| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08150729B2 |
Method, system and program product for displaying advertising content on a music player
A method, system and program product for displaying advertising content on a portable music player. A method, system and program product for displaying advertising content on a portable music player based on content stored therein. The method includes checking in a meta tag for a music file being downloaded whether a URL corresponding to a content file containing advertising content associated with the music file being downloaded is specified therein. If a URL is specified, automatically connecting to the URL to download the content file associated with the music file being downloaded, and displaying, on the display of the music player, relevant content of the advertising content downloaded to the music player, where the advertising content downloaded includes at least one of: advertising related to a music file downloaded, advertising related to a music file stored on the music player, additional general information related to the music file downloaded, and additional general information related to a music file stored on the music player. |
| US08150728B1 |
Automated promotion response modeling in a customer relationship management system
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system includes a CRM Client, CRM Engine, and Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The CRM Client, CRM Engine, and RDBMS integrate a suite of services that allow users to plan, manage, and execute promotional or marketing campaigns, build customer segments, score customers, and analyze customer behavior, product purchases, and response to promotional campaigns. The services include an automated Analytic Data Set Creation service, which simplifies and automates the process of creating analytic data sets useful for modeling and analysis out of operational data stored in the relational database, and a Response Modeling service, which automatically creates promotion response models to score individual customers based on that model in order to predict which customers are most likely to respond to a future promotional campaign. |
| US08150726B2 |
Linking organizational strategies to performing capabilities
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for linking organizational strategies to performing capabilities. Embodiments of the invention include determining what impact proposed capability changes in an initiative/program/project for an organizational strategy have on the organizational strategy's performance. Schema-based representations of organizational strategies and initiatives are used to provide a common vocabulary for describing changes to organizational strategies. Proposed changes can be evaluated against an impact/value contribution curve, potentially on an ongoing basis, to determine their benefit. Corrective action can be taken when operations/tactics are trend outside of specified metrics. |
| US08150725B2 |
Method and system of multidimensional attribution analysis of telecommunication services distribution
Embodiments are directed to a method, medium, and system for generating a distribution attribution value to analyze distribution of telecommunications services. The method including compiling values for at least three variable elements associated with the distribution of telecommunication services. A first total value being defined as a product of first element values associated with the at least three variable elements. A second total value being defined as a product of second element values associated with the at least three variable elements. The method also including generating an attribution value representing an amount of influence at least one of the at least three variable elements has on a difference between the first and the second total values. The attribution value being calculated using the first and second total values. Also, the attribution value being adapted to at least one of verify and adjust the distribution of telecommunication services. |
| US08150721B2 |
Service operation data processing using checklist functionality in association with inspected items
In one embodiment, a system is provided for performing at least one service operation in association with at least one inspected item. The system includes a service data device configured for displaying at least one data screen including at least one checklist configured for operative use in connection with performance of the service operation on the inspected item, the data device being portable and being configured for processing at least one communication; a service administrator having at least one data storage medium configured for storing at least one of the checklists displayed on the data device, the service administrator further having at least one server for enabling at least one communication between the service administrator and the data device; at least a portion of at least one of the checklists being customizable by at least the service administrator; and, at least a portion of at least one of the checklists being electronically interactive in association with performance of the service operation on the inspected item. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08150719B2 |
Location and time sensitive wireless calendaring
A computer-implemented method provides location-sensitive and time-sensitive calendaring to a wireless device, such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, etc. A user's calendar is maintained with a number of appointments, start times and end times for the appointments, meeting place and a list of attendees for the appointments. When the present time reading is within a predetermined minimum of a meeting start time of an appointment of a calendar user, the location of the user is determined based on the location of the wireless device. The location of the meeting place is also determined. Using historical data (of the user or others), the estimated time of arrival of the user at the meeting place is determined. If the estimated time of arrival is after the meeting start time, then a late message may be sent to the user and/or to the other meeting attendees. |
| US08150718B2 |
System and method for automatically scheduling appointments
The system and method for automatically scheduling appointments includes receiving, at the appointment server system, appointment preference information from a client system associated with a user, wherein the appointment preference information includes contact details for one or more contacts of the user. In response to receiving the appointment preference information from the user, the appointment server system automatically, without human intervention, schedules a first proposed appointment based at least in part on the appointment preference information, wherein the first proposed appointment includes a first location, a first plurality of participants including the user and a first contact of the one or more contacts, and a first date that was not selected by any of the first plurality of participants. The appointment server sends an electronic message to the first plurality of participants including an invitation to the first proposed appointment. |
| US08150717B2 |
Automated risk assessments using a contextual data model that correlates physical and logical assets
An automated method, system, device, and/or computer program for performing risk assessment for an information system. A risk assessment tool can receive a scenario for which to perform a risk assessment. A contextual data model and a set of data instances for the information system can be accessed. The contextual data model can define relationships between physical and logical assets of the information system. The contextual data model and set of data instances can be analyzed in relation to the scenario. An action plan can be generated that addresses the scenario. |
| US08150713B2 |
Pharmaceutical treatment effectiveness analysis computer system and methods
Computer-implemented systems, program code, and related methods are provided. The systems, program code, and methods can be employed to analyze the effectiveness of pharmaceutical treatments for medical conditions utilizing real time prescription compliance records. Information related to medical history of a patient can be reviewed while simultaneously reviewing prescription compliance records for the same patient. Trends in target and non-target medical parameters can be identified and correlated with the prescription compliance records to determine the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical treatment on target and non-target medical parameters that various compliance and prescription levels. |
| US08150705B2 |
System and method of identifying shipping anomalies
Systems and method of identifying shipping anomalies are provided. One anomaly detection module is configured to access data related to items in a delivery environment and determine the occurrence of anomalies based on the accessed data. The detected anomalies are evaluated with other accessed data to identify source, destination or routing errors and to correct same. |
| US08150701B2 |
Method and apparatus for embedding spatial information and reproducing embedded signal for an audio signal
An apparatus for encoding and decoding an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which compatibility with a player of a general mono or stereo audio signal can be provided in coding an audio signal and by which spatial information for a multi-channel audio signal can be stored or transmitted without a presence of an auxiliary data area. The present invention includes extracting side information embedded in non-recognizable component of audio signal components and decoding the audio signal using the extracted side information. |
| US08150692B2 |
Method and apparatus for recognizing a user personality trait based on a number of compound words used by the user
Techniques for recognizing a personality trait associated with a user. Input from the user is analyzed to determine a number of words, including a number of compound words. The personality trait associated with the user is determined based, at least in part, on the number of compound words exceeding a threshold. |
| US08150691B2 |
Arrangement and method for reproducing audio data as well as computer program product for this
During the replaying of audio data stored in a, which audio data corresponds to text data from a text composed of words, the replaying of the audio data in forward and reverse modes is controlled. Starting from particular momentary replay position in the audio data, a backward jump over a return distance corresponding to the length of about at least two words, to a target position, is automatically initiated for the replaying of the audio data in the reverse mode. Then, starting from the particular target position, a replay of the audio data in the forward sequence for just one part of the return distance is undertaken. |
| US08150690B2 |
Speech recognition system and method with cepstral noise subtraction
The invention relates to a speech recognition system and method with cepstral noise subtraction. The speech recognition system and method utilize a first scalar coefficient, a second scalar coefficient, and a determining condition to limit the process for the cepstral feature vector, so as to avoid excessive enhancement or subtraction in the cepstral feature vector, so that the operation of the cepstral feature vector is performed properly to improve the anti-noise ability in speech recognition. Furthermore, the speech recognition system and method can be applied in any environment, and have a low complexity and can be easily integrated into other systems, so as to provide the user with a more reliable and stable speech recognition result. |
| US08150686B2 |
System and method for sending a message type identifier through an in-band modem
A system and method is provided for sending a message type identifier through a speech codec (in-band) such as found in a wireless communication network. A first predetermined sequence with noise-like characteristics identifies a first message type. A second predetermined sequence with noise-like characteristics identifies a second message type. |
| US08150682B2 |
Adaptive filter pitch extraction
An enhancement system extracts pitch from a processed speech signal. The system estimates the pitch of voiced speech by deriving filter coefficients of an adaptive filter and using the obtained filter coefficients to derive pitch. The pitch estimation may be enhanced by using various techniques to condition the input speech signal, such as spectral modification of the background noise and the speech signal, and/or reduction of the tonal noise from the speech signal. |
| US08150677B2 |
Machine translation using language order templates
Many machine translation scenarios involve the generation of a language translation rule set based on parallel training corpuses (e.g., sentences in a first language and word-for-word translations into a second language.) However, the translation of a source corpus in a source language to a target corpus in a target language involves at least two aspects: selecting elements of the target language to match the elements of the source corpus, and ordering the target elements according to the semantic organization of the source corpus and the grammatic rules of the target language. The breadth of generalization of the translation rules derived from the training may be improved, while retaining contextual information, by formulating language order templates that specify orderings of small sets of target elements according to target element types. These language order templates may be represented with varying degrees of association with the alignment rules derived from the training in order to improve the scope of target elements to which the ordering rules and alignment rules may be applied. |
| US08150673B1 |
Partitioning a model in modeling environments
Methods and systems for partitioning objects in modeling environments are disclosed. The modeling environments enable users to partition an object (parent object) to include other objects (child objects). The parent object may reference the child objects (referenced objects). The child objects may be subsystems in the hierarchy of the parent object or modules (or units) in the partitioning of the parent object. The child objects may be encapsulated so that changes in the parent object do not affect the child objects. The partition of the parent object may allow users to load and compile the parent object incrementally. The partition of the parent object may also allow users to generate code for the parent object incrementally. |
| US08150672B2 |
Structure for improved logic simulation using a negative unknown boolean state
A system and method for simulating a circuit design using both an unknown Boolean state and a negative unknown Boolean state is provided. When the circuit is simulated, one or more initial simulated logic elements are initialized to the unknown Boolean state. The initialized unknown Boolean states are then fed to one or more simulated logic elements and the simulator simulates the handling of the unknown Boolean state by the simulated logic elements. Examples of simulated logic elements include gates and latches, such as flip-flops, inverters, and basic logic gates. The processing results in at least one negative unknown Boolean state. An example of when a negative unknown Boolean state would result would be when the unknown Boolean state is inverted by an inverter. The resulting negative unknown Boolean state is then fed to other simulated logic elements that generate further simulation results based on processing the negative unknown Boolean state. |
| US08150667B2 |
Discrete element modeling of rock destruction under high pressure conditions
Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) of rock subject to high confining pressures, such as in a subterranean drilling environment, may be used to predict performance of cutting structures used in drill bits and other drilling tools, as well as of the tools themselves. DEM may also be used to create “virtual” rock exhibiting specific drillability characteristics with or without specific reference to any actual rock, for purposes of assessing cutting efficiency of various cutting structure configurations and orientations, as well as of drilling tools incorporating same. |
| US08150666B2 |
Methods and systems for combining models of goods and services
The present disclosure describes methods and systems for combining Models of goods and services. At least some embodiments include a method that includes retrieving a first Model representing an object, a User controlling access to the first Model; retrieving a second Model representing a product offered by a Product Provider; combining, at the request of the User, the first and second Models, wherein the combining is performed as a first service, by a Service Provider, and wherein the first service comprises computing a simulated physical interaction between the object and the product; generating a representation of the simulated physical interaction; and presenting the representation to the User. |
| US08150662B2 |
Method and computer readable medium for visualizing dependencies of simulation models
A system and method for viewing models and model variables within a sophisticated modeling environment is disclosed. The system provides varying levels of insight into a modeling infrastructure to help the user understand model and model variable dependencies, usage, distribution, and/or the like. The method includes storing model and model variable data within a relational database system, receiving a request from a user interfacing with the system via a web interface, extracting search criteria and presentation preferences from the request, formulating and executing one or more queries on the database to retrieve the required data, formatting the data in accordance with the request, and retuning the data to the requesting user in the form of a web page. |
| US08150660B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for automatically selecting a pipe in a CAD drawing
The present invention is directed to methods, systems, and apparatuses for automatically determining an object type in a computer automated design application, and more particularly to automatically determining and drawing the pipe type of a pipe in a sprinkler system CAD drawing. The present invention allows a user to make various pipe parameter choices and decisions up front, and to then draw each individual pipe without having to each time make the numerous selections and decisions required to determine that pipe's proper type. The present invention may also be used to determine other component types in non-piping related CAD designs, such as electrical wiring, for example. |
| US08150658B2 |
Three-dimensional object recognition system and inventory system using the same
A system recognizes an arrangement of an object and counts the number of objects, comprising: a sensor for measuring a distance between the sensor and an object; a moving mechanism for moving the sensor; and a computer that is connected with the sensor and includes an object information database, an object arrangement database; a sensor data integrating section; and the sensor an object comparison calculator adapted to create an object model based on the data. |
| US08150650B2 |
Systems and methods for filtering potentially unreliable visual data for visual simultaneous localization and mapping
The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems. |
| US08150647B2 |
Electric device and diagnostic apparatus
An electric device includes a plurality of circuits that operate in synchronization with a clock signal, a plurality of flip-flops each of which acquires a data value of a signal from a corresponding one of the plurality of circuits in synchronization with the clock signal and stores the acquired data value therein until receiving a next clock signal, where each flip-flop enters into a clock-disabled state, when receiving a signal at a disable terminal thereof, in which the acquired data value continues to be stored in the flip-flop, a timing controller that outputs a hold signal to the disable terminal of each flip-flop at a timing at which a corresponding circuit is desired to be diagnosed, and a plurality of diagnosis lines that are respectively provided in correspondence with the plurality of flip-flops, each diagnosis line outputting as diagnosis data a data value stored in a corresponding flip-flop. |
| US08150640B2 |
Method for state estimation based on the measured data of the data-acquisition system in power system
The method for state estimation based on the measured data of data-acquisition system in electric power system relates to the field of power system analysis technique, characterized in that the method comprises: distributing the said measured data into an operating power system to form a calculation model, defining the injection power of the link nodes as 0 and taking the maximum active power output, maximum reactive power output of the generator as the constraints, constructing a mathematic model for estimation, resolving the optimum solution of the voltage amplitude and voltage phase angle for every node, and calculating the estimated values of the voltage, the active power and the reactive power by using the optimum solution of the state variables, if the difference between the measured value and the estimated value was less than a parameter α that is predetermined under different voltage levels, the estimated value is qualified. The estimation criterion provided by the present invention is unlikely affected by bad data with a strong capability of robust, improving the correctness of the estimation. |
| US08150639B2 |
Magnetic field sensor
Magnetic field sensors (1) comprising field detectors (10) for detecting magnetic fields are provided with environment detectors (11) for detecting environments and with processors (12) for, in response to detected environments, performing processes such as loading calibration parameter sets and (re)calibrations for the field detectors (10), to allow the magnetic field sensors (1) to be used in different subsequent environments. The environment detectors (11) may comprise code detectors for detecting codes indicative for environments and may comprise user interfaces (13) for, in response to detected environments and via user interactions, selecting processes to be performed by the processors (12). Devices (2) comprise magnetic field sensors (1). Apparatuses (3) such as cradles removably fix the devices (2) and may comprise code generators (30) for generating the codes indicative for the environments. |
| US08150637B2 |
Gas lift well surveillance
Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for evaluating the performance of a gas lift well are disclosed. A gas lift well surveillance kit is disclosed. A method for evaluating the performance of a gas lift well includes injecting a tracer into an annulus, measuring a concentration of the tracer present in a substance retrieved from the well, determining actual travel times of the tracer, segmenting the gas lift well into a plurality of ranges of well depth, determining lift gas loss parameters, calculating lift gas velocities in the annulus and in the production tubing for each of the plurality of ranges of well depth based on the lift gas loss parameters, and determining points of entry of the lift gas into the production tubing based on: (i) the actual travel times of the tracer, and (ii) the lift gas velocities in the annulus and in the production tubing. |
| US08150626B2 |
Methods and compositions for diagnosing lung cancer with specific DNA methylation patterns
The present invention provides a method for identification of differentially methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences within genomic target sequences that are associated with cancer in an individual by comparing the level of methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in the sample to a reference level of methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences. |
| US08150624B2 |
System and method for tracking a moving person
Systems and methods are provided for tracking a moving person. The system comprises a controller configured to receive acceleration data that characterizes an acceleration of the moving person in three dimensions. The controller comprises a step rate component that determines a step rate for the person based on a vertical component of the acceleration data. The controller also comprises a body offset component that determines a body offset angle based on a spectral analysis of the acceleration data and the step rate. The controller further comprises a velocity component that determines a reference velocity vector based on the body offset angle and the step rate. |
| US08150621B1 |
Command and control of autonomous surface vehicle
An operating system is provided for controlling an unmanned vehicle. The system includes a stratified plurality of instruction layers, a behavior axiom block and a set of operation parameters. The instruction layers are substantially arranged in descending priority order. Each layer provides an information signal to either an adjacent descending layer or an operation device on board the unmanned vehicle. The behavior axiom block provides an independent protocol signal to a first instruction layer in said stratified plurality. The operation parameters provide an environmental condition that neighbors the unmanned vehicle to a second instruction layer. Preferably, the behavior axiom block includes prioritization adjustment to an instruction layer for overriding the information signal from an adjacently ascendant layer, such as by an interrupt signal. |
| US08150620B2 |
Route search method and apparatus for navigation system utilizing map data of XML format
A route search method for a navigation system using the XML map data that is layered based on administrative regions improves efficiency and accuracy of finding an optimum route. The method includes the steps of establishing boundary nodes on boundaries of administrative regions, creating cost information on virtual links that connect the boundary nodes on the administrative regions and physical links on a base layer, selecting candidate virtual links regions by evaluating the cost information, detecting candidate total routes between the start point and destination by connecting the candidate virtual links and other routes, and applying physical links in the base layer to the candidate total routes for further evaluating the costs of the total routes to select the most cost effective total route. |
| US08150618B2 |
Method and apparatus to select city name associated with street located on border of two cities
A method and apparatus for identifying correct city involving a street that borders on two or more cities for a navigation system. The navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on a direction of a vehicle travelling on the border street. In another aspect, the navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on a cursor point on the map image as to which side of the street and city is more proximate to the cursor point. Further, the navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on an address number as to whether it is an odd number or even number thereby determining the side of the street and city. |
| US08150617B2 |
System and method for displaying location-specific images on a mobile device
A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location. |
| US08150612B2 |
Traffic information distributing apparatus
In a case where a CPU provided in an information distribution center has received, from a navigation apparatus, vehicle information together with a request command for requesting traffic information such as current traffic information, the CPU sets a road category that serves as a distribution target of the traffic information, based on one of a distance and a required travel time from a vehicle position to a destination. The CPU then extracts the traffic information that corresponds to the set road category and distributes it to the navigation apparatus. |
| US08150610B2 |
System and related method for road traffic monitoring
A road traffic monitoring system includes: a first input for receiving position estimations of mobile terminals; a second input for receiving input specifications chosen depending on the type of service for which such monitoring is performed; and an output for generating road traffic maps, each road traffic map being associated with a set of territory elements and including, for each one of the territory elements, at least one mobility index of mobile terminals travelling within such territory element. Preferably, input specifications are chosen among at least two of the following parameters, territory element, territory element observation time slot, and maximum allowable error on the estimation of at least one mobility index. |
| US08150609B2 |
Method of selecting route and terminal thereof
A method of selecting a travel route including receiving message information formed in a hierarchical structure and including traffic information, receiving a first position value and a second position value corresponding to first and second positions, searching for travel routes between the first and second positions, classifying the travel routes from the first position to the second position into a plurality of individual road links, calculating a route cost for a first road link that includes the first position and a second road link directly connected to the first road link based on an average link speed for the first and second road links, respectively, calculating a route cost for each additional road link after the first and second road links up to a last road link including the second position based on one of a current traffic congestion status information and a predicted traffic congestion status information, and calculating a total route cost for all of the road links for the travel routes from the first position to the second position. |
| US08150608B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling commuter groups
A commuter groups service (CGS) allows commuters to join commuter groups so that they are able to socialize while commuting. Through the commuter groups, the users may share commuting routes, traffic updates, road conditions, and other information. Group members may arrange car pools, short term riding arrangements, and may anonymously or directly contact each other. The CGS may collect group member position information, e.g. GPS information, to enable the CGS to calculate traffic conditions and to select location specific information for group members. The system may include an on-line service accessible through a computer or wireless networking device. The user may log into the CGS, create or modify a user profile, and join groups of their choosing. Groups may be associated with specific events or with getting to/from work. Commuter groups may be formed for commuters that use private vehicles and/or public transportation. |
| US08150605B2 |
Coordination of variable cam timing and variable displacement engine systems
Systems and methods are provided for operating an internal combustion engine including a variable cam timing (VCT) mechanism in cooperation with a plurality of deactivatable cylinders, each cylinder with a plurality of cylinder valves. One example method comprises, operating at a first cylinder valve timing before a transition of reactivating deactivated cylinders, and, before the transition, advancing cylinder valve timing from the first valve timing, where after the transition the cylinder valve timing remains at a second valve timing, the second valve timing advanced relative to the first valve timing. |
| US08150604B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing spark plug fouling
A control module and method for controlling an engine operation includes a runtime module that determines a previous run period, a fuel mass module that determines a fuel mass during the previous run period, a spark fouling condition estimation module that determines a spark fouling condition based on the fuel mass during the previous run period and an engine operation module that controls the engine in response to the spark fouling condition. |
| US08150597B2 |
Method and system for controlling an internal combustion engine
Methods and systems for controlling an internal combustion engine are provided. One example method may include closing an intake valve later during a cylinder cycle than a timing with which an amount of air inducted into a cylinder from an air intake passage would be maximized, and earlier during the cylinder cycle as a desired amount of air to be inducted into the cylinder increases, while an engine is operating at a given engine speed. The method may further include closing the intake valve earlier during a cylinder cycle as the engine speed increases when the desired amount of air to be inducted into the cylinder is at a maximum. |
| US08150593B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus, and vehicle control method
A vehicle control apparatus (1) provided with an automatic cruise apparatus (30) that automatically moves a vehicle, and a pre-crash brake apparatus (40) that automatically applies a brake to the vehicle when an obstacle is detected, includes cruising output value setting means (15) for making a cruising output value, which should be achieved using the automatic cruise apparatus (1), smaller than a regular cruising output value used in normal times, when the obstacle is detected. |
| US08150591B2 |
Vehicle travel speed control method
A vehicle speed control method calculates a present value KdB_c(a)_p of a corrected evaluation index of approach/separation condition by the following equation, and starts deceleration control when the determined present value KdB_c(a)_p exceeds a threshold value determined by a braking determining equation. In the deceleration control, a corrected target relative speed is determined based on an evaluation index KdB: KdB_c ( a ) = 10 × log 10 ( - 2 × VrGy - a × VrGy_offset Ds 3 × 1 5 × 10 - 8 ) wherein VrGy_offset, VrGy, a, Ds indicate a curve-time target speed, a difference between the curve-time target speed and a speed of a subject vehicle, a constant and a curve entrance arrival distance, respectively. |
| US08150589B2 |
System and method for managing accumulator effects during engagement of a lockup clutch in a torque converter
A dynamic model that is configured to produce a lockup clutch command as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters is continually solved and the lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement of the lockup clutch. A profile of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters is selected and is configured, when inserted into the model in place of an actual value thereof, to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time. Deceleration of the pump is monitored after asserting the lockup clutch command and a maximum deceleration of the pump is determined therefrom. The selected profile is temporarily held constant if the monitored deceleration of the pump rises at least a threshold value above the maximum deceleration of the pump. |
| US08150586B2 |
Method for synchronized transmission gear ratio engagement
A method is provided for changing a gear ratio in a transmission of a motor vehicle. Engagement of a first gear-train component with a second gear-train component is initiated at a predetermined rate. Rotational speeds of the first and the second gear-train components, and whether the rotational speed of the first gear-train component and the rotational speed of the second gear-train component have substantially synchronized is determined. A rate of engagement of the two gear-train components is reduced, if the rotational speed of the first gear-train component has not substantially synchronized with rotational speed of the second gear-train component. The rate of engagement of the two gear-train components is increased, if the rotational speed of the first gear-train component has substantially synchronized with rotational speed of the second gear-train component. Following the conclusion of engagement between the two gear-train components, the gear ratio change is completed. |
| US08150584B2 |
Generation and starting system
An agricultural vehicle including plurality of engines, a plurality of mechanical loads, a plurality of electrical generators, a plurality of electrical loads, at least one load sensor, and a controller. The plurality of engines includes a first engine and a second engine. The plurality of mechanical loads includes a first mechanical load and a second mechanical load. The first mechanical load is coupled to the first engine and a second mechanical load is coupled to the second engine. The plurality of electrical generators includes a first generator and a second generator. The first generator is coupled to the first engine and the second generator is coupled to the second engine. The plurality of electrical loads can be separately coupled to the first generator or the second generator. The at least one load sensor is configured to produce a signal representative of the first mechanical load on the first engine, the second mechanical load on the second engine, a sum of electrical loads on the first generator, and/or a sum of electrical loads on the second generator. The controller is configured to shift at least one of the plurality of electrical loads between the first generator and the second generator dependent upon the signal. |
| US08150583B2 |
Method and apparatus for avoiding or mitigating vehicle collisions
In a method and apparatus for collision avoidance or collision mitigation for a vehicle, an existing driving space between the vehicle and a potential collision object is detected. A first warning function and/or an information function is activated when a first threshold value is reached. A system intervention with autonomous partial braking combined with at least one further safety measure is activated when a second threshold value is reached. |
| US08150582B2 |
Systems and methods for decoupling steering rack force disturbances in electric steering
A system for decoupling steering rack force disturbances in electric steering may comprise a steering wheel angle sensor, a yaw rate sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, and a steering torque sensor. The system may also comprise a tire force generator configured to receive signals from the steering wheel angle sensor, the yaw rate sensor, and the lateral acceleration sensor and send a reference rack force to a controller. The system may further comprise a rack force observer configured to receive signals from the steering torque sensor and send an estimated rack force to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive signals from the tire force generator and the rack force observer, compare the estimated rack force with the reference rack force to determine a rack force disturbance, and adjust an auxiliary torque based on the rack force disturbance. |
| US08150581B2 |
Driving assistance system and driving assistance method
In a driving assistance system having an actuator (16) for steering steered wheels of a vehicle, a positional deviation detecting unit (9) detects a deviation of a position of the vehicle from a forward travel path of the vehicle based on information around the vehicle. A steering control variable determination unit (2) determines a steering control variable to cancel the deviation. If a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detecting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, the steering control variable determined by a steering control variable determination unit (2) decreases with an increase of the vehicle speed under the condition that the deviation of the position of the vehicle from the forward travel path is same. The driving assistance system can reduce a driver's discomfort caused by the steering control through the actuator (16) when the vehicle is running at a high speed. |
| US08150580B2 |
Motor controller and electric power steering system
In a case where a computing period of a torque ripple compensation section which computes current compensation values Δid and Δiq to be caused to flow into a motor in order to prevent occurrence of a torque ripple in the motor differs from a control period of a current control section which controls a feedback to the motor in such a way that current command values i*d and i*q additionally provided with the current compensation values Δid and Δiq flow into the motor, the microcomputer sets the current compensation values Δid and Δiq to zero when a rotor angular velocity ωre of the motor is equal to or greater than a first threshold value ω1. |
| US08150575B2 |
Plausibilization of sensor signals in the event of a collision
A method for plausibilizing sensor signals of a vehicle system, the sensor signals being monitored with regard to compliance with one plausibility criterion or a plurality of plausibility criteria with the aid of a plausibilization algorithm. The function of the vehicle system is able to be maintained even in critical driving situations, in particular following a collision, if the driving status of the vehicle is monitored with regard to a collision and the plausibilization algorithm is modified if a collision was detected. |
| US08150568B1 |
Rail synthetic vision system
A synthetic image is produced which will be viewed by an operator of a train to provide the operator with important information indicative of the environment to be encountered by the train during subsequent movement of the train. This information includes information about upcoming track and highway crossings. The synthetic image may be utilized during all periods of operation of the train but will be particularly desirable during night and during periods of bad weather, such as rain, snow and fog, when normal vision is limited. The system utilizes accurate measurement of the location of the train, accurate knowledge of the path of the track and accurate knowledge of placement of track and highway crossings. Automated horn soundings, or monitoring of manual operator activations, significantly enhance safety at such track and highway crossings. |
| US08150565B2 |
Method and device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft to prepare a phase of descent
A method and device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft while respecting a time of arrival constraint at a first waypoint during a phase of descent. The method includes calculating an instant of arrival of the aircraft at an intermediate waypoint, in such a way that an estimated latest time of arrival at the first waypoint, corresponding to a minimum speed profile, occurs later by a predetermined first margin than the time of arrival constraint; determining a first speed profile between a current position of the aircraft and the intermediate waypoint, such that the intermediate waypoint is crossed at the calculated instant of arrival; determining a second speed profile, such that the first waypoint is crossed within the time of arrival constraint, starting from the intermediate waypoint at the calculated instant of arrival; and piloting the aircraft according to the first and then second speed profiles. |
| US08150564B2 |
Method and device for providing an multi-engine aircraft pilot with data concerning said engines
The invention concerns a device (1) comprising means (6A, 6B, 6n) which determine for each of the engines of the aircraft, an individual minimum flexible temperature and means (8) which determine a global minimum flexible temperature based on said individual minimum temperatures, enabling a maximum available thrust to be calculated. |
| US08150562B2 |
Methods and systems of an adjustable bed
Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed that may include one or more articulating portions, and may include one or more components, including an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memory storage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cell phone remote control, a modular control device, an air purification facility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, an ultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and the like. |
| US08150560B2 |
Methods for heat exchanger network energy efficiency assessment and lifetime retrofit
Methods for managing/assessing heat exchanger network energy efficiency and retrofit for an industrial facility, are provided. An embodiment of a method can include the performance of perform various steps/operations including those for determining an optimal heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence extending between a current heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying a current desired waste energy recovery goal and a future heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying the final waste energy recovery goal. The heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence can be configured so that each subsequent project within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence does not contradict any of the previous projects within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence. |
| US08150559B2 |
Systems and program product for heat exchanger network energy efficiency assessment and lifetime retrofit
Systems and program product for managing/assessing heat exchanger network energy efficiency and retrofit for an industrial facility, are provided. An embodiment of a system can include a heat exchanger network analysis and design computer and heat exchange network analysis and design program product configured to cause the heat exchange network analysis and design computer to perform various operations including those for determining an optimal heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence extending between a current heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying a current desired waste energy recovery goal and a future heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying the final waste energy recovery goal. The heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence can be configured so that each subsequent project within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence does not contradict any of the previous projects within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence. |
| US08150558B2 |
Temperature control method and temperature controller
The temperature of an object is controlled by a feedback control algorithm based on the temperature control characteristics of a homeothermic plant. |
| US08150554B2 |
Resource use management in yards and gardens
Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer program product comprising a computer recordable media having computer usable program code. Resource needs are determined for each plant in a plurality of plants to form individual resource needs. Conditions are identified in an environment in which the plurality of plants are located by receiving input from a sensor system to form current conditions. A plurality of per plant prescriptions are calculated for the plurality of plants using the individual resource needs and the current conditions. The application of the resource is controlled from a mobile utility vehicle to each plant in the plurality of plants using the plurality of per plant prescriptions. |
| US08150553B2 |
Apparatus and method for pressure fluctuation insensitive mass flow control
A mass flow controller includes a thermal mass flow sensor in combination with a pressure sensor to provide a mass flow controller that is relatively insensitive to fluctuations in input pressure. The pressure sensor and thermal sensor respectively provide signals to an electronic controller indicating the measured inlet flow rate and the pressure within the dead volume. The electronic controller employs the measured pressure to compensate the measured inlet flow rate and to thereby produce a compensated measure of the outlet flow rate, which may be used to operate a mass flow controller control valve. |
| US08150548B2 |
Apparatus for process automation using pin array and actuators
An apparatus and method for transferring plurality of samples from one sample container to another one is disclosed wherein each sample is randomly accessible and can be “cherry picked”. The disclosed method of actuation allows for using a smaller number of actuators than the number of sample transferring channels or pins and thereby simplifies the design and control of the sample transferring apparatus. |
| US08150547B2 |
Method and system to provide address services with a document processing system
A method and system are provided for updating address information and using document processing equipment to print delivery point information, including a barcode or readable text, on mail pieces. The address data is processed and updated by a service provider or by an address service provider. When the mailpieces are processed on document processing equipment, the printed address data is compared with an updated address data record to retrieve the updated address and apply the correct delivery point information. The delivery point information representing the most current and accurate address for the addressee of the mail piece. |
| US08150545B2 |
Position-dependent compliance compensation in a machine tool
