| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08176831B2 |
Armor plate
An armor plate transforms projectile energy into solid-state lattice waves and facilitates absorption of these waves at different wavelengths. For high frequency lattice waves, dopants are used for absorbing the lattice waves and converting them to thermal energy. Heavy dopants and layered materials can also be use for reflecting lattice waves to facilitate attenuation through absorption. A spreading layer can also be used for dispersing non-absorbed lattice waves. |
| US08176830B1 |
Ballistic shield
A ballistic shield for protection against up to 7.62×63 mm AP rounds (NIJ Level IV). The ballistic shield is multiple layered and includes polymer foam, ceramic tiles, and a support structure fabricated from ballistic resistant fabric. Individual layers are bonded with adhesives and preferably wrapped with fabric. Under the fabric cover of the exterior surface of the shield is a polymer foam layer that exhibits excellent blast impact resistance and blast attenuation properties as well as a hard ceramic or the like layer. The foam layer is preferably made from liquid crystal or semi-crystalline polymer to enhance fire resistance and provide enhanced ductility. According to various preferred embodiments, the man-portable ballistic shield also incorporates a compact video system for viewing the front side of the ballistic shield to eliminate the transparent view port of current ballistic shields and protective foam about the periphery and on the rear surface thereof. |
| US08176828B2 |
Glass-ceramic with laminates
A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement. |
| US08176826B2 |
Bandolier with laterally offset and spaced work piece
A method of operating a progressive die wherein the progressive die acts on a work piece having an elongated body with a blank at one end. The work piece is supported by a bandolier which is also formed in the progressive die. The progressive die acts on each blank. |
| US08176824B2 |
Miter saw with bevel stop toggle
A miter saw comprises a base and a bevel support pivotable with respect to the base. A cutting blade is supported by the bevel support and moveable between a plurality of cutting positions. The miter saw further comprises a bevel stop member moveably connected to the base between a plurality of stop positions. The plurality of stop positions include a first stop position where the bevel stop member is configured to stop the bevel support at a bevel angle of less than forty-five degrees. The plurality of stop positions also include a second stop position where the bevel stop member is configured to stop the bevel support at a bevel angle of about forty-five degrees. Furthermore, the plurality of stop positions include a third stop position where the bevel stop member is configured to allow the bevel support to pivot to a bevel angle of greater than forty-five degrees. |
| US08176823B2 |
Miter saw with bevel lock arrangement
A miter saw with a bevel lock arrangement comprises a base with a bevel arm configured to rotate about a first axis that is substantially parallel to a support surface provided on the base. A cutting arm is pivotably connected to the bevel arm and configured to rotate about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A locking surface is connected to the base and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface. A clamping surface is moveably connected to the bevel arm and configured to engage the locking surface. An actuator is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator is configured to force the clamping surface against the locking surface when the actuator is in the locked position and to release the clamping surface from the locking surface when the actuator is in the unlocked position. |
| US08176818B2 |
Rotary tool with an indicating coiled spring
A rotary tool includes a tool body having a driving end formed thereon and an annular groove defined therein. An indicating coiled spring is received in the annular groove. The indicating coiled spring has a colored indicating mark formed thereon for easily identifying a standard of the rotary tool. The indicating coiled spring is made of metal, wherein the indicating coiled spring is hard to be broken and a lifetime of the indicating coiled spring is lengthened. The indicating coiled spring is able to elastically expand to be easily and co-axially sleeved on the annular groove of the tool body, such that the indicating coiled spring being replaceable and re-useable. When operating, the indicating coiled spring is rotatable relative to the tool body. |
| US08176817B2 |
Tool coupling structure
A tool coupling structure comprises a first post member including a fitting end disposed on one end thereof and a polygonal cavity mounted on another end thereof; the cavity including a hole formed on an outer wall thereof, and the hole including a biasing element installed therein; a second post member including a coupling end fixed on one end thereof and a polygonal sphere knob formed on another end thereof to be fitted to the cavity of the fist post member, and the sphere knob including an elastic engaging member fixed on a peripheral side thereof in response to the hole of the first post member to be retained in the hole. |
| US08176814B1 |
Wire forming plier and electrical multi-tool
A wire forming plier and electrical multi-tool for the purpose of forming, stripping, crimping and cutting electrical wire is disclosed. The plier features two arms overlapped and pivoted together; the posterior ends of the arms serve as handles. Two symmetrically shaped round barrels, different in size, identified with indicia, extend from the anterior ends of the plier arms for the purpose of forming a controlled bend in electrical wires/conductors of varying thicknesses/gauges to fit around specific terminal screw/stud sizes. As the handles are squeezed together, the cylindrical tips will grasp the electrical conductor by applying pressure to the wire between the round and smooth barrel surfaces. While the wire is securely held between the cylindrical tips the wire loop is quickly and easily formed around either barrel by manually rotating the entire tool about a longitudinal axis in either direction. |
| US08176810B2 |
Wire attachment
Wire attachment and attachment method for a sheathed wire including a wire and a sheath coaxially surrounding the wire, the wire attachment including: a housing; an axial bore inside the housing including an opening adapted to receive the sheathed wire; a spool slidably arranged inside the bore, the spool receiving the wire and including an engagement member for fixedly engaging the wire, such that any longitudinal movement of the wire will be transmitted to the spool; a sheath attachment member for fixing the sheath to the wire attachment inside the axial bore at a distance from the receiving bore, such that the spool and the wire are free to move axially with respect to the sheath. The sheath attachment member is arranged to exert a substantially radial pressure onto the surface of the sheath, such that it may be attached essentially without disturbing the axial position of the sheath. |
| US08176802B2 |
Fibrous particle generating apparatus and test system
There is provided a fibrous particle generating apparatus and a test system. The fibrous particle generating apparatus includes a base material containing a fibrous material; a holding unit holding the base material; a fibrous particle generator generating fibrous particles by chafing the base material; and a movement unit moving the holding unit such that the base material held by holding unit is chafed against the fibrous particle generator. With this configuration, fibrous particles can be stably generated, and an evaluation of the object apparatus can be carried out on the basis of the generated fibrous particles. |
| US08176792B2 |
Inspection system and inspecting method
An inspection system for inspecting a processing accuracy of a work piece is provided. The inspection system includes a supporting mechanism which supports the work piece in a same posture as a posture in which the work piece is assembled to a body; a load reproduction device which applies a load to the work piece along a substantially vertical direction; and a measurement device which measures positions of at least one characteristic portion of the work piece while the load is being applied to the work piece. |
| US08176786B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for damage detection
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for damage detection and for other detection of the state of a structure or material. Such damage detection and detection of the state of a structure may be performed and operated without the use of baseline data. The present invention may operate using time reversal acoustics or polarization characteristics of piezoelectric devices. The present invention may include a piezoelectric device including two or more piezoelectric transducers. |
| US08176780B2 |
Angular velocity sensor
An angular velocity sensor includes a supporting substrate, a detecting portion, a displacement detecting portion, a first driving portion, and a second driving portion. The detecting portion is supported by the supporting substrate movably in at least a free direction. The displacement detecting portion detects a displacement of the detecting portion in the free direction. The first driving portion excites a first reference oscillation of at least a portion of the detecting portion so that a first Coriolis' force in the free direction is generated in response to an angular velocity about a first axis. The second driving portion excites a second reference oscillation of at least a portion of the detecting portion so that a second Coriolis' force in the free direction is generated in response to an angular velocity about a second axis. |
| US08176778B2 |
Capacitive level sensor with a plurality of segments comprising each a capacitor and a circuit
A capacitive level sensor comprises a probe which is longitudinally segmented into a plurality of segments. Each segment comprises an electrode forming an electrical capacitor to a common ground electrode. Each electrode is connected to a measuring circuit via an associated one of a plurality of controllable switches. A control means controls said switches to successively and separately connect the capacitors to the measuring circuit. To simplify the design and manufacture of the level sensor, the controllable switches are individually arranged in the associated segments of the probe, and the control means is subdivided into control units respectively arranged in the segments and connected to a single control line. Alternatively, if a plurality of controllable measuring circuits are individually arranged in the associated segments and connected to an associated one of said electrodes, and if the control means successively and separately activates the measuring circuits, the control means is subdivided into control units respectively arranged in the segments of the probe and connected to a single control line. |
| US08176774B2 |
Process and device for testing the mobility of a negative pressure relief valve of the fuel system of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for testing the mobility of the negative pressure relief valve of the fuel system of a motor vehicle, the negative pressure relief valve depending on the pressure within the fuel system having to be moved between a closed position which closes the fuel system and an open position which clears the fuel system, with the following steps: a) Testing the position of the negative pressure relief valve; and b) Testing the position of the negative pressure relief valve in reaction to a pressure increase within the fuel system if the negative pressure relief valve in step a) was in the closed position. The invention furthermore relates to a system for testing the mobility of the negative pressure relief valve of the fuel system of a motor vehicle. |
| US08176770B2 |
Sniffer leak detector
