
Integrated circuit modeling based on empirical test data
In accordance with one embodiment, a plurality of empirical measurements of a fabricated integrated circuit including a fabricated transistor having multiple terminals is received. The plurality of empirical measurements each include an empirical terminal current set and an empirical terminal voltage set for the terminals of the fabricated transistor. A mathematical simulation model of a simulated transistor is also received. Utilizing the mathematical simulation model, an intermediate data set is calculated by determining, for each of a plurality of different terminal voltage sets, a simulated terminal current set and a simulated terminal charge set. A modeling tool processes the intermediate data set to obtain a time domain simulation model of the fabricated transistor that, for each of the plurality of empirical measurements, provides a simulated terminal charge set. The time domain simulation model is stored in a computer-readable data storage medium. |
| US08121819B2 |
Deriving values of parameters in electrical machines
An electrical drive system includes an electrical machine controlled by an electronic controller and requires control signals representing quantities associated with the operation of the electrical machine. These signals may represent, for example, rotor position and flux or current. A controller includes an estimation routine to use the known magnetic characteristics of the machine and a rotor position signal to provide an estimate of current or of supply voltage. |
| US08121818B2 |
Method and system for diagnostics of apparatus
Proposed is a method, implemented in software, for estimating fault state of an apparatus outfitted with sensors. At each execution period the method processes sensor data from the apparatus to obtain a set of parity parameters, which are further used for estimating fault state. The estimation method formulates a convex optimization problem for each fault hypothesis and employs a convex solver to compute fault parameter estimates and fault likelihoods for each fault hypothesis. The highest likelihoods and corresponding parameter estimates are transmitted to a display device or an automated decision and control system. The obtained accurate estimate of fault state can be used to improve safety, performance, or maintenance processes for the apparatus. |
| US08121816B2 |
Identifying causes of service level agreement performance violations
A computer-implemented method may include measuring a performance of a virtual channel carrying packets through a transport network for a time period, measuring a performance of an ingress interface to the transport network carrying the virtual channel packets for the time period, and measuring a performance of an internal interface carrying the virtual channel packets internal to the transport network for the time period. The computer-implemented method may determine that the performance of the virtual channel during the time period does not meet a first performance standard, and, when the performance of the virtual channel does not meet the first performance standard, may automatically determine whether the performance of the ingress interface meets a second performance standard and whether the performance of the internal interface meets a third performance standard. |
| US08121812B2 |
AC magnetic tracking with phase disambiguation
A method and system for magnetic locating resolves phase ambiguity. The system uses time-division multiplexed magnetic fields emitted from plural transmit coils. The magnetic fields are alternating fields at a carrier frequency, and the fields emitted from different coils in different transmit intervals have known phase relationship with one another as, for example where the alternating fields are coherent with one another. A receiver uses a plurality of sensor coils and derives plural components using the common phase reference or plural phase reference times having a known relationship. If the determinant of a matrix of the components has a first value, the phase information in the components is correct, and position and orientation are derived from the components. If the determinant has a second value, the phase information in the components is incorrect. In this case, corrected components are formed by shifting the phases of the components π radians; the position and orientation are derived from the corrected components. |
| US08121810B2 |
Methods for reducing the receipt of multiple signals in a portable information handling system
A method for reducing the receipt of multiple signals in a portable information handling system (IHS) is closed including receiving a first signal corresponding to a detected lid position of the portable IHS. The method further includes determining if a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed and if the first predetermined amount of time has not elapsed, preventing the receipt of an additional signal corresponding to a change in the detected lid position. Further, a portable information handling system may include a lid, a base coupled to the lid and a sensor disposed on the lid or base, wherein the sensor detects a lid position. The system further includes a processor coupled to the sensor, wherein the processor generates a first signal corresponding to the lid position and the processor is operable to generate an additional signal corresponding to a change in the lid position. |
| US08121809B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the position of a device
An apparatus and method are disclosed for use in a device, such as a handheld printer or scanner, having functionality that requires information of its position relative to an origin and initial orientation. The module includes two sensors to generate movement data indicative of movement direction and orientation changes of the device. The location and orientation of the device relative to the origin and initial orientation is derived based on the movement data. A handheld printer or scanner implementing the device may thus be moved in different directions across a media to print or scan images, text, or other objects. |
| US08121806B2 |
Neutralizing electromagentic noise for a capacitive input device
A method of capturing user control inputs for an electronic device comprises sampling an input measurement signal at a capacitive input sensor of the electronic device to capture user control inputs for operating the electronic device. Electromagnetic interference affecting the sampling or the input measurement signal is electronically neutralized. |
| US08121803B2 |
Communication channel calibration using feedback
A method for calibrating a communication channel coupling first and second components includes transmitting a data signal from the first component to the second component on the communication channel, and sensing a characteristic, such as phase, of the data signal on the second component. Information about the sensed characteristic is fed back to the first component using an auxiliary channel. An adjustable parameter, such as phase, for the transmitter is adjusted on the first component in response to the information. Also, a characteristic of a data signal received from the transmitter on the second component is sensed and used to adjust an adjustable parameter for the receiver on the first component. |
| US08121800B2 |
Capacitative node measurement in a capacitative matrix pressure inducer
A method and system for measuring the distribution of pressure forces over a selected area includes a sensor having an array of pressure sensing capacitance nodes formed by intersecting rows and columns, where measured capacitance of a node is compared to a fixed value of reference capacitance placed on each row that can be measured as if it was another node. |
| US08121794B2 |
Systems and methods for automated analysis of cells and tissues
Systems and methods for rapidly analyzing cell containing samples, for example to identify morphology or to localize and quantitate biomarkers are disclosed. |
| US08121793B2 |
Method and device for comparative display of biological data
Embodiments of computer systems for visualizing information and data from samples, such as nucleic acids, proteins, or other bio-polymers, are disclosed. One embodiment of a method comprises displaying first and second display areas on a display, displaying an axis dividing the first display area into first and second sub-areas, and displaying first and second axes, wherein the axes are substantially perpendicular to each other. The method further comprises displaying a plurality of bar graphs in the first display area, wherein a length of each bar graph in the first sub-area corresponds to the scalar data information of a first biological sample, and a length of each bar graph in the second sub-area corresponds to the scalar data information of a second biological sample; displaying, in the second display area, a plurality of markers, wherein each marker is related to one of the bar graphs. |
| US08121792B2 |
Integration of geomechanics and seismic analysis for passive seismic feasibility analysis
One or more techniques for determining time-varying stress and strain fields within a subsurface region include integrating a seismic model (110) of a reservoir within the subsurface region with a geomechanical model (140) of the subsurface region. An estimate of the time-varying stress and strain fields within the subsurface region during production of the reservoir are determined, wherein the estimate is based on the integration of the seismic model with the geomechanical model. The integration of the seismic model with the geomechanical model can be used to predict the feasibility of passive seismic monitoring for a reservoir within a subsurface region (170). |
| US08121788B2 |
Method and system to automatically correct LWD depth measurements
A method for correcting errors in LWD depths includes performing torque and drag model analysis using drillstring weight, downhole friction, weight on bit, thermal expansion, rig heave and tide to produce a corrected time-depth file, wherein the torque and drag model is automatically calibrated using effective block weight, drillpipe wear, and sliding friction; and correcting time-based LWD data using the corrected time-depth file to produce depth-corrected LWD data. A system for correcting errors in LWD depths includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for: performing torque and drag model analysis using drillstring weight, downhole friction, weight on bit, thermal expansion, rig heave and tide to produce a corrected time-depth file, wherein the torque and drag model is automatically calibrated using effective block weight, drillpipe wear, and sliding friction; and correcting time-based LWD data using the corrected time-depth file to produce depth-corrected LWD data. |
| US08121785B2 |
Bicycle computer having position-determining functionality
A bicycle computer having position-determining functionality is described. In an implementation, an apparatus includes a housing configured to attach to a bicycle. The apparatus has one or more modules to store training metrics of a user of the bicycle as a function of geographic position. |
| US08121782B2 |
System for providing information through interaction with a printed page
A system for providing information is disclosed. The system has a server which stores page descriptors. A printer is also includes which prints a printed page with visible and invisible data. The invisible data is indicative of one or more of the page descriptors. A sensing device senses the invisible data when placed in an operative position relative to the printed page, and transmits information extracted from sensed invisible data to the server. The server is configured to interpret the positioning of the sensing device based upon the page descriptors indicated by sensed invisible data and to provide information associated with the page descriptors. |
| US08121781B2 |
System and method for reducing the amount of repetitive data sent by a server to a client for vehicle navigation
A system and method for reducing the amount of repetitive data sent by a server to a client for vehicle navigation. The system includes a computer-based vehicle unit located in a vehicle, a gateway configured to wirelessly send and receive trip information to and from the vehicle unit, and a computer-based server in communication with the gateway over a network. The vehicle unit wirelessly receives signals from a computer-based server that includes the desired navigation information in packet form. The vehicle unit includes a user interface component that presents the received navigation information and records user requests. The server processes the requests, generates a trip plan according to the navigation information and sends the generated trip plan back to the vehicle unit via a gateway when a request has been completed. |
| US08121776B2 |
Incident resolution judgment system
An incident resolution judgment system and method are provided which reduce processing load on a traffic information center included in an incident detection system. When an incident occurs, the traffic information center generates an incident resolution judgment condition, which is used by each vehicle to judge whether the incident is resolved, and transmits the generated incident resolution judgment condition to each vehicle. Each vehicle judges in accordance with its travel history information and the received incident resolution judgment condition whether the incident is resolved. When the incident is judged to be resolved, each vehicle notifies the traffic information center that the incident is resolved. In accordance with incident resolution detection results produced by a plurality of vehicles, the traffic information center forms a final judgment to indicate that the incident is actually resolved and notifies each vehicle of incident resolution. |
| US08121773B2 |
Method and an instrument for determining the limiting parameter of a turboshaft engine
The present invention relates to a method and to an instrument for determining the limiting margin of a surveillance parameter of a turboshaft engine. During a preliminary stage, a secondary processor means (11) determines a preliminary comfort margin. Thereafter, during a main stage, it estimates a useful comfort margin from the preliminary comfort margin, and then an apparent difference between the current value and the limit value of the surveillance parameter, and finally the limiting margin by subtracting the useful comfort margin from the apparent difference. |
| US08121771B2 |
Method and device of calculating aircraft braking friction and other relating landing performance parameters based on the data received from aircraft's on board flight data management system
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the calculation of aircraft braking friction and other relating landing parameters, including but not limited to aircraft braking action, aircraft takeoff distance, aircraft landing distance, runway surface conditions and runway surface friction based on the data collected by and available in the aircraft Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or other flight data management system, for example, the Quick Access Recorder (QAR), to provide all involved personnel in the ground operations of an airport and airline operations, including but not limited to aircraft pilots, airline operation officers and airline managers as well as airport operators, managers and maintenance crews, with the most accurate and most recent information on the true aircraft landing performance parameters to help better and more accurate safety and economical decision making. |
| US08121762B2 |
Method for automatically engaging a parking lock of an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle
A method of automatically engaging a parking lock of an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged by way of a selector device depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and the surroundings, five different variation of an Auto-P function are proposed for automatically engaging the parking lock: two of these variations are associated with an electrically interrupted ignition circuit of the motor vehicle; two variations are associated with an electrically closed ignition circuit and a simultaneously stopped vehicle drive motor and one variations is associated with an electrically closed ignition circuit and a simultaneously operating drive motor. |
| US08121760B2 |
Adaptive steering control for a motor vehicle
An adaptive steering control system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a sensor for detecting a current value of an operation quantity of a steering wheel, an actor for turning steered wheels and a controller for selecting, according to the speed of the vehicle, a map (g1, g2) assigning to a detected current value of the operation quantity a setpoint value of the operation quantity for the actor, and for issuing a setpoint signal to the actor. The controller is adapted to decide whether the vehicle is in a state of motion requiring a high level of attention from the driver or not, to inhibit a switchover of the map (g1, g2) while the vehicle is in the high attention-requiring state, and to allow such a switchover while the vehicle is not in the high attention-requiring state. |
| US08121757B2 |
Bicycle user interface system and method of operation thereof
A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle. |
| US08121755B2 |
Sound-directed-outside-vehicle emitting device
A sound-directed-outside-vehicle emitting device includes a storage unit 2-A for storing criteria by each of which to determine whether or not a running zone is a high-risk zone, each of the criteria describing a status of the vehicle, and a navigation device 1-A for acquiring information showing a status of the vehicle. The sound-directed-outside-vehicle emitting device compares the information acquired by the navigation device 1-A with the criteria stored in the storage unit 2-A to determine whether the above-mentioned vehicle is running through a high-risk zone, and does not stop the output of a warning sound when determining that the vehicle is running through a high-risk zone even if a switch 4 for commanding a stop of the output of the warning sound is operated. |
| US08121753B2 |
System and method for gathering and submitting data to a third party in response to a vehicle being involved in an accident
A system and associated method for gathering and submitting data to a third party in response to a vehicle being involved in an accident. First an information manager stores data regardless of the vehicle being involved in an accident. Next the event detection manager stores data in response to detecting the vehicle being involved in an accident. Next the information manager stores state data pertaining to the vehicle's current state. Then an adjacent identifier manager requests, receives, and stores data from surrounding vehicles in memory. Next a report is generated and encrypted. Finally, the encryption and transmission manager stores the report in memory. |
| US08121752B2 |
Crash survivable memory unit
A flight recorder includes an information input device, heat sensitive memory device electrically connected to the information input device, and housing enclosing the heat sensitive memory device. The housing is made with a first material and having a plurality of openings made through the housing. A sacrificial material is disposed between the housing and heat sensitive memory device. The sacrificial material having a lower melting temperature than the first material such that the sacrificial material changes state and egresses through the openings in the housing when exposed to heat to create an air gap between the housing and heat sensitive memory device. The first material includes nickel and the sacrificial material includes aluminum. A heat insulating layer is disposed between the sacrificial material and heat sensitive memory device. A second sacrificial material is disposed between the heat insulating layer and heat sensitive memory device. |
| US08121746B2 |
Method and a device for monitoring the minimum flying altitude of an aircraft
The present invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring the minimum flying altitude of an aircraft. The method comprises a phase for calculating a vertical flight profile describing the changing altitude of the aircraft during an arbitrary period taking into account its instantaneous speed and its instantaneous angle of climb or descent; a phase for calculating a minimum vertical flight profile describing the changing minimum flying altitude over the future route of the aircraft during the period taking into account its instantaneous heading and its instantaneous speed, the minimum altitude values being determined for a coverage of the route of the aircraft during the period by disks centered on points on the route using requests to a database containing airspace zones corresponding to a minimum flying altitude, each request returning the zones intersected by a disk, the minimum altitude retained in a disk being the maximum value of the minimum altitudes for each type of zone returned; and a phase for generating a warning message based on the relative position of the vertical flight profile compared with the minimum vertical flight profile. |
| US08121743B2 |
Power restoration management method and system
A power restoration method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor of a computing apparatus, a signal indicating that a power outage has ended and that an input voltage signal used for powering power consumption devices at a first specified location power will be enabled. The computer processor disables input voltage signal connections to the power consumption devices and detects that the input voltage signal is enabled. The computer processor enables a first input voltage signal connection associated with a first power consumption device and monitors a frequency signal associated with the input voltage signal. The computer processor generates frequency level data comprising a frequency level of the frequency signal and compares the frequency level to a predetermined frequency level value. The computer processor generates results data comprising results of comparing the frequency level to a predetermined frequency level value. |
| US08121737B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting saving opportunities for electronic edvices
A method for presenting saving opportunities for electronic devices is disclosed. Experience based data learned from past power behavior of one or more devices is received. One or more power saving opportunities are generated based on the experience based data. Estimated cost savings is calculated. A notification message is presented to a user that describes the power saving opportunities and associated cost savings for the opportunities. |
| US08121735B2 |
Control device
A control device is configured to control an air conditioner that includes an air conditioner outdoor unit and an air conditioner indoor unit. The control device includes a microcomputer and a storage element. The microcomputer causes a signal to be transmitted and received between an outdoor communication unit of the air conditioner outdoor unit and an indoor communication unit of the air conditioner indoor unit. The storage element stores specific information in response to command from the microcomputer. The microcomputer causes the storage element to store operation information including a state of transmission and reception of the signal of the air conditioner at a constant time interval. |
| US08121732B2 |
Target position detection apparatus for robot
A target position detection apparatus for a robot includes: a robot including an arm configured to be freely moved in at least two directions of X and Y axes, the arm having a wrist axis provided at a distal end of the arm and configured to be freely moved in a horizontal direction, and the wrist axis being provided with an end effector; and a control unit adapted for driving a memory to store a teaching point therein and controlling an operation of the robot such that the end effector will be moved toward the teaching point stored in the memory. The control unit is further adapted for changing a pressing force of the end effector against a target by changing a control loop gain, and bringing the end effector into contact with the target, while setting the control loop gain of the wrist axis lower than a predetermined value at least from a position adjacent to the teaching point at which the target is located, so as to capture a position in a state in which the end effector is in contact with the target, thereby detecting the position of the target. |
| US08121727B2 |
Article vending machine
The invention is an article vending machine comprising a plurality of article storage compartments covered by displaceable thermal barriers that are opened by an opener. The invention further comprises a cooling unit, an article extractor for extracting selected articles from the storage compartments, and a control center. Each article storage compartment has a displaceable thermal barrier that is opened and closed by an opener. Each displaceable thermal barrier is capable of being opened and closed independently of all other displaceable thermal barriers. During the vending cycle, only the displaceable thermal barrier covering the storage compartment accessed by the article extractor is opened, which prevents ambient air from mixing with cooled air in storage compartments not accessed by the article extractor. If a displaceable thermal barrier cannot be opened because it has frozen shut or the opener has broken, the remaining displaceable thermal barriers with functioning openers still can be opened. |
| US08121726B1 |
Product control system
A vending system restricts, limits and/or controls access and/or to various products, and tracks purchases, use or consumption of those products by an individual, group, class or classification, and implements continued decisions regarding future access within the context of a hierarchy of policy enforcement or guideline recommendations. The individual or group is associated with a unique identification, captured by an input device, such that product selection availability is based upon identity, product type, quantity limits, serving recommendations and nutritional guidelines, user preferences, governance and access restrictions. Subsequent tracking of the dispensing of products, permits the system to compare consumption and make future decisions regarding access to products. |
| US08121719B2 |
Methods and apparatus for electronically representing manufacturing flow