A method and a device for position-dependent compliance compensation in a machine tool is disclosed. The compliance of the machine tool is derived at a position of a tool of the machine tool from machine data stored in memory, a machining force acting on the tool during a machining process at this position is determined, and at least one machining parameter that has an influence on the machining process is derived at this position in dependence on the derived compliance and the machining force so as to counteract a displacement of the tool with respect to a desired position caused by the compliance of the machine tool and the machining force. This optimizes the machining time and/or contour fidelity when machining a workpiece with a machine tool. |
| US08150543B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles for an air jet loom
In some embodiments, a method includes providing a first controller; providing a second controller; using the second controller to control a plurality of valves to provide a sequence of air jets that propel a weft thread across at least a portion of a weft insertion region of an air jet loom; and using the first controller to control at least one aspect of the air jet loom not controlled by the second controller. In some embodiments, a method for a controller in an air jet loom includes (a) defining a reference loom configuration; (b) determining a characterization of the reference loom configuration; (c) determining a modified loom configuration by at least one change to the reference loom configuration; (d) determining a characterization of the modified loom configuration; and (e) revising the reference loom configuration if the characterization of the modified loom configuration satisfies a criteria. |
| US08150540B2 |
Controller and method for controlling converters of disparate type
A converter controller and a method of controlling converters. In one embodiment, the converter controller includes: (1) a converter efficiency database configured to store data pertaining to efficiencies of converters, (2) a power requirement assessor configured to compare ratings of online ones of the converters to an output power requirement of a given output power bus and (3) a controller mode selector coupled to the power requirement assessor and configured to retrieve online and standby converter efficiencies from the converter efficiency database, assess efficiencies of alternative converter combinations appropriate for the output power requirement and place one of the alternative converter combinations online. |
| US08150534B2 |
Electrode array for even neural pressure
An electrode array attached to neural tissue, such as the retina, necessarily has graded pressure exerted on the tissue, with higher pressure near the attachment point. Greater pressure improves contact between the electrodes and neural tissue while too much pressure may damage neural tissue. Hence it is advantageous to obtain equal pressure across the array field. In the present invention multiple and selective attachment points are provided on an electrode array allowing a surgeon to select the attachment points providing the best electrode tissue contact. |
| US08150529B2 |
Medical devices and systems having separate power sources for enabling different telemetry systems
An implantable medical device includes a first, short-range telemetry circuit; a second, long-range telemetry circuit; a first power system that powers the first telemetry circuit; and a second power system that powers the second telemetry circuit. The second power system includes an internal charging system and a rechargeable battery coupled to the internal charging system. The internal charging system may be configured for electromagnetic-inductive or RF-transmission coupling with an external charging system. A controller monitors the energy level of the rechargeable battery and provides an signal indicative of the level. |
| US08150527B2 |
Electric and acoustic stimulation fitting systems and methods
Methods and systems for modifying the parameters of at least one hearing device for a patient with residual hearing provide needed orchestration of acoustic and electric stimulation of patients wearing such devices. |
| US08150526B2 |
Retinal prosthesis
Apparatus is provided, including an external device, including a mount, which is placed in front of an eye of a subject. A laser is coupled to the mount and configured to emit toward the eye radiation that is outside of 380-750 nm. A partially-transparent mirror is coupled to the mount. An intraocular device is implanted entirely in the subject's eye, and includes a plurality of stimulating electrodes, and an energy receiver, which receives the radiation from the laser and generates a voltage drop in response thereto. A plurality of photosensors detect photons and generate a signal in response thereto. Driving circuitry is coupled to the energy receiver and to the photosensors, and receives the signals from the photosensors and utilizes the voltage drop to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina in response to the signals from the photosensors. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08150522B2 |
Active control of epileptic seizures and diagnosis based on critical systems-like behavior
Developing a measure of critical systems-like behavior in an epilepsy patient in order to map epileptic networks, either passively or evoking responses through subthreshold stimulation, and to apply “therapeutic” stimulations to the patient that cause smaller, but more frequent dissipations of “energy,” a transcription product, subclinical electrophysiological activity or seizures in order to raise the clinical seizure initiation threshold, through releasing accumulated interictal energy in a seizure onset zone or elsewhere in the epileptic network, thereby preventing occurrence of larger more debilitating seizures. |
| US08150520B2 |
Methods for catheter-based renal denervation
Methods and apparatus are provided for treating end-stage renal disease, e.g., via a pulsed electric field, via a stimulation electric field, via localized drug delivery, via high frequency ultrasound, via thermal techniques, etc. Such neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such neuromodulation is performed in a bilateral fashion. Bilateral renal neuromodulation may provide enhanced therapeutic effect in some patients as compared to renal neuromodulation performed unilaterally, i.e., as compared to renal neuromodulation performed on neural tissue innervating a single kidney. |
| US08150517B2 |
Active implantable medical device with RF telemetry and subcutaneous ECG electrodes
An active implantable medical device with RF telemetry comprising subcutaneous ECG electrodes. The case (12) of the device comprises electrodes (20, 22, 24, 26) for collecting subcutaneous ECG signals coming into contact with the patient's tissues surrounding the case after implantation, as well as an RF telemetry antenna (30). These ECG electrodes are surface electrodes and the RF antenna is a surface antenna. The case (12) presents a significantly planar face (16) for mounting the ECG electrodes in an arrangement where these electrodes are significantly coplanar and spaced apart with each other, and receiving the surface RF antenna. A platelet (18) mounted onto the case comprises an insulating substrate comprising on its free face, conductive deposits (20, 22, 24, 26, 30) forming the ECG electrodes and the RF antenna. |
| US08150510B2 |
Shock timing technology
A method for accurately determining timing points for T-wave shocks is particularly useful in a system for determining a cardiac shock strength in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD. The method involves acquiring at least one first signal, acquiring at least a second signal, comparing the signals, and selecting a timing point with the T-wave of the signal. The first and second signals may be two different aspects of a single electrogram, first and second electrograms, or a combination thereof. Comparison preferably involves signal alignment and qualitative analysis. |
| US08150509B2 |
Systems and methods for drug therapy enhancement using expected pharmacodynamic models
A system or method including a device configured to measure at least one pharmacological effect of a drug on a patient. The measured pharmacological effect is compared to an expected pharmacodynamic model. The system can allow for real-time monitoring of positive and side-effects of drugs as well as drug resistance to optimize individual therapy. The system can also enable patient compliance monitoring. |
| US08150505B2 |
Method and apparatus for the formation of multiple microconduits
Disclosed is an apparatus that creates a number of microconduits, i.e., small holes in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human skin tissue, to provide a pathway therethrough, which can be used, for example, for transdermal drug delivery. |
| US08150504B2 |
Local body fat measurement device and method of operating the same
A method of operating a local body fat measurement device including: measuring a body fat thickness of the at least one predetermined measurement point of the predetermined anatomical area; displaying a measured body fat thickness at each measurement point on a output device; and maintaining a memory device storing a local body fat measurement table storing the at least one measurement point. The local body fat measurement table comprises an anatomical area image portraying a shape of the predetermined anatomical area, and the at least one measurement point is displayed in the anatomical area image. |
| US08150503B2 |
Use of periodicity in medical data analysis
A patient management system is described that includes an implantable device for collecting one or more physiological parameter values and associated timestamps indicating the time at which the value is collected. The system is then configured to determine the periodic variation, if any, of a particular physiological parameter and use that periodicity in assessing changes in the parameter values over time. |
| US08150501B2 |
Method for measuring skin erythema
A method for measuring skin erythema and determining the efficacy of skin care treatment products utilizing digital images. |
| US08150492B2 |
Correction method and magnetic resonance device
The invention relates to a correction method for correction of noise resulting from gradient artifacts in ECG signal data records recorded in a magnetic resonance device by an ECG measuring apparatus. A first correction data record is determined with a reference point of the ECG measuring apparatus located at a first position in the magnetic resonance device. An ECG signal data record is measured with the reference point of the ECG measuring apparatus located at a second position in the magnetic resonance device. A modified correction data record is specified as a function of the first correction data record and the first and second position of the reference point. The ECG signal data record is corrected based on the modified correction data record. |
| US08150490B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining an injection point for targeted drug
An apparatus determines an injection point for targeted drug delivery into a patient's body by injection of the drug into a vessel feeding a target area including a target. To provide the interventionalist with an objective and quantitative assessment of potential drug injection points instead of letting him rely on his subjective impression from the visual inspection of DSA sequences, a processor (4) includes an identification routine (41) for identification of a vessel tree topology of vessels feeding the target area, a flow determination routine (42) for determining the percentage of drug material delivered to said target after injection into different potential injection points in the vessel tree, a selection routine (43) for selecting as optimal injection point the potential injection point resulting in the highest percentage of drug delivery to the target. |
| US08150481B2 |
System for opening and closing a mobile communication device
A wireless handheld device comprises a lower casing having a bottom end and a top end and a lid having a bottom end and a top end. The top end of the lid is rotatably coupled to the top end of the lower casing with at least one hinge component such that the handheld device is rotatable from a closed position to an open position and from an open position to a closed position. The lid and the lower casing have adjacent facing surfaces when in the closed position. When the wireless handheld device is in the closed position, at least the bottom end of the lid is displaceable relative to the lower casing generally in an axial direction of the hinge component such that the facing surfaces become misaligned for easy grasping of the lower casing and the lid. |
| US08150477B2 |
Mobile station and method for providing ultra power-saving mode in mobile station
Provided are a mobile station and a method for providing an ultra power-saving mode in a mobile station. The method for providing an ultra power-saving mode in a mobile station includes: inactivating a communication function in a standby mode of the mobile station; extracting a DRX (discontinuous reception) cycle length coefficient K of the mobile station; determining a class-specific DRX cycle length coefficient Ni of the mobile station; replacing K with Ni; and monitoring a paging signal at a paging cycle corresponding to Ni. |
| US08150475B2 |
Method for information signal distribution between communication devices based on operating characteristics of a depletable power supply used by one of the devices
A method for managing information signal distribution in a communication system (100) includes transmitting a signal containing information configured according to a first media format from a first communication device (104) to a second communication device (110). At least one of the two devices (104, 110) monitors at least one operating characteristic of a depletable power supply (318) sourcing electrical energy for the second device (110). When a level of the monitored operating characteristic falls below a predetermined threshold, the first communication device (104) outputs the information to the second communication device (110) according to a second media format that requires less power consumption to process than does the first media format. Alternatively, under such circumstances, the first communication device (104) may output the information to a media output device other than the second communication device (110). |
| US08150469B2 |
Adaptive array base station device and adaptive array base station device control method
An array antenna forming unit (22) combines at least two transmission/reception devices (40) to thereby sequentially form one array antenna. Every time an array antenna is formed, an array antenna transmission/reception control unit (25) sends a radio signal having a predetermined directivity pattern from the array antenna to each of some or all of other antenna elements (42) not forming the array antenna. An array antenna communication performance measurement unit (26) measures a reception level in each of some or all of the antenna elements (42) with respect to a transmission from each array antenna, and calculates respective array antenna communication performance values, based on the measured reception levels. An array antenna determining unit (23) determines a combination of at least two transmission/reception devices (40) forming an array antenna having a predetermined performance condition, based on the array antenna communication performance values. |
| US08150468B2 |
Method, system and base station for configuring multi-mode base station
A method and system for configuring a multi-mode base station is disclosed so that a network system may specify a radio access mode for the base station. In the present invention, a configuration control unit inside the base station reports resource capabilities of the base station to a configuration decision unit. The configuration decision unit determines a mode for the base station according to network planning and the reported resource capabilities, generates a configuration file for the base station according to the determined mode, and delivers the configuration file to the base station. The configuration control unit configures relevant resources of the base station according to the received configuration file. The base station sends a configuration request during initial startup to implement automatic configuration. At daily startup, the base station reports resource capabilities and the existing configuration file to the configuration decision unit to check whether the current configurations are valid. |
| US08150463B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting a user interface
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tablet adapted to detect a presence of another communication device with a display, determine operating characteristics of the display, create according to the operating characteristics of the display a first user interface (UI) portion to be presented by the display of the other communication device and a second UI portion to be presented by a touch-sensitive display of the tablet, transmit the first UI portion by way of the base unit using the wireless data protocol for presentation at the display of the other communication device, present the second UI portion at the touch-sensitive display of the tablet, and navigate between the first and second UI portions as a single UI of the tablet. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08150461B1 |
System and method for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem
A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2) that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1) that is externally available for connection to a second computer system. A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication. The port1 and the port2 can be serial communication ports which may be UART compliant. The PDA thus extends wireless functionality to a second computer system (e.g., a notebook) using conventional connection mechanisms for communicating with the second computer system. |
| US08150453B2 |
Cellular and TV interactive mobile wired and wireless systems
Interactive cellular and television (TV), wired and wireless systems for interactive communication and broadcasting between Wi-Fi connected cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and TV sets and between cell phones and other mobile devices. Remote control system for generating control signal for controlling a wire or wireless connected device from a distance. Processor for processing a digital signal into Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cross-correlated in-phase and quadrature-phase filtered signal. Processors for processing data voice, music and video signals into Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) signal used in Wi-Fi networks and in cellular systems. Signal generation by touching the screen of a cellular phone or of a PDA or of a other mobile device and for generating touch screen processed control signals for control of a television set or of a other mobile wired or wireless device. Receiving, demodulating and processing one or more Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite generated signals or one or more other signals and providing processed GPS location finding signal or other processed location finding or navigation signal and using these signals for interactive communications and telemetry control. |
| US08150452B2 |
Providing a connection between a memory medium of a mobile device and an external device
System and method for providing a high speed connection to a memory medium of a mobile device. The mobile device may be a mobile phone or other type of portable electronic device. The memory medium may be removable and/or may be flash memory, as desired. The mobile device may include a USB hub that provides a direct high speed connection between an external device and a memory medium of the mobile device. The USB hub may also provide a connection (possibly high speed) between the external device and the processor of the mobile device. The mobile device may also include a high speed connection between the processor of the mobile device and the memory medium. |
| US08150451B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal is capable of enhancing a Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) rating by having an arrangement to shift a peak region of an electromagnetic field occurring at the time of a wireless communication in a call mode, to a position far from a measuring region. |
| US08150450B1 |
System and method for two-way radio and telephone conferencing and collaboration
Conferencing between two-way radio devices and telephone devices is achieved using a conference server that has a radio interface coupled to a radio network including one or more two-way radio devices and a telephone interface coupled to a telephone network including one or more telephone devices. A conference room within the conference server manages a conference call between the two-way radio devices and telephone devices by receiving voice streams originated by the two-way radio devices and telephone devices during the conference call and transmitting the received voice streams originated by the two-way radio devices and telephone devices to the remaining devices involved in the conference call. |
| US08150449B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device for effecting wireless communication using a short-range wireless communication method having a ranging function, which carries out wireless connection establishment/disconnection control using ranging information. For example, the wireless communication device determines the range to another wireless communication device within wireless communication range, and if it finds a wireless communication device present within a predetermined range establishes a wireless connection with that wireless communication device, and disconnects the connection if the wireless communication device with which the device is in wireless connection passes beyond a predetermined range. |
| US08150446B2 |
Thermal energy control in a mobile transceiver
A method and apparatus for controlling thermal energy generation in a User Equipment (UE) operating in a radio telecommunication network. The thermal energy generation is directly proportional to a transmit power level in the UE, and a Node B allocates transmit power levels to a plurality of UEs through scheduling grants. Upon request by the UE, the Node B allocates a dedicated scheduling grant to the UE authorizing a higher transmit power. If the UE subsequently overheats, it sends a power reduction request to the Node B. Upon approval, all or part of the dedicated grant is removed, and the UE transmits at a lower power level to reduce thermal generation. The Node B retains control of the grant and may reallocate it to a common scheduling grant or may allocate another dedicated grant to a different UE. |
| US08150445B2 |
Base station and wireless communication system
Provided is a wireless base station comprising: a power control unit, a reference information acquisition unit and a reference information storing unit, wherein the wireless base station comprises a first control signal receiving unit for receiving a first uplink control signal used by a mobile station connected to the wireless base station and for requesting the power control unit to control the transmission, and a second control signal receiving unit for receiving a second uplink control signal used by a mobile station connected to the neighbor base station and for requesting the power control unit to control the transmission power, and wherein the power control unit controls the transmission power of the downlink signal based on the request to control the transmission power from the first control signal receiving unit and the request to control the transmission power from the second control signal receiving unit. |
| US08150444B2 |
Mobile communication method, mobile communication system and radio network controller
A mobile communication method includes: (A) assigning, at a radio network controller, a channelization code and a transmission timing for the mobile station on the basis of a status of use of a channelization code and a transmission timing in a sector other than a specific sector when the mobile station sets a radio link with the radio base station in the specific sector; and (B) notifying, from the radio base station, the mobile station of the transmission power control information via the transmission power control channel using the channelization code and the transmission timing assigned at the radio network controller. |
| US08150435B2 |
Reporting channel quality information
The present disclosure relates to a method of transmitting channel quality data for channels in a wireless communication system, and to a corresponding receiver and transmitter. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a plurality of channel quality indicators for a corresponding plurality of frequency intervals and transmitting information about channel quality indicators in the form of differentially encoded slope data. |
| US08150431B2 |
Service management system and associated methodology of providing service related message prioritization in a mobile client
A method for managing service messages on a mobile device, the method including receiving at least one service message, assigning a priority to the at least one service message, arranging a plurality of messages and the at least one service message in an electronic mail inbox based on a priority of the plurality of messages and the priority of the at least one service message, the at least one service message having a higher priority than the plurality of messages, and displaying the plurality of messages and the at least one service message in the electronic mail inbox in order of their priority. |
| US08150422B2 |
Method of displaying contact information
A method of displaying contact information on a mobile device includes storing a plurality of contact records on a mobile device. At least one record contains information corresponding to the geographic location of at least one of the contacts. The geographic location of the mobile device is determined and compared with the geographic location of the contacts stored on the mobile device. The contacts are arranged based on the geographic proximity of the contact to the mobile device. |
| US08150416B2 |
System and method for providing communication services to mobile device users incorporating proximity determination
In certain embodiments, a method for proximity determination includes receiving one or more network identifiers, each associated with a corresponding network, from a first mobile device. The method further includes receiving one or more network identifiers, each associated with a corresponding network, from a second mobile device. The method further includes processing the network identifiers received from the first and second mobile devices to determine whether the first mobile device and the second mobile device are in proximity to one another. |
| US08150410B2 |
System and method for a fractional loading scheme for broadcast/multicast traffic
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for a fractional loading scheme for broadcast/multicast traffic. In one example, the method includes determining a fractional loading factor for a portion of a wireless network and selecting wireless network resources from a resource pool allocated to single-cell broadcast traffic based on the fractional loading factor. Single-cell broadcast traffic is then transmitted using the wireless network resources. |
| US08150402B2 |
Method for planning a cellular mobile telecommunications network
A method for planning a cellular mobile telecommunications network includes at least one network cell and is intended to provide network services to users located in the network cell. The method includes: a) initializing, for the at least one network cell, a service area and a transmission power for each user equipment; b) estimating a total power received by the at least one network cell from user equipment located in the service area and using the at least one network service; c) based on the estimated total received power, varying the transmission powers required to user equipment located in the service area in order to reach a target quality of service constraint for the at least one network service; d) iterating the steps b) and c) until a stability condition is reached wherein the transmission power variation for at least a predetermined fraction of the user equipment is lower than a predetermined threshold; e) calculating a total received power corresponding to the transmission powers at the end of step d); f) calculating an uplink load factor corresponding to the total received power calculated in step e); g) ascertaining whether the calculated uplink load factor is lower than a maximum uplink load factor, and, in the negative case: h) restricting said service area; and i) repeating the steps from b) to g). |
| US08150399B2 |
Techniques for wireless communications networks employing beamforming
Techniques involving beamforming are disclosed. For example, For instance an apparatus may select a first mobile station served by a first base station and a second mobile station served by a second base station. Based on this selection, a quality metric may be determined that is based on a strength of a user link and a strength of an interfering link. The user link is associated with service of the first mobile station and the interfering link is associated with service of the second mobile station. When the quality metric is greater than a predetermined threshold, the apparatus may designate the first and second mobile stations as suitable for beamforming service in a same resource allocation. Also, techniques are disclosed for determining whether a mobile station is a cell edge mobile station. |
| US08150388B2 |
Method for testing a navigation receiver
The present invention is related to a method for testing a navigation receiver comprised in a communication device, whereby the communication device further comprises a device for mobile wireless communication. The method comprises the steps of: connecting the communication device to a test equipment device, sending navigation assistance data information comprising test configuration data from the test equipment device via the device for mobile wireless communication to the navigation receiver over an assistance data communication port in order to initiate a test procedure, sending test navigation ranging signals from the test equipment device to the navigation receiver, processing the test navigation ranging signals in the navigation receiver, sending a message concerning the test procedure in response from the navigation receiver to the device for wireless mobile communication, feeding back the message to the test equipment device. |
| US08150383B2 |
Arrangement and method for controlling service activation on a mobile terminal
An arrangement and method in a wireless communication network provides users with full control of service management, defines how a user can enter or leave services, and defines dependencies between services. A mobile terminal initiates establishment of a group and creates a unique groupID. The terminal sends invitations to other terminals to join the group and includes the unique groupID and a service feature tag for a desired service. The terminal will not request a service if it is incompatible with a service already running. Terminals that receive invitations store the groupID and service feature tags. These parameters are used to send acceptances or rejections, and to join later or leave a service. |
| US08150380B2 |
Wireless communication system
A handheld device is configured to communicate with a base unit in an audience response system having a multiplicity of handheld devices that are like in kind and perform a same function. The handheld device includes a transceiver, a user interface configured to receive a user response, a unique address identifying the handheld device, and signal generating logic configured to generate a radio frequency signal encoding the user response and the unique address. The handheld device further includes transmission logic configured to instruct the transceiver to repeatedly transmit the radio frequency signal upon receipt of the user response, without receiving a signal from the base unit to initiate transmission, until a termination event occurs. The termination event consists of one of a receipt of an acknowledgment signal from the base unit and an expiration of a predetermined period of time. |
| US08150377B2 |
System and method of maintaining communications policy settings in a wireless network
The present invention provides a system and method of modifying policy settings in a network having a plurality of subscriber devices. An embodiment includes a plurality of base stations, each capable of wirelessly transmitting across a geographic region and a server. A cell-phone, capable of roaming between regions, is operable to establish a wireless link with the base stations and through the base stations, with the server. The network contains a communication policy determining from which other communication devices a subscriber device can receive voice calls. The communication policy is updated, by the server, based on requests from the subscriber devices. Once a request is received from a subscriber device, the determination whether to update the communication policy can be based on a record of rejections respective to the caller requested to be blocked. Alternatively, the communication policy can be updated according to a trust policy maintained on the server respective to the subscriber device making the request; the trust policy represents the procedure to follow when a request is received from that subscriber device. |
| US08150374B2 |
System and method for remotely assigning and revoking access credentials using a near field communication equipped mobile phone
The present invention is generally directed toward a mobile device that can be used in a secure access system. More specifically, the mobile device can have credential data loaded thereon remotely updated, enabled, disabled, revoked, or otherwise altered with a message sent from, for example, a control panel and/or controller in the system. |
| US08150372B2 |
Method and system for distributing data within a group of mobile units
Described is a method for writing data onto a storage device from a wireless access point (“AP”), providing the data to a master mobile unit (“MMU”), authenticating an identity of the MMU at the AP and transmitting the data from the MMU to at least one other mobile unit (“MU”). Also described is a device having a connector coupling a storage device to the device, the storage device including data received from a network device and a transceiver communicating with the network device to authenticate the device, wherein when the device is authenticated, the transceiver further transmits the data to at least a first mobile unit (“MU”). |
| US08150368B2 |
System and method for providing usage monitoring telephony services
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a usage monitoring telephony service. A service-providing network, which has the capability of monitoring attributes, including duration, for calls that traverse it, provides usage-monitoring services for calls directed to a telephony device on a native transport network. The native transport network is a network that naturally carries a subscriber's calls but does not have the capabilities required to provide usage monitoring. The system uses a virtual number to map a service in the service-provider network with a device in the native transport network. The usage monitoring services capture usage-monitoring data for multiple telephone numbers in multiple native transport networks. |
| US08150364B2 |
Enhanced E911 network access for a call center using session initiation protocol (SIP) messaging
A switched emergency call (e.g., a 911 call, an alarm company call) forwarded by a telematics call center is converted into a session initiation protocol (SIP) packetized phone call at the call center, and routed over an IP network, for presentation to an emergency services gateway, which connects to a selective router via dedicated circuits, gaining full access to the Enhanced 911 network. This provides a PSAP receiving a call from a telematics call center or other call center with all features available in an Enhanced 911 network, e.g., callback number of the 911 caller, and location of the 911 caller. Location of the caller is provided using a VoIP positioning center (VPC), queried from the call center. In this way, the switched emergency call is converted into a SIP packetized phone call and routed without further passage through the public switched telephone network (PSTN). |
| US08150363B2 |
Enhanced E911 network access for call centers
An emergency call (e.g., a 911 call, an alarm company call) forwarded by a telematics call center is routed over the switched PSTN to a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call server, where the switched call is converted to a session initiating protocol (SIP) packetized IP call for presentation to an emergency services gateway, which reconverts the call to TDM and connects to a selective router via dedicated circuits, gaining full access to the Enhanced 911 network. This provides a PSAP receiving a call from a telematics call center or other call center with all features available in an Enhanced 911 network, e.g., callback number of the 911 caller, and location of the 911 caller. Location of the caller is provided using a VoIP positioning center (VPC). |
| US08150359B2 |
Multiple frequency band hybrid receiver
A multiple frequency band hybrid receiver includes a plurality of input terminals to which different frequency band signals are respectively inputted; a plurality of mixers connected to the plurality of input terminals sequentially, receiving the different frequency band signals respectively, and down-converting frequencies of the received frequency band signals to predetermined frequencies; an output terminal outputting baseband signals. Each mixer receives a signal from an input terminal connected thereto or another mixer. One of the plurality of mixers receives the lowest frequency band signal, converts a frequency of the received signal to a baseband frequency, and provides a signal having the baseband frequency to the output terminal. The other mixers each down-convert a frequency of a received signal to a frequency band of a signal which is inputted into another mixer. |
| US08150358B2 |
Method for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver
A method is disclosed for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver. A first image correction factor is acquired using a first known signal associated with a first signal band during a startup mode. The first image correction factor has a plurality of bits including most significant bits (MSBs) and least significant bits (LSBs). The LSBs of the first image correction factor are adjusted incrementally during a normal operation mode. A radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the first signal band is received using the first image correction factor during the normal operation mode. |
| US08150352B1 |
Feedback LNA with image filtering
What is described herein is a technique that includes a clock generator configured to generate a clock signal having a frequency of |fbp+fi|. The technique further includes a mixer configured to input (1) an input signal that includes a desired signal at the frequency fi and (2) the clock signal and generate a mixed signal using the input signal and the clock signal. A filter, having a bandpass region that includes the frequency fbp, is configured to input the mixed signal and generate a filtered signal based at least in part on the bandpass region. |
| US08150351B2 |
Receiver with tuner front end using tracking filters and calibration
A broadband tuner includes a tracking filter with calibration to compensate for component errors and drift. The filters use off-die inductors that are preferably within a system-in-package (SIP) with other critical tuner components, which produces a highly integrated tuner front end with high Q filters within a single package. High voltage varactors with a large tuning range can be used for variable capacitors. The integration of the tuner into a SIP allows the tuner design to be optimized for cost and performance while keeping the critical RF layout requirements within the tuner. A configurable tuner front end enables modes for low noise, high linearity, good input return loss (S11) across the entire RF band, and applying a test tone in the calibration mode. The switchable mode enables the tuner to be effective during weak terrestrial reception, strong terrestrial reception, and connection to a cable plant. |
| US08150348B2 |
TV tuner and the manufacturing method thereof
A TV tuner includes an Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) tracking filter, an UHF/VHF matching circuit and a single conversion Tuner IC. The UHF/VHF tracking filter includes a first Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) inductor, a first varactor diode and a fine-tune capacitor electrically connected to determine the maximum gain frequency of the UHF/VHF tracking filter. The UHF/VHF matching circuit includes a second LTCC inductance, a second varactor diodes and a fine-tune capacitor electrically connected to determine the maximum gain frequency of the UHF/VHF matching circuit. |
| US08150340B2 |
Heating control system
A heating control system, monitoring system and predictive maintenance radio sensor system. The heating control system comprises at least one temperature transducer element having a downstream voltage transformer; an energy storage device which is electrically coupled to the at least one voltage transformer; a logic assembly coupled to the energy storage device and having sequence control; a data transmission unit coupled to the logic assembly; and a sensor, coupled to the logic assembly, for measuring ambient parameters. |
| US08150338B2 |
Method and apparatus for signal peak-to-average ratio reduction
A method and apparatus taught herein reduce the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) of a complex-valued signal based on detecting peaks in the signal that are above a peak threshold, characterizing the detected peaks in Cartesian coordinates, generating cancellation pulses in Cartesian coordinates based on the detected peak characterizations. PAR reduction processing continues with canceling the detected peaks by combining the cancellation pulses with a correspondingly delayed version of the signal. Advantageously, peak detection may be performed in polar form using a computationally efficient peak detection algorithm that avoids calculation of the I and Q peak waveforms unless a signal peak beyond a defined threshold is present. In one or more embodiments, the generation and use of asymmetric and/or shaped cancellation pulses offers further performance advantages. |
| US08150337B2 |
Wireless communication device, communication state notification method, wireless communication system and program
There is provided a wireless communication device forming an autonomous distributed wireless network by intermittently transmitting and receiving a predetermined communication management signal, which includes a reception portion to receive the communication management signal, an evaluation portion to evaluate a communication state of the wireless communication device in the wireless network based on a history of receiving the communication management signal by the reception portion, and a notification portion to provide a notification corresponding to an evaluation result of the communication state by the evaluation portion. |
| US08150334B2 |
Methods and apparatus for push to talk type service
A method and server for establishing a push to talk type service such as push to talk over cellular (PoC). The server receives a message from Client A indicating one or more media types that Client A will accept in defined circumstances in a push to talk type session. When the server receives a message from Client B inviting Client A to establish a push to talk type session for one or more proposed media types, the server determines whether the media type(s) proposed by Client B are acceptable to Client A. If at least one proposed media type is acceptable, the server forwards the invitation to Client A with a list of the acceptable media types. Thereafter the session is established. |
| US08150332B2 |
Method and system for low-frequency communication
The disclosure relates to a method of communication between a control device and an operator device, including the generation of a control signal and transmission of the control signal, where the control signal is generated in the form of a symmetric signal and is then filtered by the transmission system. |
| US08150331B2 |
Method for adapting the signal transmission between two electronic devices, as well as arrangement with a computer system and a peripheral device
A method for adapting the signal transmission between two electronic devices (1, 2) that are connected to each other via a physical interface and that each have a transmitter (8a, 8b) and a receiver (7a, 7b), wherein analog signals are transmitted from the transmitter (8a, 8b) of one device (1, 2) along a transmission path (9a, 9b) to the receiver (7a, 7b) of the other device (1, 2). Known scattering parameters (10a, 10b, 10c, 11d) for describing the electromagnetic wave propagation in the transmission path (9a, 9b) between the receiver (7a, 7b) of the first device (1, 2) and the transmitter (8a, 8b) of the second device (1, 2) are retrieved by the first device (1, 2), transmitted to the second device (1, 2), and parameters of the transmitter (8a, 8b) in the second device (1, 2) are adapted with reference to a high-frequency description of the transmission path (9a, 9b) as a function of all of the scattering parameters (10a to 10d, 11a to 11d) known to the two devices. Furthermore, an arrangement with a computer system and a peripheral device is described that is designed to carry out a corresponding method. |
| US08150330B2 |
Method and system for greedy user group selection with range reduction for FDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission with finite-rate channel state information feedback
Aspects of a greedy search user group selection scheme with range reduction for FDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission with finite-rate channel state information feedback are provided. The method may comprise receiving feedback information via a communication channel for a plurality of users in a frequency division duplex system. The system capacity may be maximized using the feedback information based on a signal from a single user within a reduced search range or based on the signal from the single user and at least one other signal from another user within a remaining portion of the search range. The feedback information may comprise quantized gain and/or direction of the channel state information of the users. |
| US08150325B1 |
Blanking system
An exemplary signal interference control system is disclosed that utilizes a computer system, such as programmable logic circuits or computer controlled logic gates, to generate blanking or control signals for various types of radio frequency receiver and transmitter combinations. Control signals are generated based on signal characteristic information stored in a memory including a delay following receipt of a pre-trigger signal from a radio frequency transmitter and a pulse width of control signal(s) generated for specified receivers, frequencies or systems. In one embodiment, information can be retrieved from a memory and used to generate an interference control signal. One or more control signals can be routed to a related or associated receiver to reduce or eliminate interference effects. Data representing associated radio frequency transmitters and receivers can be determined, synchronized and stored in data structures during testing operations until the received interference signals are properly aligned, synchronized or controlled at an associated receiver. Modified control signal data such as delay and interference control signal width information can be stored in a memory and used for future control signal generation. |
| US08150324B2 |
Method and system for clipping a baseband input signal
A method for clipping a baseband input signal filters the complex baseband input signal with a function H1 for forming a filtered first signal. To form a clipped signal in the baseband the filtered first signal is multiplied by a scaling factor. By a signal analysis of the filtered first signal signal overshoots are predicted from which the scaling factor is determined for the baseband clipping. The filter function H1 is calculated as the quotient from a frequency response HS of a transmission filter used one the one hand and from an error frequency response HF on the other hand, with the error frequency response HF being determined in such a way that the error spectrally shaped with HF, which arises for the limitation of the baseband signal, a frequency-dependent tolerance is not exceeded. Subsequently the clipped signal is filtered with the error frequency response HF for forming a filtered second signal. |