A sniffing leak detector which comprises a mass spectrometer, a turbomolecular pump and a forevacuum pump. In case that the sniffing hose with the hand-operated sniffing probe becomes detached from the main device, atmospheric pressure would pass into the gas inlet conduit and disrupt the high vacuum in the mass spectrometer. In order to protect the mass spectrometer and the vacuum pump apparatus, a flow restrictor with an upstream filter is arranged in the gas inlet conduit. |
| US08176767B2 |
Exhaust gas sensor
Exhaust-gas sensors that have a sensor element, which is surrounded by two protective tubes on a side facing the exhaust gas and which is additionally protected by a porous fiber package, are already known. The fiber package is disposed between the two protective tubes and is meant to protect the sensor element from thermal shock by water droplets hitting the sensor element. When the exhaust gas sensor is used as primary catalytic converter or raw emission sensor, the sensor element can get damaged by sulfur compounds contained in the exhaust gas. In the exhaust-gas sensor according to the invention, damage to the sensor element by exhaust-gas components contained in the exhaust gas is reliably prevented. According to the invention, the adsorption means is implemented in such a way that sulfur, phosphorus or silicon compounds are trapped irreversibly. |
| US08176764B2 |
Termination tool
Disclosed is a termination tool and a method for securing a connector to a cable. The termination tool includes a holder receivable of the connector and a push block slideably located in the termination tool. The push block is capable of forming at least one axial crimp in the connector when the push block is articulated along a connector axis toward the holder. At least two crimp dies are rotably fixed to the termination tool and are capable of forming at least one transverse crimp in the connector when the at least two crimp dies are moved toward the connector axis. A lever is in operable communication with the push block and the at least two crimp dies. The lever is capable of urging the push block along the connector axis toward the holder and the at least two crimp dies toward the connector axis to form both the at least one axial crimp and the at least one transverse crimp. |
| US08176761B2 |
Keypad lockset
A keypad lockset adapted for deadbolt as well as lever locks, and having as a first embodiment an exterior gear train, an interior gear train, and an electronically controlled clutch for coupling the gear trains when engaged and for uncoupling the gear trains when the clutch is disengaged, so that when the clutch is engaged rotation of an external thumb turn will permit the door latch to be withdrawn and thus to permit opening of the door, and a mechanical override mechanism that can be operated in case of electrical failure, and in which clutch mechanism and the override mechanism both operate through the single, standard 2⅛ inch door preparation hole, or alternatively as a second embodiment, a keypad lockset in which two four-bar mechanical linkages are used in place of gears as means to actuate the clutch, and alternatively to provide for a pass-through override function. |
| US08176759B2 |
Theft prevention device for two-wheeled vehicles
Theft prevention device for enabling to lock the handlebar grip and the brake-lever of a two-wheeled vehicle, where the brake-lever is movably connected to the handlebar, to prevent stealing of the vehicle. The device may comprise a housing comprising at least two openings; a handlebar cuff that enables slidably attaching to the housing through the openings and cuffing of the handlebar grip therein; a brake-lever cuff that enables slidably attaching to the housing through the openings and, cuffing of the brake-lever therein; and a lock assembly that is operatively associated with the cuffs. The lock assembly enables locking the cuffs in a position where the cuffs cuff the handlebar grip and the brake-lever. To install the theft prevention device the cuffs should be approximate to one another, and then the user may lock the cuffs in the approximated cuffing position, using the lock assembly. |
| US08176745B1 |
Drinking-game thermal-racking systems
This disclosure teaches an apparatus suitable for playing a drinking game using drinking cups and thrown projectiles on a playing surface having a rack to rack up a pre-determined configuration of the drinking cups. The rack includes an insulator to at least partially insulate the drinking cups and an electric cooler to cool the drinking cups during game play. |
| US08176743B2 |
Refrigeration device
A refrigeration device includes a control unit, and a refrigerant circuit in which a compression mechanism, a radiator, a refrigerant cooling unit, a first expansion mechanism, a liquid receiver, a second expansion mechanism, and an evaporator are connected in sequence. The control unit performs refrigerant cooling control whereby the refrigerant is cooled by the refrigerant cooling unit so that the state of the refrigerant that has flowed out from the first expansion mechanism is near the saturation line and not near the critical point. |
| US08176742B2 |
Method for controlling intake of air-conditioner of vehicle
A method for controlling an intake of an air-conditioner of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the a-1) step (S1) at which the main door (220) of the intake (200) opens the outdoor-air inlet port (211) and closes the indoor-air inlet port (212), so that only outdoor air flows into the intake, the b-1) step (S2) of detecting operation of the blower (130), the c-1) step (S3) of determining whether set indoor temperature of the vehicle is predetermined temperature or higher, and the d-1) step (S4) at which the subsidiary door (230) opens the subsidiary indoor-air inlet port (213) so that some indoor air flows into the intake. The method automatically controls the intake of the air-conditioner, thus allowing some indoor air to flow into the intake while outdoor air is flowing into the intake, therefore keeping the indoor temperature of the vehicle pleasant, and enhancing heating efficiency. |
| US08176741B2 |
Local air conditioning system for vehicle and method of controlling local air conditioning unit
A local air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a local air conditioning unit for performing one of a cooling operation and a heating operation for a predetermined portion of a seat of the vehicle. In the local air conditioning system, information regarding a user is acquired, and a current scene is identified based on the acquired information. The local air conditioning unit is controlled to perform one of the cooling operation and the heating operation for the predetermined portion of the seat on condition that the current scene is identified as a getting-in-vehicle scene in which the user gets in the vehicle and sits on the seat. For example, the predetermined portion of the seat is a portion corresponding to a high body temperature portion of a user, such as a nape of a neck and backs of knees. |
| US08176740B2 |
Method of refurbishing a seal land on a turbomachine transition piece and a refurbished transition piece
A method of refurbishing a seal land on a transition piece of a turbomachine includes applying a wear strip to a wall surface of the seal land, and covering the wear strip with a slot protector. |
| US08176738B2 |
Method and system for converting waste heat from cement plant into a usable form of energy
Methods and systems for converting waste heat from cement plant into a usable form of energy are disclosed. The methods and systems make use of two heat source streams from the cement plant, a hot air stream and a flue gas stream, to fully vaporize and superheat a working fluid stream, which is then used to convert a portion of its heat to a usable form of energy. The methods and systems utilize sequential heat exchanges stages to heat the working fluid stream, first with the hot air stream or from a first heat transfer fluid stream heated by the hot air stream and second with the flue gas stream from a second heat transfer fluid stream heated by the hot air stream. |
| US08176735B2 |
Control device for multi-stage turbochargers
A control device for multi-stage turbochargers is provided that is capable of improving fuel consumption in transient and stationary states of an engine equipped with multi-stage turbochargers. A control device 1 for multi-stage turbochargers which are turbochargers 6, 7 of at least two or more stages provided in series at an engine 2 and in which the high-pressure stage turbocharger 6 is configured by a variable-capacity turbocharger 6 equipped with a variable vane 64 comprising detection means 11, 12 for detecting a boost pressure or an intake air amount of a turbocharger 7 of a stage with a pressure lower than that of the variable-capacity turbocharger 6, the opening degree of the variable vane 64 being controlled on the basis of a detection value of the detection means 11, 12. |
| US08176733B2 |
Torque converter having an integrated cover with bearing support
A torque converter including a cover, the cover having an axis and having an axially extending flange about the axis, the flange defining an aperture, a pilot fitted within the aperture, and a turbine hub connected to the flange. |
| US08176730B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine
An SCR catalyst is provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine and a urea solution addition valve is provided upstream of the SCR catalyst in the exhaust pipe. An ECU calculates ammonia adsorption quantity of the SCR catalyst and controls urea solution addition quantity, which is added by the urea solution addition valve, based on the ammonia adsorption quantity. The ECU obtains temperature of the SCR catalyst or temperature information correlated with the temperature through measurement or estimation. The ECU switches an execution mode of the urea solution addition control based on the catalyst temperature or the temperature information. Thus, reducing agent addition control can be performed suitably and eventually NOx purification in a NOx catalyst (i.e., SCR catalyst) can be performed suitably. |
| US08176729B2 |
Perturbation control strategy for low-temperature urea SCR NOx reduction
An emissions control method may include injecting a fuel into an engine exhaust gas provided to a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) when a DOC operating temperature is greater than a first limit, terminating the injecting when a temperature of a catalyst in communication with exhaust gas exiting the DOC is greater than a second limit, and injecting a dosing agent into the exhaust gas after the terminating. |
| US08176722B2 |
Method and device for the transfer of heat from a heat source to a thermodynamic cycle with a working medium of at least two substances with non-isothermal evaporation and condensation
The invention relates to a thermodynamic circuit with a working medium comprising at least two substances with non-isothermal evaporation and condensation whereby the working medium can decompose above a given temperature. According to the invention, the heat from heat sources at temperatures above the decomposition temperature of the working medium may be made useful with little complexity and with high operational security, whereby the heat from the heat source is transferred in a first step to a hot liquid circuit and, in a second step, from the hot liquid circuit to the circuit with the working medium comprising at least two substances with non-isothermal evaporation and condensation. The heat introduced to the circuit with the working medium comprising at least two substances with non-isothermal evaporation and condensation can be reduced by means of the intermediate hot liquid circuit, such that a decomposition of the working medium can be avoided. Furthermore, the circuit with the working medium comprising at least two substances with non-isothermal evaporation and condensation is embodied as a standardized solution for use with differing heat sources each at differing temperatures, whereby matching to the temperature of the heat source is achieved by means of the intermediate hot liquid circuit. |
| US08176721B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a nitrogen purge system