A method of electronically representing manufacturing flow is provided. The method allows a manufacturer to electronically track an infinite number of attributes related to components used in the production of a finished product. Using these attributes, the manufacturer can perform product recalls based upon information pertinent to a malfunctioning part, rather than a statistical recall. This allows a manufacturer to perform a recall without having to recall substantially more products than necessary. |
| US08121716B2 |
System and method for managing software applications, particularly manufacturing execution system (MES) applications
Software applications (A1-A6), especially MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) applications often exist in a heterogeneous form. The inventive system and method enable a user at a work station (AV1-AV3, PIW1, PIW2) to manage and monitor a number of different applications. Applications from the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) level and from the automation level can also be integrated. In addition, a user can define and monitor workflows (operations for carrying out, e.g. production orders). |
| US08121715B2 |
Radio signal transmitter and related method and multimedia system for an audio source generator
A radio signal transmitter for an audio source generator includes a reception antenna for receiving a plurality of broadcasting signals, a decision unit coupled to the reception antenna for determining intensities of the plurality of broadcasting signals received by the reception antenna, a selection unit coupled to the decision unit for determining an operating frequency according to a decision result of the decision unit, a modulation unit coupled to the selection unit and the audio source generator for transforming an audio signal provided by the audio source generator into a broadcasting signal according to the operating frequency determined by the selection unit, and a transmission antenna coupled to the modulation unit for emitting the broadcasting signal outputted from the modulation unit in the air. |
| US08121714B2 |
Audio processing apparatus and audio processing method
A user selects a plurality of pieces of music data desired to be reproduced concurrently, at an input unit of an audio processing apparatus, from music data stored in a storage device. A reproducing apparatus reproduces selected music data respectively and generates a plurality of audio signals under the control of a control unit. An audio processing unit performs allocation of frequency band, extraction of a frequency component, time-division, periodic modulation, processing and allocation of a sound image, to respective audio signals under the control of the control unit. Then the audio processing unit attaches segregation information of audio signals and information on the degree of emphasis to respective audio signals. The down mixer mixes a plurality of audio signals and outputs as an audio signal having a predetermined number of channels, then an output unit outputs the signal as sounds. |
| US08121712B2 |
System and method for determining an offensive, defensive, and cumulative efficiency of a sports team
A system and method is described for determining a scoring efficiency of a team engaged in a sport, such as baseball, softball or other sport in which runners attempt to advance from a series of base positions. A memory or database stores a total number of runs scored from scoring position and a total number of individual base runners that reached base from a single at-bat, over a predetermined interval, such as an inning, a series of innings, a game or a series of games. A processor, coupled to the memory, determine scoring efficiency by determining a ratio between the number of runs scored from scoring position and the total number of individual base runners that reached base from a single at-bat. An output device operatively connected the processor receives the scoring efficiency calculated by the processor and transmits or displays the scoring efficiency for evaluation of a team's efficiency in scoring from scoring position or preventing scoring from scoring position. A team's offensive, defensive, or overall scoring efficiency can be determined. |
| US08121710B2 |
Visual control process for valve gates
The present invention is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves. |
| US08121709B2 |
Method for comparing, an automation system and a controller
The invention relates to a method for comparing variable values obtained from different versions of an application program in an automated system. An input signal obtained from an automated process is inputted to at least two different versions of the application program residing within a same controller. The same tasks are executed based on the input signal for the different versions, and process related variable values obtained from the execution of the versions are stored in memory locations known by the controller. Variable values from the different versions and derived from corresponding execution steps of the versions are retrieved from the memory locations, and compared during an idle time. An improved way of revising an automation system is thereby achieved. The invention also relates to such controller and an automation system. |
| US08121705B2 |
MRI-safe defibrillator electrodes
The present invention reduces patient risks associated with RF-induced thermogenic tissue damage and with pulsed gradient-field-induced arrhythmias by using a defibrillator lead having a self-healing dielectric material that prevents induced voltages from MRI equipment from damaging an ICD or causing unintended defibrillation shocks to a patient. Another aspect of the present invention utilizes a sliding contact arrangement to prevent induced voltages from MRI equipment from being electrically coupled to an ICD thereby reducing patient risks associated with RF-induced thermogenic tissue damage and with pulsed gradient-field-induced arrhythmias. |
| US08121704B2 |
Leakage-resistant tissue treatment apparatus and methods of using same
Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy to a patient's tissue. The apparatus has a treatment tip configured to be removably coupled with a handpiece and a conduit inside the handpiece. The treatment tip includes an electrode configured to deliver the high frequency energy to a region of the tissue, a channel for circulating heat transfer fluid proximate to the electrode, and an inlet passage to the channel. The conduit includes a tubular sidewall with a lumen used to transfer the heat transfer fluid from the handpiece to the inlet passage of the treatment tip. When the treatment tip is coupled to the handpiece, a septum covering the inlet passage is configured to be pierced by the conduit to define an opening for coupling the conduit with the inlet passage. When the treatment tip is removed from the handpiece, the septum substantially seals the opening. |
| US08121695B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing the likelihood of inducing collateral neural activity during neural stimulation threshold test procedures
Test procedures for determining a neural stimulation threshold of a patient. In one embodiment, the procedure includes applying a test stimulation signal to the patient and monitoring the patient for a response to the test stimulation signal. The procedure can further include determining a first neural stimulation threshold and calculating a second neural stimulation threshold. The first neural stimulation threshold corresponds to the lowest intensity test stimulation signal that evokes a patient response. The second neural stimulation threshold corresponds to a treatment stimulation signal directed toward affecting a neural activity within the patient. |
| US08121687B2 |
Cardiac motion characterization by strain measurement
Methods for evaluating motion of a cardiac tissue location, e.g., heart wall, are provided. In the subject methods, timing of a signal obtain from a strain gauge stably associated with the tissue location of interest is employed to evaluate movement of the cardiac tissue location. Also provided are systems, devices and related compositions for practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, including cardiac resynchronization therapy. |
| US08121686B2 |
Cardiac rhythm management system selecting between multiple same-chamber electrodes for delivering cardiac therapy
A cardiac rhythm management system selects one of multiple electrodes associated with a particular heart chamber based on a relative timing between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes, or based on a delay between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes and detection of a reference depolarization fiducial point at another electrode associated with the same or a different heart chamber. Subsequent contraction-evoking stimulation therapy is delivered from the selected electrode. |
| US08121685B2 |
Method and system for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy with variable atrio-ventricular delay
A pacing system computes optimal cardiac resynchronization pacing parameters using intrinsic conduction intervals. In various embodiments, values for atrio-ventricular delay intervals are each computed as a function of an intrinsic atrio-ventricular interval and a parameter reflective of an interventricular conduction delay. Examples of the parameter reflective of the interventricular conduction delay include QRS width and interval between right and left ventricular senses. |
| US08121684B2 |
Method and apparatus for minimizing post-infarct ventricular remodeling
A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to deliver pre-excitation pacing to one or more sites in proximity to an infarcted region of the ventricular myocardium. The pre-excitation pacing in conjunction with counterpulsation therapy serves to either prevent or minimize post-infarct remodeling. |
| US08121678B2 |
Implantable medical device with hall sensor
An operating mode of an implantable medical device can be selected using at least one of a current or a voltage provided in response to a magnetic field sensed using a Hall effect sensor. |
| US08121676B2 |
System for measuring and indicating changes in the resistance of a living body
An improved device for indicating and measuring small variations in the resistance of a living body is disclosed which utilizes a central processing unit to digitally process sensed body resistances and drive a resistance-indicating display while compensating for the effects of component aging, component tolerances and component temperatures. The device includes an automatic calibration circuit that is automatically activated on each powering up of the device to measure and store measurement values for a plurality of synthesized body resistances that are used to form a compensation model against which sensed body resistances are, subsequently compared for automatic adjustment of display driving measurement values. The central processing unit additionally adjusts the gain of the meter-driving signal by a gain factor dependant on a user-selected meter-sensitivity setting to avoid previously experienced difficulties in monitoring small changes in body resistance caused by difficulty in setting the initially desired meter reading at certain meter-range values, as well as occasional false and unexpected reversals of meter reading as the meter's range was adjusted. |
| US08121673B2 |
Health monitoring appliance
A heart monitoring system for a person includes a wearable appliance in communication with the one or more wireless nodes, the appliance including a heart disease recognizer to determine the person's cardiovascular health. |
| US08121672B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection for wrist-worn device
Electro static discharge (ESD) protection is provided for electronic devices with integrated circuits, such as for example heart rate monitors. The ESD protection protects against voltage accumulation and discharge through device external parts that are connected to internal device circuitry. The ESD protection isolates the internal device circuitry and provides a low impedance path over which electro static charges and any transient voltages in the device may discharge. The integrated circuits, electrical components, and other parts protected from ESD may be connected to monitor circuitry and be externally exposed, such as sensing or measurement parts exposed outside the device. The external parts may include a sensing case back, sensing push-buttons, or other components that provide a signal to or are otherwise in communication with the internal device circuitry. |
| US08121671B2 |
Determination of a measure of a glycation end-product or disease state using tissue fluorescence preferentially from the dermis
A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating fluorescence with a measure of tissue state to determine a tissue state. The invention can comprise single wavelength excitation light, scanning of excitation light (illuminating the tissue at a plurality of wavelengths), detection at a single wavelength, scanning of detection wavelengths (detecting emitted light at a plurality of wavelengths), and combinations thereof. The invention also can comprise correction techniques that reduce determination errors due to detection of light other than that from fluorescence of a chemical in the tissue. For example, the reflectance of the tissue can lead to errors if appropriate correction is not employed. The invention can also comprise a variety of models relating fluorescence to a measure of tissue state, including a variety of methods for generating such models. Other biologic information can be used in combination with the fluorescence properties to aid in the determination of a measure of tissue state. The invention also comprises apparatuses suitable for carrying out the method, including appropriate light sources, detectors, and models (for example, implemented on computers) used to relate detected fluorescence and a measure of tissue state. |
| US08121670B2 |
System for confocal imaging within dermal tissue
An improved system for confocal imaging within dermal tissue of a patient is provided which minimizes instability in confocal images by reducing the relative motion of the tissue with respect to the confocal imaging optics of the system. The system includes a mechanism for maintaining an area of skin tissue under stress by application of force at the edges of the area, and an imaging head coupled to this mechanism for imaging the stressed skin. The mechanism includes a mechanical structure, such as a platen, brace, or attachment, which both supports the imaging head of the system and applies stress to a limited surface area of the tissue to minimize skin motion during confocal imaging. |
| US08121669B2 |
Method for tracking soft tissue masses in images using directed graphs
Region of interest (ROI) corresponding to a soft tissue mass are tracked in a training video acquired by sonography. The locations of the ROI are used to construct a directed graph in which each node represents a location of the tracked ROI, and the edges represent temporal relations of the ROIs. The soft tissue mass can also be tracked using the graph, and appropriate treatment can be delivered. |
| US08121668B2 |
System and method for providing flow-enhanced signal intensity during a functional MRI process
A method for imaging a brain of a subject includes providing a cognitive task for the subject or measuring resting state blood flow without a cognitive task, applying a saturation pulse sequence to saturate a slice within an imaging volume in the subject, and applying an imaging pulse sequence to acquire data from the imaging volume. A saturated image is acquired shortly after termination of the saturation pulse sequence and a non-saturation image is acquired after spins flowing through the saturated slice have recovered. The saturation image and the non-saturation image are subtracted to generate a blood velocity or perfusion enhanced difference image indicating portions of the brain active during the cognitive task. When measuring resting state blood flow without a cognitive task, the method includes acquiring a calibration scan and performing a quantitative evaluation of the blood velocity perpendicular to the saturated slice. |
| US08121667B2 |
Interfaced base unit and display system for an MRI magnet room
A base unit operable with a wireless patient monitoring unit used to acquire physiological data during an MRI examination is constructed to have a detachable display unit. The detachable display unit wirelessly communicates with the base unit when in a roving mode. The detachable display unit may also have a magnetically-hardened power supply that does not saturate during an MRI examination. Such a magnetically-hardened power supply allows the display unit to operate when proximate or in the magnetic field generated by an MRI machine during an MRI examination. |
| US08121666B2 |
Image observation apparatus
An image observation apparatus comprising an image display unit for displaying an observation image and a supporting mechanism for supporting the image display unit movably and adjustably in the directions of three, substantially perpendicular axes. Since the supporting mechanism of this image observation apparatus can move and adjust the image display unit in three orthogonal axial directions, an operator need not select a plurality of articulates for operating them when he/she wants to move the image display unit to a desired axial direction. Further, one of the three axes can be a rotational axis for turnably supporting the image display unit around the operator. According to this configuration, the image display unit can be independently moved and adjusted in three axial directions, while the observation angle of the observer with respect to the display face of the image display unit is kept constant. |
| US08121665B2 |
Method and device for the examination of cavities
The invention relates to a method and furthermore a device from the examination of cavities, in particular an eye, by means of laser scanning. The aim of the invention is to carry out further investigations, above all with respect to possible diseases. Said aim is achieved, whereby the determination of the cavity wall thickness, in particular of retinal cavities is carried out. The external diameter and the internal diameter are determined by scanning doppler laser and the wall thickness determined from the data recorded thus. |
| US08121664B2 |
Sensor
A sensor for sensing physiological signal from outside the human body, said sensor comprising an electrode for abutment against the skin; and a transmission conductor electrically connected to said electrode, said transmission conductor formed from a flexible material, wherein in use a substrate is disposed between the skin and said transmission conductor, and said substrate is permeable to moisture and air thereby exposing said transmission conductor to said moisture. |
| US08121653B2 |
Methods and apparatus for autonomously managing communications using an intelligent intermediary
Apparatus for handling an incoming telephone call including a call processor coupled to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a called person, a conversation detector for determining whether a conversation is currently taking place between said called person and one or more other persons who are near to said called person, and a call inhibitor for inhibiting the delivery of, delaying or rerouting said incoming call if said conversation detector determines that a conversation is taking place. Each participant in the conversation is provided with a speech detector, and vibrator for producing a tactile alert when incoming calls directed to a participant arrive, and a manually operated control for issuing a veto command that inhibits the delivery of, delays, or reroutes the incoming call so that the conversation is not interrupted. |
| US08121652B2 |
Portable electronic device including touchscreen and method of controlling the portable electronic device
A method of controlling a portable electronic device having a touch screen display includes rendering a graphical user interface including a plurality of user-selectable features on the touch screen display and, in response to detecting a touch event on the touch screen display proximal one of the user-selectable features, rendering an indicator for one of the user-selectable features corresponding to a location of the touch event prior to selection of any of the user-selectable features. The indicator is rendered intermediate ones of the user-selectable features for identifying the one of the user-selectable features absent obstruction of other ones of the user-selectable features. |
| US08121647B2 |
Transmitting and receiving method, and radio apparatus utilizing the same
A processing unit transmits, from at least one of a plurality of antennas, data corresponding respectively to the plurality of antennas. A control unit generates request signals with which to let a second radio apparatus supply information on rates at the second radio apparatus. When transmitting the request signal, the processing unit also transmits, from a plurality of antennas which includes antennas other than the antennas that transmit the data, known signals corresponding respectively to the plurality of antennas. |
| US08121643B2 |
Methods for initiating operating voltages for subscriber identity cards and systems utilizing the same
A system for initiating operating voltages for subscriber identity cards is provided. The system includes a first subscriber identity card, a second subscriber identity card, an RF module, a controller and a Baseband unit. The controller initiates a first operating voltage of the first subscriber identity card and initiates a second operating voltage of the second subscriber identity, respectively. The Baseband unit cooperates with the first subscriber identity card to camp on a first cell and cooperates with the second subscriber identity card to camp on a second cell via the RF module. |
| US08121642B2 |
Wireless user network for handheld information terminals
An example user network provides information and entertainment for users via handheld information terminals. The “look and feel” and personality of the handheld information terminals can be location-specific so that the most relevant information and entertainment can be provided to users in a useful and appealing manner. |
| US08121635B1 |
Communication device
The wireless mobile phone which includes the 1st controller and the 2nd controller, wherein the 1st controller displays the audiovisual replaying device controller on the display, and the 2nd controller configures the wireless mobile phone to voice communication mode, and/or audiovisual replaying device controlling mode. |
| US08121632B2 |
Suitable trigger mechanism to control new cell identification in UE when in DRX mode
A cell identification method is provided. The method includes determining a reception state in a wireless device and comparing a reception cycle to a subframe parameter in the wireless device. The method also includes identifying a subsequent wireless cell within a predetermined time of the comparison. |
| US08121609B2 |
System and method for determining the location of a location tracking device
A system and method for determining the location of a location tracking device employs a satellite based location determining infrastructure and a wireless data communications network. A location tracking device which cannot easily obtain valid ephemeris data from the satellite based location determining infrastructure requests the necessary data from a data set stored at a tracking device hub via the wireless communications network. The tracking device hub determines and transmits an estimated position of the location tracking device to the location tracking device, along with the appropriate required valid ephemeris data, to allow the location tracking device to determine its location. If the location tracking device is still unable to make a location determination from the satellite based location determining infrastructure, then the estimated location can be provided. The base station topography is self-determined by a process executing in the system and can include base stations from different networks. |
| US08121606B2 |
Radio resource management in a mobile radio communication system
A method operates a radio communication system in which network radio devices use radio resources in order to communicate with subscriber stations. A first network radio device performs direct tuning with a second network radio device using the respectively used radio resources. The first and/or the second network radio device send(s) a request for a decision about radio resources to be used by the first and/or the second network radio device to a device. Subsequent to the request, the first and/or the second network radio device receive(s) information from the device about radio resources to be used by the first and/or the second network radio device. A radio communication system carries out the method. |
| US08121605B2 |
Resource allocation to terrestrial and satellite services
There is provided a method for improving an allocation of resources, i.e., frequency and power, to terrestrial services and satellite services that use a same frequency band. The method includes determining a demand (DS) for a resource by users of a satellite system, determining a demand (DT) for the resource by users of a terrestrial system, and allocating the resource between the satellite system and the terrestrial system based on a ratio of DS to DT. |
| US08121602B2 |
Method of reselecting a cell based on priorities
A cell reselection method in a wireless communication system is described. A method of performing cell reselection based on priorities by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes selecting one or more candidate cells satisfying a first criterion associated with priorities among a serving cell and neighbor cells, and camping on a cell satisfying a second criterion for cell reselection among the one or more candidate cells. |
| US08121600B2 |
Wide area mobile communications over femto-cells
A method and apparatus is provided for hand-off of a mobile User Equipment (UE) across a femto cellular network. The method includes dynamically clustering a plurality of neighboring femto cells in a vicinity of a first femto cell to which a mobile UE is currently attached. The dynamic cluster of neighboring femto cells is moved across the femto cellular network in accordance with movement of the mobile UE across the femto cellular network. |
| US08121597B2 |
Method of registering and deregistering a user