| US08150323B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for inputting/outputting voice during playback of music data by using bluetooth
A mobile communication terminal and a voice input/output method for inputting/outputting voice during playback of music data by using a Bluetooth communication scheme are disclosed. The method includes connecting to a headset via a simplex channel according to the Bluetooth communication scheme when music data is played; determining if a call has been connected; terminating current connection to the headset via the simplex channel and connecting to the headset via a duplex channel according to the Bluetooth communication scheme while maintaining the playback of music data when the call has been connected; mixing decoded music data with data obtained by decoding incoming voice data received from the communication partner as a result of a call connection; and outputting the mixed data to the headset via a transmission channel of the duplex channel and receiving originating voice data of the user from the headset via a reception channel of the duplex channel. |
| US08150317B2 |
Method and system for managing mobility of an access terminal in a mobile communication system using mobile IP
A method for managing mobility of an AT in a mobile communication system using Mobile IPv4. The AAA and the AT generate a first key for mutual authentication between the AT and a HA, and the AAA and the AG generate a second key for mutual authentication between the AG and the HA. The AG generates a third key for mutual authentication between the AG and the AT. The AT acquires a CoA that it will use in a foreign network. The AT sends an RRQ message to the AG. The AG verifies the RRQ message received from the AT, using a third authentication key. The AG then sends to the HA an RRQ message. The HA verifies the AT and the AG, and allocates an HoA of the AT. The HA sends an RRP message including the allocated HoA of the AT in response to the RRQ message. |
| US08150315B2 |
Method for verifying the alignment between integrated electronic devices
A method for verifying alignment between first and second integrated devices coupled together using a reference and a coupling capacitor, including: transmitting a reference signal on a transmission electrode of the reference capacitor; receiving a coupling signal on a reception electrode of the reference capacitor; amplifying the coupling signal, generating a reception reference signal; generating a reception control signal as a function of the reception reference signal; transmitting a communication signal on an electrode of the coupling capacitor; receiving a reception signal on an electrode of the coupling capacitor; amplifying the reception signal, generating a first compensated signal; controlling a level of amplification of amplifying the coupling signal and the reception signal as a function of the reception control signal; and detecting a possible misalignment between the first and second devices based on an amplitude of the communication signal and an amplitude of the compensated signal. |
| US08150314B2 |
Remote antijamming transmission device and method for the same
A remote antijamming transmission device and method for the same is provided. A signal current transmission line is between the host and the sub-machine arranged along a path of signal current transmission line and kept at a distance from the signal current transmission line. The sub-machine comprises a signal sensor component. The interval is a range where the signal sensor component may sense a signal current transmitted by the host connected to the sub-machine in a non-contact manner. Thus, no load effect is caused. The signal current transmitted by the host is not attenuated due to current bypass, so the effect of remote transmission is achieved. The transmission current in the signal current transmission line does not make the transmission signal to be attenuated even if the amount of sub-machines increases and then the current is divided. Unlimited amounts of sub-machines may be arranged near the signal current transmission line. |
| US08150309B2 |
Stability recovery for an on-frequency RF repeater with adaptive echo cancellation
A wireless repeater includes an internal feedback path for adaptively cancelling an echo between an output antenna and an input antenna. The internal feedback path employs an adaptive algorithm implementing a list having a plurality of list elements. Each list element has one or more echo cancellation parameters and one or more repeater settings. The list may be pruned by employing a minimum distance between elements within the list. A method for stabilizing a wireless repeater includes obtaining an autocorrelation of a signal in a signal path of the repeater, detecting an echo in the signal path based on the autocorrelation, providing a list of elements indicating past successful echo cancellation coefficients and associated repeater settings, and adaptively adjusting an error of the echo cancellation coefficients to cancel the echo in the signal path. |
| US08150304B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same
A fixing device includes a fixing belt for fixing an unfixed toner image onto a recording medium, a planar heating member for heating the fixing belt, and a pressure roller. The heating member includes a ceramic heat generating element having a PTC characteristic, and a high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member. The fixing belt is formed in an endless shape and is supported around, at least, the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member, thereby to be heated. The ceramic heat generating element comes into contact with the fixing belt over the full width thereof with the high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member interposed therebetween. The high-thermal-conductive heat diffusion member comes into contact with the fixing belt over the full width thereof and diffuses heat generated by the heat generating element, in the traveling direction of the fixing belt. |
| US08150303B2 |
Adjustable compression unit for an image fixing apparatus
An image fixing apparatus includes a heat roller, and plural pressure rollers, which rotationally contact the surface of the heat roller by a compression unit. The plural pressure rollers are provided in such a manner that the compressive forces thereof may be adjusted. With this construction, the fixability of a toner image is improved and crumples, wrinkles, and wrap jam that may be produced when a toner image is fixed are substantially prevented. |
| US08150295B2 |
Charging member, charging device including the charging member, process cartridge including the charging device and image forming apparatus including the process cartridge
A charging member is provided in which a minute gap between an image support body and the charging member is set widely but even so the charging member does not abnormally discharge easily, the charging member includes a conductive support body 903, an electrical resistance adjustment layer 902 disposed on the conductive support body 903 and a surface layer 901 disposed on the electrical resistance adjustment layer 902 in which the surface layer contains at least (a) polyol resin grafted with fluorine or silicon, (b) polyether polyol resin, (c) organic anion salt that contains fluorine and alkali metal or alkali earth metal and (d) polyisocyanate. |
| US08150294B2 |
Image forming apparatus having moving mechanism for moving exposure member relative to photoconductor
An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member to and away from the photoconductor. The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm including one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm including: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft. |
| US08150293B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a tray, which is able to be drawn out of the apparatus and on which a plurality of cartridges of different sizes can be mounted. A cartridge, being the largest in size among a plurality of process cartridges, is detachably arranged at a location at which it is first exposed to outside when a cartridge tray is drawn out. A developer storage portion of the largest cartridge has the largest capacity and stores a developer of a black color. |
| US08150286B2 |
Apparatus and methods for image and print blanket life enhancement
Apparatus and methods for improving print quality and print blanket life in liquid electrostatic printing, for example, forming a first toner image on an image surface; first transferring the first image to an intermediate transfer member; then transferring of the first image from the intermediate transfer member to a final substrate; affixing the first image on the final substrate; rotating the first image to create a second image; and, repeating the method using the second image. |
| US08150285B2 |
Toner supplier apparatus
A toner supplier apparatus 1 is provided for stabilizing the concentration of toner reserved in a main tank. A concentration sensor for measuring the concentration of the toner is provided in a toner-feeding pipeway for supplying liquid toner from a main tank for adjusting the concentration to the developer apparatus. High concentration toner and diluent supplied to the main tank are controlled based on the concentration measured by the concentration sensor. Accordingly, accuracy of the toner supplier apparatus used for an electronic photograph printer in measuring the concentration of the toner can be improved, thereby permitting accurate control for the concentration in a printed image. |
| US08150284B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided that reduces the occurrence of downtime in the case in which the interval between sheets needs to be expanded, and also suppresses the degradation of a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, when continuously forming images. The image forming apparatus of the present invention predicts the start timing of image formation onto the next printing material, and performs control of the positional relationship between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller without decreasing productivity, based on a result of the prediction. Further, the image forming apparatus performs control of the rotating operation of the photosensitive drum, based on the above prediction result. |
| US08150282B2 |
Toner adhesion amount measuring apparatus, and toner adhesion amount measuring method
An apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a light onto a toner image, a detection unit configured to detect reflected light from the toner image, and a deriving unit configured to derive a toner adhesion amount of the toner image, based on detection result by the detection unit in measurement range of integer multiple of screen pitch of the toner image. |
| US08150278B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a sound sensor to determine cleaning failure
In an image forming apparatus, a cleaning blade cleans residual toner adhered on the surface of an image carrier and a sound sensor collects a sound generated inside a casing of the image forming apparatus. A determining unit determines, based on the sound collected by the sound sensor, whether cleaning failure has occurred in the cleaning blade. The determining unit makes the determination based on at least intensity of a first sound component that is a sound component of a first frequency and intensity of a second sound component that is a sound component of a second frequency different from the first frequency. |
| US08150276B2 |
Image forming apparatus to adjust driving rate of a supply unit and controlling method of the same
An image forming apparatus, a developing agent container and a controlling method of the same that improves a supply rate of developing agent from a developing agent container to a developing device that provides the developing agent to an image carrier. |
| US08150275B2 |
Toner cartridge
A toner cartridge comprises a toner container which contains toner, a driving member which rotationally drives a conveying member, an agitating member which agitates a toner in the toner container while being rotated, a driven member which rotates in association with the driving member which is for rotationally driving the agitating member, and a rotational body which rotates according to rotation of the driven member, has a plurality of slits in rotational circumference for identifying a type of the toner cartridge, and has 1/K or more of the slits when a ratio of a rotational speed R1 (rad/s) of the driving member and a rotational speed R2 (rad/s) of the driven member is K=R2/R1. |
| US08150272B2 |
Systems and methods for transferring single-ended burst signal onto differential lines, especially for use in burst-mode receiver
Systems and methods for transferring incoming single-ended burst signals of which at least one characteristic varies widely from burst to burst onto a pair of differential lines. The systems comprise an input for receiving an incoming burst signal, a signal adaptation block for adapting said widely varying characteristic and a single-ended-to-differential converter. In a first aspect a reset signal for resetting a settings determination block, which controls the signal adaptation block, is sent backwards over the differential lines, preferably using a common-mode signal. In a second aspect, a status freezing mechanism is employed for freezing the settings of the settings determination block after the end of the preamble of an incoming burst. |
| US08150271B1 |
Active tuning of temporal dispersion in an ultrashort pulse laser system
A chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system and method is described wherein the dispersion of the system is tuned by actively tuning one or more system components, for example, using a temperature or strain gradient, or using actinic radiation. In other embodiments, an additional element, such as a modulator, is added to the CPA system to actively to tune the pulse. A pulse monitor is added to the system to measure an output pulse and provide feedback to one or more active tuning elements. |
| US08150270B2 |
Compact high-speed modulator driver method and apparatus
Modulator driver for driving an electro-optical modulator in a high-speed optical communications system. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a modulator driver is presented comprising an input differential limiting amplifier which is coupled to a distributed differential current-switch configuration, where one set of outputs of the distributed differential current-switch configuration are grounded and the other set of outputs are connected to an artificial transmission line structure generating forward traveling and reverse traveling signals, with the reverse traveling signal termination bias inductively coupled to a separately adjustable positive bias voltage, whereby the circuit architecture reduces the number of components and transitions in the high-speed signal path and is compatible with compact, monolithic fabrication requiring a minimal amount of external components for operation. Other methods and apparatus are presented. |
| US08150268B1 |
Multi-frequency dual-use system
The present invention relates to the dual-use of radiation, for example, but not limited to, visible or infrared light, for both a conventional application, e.g., illumination, combined with the additional or “dual-use” application of transmitting information without wires. |
| US08150266B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing butterfly differential signaling
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs differential signaling through parallel ports in a manner that reduces noise caused by coupling between neighboring ports. The system includes parallel ports for transmitting differential signals from a sender to a receiver, wherein the parallel ports are organized in a two-dimensional grid. Each differential signal is transmitted through a first port and a second port that carry complementary positive and negative components of the differential signal. The first and second ports of a differential pair are diagonally adjacent to each other in the two-dimensional grid. Because the first and second ports transition in opposite directions, coupling noise is cancelled on a neighboring port that is horizontally adjacent to the first port and vertically adjacent to the second port. Moreover, a transition on the neighboring port couples equally to the first port and second port and is consequently rejected as common-mode noise by a corresponding differential receiver. |
| US08150261B2 |
Universal remote control device
A universal remote control device controls both first and second electronic devices that may be remote from each other, via different communication channels. The remote control device is used with an optical fiber network, including a first optical transceiver coupled to the first electronic device, a second optical transceiver coupled to the second electronic device, and an optical fiber coupled between the first optical transceiver and the second optical transceiver. The remote control device comprises an infrared (IR) transmitter for transmitting a first control signal for controlling the first electronic device via an IR communication channel, and a wireless communication interface for transmitting a second control signal for controlling the second electronic device to the first optical transceiver via a wireless communication channel. The second control signal is further transmitted from the first optical transceiver to the second electronic device via the optical fiber and the second optical transceiver. |
| US08150255B2 |
Flash control for electronic rolling shutter
A method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08150254B2 |
Image pickup system having ranging function
The image pickup system includes a ranging part measuring object distances in plural ranging areas in an image pickup region in a state where the image pickup system and a moving object are in movement with respect to a still object, a first setting part setting, among the plural ranging areas, a first ranging area including the moving object, a second setting part setting, among the plural ranging areas, a second ranging area including the still object. The system further includes a calculating part calculating a moving speed of the moving object based on the object distances measured in the first and second ranging areas by the ranging part at a first time point and the object distances measured in the first and second ranging areas by the ranging part at a second time point different from the first time point. |
| US08150246B1 |
Tankless water heater assembly
A tankless water heating assembly that heats water on a continuous basis as it passes from a conventional water source and through a heating system. It basically includes a housing assembly, a plumbing assembly, a heating system, and an electrical system. The tankless water heater assembly heats water in a real time basis, as is being used, resulting in an efficient method of hot water utilization. The heating system comprises heating elements that are submerged within water as the water passes continuously through the heating units to prevent heating unit burnout, and the electrical system has means to properly measure water temperature as it is flowing within the heating system. |
| US08150228B2 |
Acid block for hybrid silicon device processing compatible with low-loss waveguides
An acid-stop structure for a rib waveguide comprises a fin structure formed between the sidewalls in each rib channel of the rib waveguide, thereby preventing acids and other etchants from flowing down the rib channel and under a die that has been bonded to a wafer. |
| US08150226B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical cable and cable so manufactured
A method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical cable comprising at least one metal tube housing at least one optical fiber and having a predetermined excess fiber length (EFL) is described. In this method the metal tube is plastically deformed and shortened by a predetermined amount (St) greater than the predetermined EFL and is plastically deformed after shortening to provide a controlled elongation thereof so as to reach the predetermined excess fiber length. An optical cable so manufactured has a local excess fiber length (EFL) varying of or less than 0.2 % along the longitudinal extension of the cable with respect to an average EFL of the cable. |
| US08150221B2 |
Fiber collimator array
The invention provides a fiber collimator array including a fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers is arrayed and a microlens array in which microlenses are arrayed on positions corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers on a transparent substrate. Each microlens and the transparent substrate are oppositely arranged so that a plurality of projections formed on a bottom face of each microlens intersects with a plurality of projections formed on a surface of the transparent substrate, and each microlens and the transparent substrate are adhered to each other by the adhesive. |
| US08150220B2 |
Optical waveguide with light-emitting element and optical touch panel with the same
A main path in an optical waveguide with a light-emitting element has two sides faced to each other: one side has a plurality of branched points and the other side does not have any branched points. A width W of the main path becomes narrower as the main path moves away from a light-emitting element. An angle α formed by the main path and a light guiding direction in each branched point of each branched path is 0.1° to 2.0°. An angle θ formed by the other side without branched points and the light guiding direction of the main path is 0.3° to 1.7°. |
| US08150213B2 |
Image data compression method, pattern model positioning method in image processing, image processing apparatus, image processing program, and computer readable recording medium
There is provided a data compression method for increasing a reduction ratio, while keeping a sufficient characteristic amount, to seek speeding up of processing, the method being for compressing image data in pattern model positioning in image processing of searching out of an image to be searched and positioning a pattern model corresponding to a pre-registered image. The method includes the steps of computing an edge strength image having edge strength information and an edge angle image having edge angle information with respect to each pixel constituting an image; transforming the edge angle image of each pixel into an edge angle bit image expressed by an edge angle bit indicating an angle with a pre-defined fixed width; and compressing the edge angle bit image to create an edge angle bit reduced image by taking a sum with respect to each edge angle bit. |
| US08150211B2 |
Identifying patterns in data
An image feature within image data may be identified and located from the maximum values in a Hough voting table. The Hough voting table may be generated by converting edge pixels identified with an image data into an array. The array may be read in row order with theta on the outside loop and rho on the inside loop. In some embodiments, the storage requirements for the Hough voting table may be reduced. |
| US08150202B2 |
Gaussian mixture model based illumination normalization for global enhancement
A method is presented for enhancing an image from an initial image, comprising computing a first luminance level frequency distribution corresponding to plurality of pixel constructing said initial image, representing said first luminance level frequency distribution as a resultant of Gaussian model mixtures to assess relative utilization of overall luminance level across said initial image, computing a desired luminance level frequency distribution as a function of the relative utilization, computing a transfer function to adjust the first luminance level frequency distribution to an enhanced luminance level as a function of desired level frequency distribution estimation, and applying said transfer function globally to said initial image to provide an enhanced image is. The first luminance level can be adapted to be linearized in a logarithmic form. In one embodiment, the model comprises one or more Gaussian functions. The initial image can be a background image estimated from a sequence of images. |
| US08150200B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing image noise with edge tracking and computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the method
A method for reducing image noise with edge tracking comprises receiving input of an object image data for conversion and a size data of a matrix, namely, a conversion area of the image data; calculating a statistical difference value between each pixel of the image data and a pixel adjacent to the pixel in a predetermined direction and calculating edge map data obtained from the calculation in each predetermined direction; and converting an object pixel for conversion of the image data using calculation pixels located in the matrix of the image data, wherein the conversion step outputs main calculation pixels, namely, calculation pixels having a statistical difference value below a predetermined level with a value of the object pixel among the calculation pixels based on the edge map data, and converts the object pixel using a statistical calculation value of the main calculation pixels. |
| US08150197B2 |
Apparatus and method of obtaining high-resolution image
An apparatus and method of obtaining a high-resolution image are provided. The apparatus of obtaining a high-resolution image may generate a high frequency component of an output image using a high frequency component of an input image, synthesize the input image and the generated high frequency component of the output image, and thereby may obtain a sharpness-enhanced high-resolution image. |
| US08150195B2 |
Adaptive prediction using a dimensionality reduction process
Multi-field taps are defined based on a decimated field. The multi-field taps are used to generate correlation matrices, the elements of which are used to generate covariance matrices. A principal component space is obtained by projecting the correlation matrix elements on to eigenvectors. The principal component space is partitioned into classes and a least square filter set is generated for each class. |
| US08150186B2 |
Amount-of-compressed data control method and image data compressing apparatus
An amount-of-compressed-data control method applicable to image data compression processing for compressing an amount of data is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: performing quantization by: dividing one digital image into multiple blocks each having n×n pixels; performing orthogonal transform on each block; and dividing n×n conversion coefficients resulting from the conversion by each threshold value of a quantization matrix including n×n threshold values each resulting from the multiplication of a predetermined coefficient S (where S is a positive real number); and variable-length encoding the quantized data. In this method, the value of the coefficient S allows the amount of compressed data to fit within a predetermined range of a target amount of data by performing the quantization and encoding by dividing the interval that the coefficient S can take on into multiple intervals and calculating the estimated value of the coefficient S based on the relationship between the amount of compressed image data and the coefficient S, which is defined for each of the divided intervals. |
| US08150181B2 |
Method of filtering a video sequence image from spurious motion effects
According to the novel method, roto-translational and zooming parameters describing spurious motion effects are determined by exploiting any of the many block matching algorithms commonly used for motion estimation for calculating a motion vector for all or for a selected number of blocks of pixels of the current frame that is processed. Some of the so calculated motion vectors are not taken into account for estimating spurious motion effects. The roto-translational and zooming parameters describing what is considered to be spurious global motion between a current frame and the precedent frame of the sequence, are calculated by processing the selected motion vectors of blocks of pixels of the frame through a recursive procedure that includes computing error values and readjusting the roto-translational and zooming parameters based on the error values. |
| US08150178B2 |
Image encoding/decoding method and apparatus
Provided are an image encoding/decoding method and apparatus, in which one of a plurality of color component images is predicted from a different color component image reconstructed using a correlation between the plurality of color component images. Using a reconstructed image of a first color component image selected from among the plurality of color component images forming a single color image, the other color component images are predicted. |
| US08150176B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a compression rate for a file
Provided are a method and apparatus for determining a target compression rate for a file, which may be calculated using a predetermined algorithm based on a target file size. There is provided a method for compressing a file, the method including using a processor to perform at least the steps of compressing a target file at an initial compression rate and determining a size of the compressed target file; comparing the size of the target file compressed at the initial compression rate to sizes of a first file and a second file compressed at the initial compression rate; based on the comparisons and a target size for the target file, calculating a target compression rate; and compressing the target file using the target compression rate. |
| US08150168B2 |
Electronic apparatus and image display control method of the electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus extracts face images of persons from video content data and outputs timestamp information indicating time points at which each extracted face image appears in the video content data, and displays face images in each column of a plurality of face image display areas arranged in a matrix based on the time stamp information. The apparatus detects presence or absence of a face area in each frame consisting of the video content data and decides a cutout range of the detected face area. And, the apparatus adjusts a case in which the cutout range of the decided face area protrudes outside the frame. |
| US08150163B2 |
System and method for recovering image detail from multiple image frames in real-time
This invention describes an efficient super-resolution method for image enhancement that leverages prior knowledge about the specific task for which detail information is recovered. The particular case of barcode scanning is considered. The barcode localization and decoding algorithm of the present invention employs a subpixel-accurate search algorithm which allows for estimating barcode bit values at a higher resolution than that available in the image data itself. It thus allows for the synthesis of image detail from multiple frames with the result containing more detail than any of the input frames. For efficiency, it leverages special properties of the quadrilateral target object as well as prior knowledge about constant patterns in the barcodes of interest. This allows for real-time software implementations on portable devices such as camera-equipped cell phones where super-resolution helps to overcome some of the typical camera resolution and processing power constraints. |
| US08150156B2 |
Automated processing of paper forms using remotely-stored templates
A computer-implemented method for processing paper forms includes accepting a filled-in paper form conforming to a template at a computer system having a local memory, wherein the template is not stored in the local memory. Identification information is extracted from the filled-in paper form using the computer system. The identification information indicates a network address of a remote storage location external to the computer system, in which the template is stored. The template is retrieved responsively to the identification information by communication with the remote storage location via a wide area network (WAN). The filled-in paper form is processed responsively to the retrieved template. |
| US08150153B2 |
Ray-based compression mapping in a color management system
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for performing ray-based compression mapping in a color management system. The present method compresses a color point located at or near a boundary surface of a color gamut to a point beneath the gamut surface in order to eliminate artifacts which are likely to arise from a color marking device trying to reproduce colors which are on a boundary of the device's printable gamut. The present method is directly applicable to a variety of gamut mapping strategies employed in color management systems. |
| US08150151B2 |
Method for coding pixels or voxels of a digital image and a method for processing digital images
A method for coding pixels or voxels of a digital or digitalized two dimensional or three dimensional image includes the steps of: providing a digital image in which each pixel or voxel is defined by a variable in a grey scale image, or by HSV or RGB values in a color image; generating a vector univocally associated to the target pixel or voxel and having components generated as a function of the values of the pixels or voxels in a window that includes the target pixel or voxel and neighboring pixels or voxels. The function of the values of the target pixel or voxel and of the pixels or voxels in the window corresponds to the characteristic parameters of the numerical matrix representing the pixels or voxels of the window or of a transformation of the numerical matrix. |
| US08150150B2 |
Method and system of extracting a perceptual feature set
A method and system of extracting a perceptual feature set for image/video segmentation are disclosed. An input image is converted to obtain a hue component and a saturation component, where the hue component is quantized into a number of quantum values. After weighting the quantized hue component with the saturation component, the weighted quantized hue component and the saturation component are subjected to a statistical operation in order to extract feature vectors. Accordingly, the method and system provide overall segmentation results that are very close to human interpretation. |
| US08150149B2 |
Automatic determination of exciting segments from a video
A method is provided to automatically determine “exciting” segments from a video. The method includes calculating image features of each frame in the video, determining a difference for each pair of adjacent frames, calculating a sum of differences for each group of frames in the video, and selecting a number of the groups with high sums as exciting segments of the video. The differences between pairs of adjacent frames are used as a criterion for measuring a degree of “excitement” for determining the highlights in the video. |
| US08150148B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting preferred color and liquid crystal display device using the same
Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for detecting a preferred color, which is capable of accurately detecting a preferred-color area with a small amount of computations, and a liquid crystal display device using the same. The method for detecting a preferred color includes comparing a hue value of an input pixel with hue reference values and detecting a first preferred-color pixel, and performing a best linear estimation (BLE) operation with respect to the first preferred-color pixel and detecting a second preferred-color pixel. |
| US08150140B2 |
System and method for a semiconductor lithographic process control using statistical information in defect identification
A system and method is described for evaluating a wafer fabrication process for forming patterns on a wafer based upon data. Multiple inspection regions are defined on the wafer for analysis. For each inspection region, images of patterns within the inspection region are captured, edges are detected, and lines are registered to lines of a reference pattern automatically generated from the design data. Line widths are determined from the edges. Measured line widths are analyzed to provide statistics and feedback information regarding the fabrication process. In particular embodiments defects are identified as where measured line widths lie outside boundaries determined from the statistics. In particular embodiments, lines of different drawn width and/or orientation are grouped and analyzed separately. Measured line widths may also be grouped for analysis according to geometry such as shape or proximity to other shapes in the inspection region to provide feedback for optical proximity correction rules. |
| US08150137B2 |
Image processing device, image processing program, and observation system
It is a proposition to reduce user's burden when performing tracking observation of a specimen. Therefore, an image processing apparatus includes a storage unit which takes in a plurality of slice images acquired from a specific area of a specimen by each of Z-stack shootings performed at different time point, associates the plurality of slice images each with a shooting time point and slice height z, and stores the plurality of slice images as one of slice image groups, a manual selecting unit which allows user to manually select a representing image (Ia, Ib, Ic, . . . ) from one of slice image groups, and an automatic selecting unit which automatically selects a representing image from another one of slice image groups based on a result of the manual selection. |
| US08150133B2 |
System and method for automatic registration of 4D (3D plus time) renal perfusion MRI data
A method for registering digital renal perfusion images includes selecting a volume of interest (VOI) containing a kidney in a reference renal perfusion image, computing 3D intensity gradients for a plurality of points in the VOI of the reference renal perfusion image, computing 3D intensity gradients for a plurality of points in a search window of a current renal perfusion image, and maximizing a similarity measure between the reference image VOI and the current image search window, where the similarity measure is a function of the 3D intensity gradients computed for the reference image and the current image. |
| US08150124B2 |
System and method for multiple viewing-window display of capsule images
Systems and methods are provided for displaying images captured from a capsule camera system. In order to increase the efficiency of viewing the image sequence, the image sequence is divided into multiple sub-sequences and the multiple sub-sequences are displayed in multiple viewing windows on a display screen concurrently. For images from a panoramic capsule system, the images typically have a very wide aspect ratio and may require different configuration for displaying in multiple viewing windows than that for image sequence having non-wide aspect ratio. The present invention also discloses methods and systems that divide a sequence from panoramic capsule camera into multiple member sequences and form an aggregated video. The aggregated video not only makes viewing more comfortable, but also speeds up viewing time. |
| US08150116B2 |
Method and system for detection of deformable structures in medical images
A method and system for detection of deformable structures in medical images is disclosed. Deformable structures can represent blood flow patterns in images such as Doppler echocardiograms. A probabilistic, hierarchical, and discriminant framework is used to detect such deformable structures. This framework integrates evidence from different primitive levels via a progressive detector hierarchy, including a series of discriminant classifiers. A target deformable structure is parameterized by a multi-dimensional parameter, and primitives or partial parameterizations of the parameter are determined. An input image is received, and a series of primitives are sequentially detected using the progressive detector hierarchy, in which each detector or classifier detects a corresponding primitive. The final detector detects configuration candidates for the deformable structure. |
| US08150115B2 |
Chemistry strip reader and method
A chemistry strip reader and method for analyzing chemistry strips. A conveyor moves chemical strips through different imaging positions at discrete points in time across the field of view of a camera, which captures images of each chemistry strip at different discrete times. A processor determines reflectance values for each of the chemical strips from the captured images at the discrete points in time. Calibration targets adjacent the chemistry strips can be used to adjust the determined reflectance values. The light source can sequentially illuminate each chemistry strip with three different wavelengths of light, where the processor calculates a concentration determination associated with the chemistry strip by calculating different chromaticity coordinates for the different wavelengths of light, and comparing them to known chromaticity coordinates for known analyte concentrations. |
| US08150113B2 |
Method for lung lesion location identification
A method and a system are disclosed for labeling an anatomical point associated with a lesion in an organ such as a lung. The method includes: a segmentation of a vessel tree anatomical structure starting from an autonomously determined initial image point; labeling the vessel segments of the vessel tree segmentation with segment labels based on a priori anatomical knowledge, thereby creating an individualized anatomical model; receiving a user-specified image point having a location from a user and locating a nearby vessel structure; tracking along the vessel structure in a direction towards a root of a parent vessel tree until a prior labeled vessel segment is encountered in the anatomical model, and assigning the label of the encountered prior labeled vessel segment from the anatomical model as an anatomical location label of the user-specified image point. |
| US08150111B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing three-dimensional image data to render an image from a viewpoint within or beyond an occluding region of the image data
Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing three-dimensional image data to render an image from a viewpoint within or beyond an occluding region of the image data are disclosed. According to one method, a set of three-dimensional image data is accessed. The image data includes image data for a surface of interest and image data for a region occluding the surface of interest from a desired viewpoint. The viewpoint may be within or beyond the occluding region. A plurality of rays is cast from the viewpoint to the surface. Along each ray, an occlusion determination is made independent from a volume rendering transfer function definition to render voxels within the occluding region as transparent or partially transparent. The volume rendering transfer function is applied along a portion of each ray outside of the occluding region to render voxels defining surface of interest as visible. The voxels that define the surface are displayed as visible. The voxels within the occluding region are shown in a transparent or partially transparent manner. |
| US08150105B2 |
Inspection using three-dimensional profile information
A three-dimensional profile of at least a portion of an object, such as a vehicle, is generated using image data corresponding to the object. The image data can be acquired as the object passes an inspection location and can be enhanced using emitted electromagnetic radiation or the like. The three-dimensional profile is analyzed to identify any anomalies that are associated with the object. The analysis can include comparing the three-dimensional profile to a standard three-dimensional profile corresponding to a type of the object. Further, the analysis can include comparing the three-dimensional profile to a previously acquired three-dimensional profile for the object. The three-dimensional profile can be generated using visible light-based image data, and one or more additional profiles based on non-visible data also can be generated and analyzed. |
| US08150102B2 |
System and method for interacting with a media device using faces and palms of video display viewers
Systems and method which allow for user interaction with and control of televisions and other media device are disclosed. A television set is provided with a face and/or palm detection device configured to identify faces and/or palms and map them into coordinates. The mapped coordinates may be translated into data inputs which may be used to interact with applications related to the television. In some embodiments, multiple faces and/or palms may be detected and inputs may be received from each of them. The inputs received by mapping the coordinates may include inputs for interactive television programs in which viewers are asked to vote or rank some aspect of the program. |
| US08150101B2 |
Orientation invariant object identification using model-based image processing
A system for performing object identification combines pose determination, EO/IR sensor data, and novel computer graphics rendering techniques. A first module extracts the orientation and distance of a target in a truth chip given that the target type is known. A second is a module identifies the vehicle within a truth chip given the known distance and elevation angle from camera to target. Image matching is based on synthetic image and truth chip image comparison, where the synthetic image is rotated and moved through a 3-Dimensional space. To limit the search space, it is assumed that the object is positioned on relatively flat ground and that the camera roll angle stays near zero. This leaves three dimensions of motion (distance, heading, and pitch angle) to define the space in which the synthetic target is moved. A graphical user interface (GUI) front end allows the user to manually adjust the orientation of the target within the synthetic images. The system also includes the generation of shadows and allows the user to manipulate the sun angle to approximate the lighting conditions of the test range in the provided video. |
| US08150100B2 |
System and method for recognition of a three-dimensional target
A system for recognition of a target three-dimensional object is disclosed. The system may include a photon-counting detector and a three-dimensional integral imaging system. The three-dimensional integral imaging system may be positioned between the photon-counting detector and the target three-dimensional object. |
| US08150098B2 |
Grouping images by location
A method of grouping images captured in a common location, including receiving a collection of images; classifying the images into a set of events, where each image in the collection belongs to no more than one event; analyzing background region(s) of images from each event to determine one or more features that represent the event; and comparing features from at least two events to determine which events occurred in a common location. |
| US08150095B2 |
Thermal management system for speaker system having vented frame for establishing air passages
A thermal management system improves thermal property of the speaker system by promoting air circulation to cool the speaker system. The thermal management system includes a speaker frame, an air guide formed on the speaker frame for guiding the air, a ventilation slit formed on the air guide which penetrates through the speaker frame for air communication, and a spider mounting ring for mounting a spider of the speaker system on the speaker frame. The spider mounting ring has a cut-out at its upper edge which positionally match the air guide. The cut-out is curved sharply at its upper surface while a lower edge of the spider mounting ring is gently curved, thereby creating an air passage of directional property. |
| US08150093B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display unit, a sound unit, a speaker positioning mechanism and a speaker attaching mechanism. The display unit is configured to display images. The sound unit is configured to output audio. The sound unit has top and bottom left speakers and top and bottom right speakers. The speaker positioning mechanism is configured to detachably support the sound unit and move the sound unit away from and close to the display unit in a lateral direction of the display unit. The speaker attaching mechanism is configured to detachably couple the sound unit to upper and lower faces of the display unit. |
| US08150092B2 |
Speaker module of electronic device
An acoustic speaker module of a portable electronic device includes an acoustic housing, an acoustic speaker, a chip card and an elastic member. The acoustic housing has an accommodation space, a first opening and a second opening. The acoustic speaker is seamlessly connected with the first opening. The chip card is disposed at the second opening. The elastic member and the chip card are disposed at the second opening to make the accommodation space to form a hermetical space. |