A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes. |
| US08176720B2 |
Air cooled turbine component having an internal filtration system
A centrifugal particle separator is provided for removing particles such as microscopic dirt or dust particles from the compressed cooling air prior to reaching and cooling the turbine blades or turbine vanes of a turbine engine. The centrifugal particle separator structure has a substantially cylindrical body with an inlet arranged on a periphery of the substantially cylindrical body. Cooling air enters centrifugal particle separator through the separator inlet port having a linear velocity. When the cooling air impinges the substantially cylindrical body, the linear velocity is transformed into a rotational velocity, separating microscopic particles from the cooling air. Microscopic dust particles exit the centrifugal particle separator through a conical outlet and returned to a working medium. |
| US08176719B2 |
Reinforcing cord and rubber product using the same
A reinforcing cord of the present invention is a reinforcing cord (10) for rubber reinforcement including a fiber core (11) and a plurality of strands (12) disposed around the fiber core (11). The fiber core (11) is formed of one or a plurality of highly elastic fibers having a tensile elastic modulus of at least 100 GPa. Each of the plurality of strands (12) is formed of a plurality of glass fibers that are primarily twisted, and the plurality of strands (12) are finally twisted to be disposed around the fiber core (11). The direction of the final twist of the plurality of strands is opposite to the direction of the primary twist in each of the plurality of strands (12). The number of final twists of the plurality of strands (12) is 1.0 to 3.0 times/25 mm, and a ratio of the number of primary twists in each of the plurality of strands (12) to the number of final twists of the plurality of strands (12) (the number of primary twists/the number of final twists) is in a range of 1.5 to 2.5. |
| US08176718B2 |
Cable, combined cable made of plastic fibers and steel wire strands, and combined strands made of plastic fibers and steel wires
A combined cable comprising a core cable of high-strength synthetic fibers, which take the form of a twisted bundle of monofilaments or a plurality of twisted bundles of monofilaments, and comprising an outer layer of steel wire strands, is characterized in that the bundle or bundles of monofilaments is or are stretched, with a reduction in diameter, and held in this state by a sheathing, in particular a braided sheathing. The extension under strain of the core cable under load is thereby reduced, so that the load distribution between the cross section of steel and the cross section of synthetic material of the cable improves. |
| US08176713B2 |
Tubular bagging method
A tubular bagging machine includes an innovative indentation-forming device and a modified cross-sealing device. The innovative indentation-forming device includes two punches that form two indentations in the foil web. The machine then forms the foil web into a foil tube with the indentations aligned directly opposite each other and bowed outward. The cross-sealing device includes two opposing sealing jaws each having a blank formed in it. The jaws are closed together to form transverse seal zones in the foil tube. The blanks are aligned with each other and receive the aligned indentations so that they are not sealed together, resulting in the formation of an air bubble in one of the seal zones. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the bags, bags produced by the disclosed machines and methods, and retrofit kits for upgrading existing tubular bagging machines. |
| US08176712B2 |
System for packing and shipping erosion control blankets
A system for packing and shipping erosion control blankets that maximizes the use of the interior space of a shipping container. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the system relates to packing, handling, storing and shipping of erosion control blankets adapted for delivery to customers with the most efficient use of space during shipping. |
| US08176711B2 |
Machine for horizontally manufacturing flexible sheet material packagings with outside chamber
Machine for manufacturing flexible sheet material packagings, including an area for feeding a continuous web of flexible sheet material, a preforming area including an area for folding a bottom wall of the packaging, a welding area, an area for filling the packagings, an area for outputting the packagings, a first chemical decontamination treatment area using a gas, arranged between the preforming area and the filling area, and an outside chamber that surrounds the machine at least partially and is depressed atmospherically with respect to the first area. The outside chamber acts as an additional barrier between the first area and the outside. |
| US08176702B2 |
Modular block system
A modular block system comprises a first block, a second block, a third block, a fourth block, and a capstone, the first block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first side being slanted from the front face toward the back face, the second block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first and second sides being slanted from the front face toward the back face, the third block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first side being slanted from the front face toward the back face, and the fourth block having a front face, a back face, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, with the front face being wider than the back face and the first side and the second side being from the front face toward the back face. |
| US08176699B1 |
Hurricane truss roof system
Each of a plurality of vertically disposed trusses having angled rafters and a joint is coupled to a ridge board. Upper TboxTrusses function as the rafters. Each upper TboxTruss has a planar plate. The planar plate has a hollow box depending downwardly there from. An interior sheet of fire resistant fabric sheet material is above the upper TboxTrusses. An exterior sheet of the fire resistant fabric sheet material is below the upper TboxTrusses. Insulation material is located between the interior and exterior sheets and bounded by adjacent hollow boxes. |
| US08176697B1 |
Building block
Plastic building blocks made from structural foam polymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene are strong, lightweight and may be easily disassembled. The top surface of each block has frusto-conical posts which fit into corresponding bores in the bottom surface of adjacent blocks to provide interlocking capability. |
| US08176696B2 |
Building construction for forming columns and beams within a wall mold
The present invention relates to an improved wall system where a wall form mold has a structural insulated core assembled to form a structural insulated panel (SIP) to form a concrete beam and concrete column to be poured anywhere within the wall as well as between building modules when placed together and erected vertically. The interlocking wall molds interlock within the wall as well as between panels and modules. The wall panels allow concrete columns and beams to be formed in any size and shape. The structural insulated core consists of interlocking foam spacers and support channels which can be glued or screwed together to form an independent wall or as part of a precast wall with columns and beams integrated within the wall panels. Insulated flanges within the wall forming mold separates the wall forming structure from the wall surfaces. |
| US08176688B1 |
Flashing attachment apparatus
A flashing attachment apparatus and method includes an angle plate with a horizontal leg and a vertical leg wherein the horizontal leg includes a top and a back and wherein the vertical leg includes a front and a back. A bent plate is connected with the back of the vertical leg and a self adhering membrane is connected between the bent plate and the vertical leg to the back of the vertical leg wherein the self adhering membrane includes a removable cover shielding adhesive on the self adhering membrane. |
| US08176687B2 |
Gutter system and associated methods
A gutter system is provided to guard a gutter from the entry of leaves, debris, pine needles, twigs, and the like, and to prevent water and animals from entry. In at least one embodiment, a hanger bracket is configured to secure a gutter to a building, and configured to secure an upper gutter cover and a lower gutter cover, in a tiered, stair-step manner, to the gutter. In another embodiment a gutter system is provided that includes a gutter, an upper gutter cover, a lower gutter cover, and a hanger bracket configured to secure the gutter to a building having a roof and rainwater runoff, and configured to secure the upper gutter cover and the lower gutter cover, in a tiered, stair-step manner, to the gutter. In yet another embodiment a method for protecting gutters from debris other than rainwater runoff is provided. |
| US08176684B2 |
Method and device for automatic systems designed to operate movable barriers
Method, together with the devices implementing said method, for controlling the closing and opening movements of a movable barrier (103) so as to prevent a dangerous impact with an obstacle or crushing thereof, said movable barrier (103) comprising a closing edge having, positioned thereon, one or more sensors (108) connected to a first transceiver (27b) able to exchange a signal with a second fixed transceiver (27a) in communication with a control unit which manages the movement of the barrier (103), comprising a step defining for said signal a communications protocol consisting of more than two signal configurations (A, B, C, D). |
| US08176682B2 |
Double panel door and double frame providing radio frequency shielding and soundproofing
Double paneled door assembly providing RF shielding and soundproofing through the use of two door panels, i.e., back door panel and front door panel, as well as respective back door frame and front door frame. The door panels and door frames are joined together by door pins and door pin bushing as well as frame pins and frame pin bushings, and the double door panels are mounted on the double frames by heavy duty hinges. The use of two door panels and frame panels with a volume of sealed air or other inert gas between the panels aids the RF shielding and soundproofing properties of the door. The bushings act as damping mechanisms to reduce transmission of vibration from the front side of the door assembly to the back side of the door assembly that will ultimately reduce waves permeating into an enclosed room or area. |
| US08176678B2 |
Telescoping security window
A removable security structure interposed between two window configurations is comprised of interconnecting horizontal and vertical members. The vertical members engage a gear junction of the horizontal members such that upon rotation of the vertical members, the horizontal members telescopically collapse. The reduction of length of each horizontal member disengages each horizontal member from a frame housing the window configurations. The rotation of the vertical members also frees the upper portion of the vertical members of the security structure. With the upper and side portions of the security structure freed, the security structure can be rotated and removed from the frame allowing egress. |
| US08176675B2 |
Fishing device for use in trolling
A device for bringing a fishing hook attached to a line out to the side of a boat during trolling, comprising an elongated hull (5), a keel (6) and a line (7) with a release device (8), where the release device is arranged to hold the line during trolling and release the line when a fish bites on the hook. |
| US08176665B2 |
Portable target stand for signage
There is disclosed an improved portable stand especially adapted for mounting targets for a shooting range, which consists of a base unit formed by a first leg and a second leg rotationally mounted to the first leg. The first leg is provided with a pair of spaced apart mounting apertures, each of the mounting apertures provided with lock means incorporated therein. At least two vertical arms are adapted to be mounted into each of the mounting apertures and lockingly engaged therein, and the vertical arms are adapted to hold and display a target therebetween. |