The invention comprises a method for registering and deregistering user equipment from a communications system and comprises the steps of sending a request to a first node to register or deregister the user equipment from or to the communications system, determining at the first node to determine if the request is a request to register or a request to deregister, and carrying out at one least predetermined operation at a second node only if the request is a request to register. |
| US08121596B1 |
Selective scanning of the active set
Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed that may help a mobile station to conserve power by reducing the number of active sectors being scanned in certain scenarios. An exemplary method involves a mobile station (a) initially operating in a first scanning mode, wherein operation in the first scanning mode comprises the mobile station scanning all sectors in an active set comprising a plurality of sectors; (b) determining signal strength of each sector in the active set; (c) selecting, from the active set, one or more transparent sectors having the lowest signal strengths relative to the other sectors in the active set; and (d) operating in a second scanning mode, wherein operation in the second scanning mode comprises the mobile station scanning a subset of the sectors in the active set, wherein the subset excludes the one or more transparent sectors. |
| US08121592B2 |
Mobile communication system and communication holding method
A mobile terminal, to which a phone number of a private IP network and a phone number of a public network are allocated, detects whether the mobile terminal moves from a communication area of a IP wireless base station of a private IP network while the mobile terminal communicates with an IP terminal connected to an IP-PBX of the private IP network through an IP wireless base station of the private IP network. The mobile terminal notifies the IP-PBX that it moves from the communication area of the IP wireless base station to the communication area of the public wireless base station when the mobile terminal detects said movement. The IP-PBX sends instruction for a gateway device, which connects communication between the private IP network and the public network, to call the phone number of the public network of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal responds to the call from the gateway device through the public wireless base station while the mobile terminal communicates with the IP terminal through the IP wireless base station. The mobile terminal and the gateway device are connected so as to communicate mutually. The IP-PBX switches a communication path between the mobile terminal and the IP terminal from a communication path through the IP wireless base station to a communication path through the public wireless base station. |
| US08121590B2 |
Method and arrangements in a mobile communication network
A method in a node of cellular telecommunication network comprising receiving downlink quality measurements of a primary carrier frequency and at least one secondary carrier frequency and combining the received downlink quality measurements of the primary carrier frequency and secondary carrier frequency. The downlink quality measures are combined by determining a combined downlink quality measure for the downlink quality measurements of the primary carrier frequency and the at least one secondary carrier frequency and determining a difference in logarithmic scale between the downlink quality measurements of the primary carrier frequency and the combined downlink quality measure for the downlink quality measurements of the primary carrier frequency and the at least one secondary carrier frequency to be used as the combined quality measure. The method also includes evaluating whether the combined quality measure fulfills a predetermined condition and triggering an event only if the combined quality measure fulfills the predetermined condition. |
| US08121588B2 |
Voice-extending emergency response system
A system for providing emergency services in which a voice pendant provides voice signals to a corresponding radio-based voice-enabled base station which either (1) acoustically forwards the voice signals on to an existing base station or (2) forwards the voice signals on to an existing base station via a communications link. The existing base station is triggered by a triggering signal that is learned by the radio-based voice-enabled base station by either DTMF programming or by receiving the triggering signal from an existing pendant while in a learning mode. |
| US08121585B2 |
Technique for synchronizing data with a mobile device based on a synchronization context
The present invention discloses a technique for a user to control a manner in which a data store of a mobile device synchronizes with a remotely located data store. More specifically, synchronization actions can be automatically executed by comparing combinations of user modifiable device settings against device-specific conditions. Device conditions can include device resources, timing parameters, and user-defined criteria, such as data priority, device location, and application-specific conditions. In one embodiment, the invention provides a means to override an application's existing synchronization rules. This permits synchronization for a device that includes multiple applications to be centrally and consistently handled, even when the applications normally lack synchronization control capabilities. |
| US08121580B2 |
Method of securing a mobile telephone identifier and corresponding mobile telephone
A mobile telephone handset includes: a storage support which is secured against fraudulent access and which stores the IMEI of the handset. A connector for a secure electronic module is associated with an operator. A handset operating system controls authentication of the IMEI storage support by a secure electronic module which is connected to the aforementioned connector in order to establish a secure communication channel between the storage support and the module and transmission of the IMEI over the secure channel to the secure electronic module. The arrangement can be used to prevent the dynamic modification of the IMEI during the transmission thereof. |
| US08121578B2 |
Electronic apparatus, dispersion adjustment method of IC internal component section of electronic apparatus and IC
An electronic apparatus includes: a first integrated circuit including an internal component section, a nonvolatile memory, and an interface section; a test signal generation section configured to generate a test signal to be supplied to the first integrated circuit; a second integrated circuit including a processing section configured to process an output signal of the first integrated circuit, a signal processor to which the interface section of the first integrated circuit is connected and a detection section configured to detect decision information for deciding a result of the process of the test signal carried out by the processing section; and a control section configured to supply the test signal from the test signal generation section in place of the input signal to the first integrated circuit and issuing an instruction to the signal processor of the second integrated circuit to produce actual use adjustment data. |
| US08121576B2 |
Linearity of an RF receive path by spurious tone suppression
A method of increasing linearity of an RF signal receive path includes measuring a signal amplified by the receive path. The receive path has a local oscillator operating at an LO frequency and a ground. An error signal is determined from the amplified signal, the error signal being representative of the nonlinearity. An anti-spur tone is injected into the ground. The anti-spur tone has a frequency about equal to the LO frequency and an amplitude and phase that are determined to increase the linearity of the receive path. |
| US08121575B2 |
Modulated IF receiver and method
A modulated intermediate frequency receiver is shown having a low noise amplifier for receiving a radio frequency signal and a modulation source for generating a modulation signal. A local oscillator generates a modulated local oscillator signal in response to the modulation signal. A first mixer mixes the output of the low noise amplifier with the output of the local oscillator. The output of the mixer is DC filtered and receive bandwidth filtered before input to a demodulator that generates a demodulated received signal. Further embodiments are shown for a complex receiver and having phase or frequency modulation compensation. |
| US08121572B2 |
Signal strength detecting device and related method
A signal strength detecting device of a communication system is disclosed. The signal strength detecting device is coupled to a frequency down mixer of the communication system and the frequency down mixer is used for receiving and converting a first signal to a second signal whose frequencies are lower than frequencies of the first signal. The signal strength detecting device comprises a frequency up converter for receiving and converting the second signal to a third signal whose frequencies are higher than the frequencies of the second signal and a detecting unit for detecting strength of the third signal and generating a signal strength indicator to the communication system according to a detecting result corresponding to the strength of the third signal, wherein the signal strength indicator represents the strength of the first signal received by the frequency down mixer. |
| US08121569B2 |
Frequency generation techniques
Techniques involving the generation of signals at particular frequencies are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include an oscillator module, a synthesizer module, and a control module. The oscillator module produces an oscillator signal having a first frequency. From the oscillator signal, the synthesizer module produces an output signal having a second frequency. A frequency multiplier corresponds to the first and second frequencies. The control module selects the first frequency and the frequency multiplier such that a difference between the second frequency and a nearest integer multiple of the first frequency is greater than a predetermined threshold. As a result, reductions in spurious outputs may be achieved. |
| US08121568B2 |
Radio frequency handling device
A radio frequency signal handling device and a mobile communication device comprising such a radio frequency signal handling device. The radio frequency signal handling device comprises a first terminal interfacing external entities in the form of an input where radio frequency signals are to be received, at least one signal scaling unit having a first end where a signal provided by a terminal interfacing external entities is received, and one signal detector provided for each signal scaling unit and being connected to a second end of the corresponding signal scaling unit for detecting a signal provided by this signal scaling unit. The signal scaling unit only includes passive reactive components and comprises at least one such passive reactive component. |
| US08121565B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving data using multiple antennas in a communication system
A method and apparatus for receiving data using multiple antennas in a communication system are provided. A received signal-combining scheme is determined according to the strength of an interference signal included in the signals received from the antennas. The signals received from the antennas are combined according to the determined received signal-combining scheme. In this manner, the method and apparatus adaptively use a received data-combining scheme according to the channel condition, thereby ensuring optimal reception performance. |
| US08121564B2 |
Radio receiver with shared low noise amplifier for multi-standard operation in a single antenna system with loft isolation and flexible gain control
A radio receiver is described that processes multiple wireless standards using a single antenna according to embodiments of the invention. The radio receiver includes a single antenna, and a low noise amplifier that is connected to the antenna, without an intervening power divider or power splitter. The output of the low noise amplifier feeds multiple wireless receivers in a parallel arrangement that are operating according to different communications standards, including for example a Bluetooth and a WLAN 802.11. Additional wireless standards and their corresponding receivers could be added as well. The input impedance of the low noise amplifier defines the impedance seen by the antenna, regardless of which operational standard is actually in use. Each signal path includes an additional low noise amplifier having a gain that can be customized for the particular signal path and receiver in use, and which also improves the reverse isolation between signal paths. Further, a switch can be added to one or more of the signal paths so as to further improve isolation when a particular path is not being used. |
| US08121559B2 |
Wireless transmitter
A wireless transmitter includes: a plurality of transmission antennas; a phase rotating unit which adds phase rotation to signals which are respectively input to the plurality of transmission antennas; and a reception unit which receives information on phase control of arbitrary antennas among the plurality of transmission antennas from another party of communication, wherein the phrase rotating unit adds first phase rotation for controlling the maximum delay time between the plurality of transmission antennas depending on whether transmission is performed using frequency diversity or transmission is performed using multi-user diversity and second phase rotation for controlling the phases of the arbitrary antennas among the plurality of transmission antennas based on the information. |
| US08121555B2 |
Transmission power control in HSPDA
Method, mobile station, base station and computer program product for transmission power control in a wireless communication comprising the adjustment of the retransmission power for at least a part of an unsuccessfully received data block at a receiver according to the received information indicative of the channel qualities after an unsuccessful reception of the transmitted data block and prior to a retransmission of at least a part of the unsuccessfully transmitted data block and according to a required channel quality necessary for reaching a target BLEP (Block-Error Probability). |
| US08121552B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing channel quality feedback in a wireless communication system
A wireless communication system that provides periodic channel quality feedback adjusts a channel condition reporting period for a subscriber station based on the multiple channel condition information reports, such as CQI messages, received from the subscriber station. |
| US08121547B2 |
In-headset conference calling
Systems and methods for establishing conference calls using a headset are presented. The headset includes a wireless communications transceiver operable to form a first local wireless link with a first local telephone in communication with a first far end telephone user and a second local wireless link with a second local telephone in communication with a second far end telephone user. The headset further includes a processor operable to establish a conference call between the headset user, the first far end telephone user, and the second far end telephone user. |
| US08121544B2 |
Communication system using transmit/receive slot antennas for near field electromagnetic coupling of data therebetween
An antenna apparatus for use in a transmitter or a receiver in a communication system. The antenna apparatus includes: a dielectric substrate having a conductor layer on one of surfaces; and a slot antenna including an antenna electrode formed on the one surface and disposed substantially at the center, a grounded conductive surface surrounding the antenna electrode, and a slot transmission line made by a gap between the antenna electrode and the grounded conductive surface. |
| US08121537B2 |
Apparatus and method for uplink channel sounding in a wireless communication system
An uplink channel sounding apparatus and method in a wireless communication system are provided, in which in an MS, a baseband MODEM generates as many channel sounding signals as the MS has antennas and outputs the channel sounding signals to an antenna switch. The antenna switch switches the channel sounding signals to the antennas in a one-to-one basis transmitting the channel sounding signals to a BS through all of the antennas of the MS. |
| US08121536B2 |
Noise compensation in satellite communications
A quality measure, such as a signal-to-noise ratio, of a signal arriving at a gateway for a return link is used to adjust a data rate for the link. The return link is transferred from a terminal to the gateway through a satellite, and shared by a number of user terminals at any given time, including the terminal for which the data rate is adjusted. The terminals sharing the link have a certain interference relationship. Adjusting a data rate for a message sent from one or more terminals through the return link in the presence of signal degradation or power loss does not appreciably change the interference relationship among the plurality of terminals. |
| US08121532B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag and operating method thereof
The invention provides a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag includes a receiving module, a judging module, and a jamming module. The judging module includes a first judging unit and a second judging unit. When a jamming function of the RFID tag is activated, the first judging unit judges whether a request signal received by the receiving module contains a reading command. If a judgment result of the judging module is positive, the second judging unit then judges whether an authorization code of the reading command is valid. If either the judgment result of the first judging unit or the second judging unit is negative, the judging module controls the jamming module to generate a radio frequency (RF) jamming signal. |
| US08121528B2 |
Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of treating marking material on media
Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of treating marking material on media are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful for printing includes a roll including a first outer surface; a continuous belt including an inner surface and a second outer surface forming a nip by contact with the first outer surface, the belt being driven to rotate by rotation of the roll; a heater disposed inside of the belt and comprising a first heating surface contacting the inner surface of the belt at the nip; and a heating fin in thermal contact with the heater, the heating fin including a second heating surface extending circumferentially in contact with a pre-nip portion of the inner surface of the belt. Thermal energy is conducted from the heater to the heating fin. The second heating surface pre-heats the pre-nip portion of the belt before the pre-nip portion is rotated to the nip, and the first heating surface of the heater heats the pre-heated, pre-nip portion at the nip. |
| US08121527B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a neutralizing member of determined resistivity
An exit blade is arranged on a downstream side of a transfer nip formed between a photosensitive element and a primary transfer roller, with an intermediate transfer belt being put therebetween, and brought into contact with an internal surface of the intermediate transfer belt. A neutralizing bias of the same polarity as that of the toner is applied to the exit blade, rather than a primary transfer bias voltage. |
| US08121526B2 |
Image forming device and image forming device control method
A technique capable of preventing deterioration of image quality resulting from a band-shaped toner image created on a photosensitive surface in order to prevent so-called carrier attraction is provided. An image forming method involving an abutting and separation step that allows a first image carrier (YMC) and a second image carrier (K) to abut on an intermediate transfer body to form an image and thereafter that allows only the second image carrier to abut on the intermediate transfer body by separating the first image carrier from the intermediate transfer body; and then a collecting step that collects a toner band on the first image carrier in situ to conduct new image formation. |
| US08121522B2 |
Transfer apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same
A transfer apparatus of the invention includes a primary transfer unit, and a secondary transfer unit that includes a transfer roller having a bearing and being capable of contacting with and separating from the primary transfer unit, the primary transfer unit includes a guide member receiving the bearing at a position opposite to the bearing, and the guide member has a protrusion on a surface with which the bearing contacts when the transfer roller contacts with and separates from the primary transfer unit. |
| US08121520B2 |
Photosensitive member cartridge
A photosensitive member cartridge for use with an image-forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a cartridge case comprising an upper wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. An outer surface of the upper wall faces upwards when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus. The right side wall extends upwardly from a right side of the bottom wall, and the left side wall extends upwardly from a left side of the bottom wall. The upper wall connects upper edges of the right side wall and the left side wall. A light-entrance portion is formed in the upper wall and is configured to allow a laser beam to pass through the upper wall and reach the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus. |
| US08121518B2 |
Combination in which toner cartridge is removably installed in developing cartridge, which is removably installed in photoconductor cartridge
An image forming apparatus is provided which can be switched between states in which a developing roller is attached to an image carrier body by applying a pressing force to a developing cartridge and a state in which the developing roller can be released from attachment from the image carrier body. When an operation part of a toner cartridge is arranged at an installation position a pressing force can be applied to a developing cartridge by protruding parts fitting with spring parts, and a developing roller can be attached to a photoconductor drum by the applied pressure. When the operation part is arranged at a removal position, the fitting can be undone, causing the applied pressure to be released. |
| US08121515B2 |
Image-forming apparatus
An image-forming apparatus includes: first and second frame members opposing each other; image-holding members each having a rotation shaft; a supporting unit provided to the first frame member and having insertion holes each supporting an end portion of a rotation shaft of a corresponding image-holding member inserted in an insertion direction from the second frame member to the first frame member; and flat elastic bodies provided to the respective insertion holes, each flat elastic body having a plate member bent to form: an attachment part attached to the supporting unit; a leg part extending from the attachment part in the direction opposite to the insertion direction; and an elastic part extending from the leg part in the insertion direction through the insertion hole to press the end portion of the rotation shaft at a position spaced apart from the insertion hole in the insertion direction. |
| US08121513B2 |
Electrophotographic printer having a transfer roller
A cleanable electrophotographic printer that meets the requirement for high speed printing on a continuous web of paper as the printing medium and which minimizes the amount of toner that remains on the surface of a rotating transfer roller even in high-speed production, wherein the electrophotographic printer is provided with a carrier solution supply device disposed in an area upstream of a transfer roller cleaning device in the rotation direction of the rotating transfer roller for supplying the surface of the rotating transfer roller with a carrier solution. |
| US08121512B2 |
Method of orienting a printer chip
Provided is a method of orienting a printer chip to enable interoperation between the printer chip and more than one type of printer. The printer chip has a plurality of sets of contacts, each set of contacts capable of interoperation with a different type of printer, cartridge, or photoconductor unit. The chip is installed on the cartridge with the chosen set of contacts oriented to mate with the electrical contacts in the printer cartridge receiving cavity of the printer. The result is a printer chip that can be installed on a printer cartridge or photoconductor unit in a plurality of orientations in order to allow the printer cartridge or photoconductor unit to interoperate with a plurality of types of printers, or allow a plurality of types of printer cartridges or photoconductor units to interoperate with a printer. |
| US08121510B2 |
Printer with duplex circulation route speed control
For a sheet circulating transfer route that includes a sheet transfer portion of a printing mechanism provided with a transfer belt for transfer of a sheet as positioned thereto, a transfer section provided with drive rollers for transfer of a sheet as image-formed by an image former of the printing mechanism, and a sheet invert portion operable for inversion of the sheet as image-formed, there is a drive controller adapted, in conformity to a condition that a sheet to be positioned in the printing mechanism is equal in length to or longer than a path distance from the image former to the drive rollers, to set a transfer speed of the sheet as image-formed by the drive rollers up as an identical speed to a transfer speed of the sheet as positioned by the transfer belt, and in non-conformity to the condition, to set it up as a greater speed than the transfer speed by the transfer belt. |
| US08121509B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same in a stepwise manner
A control unit controls a starting process and a stopping process of an image forming unit in a stepwise manner. Upon receiving an instruction for executing an image forming process during the stopping process, a determination unit inquires of the control unit about a stage of the stopping process and determines whether the stopping process in the stage is interruptible. A shutdown unit instructs the control unit to interrupt the stopping process during or after the stage, based on a result of determination by the determination unit. A start-up unit instructs the control unit to perform the starting process after interrupting the stopping process. |