| US08150084B2 |
Hearing aid and a method of processing a sound signal in a hearing aid
A hearing aid (1) includes a housing (2), at least a first microphone for receiving ambient sound, processing circuitry for processing a signal from the first microphone (6, 7) and an output transducer. At least one further microphone (8) is disposed in the hearing housing at a location, which, during normal use of the hearing aid, is sheltered against wind influences. |
| US08150081B2 |
Method for optimizing a multilevel filter bank and corresponding filter bank and hearing apparatus
A filter bank system that is optimized with respect to group delay and power consumption is provided. The filter bank system has multiple levels and has an input-side and an output-side filter bank based on a defined filter type. The input-side filter bank has input channels as a variable first parameter, and an oversampling factor as a variable second parameter. For optimizing the multilevel filter bank, a group delay and an operation rate are now respectively determined for each of a plurality of value pairs of the first and second parameters. The value pair for which the associated group delay and the associated operation rate satisfy a defined criterion, in particular for which they are as low as possible, is selected from the value pairs. The input-side filter bank is subsequently configured with the number of channels and the oversampling factor corresponding to the selected value pair. |
| US08150078B2 |
Electret condenser microphone
An electret condenser microphone is provided that can reduce parasitic capacitance and realize enhanced sensitivity. The electret condenser microphone includes a capacitor section including a fixed electrode having an electret member and a diaphragm electrode, a casing section housing the capacitor section, a circuit board including a converter circuit 4 for converting variations of capacitance of the capacitor section caused by vibrations of the diaphragm electrode to electric signals for output, and conducting elements for making the capacitor conductive with the circuit board, in which the casing section has a shape as viewed from top different from a shape of the capacitor as viewed from top to provide different distances between outer sides of the capacitor section and the casing section circumferentially of the capacitor section as viewed from top. |
| US08150077B2 |
Microphone
To obtain a composite type microphone, the microphone preventing an increase in size and weight and thereby improving the freedom for installation and handling while keeping the phases of signals output from respective microphone units the same. A composite type microphone that incorporates microphone units of different electroacoustic conversion methods into a common microphone body is provided. Here, in a front acoustic terminal portion of a first microphone unit based on one electroacoustic conversion method, a second microphone unit based on another electroacoustic conversion method is disposed, and in the front acoustic terminal portion of the first microphone unit, an air that vibrates in the same phase with that of a vibrating plate of the first microphone unit exists, and within the air that vibrates in the same phase with that of the vibrating plate of the first microphone unit, the second microphone unit is disposed. |
| US08150076B2 |
Sound converter with enclosure
The present invention discloses a sound converter with an enclosure which utilizes an outer space to expand a resonance space. The sound converter with the enclosure includes a frame being equipped with a magnetic circuit for forming a magnetic field in a predetermined gap, a voice coil at least partially positioned in the gap, a diaphragm adhered to the voice coil and inserted into a diaphragm seating portion of the frame, a protector formed at the upper portion of the diaphragm, and an enclosure case coupled to the frame, for defining the inner space of the enclosure which is the resonance space. A vent is provided at the enclosure case so that the inner space of the enclosure can communicate with the outer space. This configuration can secure a wide resonance space. |
| US08150073B2 |
Impedance converting circuit and electronic device
A semiconductor circuit including an input terminal, an impedance converting portion configured to receive an input signal from the input terminal and to output an output signal corresponding to the input signal, an input impedance of the semiconductor circuit being higher than an output impedance of the semiconductor circuit, a detecting portion connected to a node between the input terminal and the impedance converting portion, and configured to detect whether the input signal is higher than a predetermined threshold, and a variable impedance connected to a reference voltage and the node, an impedance of the variable impedance configured to decrease after the input signal is detected as higher than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08150072B2 |
Vibration generator for electronic device having speaker driver and counterweight
A vibration generator for a portable electronic device includes a speaker driver and a counterweight retained by a housing to form a closed assembly. When a communications transmission is received by the electronic device, an input force signal is transmitted to the speaker driver to apply a force at a frequency substantially below its resonance frequency. Air sealed within the vibration generator between the speaker driver and the counterweight transmits the force signal inputted to the speaker driver to the counterweight with minimal dissipation, thereby causing the counterweight to vibrate at substantially the same frequency as that of the input force signal. The vibrations of the counterweight alert a user that a communications transmission is being received. |
| US08150069B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and sound field correction system
A signal processing apparatus includes at least one equalization section, each of the equalization section being capable of setting a center frequency, a gain value at the center frequency, and a Q value and allowing set frequency-amplitude characteristics to be applied to an input signal; and a computation section. The computation section performs a center frequency determination process for computing, for target characteristics of the equalization section, a difference from the target characteristics for each area divided by a frequency portion where the gain of the characteristics of the equalization section is small and a frequency portion where the gain of the characteristics of the equalization section is large, a gain value determination process for determining the gain value at the center frequency of the equalization section, and a Q value determination process for setting the determined center frequency and the determined gain value. |
| US08150068B2 |
Array speaker system
Signals on respective RL, FL, C, FR, RR channels are divided into high frequency signals and low frequency signals by HPFs and LPFs respectively. The low frequency signals on the RL, FL, and C channels are superposed and output from a left-side woofer 21-1, while the low frequency signals on the RR, FR, and C channels are superposed and output from a right-side woofer 21-2. A predetermined directivity is given to the high frequency signals on respective channels by directivity controlling portions 17-1 to 17-5 respectively, and resultant signals are output from respective speaker units 20-1 to 20-n of an array speaker to generate virtual sound sources by the reflection from wall surfaces. A crossover frequency f2 of the rear channels (RL, RR) is set higher than a crossover frequency f1 of the front channels (FL, FR), and the signals on the rear channels are shaped into a narrow beam to generate a high-quality surround sound field. |
| US08150066B2 |
Sound signal processing device, sound signal processing method, sound signal processing program, storage medium, and display device
A sound signal processing device causes an amplifier to amplify a low frequency signal and synthesizes the amplified low frequency signal with a middle or high frequency signal so as to output the resultant output signal. A gain control section controls a gain of the amplifier on the basis of an amplitude of the output signal. As a result, it is possible to amplify the low frequency signal without any clipping in a receiving end device and without any unstable volume of a middle or high frequency component. |
| US08150062B2 |
Determination of the adequate measurement window for sound source localization in echoic environments
A method for sound source localization comprises the steps of computing an envelope of a signal; performing a non-linear, onset preserving smoothing of the envelope; and evaluating cues for sound source localization, using the points where the smoothing changes from its rising phase to its falling phase as measurement points. |
| US08150060B2 |
Surround sound outputting device and surround sound outputting method
A surround sound outputting device includes a receiving portion which receives signals on a plurality of channels, a storing portion which stores measuring sound data representing a sound, an outputting portion which outputs a sound produced based on the signals on the plurality of channels or the measuring sound data in a controlled direction and in a beam shape, a controlling portion which controls a direction of the sound output from the outputting portion, a sound collecting portion which picks up the sound output from the outputting portion to produce picked-up sound data representing the picked-up sound, an impulse response specifying portion which specifies impulse responses in respective directions from respective sound data, a path characteristic specifying portion which specifies path distances of the paths through which the sounds output in the respective directions arrive at the sound collecting portion from the outputting portion and levels of the impulse responses based on the impulse responses in the respective directions, and an allocating portion which specifies directions satisfying a predetermined relationship between the path distances of the paths in the respective directions and the levels of the impulse responses with respect to the plurality of channels respectively, and allocates the signals on the plurality of channels to the specified directions. The controlling portion controls the outputting portion so that respective sounds based on the signals on the plurality of channels are output in the directions specified by the allocating portion. |
| US08150058B2 |
Mode switching noise cancellation for microphone-speaker combinations used in two way audio communications
An audio host device has an electrical interface having a speaker contact, a microphone contact, and a reference contact. The reference contact is shared by a microphone and a speaker. The reference contact is also directly coupled to a power return plane of the audio host device. A difference amplifier is provided, having a cold input and a hot input. The hot input is coupled to the microphone contact. A switched attenuator circuit is also provided that has first and second states. In the first state, the attenuator circuit couples a sense point of the reference contact to the cold input, while in the second state the cold input is isolated from the reference sense point. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08150056B2 |
Audio signal transmitting apparatus, audio signal receiving apparatus, audio signal transmission system, audio signal transmission method, and program
There is provided an audio signal transmitting apparatus which can communicate with a plurality of external connection apparatuses and transmits audio signals to the external connection apparatuses. The audio signal transmitting apparatus includes an external output unit which outputs the audio signal to the outside, an audio signal transmitting unit which transmits the audio signal to the external connection apparatus being in a communicable state, and an audio output control unit which, when headphone information representing that a headphone function that outputs the audio signal through headphones is valid is received from at least one of the external connection apparatuses which receive the audio signals, performs control to stop an output by the external output unit. |
| US08150051B2 |
System and method for sound system simulation
A sound system design/simulation system provides a more realistic simulation of an existing venue by matching a measured reverberation characteristic of the existing venue and adjusting one or more acoustic parameters characterizing the model such that a predicted reverberation characteristic substantially matches the measured reverberation characteristic. |
| US08150050B2 |
Bass enhancing apparatus and method
A bass enhancing apparatus and method for enhancing bass include generating harmonics of the bass when an input signal is reproduced using a miniaturized speaker. The bass enhancing method includes extracting a bass component of an input signal, generating harmonics of the extracted bass component, synthesizing the generated harmonic signals and the input signal, and outputting the synthesizing result to an output terminal. The generating of the harmonics includes compressing a dynamic range of an amplitude level of each harmonic component at a predetermined distribution ratio. |
| US08150046B2 |
Audio jack for a portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a processor provided in a housing, a jack being sized for receiving a plug of an audio accessory and having electrical connectors for enabling communication between the audio accessory and the processor, the electrical connectors for contacting corresponding electrical connectors of the plug and a switching circuit in communication with the processor and the electrical connectors, the switching circuit for determining a pin-out of the plug and routing audio signals between ungrounded ones of the corresponding electrical connectors of the plug and the processor. |
| US08150045B2 |
Automatic gain control system applied to an audio signal as a function of ambient noise
An automatic gain control system applied to a audio signal as a function of the ambient noise, the system comprising: an ambient noise estimator module suitable for establishing a current noise value estimated at least from a signal provided by a microphone; and an automatic gain control module suitable for applying to the audio signal gain of a value that is determined as a function of the current noise value received from the ambient noise estimator module. According to the invention, the ambient noise estimator module comprises an MCRA estimator suitable for establishing the current noise value from a signal provided by the microphone picking up the real noise, the echo of the music, and where appropriate speech. The system also includes a module for estimating the power of the audio signal and suitable for providing the automatic gain control module with a current power value for the audio signal. |
| US08150041B2 |
Secure computation of private values
An embodiment may include a system having a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit may be configured to receive an encrypted private value of a party, the encrypted private value being generated from a private value with a public-key encryption system and a public key, to send an encrypted blinded result to the party, and to receive a blinded result generated from the encrypted blinded result. The processing unit may be configured to compute a result of a function, the function having as input the private value, to blind the result of the function to generate the encrypted blinded result, and to compute the result by unblinding the blinded result. |
| US08150039B2 |
Single security model in booting a computing device
A method and apparatus for securely booting software components in an electronic device to establish an operating environment are described herein. According to an aspect of the invention, software components are to be executed in sequence in order to establish an operating environment of a device. For each software component, a security code is executed to authenticate and verify an executable code image associated with each software component using one or more keys embedded within a secure ROM (read-only memory) of the device and one or more hardware configuration settings of the device. The security code for each software component includes a common functionality to authenticate and verify the executable code image associated with each software component. In response to successfully authenticating and verifying the executable code image, the executable code image is then executed in a main memory of the device to launch the associated software component. |
| US08150036B2 |
Encrypted data installation
A base encryption method may be applied to plain data to form base encrypted data. An installation encryption method may be applied to the base encryption data to provide encrypted installation data. During installation, the encrypted installation data are encrypted to form encrypted storage data for storage on a storage medium such as a hard drive. Preferably, the data are not fully decrypted at any stage of the installation process. The host CPU may be minimally involved (or not involved) in the encryption/decryption process. Some embodiments provide a logic seal (a/k/a a “tell-tale circuit”) that monitors access to a machine. In some such implementations, an encryption/decryption key may be stored in the logic seal. When the logic seal is broken, countermeasures may be taken, e.g., at least some data may be deleted. For example, one or more cryptographic keys may be erased. |
| US08150034B2 |
Method and system for transmitting data from a first data processing device to a second data processing device
A method and a system for transmitting data from a first data processing device to a second data processing device, wherein the first data processing device has a display device. The second data processing device generates an encrypted input mask and transmits it to the first data processing device which displays it. The encrypted input mask is decrypted by being viewed through an optical filter having a decryption pattern, and the data to be transmitted are input to the first data processing device using the input mask that has been decrypted by the optical filter and are transmitted to the second data processing device. |
| US08150030B2 |
Cryptographic hashing device and method
A device and a method of cryptographically hashing a message M, including the following steps: forming a sequence (M1, . . . , Mi, . . . , Mc) of data m-tuples M1=(a1,1, . . . , a1,m), . . . Mi=(ai,1, . . . , ai,m), . . . , Mc=ac,1, . . . , ac,m), where m is a strictly positive integer, from said message M; iteratively calculating successive output p-tuples V1, . . . , Vi, . . . , Vc, where p is a strictly positive integer, corresponding to said sequence (M1, . . . , Mi, . . . , Mc) of data m-tuples as a function of at least one set of multivariate polynomials defined over a finite field; and determining a hashing value of said message M as a function of the last output p-tuple Vc. |
| US08150027B2 |
Control of echo cancellation filters
Coefficients of an adaptive filter representative of an acoustic channel between an emitted acoustic signal and a microphone signal are determined and smoothed in time. An echo is then estimated by filtering the emitted acoustic signal with the smoothed coefficients. Properties of the estimated echo and of the microphone signal are estimated. The echo cancellation filter is controlled as a function of a comparison between the properties of the estimated echo and those of the microphone signal so as to take into account the potential presence of a signal other than an echo signal in the microphone signal. |
| US08150024B1 |
Methods and systems for setting a volume level of ringback media presented to a calling party
Methods and systems are disclosed for setting a volume level of ringback media presented to a calling party. The method may include receiving at a ringback server an indication of ambient noise at a client device, using the received indication as a basis to set a volume level of the ringback media, and transmitting the ringback media at the volume level, for receipt by the client device. |
| US08150022B2 |
Call center queue management
Call center queue management includes a method for calculating an average capability for each of a plurality of agents obtaining all completion data for each agent. The call completion data is used to calculate a historical average for each agent. The historical average is used to calculate an average capability for each agent. |
| US08150018B2 |
System and method for provisioning connections as a distributed digital cross-connect over a packet network
A method includes receiving a request to provision a path associated with at least a portion of a packet network and determining whether a router is associated with the path in the packet network. The method also includes provisioning a first connection between a first gateway and a second gateway when the router is not associated with the path. The method further includes provisioning a second connection between the first gateway and the router and a third connection between the router and the second gateway when the router is associated with the path. In addition, the method includes at least one of associating and disassociating a first endpoint of the first gateway and a second endpoint of the second gateway with one or more of the connections. |
| US08150017B2 |
Phone dialer with advanced search feature and associated method of searching a directory
A method of retrieving a directory listing includes steps of storing a plurality of directory listings, each listing searchable by a plurality of keys, each of the keys comprising a plurality of symbols selected from a subset of an alphabet; receiving a sequence of inputs each designating a plurality of the symbols; identifying a number of the directory listings having at least one of the keys consistent with the sequence of inputs; displaying candidate ones of the directory listing having the at least one of the keys consistent with the sequence of inputs; and selecting one of the candidate directory listings to be contacted. |
| US08150008B2 |
Telecommunications data processing system and terminal and a method of operating it
A telecommunications data processing system comprising a terminal (T) adapted to send a telecommunications service request to a telecommunications infrastructure (IT1) associated with a data-storage infrastructure (IT2) for storing data (DE) about the utilization of the telecommunications service. The telecommunications terminal (T) includes means for producing service utilization data (DE), which data relates to the telecommunications terminal (T) and is based on data (DT) contained in an end-of-service and triggering message sent by the data-storage infrastructure (IT2). |
| US08150006B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing call correlation across network elements
Method and apparatus for performing call correlation across network elements are disclosed. For example, the method receives by a first correlation engine one or more Call Detail Records (CDRs) from one or more network elements at a completion of a call wherein each of said one or more CDRs contains a correlation identification and a service identification. The method identifies a list of expected CDRs for said call and determines whether all of said expected CDRs for said call are received. The method then creates a CDR set for the call. |
| US08149999B1 |
Generating reference variations
A method includes receiving information provided to a caller in response to an utterance from the caller. The utterance may be associated with identifying an item of interest. The method may also include generating a reference variation associated with identifying the item of interest based on the utterance. |
| US08149995B2 |
Providing notifications using text-to-speech conversion
Methods and systems for providing electronic notifications are described. A server is configured to serve an interface, such as a Web page, to a terminal that requests from a user a first set of user contacts to be used to provide notifications to the user by a telephonic notification system in response to a notification process initiated by an organization associated with the user. The interface further requests a first set of priorities corresponding to the first set of user contacts, wherein the notification system will attempt to provide notifications to the first set user contracts in an order based at least in part on the first set of priorities. A database is configured to store the first set of user contacts and the first set of priorities. A voice interface circuit is configured to transmit a voice notification to at least one of the first set of user contacts. |
| US08149994B2 |
Electronic surveillance system in communication network and method thereof
Provided are an electronic surveillance system and a method thereof. In the electronic surveillance system that performs electronic surveillance on a subscriber in a communication network, the electronic surveillance system includes: one or more communication service providers that provide retained data, which is information generated while the subscriber uses a communication service; a dedicated storage that stores and manages the retained data provided by the communication service providers; and a law enforcement agency that requests the dedicated storage to send electronic surveillance information on a specific subscriber so as to be provided with the surveillance information when the electronic surveillance information on the specific subscriber is required. Accordingly, retained data, which is subscriber electronic surveillance information is integrally managed and stored in a dedicated storage. Thus, a communication service provider can reduce costs when a law enforcement agency requests subscriber electronic surveillance information. Furthermore, the subscriber electronic surveillance information can be efficiently managed. |
| US08149993B2 |
Evaluating performance of a voice mail sub-system in an inter-messaging network
One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for evaluating the performance of a network interface sub-system of an inter-messaging network of voice mail systems. This preferred embodiment includes a network query device that connects to the inter-messaging network and requests a test data file to be retrieved from a particular voice mail network interface sub-system in the inter-messaging network. The requests for the test data file are generated according to user command. Accordingly, the performance of a network interface sub-system in the inter-messaging network, as represented by the result of the request attempt, is evaluated according to a defined level of performance, such as a preferred time limit. Other systems and methods are also provided. |
| US08149989B2 |
Device for destruction-free inspection of a conveyor belt
A device for non-destructive inspection of a conveyor belt made from an elastomeric material has a carrying side for the goods to be conveyed, a running side, and an embedded strength support, whereby the conveyor belt is set in motion. A radiation source emits rays in the direction of the belt surface, which rays are so energy-rich that they pass through the conveyor belt, whereby a process computer evaluates the result of the irradiation test. |
| US08149985B2 |
Shift register with low power consumption
A shift register comprising a plurality of shift register stages {SN}, N=1, 2, . . . , M, M being a nonzero positive integer. Each of the plurality of shift register stages, SN, comprises a first input, a second input, a third input for receiving a first clock signal CK, a fourth input for receiving a second clock signal XCK, an output for providing an output signal OUT(N), therefrom. The plurality of stages {SN} is electrically connected to each other in serial such that the first input of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the output of the (N−1)-th shift register stage SN−1 for receiving an output signal OUT(N−1) therefrom, the second input of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the output of the (N+1)-th shift register stage SN+1 for receiving an output signal OUT(N+1) therefrom, and the output of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the first input of the (N+1)-th shift register stage, SN+1 for providing the output signal OUT(N+1) thereto. |
| US08149980B2 |
System and method for implementing a phase detector to support a data transmission procedure
A system and method for effectively supporting a data transmission procedure includes a phase-locked loop with a phase detector that compares a clock signal and input data to generate a phase error signal for adjusting the clock signal that is generated from a voltage-controlled oscillator. The phase detector includes a positive-edge detector circuit that generates an edge detection signal P to indicate whether data transitions are present in the input data. The phase detector also includes a lead/lag indicator circuit that generates a lead/lag indicator signal T to indicate whether the clock signal is early or late with respect to the input data. |
| US08149979B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling of clock information in serial link ports
A receiver for a serial link port that is enhanced by a clock-data-recovery loop connected to the forwarded clock signal lane. The receiver includes a phase interpolation means controlled by a phase position logic which gets its update signal from local phase update signals of the clock-data-recovery loop via a digital low pass filter. The receiver also provides a global phase update source selection logic to control which clock-data-recovery loop is distributing phase update information, and which clock-data-recovery loop is receiving phase update information based on the clock analysis block. |
| US08149971B2 |
Multiple-branch wireless receiver
A wireless receiver detects signals received at two or more antennas, with each antenna coupled to an input receive chain. A switch is employed to couple selected input receive chains to one or more corresponding output receive chains during listening, coarse-detection, and fine-adjustment modes. At least one channel selection filter (CSF) is employed in each output receive chain, and the receiver employs sub-ranging. During idle mode, one antenna's input receive chain is connected to two or more CSFs to detect the packet. When the packet is detected, during a coarse-adjustment mode, the CSFs are reconfigured to couple each antenna's input receive chain to a corresponding output receive chain using low-gain signals. During fine-adjustment mode, the various gains are adjusted to be either high- or low-gain to maintain signals within the dynamic range of the corresponding CSFs. |
| US08149968B2 |
Estimating a signal-to-interference ratio in a receiver of a wireless communications system
A Signal-to-Interference Ratio of a radio channel is estimated in a receiver of a wireless communications system, wherein pilots with reference information are modulated on some sub-carriers in some symbols. At least one parameter for signals received from said first transmitter is detected, and a number (Nf, Nt) of pilots in first groups that can be coherently combined in a second group is determined, and from these a channel estimate (H) for each first group and a first covariance estimate (R) for each second group are determined. A number (M) of first covariance estimates that can be averaged is defined in dependence of the presence of signals from possible interfering transmitters, and a second covariance estimate is determined as an average of said number of first covariance estimates. From the channel estimates and the second covariance estimate a Signal-to-Interference Ratio for each second group is estimated. |
| US08149964B2 |
Symbol scaling with automatic gain control for wireless communication
Techniques for scaling symbols to account for large abrupt changes in received power at a user equipment (UE) are described. The UE performs AGC on received samples to obtain input samples. The UE processes (e.g., CDMA demodulates) the input samples to obtain first symbols. The UE determines the power of the input samples and derives a symbol gain based on (e.g., inversely related to) the power of the input samples. The UE scales the first symbols with the symbol gain to obtain detected data symbols having approximately constant amplitude, even with large abrupt changes in the power of the input samples. The UE estimates signal amplitude and noise variance based on the detected data symbols, computes LLRs for code bits of the detected data symbols based on the signal amplitude and noise variance, and decodes the LLRs to obtain decoded data. |
| US08149962B2 |
Estimating frequency shift
Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for estimating a frequency shift. An apparatus for estimating a frequency shift includes a fast Fourier transform unit to transform a signal of a time domain into a frequency domain and output fast Fourier transform symbols. A complex conjugate multiplier is in communication with the fast Fourier transform unit and output a continual pilot correlation between every two of the fast Fourier transform symbols output from the fast Fourier transform unit. A correlation memory unit is in communication with the complex conjugate multiplier to store the continual pilot correlation output from the complex conjugate multiplier. An adder is in communication with the correlation memory unit to add the continual pilot correlations stored in the correlation memory unit and generate an output signal comprising estimated values of the frequency shift. |
| US08149957B2 |
Apparatus and method for interference cancellation in a broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for interference cancellation in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. A receiving apparatus includes an estimator, a channel compensator, and a demodulator. The estimator estimates channels of a desired signal and at least one interference signal, estimates noise, calculates a mean interference power of each interference signal, and calculates a mean noise power. The channel compensator channel-compensates burst data. The demodulator calculates a noise variance value by adding the mean noise power to the at least one mean interference power and creates Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) by demodulating the channel-compensated data. |
| US08149952B2 |
Multi-mode receiver
A multi-mode receiver system for processing signals based on a plurality of systems is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide for a shared architecture for processing baseband signals corresponding to a plurality of systems. |
| US08149951B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A digital broadcast system including a broadcast receiving system and data processing method are disclosed. In the broadcast receiving system receiving broadcast signals, the broadcast receiving system includes a transmission parameter decoding unit, a known sequence detector, and a burst controller. The transmission parameter decoding unit detects information on a burst of a received signal from broadcast data having main service data and mobile service data multiplexed therein within a field of the received signal and outputs the detected information on the burst. The known sequence detector receives burst information from the transmission parameter decoding unit and uses the received burst information and known data position information included in the received data, so as to output burst control information. The burst controller uses the burst control information to control power supply of the broadcast receiving system. |
| US08149949B2 |
Radio transmitter apparatus, radio receiver apparatus, and wireless communication system
A wireless communication system capable of obtaining diversity gain without fail even when the distribution of the reception qualities is large. In a radio transmitter apparatus (100) of the wireless communication system, a repetition/constellation pattern ratio deciding part (113) adjusts the number of constellations to be used by a modulating part (102) and also adjusts the number of replicas of a repetition part (103) in such a manner that the product of the number of constellation patterns to be used by the modulating part (102), that is, the number of outbound symbols to be generated and the number of outbound symbols as replicated by the repetition part (103) becomes equal to the number of outbound symbols generated from a single transmission data notified from a control information extracting part (112). |
| US08149948B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data are disclosed. Herein, a transmitting system within the digital broadcasting system includes a byte-symbol converter, an interleaving unit, a block formatter, and a trellis encoding module. Herein, the byte-symbol converter converts inputted mobile service data to symbol units. The interleaving unit is provided with (N−1) number of block interleavers in parallel, and interleaves the symbols outputted from the byte-symbol converter. The block formatter controls output orders of the mobile service data being inputted and data being outputted from each block interleaver within the interleaving unit. The trellis encoding module is provided with a plurality of trellis encoders in parallel, and enables each trellis encoder trellis-encode the mobile service data. |
| US08149946B2 |
Joint transceiver design for MIMO communications
A method and apparatus for transmitting data in a MIMO communication system, the method including encoding at least one data symbol by implementing a first precoding scheme, the first preceding scheme including a precoder derived from a first channel state information (CSI). The method further includes selecting at least one antenna that maximizes the first CSI, the at least one antenna being selected by implementing a first selection scheme, and transmitting the at least one data symbol via the at least one antenna. |
| US08149937B2 |
Signal receiver and method for estimating residual doppler frequencies of signals thereof
The invention provides a signal receiver. The signal receiver comprises a carrier removal module, a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) module, and a signal processor. The carrier removal module generates a carrier signal with a frequency of an estimated carrier frequency, generates at least one delta carrier signal with a frequency of the carrier frequency plus a delta frequency, removes the carrier signal from a first signal to obtain a second signal, and removes the delta carrier signal from the first signal to obtain a third signal. The FFT module derives a series of first FFT values from the second signal, and derives a series of second FFT values from the third signal. The signal processor estimates the carrier frequency of the second signal to obtain the estimated carrier frequency, determines the delta frequency for the carrier removal module, estimates a residual Doppler frequency of the second signal according to both the first FFT values and the second FFT values, and adjusts the estimated carrier frequency according to the residual Doppler frequency. |
| US08149936B2 |
Apparatus and methods for tile and assignment processing
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for synchronizing tile processing and assignment processing in a communication device. In particular, the methods and apparatus utilize a tile processing scorecard with a number of assertable bits corresponding to a number of tiles to be tile processed. As each tile is tile processed, the scorecard or bit indicators are asserted to indicate that the tile has been processed. Assignment jobs, which involve codewords having information from symbols in multiple tiles are processed after all of the pertinent tiles are tile processed. The scorecard information is accessible for assignment processing to determine which tiles have been processed, thus affording synchronization of tile processing with assignment processing, while maximizing the independence of these two processing operations. Tile processing operations may further use the scorecard information to prioritize or order tile processing in relation to known queued assignment jobs. |
| US08149935B2 |
Digital broadcast receiver and digital broadcast receiving apparatus
An FFT unit generates a frequency-domain signal for one-segment broadcasting and a frequency-domain signal for full-segment broadcasting. Under a good reception environment, the frequency-domain signal for the full-segment broadcasting is extracted by a switching control unit and the transmitted data for the full-segment broadcasting are recovered. When the reception environment deteriorates, both the one-segment broadcasting and the full-segment broadcasting are temporary demodulated. After a delay time due to the demodulation process has passed, a reception mode is switched from the full-segment broadcasting to the one-segment broadcasting. |
| US08149932B2 |
Transport stream generating device, transmitting device, receiving device, and a digital broadcast system having the same, and method thereof
A transport stream (TS) generating apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a digital broadcast system having the above, and a method thereof are provided. The digital broadcast system includes a transport stream (TS) generating apparatus which generates a multi transport stream (TS) by multiplexing a normal stream and a turbo stream having a variable coding rate, a transmitting apparatus which re-constructs the multi TS by processing the turbo stream, and transmits the re-constructed multi TS, and a receiving apparatus which receives the re-constructed multi TS, and decodes the normal stream and the turbo stream respectively, to recover normal data and turbo data. Accordingly, a multi TS, which includes normal stream and a turbo stream of various coding rates, can be transmitted and received efficiently. |
| US08149931B2 |
Multi-carrier transmission process and system in a difficult environment with optimisation of emission power
The invention proposes a data transmission process, from a first unit (1) situated at a predetermined depth of an oil well to a second unit (2) situated at the surface of this well, the process comprising a digital-analog conversion stage (8) of the data to obtain an analog signal forming support of the data, and an amplification stage (9) of this signal prior to its emission in a cable (11) connecting the two units, characterized in that at least two distinct scramblings (20, 21) of the data are completed, such that there is a first and a second set of scrambled data. After passage in a single complex inverse Fourier transform, that intended for emission is selected (26), whereof the dynamic in amplitude is the lowest. If the probability of saturating with a single set is 10−q, then due to this process the probability will be 10−2q. |
| US08149930B2 |
Radio apparatus
Among destination terminal apparatuses to which a plurality of data signals are to be transmitted, a control unit specifies a terminal apparatus to which a known signal, whose number of streams is greater than the number of streams for a data signal, is to be transmitted. The control unit appends a known signal, whose number of streams is greater than the number of streams for this data signal, to the data signal which is to be transmitted to the specified terminal apparatus. While assigning the data signal, to which the known signal has been appended, to a posterior part of the plurality of data signals, the control unit generates packet signals in a manner that a known signal, whose number of streams corresponds to the number of streams for a data signal in a header portion, is appended to a header portion of the plurality of data signals. |
| US08149923B2 |
Image decoding method, image coding method, image decoding apparatus, and image coding apparatus
To provide an image decoding method allowing decoding of a multiview video even when no prefix NAL units are used. The image decoding method includes: parsing NAL units of a base view; decoding an image of the base view; parsing MVC extension parameters of a non-base view; searching whether or not prefix NAL units for a base view are present; either computing MVC extension parameters for the base view when no prefix NAL units are present or parsing the MVC extension parameters of the base view when prefix NAL units for the base view are present; and decoding the non-base view using the MVC extension parameters of the base view and the MVC extension parameters of the non-base view. |
| US08149922B2 |
Device and method for merging different video codec
A video unified codec device and corresponding video method. The unified codec device includes parsing and decoding functional units (PD FUs) extracting and grouping context information, control signals, and data in bit streams inputted according to different syntax data per codec, macro-block-based functional units (MB-based FUs) comprising block-based process units of each codec, for decoding data outputted from PD FUs, and a global control unit (GCU) for controlling MB-based FUs grouped after corresponding control signals and context information received from PD FUs to each codec and processing. |
| US08149921B2 |
Method of decoding a macroblock based on a macroblock level of the macroblock
In one embodiment, the method includes determining a reference field picture from a reference picture list composed of reference frames using index information for a reference field and index information for a reference frame. The determined reference field picture has a same parity as the current macroblock or a different parity from the current macroblock based on whether the index information for the reference field is an even number or a odd number. The determined reference field picture has a same parity as the current macroblock if the index information for the reference field is an even number. The determined reference field picture has a different parity from the current macroblock if the index information for the reference field is a odd number. |
| US08149920B2 |
Device and method for merging codecs
A unified codec device and a method thereof are disclosed. The unified codec device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a decoding control unit, which sets a connection relation of functional units by interpreting connection information from an inputted universal bitstream or data, and a functional group, which consists of a plurality of functional units and in which functional units corresponding to a sequential start control of the decoding control unit are sequentially activated to process a bitstream or the data, using the control parameter, to output the inputted bitstream as image data. Using the functional unit recombination technique in accordance with the present invention, the bitstreams based on various decoding standards can be encoded/decoded without restriction. |
| US08149919B2 |
Method of decoding a macroblock based on a macroblock level of the macroblock
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a reference picture list including multiple reference pictures, and determining an initial reference picture index of the multiple reference pictures in the reference picture list based on display order information for the multiple reference pictures. The reference picture index numbers increase for reference pictures having a decreasing display order with respect to a picture including the macroblock, and the reference picture numbers increase for reference pictures having an increasing display order with respect to the picture including the macroblock. The reference picture index numbers of the reference pictures having a decreasing display order are greater than the reference picture index numbers of the reference pictures having an increasing display order. The initial reference picture index is selectively modified to produce a determined reference picture index based on the macroblock level of the macroblock. The determined reference picture index is the initial reference picture index if the macroblock level of the macroblock is a frame, and the determined reference picture index is a modification of the initial reference picture index if the macroblock level of the macroblock is a field. The macroblock is decoded by selecting at least one reference picture from the reference picture list using the determined reference picture index. |
| US08149912B2 |
Interpolation of video compression frames
Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation. |
| US08149910B2 |
Image encoding/image decoding method and image encoding/image decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes dividing an input picture into a plurality of pixel block signals, performing intra prediction for extrapolating or interpolating a prediction pixel using reference pixels changed in number according to a distance between the prediction pixel and a reference pixel in plural prediction modes each representing a prediction direction, generating a predictive image signal by extrapolating or interpolating the prediction pixel, calculating a prediction error signal from the pixel block signal and the predictive image signal, selecting one prediction mode of the plural prediction modes using the prediction error signal, and performing entropy-coding using the prediction error signal based on the selected prediction mode. |