| US08176657B2 |
Article of footwear with tubular support structure
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly is secured to the upper and includes a support assembly. The support assembly has a plurality of primary tubular members spaced from one another and extending laterally across at least a portion of the sole assembly. A plurality of secondary tubular members extends laterally across at least a portion of the sole assembly, with each secondary tubular member positioned between and interconnecting a pair of adjacent primary tubular members. |
| US08176651B2 |
Method for drying objects in a washer
A method of drying articles within a washer comprising: creating an airflow from an upper compartment of a chamber to a lower compartment of the chamber through a gap such that a curtain of air is formed along side walls of the chamber; creating an air flow from the lower compartment to the upper compartment through an opening therebetween wherein a portion of the curtain of air is drawn in a first direction over articles in the lower compartment and a portion of the curtain of air continues along the side walls and is redirected in a second direction over the articles in the lower compartment; heating the air in the upper compartment to a temperature sufficient to vaporize fluid in the chamber; venting a portion of the air in the lower compartment; and introducing clean filtered air into the upper compartment. |
| US08176649B2 |
Extraction cleaning with plenum and air outlets facilitating air flow drying
A portable cleaning apparatus includes a base module having a base housing with a bottom base wall, and enclosing a fan. The base module is moveable along an external surface in a first direction. The fan can move air through the base housing from an interior of the base housing to exteriorly of the base housing through an exhaust outlet in the base housing. A plenum fluidly communicates at a first end with the exhaust outlet and at a second end with at least one plenum outlet opening. The at least one plenum outlet opening is between the base wall and the external surface. The at least one plenum outlet opening can direct air exhausted from the interior of the base housing along the external surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08176647B2 |
Hand sizing tool
A hand sizing tool includes a base platform and a secondary platform affixed to and raised above the base platform. The platforms include a palm heel indicia on the base platform and an index finger tip indicia on the secondary platform. Each of an index finger guide, an index finger measurement slider, and a palm width measurement slider extends out of the secondary platform, these elements being adapted for measuring the hand size. |
| US08176639B2 |
Filament clamp for a vegetation trimmer
A vegetation trimmer with a spool and hub assembly has a cutting filament wound around the spool. The free end of the filament extends through an aperture in the hub into the cutting plane. The spool and hub are rotated at a high rate to allow the filament to cut vegetation. The spool includes a plurality of arms which engage with arms on the hub. When the spool is acted upon, the arms on the spool disengage with the arms on the hub to permit relative rotation of the spool to the hub to feed additional filament into the cutting plane. An indexing feature is used to regulate the amount of additional cutting filament that is allowed to be fed into the cutting plane. When the spool and hub are engaged, the cutting filament is forcible clamped between the arms on the spool and the arms on the hub to prevent the centrifugal force generated by the filament in the cutting plane from acting upon the filament wound around the spool at cutting speed so that the filament does not have means to tangle or weld together and break prematurely. Upon disengagement of the spool and hub, the cutting filament is released to permit the additional cutting filament to be fed into the cutting plane. |
| US08176634B2 |
Method of manufacturing a well screen
An expanded non-bonded mesh well screen. A method of manufacturing a well screen includes the steps of: expanding at least a portion of a screen jacket; and then securing the screen jacket onto a base pipe. A well screen system includes a base pipe and an at least partially expanded screen jacket surrounding the base pipe. The screen jacket is expanded prior to being positioned on the base pipe. |
| US08176629B2 |
Method for screwing skirt and crown parts of a metal piston together
A method for screwing together two metal parts that are spaced apart from one another close to a screw connection element and elastically deformable relative to one another, and for the remainder lie against one another. In order to obtain a firm and secure screw connection, with little expenditure of torque, one of the metal parts is deformed, before the metal parts are screwed together, in such a manner that regions close to the screw connection element come close to one another, and the metal parts are then screwed together. A region of the one metal parts remains deformed after they have been screwed together, as a result of the screw connection element. |
| US08176623B2 |
Method of manufacturing a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording
A method of manufacturing the magnetic head includes the steps of: forming the pole-layer-encasing layer; forming an initial nonmagnetic layer in the groove of the pole-layer-encasing layer by physical vapor deposition, the initial nonmagnetic layer being intended to become the nonmagnetic layer later by undergoing etching of a surface thereof; etching the surface of the initial nonmagnetic layer by dry etching so that the initial nonmagnetic layer becomes the nonmagnetic layer; and forming the pole layer in the pole-layer-encasing section formed by the nonmagnetic layer. |
| US08176620B2 |
Aluminum oxide particle strengthened niobium-tin superconducting composite wire
A composite superconducting wire and a method of manufacturing the wire is disclosed. Nano-particle dispersion strengthened copper is co-drawn with Niobium rod to produce DSC-1Nb wire. n numbers of DSC-1Nb wires are then stacked in a hollow DSC tube and drawn to form a DSC-n.Nb hexagonal wire. In a separate preliminary process, Tin rod is co-deformed with Copper tube to form a Cu-1Sn wire. m DSC-n Nb wires and 1 Cu-1Sn wires are then wrapped by Niobium foil and placed into a Copper tube. This entire assembly is then drawn to a finished size. The drawn composite is then subjected to heat treatment with a final stage at 650-700° C. for about 100 hours or longer. The new wire has higher electric critical current and higher mechanical strength than the controlled conventional ones. |
| US08176618B2 |
Method for producing gas sensor
A solid electrolyte body is placed on and fixed to an upper plate of a press jig such that a major surface (an upper surface) of the solid electrolyte body faces one major surface of a guide plate having an open space. The upper plate is rotated by a transfer mechanism to incline the solid electrolyte body in one direction, and the inclined solid electrolyte body is moved toward the other major surface of the guide plate such that a first edge of the solid electrolyte body protrudes from the open space. Then, a cutter is slid along the other major surface, so that the first edge is chamfered to form a first chamfered portion. |
| US08176614B2 |
Drawer-type dishwasher having modular support body
A dishwasher includes a tub having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls that collectively define a first washing chamber. The tub is supported in an outer, modular support body having first and second opposing side walls joined by a bottom wall, as well as a pair of upper frame members. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second support bodies are mounted one atop another to establish a dual drawer-type dishwasher, with the first and second support bodies being joined, preferably at a stepped interface region, by a plurality of brackets. The first and second support bodies are preferably aligned by arranging lugs formed on upper in-turned flanges on a lower support body within recesses formed in the bottom wall of the upper support body. |
| US08176606B2 |
Method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece
To carry out frequency adjustment easily, accurately and efficiently and achieve low cost formation and promotion of maintenance performance without being influenced by a size of a piezoelectric vibrating piece, there is provided a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece which is a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating pieces having a piezoelectric plate 11, a pair of exciting electrodes 12, 13, and a pair of mount electrodes electrodes 15, 16 by utilizing a wafer S, the method including an outer shape forming step of forming a frame portion S1 at the wafer and forming a plurality of piezoelectric plates to be connected to the frame portion by way of a connecting portion 11a, an electrode forming step of respectively forming pairs of exciting electrodes and pairs of mount electrodes to the plurality of piezoelectric plates and forming a plurality of pairs of extended electrodes S2, S3 to be respectively electrically connected to the pairs of mount electrodes by way of the connecting portion, a frequency adjusting step of adjusting a frequency of the piezoelectric plate while applying a drive voltage between the pair of the extended electrodes, and a cutting step of fragmenting the plurality of piezoelectric plates. |
| US08176602B1 |
Reclosable storage bag closure with internal valving
A reclosable fastener having a one-way valve interposed between first and second sets of interlocking members permits fluid flow in one direction through the fastener and blocks fluid flow in an opposite direction through the fastener. |
| US08176600B1 |
Money pin
A money pin device is a device that conveniently and securely holds paper money and/or similar paper instruments on one's person for celebratory or suitable purposes. It also can be decoratively streamed lined and used as a simple filing system for posting receipts, notes, memos, and/or similar postings. |
| US08176599B2 |
Cinching and bundling tie
A cinching and bundling tie consisting of a planar strap having multiple teeth along both edges that engage when the strap is tied around an object or objects. The tie is self engaging, re-usable, simple in design, effective in its performance, easy to use, quick to apply, and adjustable. |
| US08176593B2 |
Drain cleaning apparatus with electronic cable monitoring system
A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum. |
| US08176592B1 |
Methods and apparatus for removing paint from a barrel of a paintball gun
An apparatus for removing paint from a barrel of a paintball gun. |
| US08176591B2 |
Electrical toothbrush
An electrical toothbrush includes an electrical toothbrush main body including a drive source of a brush; an orientation sensor configured to detect an orientation of the electrical toothbrush main body; and a controller configured to switch an operation mode of the electrical toothbrush according to a result of comparing an orientation value, which is a value calculated from an output of the orientation sensor, and a threshold value set in advance. A threshold value used for switching determination from an operation mode to an operation mode, and a threshold value used for switching determination from the operation mode to the operation mode are set to different values. |
| US08176590B1 |
Oscillating toothbrush
Unique dental care devices, systems and methods for cleaning teeth and oral tissue comprises an oscillating tooth brush with dual opposing brush heads, adapted to clean teeth and sulcus area. The devices are capable of brushing a set of opposing upper and lower teeth of the mouth simultaneously. The devices, once inserted and positioned into the mouth to clean a pair or a set of opposing upper and lower teeth, can be maneuvered inside the mouth cavity from one side of the mouth to the other to clean all the teeth without requiring removal from the mouth and repositioning. |