| US08121504B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring or controlling concentration of liquid developer
Provided are an apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of liquid developer, and an apparatus and method for controlling the concentration of liquid developer in which the concentration of a highly concentrated developer is easily and accurately measured or controlled without controlling the liquid amount. An opening is provided in the developer container for concentration measurement in which a liquid developer for concentration measurement is stored and stirred for concentration measurement. The developer container for concentration measurement is configured such that the stored liquid developer for concentration measurement overflows through the opening at the time of stirring. |
| US08121501B2 |
Image forming apparatus with color detection of a reference toner image and sheet
In an image forming apparatus, the number of components and a size of the apparatus is reduced by realizing both functions for detecting a toner patch image to perform image quality adjustment and for performing precise color adjustment depending on a sheet color with one color sensor. The color sensor is disposed in a vicinity of a transport belt, a reference toner image is formed on the transport belt at a predetermined timing. A color of the reference toner image formed on the belt is detected by the color sensor to adjust development conditions. Further, the sheet is transported in a state where the transport belt is separated from a photoreceptor drum, and the sheet color is detected by the color sensor, and thereafter the transport belt touches the photoreceptor drum to transport the sheet to a transfer portion. |
| US08121499B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus corrects a development contrast for normal image formation so as to satisfy the following relationships: VcontG2=VcontG1×VcontP2/VcontP1×α, and 0.9≦α≦1.1, where VcontP1 is a development contrast for a patch image formation before a correction by a first correcting device; VcontP2 is a development contrast for the patch image formation after the correction by the first correcting device; VcontG1 is a development contrast for normal image formation before a correction by a second correcting device; and VcontG2 is a development contrast for normal image formation after the correction by the second correcting device. |
| US08121491B2 |
Method, apparatus and data carrier for compensating for channel depletion of a multi-channel signal in an optical link or optical network
A method and apparatus for compensating for channel depletion of a multi-channel signal in an optical link or optical network comprising a chain of optical amplifiers. The method comprises determining channel depletion for each amplifier from the power of the input signal to the optical amplifier and the power of the output signal from the previous amplifier. Each amplifier is then controlled to amplify the signal to a level equal to the nominal (ideal) power plus the calculated channel depletion for that amplifier. |
| US08121490B2 |
Transponder unit, transponder unit control apparatus, transponder unit control method and recording medium recording transponder unit control program
A transponder includes a CDR section that extracts clocks from an input signal, an oscillating section that can output various frequencies to the CDR section, a frequency instruction processing section that instructs the oscillating section to output an arbitrary frequency, a detection processing section, and a frame processing section control section. The detection processing section determines whether the frequency output from the oscillating section and an input signal synchronize in frequency or not in response to an instruction by the frequency instruction processing section, and detects a synchronization frequency. The frame processing section control section operates a frame processing section based on the synchronization frequency detected by the detection processing section. |
| US08121483B2 |
Packaging a reconfigurable optical add-drop module
A hermetically packaged, MEMS array-based ROADM module is disclosed. The enclosure sidewalls and a top lid are made of Kovar, and the base is made of alumina ceramic AuSn-soldered to the enclosure sidewalls. The MEMS array is attached to the ceramic base. The optics are passively pre-aligned using a removable template and epoxied to an optical bench. The optical bench is actively aligned as a whole and attached to the ceramic base. A plurality of electrical feedthrough contact pins extend from the bottom of the ceramic base for connecting the MEMS to a connector on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment of the invention, the ceramic base extends beyond the footprint of the sidewalls of the enclosure of the module, for mounting additional electronic components, for example MEMS driver circuitry chips, directly to the ceramic base of the enclosure. |
| US08121482B2 |
Spatial light modulator-based reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer and method of adding an optical channel using the same
A reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) and a method of passing at least one optical channel through the multiplexer. In one embodiment, the multiplexer includes: (1) a main input port, (2) a main output port, (3) an add input port, (4) a drop output port, (5) dispersive optics configured spatially to spread and recombine optical spectra containing optical channels and (6) a spatial light modulator having an integral, lateral-gradient volume Bragg grating and configured to assume a bar state in which at least one of the optical channels is passed from the main input port to the main output port and at least another of the optical channels is passed from the add input port to the drop output port and a cross state in which the integral, lateral-gradient volume Bragg grating is transmissive with respect to the channels. |
| US08121481B2 |
Chromatic dispersion compensation designing method in optical network and a system thereof
A residual chromatic dispersion target value at a terminal node is set for each wavelength path, and also, candidates of a dispersion compensation amount settable in each chromatic dispersion compensation module on an optical network are set, and further, computation processing is executed for selecting the dispersion compensation amount in each chromatic dispersion compensation module from the candidates so that the sum of errors between the residual chromatic dispersion amounts and the set residual chromatic dispersion target values at the terminal nodes for all of wavelength paths becomes minimum. As a result, for each wavelength path on the optical network, the dispersion compensation amount in each chromatic dispersion compensation module can be designed in optimum so as to satisfy the desired optical signal quality at the terminal node, while considering the residual chromatic dispersion during the transmission. |
| US08121480B2 |
Methods and apparatus for recovering first and second transmitted optical waves from a polarization multiplexed optical wave
First and second transmitted optical waves having orthogonal polarization states are combined in a polarization multiplexed optical wave. At an optical receiver, an electrical field of the polarization multiplexed optical wave is measured. A plurality of polarization states of the polarization multiplexed optical wave is determined from the measured electrical field. From the plurality of polarization states, a transform that aligns the orthogonal polarization states of the first and second transmitted optical waves with respect to principal axes of the optical receiver is estimated. The first and second transmitted optical waves are recovered by applying the transform to one of i) the polarization multiplexed optical wave and ii) the measured electrical field of the polarization multiplexed optical wave. |
| US08121478B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing non-blocking computer interconnection network using bidirectional optical switch
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bidirectional communications system includes a first non-blocking network including a bidirectional optical switch, a plurality of nodes, a plurality of optical transceivers connected between the bidirectional optical switch and the plurality of nodes, each optical transceiver including a transmitter, a receiver and an optical combiner, and a second network connected to at least one of the nodes and the at least one at least one bidirectional optical switch for control of a crossconnect. |
| US08121477B2 |
Optical node apparatus
The present invention is directed to an optical node apparatus in which the number of light elements that propagates reference light is reduced, which includes pa input-side wavelength mux/demux elements, a switch module, pb output-side wavelength mux/demux elements, and a reference light source. Each of the input-side wavelength mux/demux element include at least two first port and at least two second port. One of the first ports included in each input-side wavelength mux/demux element is coupled to an input transmission path. The other of the first ports coupled to the reference light source, and each of the second ports is coupled to an input end of the switch module. |
| US08121476B2 |
All-optical CSMA/CD apparatus in base A ethernet and the method therefor
An all-optical carrier sense multiple access collision detection apparatus and method for checking by using mutual gain saturation whether distortion occurs in two or more optical signals due to mutual interference when the optical signals pass through a semiconductor optical amplifier. |
| US08121472B2 |
Signal measurements employed to affect photographic parameters
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to setting photographic parameters based, at least in part, on signal measurements, such as, for example, without limitation, position of the Sun. Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise the following: a wireless communication capable device (E.G., 400, 1100) including an integrated digital camera (E.G., 1180, 402); the device capable of estimating position of the Sun relative to the position of the device based at least in part on signal information received via wireless communication; and the device being further capable of using the estimated position of the Sun so as to affect one or more photographic parameters. Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment, a method may comprise the following: acquiring information via wireless communication (E.G., 710); estimating a position of the Sun relative to a particular selected position based at least in part on the acquired information; and setting photographic parameters of a digital camera based, at least in part, on the estimated position of the Sun (E.G., 730). Briefly, in accordance with yet another embodiment, an article comprises: a storage medium having stored thereon instructions capable of being executed by a special purpose computing platform to: acquire information via wireless communication; estimate a position of the Sun relative to a particular selected position based at least in part on the acquired information; and set photographic parameters of a digital camera based, at least in part, on the estimated position of the Sun. |
| US08121466B2 |
Deicer anchoring system
A system for preventing a deicer from being removed from a liquid receptacle includes a deicer, an anchoring assembly and a tether. The deicer includes a main body and a heating element. The heating element is configured to heat liquid within the liquid receptacle. The anchoring assembly is configured to be secured to or within the liquid receptacle. The tether has first and second ends. The first end is securely fastened to a portion of the deicer. The second end is securely fastened to the anchoring assembly. The anchoring assembly is configured to ensure that the deicer remains within the liquid receptacle. |
| US08121465B2 |
Mobile flue gas generator and method for testing a flue gas indicator
The aim of the invention is to improve a mobile flue gas generator and to simplify a method for testing a flue gas indicator. The invention is characterised in that a mobile flue gas generator for simulating a real flue gas is proposed, whereby the mobile flue gas generator comprises an electric heating device for generating the flue gas. |
| US08121464B1 |
Superheated vapor generator system and method
An improved vapor generator and control system includes a vaporization chamber for generating superheated vapor from liquid therein and at least one input connectable to liquid supply and adjustable control for controlling input of liquid into the vaporization chamber whereby output of superheated vapor is controllable while the system is in operation. A method for fabricating vapor generators includes the steps of providing at least two separate parts of a vapor generator, fastening the parts together to form a vapor generator defining a vaporization chamber and providing a capability to connect input control for control of input of liquid to the vaporization chamber. A method for cleaning selected objects comprises the steps of generating superheated vapor and controlling output of superheated vapor terms of volume and/or pressure and/or direction by adjustably controlling in an ongoing manner volume, pressure, and velocity of the liquid being subjected to vaporization. A method of propulsion comprises the steps of generating superheated vapor and adjustably controlling output of superheated vapor to provide propulsion. |
| US08121462B2 |
Video edition device and method
A video editing device 100 includes a partial digest generation unit 102 acquiring first scene specification information, selecting, from a selection table, one or more pieces of identification information in correspondence with a piece of situation information included in the acquired first scene specification information, extracting one or more pieces of the second scene specification information each specifying a second scene matching a type identified by the selected one or more pieces of the identification information and having a storage time closest to the storage time of the first scene. The video edit device also includes a whole digest generation unit 104 extracting, based on the first scene specification information and the extracted one or more pieces of the second scene specification information, the first scene and the specified one or more second scenes from the video stream, and reproducing the extracted scenes. |
| US08121461B2 |
Playback device, integrated circuit, recording medium
Playback device for playing back graphics stream according to stream selection table recorded on recording medium. Stream number register stores, as current stream number, one of a plurality of stream numbers written in the stream selection table. Capability register indicates capability to play back graphics. Procedure means determines playback type of graphics corresponding to the current stream number, based on the playback capability indicated by the capability register. Playback of graphics streams falls into two types: first playback type in which a monoscopic graphics stream is used; and second playback type in which a pair of left-eye graphics stream and right-eye graphics stream is used to perform a stereoscopic playback. The capability register indicates whether capability to perform the stereoscopic playback using the pair of left-eye and right-eye graphics streams is present in graphics decoder. |
| US08121457B2 |
Fiber optic adapter module
A fiber optic adapter assembly includes a plurality of adapters included in an integrally formed body. Each of the adapters may include a protective shutter mounted within one end. The adapter assembly may be configured to mount to a chassis and position the adapters for receiving fiber optic connectors of telecommunications modules mounted to the chassis. |
| US08121449B2 |
Planar Bragg grating with modified reflectance spectrum
A planar photonic waveguide incorporating a Bragg grating having an asymmetric reflectance spectrum (200). In one embodiment, “red” side lobes (210) are suppressed relative to “blue” side lobes (220). In another embodiment, blue side lobes are suppressed relative to red side lobes. The waveguide has a core with dimensions which vary along the length of the grating so as to produce the asymmetric reflectance spectrum. Where red side lobes are suppressed, the width of the core is greatest in the middle of the grating and decreases symmetrically towards each end. |
| US08121446B2 |
Macro-chip including a surface-normal device
A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes two substrates having facing surfaces. Disposed on a surface of a first of these substrates, there is an optical waveguide, having an eigenmode in the plane of the surface, and an optical coupler, which redirects optical signals to and/or from the optical waveguide and a direction normal to the surface. Furthermore, disposed on a surface of a second of the substrates, which faces the surface of the first substrate, and which overlaps the optical coupler, there is an optoelectronic device. This optoelectronic device, which has an eigenmode in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the second substrate, selectively receives or provides the optical signal to and/or from the optical coupler. For example, the selective receiving or providing may be controlled by selectively applying a potential to the quantum-well device, thereby changing the optical properties of the optoelectronic device. |
| US08121445B2 |
Optical device
An optical device includes: a multilayer structure substrate on which plural insulating layers are stacked and a wiring pattern is formed between layers; a recessed part for exposing the wiring pattern between the layers by cutting off a part of the multilayer structure substrate; an optical element mounted within the recessed part in electric conduction to the wiring pattern exposed by the recessed part; and an optical waveguide member forming an optical path for the optical element and guiding light along a surface of the multilayer structure substrate. |
| US08121444B2 |
Optically and electrically actuatable devices
Disclosed herein are optically and electrically actuatable devices. The optically and electrically actuatable device includes an insulating substrate, two electrodes, an active region, and a concentrator. At least one of the two electrodes is established on the insulating substrate, and another of the two electrodes is established a spaced distance vertically or laterally from the at least one of the two electrodes. The other of the two electrodes is an optical input electrode. The active region is established between or beneath the two electrodes. The concentrator is optically coupled to the optical input electrode for concentrating incident light such that a predetermined portion of the active region is optically actuatable. |
| US08121442B2 |
Optical fiber surveillance topology
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed technology, a fiber surveillance system includes a single optical fiber, used, for example, in the detection of acoustic signals associated with vibrations or other activity. In one embodiment of the disclosed technology, the fiber is arranged in a two dimensional topology to improve the spatial resolution of the system. With such a topology the spatial monitoring resolution of the surveillance system is significantly improved over systems in which the fiber is deployed in an essentially straight line topology. In a further embodiment of the disclosed technology, two or more such oriented fibers are juxtaposed or overlapped to yield even greater resolution. |
| US08121441B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image scanning apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
A method and system for correcting the inclination of a scanned document in which two integers “a” and “b” are input to perform a rotation process. Each time an x-coordinate of a target pixel of a rotated image is changed by one pixel, “a” is added to a factor “kwy”. When “kwy” becomes more than or equal to “b”, “b” is subtracted from “kwy”, and a y-coordinate of a corresponding target pixel of an original image is changed by one pixel. Each time a y-coordinate of the target pixel is changed by one pixel, “a” is added to a factor “kwx”. When “kwx” becomes more than or equal to “b”, “b” is subtracted from “kwx”, and an x-coordinate of the corresponding target pixel of the original image is changed by one pixel. Four pixels including the corresponding target pixel are used to acquire a pixel value of the target pixel by two-dimensional interpolation by ratios acquired by dividing “kwx” and “kwy” respectively by “b”. |
| US08121437B2 |
Method and apparatus of searching for images
A method for searching images includes applying a color resolution reduction process to at least part of a first image such that a total number of colors in the first image is reduced, forming a plurality of color planes, each color plane containing only image elements of the same color from the first image, deriving feature data from each of the color planes corresponding to a property of the image elements, creating a feature data representation representing the feature data derived from each of the plurality of color planes, undertaking a comparison of the feature data representation derived from the at least part of the first image with feature data representations derived from a plurality of other images, and selecting one of the plurality of other images on the basis of the comparison. |
| US08121436B2 |
Methods and systems for image scaling
Methods and systems for scaling an input image are provided. A pixel neighborhood that includes a plurality of pixels neighboring a pixel is selected. At least part of the pixel neighborhood is compared directly to a predetermined pattern in order to determine whether the predetermined pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood. A controller applies a predetermined scaling algorithm to at least a portion of the pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a scaled image if the predetermined pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood. |
| US08121433B2 |
Ortho-rectification, coregistration, and subpixel correlation of optical satellite and aerial images
Methods for mapping and resampling images such as satellite or aerial images are presented, including methods to measure relative displacements of images, methods to refine look directions of an aircraft or satellite for aerial or satellite imaging and methods to ortho-rectify and co-register raw satellite or aerial images. |
| US08121431B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting edge of image and computer readable medium processing method
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a noise distribution of an image close to a true distribution, and detecting an edge of the image precisely and quickly based on the detected noise distribution without performing a smoothing process for the image, and a computer readable medium processing the method. The method of detecting an edge of an image includes the steps of: detecting a noise distribution of an object image; and detecting an edge of the image based on the detected noise distribution. |
| US08121430B2 |
Digital image processing using face detection and skin tone information
A technique for processing a digital image uses face detection to achieve one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that corresponds to a face image within the digital image. A skin tone is detected for the face image by determining one or more default color or tonal values, or combinations thereof, for the group of pixels. Values of one or more parameters are adjusted for the group of pixels that correspond to the face image based on the detected skin tone. |
| US08121429B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image-capturing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a characteristic parameter indicating the characteristics of a filter process; a detection unit configured to detect, on the basis of the characteristic parameter input by the input unit, a phase shift amount between the image-captured signal and an obtained signal; a first forming unit configured to form a first prediction tap composed of a plurality of obtained pixels used to predict a target image-captured pixel value; a coefficient obtaining unit configured to obtain a first prediction coefficient generated in accordance with the characteristic parameter and the phase shift amount in order to predict the target image-captured pixel value by product-sum computation with the value of the first prediction tap; and a first computation unit configured to generate a first output signal corresponding to the image-captured signal by performing product-sum computation between the first prediction coefficient. |
| US08121426B2 |
Method of compressing input stroke sequence
A method of compressing a sequence of strokes input at an input device of a processing system is provided in which each stroke input at the input device is represented as a series of digital words representing x and y co-ordinates, a reference co-ordinate of each stroke is expressed in absolute terms, and a co-ordinate other than the reference co-ordinate is expressed as an offset from a preceding co-ordinate by combining a residual error value and an estimate calculated from the previous m co-ordinates using the formula: a ~ n = ∑ i = 1 m c i a n - i where ci are coefficients selected to model characteristics of the input strokes, and α represents either an x or a y co-ordinate. |
| US08121422B2 |
Image encoding method and associated image decoding method, encoding device, and decoding device
Disclosed is an image encoding method in which a series of decoded images are generated from a series of original images with the aid of a first encoding process. Furthermore, a series of second images are generated from an image group of the series of original images with the aid of an INTER encoding mode of the second encoding process, at least one decoded image being used as a reference image. The reference image represents an original image area is to be encoded. A image decoding method decodes second images generated by the image encoding method. |
| US08121417B2 |
Processing of content-based compressed images