| US08149909B1 |
Video encoding control using non-exclusive content categories
In some embodiments, macroblock-level encoding parameters are assigned to weighted Linear combinations of corresponding content-category-level encoding parameters. A macroblock quantization parameter (QP) modulation is set to a weighted linear combination of content category QP modulations. Content categories may identify potentially overlapping content types. The combination weights may be similarity measures describing macroblock similarities to content categories. A macroblock may be associated with multiple content categories, with different similarity levels for different content categories. A similarity measure for a given macroblock with respect to a content category may be defined as a number (between 0 and 8) of neighboring macroblocks that meet a similarity condition, provided the macroblock meets a qualification condition. The similarity condition may be computationally simpler than the qualification condition. Content-category-level statistics are generated by combining block-level statistics. Content-category-level statistics may be used in encoding subsequent frames. |
| US08149908B2 |
Method and device for controlling peak power and pulse width of a broadband gaussian pulse high-power RF transmitter
A device for generating a modulation signal for an RF pulse transmitter is disclosed. The device includes a detector, a video amplifier, an analog processing device, and a modulation signal generating device. The modulation signal generating device is configured to receive an information cue from the analog processing device and to output the modulation signal. The modulation signal generating device includes a digital processing device and a signal generating device. The digital processing device is configured to receive a transmission synchro signal and the information cue and to generate a first control signal and a second control signal. The signal generating device is configured to generate a variable-amplitude Gaussian-shaped signal in response to the first control signal, to generate a variable-amplitude square-shaped signal in response to the second control signal, and to generate the modulation signal according to the Gaussian-shaped signal and the square-shaped signal. |
| US08149907B2 |
Adaptive equalization apparatus with equalization parameter setting adaptively adjusted according to edges of equalizer output monitored in real-time manner and related method thereof
An adaptive equalization apparatus is provided. The adaptive equalization apparatus includes an equalizer, a monitor circuit, and a control circuit. The equalizer receives a first signal, and equalizes the first signal according to an equalization parameter setting to thereby generate a second signal. The monitor circuit is electrically connected to the equalizer, and monitors edges of the second signal in a real-time manner to thereby generate a detection result. The control logic is electrically connected to the equalizer, and adaptively adjusts the equalization parameter setting according to the detection result. |
| US08149905B1 |
System and method for doppler frequency estimation
A method and apparatus in a multiple sub-carrier digital communication receiver estimates a Doppler frequency bandwidth. The Doppler frequency bandwidth is estimated by comparing a first set of channel estimates to a second set of channel estimates generated by Wiener filter interpolation of the first set of channel estimates. The Wiener interpolation filter coefficients are generated for various Doppler frequency bandwidths. Pre-determined transmit pilot symbols may be used to generate the first set of channel estimates in an OFDM communication system. A set of Wiener filter interpolation errors may be generated at one or more sub-carrier frequencies, for each of the different Doppler frequency bandwidths, and averaged across time and/or frequency. The Doppler frequency estimation method and apparatus may select a Doppler frequency estimate based on the set of Wiener filter interpolation errors. |
| US08149904B2 |
Asymmetric digital subscriber line modem apparatus and methods therefor
Provided is a system and method for a modem including one or more processing paths. Also included is a number of interconnected modules sequentially arrayed along the one or more paths. Each module is configured to (i) process signals passed along the paths in accordance with the sequence and (ii) implement predetermined functions to perform the processing. Further, each of the modules has a particular degree of functional programmability and the degrees of functional programmability monotonically vary in accordance with the sequence. |
| US08149902B1 |
Methods to relax the second order intercept point of transceivers
Methods to relax the second order intercept point of transceivers for multi-carrier and OFDM (such as IEEE 802.11a/g and 802.16) based zero IF wireless receivers that need to work in an environment with strong jamming signals, such as, for example, WLAN modules in Smart Phones. Due to the poor IP2 of WLAN (wireless local area network) receivers, unacceptable DC signals are produced in the I,Q quadrature paths when a strong out-of-band signal is received, e.g., from a co-located GSM phone. This completely destroys the received WLAN packet, resulting in an unacceptably high PER (packet error rate). In one aspect, the mixer reference for the receiver is effectively shifted (corrected) to accurately match the carrier of the received signal. In another aspect, the carrier is uncorrected for transmission. In still another aspect, a continuous DC correction is made on a per symbol basis. In still another aspect, the DC correction and the frequency correction are used together. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08149901B2 |
Channel switching circuit
An active routing circuit. In representative embodiments, the active routing circuit includes a channel switch which includes a transceiver and a switch. The transceiver has first data line, second data line, drive/receive control line, and receiver select control line. The switch has first contact connected to first data line, second contact connected to second data line, and switch control line. In a driver mode, the transceiver can receive data from first data line and output that data to second data line, and in receiver mode, can receive data from second data line and output that data to first data line. The transceiver can switch between driver mode and receiver mode in response to a signal. Data received from the second data line can be blocked in response to another signal. The switch can shift between connecting and disconnecting first contact to/from second contact in response to yet another signal. |
| US08149898B2 |
Mobile communication system receiver, path tracking method, and control program thereof
To prevent disabling of the path tracking function.A path allocation unit allocates a signal power peak of a delay profile crated by a delay profile creation unit as a path to a finger reception unit. When tracking a path which has been allocated by the path allocation unit, it is judged whether a path tracking region set for each path is overlapped with a mask region. The path is tracked by performing a process not to cause a loss of a path tracking function due to overlap. Demodulation of the path which has been allocated is performed by a finger reception unit. Each of the demodulated signals outputted from the finger reception unit are rake combined to reproduce the transmitted information signal. |
| US08149894B2 |
Wideband frequency hopping spread spectrum transceivers and related methods
Ultra-wideband frequency hopping spread spectrum (UWB-FHSS) solutions are used for transceiver architectures. These UWB-FHSS transceiver architectures can transmit and accurately digitize frequency hops over an extremely wide bandwidth while using a relatively slow analog-to-digital converter (ADC) without suffering from unacceptable performance degradation. For example, ADCs can be used having sample rates lower than standard Nyquist criteria would require for the bandwidth of the spread spectrum utilized. |
| US08149893B2 |
Reliable wireless communication system using adaptive frequency hopping
A method and system, the method including determining a frequency quality measurement value for each of a plurality of frequencies a network coordinator can use in a frequency hopping sequence for communicating with a client, classifying each of the plurality of communication frequencies into one of a plurality of different categories based on a relative ranking of the determined frequency quality measurement value of each of the plurality of frequencies, generating, by the network coordinator, a frequency hopping sequence to be used for communication between the network coordinator and the client, the generated hopping sequence including only select frequencies from the plurality of frequencies in a predetermined number of future time slots that minimize a probability of a predetermined number of consecutive frequency hop failures in the predetermined number of future time slots, and notifying the client of the generated frequency hopping sequence to be used for communication. |
| US08149882B2 |
System and method for operating a bus system
A bus system for the real-time communication of a superordinate unit with one or more subordinate units is used for exchanging address and data information via a bus. For the rapid exchange of messages, further fields are provided between the fields for the address and data information. |
| US08149881B2 |
Centralized node clock auto reconfiguration
The invention is directed to a method and system for providing centralized automated synchronization clock reconfiguration in packet switched telecommunications networks having network nodes that do not implement Synchronization Status Messaging (SSM) internally. This is especially useful when integrating TDM networks with packet switching network elements having T1 and E1 interfaces. |
| US08149880B1 |
Media streaming synchronization
A system and method for synchronously transmitting media data is described. Synchronization data may be transmitted by a cycle master for receipt by one or more cycle slaves. A cycle slave may update an internal state based on the synchronization data received from the cycle master. The cycle master may transmit media data to multiple cycle slaves. The media data output by the cycle slaves may be determined, in part, by the internal state. In one embodiment, the media data may determine which cycle slave receives particular media data. |
| US08149870B2 |
Method and apparatus for forwarding data in ethernet
The present invention provides a method for forwarding data in the Ethernet, an Ethernet physical layer cross apparatus, an Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) layer cross apparatus, an Ethernet IP layer cross apparatus and cross cascade systems. In the method of the present invention includes the following features: configuring cross relationships between network device interfaces; determining whether an interface has a cross relationship with other interfaces according to the cross relationships configured after receiving data from the interface; sending the data to an interface which has a cross relationship with the interface from which the data is received if the interface from which the data is received has a cross relationship with other interfaces; and proceeding with existing forwarding processing in each layer if the interface from which the data is received does not have a cross relationship with other interfaces. The solution of the present invention dramatically reduces workload of network devices in the Ethernet and improves forwarding performance of the network devices. |
| US08149866B2 |
System and method for filtering communications at a network interface controller
A system and method and method for filtering communications at a network interface controller is provided. The network interface controller is coupled to a baseboard management controller through a sideband communications channel. The network interface controller filters packets to the baseboard management controller on the basis of the address within the packet that identifies the device that caused the packet to be generated. The network interface controller transmits to the baseboard management controller only those packets that were generated in response to a command issued by the baseboard management controller. |
| US08149865B2 |
Cognitive radio communication terminal and method for detecting collision using feature detection
A cognitive radio communication terminal including a transmission processing unit to divide data by a quiet time slot that is allocated at a first point in time of a collision detection period, to transmit at least one portion of the divided data to a reception side, and a sensing unit to determine whether at least one of a feature information and an energy of another terminal is detected in a channel with the reception side during the quiet time slot of the first point in time. Where neither the feature information nor the energy of the other terminal is detected based on a determination of the sensing unit, the transmission processing unit transmits the remaining divided data. |
| US08149864B2 |
Wireless communication terminal and wireless communication method
A communication terminal used in a mobile communication system complying with a carrier sense multiple access scheme is disclosed. The communication terminal includes: a receiving unit configured to receive a wireless packet transmitted by another communication terminal or a base station; a determination unit configured to determine periodic transmission timing of the communication terminal based on determination criterion information included in the wireless packet; and a transmission unit configured to periodically transmit wireless packets to the base station based on the transmission timing. |
| US08149862B1 |
Multi-protocol communication circuit
A multi-protocol communication circuit, for example, a serializer-deserializer (SerDes) circuit for communicating between an internal logic circuit and an external link includes a select terminal configured to accept a select signal representing a plurality of mode select signal. A SerDes core is coupled to the select terminal and configured to transmit outbound data conforming with a first communication protocol in response to a first mode select signal and conforming with a second communication protocol in response to a second mode select signal. The SerDes core is also configured to receive inbound data respective to a first communication protocol in response to a first mode select signal and respective to a second communication protocol in response to a second mode select signal. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between integrated circuits that employ different SerDes protocols. |
| US08149861B2 |
Method and transmission apparatus for transmitting data in a coax network
A method and apparatus for transmitting data in a coax network, a coax distribution network including an access point and a plurality of coaxial terminals connected to the access point through splitters, a same physical transmission channel is adopted for transmitting uplink data and downlink data between the access point and each coaxial terminal in the coax distribution network, the method including: Step S1: dividing an entire time duration of a physical transmission channel for transmitting information into time slices to constitute an uplink data transmission channel and a downlink data transmission channel; and Step S2: transmitting uplink data and downlink data between the Ethernet access point and each coaxial terminal at different time slices respectively. The present invention is based on a reconstruction of the Ethernet physical layer of the coax distribution network, where the uplink data and the downlink data are transmitted on the same physical transmission channel by adopting a time division multiplexing method, and MPCP protocol is adopted on the uplink for realizing a MAC layer communications between the Ethernet access point and the plurality of coaxial terminals. |
| US08149853B2 |
Ethernet wide area networks and methods
Ethernet wide area networks and methods are disclosed. A disclosed example Ethernet wide area network includes a first network Ethernet switch having a first network interface and a first service interface. The first service interface is to communicate with a first local area Ethernet switch. The network also includes a second network Ethernet switch having a second network interface and a second service interface. The second service interface is to communicate with the second local area Ethernet switch. The network also includes a root node network Ethernet switch having a third network interface to communicate with the first network interface with the first network Ethernet switch and a fourth network interface to communicate with the second network interface of the second network Ethernet switch. The first, second, third and fourth network interfaces are to route packets from the first local area Ethernet switch to the second local area Ethernet switch without recognizing subscriber LAN MAC addresses associated with either the first or second local area Ethernet switches. |
| US08149848B2 |
Enhanced caller ID information based on access device information via a broadband access gateway
A system and method for providing enhanced information to a user is described. A broadband access gateway communicatively coupled to a plurality of access devices may collect information about multimedia content available on the access devices and/or information exchanged with access devices. The gateway may search the collect information upon receiving information identifying a called or calling party, to find information that may be associated with the called or calling party. Selected items of the information associated with the called or calling party may then be delivered to the access device of the called or calling party. Information accessible to the gateway via a broadband connection may also be made available to the user of the access device. |
| US08149844B1 |
Update acquisition
Determining a next time to communicate via a network with a source of updates is disclosed. In some embodiments, determining a next time to communicate via a network with a source of updates comprises receiving from a request source an update request, and scheduling a next time for the request source to check for updates. In some embodiments, determining a next time to communicate via a network with a source of updates comprises monitoring network communication activity, and in the event anomalous network communication activity is observed, reducing a time remaining until a next check for updates is performed. |
| US08149835B2 |
Apparatus and method for communicating MAC layer data in broadband wireless communication system
Provided is an apparatus and method for varying the length of an error check code of a PDU according to the length of a payload in a broadband wireless communication system. A transmitting apparatus includes a first generator and a second generator. The first generator generates a payload of a PDU. The second generator selects the length of an error check code according to the length of the generated payload, generates an error check code according to the selected length, and suffixes the error check code to the payload. |
| US08149833B2 |
Wideband cable downstream protocol
A network device has a communications port to provide communication with a data network and a cable port to provide communication with a cable network across multiple channels. The network device also has a processor to receive data from the data network, format the data into packets for transmission across the multiple channels and provide an identifier to allow the packets to be reconstructed. |
| US08149832B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for pushing and/or popping multiple multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) labels/shim headers at a single node
An MPLS network is operated by pushing a plurality of MPLS shim headers onto a packet at network node. The packet is replicated to obtain a plurality of packets for transmission on a plurality of paths associated with a plurality of nodes, respectively. At least one MPLS shim header is popped from respective ones of the plurality of packets. The one or more MPLS shim headers that are popped correspond to at least one of the plurality of nodes that is not associated with one of the plurality of paths for which one of the plurality of packets comprising the one or more MPLS shim headers is destined for transmission. The plurality of packets is then transmitted on the plurality of paths, respectively. |
| US08149828B2 |
Switch assembly having multiple blades in a chassis
Methods and apparatus for network communications are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a network switch assembly for network communications comprises a fabric blade. In the example embodiment, the at least one switch comprises a plurality of data port interfaces, where the plurality of data port interfaces are configured to transmit and receive data over a plurality of fabric data ports. The at least one switch of the fabric blade also includes a central processing unit (CPU) interface configured to communicate with an external CPU subsystem. The example network switch assembly also includes a plurality of port blades. Each port blade of the plurality of port blades includes a local CPU and at least one switch. In the example network switch assembly, the at least one switch of each port blade includes a plurality of data port interfaces, where the plurality of data port interfaces being configured to transmit and receive data over a plurality of port data ports. The at least one switch of each port blade in the example network switch assembly also includes a local CPU interface configured to communicate with the local CPU. |
| US08149824B2 |
Method and system for implementing service triggered by off-hook
A method for implementing a service triggered by off-hook includes: sending information of a service triggered by off-hook which is subscribed by a user to a service implementing server; carrying out an operation of the service triggered by off-hook according to the information of the service triggered by off-hook when the user is off-hook. The embodiments of the present invention also provide a system for implementing a service triggered by off-hook. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the service implementing server may carry out the operation of the service triggered by off-hook according to a subscription type of the user to implement the service triggered by off-hook. |
| US08149823B2 |
Computer telephony integration (CTI) systems and methods for enhancing school safety
Methods and systems are disclosed for enabling a dynamic computer telephony integration campus call center that leverages the assets of a school communications system including internal telecommunications networks, information systems, data networks, and applications, of public telecommunications networks, of public data networks, and/or of various communications devices to facilitate improved access, sharing, notification, and/or management of communications (e.g., external and internal communications) and associated data to enhance school safety services. |
| US08149822B2 |
Internet based telephone line
A telephone service method that provides subscribers with the functionality of an extra telephone line during data/Internet sessions. Each subscriber has a unique telephone number Dns that can be dialed by anyone with access to the PSTN. When the Dns is dialed the call will be routed via the PSTN to the ILTD server. The ILTD server upon receiving the call attempt from the Dnc will analyze the dialed number (Dns) and determine if the subscriber's computer is able to receive the telephone call. If the subscriber's computer is actively engaged in an Internet Protocol session, with the ILTD client software running, the ILTD server will connect the call over the Internet to the ILTD client software. The ILTD client software will activate the subscriber's sound card and the microphone to play audio and receive input from the microphone to allow the subscriber and the calling party to have a full duplex telephone conversation (i.e. using voice-over-IP technology). |
| US08149821B2 |
Systems, methods and computer products for logging of incoming calls to an internet protocol television call log
Systems, methods and computer products for the logging of incoming calls to an Internet Protocol Television call log. Exemplary embodiments include a method for logging incoming communication requests related to an Internet-Protocol-enabled device, the method including receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number and name of the caller device and a called party number and name of a called device associated with the communication request, mapping the called party number and name to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number and recording the caller identification information in a log associated with the Internet Protocol-enabled device. |
| US08149820B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting circuit switched interworking
A wireless system performs interworking of a combined circuit switched (CS) session and an IP multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) session between two users having different content capabilities through an interworking circuit switched (CS) and IMS function (IMS CS IWF). |
| US08149817B2 |
Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for providing ATSC interoperability
Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for causing a dataframe to be emitted at an air interface of an antenna. A memory stores a transmission to antenna delay value (TAD). An offset calculator calculates an offset value based on an epoch of a global timebase generator and the transmission to antenna delay value (TAD). An interface controller in communication with the offset calculator communicates a segment synchronization signal and a field synchronization signal based on the offset value. |
| US08149811B2 |
Wireless network with simultaneous uplink transmission of independent data from multiple client stations
A wireless network including client stations and an access point. A first set of client stations transmit uplink user data during a simultaneous uplink transmission period without sensing channel prior to transmitting the uplink user data. A second set of client stations transmit the uplink user data by sensing channel prior to transmitting the uplink user data. The access point (i) services the client stations, (ii) instructs the second set of client stations to not transmit the uplink user data during the simultaneous uplink transmission period, and (iii) receives the uplink user data transmitted from two or more of the first set of client stations during the simultaneous uplink transmission period. The access point sequentially transmits respective acknowledgements to the two or more of the first set of client stations in a non-overlapping manner during the simultaneous uplink transmission period. |
| US08149810B1 |
Data rate adaptation in multiple-in-multiple-out systems
A transmit data rate adaptation method in a multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) system with a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The first transceiver transmits signals to the second transceiver. The second transceiver analyzes channel quality of the received signals and uses link adaptation to generate a shortlist of transmit modes to send back to the first transceiver. The first transceiver cycles through the shortlist of transmit modes to find an optimum transmit mode. |
| US08149809B2 |
Method apparatus and network node for applying conditional CQI reporting
A method for limiting Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) reporting from a User Equipment to a network node is provided where a User Equipment can transmit CQI reports to a network node, such as e.g. a base station, when the User Equipment is operating in low transmission and/or low reception activity mode. A limited CQI reporting is obtained by triggering the reporting according to one or more predefined rules, which to at least some extent depend on CQI specific information provided to the User Equipment from the network node. A User Equipment and a network node adapted to operate in accordance with the suggested method are also provided. |
| US08149808B2 |
Electronic apparatus having communication function and control method
An address of a terminal on a network is fixed during the session. The present invention provides an electronic apparatus that can be connected to a network, including, a communication unit communicating with another electronic apparatus existing on the network, a temporary-address setting unit setting a temporary address that is temporarily valid on the network, an address-requesting unit requesting that an address management apparatus connected to the network should set an address at a predetermined timing, when the temporary address is set, and an address-request stopping unit inhibiting the address-requesting unit from operating, while the communication unit is communicating with the other electronic apparatus, by using the temporary address. |
| US08149803B2 |
Apparatus for a beacon-enabled wireless network, transmission time determination method, and tangible machine-readable medium thereof
An apparatus for a beacon-enabled wireless network, a transmission time determination method, and a tangible machine-readable medium thereof are provided. The apparatus is located within the coverage area of the first equipment. The second equipment is located within the coverage area of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a receive/transmission module and a decision module. The receive/transmission module is configured to receive the beacon of the first equipment. The decision module is configured to decide information of an upload time slot and a download time slot of the apparatus according to the beacon so that the receive/transmission module can perform data transmission with the first equipment by the upload time slot and perform data transmission with the second equipment by the download time slot. According to the aforementioned allocations, transmission collisions can be avoided and delay of transmission times is decreased. |
| US08149802B2 |
Wireless broadband service
A fixed broadband wireless data access service providing shared wide-band packet-switched data transport for high speed data access in areas where conventional ADSL service and fiber optic service are unavailable. The wireless data access service is a point-to-multipoint cellular-type network that connects customers to data service providers through the ATM backbone of an existing network. Customers connect to the ATM backbone and data service provider through a cellular grid in which a wireless base station in each cell communicates with the individual customer wireless equipment within its cell site coverage area. The base stations are connected to an ATM backbone switch through wireless and wireline backhaul links. The upstream and downstream bandwidths of the wireless broadband network are engineered in various symmetric and asymmetric configurations to provide a shared packet-switched connection that emulates an uninterrupted, direct wireline ADSL connection. The wireless broadband network employs a data protocol of shared access bandwidth and adaptive asymmetric data rates to support multiuser service sessions by wireless transmission. The wireless broadband network is not network protocol specific and can be applied to wireless asymmetric digital subscriber line service, wireless integrated service digital network over digital subscriber line service, wireless very high bit rate digital subscriber line service, or wireless symmetric or single-line digital subscriber line service. |
| US08149801B2 |
System and method for geocasting in a mobile ad hoc network
Disclosed is a wireless terminal that determines whether to retransmit a received packet. The wireless terminal is configured to determine a first distance from the wireless terminal to a point (e.g., the center point) in a geocast region. The wireless terminal is also configured to determine a plurality of distances between the point and each of a plurality of wireless terminals from which the wireless terminal has previously received a packet having an identifier that is the same as an identifier of the received packet. The wireless terminal is configured to retransmit the received packet if the first distance is less than each of the plurality of distances. |
| US08149795B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless communication in high-frequency band
A beacon packet is provided. The packet includes a first information field that includes channel-time-allocation information in a wireless network; and information about whether there is residual channel time that can be allocated to a device that belongs to the wireless network. |
| US08149794B2 |
Channel allocation management method for transferring asynchronous data, asynchronous data transferring method, and apparatus thereof
A method of managing channel allocation for asynchronous data transmission includes (a) broadcasting a first superframe for a first beacon period, the first superframe containing a control section and a data slot section; (b) receiving a request frame from at least one wireless device belonging to a network via the control section, the request frame requesting addition of a data slot for asynchronous data transmission; (c) transmitting a response frame to the at least one wireless device via the control section in response to the request frame; and (d) broadcasting a second superframe for a second beacon period, the second superframe containing information regarding a data slot added to the at least one wireless device. |
| US08149788B1 |
Wireless handoffs based upon activity correlation
What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication system. The method includes exchanging communications for a session between a wireless communication device and a destination through a serving access node, receiving a handoff request to handoff the session from the serving access node to a target access node, and selecting the target access node from a plurality of access nodes based upon a correlation between activities of the wireless communication device, one of the plurality of access nodes, and the serving access node. |
| US08149787B2 |
Method and system for coordinating operation modes of a GPRS network
A system and method for coordinating network operation modes of a GPRS network is disclosed. The system includes a database storing a preferred list of network operation modes of the GPRS network that a mobile subscriber registered for. A SGSN detects the status of an interface for GPRS packet data services and reports the status to a BSC. BSC in turn decides which network operation mode to use based on the preferred list. The GPRS network is then switched to the preferred network operation mode. |
| US08149784B2 |
Bridge-based radio access station backbone network system and signal processing method therefor
A bridge-based RAS backbone network system and a signal processing method therefor are provided. In the bridge-based RAS backbone network system, a plurality of BSBs with Layer 2 (L2) switches are connected to a plurality of RASs, and a plurality of SCBs with L2 switches are connected to part of the BSBs in a lower layer, forming a core network. An HLR manages configuration information of network entities by storing the IP addresses and MAC addresses of MNs within the network and the addresses of SCBs to which the MNs belong in a table. Each of the SCBs statically preserves the MAC address of an external default router, for relaying an egress frame, statically registers its individual MAC address in other SCBs in the core network beforehand, detects a destination MN through the HLR, and sends a frame to the SCB of the destination MN or the MAC address of the external default router. |
| US08149780B2 |
Multiplexing scheme in a communication system
A method and apparatus for multiplexing communication resources to multiple users in a communication system is provided. A generic time-frequency (T-F) mapping pattern (TFPgeneric) and a set of orthogonal T-F mapping patterns (TFPs) comprising TFPgeneric is generated. In each transmission time interval (TTI), the set of TFPs is cyclically offset by a random variable and the offset TFPs are allocated to one or more users and/or traffic channels. |
| US08149775B2 |
Transmitting/receiving system and method of processing data in the transmitting/receiving system
A transmitting/receiving system and a data processing method of the same are disclosed herein. The receiving system may include a receiving unit, a signaling decoder, and an FIC handler. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data configuring a data group. Herein, a transmission frame consists of multiple sub-frame, a sub-frame consists of multiple slots, and the data group is allocated to at least one slot. The signaling decoder acquires an FIC segment from the broadcast signal. Herein the FIC segment consists of an 35-byte FIC segment payload including a portion of a signaling information between at least one ensemble and at least one mobile service, and an 2-byte FIC segment header including current/next (C/N) indication information indicating whether data of the FIC segment payload corresponds to information of a current transmission frame or to information of a next transmission frame. The FIC handler recovers at least one of an FIC chunk including signaling information between at least one ensemble and at least one mobile service of the current transmission frame and an FIC chunk including signaling information between at least one ensemble and at least one mobile service of the next transmission frame, from the payload of each FIC segment by using the C/N indication information. |
| US08149772B2 |
Channel quality information reporting method, base station apparatus, and communication terminal
There is provided a base station device for suppressing increase of current consumption at a communication terminal by a line quality information report used for resource allocation of a downstream line and increase of interference of the upstream line traffic. The base station device reports whether a terminal performing communication which may be delayed, to each communication terminal (ST301). When the communication terminal has received a report that it is a terminal performing communication whose delay is not permitted, it reports the line quality information all the report timings (ST302, ST307, ST310). On the other hand, when the terminal is decided to be a terminal performing communication which may be delayed, it reports line quality information on an preferable average line quality sub-carrier group once a predetermined report timing (ST303). |
| US08149763B2 |
Controlling a power level in a wireless communications system with different scrambling codes
A power level of signals transmitted in a wireless communications system under a first or a second scrambling code, is controlled in an inner power control loop, where a quality measure is repetitively estimated and control commands generated from the quality measure and a quality measure reference value, which in an outer power control loop is adjusted in dependence on a performance level calculated for signals received during a time interval. A first value is adjusted in dependence on a performance level for time intervals with all signals transmitted under the first scrambling code and used during such time intervals. A second value is adjusted in dependence on a performance level for time intervals with at least some signals transmitted under the second scrambling code and used during at least a part of such time intervals. |
| US08149760B2 |
Method and mobile system for path management in multi-hop cellular network and data frame used for the method and the mobile system
A mobile system, a mobile system, a method for managing a path in a multi-hop cellular network, and a data frame used in the mobile system. The mobile system includes: an information receiving unit to receive information about at least one of link quality, traffic load, and frequency channel size, via a network; and a path establishment unit to establish a path to a base station based on the received information. |
| US08149759B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing bandwidth request in multihop relay broadband wireless access (BWA) communication system
Apparatuses and methods for processing a bandwidth request in a multihop relay Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) communication system are provided. A communication method of a Relay Station (RS) includes determining a number of bandwidth request ranging codes received from Subscriber Stations (SSs); and reporting the number of the bandwidth request ranging codes to a Base Station (BS). A communication method of the BS includes allocating a resource to an RS to report on a number of detected bandwidth request ranging codes; and receiving a report on the number of the bandwidth request ranging codes using the allocated resource. |
| US08149757B2 |
Bandwidth efficient HARQ scheme in relay network
The present invention provides an enhanced H-ARQ scheme that optimizes bandwidth utilization and spectrum efficiency. When an H-ARQ attempt is unsuccessful due to loss or error over a hop between the BS and MS/SS, then only the first node in the hop chain that fails to decode the packet transmits another H-ARQ attempt. The BS determines the first node that fails on decoding based on certain information such as the feedback information sent from the nodes on the path. The previous node of the failed node is then instructed to retransmit by the BS. |
| US08149753B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating multicast connection identifier used for IP multicast packet transmission over portable internet network and transmitting packet using the multicast connection identifier
Provided is a method and apparatus for allocating a multicast connection identifier (MCID) for Internet protocol (IP) packet transmission over a portable Internet network and transmitting packets using the MCID. More specifically, there is provided a method of defining and allocating an MCID for transmitting an IP version 6 (IPv6) multicast packet over an IEEE 802.16/Wireless Broadband (WiBro) network and a process for transmitting an IP multicast packet of a base station (BS) using the MCID. The method of allocating is related to a method of automatically generating a connection identifier (CID) having 16 bits for packet transmission over the IEEE 802.16/WiBro network in order to transmit the IPv6 multicast packet. In this method, a scope value of the IPv6 multicast packet is added to the MCID. Therefore, multicast packets having an effective IPv6 scope such as a multicast packet in a link-local category, a multicast packet in a site-local category, and a multicast packet in a global category can be transmitted over the IEEE 802.16/WiBro network according to the scope of the multicast packet. Accordingly, when a new IPv6 scope is defined, the method can be naturally applied. |
| US08149748B2 |
Wireless data networking
A meshing network comprising one full function controller (WDC) and a plurality of nodes (WDN, WSN), that is RF quiet capable with very low power consumption and the ability to quickly heal itself and create new network paths. The network uses an addressing scheme that allows for each node to not have a network map but still be able to route messages. A piping scheme allows a mesh to become a high throughput network. A sensor rail protocol definition allows sensor devices to connect to nodes and route messages through the network. |
| US08149746B2 |
Battery level based configuration of a mobile station by a base station
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for battery level based configuration of a mobile station by a base station. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08149742B1 |
System and method for receiving and transmitting signals
A diplexer for steering transmit and receive signals between an antenna and a transmitter and receiver of a radio frequency communication system. The diplexer includes a first quadrature hybrid device configured for bidirectional communication with the antenna and configured for rerouting transmission signals from the transmitter. The diplexer also includes at least one pair of filters coupled to quadrature ports of the quadrature hybrid device. The at least one pair of filters provides a receive signal from the antenna via the quadrature hybrid device through a receive path and routes a transmit signal from the transceiver via the quadrature hybrid device through a transmit path. The at least one filter pair is configured to filter out noise from the receive signal and to reflect the transmit signal energy while allowing noise through from the transmit signal. The diplexer also includes a second quadrature hybrid device configured to receive an output from each of the at least one pair of filters. The second quadrature hybrid device provides the filtered receive signal to the receiver or the noise from the transmit signal to a load. Fast frequency hopping is supported by switching between pairs of filters, which allows the transmitter and receiver to operate across multiple frequencies by hopping from one frequency to another. |
| US08149736B2 |
Distributed storage of routing information in a link state protocol controlled network
A distributed hash table is implemented to store routing information on a network. Node IDs exchanged in connection with implementation of a link state routing protocol are used as keys in the distributed hash table, and routes are stored at one or more nodes on the network. When a route is learned, the route is processed against the set of keys to determine which nodes should store the route. When a route is needed, the route is processed against the set of keys to determine which nodes should have the route information. The manner in which the route is processed against the set of keys is the same in both instances, so that the DHT may be used to store and retrieve route information on the network. The DHT may be implemented to store MAC addresses, IP addresses, MPLS labels, or other information of interest to enable routes to be stored and learned by network elements on the network. |
| US08149734B2 |
Communication network apparatus and method
A communication network apparatus and method for routing communication signals from a source device to a receiving device. The apparatus performs only local processing on communication signals to thereby increase the speed of processing the signals. A plurality of the processing nodes are combined into a plurality of sub-networks that comprise the network apparatus. Each processing node of a sub-network need only process address information pertaining to the node's current layer, one layer above it, if any, and one layer below it, if any. Additionally, each processing node has associated communication signal frequencies/wavelengths that identify the processing node as the intended recipient of the communication signal. When a communication signal having a carrier signal with a frequency/wavelength corresponding to the processing node is received, the processing node demodulates the carrier signal and forwards the communication signal data to a processing module used to process address information to determine how to route the communication signal through the network. Communication signals may be assigned “express” frequencies/wavelengths, in which case, all of the processing nodes, except the destination processing node, of the network pass the communication signal without performing processing on the communication signal. |
| US08149731B2 |
Technique for transferring data over a packet switched network
A technique transfers data over a packet-switched network (PSN), comprising a plurality of intermediate nodes, in a manner that does not require that the intermediate nodes support a network layer infrastructure. A network controller coupled to the intermediate nodes acquires topology information associated with the PSN's topology. This information may include pseudo-wire definitions, ingress and egress interface information, ingress and egress labels, and so on. The network controller generates a transport database from the topology information and distributes the transport database to the intermediate nodes. An intermediate node acquires the transport database information and configures a packet-processing engine (PPE), contained within the intermediate node, to process packets acquired by the intermediate node. |