| US08176588B2 |
Inflatable furniture
An inflatable furniture comprises: a receiving body, a plurality of side-board-connecting members, airbag-connecting members, a pump, a power supply, two airbags, and an audio device. By opening the side boards and inflating the airbags, the airbags can be inflated into beds or sofas, and when after use, the airbags can be deflated and folded into the receiving body. Furthermore, the receiving body can also be temporarily used as a tea table or a stool. |
| US08176586B2 |
Arm-positioning cushion and pillow
An ergonomic, arm-positioning pillow includes an ornamental design including an upper portion having a top surface for supporting the head of a sleeper and a bottom portion having a lower surface for supporting the arm-positioning pillow and having a first space extending at an oblique angle from a first space located along the lower surface for receiving an arm therein and supporting the sleeper to position the arm for managing the amount of pressure applied to the arm, and a second space located in the lower surface for receiving a second arm or for receiving the second arm to provide for ambidextrous use of the arm-positioning pillow and to obtain improved sleep performance in the form of reduced snoring and sleep apnea. |
| US08176583B2 |
Siderail assembly
A siderail assembly 40 for a bed 20 includes a link P pivotably connectable to a bed frame at a joint PF and to a rail at a joint PR. The link P has at least one reaction surface 64, 66. The assembly also includes a link R having a rail end 78 and a common end 80. The rail end of link R is pivotably connected to the rail at a joint RR. The assembly also includes a link Q having a frame end 72 and a common end 74. The frame end of link Q is pivotably connected to the frame at a joint QF. The common ends of link Q and link R are pivotably connected to each other at a joint A constrained to move substantially parallel to the reaction surface. |
| US08176576B2 |
Container
A container comprising a body (1), a lid (5) for the body (1), and a locking arrangement for securing the lid (5) to the body (1): the locking arrangement comprising a handle (23) which fits around at least a part of the periphery of the lid (5), and at least one locking device which connects the handle (23) to the lid (5) such that the lid (5) is movable by the handle (23), which is such that the locking device locks when the handle (23) is lowered with respect to the lid (5), and which is such that the lifting of the handle (23) away from the lid (5) causes the locking device (4) to unlock. |
| US08176573B2 |
Boxer shorts and process of making boxer shorts from one or more webs
A boxer-style pant and methods of making a boxer-style pant having side seams and hanging legs. At least a portion of each of the hanging legs may be non-planar in an uncontracted state prior to formation of the side seams. The methods each involve providing at least one web. In some methods, a crotch panel is bonded to first and second regions of the web between two leg openings, and a distance between bonded regions of upper and lower edges of the crotch panel, measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pant, is shorter along a central region of the crotch panel and longer in distal regions of the crotch panel, such that the bonded region results in a bow-tie-shaped crotch panel. In some methods, a crotch region of the web is folded and stabilized along a longitudinal centerline of the web. In some methods, leg extensions are attached to at least a portion of each of two leg openings. Front and back regions may be joined together to form the side seams. An absorbent structure may be attached to the web. |
| US08176569B2 |
Advanced engineered garment
An under body armor hybrid fabric garment has first and second fabric portions. The first fabric portion, configured to cover an upper torso region of a user's body left exposed by the body armor and extending into a second body transition region covered by the body armor, is formed of low or no stretch fabric. The second fabric element, configured to cover a lower torso region of the user's body underneath the body armor, is formed of stretchable fabric. |
| US08181266B2 |
Method for moving a rights object between devices and a method and device for using a content object based on the moving method and device
A method for moving a rights object (RO) between devices, a method of using a content object based on the moving method, and devices using the methods are provided. The moving method includes performing authentication between two devices; securing a connection between the devices; and communicating the rights object between the two devices. The using method includes two devices communicating with each other, the first device having use permission of content objects and the second device including the content objects and corresponding rights objects; the first device searching for the content objects; and the first device using the content object that was found. The device includes an authentication module to authenticate another device; a security formation module to secure a connection for the other device; and a transceiving module which communicates a rights object for which the connection has been secured. |
| US08181259B2 |
System and method for upgrading the functionality of a controlling device via a secure portable adapter device
Secure access to a database of upgrade data is provided by storing an encryption key value in an adapter device used to interconnect a first device to be upgraded and a second device that is associated with the database of upgrade data. The second device allows access to the database of upgrade data via the adapter only once the adapter is positively authenticated by the second device through use of the encryption key value stored in the adapter device. |
| US08181258B2 |
Access control list constructed as a tree of matching tables
Techniques are disclosed for generating a representation of an access control list, the representation being utilizable in a network processor or other type of processor to perform packet filtering or other type of access control list based function. A plurality of rules of the access control list are determined, each of at least a subset of the rules having a plurality of fields and a corresponding action, and the rules are processed to generate a multi-level tree representation of the access control list, in which each of one or more of the levels of the tree representation is associated with a corresponding one of the fields. At least one level of the tree representation other than a root level of the tree representation comprises a plurality of nodes, with at least two of the nodes at that level each having a separate matching table associated therewith. |
| US08181254B1 |
Setting default security features for use with web applications and extensions
According to one general aspect, a computer-implemented method for implementing default security features for web applications and browser extensions includes receiving a request to include a web application or a web browser extension in a digital marketplace. A determination is made if the web application or the web browser extension conforms to default security features, wherein the default security features include a prohibition against running in-line script on web pages. The web application or the browser extension is included in the digital marketplace if the web application or the browser extension conforms to the default security features. |
| US08181252B2 |
Intrusion event correlation system
Disclosed is a system for correlating intrusion events using attack graph distances. The system includes an attack graph generator, an exploit distance calculator, an intrusion detector, an event report/exploit associator, an event graph creator, an event graph distance calculator, a correlation value calculator, and a coordinated attack analyzer. An attack graph is constructed for exploits and conditions in a network. The exploit distance calculator determines exploit distances for exploit pair(s). The intrusion detector generates event. Events are associated with exploits. Event graph distances are calculated. Correlation values are calculated for event pair(s) using event graph distances. The correlation values are analyzed using a correlation threshold to detect coordinated attacks. |
| US08181244B2 |
Backward researching time stamped events to find an origin of pestware
A system and method for identifying an origin of suspected pestware activity on a computer is described. One embodiment includes establishing a time of interest relating to a suspicion of pestware on the computer, identifying, based upon the time of interest, indicia of pestware and accessing at least a portion of a recorded history of sources that the computer received files from so as to identify, based at least in part upon the identified indicia of pestware, a reference to an identity of a source that is suspected of originating pestware. |
| US08181234B2 |
Authentication system in client/server system and authentication method thereof
The security of an authentication system using a one-time password is increased, a shift from an authentication system using a fixed password is simplified, and a range of use is increased. An authentication system wherein a one-time password is synchronized with time, or an authentication system wherein a one-time password is synchronized with the number of online service authentication requests, is provided. When a one-time password client 9 downloads a one-time password for online service authentication from a one-time password server 2, current time information or a current value of the number of online service authentication requests is made to coincide between the client and server, and an online service authentication request is authenticated as long as the downloaded one-time password for online service authentication is valid. The one-time password may also be synchronized with service usage details contained in the online service authentication request. |
| US08181232B2 |
Methods and systems for secure user authentication
A computer-implemented method and system for secure user authentication in electronic commerce involves maintaining electronic information having a first aspect that is accessible over a first electronic communication channel in response to entry of a first credential known to the user and a second aspect that is accessible by the user over the first electronic communication channel in response to entry of a second credential provided to the user at a pre-registered delivery address on a second electronic communication channel. The second credential is provided to the user via the second electronic communication channel in response to entry of a pre-determined user selection during a current session of user access to the first aspect if no change has occurred in the pre-registered delivery address within a pre-determined period of time, and the user is allowed a session of access to the second aspect in response to entry of the second credential either during the current session of user access to the first aspect or during a succeeding session of user access to the first aspect. |
| US08181231B2 |
Method and system for transmitting authentication context information
A system of the present invention uses an identity provider to provide the authentication services for multiple service providers. An identity provider communicates with one or more service providers. A user that wishes to gain access to a service provider is authenticated through the use of the identity provider. A user desiring to access a service provider is first authenticated by the identity provider. The identity provider determines if the user meets the desired class level and provides various information related to the authentication. When the user attempts to access a second service provider that is associated with the same identity provider, the second service provider accesses the identity provider and determines that the user was recently authenticated. The identity provider then transmits the relevant information regarding the authentication process to the second service provider, which can then allow or deny the user access to the second service provider. |