A technique for prioritizing portions of compressed multi-resolution medical image data to be processed. More relevant portions of medical image data are compressed at a higher resolution than less relevant portions of medical image data. A mask is created from the image data and used to assign data compression quality factors to corresponding image blocks in the image data. The image data in each region is compressed based on their assigned quality factor. During processing of the compressed image data, the compressed image data and the mask are accessed. The mask is used to direct the processing of the compressed image data. Depending upon the application, the mask can be used to direct that the image data for the regions of most relevance be processed before the image data for the regions of lesser relevance. However, the mask can be used to direct that the image data for the regions of lesser relevance be processed before the image data for the regions of most relevance. |
| US08121411B2 |
Linear transformation matrix calculating apparatus, method thereof and program thereof
A linear transformation matrix calculating apparatus linearly transforms a plurality of dictionary subspaces which belong to respective categories by a linear transformation matrix respectively, selects a plurality of sets of two dictionary subspaces from the plurality of linearly transformed dictionary subspaces, calculates a loss function using similarities among the selected sets of dictionary subspaces respectively, calculates a differential parameter obtained by differentiating the loss function by the linear transformation matrix, calculates a new linear transformation matrix from the differential parameter and the linear transformation matrix by Deepest Descent Method, and updates the new linear transformation matrix as the linear transformation matrix used in the linear transformation unit. |
| US08121406B2 |
Preference color adjusting system and method based on adjustment coefficient pairs from hue lookup tables
A preference color adjusting system includes a saturation calculator, a hue calculator, a first lookup table device, a second lookup table device, a mixer, and a UV converter. The saturation calculator receives an RGB pixel and produces a saturation of the pixel. The hue calculator receives the RGB pixel and produces a hue of the pixel. The first lookup table device stores plural first adjustment coefficient pairs for outputting a first adjustment coefficient pair according to the hue. The second lookup table device stores plural second adjustment coefficient pairs for outputting a second adjustment coefficient pair according to the hue. The mixer performs a weighting operation on the first and second adjustment coefficient pairs according to the saturation to thereby output an output coefficient pair. The UV converter adjusts U and V values of a YUV pixel corresponding to the RGB pixel according to the output coefficient pair. |
| US08121402B2 |
Color control of PDL CIE color
A method for processing image data includes receiving image data including an assigned color space, comparing the assigned color space of the image data to a known color space, and processing the image data using the known color space in place of the assigned color space if the difference between the known color space and the defined color space is below an acceptable threshold. The method is particularly suited for use with Adobe® PostScript® applications. |
| US08121400B2 |
Method of comparing similarity of 3D visual objects
Comparison of parameters, including width, length, depth, color, and shape of a target object with a reference object is performed through use of a stereo camera. If the parameters of the target object are within threshold values of the parameters of the reference object, a match is indicated. If not, a new reference object is selected for comparison with the target object. |
| US08121399B2 |
Self-position identifying method and device, and three-dimensional shape measuring method and device
The invention includes a step S1 for inputting into a computer coordinate values on a three-dimensional shape; a step S4 for structuring an environment model that partitions a spatial region, in which a three-dimensional shape exists, into a plurality of voxels of rectangular solids, and stores each position; and a step S5 for setting and recording a representative point and an error distribution thereof, within the voxel corresponding to the coordinate value. If there is no data in a previous measurement position, position matching is performed in a fine position matching step S7 so as to minimize an evaluation value regarding the distances between adjacent error distributions by rotating and translating a new measurement data and error distribution for the environment model for a previous measuring position, or rotating and translating an environment model for a new measuring position, relative to an environment model for a previous measuring position. |
| US08121398B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defects
A two-dimensional sensor is installed inclining at a predetermined angle to a moving direction of a stage on which an object to be inspected is mounted and, in synchronism with the movement of the stage, a picked up image is rearranged so that there can be obtained an image in high-density sampling with a picture-element size or less of the two-dimensional sensor with respect to a wafer. Thus, interpolation calculation during position alignment becomes unnecessary, and size calculation and classification of a defect can be performed with high accuracy. |
| US08121396B1 |
Assessing critical dimension and overlay tolerance
A method for constructing an error map for a lithography process, by constructing a first error map using spatial error data compiled on a lithography tool used in the lithography process, and constructing a second error map using spatial error data compiled on a mask used in the lithograph process, and then combining the first error map and the second error map to produce an overall error map for the lithography process. In this manner, the spatial error is determined prior to committing product to the process, and excessive error can be corrected or otherwise resolved prior to such commitment. In various embodiments, the spatial error data includes lens error data and stage movement error data. In some embodiments the spatial error data compiled on the mask is constructed by comparing mask pattern placement data to mask pattern source files. Some embodiments include the step of adjusting process variables to reduce errors represented in the overall error map. |
| US08121395B2 |
Inspection apparatus and an inspection method for inspecting a circuit pattern
A circuit-pattern inspection apparatus and related method provide a highly sensitive defect inspection of an area including the most circumferential portion of a memory mat of a semiconductor chip formed on a semiconductor wafer. In certain examples, an image of a circuit pattern of a die formed on the semiconductor wafer is acquired to judge whether or not the circuit pattern contains a defect. |
| US08121379B2 |
Intensity-based image registration using Earth Mover's Distance
A method of aligning image having the steps of obtaining a first image, the first image having a corresponding first data set, obtaining a second image, the second having a corresponding second data set; learning a joint intensity distribution from a pair of prealigned images, and aligning the first image and the second image by computing Earth Mover's Distance between their observed joint intensity distribution and the learned joint intensity distribution. |
| US08121375B2 |
Methods and devices for producing the parameters of the brain tissues and assessing data of the suitability for thrombolysis of a patient
This invention provides a method and a device for producing the parameters of the brain tissue of a patient quickly by using suitable magnetic resonance imaging, utilizing image processing and computer technology, achieving parameters pertaining to the infarction and the ischemic penumbra. This invention also provides a method and a device for producing and assessing data of the suitability for thrombolysis of a patient quickly and properly by using suitable magnetic resonance imaging, utilizing image processing and computer technology, achieving parameters pertaining to the infarction and the ischemic penumbra and predicting the suitability for thrombolysis. |
| US08121373B2 |
Image diagnostic processing device and image diagnostic processing program
An image diagnostic processing device includes peripheral region specifying means which specifies a peripheral region connecting to an abnormal candidate region included in an image representing the inside of a subject, and judging means which judges whether the abnormal candidate region is an anatomic abnormal region or not, based on a first feature quantity of the abnormal candidate region and a second feature quantity of the peripheral region. |
| US08121368B2 |
3D real-time tracking of human anatomy using combined kV and MV imaging
A medical imaging-based system and method uses both kV and MV images captured during a treatment period for organ motion tracking. 3D geometric locations of internal features are computationally tracked as a function of time from internal features, such as natural biological features or implanted fiducials, which are computationally extracted from the captured kV and MV images. A partial information method allows 3D tracking to be maintained in the event that imaging information is temporarily not available. |
| US08121367B2 |
Method and system for vessel segmentation in fluoroscopic images
A method and system for vessel segmentation in fluoroscopic images is disclosed. Hierarchical learning-based detection is used to perform the vessel segmentation. A boundary classifier is trained and used to detect boundary pixels of a vessel in a fluoroscopic image. A cross-segment classifier is trained and used to detect cross-segments connecting the boundary pixels. A quadrilateral classifier is trained and used to detect quadrilaterals connecting the cross segments. Dynamic programming is then used to combine the quadrilaterals to generate a tubular structure representing the vessel. |
| US08121365B2 |
Method and system for determining an optimal dilution of a reagent
A system and method for automatically and quantitatively determining the optimal dilution of a reagent is provided. In one embodiment of the claimed method, a plurality of dilution sets are received, where each of the dilution sets consist of a different respective dilution value and a respective plurality of immunoassay staining intensity values. A respective dynamic range metric is determining for each of the plurality of dilution sets relative to the respective plurality immunoassay staining intensity values. Having found the respective dynamic range metric, a dilution set having the numerically optimal dynamic range metric is selected and the dilution value of that dilution set is selected as being representative of an optimal dilution level of the reagent for use in a quantitative immunoassay. In one embodiment, a system is provided with a microscope, an image sensor, and processor module configured determine an optimal dilution of a reagent for use in an quantitative immunoassay. |
| US08121364B2 |
System and methods for computer aided analysis of images
Certain embodiments of the present technology provide systems, methods and computer instructions for computer aided analysis of images. In certain embodiments, for example, such a method includes: isolating a motion area in an image; segmenting the image; utilizing a support vector machine to identify a region of interest in the image; utilizing a graph-cut algorithm to refine the region of interest; and verifying the region of interest. In certain embodiments, for example, such a method further includes: aligning a set of images and/or outputting a set of aligned images sequentially. In certain embodiments, the systems, methods and computer instructions disclosed herein can be used to aid analysis of cardiac images, for example. In certain embodiments, the systems, methods and computer instructions disclosed herein can be used to aid analysis of four dimensional images, for example. |
| US08121362B2 |
Registration of medical images using learned-based matching functions
A method for registering a medical image includes acquiring a first medical image of a subject. One or more simulated medical images are synthesized based on the acquired first medical image. One or more matching functions are trained using the first medical image and the simulated medical images. A second medical image of the subject is acquired. The first medical image and the second medical image are registered using the one or more trained matching functions. |
| US08121360B2 |
Computer aided detection and decision support
A system for computer aided detection and decision support includes an ontology of image representations for injecting meaning into and adding relationships among image contents, an image understanding and parsing module in communication with the ontology of image representations for extracting structures from an image including the image contents, and a reasoning engine based in communication with the ontology and the image understanding and parsing module for classifying the image contents, wherein the system receives the image and corresponding descriptive information. |
| US08121359B2 |
Fingerprint identification system and method of an electronic device
An electronic device having a fingerprint identification system obtains a voltage graph of a fingerprint from pressed signals of a user logging in via a touch panel of the electronic device. The system detects fingerprint characteristic points in the voltage graph of the fingerprint of the user logging in, and computes fingerprint characteristic values according to the detected fingerprint characteristic points. The system further determines if the computed fingerprint characteristic values match original fingerprint characteristic values an authorized user, and validates the identification of the user logging in. |
| US08121356B2 |
Long distance multimodal biometric system and method
A system for multimodal biometric identification has a first imaging system that detects one or more subjects in a first field of view, including a targeted subject having a first biometric characteristic and a second biometric characteristic; a second imaging system that captures a first image of the first biometric characteristic according to first photons, where the first biometric characteristic is positioned in a second field of view smaller than the first field of view, and the first image includes first data for biometric identification; a third imaging system that captures a second image of the second biometric characteristic according to second photons, where the second biometric characteristic is positioned in a third field of view which is smaller than the first and second fields of view, and the second image includes second data for biometric identification. At least one active illumination source emits the second photons. |
| US08121352B2 |
Fast three dimensional recovery method and apparatus
The present invention comprises a method and an apparatus for three dimensional modeling to allow dense depth maps to be recovered, without previous knowledge of the surface reflectance, from only a single pair of stereo images. Several initial steps are performed for stereo and radiometric calibration and rectification for obtaining accurate results. The apparatus for the stereo images acquisition includes internal light sources, these are automatically commuted by a illumination control in order to fulfill the reciprocity property, a stereo camera head composed by the necessary optics to acquire the reciprocal stereo images and a compatible PC interface. The invention is faster than other systems since it requires only two images for obtaining a dense depth model of objects with an arbitrary surface reflectance distribution allowing the system to be used in a wide range of applications such as metrology, quality control, medical and dynamic three dimensional modeling. |
| US08121348B2 |
Object detection apparatus, method and program
An object detection apparatus for detecting an object from an image obtained by taking a front view picture of a road in a traveling direction of a vehicle includes a camera unit for taking the front view picture of the road and inputting the image; a dictionary modeling the object; a search unit for searching the image with a search window; a histogram production unit for producing a histogram by comparing the image in the search window with the dictionary and counting a detection frequency in a direction parallel to a road plane; and a detection unit for detecting the detection object by detecting a unimodal distribution from the histogram. |
| US08121344B2 |
System and method for routing imaged documents
Systems and methods for sorting, scanning and routing imaged documents are described. In one configuration, incoming mixed white mail is sorted and coded, then extracted and scanned using the code to separate items. The separate imaged documents are then routed using the code. In another configuration, the documents are automatically extracted from the envelopes. In yet another configuration, the intended recipient is sent an identifier used to reference the code and retrieve the imaged document. |
| US08121342B2 |
Associating metadata with media signals, and searching for media signals using metadata
A method of associating metadata with a media signal receives an identifier for the media signal, uses the identifier to look up metadata in a metadata database, validates the metadata by checking attributes of the media signal relative to at least a portion of the metadata to provide validated metadata; and provides the validated metadata to a requesting application. Related methods enable searching of metadata across metadata databases, routing metadata requests to the metadata databases, controlling access to and validating metadata for media content, and re-associating valid metadata with media content. |
| US08121336B2 |
Directional loudspeaker to reduce direct sound
A directional loudspeaker provides an enhanced listening environment by producing an indirect sound field of greater amplitude than that of the direct sound field. The directional loudspeaker includes loudspeaker elements positioned to provide a listener located below the loudspeaker elements with an impression of sound spaciousness in a vehicle environment. The loudspeaker elements may include baffles or acoustic lenses to deflect the indirect field away from the path to the listener position. The loudspeaker may also be operated with windows open by channeling the indirect sound field through an acoustic waveguide and deflector to the listener. A sound processor is also provided to accept a sound input, create an indirect and direct sound field, output the sound fields to loudspeaker elements, and also may provide electronic enhancement effects such as multi-channel sound or sound parameter adjustment. |
| US08121333B2 |
Suspension device for microphone
The present invention is a suspension device comprising a frame and a means for holding a microphone. The means for holding a microphone is secured to the frame by two arms lying in a plane and the arms are shaped to allow movement of the means for holding a microphone in a direction transverse to the plane. |
| US08121330B2 |
Phase plug for compression driver
A phase plug comprises a body having an input side for receiving acoustic waves and an output side for transmitting acoustic waves, the body including a plurality of channels extending from the input side to the output side for propagating acoustic waves through the body. The input side comprises an input surface which includes a plurality of openings constituting entrances for the channels, the input surface being substantially part of a sphere or an ellipsoid in shape. The areas of the openings vary with radial position on the input surface, the radial position being measured in a direction extending perpendicularly from a central axis extending through the input surface. The variation in the areas is a function of the cosine of an angle subtended at the centre of the sphere or a focus of the ellipsoid between the central axis and the radial position. |
| US08121326B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a hearing aid shell, a microphone enclosed within the hearing aid shell, and a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the microphone enclosed within the hearing aid shell, and a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the microphone. The sealing member completely fills the area between the periphery of the microphone and the interior surface of the hearing aid shell. |
| US08121324B2 |
Behind-the-ear accessory module for a helix hearing instrument
The capabilities of a helix hearing instrument may expanded with a behind-the-ear accessory module. The module accommodates additional batteries and a variety of accessory functions including an external volume control. |
| US08121320B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a first portion adapted for behind-the-ear placement having a microphone, a second portion adapted for in-the-canal placement having a receiver and a cable that couples the first portion to the second portion, the cable having an adjustable length. |
| US08121314B2 |
Mixing apparatus, mixing method, and mixing program
A mixing apparatus which makes it possible to monitor an internally-generated audio signal and an audio signal from an external apparatus not only in response to turning-on/off of a monitor switch but also in flexible and various manners when mixing those signals. The mixing apparatus is connected to at least one external apparatus, for inputting and mixing a plurality of audio signals and outputting a resulting mixed audio signal. The input audio signals are mixed into a mixed audio signal. The mixed audio signal and an audio signal input from the external apparatus are mixed using a predetermined monitor mix balance into a monitor output signal. A monitor switch is operated to switch between a plurality of monitor states. The predetermined monitor mix balance is changed according to a monitor state after switching by the monitor switch. |
| US08121312B2 |
Wide-band equalization system
A Wide-band Equalization System (“WBES”) based on near- and far-field measurement data. The WBES includes a subwoofer equalizer having an FIR filter together with decimator and interpolator filters for processing low frequency signals. The WBES may also include satellite channels for processing mid- and high-frequency signals, where each satellite channel includes cascaded IIR filters that process mid-frequency and high-frequency signals, respectively. The WBES may also include a DSP that performs the functions required by the IIR and FIR filters. |
| US08121307B2 |
In-vehicle sound control system
An in-vehicle sound control system structured so that sound sources, a vehicle speed detection unit for detecting a vehicle running speed, and an acoustic reproduction apparatus are connected to in-vehicle communications network. The in-vehicle sound control system controls, in accordance with a vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed detection unit, a reproduction acoustic signal. The acoustic reproduction apparatus switches, in accordance with a plurality of inputted sound sources and media information of a sound source, a control amount to sound control section determined based on a vehicle speed signal. In this manner, such an in-vehicle sound control system is provided that can provide an optimal automatic sound control for human ears even when the medium is exchanged or when a channel for a sound source in the medium is switched to another channel. |
| US08121306B2 |
Range-sensitive wireless microphone with out-of-range recording feature
A range-sensitive wireless-microphone method includes receiving an audio input, converting the received audio input into digital data, buffering the digital data, and transmitting the buffered digital data. The method also includes determining whether the transmitted buffered data was successfully received, responsive to a determination that the transmitted buffered data was successfully received deleting the transmitted buffered data, and, responsive to a determination that the transmitted buffered data was not successfully received, retaining the transmitted buffered data and repeating the transmitting step. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08121304B2 |
Anti-tangle device and method for preventing cord tangling
An anti-tangling device includes a headphone cord having a distal end, a male signal plug at the distal end, a proximal end, and at least one earphone at the proximal end. Each of the plug and the earphone has first or second parts of a two-part connection device. The two-part connection device removably secures the plug and the earphone to one another. In an embodiment, the plug is the first part and the earphone has a plug-in portion as the second part. The plug-in portion defines a female port shaped to removably secure the plug therein and, when secured, forms a continuous loop with the cord, the plug, and the earphone. The plug-in portion can be integral with or removably attached to the earphone. The first and second parts can be a magnet and a magnetized piece, a hook-and-loop type fastener, or parts of a press-fit snap fastener. |
| US08121300B1 |
Drum accessory for gating of a microphone on a drum
A drum accessory comprising a housing for attaching to a drum; a microprocessor disposed in the housing; an audio gate circuit disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the microprocessor and operatively connected to a microphone; and a drum trigger sensor operatively connected to the microprocessor, the drum trigger positioned to touch an edge of the drumhead of the drum; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first input signal from the drum trigger sensor when the drum trigger sensor detects that the drum is hit, wherein upon receipt of the first input signal the microprocessor generates a first output command to the audio gate circuit to activate the audio gate circuit to allow transmission of an audio signal from the microphone to an output location; wherein the audio gate circuit is set to automatically deactivate after a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08121298B2 |
Hearing aid