| US08149725B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for a hierarchical, redundant OAM&P architecture for use in an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for a hierarchical, redundant OAM&P architecture for use in an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for managing an Internet protocol multimedia system (IMS) network. The system includes a network operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) entity for communicating with an operator's network, a system OAM&P entity associated with the network OAM&P entity, and at least one message processing entity associated with the system OAM&P entity for processing signaling information and for implementing at least one application. The system OAM&P entity receives OAM&P information from one or more message processing entities and communicates at least some of the received OAM&P information to the network OAM&P entity. The network OAM&P entity receives OAM&P information from the system OAM&P entity and communicates at least some of the received OAM&P information to the operator's network. |
| US08149723B2 |
Systems and methods for discovering machines
A method for discovering computers connected to a computer network, including receiving a packet containing address information of a computer connected to the computer network that sent the packet, extracting the address information from the packet, and adding the address information to a database of discovered computers connected to the computer network. |
| US08149719B2 |
System and method for marking live test packets
A system and method for preventing a packet of a test pattern from being communicated over a network. A congestion state of the network is determined. The packet is marked as being associated with a test pattern. The packet is determined to be associated with the test pattern in response to the marking. The communication of the packet is terminated in response to the determined congestion state. |
| US08149716B2 |
Systems and methods for adaptive routing in mobile ad-hoc networks and disruption tolerant networks
The systems and methods described herein include adaptive routing processes for packet-based wireless communication networks. This routing approach works both in MANETs (when a contemporaneous end-to-end path is available) and in DTNs (when a contemporaneous end to end path is not available, but one of formed over space and time). In particular, the methods include adaptively selecting a routing process for transmitting a packet through a node in the network based on available information on the network topology and/or the contents of the packet. |
| US08149711B2 |
Data stream control for network devices
A method and apparatus for data stream control for network devices. Some embodiments of an apparatus include a receiver to receive a token for a command associated with a stream of data, where the command is one of multiple command types. The token has a fixed size and format, and the token is provided in a field of a data packet. The apparatus further includes a network unit to determine the type of command based on the token, to parse a set of fields in the data packet for command data, and implement the command. |
| US08149709B2 |
Serialization queue framework for transmitting packets
A method for sending packets. The method includes determining with which of a plurality of virtual serialization queues (VSQs) a first packet is associated, wherein a first application is attempting to issue the first packet, if a first VSQ of the plurality of VSQs has not exceeded a first bandwidth allocation, wherein the first VSQ is associated with the first packet and is associated with the first bandwidth allocation, then sending the first packet to the first VSQ, processing the first packet by a first virtual network stack (VNS) to obtain a first processed packet, wherein the first VSQ is associated with the first VNS, and sending the first processed packet to a physical network interface card (NIC) operatively connected to the first VNS. Alternatively, if the first VSQ has exceeded the first bandwidth allocation, then blocking the first application from issuing the first packet. |
| US08149707B2 |
Minimization of radio resource usage in multi-hop networks with multiple routings
Packets in a multi-hop wireless network are routed based on the available link throughputs, network node congestion and the connectivity of the network in a manner that minimizes the use of radio resources and minimizes delay for packets in multi-hop system. The routing method also avoids congestion in the access network, especially near the network access points as provided by network access nodes. Each wireless network node maintains a link table for storing link conditions and associated route costs. Packets are routed according to the low cost route. Subsequent wireless network nodes evaluate whether a lower cost route is available and, if so, route the data packet according to the lower cost route. Every wireless network node transmits the data packet, a specified route and a time stamp indicated a time of the last data entry in the link table that was used to calculate the low cost route. |
| US08149706B2 |
Method and system for adjusting bandwidth using multiple timers
An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjusting bandwidth allocations for traffic-engineered tunnels used to carry traffic along a network. Traffic over the tunnel is sampled at a first interval period and at a second interval period, where the second interval period is shorter than the first interval period. A determination is made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation is adjusted upward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation. Also, a determination can be made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation can be adjusted downward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation. |
| US08149705B2 |
Packet communications unit
To analyze traffic at an application level, a stream according to TCP or SCTP is required to be reconstructed and to be analyzed. When a packet is transferred to analyzing equipment using a port mirroring function with which a router and a switch are provided, transferred traffic volume increases and exceeds the throughput of the analyzing equipment. As only a part of packets configuring a stream is transferred to the analyzing equipment in transfer to the analyzing equipment using a packet sampling function, analysis at the application level is impossible. To solve the problem, when a packet communication unit recognizes a stream start packet, samples a stream initiated by the packet on a condition and at a rate respectively determined beforehand and generates a condition for copying the packet based upon information of both ends of the stream included in the packet, packets sampled in units of stream can be transferred to the analyzing equipment. |
| US08149703B2 |
Powerline network bridging congestion control
In a powerline network, a power line node device coupled to a host bridge application detects a “jam packet” in response to an attempt to pass a frame to the host bridge application. The powerline node device uses internal logic to override a conventional ARQ response to this and subsequent frames, in particular, when such frames are of the type for which a response is expected, with an automatic FAIL response for a predetermined time interval. |
| US08149697B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for discovering services in a network device
According to one embodiment, a method for discovering services within a social network is provided. The method includes receiving a request from a requesting node for one or more services provided by an originating node, each service comprising an access ticket for accessing the service via a social network. The method further includes determining whether the requesting node has access rights to the one or more services, and providing one or more access tickets to the requesting node upon determining that the requesting node has access rights to one or more respective services. |
| US08149696B2 |
Methods and system for admission control and scheduling in ad hoc wireless networks
Methods and system for admission control and scheduling in ad hoc wireless networks are provided. The method for admission control and scheduling in ad hoc wireless networks for different class of flows C1, C2 and C3 is provided where said admission control mechanism evaluate the probability of QoS violation and admit those calls whose probability of QoS violation is below a specified threshold. Admission Control for Class C1 evaluates the probability where destination node is a one-hop neighbor of the source node. Admission Control for Class C1 evaluates the probability where source and destination nodes are not one hop neighbors. Admission Control for Class C2 and class C3 flows evaluates the average or mean delay requirement and a requirement on the rate. Scheduling class C1 flows when admitted flows violate the QoS requirements; and Scheduling class C2 and class C3 flows. |
| US08149694B2 |
Enforcing fairness in ad hoc mesh networks
A self-adaptive algorithm to enforce fairness executes on nodes in an ad hoc wireless network. Each node is configured to measure or estimate the utilization of the RF channel in its neighborhood and then share this information with its neighboring nodes. In this way, the nodes learn about the traffic flows within their neighborhood and may determine the competing flows. Based on the information about the competing flows, each node then determines the fair share of RF channel usage. The fair share may be computed by dividing the total time that all competing flows use the RF channel by the number of competing flows. Traffic flows using more than the computed fair share of channel access are slowed down to allow more access to the RF channel for flows that are not getting their fair share. |
| US08149691B1 |
Push-based hierarchical state propagation within a multi-chassis network device
A multi-chassis network device sends state information to internal consumers within the multi-chassis device via a hierarchical distribution. As one example, a primary master routing engine within a control node of a multi-chassis router forwards state information to local routing engines within other chassis, which in turn distribute the state information to consumers on each chassis. Each local routing engine defers sending acknowledgement to the master routing engine until acknowledgements have been received from all consumers serviced by the local routing engine. Embodiments of the invention may reduce control plane data traffic and convergence times associated with distribution of state updates in the multi-chassis network device. |
| US08149689B2 |
Communication system having route redundancy
A packet communication system of this invention includes a user access device at a user point for providing a user with connectivity to a plurality of carriers, carrier communication networks linked to the user access device, and a carrier management network which controls and manages the user access device and communication devices. A communication device receives a control frame-inserting command from the carrier management network, and sends a control frame containing therein control frame transfer information that indicates which one of termination and send-back processing is performed at a destination device. In response to receipt of the control frame, a user access device that is the destination of this frame extracts therefrom the control frame transfer information. If this information indicates the termination then perform termination; if send-back, add thereto a header necessary for the send-back and then transfer it. |
| US08149688B2 |
Method and system for identifying faults in communication networks
In order to locate malfunction in a communication network, the elements therein are configured for generating alarm and to propagate a malfunction signalling to at least one other element in said set. Those elements in the network to which the malfunction signalling was propagated, are excluded, preferably by way of self-exclusion, from the action of locating malfunction. Preferably the arrangement is implemented in the form of a distributed agent-based architecture, wherein each element has an associated agent for categorizing the alarm information in its possession, e.g., as related to internal malfunction, contiguous malfunction, and external malfunction. The categorized alarm information is collected, preferably via direct exchange between the associated agents, for all the elements having alarmed resources physically or logically connected with each other. On the basis of the categorized alarm information collected, at least one element responsible for malfunction is elected out of those elements in possession of alarm information categorized as related to internal malfunction or contiguous malfunction, while discarding those elements in possession only of alarm information categorized as related to external malfunction. |
| US08149687B2 |
Intra-node fault recovery within a multi-stage switching architecture
A system, apparatus and method for dynamic intra node rerouting is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a multi-stage architecture within a network node is provided in which various module cards, including intermediary module cards, are interconnected within a chassis. A connection is established between a first module card and a second module card through an intermediate module card so that traffic may flow internally within the chassis. Failure detection and intra-node recovery are provided within the node by provisioning an intra-node compensated route around a failed module. |
| US08149684B1 |
Code space sharing among multiple modes of operation
The code space associated with the communication system is divided into at least two subspaces where each subspace is assigned to a different mode of operation. In one mode, such as a voice mode, each user is given full time access to a portion of the subspace associated with that mode of operation. In a second mode, such as a data mode, each user uses the entire subspace associated with that mode on a time shared basis. |
| US08149683B2 |
Fail-safe inline power in a wired data telecommunications network
A dynamic fuse element is provided in an inline power circuit to provide an electrical current protection level that varies in accordance with allocated current levels and that can respond to current spikes that are not expected. The dynamic fuse element comprises a processor aware of allocated current levels and an inline switch controlled by the processor to turn OFF in the event of a fault. In another aspect ferrite fuses may be provided for relatively low-current applications. In yet another aspect test fuses may be placed on the circuit board to verify that fuses used in manufacture operate at a certain current level. |
| US08149678B2 |
Diffraction grating, optical pickup and optical disc device
Undesired disturbance components leak eventually into various detection signals and reproduction signals as stray optical beams reflected from recording layers other than a reproduction layer overlap with signal beams on a light reception surface of an optical detector and interference occurs between them when an optical disc having multi-layered recording layers is reproduced. A diffraction grating having a specific grating groove pattern is arranged immediately ahead of an optical detector or in a return optical path. Such optical unit averages the disturbance components resulting from interference between a signal beam and a stray beam and can satisfactorily improve influences of leak. |
| US08149670B2 |
Optical disk apparatus and method of driving the same
An optical disk apparatus includes a light focusing element arranged to face a disk and to focus light emitted from a light source on the disk, an actuator to move the light focusing element towards and away from the disk according to an actuator driving voltage, a light intensity detection unit to detect an intensity of light reflected by the light focusing element and generate a gap error signal based on the detected intensity, a servo unit to generate the actuator driving voltage and a predetermined threshold voltage based on the gap error signal generated by the light intensity detection unit and to provide the actuator driving voltage to the actuator, a distance detection unit to detect a first distance at which the actuator driving voltage is maintained when the threshold voltage is detected using the gap error signal and to detect a second distance at which a gap between the light focusing element and the disk is shorter than the first distance and at which a gap servo operation is started based on the gap error signal; and a control unit to control the servo unit to start the gap servo operation based on the detected first and second distances. |
| US08149669B2 |
Optical disk apparatus and a focus-jumping control method thereof
An optical disk apparatus for enabling to insert a multi-layered optical disk therein, which has plural numbers of recording layers, comprising: a spindle motor 42; an optical pickup 2; and a system controller 100 for controlling the optical pickup to move into a radial direction of the optical disk, as well as, for controlling the optical pickup so that a light-beam irradiated therefrom is focused upon either one of the plural numbers of recording layers of the optical disk, wherein when it is determined that the target layer to be accessed lies on a layer different from that, upon which the optical pickup focuses the light-beam at present, the light-beam irradiated from the optical pickup is shifted to the target layer, after being moved into a radial direction of said optical disk on the layer, upon which the light-beam irradiated therefrom is focused at present, up to an information recording area where the information of the target layer is recoded. |
| US08149668B2 |
Optical disk drive and method for determining disk type
A method of determining a disk type of an optical disk is provided to comprise steps of: using a first light path for forming an incident beam; moving an objective lens system corresponding to the first light path from a start position towards the optical disk; receiving a sensor output signal during the movement of the objective lens system, wherein the sensor output signal includes a central aperture signal; determining the disk type of the optical disk according to the central aperture signal. |
| US08149663B2 |
Multilayer-optical-disc data-erasure method and optical disc apparatus
In response to the trend toward the increase in the number of data layers of optical discs, the invention provides a data erasure method and its optical disc apparatus that enable faster data erasures with a simpler configuration. Test erasures are performed on the test areas T of data layers of an optical disc while the power level Pe of data erasure laser light and the defocus amount Δf of the data erasure laser light from a target data layer are changed. Based on the results of the test erasures, the optimal erasure condition that enables a simultaneous data erasure from the greatest number of data layers is determined. Based on the determined optimal erasure condition, then, the optimal erasure sequence that enables data erasure from all of the data layers with the fewest number of times is determined. |
| US08149660B2 |
Drive apparatus, method of informing possibility of handling and operating recording medium, control method of handling and operating recording medium, and recording medium
A drive apparatus that handles and operates a recording medium attached with a memory tag, the drive apparatus include: a recording medium mounting part on which the recording medium is mounted; an information readout part configured to read information out of a memory tag attached to a recording medium before the recording medium is mounted on the recording medium mounting part; a determining part configured to determine whether the recording medium can be handled and operated based on the information read out by the information readout part; and an informing part configured to inform a determined result determined by the determining part. |
| US08149659B2 |
Recording and/or reproducing apparatus, recording and/or reproducing method and information storage medium therefor
A recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a recording and/or reproducing method, and an information storage medium, wherein the recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: a writing and/or reading unit writing data to or reading data from an information storage medium having one or more information recording layers; and a control unit controlling the writing and/or reading unit to write the data to the information storage medium by referring to one or more disk information structures including recording related parameter information corresponding to recording characteristics of the information storage medium, and recording characteristic information to which the recording related parameters are applied. According to the apparatus and method, parameters of recording characteristics appropriate to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and compatibility between different specifications can be achieved. |
| US08149658B2 |
Method of erasing data from optical disc
A method and device for erasing data from an optical disc, are discussed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the area of the optical disc where data has been written is overwritten with arbitrary data using a beam spot spanning over two or more radially adjacent tracks. The beam spot can be formed by adjusting a location of an objective lens to a defocused location, and the power of the laser beam can be increased so as to maintain a certain power level. The beam spot is moved from the inner circumference of the optical disc to the outer circumference under feed-forward control over an actuator and a sled motor, in which case the beam spot may be moved sequentially toward the outer circumference in steps of beam spot size or be moved repeatedly across radially adjacent tracks in a zigzag manner by the actuator and/or the sled motor. |
| US08149657B2 |
Optical waveguide clad material
An apparatus includes a waveguide having a core layer and first and second cladding layers on opposite sides of the core layer, wherein the cladding layers comprise a binary oxide composition. In another example, the cladding layers include a ternary or quaternary combination of oxides and/or oxynitrides. In another example, the cladding layers include a silicon oxynitride. |
| US08149650B2 |
Wearable electronic device with secondary digital display
A wearable electronic device of the type wherein information is conveyed in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand, wherein the wearable electronic device includes a dial having a dial side and an opposite side, wherein the display hand is positioned on the dial side of the dial, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises among other things, a casing having a frontside and a backside, wherein the dial is viewable from the frontside thereof; and a digital display, operatively coupled to a controller assembly, wherein the digital display displays at least mode specific informational indicia and is viewable only from the backside of the device; at least one actuator, operatively coupled to the controller assembly, for changing the mode specific informational indicia displayed on the digital display; and wherein the controller assembly causes the mode specific informational indicia displayed on the digital display to be thereafter reflected in the information displayed in the analog manner by the at least one display hand. |
| US08149645B2 |
Synchronous global controller for enhanced pipelining
The present invention relates to a system and method for processing the read and write operations in a memory architecture. The system processing the read and write operations includes at least one local memory block and a synchronously controlled global controller coupled to the local memory block and adapted to extend the high portion of a clock pulse. The method for processing the read and write operations includes skewing a clock pulse using at least one word line interfacing with the global controller. |
| US08149643B2 |
Memory device and method
A memory device and method may include separating alternating read and write accesses to different banks of a memory device. |
| US08149642B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first power switch for interrupting supply of a first power voltage to a first node in a standby mode, and a second power switch connected between the first node and a second node applied with a second power voltage. |
| US08149641B2 |
Active cycle control circuit for semiconductor memory apparatus
An active cycle control circuit for a semiconductor memory apparatus is configured to precharge a word line corresponding to a read cycle, and activate a word line corresponding to a refresh request signal in response to the refresh request signal generated during the read cycle. |
| US08149634B2 |
Low power memory architecture
A memory architecture and circuits for minimizing current leakage in the memory array. Subdivisions of the memory array each have local power grids that can be selectively connected to power supplies, such that only an accessed subdivision will receive power to execute the memory access operation. The memory array can further include databuses which are precharged to one voltage during idle times and a second voltage during active read cycles, which reduces leakage current in datapath circuitry connected to the databuses within the memory array blocks. |
| US08149629B2 |
Semiconductor storage device adapted to prevent erroneous writing to non-selected memory cells
A memory cell array has a number of memory cells which are connected to word lines and bit lines and are arranged in a matrix form, each of the memory cells storing one of n levels (n is a natural number of 2 or more). A control circuit controls the potentials on the word lines and the bit lines in accordance with input data to write data to the memory cells. The control circuit is adapted to, at the write time, first apply a first potential to a well region or substrate in which the memory cells are formed, then set the well region or substrate to a second potential lower than the first potential, and next apply a predetermined voltage to the word lines to thereby perform a write operation. |
| US08149628B2 |
Operating method of non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes memory cells having a semiconductor substrate, a stack layer, and source and drain regions disposed below a surface of the substrate and separated by a channel region. The stack layer includes an insulating layer disposed on the channel region, a charge storage layer disposed on the insulating layer, a multi-layer tunneling dielectric structure on the charge storage layer, and a gate disposed on the multi-layer tunneling dielectric structure. A negative bias is supplied to the gate to inject electrons into the charge storage layer through the multi-layer tunneling dielectric structure by −FN to tunneling so that the threshold voltage of the device is increased. A positive bias is supplied to the gate to inject holes into the charge storage layer through the multi-layer tunneling dielectric structure by +FN tunneling so that the threshold voltage of the device is decreased. |
| US08149618B2 |
Over-sampling read operation for a flash memory device
A flash memory device and a reading method are provided where memory cells are divided into at least two groups. Memory cells are selected according to a threshold voltage distribution. Data stored in the selected memory cells are detected and the data is latched corresponding to one of the at least two groups according to a first read operation. A second read operation detects and latches data of the memory cells corresponding to another one of the at least two groups. The data is processed through a soft decision algorithm during the second read operation. |
| US08149615B2 |
Magnetic random access memory
An MRAM has: a memory cell including a first magnetoresistance element; and a reference cell including a second magnetoresistance element. The first magnetoresistance element has a first magnetization free layer, a first magnetization fixed layer, a second magnetization free layer and a first nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first magnetization fixed layer and the second magnetization free layer. The first magnetization free layer has: first and second magnetization fixed regions; and a magnetization free region. The magnetization free region and the second magnetization free layer are magnetically coupled to each other. Whereas, the second magnetoresistance element has: a third magnetization free layer whose magnetization easy axis is parallel to a second direction; a second magnetization fixed layer whose magnetization direction is fixed in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction; and a second nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the second magnetization fixed layer and the third magnetization free layer. |
| US08149610B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A memory device comprises an array of memory cells each capable of storing multiple bits of data. Each memory cell includes a programmable transistor in series with a resistance switching device. The transistor is switchable between a plurality of different threshold voltages associated with respective memory states. The resistance switching device is configured to be switchable between a plurality of different resistances associated with respective memory states. |
| US08149605B2 |
Compact and accurate analog memory for CMOS imaging pixel detectors
An analog memory circuit, i.e. a sample and hold circuit, wherein the source and the gate of the switching transistor is maintained at a same potential prior and after the sampling process using a transistor circuitry. The analog memory circuit comprises a memory capacitor (102) connected at a first end to a first port (104), which is connected a reference potential (106). A drain of a first transistor (108) —switch transistor—is connected to a second end of the memory capacitor (102). A source of the first transistor (108) is connected to a second port (110), which is connected to circuitry (112) for providing an input signal for storage in the memory capacitor (102), and a gate of the first transistor (108) is connected to a third port (114), which is connected to a first current sink (116). A source of a second transistor (118) is connected to the source of the first transistor (108) and a drain of the second transistor (118) is connected to the gate of the first transistor (108). The source of the first transistor (108) is connected to a source of a third transistor (120). A gate and a drain of the third transistor (120) are connected together to a gate of the second transistor (118) and to a fourth port (122), which is connected to a second current sink (124). According to the invention the feedthrough error is constant irrespective of the input signal level. |
| US08149602B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting end of start up phase
A PSE configured to determine the end of the start up phase at the PD responsive to a condition of the voltage at the PSE output. In one particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to a PSE output voltage within a predetermined range of the PSE input voltage. In another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined maximum. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the PSE output voltage being lower than a predetermined value. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined value. |
| US08149600B2 |
System and method for ringing suppression in a switched mode power supply
In one embodiment, a method of operating a switched-mode power supply having a switch coupled to a drive signal is disclosed. The method includes shutting off the switch with the drive signal at a first instance of time, and comparing a magnitude of a voltage of a power supply node to a threshold after shutting off the switch. If the magnitude of the voltage of the power supply node exceeds the threshold, the switch is inhibited from turning on for a first time interval. |
| US08149598B2 |
Switching power supply apparatus
A switching power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a switching device and a control circuit, and the control circuit includes: a control terminal through which an auxiliary power voltage is supplied; an error amplifier which generates a difference voltage depending on a difference between a control terminal voltage and a first reference voltage; a device current detection circuit which generates a device current detection signal indicating an amount of a current flowing in the switching device; a drive circuit which generates a drive pulse signal having a duty cycle based on a difference between the difference voltage and the device current detection signal and drives the switching device by using the generated drive pulse signal; and a dummy load circuit through which a dummy load current flows from the control terminal when the difference voltage becomes equal to or higher than a second reference voltage. |
| US08149597B2 |
Intermediate bus architecture with a quasi-regulated bus converter
A dc-dc converter system comprises a quasi-regulated bus converter and plural regulation stages that regulate the output of the bus converter. The bus converter has at least one controlled rectifier with a parallel uncontrolled rectifier. A control circuit controls the controlled rectifier to cause a normally non-regulated mode of operation through a portion of an operating range of source voltage and a regulated output during another portion. The bus converter may be an isolation stage having primary and secondary transformer winding circuits. For the non-regulated output, each primary winding has a voltage waveform with a fixed duty cycle. The fixed duty cycle causes substantially uninterrupted flow of power during non-regulated operation. Inductors at the bus converter input and in a filter at the output of the bus converter may saturate during non-regulated operation. |
| US08149596B2 |
N-phase full bridge power converter
An N-phase full bridge power converter, comprising: a load device; a plurality of bridge legs, each being composed of two power switches; a plurality of transformers, each being coupled between two nodes each disposed between two power switches in two adjacent bridge legs on its primary side and coupled to the load device on its secondary side; and a plurality of inductors, each being connected between a node and the primary side of one of the transformers corresponding thereto. |
| US08149595B1 |
Mounting apparatus for expansion cards
A mounting apparatus includes a bracket, a first circuit board, a securing member, and a second circuit board. The bracket includes a first sidewall, and an end wall perpendicularly extending from a front end of the first sidewall, for fixing a stop plate of a first expansion card. The first circuit board is mounted to the first sidewall of the bracket adjacent to the end wall. A first expansion slot is installed on the first circuit board for engaging with the first expansion card. The securing member is detachably mounted to the first sidewall behind the first circuit board and away from the end wall, for fixing a stop plate of a second expansion card. The second circuit board is detachably mounted to the first sidewall adjacent to the securing member. A second expansion slot is installed on the second circuit board for engaging with the second expansion card. |
| US08149581B2 |
Keyboard and display screen in separate housings connected by cam assemblies that tilt responsive to movement between the housings
An electronic device includes separate housings, one includes a keyboard and the other includes a display screen, a pair of cam assemblies and a pair of actuator arms. Each cam assembly has first and second connection parts that are rotationally connected, and are configured so that the first and second connection parts tilt relative to each other responsive to rotation of one relative to the other. The first connection parts of both cam assemblies are connected to spaced apart locations on the first housing. The actuator arms are connected on one end to spaced apart locations on the second housing and are connected on the other end to different ones of the second connection parts of both cam assemblies. Relative movement of the first and second housings rotates the first connection part relative to the second connection part of both cam assemblies and tilts the first housing relative to the second housing. |
| US08149580B2 |
Heat dissipation device for electronic device assembly
A heat dissipation device adapted for cooling an electronic device mounted on a printed circuit board comprises a base plate adapted for being thermally attached to the electronic device and a clip attached on a top face of the base plate. The base plate comprises two protruding poles protruding downwardly from a bottom face thereof. The protruding poles are capable of extending through the printed circuit board, thereby establishing a location for the heat dissipation device on the printed circuit board. The clip fastens the heat dissipation device on the printed circuit board after the location for the heat dissipation device on the printed circuit board has been established. |
| US08149575B2 |
Waterproof electronic device
A waterproof electronic device includes an upper shell and a lower shell configured for detachably and hermetically assembling with the upper shell. At least one of the upper shell and lower shell comprising a rubber layer disposed thereon to hermetically assemble with each other. The invention further provides a method for making the waterproof electronic device. |
| US08149572B2 |
Liquid crystal display with a height adjustable base for the panel thereof
A liquid crystal display with a height adjustable base assembly includes a base, a main arm, which is provided with a pivotal connection with the base and has slide rails, a panel fixing frame, which is capable of ascending and descending along the slide rails of the main arm and has a lock rod. A plumbing stop block is pivotally connected to the main arm to correspond to the lock rod. When the main arm rotates a preset inclining angular position with respect to the base, the plumbing stop block is urged to rotate by the gravity thereof for the lock rod being pushed to engage with the locating groove of the plumbing stop groove such that the operation of lifting the panel fixing frame with respect to the main arm is locked. Hence, the liquid crystal panel bouncing outward suddenly during unpacked is avoided to secure the safety with convenient operations. |
| US08149571B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device comprises a cover and a body. The cover comprises a first end wall, a second end wall opposite to the first end wall, and a sidewall connecting the first end wall and the second end wall. The sidewall defines a sliding slot. Two ends of the sliding slot respectively extend to the first end wall and the second end wall. The body comprises a protrusion formed thereon. The protrusion is slidably received in the sliding slot. The protrusion slides to the first end wall or the second end wall, whereby the cover hinges on the protrusion relative to the body. |
| US08149570B2 |
Universal power supply system
A universal power supply system having a power supply configured to generate a predetermined direct current output sufficient to simultaneously power a plurality of direct current powered devices connected thereto. A plurality of identical sockets are electrically coupled in parallel with the direct current output of the power supply. Individual power cables having a standardized first plug which fits into the sockets at one end and a device specific second plug at an opposing end. A voltage regulating circuit is operatively disposed in either the standardized first plug or device specific second plug which converts the intermediate direct current voltage generated by the power supply to a direct current voltage required by a particular direct current powered device. |
| US08149568B2 |
Load system for an Mcap energy storage module
This invention discloses a load system for loading an Mcap energy storage module to an apparatus, comprising: a storage unit and a load unit. The storage unit further comprises: a first housing part and a seal for sealing the first housing part. The first housing part includes four side walls, a bottom wall and a first opening. A plurality of Mcap cell are disposed in the first housing part through the first opening. A first electrode formed in a side wall. A second electrode formed in another side wall facing the first side wall. The load unit comprises a second housing part and a seal for sealing the second housing part. The storage unit is loaded into the second housing part through the second opening. |
| US08149567B2 |
Capacitor module
The capacitor module includes a capacitor, in which a screw hole is arranged on an outer bottom wall surface of a capacitor case housing a capacitor element, and a heat dissipater, on which a plurality of capacitor cases are fixated by screwing fixation screws in the screw holes of the capacitors. As a result, for example, the capacitor can be fixated with reliability and durability secured even under a condition where very strong vibration is continuously applied, for example, when the capacitor module is mounted on construction machinery. Further, because, an adherence of the outer bottom wall surface of the capacitor case on a fixation surface of the heat dissipater is strengthened by screwing the fixation screw in the screw hole, the capacitor can be cooled down by transferring heat produced by the capacitor to the heat dissipater as needed. |
| US08149561B2 |
Ion generator
An ion generator is capable of efficiently generating ions and includes a case accommodating an ion-generating element that generates ions by discharging electricity from a discharging needle electrode and a cover having openings for ion discharge. Resistive elements are disposed at peripheral portions of the openings, and the resistive elements are grounded. Since the resistive elements are grounded, the peripheral portions of the openings are prevented from being electrostatically charged. As a result, retention of ions at the openings is suppressed, and ions are efficiently generated and discharged. |
| US08149559B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator driving device and method
A driving device for a piezoelectric actuator supplies charges and discharges the piezoelectric actuator through a charging switch and a discharging switch, respectively. The charging switch is repeatedly turned on and off thereby to charge and expand the piezoelectric actuator. The discharging switch is repeatedly turned on and off thereby to discharge and contract the piezoelectric actuator. The discharging switch is kept ON especially during a period from when the discharging switching control is terminated to when the charging switching control is started next. Thus, the piezoelectric voltage at the start of the next driving can be made substantially 0V. |
| US08149556B2 |
Power adapter and power supply method thereof
A power adapter for an electronic device selectively works in different modes according to a working state signal of the electronic device. When the electronic device is powered off or on with a battery in a determined charge state, the power adapter controls a relay to turn off the relay to disconnect power to the electronic device. |
| US08149555B2 |
Short-circuit current limiter
In order to provide a power semiconductor module for power distribution and transmission, having a power semiconductor circuit which is connected via connecting lines to an energy storage device, which limits the current amplitudes that occur in the electrical fault and effectively protects the power electronics, it is proposed that the connecting lines have a weak point which breaks when the current load is above a threshold value, with the connecting lines furthermore having a resistance which is connected in parallel with the weak point. |
| US08149552B1 |
Downhole measurement tool circuit and method to balance fault current in a protective inductor
A downhole measurement tool circuit and method to balance fault current in a protective inductor, which keeps an alternating current balanced in a protective choke during a phase-to-ground fault condition in a power cable or a downhole motor of an electrical submersible pump. The downhole measurement tool circuit and method cause a conducting of current during the negative polarity voltage portions of a phase-to-ground fault condition, but do not cause a conduction of negative polarity voltage during use of a negative polarity megger. |
| US08149549B2 |
Magnetoresistive head including magnetoresistive effect film of fixed layer, non-magnetic layer, insulating barrier layer and free layer, and magnetic recording device with magnetoresistive head
A magnetoresistive head is provided with high reliability and produced at a high yield rate. The magnetoresistive head includes a lower magnetic shield layer, an upper magnetic shield layer, a magnetoresistive effect film, and means for causing a current to flow in the direction of the thickness of the magnetoresistive effect film. The magnetoresistive effect film is provided between the lower magnetic shield layer and the upper magnetic shield layer. The magnetoresistive effect film is composed of a fixed layer, a non-magnetic layer, an insulating barrier layer and a free layer. The four layers of the magnetoresistive effect film are formed in this order. The insulating barrier layer is an oxide layer containing at least one of titanium and nickel. |
| US08149548B2 |
Magnetic head and manufacturing method thereof
Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic head having a read head of stable reading operation and with less magnetic fluctuation noise. According to one embodiment, a free layer has a structure comprising two ferromagnetic layers (a first free layer and a second free layer) that are coupled anti-ferromagnetically by way of a non-magnetic intermediate layer, in which the magnetization amount of the first free layer is set to larger than the magnetization amount of the second free layer. Further, the magnetic domains in the first free layer and the second free layer are stabilized simultaneously by increasing the distance between the second free layer and the magnetic domain control film to be more than the distance between the first free layer and the magnetic domain control film, thereby adjusting the magnetization amount of the magnetic domain control film. Further, the volume of the entire free layer is increased thereby greatly decreasing the magnetic fluctuation noises, to obtain a read head showing a high SN ratio. |
| US08149543B2 |
Hard disk drive apparatus having a flexible printed circuit with a plurality of traces in a specified order
A hard disk drive apparatus includes a magnetic head having a write head to record data on a disk and a read head to read the data recorded on the disk, at least one actuator arm on which the magnetic head is mounted, a voice coil motor to rotate the at least one actuator arm across the disk, a printed circuit board electrically connected to the write head, the read head, and the voice coil motor, and a flexible printed circuit having at least one write trace to electrically connect the write head and the printed circuit board, at least one read trace to electrically connect the read head and the printed circuit board, and a voice coil motor trace to electrically connect the voice coil motor and the printed circuit board. In the hard disk drive, the write trace is arranged between the read trace and the voice coil motor trace. |
| US08149540B2 |
Magnetic head structure with diagonal of rectangular-shaped height monitor extending along track width direction
In a magnetic head structure that forms a medium facing surface of a head element unit by polishing processing, a height monitor that is exposed in the vicinity of the head element unit during the polishing processing to index the height of the head element unit is provided in a planar rectangular shape. |
| US08149532B2 |
Tape cartridge auxiliary memory containing tape drive functional status information
A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The library also includes, at least one tape drive capable of determining at least one functional status when loaded with one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drive possesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferring information associated with the at least one function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The tape drive is adapted to transmit the information from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an end user. |
| US08149529B2 |
Dibit extraction for estimation of channel parameters
In one embodiment, a storage-device-implemented method for estimating one or more channel parameters of a storage device including a read channel and a storage medium with a bit sequence stored on the storage medium. The method includes: (a) the storage device reading at least a portion of the bit sequence from the storage medium to generate a bit response; (b) the storage device convolving the bit response to compute an impulse response of the read channel; and (c) the storage device estimating one or more channel parameters based on the computed impulse response. |
| US08149526B2 |