| US08181226B2 |
Method and apparatus for multimedia session transfer
The invention consists of a first communications device on which an active session is taking place and a second communications device that is not involved in the active session. When a transfer of the session from the first communications device to the second communications device is desired, the handoff is triggered either automatically or manually. The first communications device sends a transfer initiation message to the second communications device. An acknowledgement message is sent from the second communications device to the first communications device. The second communications device, upon receipt of the address information, sends a server transfer message to the session server. The session server, in response to the server transfer message, routes new content to the identified second communications device. |
| US08181225B2 |
Specializing support for a federation relationship
The invention provides federated functionality within a data processing system by means of a set of specialized runtimes, which are instances of an application for providing federation services to requesters. Each of the plurality of specialized runtimes provides requested federation services for selected ones of the requestors according to configuration data of respective federation relationships of the requestors with the identity provider. The configuration data is dynamically retrieved during initialization of the runtimes which allows the respective_runtime to be specialized for a given federation relationship. Requests are routed to the appropriate specialized runtime using the first requestor identity and the given federation relationship. The data, which describes each federation relationship between the identity provider and each of the plurality of requestors, is configured prior to initialization of the runtimes. |
| US08181221B2 |
Method and system for masking data
An approach is provided for masking data. A determination is made whether an action initiated by an authenticated user corresponds to one of a plurality of policies stored in a policy store, wherein the policies relate to whether data to be retrieved from a data source is to be masked. A new policy is generated if no match is found in the policy store. Information associated with the new policy is received, wherein the information is input by the user. The new policy is stored in the policy store. |
| US08181219B2 |
Access authorization having embedded policies
A facility for receiving an embedded policy is provided. The facility checks an application program image for the presence of an embedded policy. If an embedded policy is detected, the facility extracts the policy from within the application program image. The facility may then apply the extracted policy to the application program image before the application program image is loaded and/or executed. Moreover, the facility may check the application program image's integrity prior to extracting the embedded policy. |
| US08181217B2 |
Monitoring presentation timestamps
Techniques to monitor presentation timestamps for content are described, which may be used to render content at a client. In an implementation, content is received having timestamps that define expected timing for output of the content at a client. The timestamps may then be monitored and compared to a client clock to determine if the content rendered matches the content expected to be rendered. When a discrepancy is detected, one or more corrective actions may be undertaken to restore output of the content to the timing defined by the timestamps. |
| US08181212B2 |
Method of providing a frame-based object redirection overlay for a video stream
A method of providing a frame-based object redirection overlay for a video stream provided by a third-party content provider and hosted by a host provider that may or may not be the same as the third-party content provider. One or more objects depicted within a frame of a video stream are selected. A user is presented with a tag corresponding to the selected object. Upon detection of the user's selection of the tag, the user is presented with options corresponding to the selected tag. The options are determined by the location of the user, the user's preferences, and enforcement of localization rules. Upon detection of the user's selection of an option, an action is taken that corresponds to the user's selection of the option. |
| US08181199B2 |
Method for displaying internet television information of broadcasting receiver and broadcasting receiver enabling the method
The present invention relates to a method for, when a broadcasting receiver outputs a broadcast program, determining whether the same program is present in a program list of an Internet television (TV) provided by an Internet server, and performing a notification function when the same program is present in the program list of the Internet TV, and a broadcasting receiver employing the same. |
| US08181191B2 |
Media processing device and control method for a media processing device
A media processing device does not execute a media transportation process if the height of media stacked in a media storage unit is at an over capacity level, and reliably prevents problems such as damage to the media transportation mechanism caused by collision with the stacked media. If in the media processing device the height of media stacked in a media storage unit 121, 122 is at a full stack level or over capacity level (step S33 returns yes or step S35 returns yes), an appropriate warning is output (step S34 or step S36) and collision accidents of the media transportation mechanism 131 can be prevented. |
| US08181189B2 |
System and method for driving hardware device and processing data
A system for driving a hardware device and processing data and a method thereof are provided. The system includes a storage unit, a processor, and the hardware device. The storage unit stores a multimedia application interface, a virtual window driving model (WDM) interface, and a multimedia application. The processor is electrically connected with the storage unit and used for executing a multimedia application. The hardware device receives or outputs first format data. When the multimedia application and the hardware device are active, the multimedia application interface and the virtual WDM interface are taken as communication interfaces between the multimedia application and the hardware device, and the virtual WDM interface converts the first format data to second format data and transmits the second format data to the multimedia application via the multimedia application interface, and the second format data is processed by the multimedia application. |
| US08181187B2 |
Gateways having localized in-memory databases and business logic execution
A gateway is provided that includes an integration gateway portion, a domain gateway portion, and a hyper-memory portion is provided. The integration gateway portion has an integration rules engine, a search engine, and a first virtual machine. The domain gateway portion has a domain rules engine. The hyper-memory portion has a hyper-memory engine, a hyper-memory, and a second virtual machine. The integration portion accesses a database via the integration rules engine and the first virtual machine or via the search engine and the first virtual machine. The domain gateway portion accesses datasets of the database that are resident in the hyper-memory via the domain objects rules engine and the hyper-memory engine or via the search engine, the second virtual machine, and the hyper-memory engine. |
| US08181185B2 |
Filtering of performance monitoring information
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a signal in a filter register of a performance monitor from an execution unit to enable a field of the filter register associated with a first thread when a filter enable instruction is executed during execution of code of the first thread, receiving a thread identifier and event information in the performance monitor from the execution unit, and determining if the thread that corresponds to the received thread identifier is enabled in the filter register and if so, storing the event information in a first counter of the performance monitor. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08181182B1 |
Resource allocation brokering in nested containers
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a technique for resource allocation brokering in nested containers. According to one aspect, a broker mechanism is established within a first container. A second container also is established within the first container. The second container has a client mechanism. The first container's broker mechanism communicates with the second container's client mechanism to provide notices to the second container's client mechanism. The second container also has a broker mechanism that may or may not be a part of the second container's client mechanism. A third container is established within the second container. The third container also has a client mechanism. The second container's broker mechanism communicates with the third container's client mechanism to provide notices to the third container's client mechanism. Thus, communications are facilitated between higher-level containers and lower-level containers in a hierarchy of nested containers. |
| US08181179B2 |
Changing a scheduler in a virtual machine monitor
Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described to change a first scheduler in the virtual machine monitor. In some embodiments, a second scheduler is loaded in a virtual machine monitor when the virtual machine monitor is running; and then is activated to handle a scheduling request for a scheduling process in place of the first scheduler, when the virtual machine monitor is running. |
| US08181177B1 |
Reducing the number of heap handles in a program
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that reduces the number of heap handles in a program. First, the system builds an intermediate representation of the program. The system then analyzes the intermediate representation to determine whether executing a function may cause a garbage-collection operation. If so, the system further analyzes the program to determine whether a heap handle in the program is defined and/or used in proximity to a call to the function. Next, the system determines whether the heap handle can be replaced by an ordinary pointer, in order to facilitate subsequently converting the heap handle to an ordinary pointer, if possible. Note that converting a heap handle to an ordinary pointer reduces the space requirements for the program and increases the speed and efficiency of the program and garbage collection operations. |
| US08181176B2 |
Uniform storage device access using partial virtual machine executing within a secure enclave session
In a computing system having a processor package, an operating system, and a physical I/O device, a partial virtual machine is provided to instantiate a virtual I/O device corresponding to the physical I/O device, the virtual I/O device having a virtual I/O controller. The partial virtual machine includes an I/O port trap to capture an I/O request to the virtual I/O device by the operating system; an I/O controller emulator coupled to the I/O port trap to handle an I/O control request to the virtual I/O controller, when the I/O request comprises an I/O control request; an I/O device emulator coupled to the I/O port trap component to handle an I/O access request to communicate with the virtual I/O device, when the I/O request comprises an I/O access request; and a device driver coupled to the I/O controller emulator and the I/O device emulator to communicate with the physical I/O device based at least in part on the I/O control request and the I/O access request. The partial virtual machine executes within a secure enclave session within the processor package, improving security of I/O transactions by preventing access to the partial virtual machine by the operating system. |