The invention is a hearing aid that is mounted on both the left and right ears and generates a notification sound to notify the user to a state change. This hearing aid comprises a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid mounted on the left and right ears, respectively. The first and second hearing aids each have a communication unit, an operating unit, a notification sound generator, and a notification sound generation delay unit. The communication unit performs communication between the first and second hearing aids. The operating unit changes the operating state of the first and second hearing aids. The notification sound generator generates a notification sound when the operating state of the first and second hearing aids changes due to operating of the operating unit. The notification sound generation delay unit controls the notification sound generator of the first hearing aid or the second hearing aid so as to delay by a specific amount the timing at which a notification sound is generated by the notification sound generator in the first hearing aid or the second hearing aid, on the basis of delay time information received through the communication unit. |
| US08121293B2 |
System for ensuring encrypted communication after handover
During connection setup with a first radio access network, a multimode mobile station sends an unprotected initial signaling message that includes information about those encryption algorithms that the multimode mobile station supports when it communications in a second radio access network. The first radio access network saves some or all the information. Then it composes and sends an integrity-protected message that includes information about the encryption algorithms supported by the multimode mobile station in the second radio access network. |
| US08121291B2 |
Apparatus, system, method and computer program product for distributing service information and digital rights for broadcast data
An apparatus, system method and computer program product configured to transmit data over a broadcast network. The data is encrypted and decoded using a decryption key available to terminals in combination with a digital rights object. A media guide is broadcast to the terminals. Information from the media guide is also stored by a request handling means in order to ensure that information, such as pricing information, broadcast to the terminals is synchronized with information used to register a terminal as a subscriber. A request is sent from a terminal to the broadcast network through a second network. Authentication information identifying the terminal may be included in the request without manual input from a user of the terminal. Authentication information is extracted from a component or added to the message by a component of the second network. The digital rights object is then sent to the terminal via the second network. |
| US08121290B2 |
Pseudo-random function calculating device and method and number-limited anonymous authentication system and method
An efficient pseudo-random function and an efficient limited number of times authentication system using such a function are realized. A pseudo-random function calculating device comprises a key creating means and a pseudo-random function calculating means. The key creating means creates a public key made of a set of at least a first component and a second component as components constituting an element of a finite group and a secret key made of an integer and secretly saves the created secret key in a secret key memory section but makes the public key public. The pseudo-random function calculating means outputs the element of a finite group as function value of the pseudo-random function upon receiving an integer as input. The pseudo-random function calculating means outputs the product of multiplication of the first element of the value obtained by calculating the modular exponentiation, using the first component of the public key and the input integer respectively as base and exponent, and the second element of the value obtained by calculating the modular exponentiation, using the second component of the public key and the reciprocal of the sum of the secret key and the input integer in a finite field respectively as base and component. |
| US08121289B2 |
Cryptographic method with integrated encryption and revocation, system, device and programs for implementing this method
A first entity (1) includes a secret encryption key (g1, γ) of an encryption diagram which can accept a plurality of encryption keys. A plurality of decoders have respective encryption keys, each incorporating a respective key index. The method comprises an encryption operation, wherein a value is taken as a variable element (s) and a ciphertext (C′) is calculated from the data to be transmitted (K) and at least from the value taken as the variable element and the secret encryption key. An operation for revoking a decryption key is integrated into an encryption operation performed with a value of the variable element (s) based on the index key (x′) of one of the decryption keys, which will be used during an operation for tracking illegitimate decoders. |
| US08121288B2 |
Encrypting and decrypting a data stream
The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for encrypting and for decrypting a data stream, for securely sending a data stream and for securely receiving a data stream, and for secure transmission of a data stream. The data stream, after at least a part of it being encrypted, is transmitted from a sender to a receiver via a channel. An exemplary method for encrypting comprises: adjusting encryption attributes during transmission; encrypting the data stream according to the adjusted encryption attributes; and transmitting the encrypted data stream and information of the encryption attributes to the receiver. |
| US08121285B2 |
Data processing for coding
A system and method for data processing for coding. The method may include providing a first plurality of bytes of data, non-linearly transforming the first plurality of bytes into a second plurality of bytes, multiplying each of the second plurality of bytes of data by a predetermined constant of a plurality of constants to generate a third plurality of bytes, and organizing in use the third plurality of bytes as a plurality of output bytes. Systems to practice the foregoing methods are also described. |
| US08121283B2 |
Tapered capacitive sensing structure
A touchpad has interleaved conductive traces across a touchpad surface. Each conductive trace has a first end and a second end. The width of the first end is larger than the width of the second end. The interleaved conductive traces have a first group of conductive traces alternated with a second group of conductive traces. |
| US08121276B2 |
Multicast call processing unit for telecommunication devices
A multicast call processing unit receives a request from a requester, determines if the request is associated with a multicast function, identifies a plurality of destinations defined by the multicast function and establishes communication link between the requester and the plurality of destinations. In one embodiment, the call processing unit authenticates the plurality of destinations before establishing a communication link between them and the requester. If the request from the requester is not associated with the multicast function, then the call processing unit establishes a communication link between the requester and a single destination. In another embodiment, a supervisor manages the plurality of destinations. |
| US08121274B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing multiple services per call
A method and apparatus for enabling multiple services to be invoked in a specific precedence per call are disclosed. For example, the present method allows a subscriber to interact with a plurality of services provided by a service provider on a single call. |
| US08121273B2 |
Call interceptor
An apparatus for selectively allowing calls to a device, especially a facsimile machine, that may receive calls on a signal line. The apparatus detects an incoming call on the signal line and allows the incoming call to reach the device if received during an enabled time period but prevents the incoming call from reaching the device if received outside the enabled time period. The apparatus may be configured to prevent a first incoming call, detected outside said enabled period, from reaching said device and subsequently to initiate said enabled time period. |
| US08121271B2 |
Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
The present invention is directed to a node for transmitting data over a network. The node includes a first ascertaining element configured to ascertain the need to transmit one or more data streams from the node to a second node over the network, the one or more data streams including time-based media that is generated either locally or remotely on the network. The node also includes a second ascertaining element configured to ascertain a timeliness preference for reviewing the one or more data streams by one or more recipients respectively. The ascertained timeliness preference for each one of the data streams is either (a) time-sensitive where at least one recipient of the one data stream has indicated an intent to review the one data stream in a near real-time mode as received by the recipient over the network while the time-based media of the one data stream is being generated or (b) less-than time-sensitive. |
| US08121270B2 |
Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
The present invention is directed to an improved media communication device for communicating over a communication network. The communication device includes an encoder, a time-shifting buffer and a transmitter to progressively encode, store in a time-based format, and transmit over the network locally created media created using the communication device. The communication device also includes a receiver and a rendering element to receive and progressively render media received over the network from a remote source. The received media is also stored in the time-based format in the time-shifting buffer. By storing media in the time-based format in the time-shifting buffer, the received media may be rendered in a near real-time mode and the received and locally created media may be rendered in a time-shifted mode. In various embodiments, the locally created and received media may be streaming media. In yet other embodiments, the media may be segmented into messages that are transmitted to and from the communication device over the network. |
| US08121269B1 |
System and method for automatically managing participation at a meeting
A participant managing system which identifies potential invitees to a conference. A storage means maintains storing records of associations of persons at least to one or more keywords. During the preparation of the conference the system responds to the user's input of key words by identifying persons. The user is not obliged to make any selection of persons, only a selection of subjects by key words. |
| US08121268B1 |
Web page creation by telephone
A web page is composed for an entity using information obtained by a computer-based service provider during a telephone call. In some embodiments, a user calls the service provider using a telephone having a telephone number associated with the entity. The user receives an audible message listing a first set of information, and sends a response that indicates whether the first set of information is accurate with respect to the entity. In response to one or more audible prompts, the user also provides a second set of information concerning the entity. Optionally, the user may send a completion command to the service provider via the telephone. The service provider generates a publicly accessible web page based on first and second sets of information. |
| US08121264B1 |
Protected data container for storing data relating to recorded calls in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated
Data related to a call is stored to a container in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated. “Container” refers to any type of data structure for storing data, such as a file, database, etc. Thus, a protected container is provided to which captured information relating to a call (e.g., recorded audio of the call, captured application data, captured external data, etc.) is stored. The protected container enables detection of any tampering of the protected data, as well as authentication of such data. A multi-channel recording technique is used to record audio for each outbound channel of a call. Each channel of the audio may be watermarked, and a signature may be generated for use in authenticating the audio data. Information relating to the call (e.g., captured audio, application data, external data, etc.) is captured and streamed into the protected container during the call (i.e., in real time). |
| US08121259B2 |
Thermal energy storage and transfer assembly and method of making same
An apparatus includes an electron collector includes a body having an internal bore formed therethrough along a first direction and a window side having an aperture formed in a first portion thereof along a second direction different from the first direction. The apparatus also includes a cover plate having a bottom surface coupled to a second portion of the first surface of the electron collector, and an x-ray transmission window coupled to the cover plate and aligned with the aperture along the second direction, wherein a recess is formed along the second direction in one of the first portion of the first surface of the electron collector and a portion of the bottom surface of the cover plate, and wherein a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the cover plate and the first surface of the electron collector. |
| US08121257B2 |
X-ray image capturing device and a method thereof
In an X-ray image capturing device which performs image capturing by receiving image capturing information that includes protocols from an information system, when a protocol which is not associated to a body part is transferred, image capturing of such protocol cannot be performed, or the task of associating it to a body part is troublesome and may not be performed accurately. A configuration is used in which a protocol having unassociated image capturing information and body part is displayed as an undefined protocol, and means to associate the undefined protocol to a body part is called up. |
| US08121255B2 |
Diagnostic imaging system
A diagnostic imaging system includes a generation unit which generates a fluoroscopic image of X-rays that irradiate a subject, a setting unit which, when displaying the fluoroscopic image superimposed on a field image of a head mounted display, sets the display ratio of the field image and the fluoroscopic image in accordance with a display condition, an image composition unit which generates a composite image by superimposing the fluoroscopic image on the field image on the basis of the ratio set by the setting unit, and an image display unit which displays the composite image on the display unit of the head mounted display. |
| US08121247B2 |
Method for the tomographic measurement of mechanical workpieces
In a method for measuring mechanical workpieces by tomography, a workpiece and radiation penetrating the workpiece are moved relative to one another step-by-step. A two-dimensional image of the workpiece is generated in an imaging plane from the interaction of the workpiece and the radiation in each movement position of the workpiece. In addition, a three-dimensional representation of the workpiece is computed from the two-dimensional images. From at least two two-dimensional images showing a regular actual structure existing within the workpiece, points at a high-contrast transition are registered. A three-dimensional equivalent body is determined from the position of the points, and said equivalent body is compared to a predefined nominal structure. |
| US08121240B1 |
Statistical measurement of average edge-jitter placement on a clock signal
Phase shift is added between a uttering clock signal and a data bit stream clocked by the clock signal. The phase shift is adjusted until half the data bits are captured (counted) over a measurement period. Adding this amount of phase shift between the clock and data signals centers the average clock edge placement. In a particular embodiment, counters, each having N bits where N is an integer, are used to count clock pulses and data bits. When one counter is full and the most-significant bit on the other counter goes high, the phase shift between the data and clock signal places the average clock edge at the data bit edge. |
| US08121238B2 |
System and method for synchronizing digital bits in a data stream
A system and method for synchronizing a receiver of a bit stream to the bit stream include a correlator to remove the PN code modulation and to generate a stream of time sequence values (samples) from the received bits. A plurality of accumulators are included, each accumulator corresponding to an offset in a series of time intervals starting with a first time period. The accumulators add a number of values equal to a number of samples in a bit period. The values added by each accumulator is a set of values starting with the value at the offset corresponding to the accumulator. A plurality of magnitude calculators receives a sum from the corresponding accumulator and calculates a magnitude. A plurality of non-coherent summers are then used to add the magnitudes for each offset in each bit period for all of the received bits. The total sum in each non-coherent summer is then analyzed to find the highest value, such that the offset corresponding to the non-coherent summer with the highest value represents the location of the bit transition in the bit period. |
| US08121230B2 |
Correction of mismatches between two I and Q channels
A method for correcting mismatches between a digital signal in phase and a digital signal in quadrature originating from a signal broadcast by terrestrial channel, comprising a phase correction method. A set of first error values is measured during a first period. A current value of a second error is determined based on a sum of the first error values. The current value is compared with a previous second error value stored in memory. The value of a current phase shift correction is chosen from two phase shift correction values, based on the result of the comparison and the value of a previous phase shift correction. The value of the chosen current phase shift correction is added to the previous phase shift to obtain a current phase shift. This current phase shift is introduced between the digital signal in phase and the digital signal in quadrature. |
| US08121213B2 |
Modulation device, demodulation device, modulation method and demodulation method
A modulation apparatus is disclosed that enables significant improvements in signal transmission rate in a limited frequency band as compared with conventional modulation schemes. The modulation apparatus has first and second frequency-increasing single side band (SSB) modulators. The modulators are configured to have respective carrier frequencies with a difference by a frequency corresponding to the symbol frequency (i.e. fundamental frequency of the input symbol). An adder combines a lower side band (LSB) signal obtained from the SSB modulator set for a higher carrier frequency, and an upper side band (USB) signal obtained from the SSB modulator set for a lower carrier frequency to obtain a modulation signal. |
| US08121208B2 |
Multi-input multi-output system for enhancing transmission performance
The present invention relates to a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system for enhancing transmission performance. The MIMO system uses space-time encoding and transmit antenna selection methods, and includes a transmitter (100) and a receiver (200). The transmitter (100) includes N transmit antennas (130-1, 130-4) that are more than M transmit antennas (130-1, 130-3) used for transmitting a signal to space channel, selects the M transmit antennas (130-1, 130-3) among the N transmit antennas (130-3 130-4), and transmits symbol by space-time encoding the symbol. The receiver (200) includes M receive antenna (120-1, 210-2) for receiving a signal from the space channel, detects an information symbol by using the signal received through the receive antenna (210-1, 210-2), generates transmit antenna selection information for selecting M transmit antennas (130-1, 130-3) among transmit antennas (i30-1, . . . 7130-4) with reference to a channel estimate, and returns the information to the transmitter. |
| US08121205B1 |
Extended non-return-to-zero serial channel signaling
Methods and apparatus for serial channel operation are disclosed. An N+1-level signaling scheme is used to transmit N staggered but overlapping NRZ sub-sequences concurrently on a serial channel. Each sequence has a bit rate R and an essential bandwidth of R Hz. The combined bit rate of the channel is N×R, but due to a lack of correlation between the sub-sequences, the essential bandwidth remains approximately R Hz. The signaling scheme also contains redundancy that allows some errors to be detected and/or corrected. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08121200B2 |
Multi-level LVDS data transmission with embedded word clock
A multi-level signal uses the third/fourth signal level to signal both a word clock edge and a data word boundary. At the receiver, a level detector detects a transition to or from the third/fourth level as a clock signal transition and the word boundary. The bit clock can be recovered using a conventional clock multiplier. Bi-level signaling is used for data between the word boundaries. Additional signal states are available in the multi-level signal by modulating the pulse width at the third/fourth signal level. |
| US08121198B2 |
Embedding content-based searchable indexes in multimedia files
Content-based analysis is performed on multimedia content prior to encoding the multimedia content in the rendering chain of processing. A content-based index stream is generated based on the content-based analysis and the content-based index stream is embedded in the multimedia file during rendering. The content-based index stream can be used to generate a content-based searchable index when necessary. |
| US08121197B2 |
Video encoding and decoding using parallel processors
A method is disclosed for the decoding and encoding of a block-based video bit-stream such as MPEG2, H.264-AVC, VC1, or VP6 using a system containing one or more high speed sequential processors, a homogenous array of software configurable general purpose parallel processors, and a high speed memory system to transfer data between processors or processor sets. This disclosure includes a method for load balancing between the two sets of processors. |
| US08121194B2 |
Fast macroblock encoding with the early qualification of skip prediction mode using its temporal coherence
The latest video-coding standards achieve higher coding efficiency than the previous video standards, while increasing the complexity and the difficulty of encoding. In a skip macroblock prediction mode some coding parameters (such as motion vectors and residual) are not coded. Selecting skip macroblock prediction mode reduces the size of the encoded bitstream while possibly deteriorating image quality. Previously the selection of the skip prediction mode is performed after motion estimation process. This invention determines whether each macroblock should be encoded in skip macroblock prediction mode before motion estimation. This invention substantially reduces computational cost with a very small deterioration in coding efficiency. |
| US08121192B2 |
Method and system for treating noise in a generated image
A process and system for improving a digital image of an object defined by pixels, acquired at the instant t and generated from an X-ray detector receiving X-rays emitted by a source. The process includes: determining a predicted image of the object at the instant t as a function of the images of the object acquired at the instants t−i, i being a positive whole number greater than or equal to 1, and moving of each of the layers constituting the image acquired at the instant t, the number of layers being previously fixed and the moving of each of the layers being previously determined; and generating a visualized image corresponding to a weighted sum of the predicted image and the image of the object acquired at the instant t, so as to attenuate the noise of the image of the object acquired at the instant t. |
| US08121191B1 |
AVC to SVC transcoder
Roughly described, an input unencoded video stream is first encoded according to a high quality compression standard such as 1080P@60 AVC. The high quality compressed video stream is then transcoded into a scalable format, such as 1080P@60 SVC. Developing the scalable video stream by transcoding offers significant benefits over developing it natively from the original uncompressed picture sequence. |
| US08121190B2 |
Method for video coding a sequence of digitized images
The invention relates to a method for video coding a sequence of digitized images comprising predicting the contents of each image taking into account a rate distortion optimization criterion being dependent on a Lagrange multiplier; transforming the prediction error resulting from predicting step into a plurality of transformed residual coefficients in each image; quantizing the transformed residual coefficients in each image; wherein the Lagrange multiplier is determined for each image based on a probability distribution of the transformed residual coefficients of the respective image, the probability distribution having its maximum probability at its mean zero and being formed such that the probabilities decrease to zero from the mean to large absolute values of the transformed residual coefficients, whereby the variance of the probability distribution is calculated from the plurality of transformed residual coefficients in the respective image. |
| US08121189B2 |
Video decoding using created reference pictures
Reference pictures can be created to assist with video decoding. For example, a method for decoding video can comprise receiving an encoded video bit stream, determining that a reference picture is needed, and creating and inserting the reference picture into the encoded video bit stream. A method for decoding video can also comprise receiving an encoded video bit stream, performing bit stream parsing, determining that a reference picture is needed, selecting a representation level for the reference picture, and conveying data for the selected reference picture to a hardware accelerated graphics processing unit. Various video operations, such as creating reference pictures and related information, can be performed by central processing units, while other video decoding operations can be performed by graphics processing units. |
| US08121188B2 |
Video frame encoding and decoding