Single use lens assembly
An optical assembly includes an output optical element having a thermally conductive and optically transmissive material and a thermal conduit in thermal communication with the output optical element and having at least one surface configured to be in thermal communication with at least one heat dissipating surface of a light delivery apparatus. The optical assembly further includes a coupling portion configured to be placed in at least two states. In a first state, the coupling portion is attached to the apparatus such that the at least one surface of the thermal conduit is in thermal communication with the at least one heat dissipating surface. In a second state, the coupling portion is detached from the apparatus after having been attached to the apparatus in the first state and in which the coupling portion is configured to prevent re-attachment of the coupling portion to the apparatus. |
| US08149525B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens of which optical performance does not deteriorate even in a high temperature environment, various aberrations are well corrected, optical length is short, and back focus is sufficiently secured, comprising an aperture stop S and a junction type compound lens 14 having a positive refractive power, wherein the aperture stop and the junction type compound lens are arranged in this sequence from an object side to an image side. The junction type compound lens comprises a first lens L1, a second lens L2 and a third lens L3 arranged in this sequence from the object side to the image side. The first lens and the third lens are formed of a curable resin material, and the second lens is formed of an optical glass. The first lens and the second lens are directly bonded, and the second lens and the third lens are directly bonded. The object side face of the first lens and the image side face of the third lens are aspherical. |
| US08149519B2 |
High-speed zoom lens
Embodiments of an optical zoom lens system may comprise three lens groups with a PNP power sequence. The first lens group may vary focus. The second and third lens groups may be movable to vary magnification during zoom. The first lens group may include three lens subgroups with an NNP power sequence: a stationary first lens subgroup, a second lens subgroup including a movable lens element, and a stationary or movable third lens subgroup. The second lens subgroup may include two parts, which may be movable at different rates of travel to vary focus. One part may include the movable lens element. Lens elements of the first lens group may be movable according to different focus movement plans. In the first lens group, lens element movement and lens element power may contribute to provide low focus breathing over the entire zoom range. The F-number may be F/2.8 or less. |
| US08149518B2 |
Zoom lens system and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens system, includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit which does not move for zooming; a negative second lens unit which moves for zooming; a positive third lens unit which moves for zooming; and a fourth lens unit which does not move for zooming, is provided for imaging, and has a positive refractive power, in which the third lens unit includes multiple lenses including a positive lens and a negative lens, and the third lens unit satisfies: −2.0×10−3<(θpa−θna)/(νpa−νna)<−1.4×10−3; and 41<νpa−νna<53; and 2.9 |
| US08149515B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus with the same
The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side, a first lens unit (positive), a second lens unit (negative), a reflective member and subsequent lens units. A distance between the second and subsequent lens units is reduced during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. One of the subsequent lens units includes a non-shift lens unit and a shift lens unit shiftable for image stabilization. The conditions of 1<(1−βb)βr<3 and 0.70 |
| US08149511B2 |
Security element
The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like, having a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement having a motif image that consists of a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of micromotif elements (28) that is planar or applied on a curved surface, and a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements (24) that is planar or applied on a curved surface, for moiré-magnified viewing of the micromotif elements (28) of the motif image, the arrangement of micromotif elements (28) and/or the arrangement of microfocusing elements (24) exhibiting, in the planar case, no symmetry axis in the plane of the arrangement in its periodic or at least locally periodic regions. |
| US08149504B2 |
Optical indicator for microscopic laser beam manipulation
An objective assembly for use with a microscope is provided. The objective has an optical axis that permits an image beam to be emitted through the objective toward the eyepiece of a microscope. A mirror is positioned at an angle to the optical axis of the objective. A laser assembly is positioned on a first side of the mirror for directing a laser beam toward said mirror so that the energy is reflected off the mirror and through the objective in a direction that is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the objective. An indicator assembly including a source of light is positioned with the light incident on the other side of the mirror to reflect a beam of light in a direction opposite to the direction of the laser beam to provide an optical representation at the eyepiece of a microscope of the position of the laser beam being emitted by the objective. |
| US08149502B2 |
Cladding-pumped evanescent gain optical fiber
A cladding-pumped gain optical fiber is provided. The cladding-pumped gain optical fiber includes a core transmitting a signal light; a first cladding covering the core and having an optical-gain dopant; a second cladding covering the first cladding for transmitting a pumping light; and a third cladding covering the second cladding for reflecting the pumping light. |
| US08149499B2 |
Electrophoretic display device and electronic apparatus
An electrophoretic display device includes a display element including a pair of first and second substrates which are opposed to each other, and a microcapsule enclosing a display material changed in optical characteristics in response to an electric impulse, the microcapsule being sandwiched between the first and second substrates; and a protective film sealing the display element. In the display device, a first electrode is provided on the surface of the first substrate which faces the second substrate, a second electrode is provided on the surface of the second substrate which faces the first substrate, and a spacer is provided in the space between the periphery of the facing surface of the first substrate and the first electrode. |
| US08149498B2 |
Package structure of a flexible display device
A package structure of flexible display device includes a flexible opto-electronic display panel, a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer. The flexible opto-electronic display panel includes a backplane, a flexible frontplane, and a display media layer. The display media layer is disposed between the flexible frontplane and the backplane, where the display media layer is substantially corresponding to a display region of the backplane, and at least one side of the display media layer aligns with one corresponding side of the backplane. The first barrier layer is disposed on a first surface of the flexible frontplane, where the flexible frontplane, the display media layer and the first barrier layer expose a bonding region of the backplane. The second barrier layer is disposed on a second surface of the backplane. |
| US08149496B2 |
Integrated touch for IMOD displays using back glass
An interferometric modulator (“IMOD”) display utilizes ambient light and incorporates touch sensing without reducing the amount of ambient light that reaches the MEMS modulators, and without introducing any optical distortion or loss of performance. Electrodes for touch sensing are located at a back glass of the inteferometric display, and are used in conjunction with electrodes whose primary function is to activate the pixels of the MEMS display, in order to sense a touch. The touch deflects the IMOD layers and is sensed through the various display layers at the rear of the display. |
| US08149490B2 |
Optical switch, optical switch control method and communication system
When a light intensity upon a perturbation is detected, an error calculation/correction unit (85) in a control unit (8) corrects and updates the above-described initial manipulated variables based on perturbation manipulated variables and manipulated variables, i.e., operation manipulated variables to obtain the maximum light intensity from the light intensity value at each perturbation manipulated variable, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of a mirror. More specifically, assuming that the time series data of an acquired output light intensity can be approximated to a cosine function, the error calculation/correction unit (85) calculates a phase difference θ between the cosine function and a sine or cosine function used to set x- and y-axis perturbation patterns for a circular trajectory perturbation. Manipulated variables at coordinates defined by the phase difference θ and polar coordinates of a radius voltage to perturb the mirror are calculated. Voltage values at coordinates defined by a function for setting the driving voltages of the mirror (230) are calculated and set as the driving voltages for one output port. |
| US08149489B2 |
Mirror device, mirror array, optical switch, mirror device manufacturing method, and mirror substrate manufacturing method
A mirror device includes a mirror (153) which is supported to be pivotable with respect to a mirror substrate (151), a driving electrode (103-1-103-4) which is formed on an electrode substrate (101) facing the mirror substrate, and an antistatic structure (106) which is arranged in a space between the mirror and the electrode substrate. This structure can fix the potential of the lower surface of the mirror and suppress drift of the mirror by applying a second potential to the antistatic structure. |
| US08149488B2 |
Method of operating a reconfigurable and integrable optical logic gate based on a single SOA
An optical logic gate (10) comprising inputs (12) for optical signals on which to perform a chosen logical operation. An SOA (11) element receives such input signals to be piloted thereby in saturation and its output is connected to at least one optical filter (14, 15, 16) that filters components of signals output from the SOA and which represent a desired logical result of the signals input at the gate so that at the output (13) of the filter there is an optical signal as the result of the desired logical operation. A probe signal (17) can also be provided. An appropriate combination of power of the input, power and probe signal wavelength and central wavelength of the filter allows obtaining a plurality of logic functions such as NOR, NOT, inverted XOR, AND, OR. |
| US08149485B2 |
Dynamically reconfigurable holograms with electronically erasable programmable intermediate layers
Dynamically reconfigurable holograms with electronically erasable programmable intermediate layers are disclosed. An example apparatus includes first nanowires, each of the first nanowires having protuberances along a length thereof. The example apparatus also includes second nanowires arranged approximately perpendicular to the first nanowires, the protuberances of the first nanowires being approximately parallel to corresponding ones of the second nanowires. In addition, a layer is disposed between the first and second nanowires. The layer is to control refractive indices at nanowire intersections at intersecting ones of the first and second nanowires. |
| US08149484B2 |
Color gamut data creating device
A color gamut data creating device includes a locating unit, and an extracting unit. The locating unit locates characteristic points based on the measurement points on a target plane. The extracting unit extracts at least three vertices of a color gamut from among the characteristic points. The at least three vertices satisfy the conditions that a first point, which is any one of the at least three vertices, is located within a reference distance from a second point adjacent to the first point from among the at least three vertices, and that all cross products that are calculated by a vector from the first point to the second point and vectors from the first point to any characteristic points that are located within the reference distance from the first point have the same sign. |
| US08149481B2 |
Scanner that scans to film
The invention relates to a sheet-fed scanner (300) comprising: an illumination device for emitting a luminous flux covering several spectral bands which is intended to illuminate a sheet (204) to be scanned, a focussing device (150), and a detection module (360) comprising a sensor (164) which comprises a plurality of rows (166, 168, 170) of sensitive elements, each sensitive element being provided to deliver an electrical energy that is proportional to the intensity of the luminous flux received, and each row being provided to have its sensitivity peak for one of said spectral bands, the focussing device being provided to focus, onto each of the rows, part of the luminous flux reflected by said sheet, the sheet-fed scanner (300) being characterised in that the detection module (360) comprises a non-prismatic spectral shift device (305) for shifting each part of the luminous flux thus focussed, parallel to said rows (166, 168, 170), the shift being different for each row (166, 168, 170). |
| US08149480B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for calibration scheduling based on hour-by-hour and day-of-week use frequency
An image forming apparatus which is capable of increasing printing efficiency by simplifying the calibration operation in time zones during which the frequency of use of the apparatus is high. An image forming apparatus has a plurality of calibration modes set in advance on a time zone-by-time zone basis for operating days. A printer controller determines a day of week and time of day, and selects one of the calibration modes associated with the day of week and time of day. The controller performs cumulative counting of sheets color-printed after a preceding calibration, and determines whether or not calibration in the selected calibration mode should be executed, from a cumulative count value of color-printed sheets and the selected calibration mode. The calibration in the selected calibration mode is executed in response to the determination that the calibration should be executed. |
| US08149475B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product for processing image
An image processing apparatus includes an address specifying unit, a reading unit, a writing unit, and a shifting unit. The address specifying unit specifies an address in a storage device that stores therein pixel data of an image. The reading unit reads the pixel data from the address by a line pixel amount. The writing unit writes the pixel data in an output storage unit. The shifting unit shifts the address in either one of a first direction along a sub-scanning direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction by a predetermined amount. |
| US08149470B2 |
Image processing apparatus adapted to determine a number of computing units to be allocated to image processing, and corresponding control method, program, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus which performs image processing includes: a computing unit equipped with a plurality of arithmetic units each of which performs calculations based on a supplied microprogram; a storage unit adapted to store correspondence information between image processing and allocation of the plurality of arithmetic units to modules involved in the image processing; an acquisition unit adapted to acquire allocation information about allocations to the modules involved in image processing to be performed, from the storage unit; and a supply unit adapted to supply microprograms corresponding to processes of the modules involved in the image processing to be performed to the arithmetic units based on the acquired allocation information, wherein the storage unit stores the correspondence information according to device configuration of the image processing apparatus, and the acquisition unit acquires the allocation information according to the device configuration of the image processing apparatus. |
| US08149468B2 |
Image reading device
An image reading device includes a reading unit and a controller connected to the reading unit through a transmission path. The controller includes: a first clock generator which generates a first reference clock; a second clock generator which generates a second reference clock; a line synchronizer which generates a line synchronization signal based on the first reference clock; a clock transmitter which transmits the line synchronization signal and a unit clock based on the first reference clock to the reading unit; and a processor which execute a process based on the second reference clock and which is synchronized with the line synchronization signal. The reading unit includes a reading sensor which reads a document line by line based on the unit clock and the line synchronization signal. |
| US08149465B2 |
Coloring image generating apparatus and coloring image generating method for generating a coloring image from an image using an edge intensity frequency distribution of the image
A coloring image generating apparatus includes: an acquiring unit that acquires an image; an edge intensity calculating unit that calculates an edge intensity frequency distribution of the image; a threshold value setting unit that sets a threshold value for dividing a coloring image into a contour portion and a blank portion according to distribution characteristics of the edge intensity frequency distribution; and a generating unit that discriminates the contour portion from the blank portion in the image on the basis of the threshold value and generates a coloring image. |
| US08149459B2 |
Mapping an out-of-gamut color to a surface of a color gamut
What is disclosed is a system and method for mapping an out-of-gamut spot color to a surface boundary of a target color gamut of a color marking device in a color management system. The present method accurately detects the intersection of a point at the boundary surface of a ray traced between the out-of-gamut color and color point along a neutral axis of the target gamut. The ability to map an out-of-gamut color accurately to the gamut surface provides many advantages as one skilled in the art would appreciate. Various embodiments are provided. |
| US08149458B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for printer calibration
A test pattern printed by a printer is assessed—without colorimetric equipment—to provide data used in recalibrating the printer. The assessment may be made by an unskilled operator, and can include discerning whether a particular pattern is visible in the printed test pattern, or whether a feature in the test pattern is relatively wider or narrower. From such assessment, needed changes to the printer's calibration data are inferred and implemented. A variety of other printer calibration techniques are disclosed. The technology is illustrated in the context of dye sublimation printers, and is particularly useful in optimizing printing of digitally-watermarked graphics. |
| US08149456B2 |
Color processing method and image forming apparatus for creating a color separation table
Restriction information on a total colorant amount for a medium is obtained. Patches at grid points in a color space corresponding to a plurality of colorants at which the total colorant amount falls within a restriction represented by the restriction information, and a patch at a point surrounded by the patches are generated. Color values are obtained by measuring the colors of the patches printed on the medium. It is determined based on a color prediction value between the grid points whether the measured color values are appropriate, and if so, a color value at a grid point at which the total colorant amount exceeds the restriction is estimated based on the measured color values. A color separation table is created based on the measured color values and the estimated value. |
| US08149454B2 |
Color printing
A method of operating a color printer including using a first set of one-dimensional TRCs or a second set of one-dimensional TRCs with a single set of color tables. |
| US08149453B2 |
Print data-editing apparatus and print data-editing program stored in computer readable medium
When a printing apparatus is connected to a personal computer, an editing program for editing an object to be printed by the printing apparatus is actuated. The printing apparatus connected is set as a printing apparatus to be used, and a layout-editing screen is displayed. A layout image in which a medium set in the printing apparatus is set as a medium to be used is displayed on the layout-editing screen. When the printing apparatus is changed, or the medium set in the printing apparatus is changed while the editing program is being operated, a new layout-editing screen is displayed in which a new printing apparatus, or a new medium, is set as the printing apparatus, or the medium, to be used. |
| US08149452B2 |
Method of printing image and photo-printing system using the method
Methods of printing an image and photo-printing systems using the methods are provided. The methods involve receiving the image from a data storage device and printing the image via a printer, the method including the operations of determining whether a Paper Full printing option in which no space is left on a printing material is selected; when the Paper Full printing option is selected, comparing a ratio of an image to be printed with a ratio of a currently set printing material; and when the ratios of the image and the printing material are different from each other, displaying a print area of the image to be printed on a display panel.The methods of printing the image and photo-printing systems using the methods provide users with an opportunity to check and re-set a print area prior to printing the image, thereby preventing an important part of the image from being cropped due to mismatch between ratios of the image to be printed and the printing material. |
| US08149447B2 |
Data processing device
To provide a technology enabling a terminal device to use various functions provided in a data processing device without the use of a device driver. A multifunction device executes a process for implementing a function indicated by instruction data when such instruction data is stored in a shared area of the RAM. Here, the shared area of the RAM in which the instruction data is stored can be recognized by a personal computer connected to the multifunction device as a storage area that can be accessed through the file system, which is a function provided as a standard feature of the operating system. Accordingly, operations of the multifunction device can be controlled from the personal computer end simply by storing instruction data in the shared area via the operating system, eliminating the need for a special device driver to control the operations of the multifunction device. |
| US08149443B2 |
Image forming apparatus and analysis method
A sufficient number of packets necessary for analysis of a fault in a network communication apparatus are obtained. A multi function peripheral (MFP) temporarily stores received packets as a file for every print job, and stores communication failure information as a log (communication failure log). The MFP deletes data in which no error has occurred in an application among the stored files. Then, in a case where an error has occurred during processing of a certain print job, the MFP stores received packets in a storage device, and compares a communication failure in the job packet in which the error has occurred with a communication failure in packets associated with all the received print jobs. As a result of the comparison, the MFP extracts a communication failure in only the job packet in which the error has occurred, and creates a log so that the extracted result can be identified. |
| US08149442B2 |
Knowledge-based content sub-setting method for variable information printing
A method receives a variable information print job and determines if any of the personalized content exceeds the size of a corresponding content area of the template. If the personalized content exceeds the size of a corresponding content area of the template, the method resolves such size inconsistencies (between the personalized content and the content area) by selectively removing and/or filtering portions of the personalized content according to the knowledge-based rules. |
| US08149441B2 |
Expected time to collect a print job
A time-to-collect measure is disclosed which may be used in generating a model for predicting an expected time-to-collect for print jobs. In the case of incomplete data, an algorithm recovers an optimal assignment of links between submission and collection events which allows a time to collect to be computed for one or more prior print jobs. A printing system may incorporate a time-to-collect system for making decisions based on the measure, such as the scheduling of pending print jobs or planning placement of printers. |
| US08149440B2 |
Information processing method and system
There is disclosed a technique that facilitates a search for a service and use of the service available on a network. To accomplish this, steps of inputting information about a service (S100 to S102) and steps of searching a network for service providing devices capable of implementing the service about which information has been input (S103 and S104) are to be executed. Then, service providing devices found by the search are displayed (S105), a service providing device that executes the service is selected from among the multiple service providing devices displayed (S106) to cause the service providing device to execute the service about which information has been input at in the inputting step (S107). |
| US08149438B2 |
Distributed printing system with improved load balancing
A method is provided for managing a print job in a distributed printing system including a first printing system having a first default operating mode with a first rated output and a second printing system having a second default operating mode with a second rated output. The method includes determining that the second printing system has the capability to operate in an adjusted operating mode with an effective output that differs from either the first rated output or the second rated output. In practice the print job is split into first and second job portions in such a way that when (a) both the first and second print job portions are communicated to the distributed printing arrangement, (b) the first print job portion is printed at the first printing system in the first default operating mode, and (c) the second print job portion is printed at the second printing system in the adjusted operating mode, printing of the first and second print job portions end substantially simultaneously. |
| US08149434B2 |
Image output apparatus, image output method, and computer readable medium
An image output apparatus includes: a memory configured to store user identification data; a receiver configured to receive image data and user identification data; an input unit by use of which a user inputs his/her user identification data; a clock; and an image forming unit that: if a time indicated by the clock is within a predetermined standby time, suspends outputting of an image represented by image data received by the receiver; and if user identification data input using the input unit during the predetermined standby time is stored in the memory, outputs an image represented by image data, which is associated with the input user identification data, from among items of image data received by the receiver and not yet output. |
| US08149433B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method for image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus executes controls relating to image formation in a dispersed manner without centralization. A printer part of the image forming apparatus includes a laser module, an image process module, a paper-feed cassette module, a conveyance module, a both-side module, a fixing module, a paper discharge module and a shared data module. Each module stores operation condition information, indicating its operation condition in the shared data module, and executes autonomously a specific operation by referring to operation parameters and the operation condition information indicating the operation conditions of the modules, stored in the shared data module. |
| US08149428B2 |
Print controlling apparatus and information processing apparatus
To restrain that an adjustment is performed by a printer driver by matching an order for setting items by a user and a priority order between the items when an adjustment is performed by a printer driver. |
| US08149426B2 |
Image forming apparatus with copy function
An image forming apparatus with a copy function may include a reading device, a recognition device, a conversion device, and a print device. The reading device reads characters on a first recording medium. The recognition device recognizes the characters based on a result of reading performed by the reading device. The conversion device converts a result of recognition performed by the recognition device into image data which indicates shapes of the characters. The print device prints the characters on a second recording medium based on the image data. |
| US08149421B1 |
Optical homodyne interferometer
Faults, dimensions and other characteristics of a material or structure are sensed by a coherent beam's reflection from the material when probed with ultrasonic waves or when vibrating at high frequencies. The reflected beam acquires a dynamic phase change substantially different from its original phase and from the phase of a reference beam split from the common source beam. The reflected beam and the reference beam are superimposed by diffraction in an adaptive holographic beam-splitter, and the superimposed beams are detected by a photodetector capable of detecting small phase changes from ultrasonic surface displacements or perturbations. An apparatus and method are disclosed defining an improved crystal homodyne interferometer with an energy source coupled to the crystal and operative to maintain the crystal in a condition for emptying unwanted traps in the crystal. |
| US08149419B2 |
Optical reflectometry and optical reflectometer
An object of the invention is to provide an optical reflectometry and an optical reflectometer, in which accurate measurement can be performed irrespective of a measurement distance. In the optical reflectometry and optical reflectometer according to the invention, in which a distribution of backscattered light intensity from a measurement target in an optical propagation direction is measured using Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR), a coherence monitor unit 12 that monitors a coherence property of a frequency sweep light source 1 is provided, and measurement result of a measuring unit 11 is corrected based on the monitor result of the coherence monitor unit 12. |
| US08149415B2 |
Background-free absorption spectroscopy using spectral differentiator
An absorption spectrometer provides improved rejection of background radiation signal by employing a frequency-swept laser signal without frequency dithering and performing an effective differentiation of output light from a test cell to eliminate these constant or slowly varying background radiation levels. |
| US08149411B2 |
Sensor unit for a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) unit
The invention relates to a sensor unit for a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) unit, comprising a transparent sensor structure forming at least one wall of a cavity, the wall being defined by a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface The inner surface is provided with a layer of a conductive material capable of supporting a surface plasmon. In the cavity there is provided a flow structure in said cavity so as to form at least one compartment for sample between the flow structure and the inner wall of the cavity. Also, a method for the detection of events at a surface by utilizing surface plasmon resonance is provided. It comprises placing a sample with an analyte of interest in a sensor unit as claimed in claim 1, and measuring the reflectance from said sensor unit at a single or plurality of angle/angles. |
| US08149408B2 |
Device for measuring elevations and/or depressions in a surface
In a device for measuring elevations and/or depressions of a flexible surface which is at least partially transmissive to light, for measurement purposes, the surface is illuminated by a fiber-optical means (3) by way of a light source (7) and the brightness of the reflected light is measured by the same fiber-optical means using a photosensor (1). |
| US08149403B2 |
Optical equipment having wavelength-independent optical path division element
Optical equipment for detecting beams emitted from a sample by irradiating the sample with linear polarization according to an aspect of the present invention includes a wavelength-independent optical path division element arranged at a position of coupling of a illumination optical path of the linear polarization and a detection optical path of the beams, and the linear polarization is reflected by the interface of the optical path division element entered as S polarization and led to the sample, and the beams pass through the optical path division element and are detected. |
| US08149402B2 |
Optical system for a flow cytometer
The preferred embodiments of the invention is an optical system for a flow cytometer including a flow channel with an interrogation zone, and an illumination source that impinges the flow channel in the interrogation zone from a particular direction. The optical system preferably includes a lens system and a detection system. The lens system preferably includes multiple lens surfaces arranged around the flow channel and adapted to collect and collimate light from the interrogation zone. The detection system preferably includes multiple detectors adapted to detect light from the lens system. Each detector preferably includes a local filter that independently filters for specific wavelengths. Thus, the user may easily swap the filters in any order to achieve the same detection parameters. |
| US08149401B2 |
System and method for distinguishing particles in a transient fluid
A method for detecting a presence of a particle in a fluid is disclosed. The method includes the steps of directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation into the transient fluid; providing a sensor to detect an intensity of the radiation after passing through at least a portion of the fluid; generating a data representing the intensity detected by the sensor; and analyzing the data based upon a statistical analysis to detect the presence of a particle in the fluid and determine whether the particle is water or a solid particle. |
| US08149396B2 |
Defect inspection apparatus and its method
A defect inspection apparatus for inspecting defects on an inspecting object includes an illuminator which irradiates a beam of light on the inspecting object, a photo-detector which detects rays of light from the inspecting object due to the irradiation of the light beam by the illuminator, a defect detector which detects a defect by processing a signal obtained through detection by the photo-detector, a characteristic quantity calculator which calculates a characteristic quantity related to a size of the defect, and a defect size calculator which uses a relation between size and characteristic quantity which is calculated by an optical simulation and calculates a size of the detected defect. |
| US08149394B2 |
Crack detection system
A crack detection system and a method for detecting cracks in a loaded engineering structure are provided. The system and method include a light source coupled and optical fibers that are led through the structure. The optical fibers have diameters below 75 μm. The light source is coupled to the optical fibers. |
| US08149392B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing handoff inaccuracies in a countermeasures system
A method for reducing handoff inaccuracies in a DIRCM countermeasures system comprising the step of adding a second on-axis camera to the DIRCM countermeasures system. |
| US08149382B2 |
Surface position detection apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
A surface position detection apparatus capable of highly precisely detecting the surface position of a surface to be detected without substantially being affected by relative positional displacement due to a polarization component occurring in a light flux having passed through a reflective surface. In the apparatus, a projection system has a projection side prism member (7) having first reflective surfaces (7b, 7c), and a light receiving system has a light receiving prism member (8) having second reflective surfaces (8b, 8c) arranged in correspondence with the projection side prism member. The surface position detection apparatus further has a member for compensating relative positional displacement due to a polarization component of a light flux having passed through the first and second reflective surfaces. |
| US08149373B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a mesh spacer, and a liquid crystal. The first substrate includes a black matrix. The mesh spacer is formed by a plurality of longitudinal strips and a plurality of transverse strips, and is disposed on the black matrix and is configured between the first substrate and the second substrate. The longitudinal strips and the transverse strips have different thickness. The liquid crystal is disposed in spaces formed by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the mesh spacer. |
| US08149372B2 |
IPS liquid crystal display panel having spacer holes formed between common lines and gate lines
A liquid crystal display panel according includes a gate line and a data line crossing each other on a first substrate, a common electrode formed in parallel to the data line, a common line connected to the common electrode and arranged in parallel to the gate line, a gate insulating film formed between the gate and data lines to cover the gate line, the common line and the common electrode, a thin film transistor formed at a crossing part of the gate and data lines, a passivation film covering the thin film transistor, the data line and the gate insulating film, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a spacer hole penetrating the gate insulating film and the passivation film, and at least one ball spacer formed in the spacer hole. |
| US08149370B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a vertical alignment type liquid crystal cell including a first substrate formed with a first electrode, a second substrate formed with a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules given a pretilt angle. A pair of polarizer plates sandwiches the cell, and a driver device applies a voltage of a multiplex driving waveform across the first and second electrodes. In a display in-plane parallel to a surface of the first or second substrate, at least one of the first and second electrodes has a zigzag border alternately coupling a first border perpendicular to display in-plane components of directors of liquid crystal molecules in a middle area along a thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer in the absence of applied voltage and a second border extending along a direction crossing the first border. |
| US08149369B2 |
In-plane switching mode LCD device
An embodiment of a unit pixel of an in-plane switching (IPS) mode LCD device includes a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in the unit pixel region, wherein each pixel electrode is configured to apply a pixel voltage from the data line, and a plurality of common electrodes correspondingly arranged in the unit pixel region, wherein each common electrode is configured to apply a common voltage from a common line in parallel with the data line to form electric field in conjunction with the corresponding pixel electrodes. The unit pixel region is vertically divided into over three sub-regions, at least one pixel electrode spans all sub-regions, and a bent angle of the at least one pixel electrode in a sub-region is different from the bent angle of the at least one pixel electrode in an adjacent sub-region, wherein the bent angle is measured relative to the gate line. |
| US08149362B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and fabrication method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having an alignment film of which pretilt angle and azimuthal angle can be adjusted without ultraviolet irradiation and a method for fabricating the LCD device are provided. A liquid crystal display having a thin film transistor substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates includes a first alignment film having a pattern which defines a first and second alignment domains on the thin film transistor substrate and a second alignment film formed on the color filter substrate. |
| US08149360B2 |
Projection image display apparatus
A projection image display apparatus includes: light source; polarization/separation element having a polarization/separation plane through which one polarized light passes and which reflects the other orthogonal to the one; an image display element for modulating the incident light into image light and reflecting the image light; and a retardation plate disposed between the polarization/separation element and the image display element: the retardation plate has refractive indices different between two orthogonal directions in an optical surface thereof, and gives phase difference larger than λ/4 to polarized light entering the optical surface and having a wavelength λ; and supposing z axis be a normal to a light entering/exiting surface of the polarization/separation element, y axis be perpendicular to z axis and a normal to the polarization/separation plane, and x axis be perpendicular to z- and y-axes, the first retardation plate has optic axis within xz plane and tilted to x axis. |
| US08149356B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, polarizing plate and backlight source
A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel which has a liquid crystal cell including a predetermined liquid crystal layer and polarizing plates for holding the liquid crystal cell, a backlight source which is arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal panel, for irradiating the liquid crystal panel with white light, and an absorbing layer which is arranged between the backlight source and the liquid crystal cell, for absorbing only the light of the wavelength band corresponding to a changed color of the white light while passing through the liquid crystal panel in the oblique direction with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08149349B2 |
Liquid crystal display module
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) module includes an LCD panel, a light source unit, a mold frame, a bottom chassis and a driving circuit substrate. The light source unit supplies light to the LCD panel. The mold frame includes a bottom part and sidewall part, and receives the LCD panel and the light source unit. The bottom chassis covers the mold frame and includes a first opening. The driving circuit substrate is disposed between the mold frame and the bottom chassis, and includes a circuit component. The circuit component is formed corresponding to the first opening. |
| US08149344B2 |
Liquid crystal display having particular capacitor electrodes
In a pixel array substrate, scan lines intersect data lines to define first to third sub-pixel regions. First to third conductive parts are respectively disposed in the first to third sub-pixel regions. First to third capacitor electrodes are respectively disposed over the first to third conductive parts to form pixel storage capacitors. A spacer is disposed over the third capacitor electrode. At least one of a shape or a size of the third capacitor electrode is different from that of the first or second capacitor electrode. |
| US08149340B2 |
Electronic device in which an electronic component is mounted on a main board
There is provided an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a main board formed with a cut out and comprising first and second surfaces facing each other; and an electronic component comprising a sub board and a casing and connected to the main board. A part of the electronic component is accommodated in the cut out of the main board across the first and second surfaces of the main board. The sub board and the main board are spaced from each other without overlap. |
| US08149337B2 |
Video processing apparatus and video processing method
According to one embodiment, a video processing apparatus includes an input module and a video processor. The input module is configured to input a video signal. The video processor is configured to apply sharpening processing to pixels in a horizontal direction and pixels in a vertical direction, which are included in the video signal, and to apply image blur correction to the pixels in the horizontal direction and the pixels in the vertical direction based on an imaging model function. |
| US08149336B2 |
Method for digital noise reduction in low light video
A system and method for filtering video noise is provided. Video generated under low lighting conditions is susceptible to increased noise and graininess, which increases the required storage space required for recording the noisy video. The provided system and method for filtering video noise reduces noise in low-light video by estimating the noise profile associated with at least one video frame; discriminating between chrominance noise and luminance noise in said noise profile; applying predetermined filter criteria to said chrominance noise to estimate the parameters for luminance noise filtering; applying said luminance noise filtering parameters to filter the luminance noise; and generating a first filtered output of a frame by logical combination of outputs obtained from luminance noise filter and chrominance noise filter. |
| US08149335B2 |
Picture display apparatus with selectively divided screens, picture display method for selectively dividing screens, and storage medium
A picture display apparatus, comprising: a synthesizing section for synthesizing divided screens to display a plurality of pictures on a single screen; a menu display section for displaying a menu in which a list of options is displayed, the options enabling a user to select a change to be made to at least one of a number, shapes, relative sizes, and relative positions of the divided screens and types of the pictures, so that the user can select from the options to switch to a corresponding screen arrangement; an icon display section for displaying an icon indicating a border between the divided screens in association with the options; and a border changing section for updating the divided screens according to a change in position of the border, wherein the icon display section displays the icon indicating a result of the change in position of the border before the border changing section updates the divided screens according to the change in position of the border. Thus, the user is informed of what the screen will look like before entering a change of the border. |
| US08149332B2 |
Method and system for using a subset of receive operations for detecting digital and analog television signals
Aspects of a method and system for processing signals in a television system using a subset of receive operations for detecting digital and analog television signals are provided. The system and method may be deployed in, for example, cable TV set-top boxes, cable TV modems, and television receivers, which may be coupled to a cable TV or over-the-air terrestrial network. Performing only a subset of receiver operations may allow detection of the type of signal; for example digital QAM, digital VSB, or analog; present in a television channel. In this regard, it is not necessary to generate and validate a bit stream in order to detect if a signal is present and/or the type of signal present. |
| US08149330B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for automated correction of closed captioning data
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for automated correction of closed-captioning data. Patterns of characters are stored in memory. A digital stream is received having the closed captioning data encoded therein. The closed captioning data is decoded from the received digital stream. A sequence of closed captioning characters is acquired from the decoded closed captioning data. The memory is queried for the sequence of closed captioning characters. If the sequence of closed captioning characters contains a pattern stored in the memory, then the sequence of closed captioning characters is diverted to a syntactical checker. If the sequence of closed captioning characters fails to contain the patterns of characters, then the sequence of closed captioning characters is processed for display. |