| US08181172B2 |
Method for operation of an automation system
A method for operation of an automation system is specified, with programming elements for integration into a control program provided for the control and/or monitoring of a technical process being transferred or being able to be transferred from a programming device included at least part of the time in the automation system to at least one automation device included in the automation system, with a program element being assigned a first state which identifies this element as available for the control program or a second state which identifies the program element as integrated into the control program, in which there is provision for each program element to be assigned or be able to be assigned at least one further state, so that this state, especially for program modifications, when program elements have been deleted for example, enables the option of testing (debugging) the control program at any time to be maintained. |
| US08181171B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing large scale program and generation of code from degenerated program dependence graph
A dependent element group which is invertibly contractible is found by using program analysis information including a plurality of dependent elements representing dependent relationships of statement and control, the statement and the control being included in a program. Next, a program dependence graph in which dependent elements are made to be contracted is generated by contracting the found dependent element group. The number of vertices and the number of edges of the program dependence graph are reduced by the contraction of the dependent elements, so that a program dependence graph with a rough granularity can be generated. As a result, a calculation amount (calculation time) necessary for optimization processing such as parallel processing of the program can be reduced. That is, by generating the contracted program dependence graph having invertibility, it is possible to realize the analysis and optimization of large-scale software in a realistic time. |
| US08181169B2 |
Measuring execution time for program optimization
Devices, compilers and methods to reduce energy consumption associated with execution of a program by adjusting a computational capability of a CPU with higher accuracy than before. A device sets an appropriate computational capability to the CPU. It includes: changing a computational capability of the CPU every time each of a plurality of program areas included in the execution program is executed while the execution program is being executed, and measuring execution time each of the program areas; deciding an optimal computational capability required to execute the program area using the CPU, based on the execution time for each of the computational capabilities measured for the respective program areas; and performing setting of the optimal computational capability for executing the program area, which is to be used when executing the program area again in the course of executing the execution program, for each of the program areas. |
| US08181168B1 |
Memory access assignment for parallel processing architectures
A system comprises a plurality of computation units interconnected by an interconnection network. A method for configuring the system comprises forming subsets of instructions corresponding to different portions of a program, the subsets of instructions being related according to a control flow graph; forming one or more memory analysis regions that include one or more of the subsets of instructions, where each subset of instructions is included in a single memory analysis region; analyzing each memory analysis region to partition memory objects and instructions that access the memory objects into equivalence classes such that instructions within an equivalence class only access objects in the same equivalence class; and assigning memory access instructions a given equivalence class to one of the computation units for execution on the assigned computation unit. |
| US08181162B2 |
Manager component for checkpoint procedures
A manager component of an apparatus in one example handles one or more checkpoint procedures for one or more software components of a distributed software application that runs within a plurality of executables. |
| US08181158B2 |
Viewing and modifying transactional variables
Transactional programming promises to substantially simplify the development and maintenance of correct, scalable, and efficient concurrent programs. Designs for supporting transactional programming using transactional memory implemented in hardware, software, and a mixture of the two have emerged recently. However, various features and capabilities for debugging programs executed using transactional memory are absent from conventional debuggers. Because transactional memory implementations provide the “illusion” of multiple memory locations changing value atomically, there are challenges involved with integrating debuggers with such programs to provide the user with a coherent view of program execution. For instance, when execution is halted for debugging, a user may request to view a transactional variable or memory location. The transactional variable or memory location may have a pre-transaction value and a tentative value. Allowing a user to only view one of the values reduces the capacity of a user to reason about the behavior of the code. |
| US08181153B2 |
Refactoring monolithic applications into dynamically reconfigurable applications
A Dynamically Reconfigurable Applications Mutable Architecture (DRAMA) greatly reduces time, cost, and other resource expenditures associated with customizing a legacy application so that application features can be activated, deactivated, and even altered without requiring the user to reprogram or reinstall the application. A software developer may use DRAMA to deliver DRAs that enable users to switch between configurations during run-time by specifying the application features the user needs. DRAMA provides a lightweight and efficient approach to rapidly build DRAs from legacy applications, verify the validity of a user requested combination of features, and reconfigures DRAs during run-time. |
| US08181151B2 |
Modeling and managing heterogeneous applications
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for modeling and managing heterogeneous applications. Application intent can be described in a relatively straight forward manner that abstracts underlying implementation details. Thus, application developers can develop applications without necessarily having to know extensive details of an underlying implementation environment. In any event, an application can be executed in different implementation environments without requiring changes to the corresponding model. |
| US08181149B1 |
Interface for managing multiple implementations of a functional block of a circuit design
Approaches for assembling an electronic circuit design. A processor performs operations including instantiating and coupling a plurality of instances of functional blocks in the design, including at least one meta block instance. The plurality of instances of functional blocks are displayed as respective graphical objects and identifiers of two or more implementations for the meta block instance from a meta block library are displayed. In response to designer selection of one implementation from the meta block library, a specification of the selected one implementation for the meta block instance is stored in association with the design. In response to designer selection of a graphical object corresponding to the at least one meta block instance, a designer-editable version of the one implementation is displayed. An updated specification of the one implementation associated with design is stored in response to designer modification of the designer-editable version of the one implementation. |
| US08181148B2 |
Method for identifying and implementing flexible logic block logic for easy engineering changes
A chip design methodology. The methodology includes identifying engineering changeable logic, and replacing the identified engineering changeable logic with flexible logic blocks (FLB). |
| US08181147B2 |
Parametric data-based process monitoring for adaptive body bias control
Various embodiments of systems and methods are disclosed for providing adaptive body bias control. One embodiment comprises a method for adaptive body bias control. One such method comprises: modeling parametric data associated with a chip design; modeling critical path data associated with the chip design; providing a chip according to the chip design; storing the parametric data and the critical path data in a memory on the chip; reading data from a parametric sensor on the chip; based on the data from the parametric sensor and the stored critical path and parametric data, determining an optimized bulk node voltage for reducing power consumption of the chip without causing a timing failure; and adjusting the bulk node voltage according to the optimized bulk node voltage. |
| US08181143B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a memory-efficient representation of routing data
Some embodiments provide a system for generating a memory-efficient representation of a sequence of electrically connected routing shapes. The memory-efficient representation represents the sequence of electrically connected routing shapes using a sequence of points, such that two consecutive points represent a routing shape. At least some of the points can be represented using a compact representation, thereby reducing the memory required for storing the sequence of points. A full representation specifies a point's location using the point's two-dimensional coordinates, and a compact representation specifies a point's location using one of the point's two-dimensional coordinates and an orientation indicator which indicates the routing shape's orientation. The missing coordinate in a compact representation can be determined from the preceding points. The system can represent a via that joins two routing shapes by assigning different metal layers to the points associated with the two routing shapes. |
| US08181142B2 |
Method of processing dummy pattern based on boundary length and density of wiring pattern, semiconductor design apparatus and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, includes a first wiring pattern in a first region, a second wiring pattern in a second region, and at least one first dummy pattern formed in the first region and at least one second dummy pattern formed in the second region. A total area of the at least one first dummy pattern is the same as a total area of the at least one second dummy pattern and a total length of pattern periphery of the at least one second dummy pattern is longer than a total length of pattern periphery of the at least one first dummy pattern. |
| US08181141B2 |
Dummy rule generating apparatus
A dummy rule generating apparatus includes a critical pattern estimating unit that determines a wiring pattern whose total perimeter length of wirings is smaller than an appropriate range based on constraints on the wirings for a circuit layout as a critical pattern. The dummy rule generating apparatus also includes a rule generating unit that generates dummy fill rules of a shape and a layout of dummy metals that increase number of dummy metals inserted in the critical pattern and decrease the number of dummy metals inserted in a wiring pattern whose total perimeter length of wirings is within an appropriate range. |
| US08181140B2 |
T-coil network design for improved bandwidth and electrostatic discharge immunity