A video frame arithmetical context adaptive encoding and decoding scheme is presented which is based on the finding, that, for sake of a better definition of neighborhood between blocks of picture samples, i.e. the neighboring block which the syntax element to be coded or decoded relates to and the current block based on the attribute of which the assignment of a context model is conducted, and when the neighboring block lies beyond the borders or circumference of the current macroblock containing the current block, it is important to make the determination of the macroblock containing the neighboring block dependent upon as to whether the current macroblock pair region containing the current block is of a first or a second distribution type, i.e., frame or field coded. |
| US08121186B2 |
Systems and methods for speculative signal equalization
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for signal equalization, and in some cases analog to digital conversion. For example, an analog to digital converter is disclosed that includes a comparator bank that receives a reference indicator and is operable to provide a decision output based at least in part on a comparison of an analog input with a reference threshold corresponding to the reference indicator. A range selection filter is included that has a first adjustment calculation circuit and a second adjustment calculation circuit. The first adjustment calculation circuit is operable to calculate a first adjustment feedback value based at least in part on a speculation that the decision output is a first logic level, and the second adjustment calculation circuit is operable to calculate a second adjustment feedback value based at least in part on a speculation that the decision output is a second logic level. A selector circuit selects the first adjustment feedback to generate the reference indicator when the decision output is the first logic level, and selects the second adjustment feedback to generate the reference indicator when the decision output is the second logic level. |
| US08121184B2 |
Wireless receiver
A wireless receiver receiving a signal from a wireless transmitter which includes a plurality of transmission antennas and transmits data to which first phase rotation for controlling the maximum delay time between the plurality of transmission antennas is added and pilot channels corresponding to the plurality of transmission antennas which are orthogonal to each other, where the wireless receiver includes a reception unit which receives the pilot channels and a demodulating unit which demodulates the data. |
| US08121181B2 |
Method for determining target type of control signals in multi-channel system
The present invention discloses a method for determining a target type of a plurality of control signals respectively transmitted via a plurality of channels in a multi-channel system. The method includes: receiving a plurality of first control signals simultaneously from the channels during a first time period; determining a control signal priority corresponding to the first time period according to a target type determined by actual types of a plurality of second control signals respectively transmitted via the channels during a second time period, wherein the second time period is prior to the first time period; and determining the target type of the first control signals according to the control signal priority and actual types of the first control signals. |
| US08121180B1 |
Automatic output drive level control in home networking transceiver
A novel method of configuring a transceiver for data transmission via residential wiring. The method involves setting a DC level at the output terminal of the transceiver, comparing a value representing the DC level with a predetermined threshold level, and controlling an output driver of the transceiver until this value is equal to the threshold level. The output driver may be controlled during initialization of the transceiver. To implement the method, the transceiver is provided with an output drive control system for comparing a DC level set at the output terminal with the threshold signal to control the output driver so as to maintain the transmit signal at a prescribed level. |
| US08121173B2 |
Apparatus and method for modulating data message by employing orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) codes in mobile communicating system
A method for converting source data to a channel-modulated signal having a plurality of pairs of in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) data in a mobile station, wherein the mobile station uses at least one channel, includes the steps of: a) encoding the source data to generate at least one data part and a control part; b) generating at least one spreading code to be allocated to the channel, wherein each spreading code is selected on the basis of a data rate of the data part and the control part and spreading codes are selected so that two consecutive pairs of the I and Q data are correspondent to two points located on same point or symmetrical with respect to a zero point on a phase domain; and c) spreading the control part and the data part by using the spreading code, to thereby generate the channel-modulated signal. The method is capable of improving a power efficiency of a mobile station by reducing a peak-to-average power ratio in a mobile communication system. |
| US08121172B1 |
Chirped surface acoustic wave (SAW) correlator/expander
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) expander based transmitter and correlator based receiver comprises SAW devices that perform expander or correlator functions based on the types of signals inputted to the SAW devices. The SAW devices incorporate chirp with adaptive interference and programmable coding capabilities. The SAW devices and method of operating the devices allow the implementation of very low power radios that overcome problems with temperature drift, lithography constraints and interference and jamming suffered by prior art implementations. |
| US08121157B2 |
Terahertz beam scanning apparatus and method thereof
To provide a terahertz beam scanning apparatus and method that can scan a terahertz beam at high speed over a wide angle. The terahertz beam scanning apparatus includes: a laser device 12 that generates a first laser beam 1 and a second laser beam 2 having different wavelengths; a laser optical system 14 that focuses the first laser beam 1 and the second laser beam 2 on a same common focal point 14b; and a terahertz generator 16 that is located at the common focal point and generates a terahertz beam 4 by difference frequency mixing. The laser optical system 14 is configured to be capable of changing a relative incidence θi between the first laser beam and the second laser beam to the terahertz generator. |
| US08121156B2 |
Solid-state laser device and image display device
A semiconductor laser light source emits a laser beam for pumping. An optical resonator includes a solid laser crystal to be excited by the incident of a laser beam to oscillate a fundamental wave and a pair of fundamental wave reflective coats arranged at the opposite sides of the solid laser crystal. A wavelength conversion element converts the fundamental wave into a plurality of harmonics. The wavelength conversion element is so arranged in the optical resonator that the optical axis of at least one of the plurality of harmonics, generated in the optical resonator is made different from that of the fundamental wave and the at least one harmonic whose optical axis is made different is output substantially in the same direction as the other harmonic. By this construction, it is possible to stabilize a harmonic output and utilize a plurality of harmonics without increasing the number of parts. |
| US08121149B2 |
Receiving station for CDMA wireless system and method
A communication station, such as a UE or Node B of a 3GPP system, configured to receive channelization coded signals on physical channels of at least one composite channel within timeslots of a system time frame. The actual number of channelization codes received for the composite channel within a system time frame is determined. The transmitted channelization codes are then identified by performing a channelization code identification algorithm based on the determined number. |
| US08121141B2 |
Confidential transmission of data by change of frequency in a telecommunications network
Data is transmitted by a first terminal (11) to a second terminal (12) in a telecommunications network (10) in a plurality of sets of data packets. In the first and second terminals, as a function of a selection rule common to the first and second terminals, transmission frequencies are selected from transmission frequencies in a secret list of transmission frequencies that is common to the first and second terminals. Next, the sets of data packets are transmitted (15, 16) from the first terminal to the second terminal at respective selected transmission frequencies. The common list of transmission frequencies is allocated on the basis of available frequencies with respect to the first and second terminals and collected from the telecommunications network. |
| US08121132B2 |
Local area network for distributing data communication, sensing and control signals
A network for carrying out control, sensing and data communications, comprising a plurality of nodes. Each node may be connected to a payload, which comprises sensors, actuators and DTE's. The network is formed using a plurality of independent communication links, each based on electrically-conducting communication media comprising at least two conductors and interconnecting two nodes, in a point-to-point configuration. During network operation, nodes can be dynamically configured as either data-generating nodes, wherein data is generated and transmitted into the network, or as receiver/repeater/router nodes, wherein received data is repeated from a receiver port to all output ports. During normal network operation, the network shifts from state to state. Each state is characterized by assigning a single node as the data-generating node, and configuring all other nodes in the network as repeaters and receivers. The network can be configured in linear or circular topology, or any mixture of both. The nodes and the payloads can each be powered by local power supply or via the network wiring. In the latter case, dedicated wires can be used, or the same conductors may be employed for both power distribution and communication. Network control can be performed external to the network, or by using the network itself as transport for control messages. Shifting from state to state can be done by selecting sequential nodes to be the data-generating node, or by selecting arbitrary nodes to be the data-generating node. |
| US08121130B2 |
Determining an optimal route advertisement in a reactive routing environment
In an example embodiment, a method is provided. In this method, a network address query is received. A first network address of a known apparatus is retrieved from a routing table, in response to the network address query. A second network address may be determined based upon the network address query, the second network address having a smaller bit length than the first network address. An aggregate value may be advertised that represents a range of reachable network addresses, the range of reachable network addresses including the second network address. |
| US08121127B2 |
Method for handling multiple network packets
A method for handling multiple network packets is provided. The method is suitable for an embedded system connected to a network, wherein the embedded system includes a network device driver module and a simplified TCP/IP stack module. First, a plurality of network packets are received by the network device driver module. Then, each time when the network device driver module copies one of the network packets into a buffer of the simplified TCP/IP stack module, a packet length of the copied network packet is recorded in a packet information table. Thereafter, the network packets are obtained from the buffer one at a time according to the packet lengths recorded in the packet information table and analyzed by the simplified TCP/IP stack module. Thereby, multiple network packets can be handled correctly even in an environment wherein a simplified TCP/IP stack is used. |
| US08121125B2 |
Accelerated TCP (transport control protocol) stack processing
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides performing packet processing on one or more packets, and substantially simultaneously with said performing packet processing, using a data movement module to place one or more payloads corresponding to the one or more packets into a read buffer. |
| US08121122B2 |
Method and device for scheduling unicast and multicast traffic in an interconnecting fabric
A method for scheduling unicast and multicast traffic in an interconnecting fabric performs within each time slot the following steps. First a multicast cell scheduling (61) and independently thereof a unicast cell scheduling (62) is performed. Then, the unicast cell schedule and the multicast cell schedule are merged to a merged schedule (63), wherein in the case a scheduled connection cannot be included in the merged schedule the scheduled connection is included in the merged schedule in a later time slot (66, 63). |
| US08121118B2 |
Methods and apparatus to dynamically control connectivity within virtual private networks
Methods and apparatus to dynamically control connectivity within VPNs are disclosed. A disclosed example route server to control connectivity within a VPN comprises a memory to implement a database, a border gateway protocol (BGP) engine to process BGP advertisements, a network interface to receive a first BGP advertisement, which a first route target (RT) associated with the first PE router, from a first provider edge (PE) router associated with the VPN, and an intra-VPN connectivity controller to, in response to the first BGP advertisement, query the database to determine whether the first PE router is to be communicatively coupled to a second PE router of the VPN and when the first and second PE routers of the VPN are to be communicatively coupled, direct the BGP engine to form a second BGP advertisement that includes a second RT associated with the second PE router based on the first BGP advertisement. |
| US08121116B1 |
Intra channel video stream scheduling
In one embodiment, a gateway between a variable delay network and a constant delay network receives over the variable delay network a plurality of data streams to be multiplexed over a modulated channel extending through the constant delay network. A first processing component of the gateway generates command-packet-descriptors corresponding to content packets included in the received data streams. A second processing component of the gateway uses transmit time indications included in the command-packet-descriptors to schedule transmission of modulated packets representing the received data streams over the modulated channel. |
| US08121115B2 |
Compressed delay packet transmission scheduling
A packet scheduler reduces or “compresses” the packet transmission delay jitter or delay range where packets experience little or no scheduling delay before transmission. As a result, the number of packets that experience little or no delay is reduced. A preferred example way of compressing the packet transmission delay jitter is to reduce the transmission priority of low delay packets. Compressing the delay jitter is particularly desirable for services like VoIP that require low packet transmission delay jitter. |
| US08121114B2 |
Prevention of voice over IP spam
In one embodiment, a system is provided to prevent VoIP spam. The system may store call data that is associated with a call to a phone number made over a Public Switched Telephone Network. Subsequently, the system may accept an Internet Protocol telephony connection in response to verification of a demonstrated knowledge of the call. The demonstrated knowledge of the call may be verified based on the call data. |
| US08121113B2 |
Terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method using IP transfer network
Both a connection server and a relay connection server are installed in an IP transfer network; a function similar to a line connection control of a subscriber exchanger is applied to a connection server; a function similar to a line connection control of a relay exchanger is applied to the relay connection server; and a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method with using the IP transfer network is realized in such a manner that a telephone set and a terminal such as an IP terminal and a video terminal transmit/receive an initial address message, an address completion message, a call pass message, a response message, a release message and a release completion message, which can be made in a 1-to-1 correspondence relationship with line connection control messages of the common line signal system. Furthermore, while an address administration table is set to a network node apparatus of an IP transfer network, means for registering addresses of the terminals into this address administration table is employed, so that an IP packet communication by a multicast manner can be realized with improving information security performance. |
| US08121111B2 |
Method and system for measuring latency
A system and method for measuring latency of an optical transport network includes generating a time stamp, transmitting the time stamp in an optical transport network, and processing the time stamp to measure latency of the optical transport network. |
| US08121109B2 |
Method and system for remotely controlling appliances
A method of remotely controlling at least one domestic appliance, remote control of such domestic appliances is triggered automatically by detecting a mobile communications terminal entering or leaving a radio reception perimeter of a control device. The control device is a home gateway or more simply a modem provided with a radio access unit. |
| US08121108B2 |
Data slot allocation method used to transmit uncompressed AV data, and method and apparatus for transmitting uncompressed AV data
Provided is a method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting large data in a more efficient and stable manner. In particular, provided is a data slot allocation method used to transmit uncompressed audio/video (AV) data. The data slot allocation method includes transmitting a first superframe during a first beacon period; receiving a data slot request frame from at least one wireless device, which belongs to a network, during a data slot reservation period included in the first superframe; transmitting a response frame to the at least one wireless device during the data slot reservation period in response to the data slot request frame; and transmitting a second superframe including one or more data slots allocated to the at least one wireless device during a second beacon period. |
| US08121095B2 |
System and method for adjusting a time offset of GPS signals in a CDMA mobile phone
A method for adjusting a time offset of GPS signals in a CDMA mobile phone includes: generating periodic waves and transmitting to the GPS simulator; generating CDMA RF signals and transmitting to the combiner; clocking a first delay time starting when the periodic waves are transmitted to a time the CDMA RF signals are transmitted; receiving the periodic waves; generating GPS RF signals and transmitting the signals to the combiner; clocking a second delay time starting when the periodic waves are received to a time the GPS RF signals are transmitted; generating combined signals and transmitting to the CDMA mobile phone; clocking a third delay time starting when the CDMA RF signals are received to a time the GPS RF signals are received; and calculating a time offset between CDMA signals and GPS signals according to the first delay time, the second delay time, and the third delay time. |
| US08121093B2 |
Apparatus and method for alleviating barred access in mobile communication system
A user equipment for alleviating barred access while reselecting from a first cell to a second cell in a mobile communication system is provided. A wireless module detects receives system information broadcasted in the first cell. A storage unit stores the system information. A controller reselects from the first cell to the second cell, determines whether a first barred access timer is running, and stops the first barred access timer and informs the upper layer of an RRC protocol that the access of the first service is allowed in response of that the first barred access timer is running. |
| US08121091B2 |
Method and system for the reduction of scanning time while roaming
Described are systems, methods, and devices used for reducing scanning time while communicating between wireless mobile computing devices within a wireless communications network. The method includes the following step(s): receiving communication data from one or more APs within a network, the communication data being specific to each of the one or more APs and transmitting the communication data to an MU within the network. The MU is associated with a first AP and the MU associates with a second AP based on the communication data as the MU roams to the second AP. The method further includes the steps of: associating, by an MU, with a first AP within a network, receiving communication data from the first AP, the communication data including information specific to each of one or more further APs, and associating with one of the further APs based on the communication data. |
| US08121090B1 |
Mobile communication device initiated hand-off based on wireless base station priority
A mobile communication device wirelessly transfers user communications to a first wireless base station. The mobile communication device identifies a second wireless base station that has sufficient performance characteristics for wireless communication with the mobile communication device and that has a higher communication priority than the first wireless base station. In response, the mobile communication device initiates a hand-off from the first wireless base station to the second wireless base station. In response to the hand-off, the mobile communication device stops the wireless transfer of the user communications to the first wireless base station and wirelessly transfers additional user communications to the second wireless base station. |
| US08121078B2 |
Wireless network camera systems
Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. |
| US08121077B2 |
Relay device and relay method
A relay device can perform high-quality communication even in a wireless mesh network where relay devices are densely arranged and interference of wireless packets is caused. The relay device includes: a representative node determining unit (605) which determines the channel used in its own cluster for intra-cluster communication to be a channel different from the channel used in neighboring cluster for intra-cluster communication, when the communication quality of its own relay device does not meet predetermined quality and no representative node exists among neighboring nodes; a joining and removal notifying unit (607) which allows a neighboring node which is not associated with any cluster to join to its own associated cluster; and a frequency channel changing unit (609) which changes the channel used for intra-cluster communication to the channel determined by the representative node determining unit (605) of the representative node. |
| US08121076B2 |
Network listening method of a mobile phone
A mobile phone includes a code division multiple access (CDMA) chip and a first user identity module (UIM) card. A network listening method of the mobile phone burns identification information of a second UIM card into the mobile phone, and executes a first network listening method to listen to a communication network, if a first listening frequency equals to a second listening frequency and a first listening channel equals to a second listening channel. The network listening method further executes a second network listening method to listen to the communication network, if the first listening frequency does not equal to the second listening frequency and/or the first listening channel does not equal to the second listening channel. |
| US08121075B2 |
Base station and scheduling method used in base station
Disclosed in the present invention are base stations and scheduling methods used in base stations. The base station uses a multi-user multi-input and multi-output method, including: storing codebook vector group information relevant to a combination of codebook vectors capable of being used as a pre-coding group, the codebook vector group information comprising an index of the combination of codebook vectors capable of being used as a pre-coding group; selecting codebook vectors to be taken as elements of a pre-coding matrix; determining an index, to which a combination of the codebook vectors selected by a pre-coding matrix element corresponds, in accordance with the codebook vectors to be taken as elements of a pre-coding matrix as selected by the pre-coding matrix element and with reference to the codebook vector group information; and transmitting the index of the combination of the codebook vectors. |
| US08121071B2 |
Gateway network multiplexing
A gateway adapted to receive data from a device of a local area network is described herein. In some embodiments, the gateway may be adapted to multiplex received data to another device among multiple wide area networks, wherein at least one of the wide area networks is a wireless wide area network. The gateway may have a wireless wide area networking interface and at least one of one or more other wireless wide area networking interfaces and/or one or more wired wide area networking interfaces, the wired and/or wireless networking interfaces each adapted to transmit data to at least one of the multiple wide area networks. In other embodiments, the gateway may be adapted to transmit the received data to the other device through a preferred wide area network, and, if that network is unavailable or operating conditions determine otherwise, transmit the received data to the other device through a back-up wide area network. |
| US08121057B1 |
Wide area voice environment multi-channel communications system and method
A system and method is described for establishing a homogenized communications infrastructure that enables a variety of disparate communication devices to communicate transparently with each other over a computer data network. The system and method allow for such communications to take place by converting all communications from all participants in the form of audio, video, textual, and binary data messages into discrete data units that are carried over a computer data network. These communications are propagated to other participants by relay to their particular devices in such a way that individual participants are insulated from the type and implementation of all other participants' devices. |