| US08149325B2 |
Exposure control apparatus and exposure control program for vehicle-mounted electronic camera
In an exposure control apparatus for a vehicle-installed camera which captures images of an external scene ahead of the vehicle as arrays of picture elements, a measured brightness value is obtained from each image based on respective spatial-domain average brightness values of a plurality of picture element groups, such as horizontal rows of picture elements. For each of at least part of the groups, time-axis filtering is applied to a plurality of average brightness values that have been successively obtained for that group, to obtain an average brightness values with reduced effect of time-axis variations in brightness. |
| US08149320B2 |
Shooting optical system
A shooting optical system for performing flange back adjustment by moving a lens unit included in the shooting optical system in an optical axis direction includes: a drive gear engaging a lens holding frame for holding the lens unit; a drive unit for rotating the drive gear; a first gear rotating relatively to the drive gear; an operation unit for the flange back adjustment, for rotating the first gear; a detection unit for detecting a relative positional relationship between the first gear and the drive gear; and a control unit for driving the drive unit so as to rotate the drive gear based on a detection signal detected by the detection unit, thereby moving the lens holding frame in the optical axis direction so that the flange back adjustment is performed. |
| US08149314B2 |
Image capturing apparatus having display control of information and frames on displayed images and display control method
When various kinds of information and various frames are superimposed on a displayed image of a subject during live view shooting, an object to be preferentially displayed is switched between the various kinds of information and the various frames in accordance with an overlapping state of the various kinds of information and the various frames if the various kinds of information overlap the various frames. |
| US08149310B2 |
Readout system and method for an image sensor
A readout system with enhanced dynamic range for an image sensor is constructed with a pixel circuit and a readout circuit. The pixel circuit includes at least a first amplifier with a first gain and a second amplifier with a second gain for amplifying signals from the image sensor. The readout circuit includes at least a first readout sub-circuit and a second readout sub-circuit for corresponding reading output of the first amplifier and output of the second amplifier respectively. |
| US08149308B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
A high dynamic range solid-state image pickup device is provided with a plurality of unit cells, which convert light into signal charges and accumulate the signal charges. The unit cells are arranged by rows and columns for outputting a signal voltage corresponding to the signal charges. A selector and a read transistor set an accumulation time period for accumulating the signal charges in the unit cells to a first period and a second period different from each other. The row selector and a vertical selection transistor select a row. Sampling capacitors (210a, 210b) are connected to the unit cell of each column. A pulse generator and sampling transistors select an arbitrary sampling capacitor from the sampling capacitors. The pulse generator and the sampling transistors perform selection so as to accumulate the signal voltage corresponding to the signal charges accumulated during the first period and the second period in the sampling capacitors, respectively. |
| US08149305B2 |
Method and apparatus to detect a dead pixel of an image sensor and method and apparatus to capture an image from an image sensor
A method and apparatus to detect a dead pixel in an image sensor having a pixel array to generate a plurality of image frames, and a method and apparatus to capture an image from the image sensor detect a dead pixel in the image sensor. A change of a scene of the image frames is sensed, and a detection operation to detect a dead pixel in the pixel array is performed if the change of the scene is sensed. |
| US08149304B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging device
Solid-state imaging device having a plurality of vertical signal lines, includes for each vertical signal line, an effective pixel and a dummy pixel, a switch transistor provided on a path connecting the dummy pixel and the vertical signal line, and a read-out unit. The switch transistor is OFF while a first signal is outputted from the effective pixel and ON while a second signal is outputted from the dummy pixel. The read-out unit (i) reads out a level of the first signal while the switch transistor is OFF, and (ii) reads out a difference between the level of the first signal and a level of the second signal when the switch transistor is turned from OFF to ON. |
| US08149303B2 |
Methods for capturing and reading out images from an image sensor
Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. |
| US08149297B2 |
Zooms lens system, imaging device and camera
A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit of positive power, a second lens unit of negative power, a third lens unit of positive power, and a fourth lens unit of positive power, wherein the first lens unit is composed of three or fewer lens elements, wherein the second lens unit is composed of three lens elements, wherein in zooming, the first to the fourth lens units are moved individually along an optical axis such that air spaces should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein the conditions are satisfied: 5.50≦fG1/fW≦7.92, ωW≧35 and fT/fW≧10 (fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit, ωW is a half view angle at a wide-angle limit, and fT and fW are focal lengths of the entire system respectively at a telephoto limit and at a wide-angle limit), an imaging device and a camera are provided. |
| US08149296B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
This invention is a solid-state image pickup device that solves the problem of limited dynamic range in the high luminance region in an image sensor having white pixels. White pixels or yellow pixels and at least red pixels, green pixels or blue pixels are arranged in array form on the light receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate. White pixels or yellow pixels have an additional capacitance CS connected to the photodiode via the floating diffusion, a capacitance coupling transistor S that can couple or separate the floating diffusion and the additional capacitance. The proportion of white or yellow pixels to the total number of pixels is higher in a central portion of the light receiving surface than a peripheral portion. The white or yellow pixel may share a floating diffusion with a red, green or blue pixel. |
| US08149293B2 |
Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, image processing method and program recording medium
A high luminance point detecting section of an image processing apparatus detects a high luminance point of the captured image. A chroma extracting section sets a first area in the captured image with the high luminance point serving as a reference point and extracts a first chroma by using color information of the first area. Further, the chroma extracting section sets a second area at a position more apart from the high luminance point than the first area in the captured image and extracts a second chroma by using color information of the second area. A color bleeding estimating section estimates intensity of color bleeding appearing in the captured image based on a value of the first chroma relative to the second chroma. |
| US08149291B2 |
Image capture apparatus, control method thereof, program, and storage medium
An image capture apparatus sets an amount of exposure on an image sensor based on luminance information on an object field, calculates an expected signal level value that is an expected value of luminance signal level that is expected to be output from the image sensor when the image sensor is exposed at the set amount of exposure, compares the expected signal level value with an actual signal level value that is an actual value of luminance signal level output from the image sensor when the image sensor is exposed at the set amount of exposure, and sets a gain based on a result of the comparison. |
| US08149288B2 |
Image capture device that records image accordant with predetermined condition and storage medium that stores program
An image capture device sets a central vicinity of a frame of a predetermined area as a focus region upon detecting a half-press operation of a shutter button in a through-the-lens image displaying, designates a central vicinity pixel region of the region as a pixel region to be tracked, and determines whether or not the designated pixel region is adequate as an object of tracking. If the pixel region is adequate, the pixel region is tracked until the shutter button is detected as pressed down fully. When a fully-press operation of the shutter button is detected, the frame of a predetermined area is displayed in a fixed manner on a display unit. Upon a detection that a change of the pixel region has occurred, or the pixel region has contacted or exceeded the frame of a predetermined area, a recording processing is started immediately by a high speed consecutive capture. |
| US08149286B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and control method for same, and information processing apparatus, printing apparatus, and print data generation method, using correlation information recorded as attribute information of image data of frame
In an image sensing apparatus capable of sensing a moving image, when sensing of the moving image, image data of the sensed moving image and image sensing condition data of such moving image are stored, a frame for printing is selected from among multiple frames of the image data forming the stored moving image, and a number of frames to synthesize is determined based on image sensing conditions for the selected frames. Of the plurality of frames of image data forming the moving image/image data of the selected frame and of the determined number of frames sensed before and after the selected frame is synthesized to generate image data for printing. |
| US08149284B2 |
Imaging unit having a shake correction unit
An imaging unit having: an image pickup element for imaging a subject; a camera shake correction unit for correcting camera shake by moving the image pickup element, wherein the camera shake correction unit includes a stage which carries the image pickup element; and a reference bedplate supporting the camera shake correction unit; at least two guide members which support the stage movably with respect to the reference bedplate in a predetermined direction respectively; and wherein the camera shake correction unit further includes a biasing member for biasing the stage in one direction except the predetermined directions with respect to the reference bedplate, thereby removing mechanical play in at least two directions out of the three dimensional directions of the guide member. |
| US08149280B2 |
Face detection image processing device, camera device, image processing method, and program
Disclosed herein is an image processing device including: a face detector configured to detect a face from an image given on a basis of detection information; and a processing unit configured to set the detection information of the face detector, receive at least an input image before distortion correction of the image before the distortion correction and an image after the distortion correction, divide an entire image region of the input image, and supply each of the divided images to the face detector on a time-division basis, wherein the face detector detects faces from a face of a maximum size to a face of a minimum size in the entire image in a detectable range. |
| US08149278B2 |
System and method for modeling movement of objects using probabilistic graphs obtained from surveillance data
A method and system tracks models and predict object movement in an environment. Sequences of temporally and spatially adjacent events sensed by the set of sensors are linked to form a set of tracklets. Each tracklet has an associated starting and terminating location. The tracklets are used to construct a directed graph including starting nodes, terminating nodes, and, intermediate nodes connected by edges. The intermediate nodes can be split nodes where tracklets diverge onto different tracks, and join nodes where multiple tracklets converge onto a single path. Probabilities are assigned to the edges to model and predict movement of the objects in the environment. |
| US08149272B2 |
Multiple view display
A multiple view display comprises a parallax optic such as a parallax barrier (25) and a spatial light modulator (20) having a plurality of pixels arranged as rows and columns. The parallax optic (25) cooperates with the pixel structure to create a plurality of primary viewpoint-corrected viewing windows. The rows are arranged as groups and the parallax elements are arranged as rows. Each parallax element is aligned with a respective group of rows of the pixels. The pixels comprise sets of pixels of different colors arranged so that the sequence of visible colors viewable in each viewing window through each parallax element of each row of parallax elements is different from the sequence of pixel colors visible through the or each nearest parallax element in the or each adjacent row of parallax elements. |
| US08149268B1 |
System and method for determining three-dimensional information from two-dimensional images
A system and method of determining three-dimensional data for an object by performing optical flow analysis to calculate surface profile analysis for a group of monocular component images that vary wavelength distribution, and determining three-dimensional data relating to the object from the component images and the surface profile analysis. Stereo image features are obtained from a single monocular polychromatic raw image or multiple monocular grayscale images having known spectral imaging collection data. Apparatus are described which allow three-dimensional data for an object to be determined from one or more two-dimensional images of the object. |
| US08149267B2 |
Recording medium, playback device, and integrated circuit
A recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base-view stream and a dependent-view stream. The base-view stream is used for monoscopic video playback. The dependent-view stream is used for stereoscopic video playback in combination with the base-view stream. The recording medium further includes a first file and a second file. The first file refers to the base-view stream in monoscopic video playback, and the second file refers to the base-view stream in stereoscopic video playback. |
| US08149263B2 |
Distributed scheduling, call control, and resource management for dispersed dynamic video communications networks
Method, system, and computer program product example embodiments of the invention are disclosed to manage multiple network zones interconnected over a wide area network for video conferencing. In one example embodiment of the invention, an interface of a zone controller is configured to receive a first user request to schedule local resources for a video conferencing session within a local network zone. The zone controller is configured to access local services in the zone to schedule the local resources for the video conferencing session. The interface of the zone controller is further configured to receive a second user request to schedule remote resources in a remote network zone for the video conferencing session. A local Network Zone Manager in the zone controller is configured to determine a remote Network Zone Manager responsible for the remote resources in the remote network zone in response to the second user request. The local Network Zone Manager is further configured to send the second request to the remote Network Zone Manager. The local Network Zone Manager is further configured to receive information on availability of the remote resources from the remote Network Zone Manager and pass the information to a local scheduling service in the zone controller, which is configured to then schedule the video conferencing session between the local and remote resources. |
| US08149262B2 |
Network management server for managing multiple operating modes of a conferencing network with different sets of policies
A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed to manage multiple operating modes in a video conferencing network under which different sets of policies can operate. The system is a network management server, also referred to herein as the ELASTIC GATEKEEPER™, that includes a Conference Management System, which selectively implements one or more different sets of operating policies. The Conference Management System is integrated and linked with a gatekeeper, which is responsible for setting up calls that are using end point alias addresses. The gatekeeper works with the Conference Management System to control access to network resources. Upon receiving a request to access a call, the gatekeeper passes the request to the Conference Management System for its approval. The Conference Management System has access to a robust set of policies, a detailed description of the network resources, and an awareness of the current System Operational Mode upon which to base a decision about the conditions and resources that can be granted to the requested call. |
| US08149254B2 |
Displaying apparatus to reduce image marking and control method thereof
The invention relates to a displaying apparatus having a display unit on which an image corresponding to an image signal inputted is displayed, comprising: an image signal processing unit processing the image signal so that the image is displayed on the display unit; and a control unit controlling the image signal processing unit to output a predetermined image on a blank area where the image is not displayed when the blank area is displayed for a predetermined time and to change the predetermined image. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention to provide a displaying apparatus capable of preventing an image sticking phenomenon by sensing a blank area, outputting a predetermined pattern on the blank area and changing the predetermined pattern periodically when the blank area is continued for a predetermined period of time. |
| US08149251B2 |
Methods and apparatus for assessing and monitoring the capability and quality of a color reproduction system
A color reproduction system comprises a color imaging output device (e.g., monitor, printer, etc.) and its device characterization (e.g., ICC profile, device link, etc.). A method for assessing the capability and accuracy of a color reproduction system is presented. This method may be used to assess the fit between a color reproduction system and its intended use (e.g., proofing, production, etc.). In addition, it may be used to monitor the color accuracy of a color reproduction system over time, thus informing users of the need to recalibrate and/or recharacterize the system. |
| US08149250B2 |
Gamma curve correction for TN and TFT display modules
A circuit and methods eliminating production related luminance variations of electronic display applies to all display technologies that require gamma adjustment or also adjustment of other display parameters e.g. brightness or contrast as e.g. LCD or OLED display modules are disclosed. This is performed by individual trimming of the display driver's gamma curve One alternative is that an end-user has access to a non-volatile memory and replaces the factory default settings of the gamma curve with individual settings. Another alternative is to load gamma curve parameters from the non-volatile memory to gamma control registers and perform tweaking of the gamma curve from these control registers on top of the factory default settings in the non-volatile memory. |
| US08149249B1 |
Feedback during crossing of zoom levels
Aspects of this disclosure are directed to zooming into or out of image content. A user may request to zoom into or out of image content by inputting a multi-touch gesture. The request may reach one or more discrete zoom levels of a plurality of discrete zoom levels. Discrete zoom levels may indicate specific magnification factors for which a device may be able to clearly render image content. The device may output an indication when the request reaches the one or more discrete zoom levels. |
| US08149248B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying map using non-linear compression
A map displaying method and apparatus to display a map on a screen, the map displaying method including: establishing a first area on the map that is not compressed based on a current location of an object on the map; non-linearly compressing a second area adjacent to the first area at different compression ratios according to a distance from the first area to generate a third area; and displaying the first area and the third area on the screen. |
| US08149245B1 |
Adaptive linear contrast method for enhancement of low-visibility imagery
A method may include the steps of segmenting an image into a plurality of tiles, calculating an upper clip limit and a lower clip limit for each tile of the plurality of tiles based upon a user input standard deviation, generating a lookup table for each tile of the plurality of tiles by linearly mapping the pixels of the image based upon the calculated upper clip limit and lower clip limit, processing each tile of the plurality of tiles based upon the generated lookup table, and generating a processed image by combining each of the processed tiles. The method may include the steps of scaling the image between zero and one and/or scaling the image based upon the display type. The method may be stored on a computer readable medium and may be used in an image processing system having memory, a processor, and a display. |
| US08149242B2 |
Graphics processing apparatus, graphics library module and graphics processing method
There is provided a graphics processing system that includes a main processing unit and a graphics processing unit (GPU). The main processing unit puts rendering commands generated using a graphics library in the queue of a command buffer in a main memory. In this process, the library function offered by the graphics library is converted into the rendering commands, without any rendering attributes retained in the library. The GPU reads and executes the rendering commands stacked in the command buffer, and generates rendering data in a frame buffer. |
| US08149241B2 |
Arrangements for controlling activities of an avatar
Systems are disclosed herein that allow a participant to be associated with an avatar and receive a transmission from the participant in response to a participant activated transmission. The transmission can include a participant selectable and time delayed mood and/or activity command which can be associated with a user configurable command to avatar activity conversion table. The associated avatar activity table can provide control signal to the VU system controlling the participant's avatar for extended time periods, where the activity commands allow the avatar to exhibit a mood and to conduct an activity. The preconfigured time controlled activity commands allow the user to control their avatar without being actively engaged in a session with a virtual universe client or logged on and the control configuration can be set up such that a single mood/activity control signal can initiate moods and activities that occur over an extended period of time. |
| US08149238B2 |
Method and system for adaptive maximum intensity projection ray casting
The adaptive MIP ray casting system first fragments a 3-D dataset into multiple sub-volumes and constructs an octree data structure with each sub-volume being associated with one node of the octree data structure. The system then establishes a 2-D image plane and selectively launches a plurality of rays towards the 3-D dataset, each ray adaptively interacting with a subset of the sub-volumes and identifies the maximum data value along the ray path. The maximum data value is then converted into a pixel value on the 2-D image plane. Finally, the system interpolates pixel values at those locations where no pixel value is generated by ray casting and thereby generates a 2-D image of the 3-D dataset. |
| US08149237B2 |
Information processing apparatus and program
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention deforms stored first mesh information of a three-dimensional object based on a deformation instruction for instructing deformation of the three-dimensional object, to acquire second mesh information, acquires a first slice information group, which is a plurality of slice information, based on the second mesh information, determines color information of the points after deformation from stored 3D voxel information, sets new color information for the points of the first slice information group based on the determined color information of the points to acquire a second slice information group, and displays that second slice information group. With this information processing apparatus, it is possible to render deformation in the shape of a three-dimensional object in real time, along with the color information of its surface and interior. |
| US08149230B2 |
Light emitting display
A light emitting display includes a substrate, a pixel area, a first power source line to supply a first power signal to each pixel on a first side of the pixel area, a second power source line to supply the first power signal to each pixel on a second side of the pixel area, and an impedance compensator for compensating a difference in a voltage drop between the first power source line and the second power source line. A voltage drop caused by line resistance that depends on the length of the first and second power source line that supply the first power signal to a lower and upper side of a pixel area, respectively, is equalized, thereby minimizing the voltage drop of the first power signal supplied to all pixels, and minimizing non-uniformity of brightness due to the voltage drop differences at each pixel. |
| US08149228B2 |
Active matrix substrate
An active matrix substrate including a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of sub-pixels is provided. The scan lines and the data lines are disposed on the substrate, and define a plurality of sub-pixel regions distributed in a delta arrangement. The sub-pixels corresponding to the sub-pixel regions are disposed on the substrate. The sub-pixels are electrically connected with corresponding scan lines and corresponding data lines. Between two sub-pixel regions corresponding to any two adjacent sub-pixels at a same side of one scan line, there are two data lines. Each sub-pixel includes an active device and a pixel electrode. The active device is electrically connected with a corresponding scan line and a corresponding data line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected with the active device, and extends from the sub-pixel region corresponding to the sub-pixel to a position over the data line. |
| US08149226B2 |
Operational direction detecting device
An operational direction detecting device includes a device body that includes an operational area operable in two or more directions, two or more detection electrode/drive electrode pairs that are formed at direction detecting positions of the operational area and form capacitance between a detection electrode and a drive electrode, and a control unit that decides an entrance direction of an object to be detected from capacitance acquired by each of the two or more detection electrode/drive electrode pairs when an object to be detected performing an operation enters the operational area. The control unit decides the direction of the area corresponding to larger capacitance as the entrance direction of the object to be detected when the composite capacitance of capacitances acquired at the two or more detection electrode/drive electrode pairs exceeds a first predetermined value. |
| US08149224B1 |
Computing system with detachable touch screen device
A computing system includes a computer device and a detachable touch screen device. The computer device receives input from a touch screen of a detachable touch screen device when the detachable touch screen device is attached to a touch screen port of the computer device and displays an image on a display device of the computer device based on the input. Further, the detachable touch screen device receives input from the touch screen when the detachable touch screen device is detached from the computer device and displays an image on the touch screen based on the input. In various embodiments, the detachable touch screen device performs a computing function, a communication function, or a media function based on the input to the touch screen when the detachable touch screen device is detached from the computer device. |
| US08149222B2 |
Electronic device configured to receive touch sensor
An electronic device includes a main body, a panel mounted on the main body, and a substrate disposed between the main body and the panel. The substrate is configured for carrying touch sensors, and is connected to the panel. The electronic device further includes elastic arms extended from the main body, bearing resilient against the substrate. The touch sensors are mounted in the electronic device reliably. |
| US08149220B2 |
Position detector and display device having the same
A position detector is disclosed, which includes a sensor substrate having a sensor coil for receiving an electromagnetic wave output from a position indicator, and a magnetic path plate that has an area equal to or larger than an area in which the sensor coil is arranged on the sensor substrate. The magnetic path plate is formed by stacking an amorphous layer and a non-amorphous layer, which is formed of metal with relative magnetic permeability lower than that of the amorphous layer. Such magnetic path plate is arranged on a side of the sensor substrate opposite to a side facing the position indicator. |
| US08149219B2 |
Touchpad with single-layered printed circuit board structure
In a touchpad with single-layered PCB structure, a PCB has a bottom layer with a sensor area and a component area thereon, the sensor area includes two directional traces directly connected to the component area, respectively, and carbon film wires in the sensor area for interconnecting one or more of the directional traces. |
| US08149214B2 |
Method, medium and apparatus browsing images
A method, medium and apparatus browsing images is disclosed. The method browsing images includes sensing acceleration imparted to a portable digital device, and moving an image onto a display area in accordance with a tilt angle of the portable digital device if the sensed acceleration is greater than a first threshold value. |
| US08149212B2 |
Bracelet with information display and inputting capability
A bracelet with information display and inputting capability comprises twelve segments hinged together to allow the bracelet to be folded around the wrist of a user. An information processing unit receives inputted information from an inputting device, for example, by a QWERTY keyboard, and generates display for displaying information on display screen. The display screen and the keyboard each extends over more than one segment of the bracelet, and the segments of the bracelet are hinged to allow the bracelet to be arranged flat for input of information via the inputting device. |
| US08149209B1 |
Computer interface system
A user interface system includes a data receiving device and a portable data device having a memory. The portable data device may include a wireless interface configured to transmit data stored in the memory. A user may interface with the data receiving device by physically manipulating the portable data device. |
| US08149208B2 |
Electrophoretic display panel
The electrophoretic display panel (1) for displaying a picture and a subsequent picture has drive means (100) which are able to control for each pixel (2) the potential difference to have a picture value to provide the pixels (2) with a respective picture appearance being either extreme or intermediate, subsequently to have an inter-picture value to provide the pixels (2) with a respective inter-picture appearance, and subsequently to have a subsequent picture value. For the display panel (1) to be able to provide the pixels (2) with the inter-picture appearances which are in general relatively little visible, the drive means (100) are able to control for each pixel (2) an estimate potential difference as the inter-picture value to provide the pixels (2) with a respective estimate picture appearance as the inter-picture appearance. |
| US08149207B2 |
Touch signal transmission circuit for touch LCD
A touch signal transmission circuit for a touch control LCD is mounted to an inner side of an upper substrate of the LCD, having a first patterned electrode layer and a second patterned electrode layer, which are electrically insulated from each other and partially overlap each other in intervals to define a touch control section. Each of the first and second patterned electrode layers includes a plurality of electrodes in the shape of footsteps. The electrodes are interlaced with one another, having some parts overlapping and right corresponding to each other to define a plurality of touch-sensitive points. In this way, only fewer footstep-shaped electrodes are needed to cover the whole touch control section to decrease the number of bonding pads and pins of a touch control IC. Besides, a lot of touch sensitive points are closely disposed in the touch control section to keep quick detection and decoding. |
| US08149206B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of controlling the same
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel, a first and a second light emitting diode (LED) light source unit configured to irradiate light onto the liquid crystal display panel, a light source drive circuit configured to individually drive the first and second LED light source units, and a light source controller configured to generate the address signal and dimming signal and transmit the address signal and dimming signal to the light source drive circuit in a self screen mode. |
| US08149198B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Gray scale display is performed by combining time ratio gray scale and voltage gray scale in a liquid crystal display device which performs display in OCB mode. In doing so, one frame is divided into subframes corresponding to the number of bit for the time ratio gray scale. Initialize voltage is applied onto the liquid crystal upon display of a subframe. |
| US08149197B2 |
Electro-optical device, drive method for electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical display device includes an electro-optical panel, a scanning line drive circuit for scanning the scanning lines of the panel during a selection period, and a signal line drive circuit for outputting a data signal to a predetermined pixel through the corresponding data line of the panel in synchronization with the scanning of the scanning line drive circuit. During the selection period during which the data signal is output to the predetermined pixel, the duration of the ON voltage interval corresponding to a grayscale level having the longest OFF voltage interval is longer than the duration of the OFF voltage interval corresponding to a grayscale level having the longest ON voltage interval. |
| US08149196B2 |
Display device and apparatus and method for driving the same
A display device, and an apparatus and method for driving the display device are provided, to obtain a rapid speed in a calculation circuit for converting data of three colors to data of four colors, and to perform various algorithms for extracting white color data with one data converter. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a data driver for supplying video data signals to the respective sub-pixels; a gate driver for supplying scan signals to the respective sub-pixels; a data converter for extracting a plurality of white color signals by using three-color source data, and for generating white color data based upon a selection signal, so as to convert the three-color source data to four-color data; and a timing controller for supplying the four-color data outputted from the data converter to the data driver, and controlling the gate driver and the data driver. |
| US08149194B2 |
Liquid crystal display and base structure thereof
A base structure is used for bearing a display. The base structure includes a support and a seat. The support is connected to a display at one end and detachably disposed on the seat at the other end. The support has a buckling member, and the seat has at least one slot. The buckling member is fitted on the end of the support disposed on the seat, and is rotatable between a release position and a clamping position relative to the support. The buckling member has at least one baffle. When the buckling member is at the release position, the support is detached from the seat by passing the baffle through the slot. When the buckling member is at the clamping position, the baffle and the slot form an angle, and the baffle and the seat have a retaining relationship so as to lock the support on the seat. |
| US08149191B2 |
Sequential calibration of matched current sources
A system involves LED strings and programmable current source circuits (CSC). An LED current flows through each LED string. Each LED current is controlled by an associated programmable CSC. In one embodiment, the CSCs form a chain. A first CSC uses a reference current for calibration, and thereafter supplies the reference current to the next CSC. When the next CSC detects the reference current, it uses the reference current for calibration. CSCs are calibrated one by one down the chain. In a second embodiment, each CSC can receive the reference current from a common conductor. If the common conductor is detected to be available, then the CSC uses the reference current for calibration. When the conductor is in use, the other CSCs detect the conductor as unavailable and do not attempt to self-calibrate. The CSCs use the reference current one by one, but in an order that changes over time. |
| US08149189B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a first scan switching element controlled in response to a first scan signal from a first scan line and connected between a first data line and a first node, a first storage capacitor connected between the first node and an AC voltage supply line, a first driving switching element controlled in response to a signal applied to the first node and connected between a second node and the AC voltage supply line, a light emitting element connected between a high-level voltage supply line and the second node, a first sensing switching element controlled in response to a first gate signal from a first gate line and connected between the first data line and the second node, a second scan switching element controlled in response to a second scan signal from a second scan line and connected between a second data line and a third node, a second storage capacitor connected between the third node and the AC voltage supply line, and a second driving switching element controlled in response to a signal applied to the third node and connected between the second node and the AC voltage supply line. |
| US08149187B2 |
Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display that can minimize degradation of a drive transistor comprising a first switching element whose control electrode is electrically coupled to a scan line, being electrically coupled between a data line and a first voltage line for transmitting a data signal; a drive transistor whose control electrode is electrically coupled to the first switching element, being electrically coupled between the first and second voltage lines; an organic light emitting diode electrically coupled to the drive transistor, displaying an image by a current supplied through the drive transistor; a first capacitive element electrically coupled between the control electrode of the drive transistor and the first switching element; a second capacitive element electrically coupled between the first capacitive element and the second voltage line; a second switching element electrically coupled between the first voltage line and the control electrode of the drive transistor; a third switching element electrically coupled between the first switching element and the drive transistor; a fourth switching element electrically coupled between the control electrode of the drive transistor and the second voltage line; and a fifth switching element electrically coupled between the drive transistor and the second voltage line. |
| US08149182B2 |
Dual-view display device and method of driving the same
A dual-view liquid crystal display device includes a display panel to display images; and a switching panel including first and second regions, the first and second regions controlled to represent a single image or different images displayed on the display panel, wherein a line width of the first region is adjustable. And, a method for driving a dual-view display device includes dividing the images displayed on the display panel in different directions by controlling a switching panel that includes first and second regions; and adjusting a line width of the first region in accordance with a viewing angle of a user. |
| US08149177B1 |
Slotted waveguide antenna stiffened structure
A slotted waveguide antenna stiffened structure for an aircraft having an aircraft skin. The slotted waveguide antenna stiffening structure including a structural stiffening element reinforcing the aircraft skin; the structural element connected to a radio frequency feed source, the source providing energy with electromagnetic bandwidth to a slotted waveguide antenna having a plurality of slots. The antenna conformal to the aircraft skin and the structural stiffening element, the structural stiffening elements functioning as waveguides for the electromagnetic bandwidth. The slots may include a slot sealant enclosing the plurality of slots. |
| US08149176B2 |
Device and method for controlling a satellite tracking antenna
A device for controlling a satellite tracking antenna. An azimuth drive is configured to impart an azimuthal rotational motion to the antenna about an azimuth axis. An elevation axis drive is configured to impart a rotational motion to the antenna about an elevation axis orthogonal to the azimuth axis. A tilt axis drive is configured to impart a rotational motion to the antenna about a tilt axis. The tilt axis is connected to the elevation axis in such a way that the rotational freedom of motion of the antenna about the tilt axis is dependent on the elevation angle such that: at an elevation angle of 0° the rotational freedom of motion of the antenna about the tilt axis corresponds to the azimuthal rotational motion; at an increasing elevation angle the rotational freedom of motion about the antenna successively transcends into a roll rotation; and at an elevation angle of 90° the rotational freedom of motion of the antenna about the tilt axis corresponds to a roll rotation about a roll axis orthogonal to the azimuth axis and to the elevation axis. A control controls the operation of the azimuth axis drive, the elevation axis drive, and the tilt axis drive. The control includes a true north seeking gyro for tracking position, orientation, direction and speed of movement of the device. The control further includes an additional gyro comprising an elevation gyro axis arranged to sense the elevation movement and a tilt gyro axis arranged to sense the tilt movement, so as to minimize the angular velocity of the antenna pointing vector. A method for controlling a satellite tracking antenna, and a vessel including the device. |
| US08149174B2 |
Antenna system
An antenna system includes plural antennas. Each antenna is different than every other antenna. Each antenna is characterized by a principal plane. A principal plane of a first antenna is oblique to a principal plane of a second antenna. The first antenna includes a first insulating substrate extending in the principal plane of the first antenna. The first antenna further includes a first radiating element and a connected first conductor and includes a second radiating element and a connected second conductor. The first antenna further includes a coupling conductor coupling the second radiating element and the first conductor. The first antenna further includes a first coupler having a first signal conductor and a second signal conductor. The first signal conductor is coupled to the second conductor, and the second signal conductor is coupled to the first radiating element. |
| US08149166B1 |
Scalable phased array beamsteering control system
A scalable phased array beamsteering control system to beamsteer a phased array antenna. The control system includes an overlord controller, a plurality of master controllers and a plurality of groups of slave controllers arranged in a daisy chain configuration. |
| US08149164B2 |
System for demodulating navigation bits from satellite signals
A signal processing system for demodulating navigation bits from a satellite signal is disclosed herein. The signal processing system includes a digital baseband processor for determining a boundary between two navigation bits in the navigation bits according to a first plurality of coarse acquisition (C/A) codes captured from the satellite signals, storing the first plurality of C/A codes, and demodulating a second plurality of C/A codes captured after determining the boundary to recover a first series of the navigation bits. The signal processing system further includes a complementary demodulating unit coupled to the digital baseband processor for demodulating the first plurality of C/A codes to recover a second series of the navigation bits. |
| US08149163B2 |
GPS compound navigation device
To provide a GPS compound device having a configuration including a GPS receiver, that accurately determines abnormality in an output from the GPS receiver based on a difference between a GPS pseudorange measurement and a Doppler frequency measurement, when detecting the abnormality in the outputs from the GPS receiver, while avoiding continuation of the abnormality at the time of the abnormality determination resulting from estimation errors of the GPS pseudorange measurement and the Doppler frequency measurement. When the abnormality of the outputs from the GPS receiver are detected, an abnormal period is counted. When the count value is below a predetermined threshold, the outputs from the GPS receiver are treated as abnormal, and after it exceeded the threshold, the outputs from the GPS receiver are treated as normal. Thus, the abnormality of the outputs from the GPS receiver can be determined accurately. |
| US08149162B1 |
Methods and apparatus for N-lateration with noisy data measurements
A technique for determining the position of a device involves generating a set of N measurements from signals transmitted by a respective set of N references devices, where the N measurements are suitable for determining a position of the device using N-lateration. Respective reliability metrics are generated for the N measurements based on information about uncertainty of individual measurements. An N-lateration computation is used to iteratively refine an estimate of the position of the device. Each iteration includes adjusting the estimate of the position of the device based on a least squares function that minimizes a sum of squares of errors between the N measurements and distances between the estimate of the position of the device and the N reference sources. The least squares function is weighted in accordance with the reliability metrics for the N measurements. |
| US08149157B2 |
In-vehicle radar device and cover for in-vehicle radar device
Provided is an in-vehicle radar device and a cover for the in-vehicle radar device which are capable of accurately detecting an object.The in-vehicle radar device radiates electromagnetic waves and receives reflected waves, from the object, of the electromagnetic waves so as to detect a location of the object, and includes: a transmission-and-reception section that transmits the electromagnetic waves and receives the reflected waves; a detection section that detects the location of the object based on the reflected waves; and a cover member that covers the transmission-and-reception section in a manner that a rear surface of the cover member faces a transmission-and-reception surface of the transmission-and-reception section, and the cover member includes: a cover portion that covers the transmission-and-reception surface; and a lower protrusion portion that is provided below the cover portion and formed so as to protrude on a surface side of the cover member with respect to the cover portion, the cover portion being formed of a material through which the electromagnetic waves are transmitted. |