| US08121056B1 |
Aggregate multicast trees for multicast virtual private networks
Principles of the invention are described for providing multicast virtual private networks (MVPNs) across a public network that are capable of carrying high-bandwidth multicast traffic with increased scalability. In particular, the MVPNs may transport layer three (L3) multicast traffic, such as Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between remote sites via the public network. The principles described herein may reduce the overhead of protocol independent multicast (PIM) neighbor adjacencies and customer control information maintained for MVPNs. The principles may also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to maintain at least one dedicated multicast tree per each MVPN. |
| US08121055B2 |
Method of collection of quality statistics and corresponding method of management of collection of quality statistics
The invention relates to the field of telecommunication and more particularly, to the acquisition of a statistics related to quality related to data reception, for instance quality of service and/or quality of user experience of digital audio and/or video services. In particular, the objective of the present invention is to improve the collection of quality statistics. |
| US08121054B2 |
Method for gap analysis for network topology inspection in ethernet-based network
A method for gap analysis for topology inspection to recognize a topology of a deep segment through gap discovery in an Ethernet network, includes: a gap division process of dividing a gap into atomic gaps that are no longer divided through path crossing test (PCT); and a gap interpretation process of analyzing a final result of the PCT when the atomic gap is generated, to interpret a topology of the gap. |
| US08121053B2 |
Multi-radio wireless mesh network solutions
Techniques for providing multi-radio wireless mesh network solutions are described herein. According to one embodiment, routing information of neighboring mesh APs is monitored via a dedicated monitoring antenna of a current mesh access point (AP). The current mesh AP is one of mesh APs of a wireless mesh network, each having an uplink antenna, a downlink antenna, a local link antenna, and a monitoring antenna. Traffic of an uplink antenna of the wireless mesh AP is dynamically reconfigured and rerouted from a first routing path coupled to a first uplink mesh AP to a second routing path coupled to a second uplink mesh AP, if the second routing path has a better routing condition than the first routing path based on the monitored routing information associated with the first uplink mesh AP and the second uplink mesh AP. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08121049B2 |
Method and arrangement for controlling service level agreements in a mobile network
A method and an arrangement in a service assurance module for controlling service level agreements for communication services in a mobile services access network. A network performance rule is created for a service level agreement, and is based on an associated performance indicator indicating the current network performance with respect to the fulfillment of the service level agreement. The performance indicator is then monitored, and the network performance rule is evaluated on a regular basis based on the performance indicator. If the network performance rule is not satisfied, an agreement violation is registered and/or measures are taken to improve the network performance. |
| US08121044B2 |
Method and apparatus for CDMA control segment hopping in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for hopping of a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) control segment that carries control information in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) packet data mobile communication system are provided, in which a number of CDMA control segment hopping zones, each CDMA control segment hopping zone representing a frequency area for CDMA control segment hopping, is determined according to a total number of available tiles in the system and a number of tiles per CDMA control segment, each tile including a predetermined number of subcarriers, or according to a total number of available subcarriers in the system and a number of subcarriers per CDMA control segment. Start points of the hopping zones are determined using the number of the hopping zones, and the control information is transmitted or received in the CDMA control segment through hopping of the CDMA control segment over the hopping zones using the start points. |
| US08121035B2 |
Apparatus and method for packet buffer management in IP network system
An apparatus, computer program and method for packet buffer management in an IP network system. The apparatus includes at least one link queue buffer, a shared buffer, a buffer state detector, and a buffer manager. The at least one link queue buffer is allocated a buffer of a packet stored in a memory. The shared buffer is excessively allocated when exceeding a minimum buffer threshold value. The buffer state detector determines whether a buffer value stored in a link queue buffer of a corresponding link exceeds a preset minimum buffer threshold value. The buffer manager sets the shared buffer to be included in the link queue buffer if the stored buffer value exceeds the preset minimum buffer threshold value. |
| US08121033B2 |
Methods for packet network traffic regulation
A method of traffic regulation in a packet communication network involves a token bucket associated with a subscriber. Packets arriving at the regulator are handled in accordance with the token bucket configuration. The method involves measuring a demand placed on the network by the subscriber. The token bucket configuration is dynamically adjusted based on the demand. Another method of traffic regulation handles packets arriving at the regulator in accordance with first and second token bucket configurations. The first token bucket regulates packet rate while the second token bucket regulates data rate. Another method of traffic regulation involves handling packets in accordance with a token bucket configuration, where the amount of tokens to be removed is based on the amount of the flow and is further based on a classification of the flow. Packet-level devices for traffic regulation are also contemplated. |
| US08121032B2 |
Efficient convergence of grouped VPN prefixes
In one embodiment, one or more virtual private network (VPN) prefixes may be grouped at a network node into sets having shared network border node next-hop options, where each border node has a defined index value associated therewith. Also, a list of VPN labels associated with each VPN prefix may be maintained by the network node, where each VPN label is associated with a border node of a particular set by a corresponding index value. Further, the network node may determine a particular border node for traffic to be forwarded, along with the defined index value. The network node may then apply the index value to select an associated VPN label, and may affix the selected VPN label to the traffic for forwarding. |
| US08121027B2 |
Access gateway, terminal and method of controlling flow in wireless system
A wireless system includes plural different access networks and terminals (19, 20) having interfaces corresponding to the plural different access networks (3, 5, 9, 13). Each of the access networks includes an access gateway (AGW) performing flow control. Upon receiving a packet transmission stop signal, the AGW determines whether a predetermined message transmitting chance is given. The AGW includes a control unit that transmits a message that requests a handover to another access network to a terminal when the message transmitting chance is given. The terminal includes a unit that performs a handover to another access network, upon receiving the message. |
| US08121020B1 |
QLM demodulation
A method for deriving a bound on communications capacity with ideal quadrature layered communications QLM and a set of demodulation algorithms for QLM. Communications links using QLM can approximate this bound and support higher data rates than allowed by the Shannon bound. Demodulation algorithms can be grouped into symbol algorithms and bit algorithms. Bit algorithms support higher data rates than symbol algorithms with lower computational complexities at the expense of demodulation loss which can be reduced with bit correlation error correction decoding which is orthogonal to the channel error correction decoding. Representative symbol and bit implementation algorithms are derived. Modulation performance is compared with phase-shift-keying PSK and quadrature amplitude modulation QAM. The invention describes how QLM can be used with PSK, QAM and with gaussian minimum shift keying GMSK, orthogonal frequency division multiple access OFDMA, code division multiple access CDMA, and wavelet division multiple access WDMA. |
| US08121019B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, mobile terminal, and wireless communication method
In a communication system in which communication is performed by switching between first multi-antenna transmission control which performs multi-stream transmission and second multi-antenna transmission control which performs single-stream transmission, the distance between a base station and a mobile terminal is calculated, and if the distance to the terminal is smaller than a preset distance, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission control is performed as the first multi-antenna transmission control, but if the distance to the terminal is greater than the preset distance, adaptive array antenna (AAA) control is performed as the second multi-antenna transmission control. |
| US08121016B2 |
Rotation responsive disk activation and deactivation mechanisms
Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms. |
| US08121012B2 |
Objective lens and optical information recording/reproducing apparatus
An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus for an optical disc using a light beam having a wavelength of λ including: an objective lens that converges the light beam onto a recording surface of the optical disc and satisfies a condition: 0.40 < d · ( n - 1 ) f 2 < 0.70 ( 3 ) where f represents a focal length (unit: mm) of the objective lens with respect to the wavelength λ, d represents a thickness (unit: mm) of the objective lens along an optical axis of the objective lens, and n represents a refractive index with respect to the wavelength λ; a photoreceptor to receive the beam reflected from the optical disc; a detector to detect quality of a signal, and an objective lens driving unit to tilt the objective lens in a direction to improve the quality of the signal based on a result of detection by the detector. |
| US08121005B2 |
Method of and apparatus for recording data on write-once disc, method of and apparatus for reproducing data from write-once disc, and write-once disc therefor
A write-once disc includes: a plurality of update areas in which a predetermined kind of updated information is recorded; at least one main access information area in which main access information is recorded, the main access information indicating a final update area in which finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas; and at least one sub access information area in which sub access information is recorded, the sub access information indicating a location of the finally updated information recorded in the final update area. Accordingly, an access time for reading a predetermined kind of information required to use the write-once disc can be reduced. |
| US08121004B2 |
Method for adjusting recording power and optical disk apparatus
A method for adjusting recording power of an optical disk apparatus having an output circuit that outputs recording light onto a test writing area of an optical disk, and a control circuit that adjusts the recording power of the recording light outputted from the output circuit, the method including the steps of causing the control circuit to erase a recording mark recorded onto the test writing area, to record a recording mark onto the test writing area in constant recording power lower than threshold power for starting a recording operation, and to record a recording mark onto the test writing area while changing the recording power. |
| US08120996B2 |
Device and method for microstructuring a storage medium and storage medium comprising a microstructured region
A device providing for microstructuring a storage medium includes a radiation source for producing an at least partially coherent beam from electromagnetic radiation, a modulator provided with a plurality of individually switchable modulator elements, a beam-forming optical element for illuminating the modulator, a reducing optical element for reducing a beam radiated by the modulator, and a transport table for displacing the storage medium in relation to the reducing optical element. The device solves technical problems caused by writing of microstructuring and individual diffractive optical elements, in particular computer-generated holograms having a high speed and high writing energy. The device is achieved in that the reducing optical element is configured with limited diffraction and produces a surface reduction of at least 25 from a surface of the individually switchable modulator elements. |
| US08120990B2 |
Flexible memory operations in NAND flash devices
A flash memory device having at least two bank, where the each bank has an independently configurable page size and core controller. The core controller is local to each bank, and governs memory access operations for the bank that include read, program and erase operations. Each core controller controls timing and activation of row circuits, column circuits, voltage generators, and local input/output path circuits for a corresponding memory access operation of the bank. Concurrent operations are executable in multiple banks to improve performance. Each bank has a page size that is configurable with page size configuration data such that only selected wordlines are activated in response to address data. The configuration data can be loaded into the memory device upon power up for a static page configuration of the bank, or the configuration data can be received with each command to allow for dynamic page configuration of the bank. |
| US08120986B2 |
Multi-port semiconductor memory device having variable access paths and method therefor
A multi-port semiconductor memory device having variable access paths and a method therefor are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of input/output ports; a memory array divided into a plurality of memory areas; and a select control unit to variably control access paths between the memory areas and the input/output ports so that each memory area is accessed through at least one of the input/output ports. |
| US08120985B2 |
Multi-bank memory device method and apparatus
In one embodiment, a memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first set of memory banks disposed on the semiconductor substrate and a second set of memory banks disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Each memory bank of the second set is split into a plurality of memory bank segments physically separated from each other and from the first set of memory banks. Each memory bank segment is arranged adjacent to, and occupies less area than, one of the memory banks of the first set. |
| US08120983B2 |
Semiconductor device having plurality of operation modes
A semiconductor device includes: a first level detecting circuit for detecting a voltage level at a control terminal after a prescribed time period from when a power supply voltage is supplied to a power supply terminal, a control unit for selecting in which operation mode among a plurality of operation modes the semiconductor device operates, based on a result of detection by the first level detecting circuit; and a regulator for generating an internal power supply voltage based on the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply terminal. The first level detecting circuit and the control unit receive the internal power supply voltage as an operating power supply voltage. In an operation mode, among the plurality of operation modes, where a power supply voltage having a level different from that of a power supply voltage in other operation modes is supplied to the power supply terminal, the control unit performs data processing by using the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply terminal. |
| US08120976B2 |
Line defect detection circuit for detecting weak line
Example embodiments relate to a line defect detection circuit, including a first driver disposed at one end of a line and configured to drive the line using a first voltage or a second voltage in response to a control signal, and a second driver disposed at the other end of the line and configured to drive the line using the second voltage in response to a stress signal. |
| US08120974B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising: a memory cell array in which two bit lines are provided to each one bit of input data, and memory cells each including an anti-fuse element are arranged at an intersection point between one of the two bit lines and an even address word line, and an intersection point between the other one of the two bit lines and an odd address word line, respectively; a plurality of booster circuits which are arranged in a plurality of memory banks, respectively, and each of which generates a write voltage and a read voltage to be supplied to a corresponding one of the anti-fuse elements of the respective memory banks, each of the memory banks obtained by dividing the memory cell array; a booster circuit controller to issue an instruction to generate the write voltage and the read voltage to the plurality of booster circuits; a word line selector to activate a different word line at the time of writing from one to be activated at the time of reading, with respect to the same address value of an address signal; a write bit line selector to select bit lines one by one from the memory banks, respectively, at the time of writing, the bit lines performing writing simultaneously; and a read bit line selector to select a bit line at the time of reading, the bit line outputting data. |
| US08120971B2 |
Internal source voltage generating circuit of semiconductor memory device
An internal source voltage generating circuit includes a comparison voltage generator which receives reference and internal source voltages, outputs to a second node a comparison voltage differentially amplified responsive to a voltage of a first node according to a difference between the reference and internal source voltages, and allows a driving current to flow from a third node to a fourth node. An internal voltage driver transfers an external source voltage to an output node responsive to the comparison voltage. A driving current generator increases the driving current flowing from the third node to the fourth node responsive to the voltage of the first node which rises when the internal source voltage abruptly drops. The internal source voltage generating circuit is insensitive to variation of an external source voltage, exhibits improved response time when an internal source voltage abruptly drops, and stably generates an internal source voltage. |
| US08120965B2 |
Data storage device and data read method
The invention provides a data read method. First, a training sequence stored in a storage unit of a memory is read according to at least one sense voltage to obtain a read-out training sequence. Whether the read-out training sequence is correct is then determined. When the read-out training sequence is not correct, the sense voltage is adjusted. |
| US08120961B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A stacked body with a plurality of dielectric films and electrode films alternately stacked therein is provided. The electrode film is divided into a plurality of control gate electrodes extending in one direction. The stacked body is provided with a U-pillar penetrating through the select gate electrodes and the control gate electrodes, having one end connected to a source line, and having the other end connected to a bit line. Moreover, a different potential is applied to uppermost one of the control gate electrodes than that applied to the other control gate electrodes. |
| US08120957B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, nonvolatile semiconductor storage system and method of managing of defective column in nonvolatile semiconductor storage system
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device is disclosed, which includes a memory cell array in which nonvolatile memory cells are arranged, a first data holding circuit which temporarily holds a collective processing unit of read or write data to be simultaneously read from or written to the memory cells, a circuit which takes out the data held in the first data holding circuit from the device, and a second data holding circuit in which data is automatically set at a time when power supply is turned on and in which the data is changeable based on a command input to the device, wherein the collective processing unit is equal to a sum of the number of units used within the device and the maximum number of units continuously output from the device to outside or input to the device from outside. |
| US08120952B2 |
Memory device with a decreasing dynamic pass voltage for reducing read-disturb effect
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating memory cells. One method embodiment includes applying sensing voltages to selected access lines for sensing selected memory cells. The method also includes applying a dynamic pass voltage to unselected access lines while the sensing voltages are applied. |
| US08120951B2 |
Memory devices, memory device constructions, constructions, memory device forming methods, current conducting devices, and memory cell programming methods
Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, a memory element selectively configurable in one of three or more different resistive states, and a diode configured to allow a current to flow from the wordline through the memory element to the bitline responsive to a voltage being applied across the wordline and the bitline and to decrease the current if the voltage is increased or decreased. Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, memory element selectively configurable in one of two or more different resistive states, a first diode configured to inhibit a first current from flowing from the bitline to the wordline responsive to a first voltage, and a second diode comprising a dielectric material and configured to allow a second current to flow from the wordline to the bitline responsive to a second voltage. |
| US08120949B2 |
Low-cost non-volatile flash-RAM memory
A flash-RAM memory includes non-volatile random access memory (RAM) formed on a monolithic die and non-volatile page-mode memory formed on top of the non-volatile RAM, the non-volatile page-mode memory and the non-volatile RAM reside on the monolithic die. |
| US08120945B2 |
Preservation circuit and methods to maintain values representing data in one or more layers of memory
Circuitry and methods for restoring data in memory are disclosed. The memory may include at least one layer of a non-volatile two-terminal cross-point array that includes a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles and retain stored data in the absence of power. Over a period of time, logic values indicative of the stored data may drift such that if the logic values are not restored, the stored data may become corrupted. At least a portion of each memory may have data rewritten or restored by circuitry electrically coupled with the memory. Other circuitry may be used to determine a schedule for performing restore operations to the memory and the restore operations may be triggered by an internal or an external signal or event. The circuitry may be positioned in a logic layer and the memory may be fabricated over the logic layer. |
| US08120942B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A memory array includes a memory cell, the memory cell being disposed between a first line and a second line and being configured by a variable resistor and a rectifier connected in series. The variable resistor is a mixture of silicon oxide (SiO2) and a transition metal oxide, a proportion of the transition metal oxide being set to 55˜80%. |
| US08120941B2 |
Bidirectional non-volatile memory array architecture
A bidirectional memory array architecture for non-volatile memory is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of memory cells are arranged into an M number of rows and an N number of columns with each memory cell having a resistive sense element (RSE) and a switching device. A total number of M+N+1 control lines extend adjacent to and are connected with the memory cells to facilitate bi-directional programming of resistive states to each memory cell. |
| US08120940B2 |
Programmable resistance memory
A minimal-duration current pulse is employed to program a programmable resistance memory to a high-resistance, RESET state. Although the duration and magnitude of RESET programming pulses in accordance with the principles of the present invention may vary depending, for example, upon the composition and structure of a cell, a method and apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs the briefest pulse practicable for a given cell or array of cells. |
| US08120937B2 |
Ternary content addressable memory using phase change devices
A content addressable memory device with a plurality of memory cells storing ternary data values of high, low, and don't care. An aspect of the content addressable memory device is the use of first memory elements and second memory elements in the memory cells. The first and second memory elements are electrically coupled in parallel circuit to a match-line. The first memory elements are coupled to first word-lines and the second memory elements are coupled to second word-lines. The first memory elements are configured to store low resistance states if the ternary data value is low and high resistance states if the ternary data value is either high or don't care. The second memory elements are configured to store the low resistance states if the ternary data value is high and the high resistance states if the ternary data value is either low or don't care. |