A method of generating a circuit design comprising a T-coil network includes determining inductance for inductors and a parasitic bridge capacitance of the T-coil network. The parasitic bridge capacitance is compared with a load capacitance metric that depends upon parasitic capacitance of a load coupled to an output of the T-coil network. An amount of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of the circuit design that is coupled to the output of the T-coil network and/or a parameter of the inductors of the T-coil network is selectively adjusted according to the comparison. The circuit design, which can specify inductance of the inductors, the amount of ESD protection, and/or the width of windings of the inductors, is outputted. |
| US08181138B2 |
Generation of an extracted timing model file
A system, apparatus and method for generating extracted timing model files, such as macro library files, are disclosed. A user interface or data template is provided to an engineer that allows for the population of data within particular fields related to timing characteristics of an IP block, cell or core. Various types of data and fields may be provided into the user interface or data template. The location of relevant files, such as a cell or core netlist, may be provided within the template. Additionally, one or more modes may be selected by the user to define the manner in which the ETM file(s) are to be generated. An ETM file is automatically generated using the information provided in the data template. |
| US08181133B2 |
Combinational equivalence checking for threshold logic circuits
Aspects of a method and system for combinational equivalence checking for threshold logic circuits are provided. In this regard, one or more inputs may be received at a threshold logic gate. The threshold function of the threshold logic gate may be recursively decomposed into a first function and a second function using cofactors of the threshold function. A Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate may be generated based on the recursive decomposition of the threshold function. The generated Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate may be a maximally factored form representation of a minimal sum of products (SOP) for the threshold logic gate. A logical equivalence of the threshold logic gate may be verified with one or more other logic circuits based on the generated Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate. |
| US08181130B1 |
Method for jitter reduction by shifting current consumption
A method for jitter reduction in a path of an integrated circuit design is presented. The path is first analyzed to identify a combinatorial logic element bounded between a source element and a destination element. The arrival time of the input signal to the combinatorial logic element is shifted by inserting a logic element at the input of the combinatorial logic element. The insertion of the logic element is performed such that the arrival time of a signal to the input of the inserted logic element occurs before half of a clock cycle and the propagation time of the input signal from the inserted logic element to the destination element is less than half the clock cycle. The modified netlist of the path of the integrated circuit incorporating the inserted logic element is stored in memory of a computing system. |
| US08181126B2 |
Differential alternating phase shift mask optimization
A method of designing a mask for projecting an image of an integrated circuit design in lithographic processing, wherein the integrated circuit layout has a plurality of segments of critical width. The method comprises creating a first mask design by aligning mask features used to assist in projecting critical width segments with the critical width segments of the integrated circuit design, such that the first mask design meets predetermined manufacturability design rules, and creating a second mask design by aligning mask features with the critical width segments of the integrated circuit design, such that the second mask design meets predetermined lithographic design rules in regions local to the critical width segments. The method then includes identifying design features of the second mask design that violate the predetermined manufacturability design rules, and then creating a third mask design derived from the second mask design wherein the mask features of the second mask design that violate the predetermined manufacturability rules are selectively replaced by mask features from the first mask design so that the third mask design meets the predetermined manufacturability design rules. By way of example, the mask features used to assist in projecting critical width segments may comprise alternating phase shifting regions or sub-resolution assist features. |
| US08181124B2 |
Method and apparatus for notification on an electronic handheld device using an attention manager
A method and system for notification in a palm-sized computer system. Specifically, the present invention discloses an Attention Manager that manages application demand for a user's attention. The Attention Manager receives multiple attention requests from varying applications. With each new attention request received that indicates a record needs a user's attention, the Attention Manager stores the request in memory and determines if there are other outstanding attention requests that have not been cleared. Depending on the number of outstanding requests, the Attention Manager sends a request for record information in list or detail format. If there are multiple outstanding attention requests, the Attention Manager displays a notification dialog in a list format. If there is only one outstanding attention request, the Attention Manager displays the notification dialog in detail format. Additionally, a simple user interface to navigate to the application and record entry requiring attention is provided. |
| US08181122B2 |
Graphical user interface for large-scale, multi-user, multi-touch systems
A method implemented on the graphical user interface device to invoke an independent, user-localized menu in an application environment, by making a predetermined gesture with a pointing device on an arbitrary part of a display screen or surface, especially when applied in a multi-touch, multi-user environment, and in environments where multiple concurrent pointing devices are present. As an example, the user may trace out a closed loop of a specific size that invokes a default system menu at any location on the surface, even when a second user may be operating a different portion of the system elsewhere on the same surface. As an additional aspect of the invention, the method allows the user to smoothly transition between the menu-invocation and menu control. |
| US08181121B2 |
Display unit and display method
When displaying on a display (46) a plurality of thumbnails respectively corresponding to a plurality of image files selected from an external memory card (40), the CPU 26 determines whether each image file is a moving image file or a still image file, and creates an enlarged thumbnails by clipping the center of the thumbnail corresponding to the moving image file and enlarging it by an electronic zoom processing circuit (37). Then, a first screen including the plurality of thumbnails and a second screen including the enlarged thumbnail in place of the thumbnail corresponding to the moving image file on the first screen are alternately displayed. |
| US08181119B1 |
User interface with inline customization
A graphical user interface (GUI) having functionality for inline customization is disclosed. A first set of user manipulable elements are displayed within a GUI object. Each of the user manipulable elements of the first set is selectable for display within the GUI object. A selection of a second set of user manipulable elements from among the first set of elements is received. Unselected elements of the first set of elements are removed from the GUI object. The second set of user manipulable elements are displayed within the GUI object. In one aspect, a first user input renders the first set of user manipulable elements selectable for display within the GUI object, while a second user input renders the second set of user manipulable elements unselectable. In various aspects, the GUI object may be a window, a menu bar, or an object that describes properties of a file. |
| US08181118B2 |
Personal information device on a mobile computing platform
A method and apparatus for integrating a personal information device (PID) on a mobile computer that includes activating a first mode to display data originating with the PID in a first display area of a display. The mobile computer switches to a second mode to display data associated with the second mode in a second display area of the display. |
| US08181113B2 |
Mediating conflicts in computer users context data
Techniques are described providing mediated information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a first source an indication of a first value for an indicated one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, receiving from a second source an indication of a second value for the indicated state attribute, and, after an indication from a client for a value for the indicated state attribute, sending to the client a mediated value for the indicated state attribute that is produced by mediating between available values for the indicated state attribute including at least the first and second values. |
| US08181111B1 |
System and method for providing social context to digital activity
The system and method for providing social context to digital activity combines mobile device contact information with user-provided website information to aid users when browsing the Internet. Users of mobile devices define identifications of themselves for websites, so that when another user in their contact list is browsing the Internet, an indicator is able to indicate that he is a known contact. The determination of whether the person is a known contact based on the identification definitions is able to be implemented either by direct interfacing between the host website and a server which stores the identification definitions, a browser plugin which communicates with the server or an API provided by the server or a mobile device. |
| US08181105B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program that performs syntax parsing on a structured document in the form of electronic data
Statistical information about instance documents and schema information are used to integrate multiple state transitions that enable sectioning of a structure document, thereby generating an optimum automaton. In integrating state transitions, consecutively matching state transitions are held in the form of an ID list, which is then used to count the number of consecutive state transitions. Furthermore, patterns in the number of occurrences of repetitive elements including nested elements are statistically obtained. Variations of blanks in XML are addressed by using a statistical method. Schema information is used to build an automaton beforehand, thereby initialization overhead of the syntax parsing apparatus is reduced. |
| US08181101B2 |
Data bus system, its encoder/decoder and encoding/decoding method
The present application relates to a data bus system, its encoder/decoder and encoding/decoding method. The data bus encoder comprises: a bus-invert encoder for generating encoded data and invert-indication information by performing bus-invert encoding on data according to a predetermined bus-invert encoding scheme; a virtual bit-group generator for converting the invert-indication information into a virtual bit-group according to a predetermined code mapping; and an error-checking-and-correction encoder for generating an error-checking-and-correction code for a virtual word according to a predetermined error-checking-and-correction encoding scheme, wherein the number of error-checking bits is more than the number of error-correction bits at least by one in the predetermined error-checking-and-correction encoding scheme, the mapping is such that the Hamming distance between any possible value of the virtual bit-group and a reference virtual bit-group which cannot be converted into under the mapping is a fixed value, and not greater than the number of error-correction bits of the error-checking-and-correction encoding scheme, and the virtual word includes the data to be output, the virtual bit-group corresponding to the data, and at least one padding bit of a fixed value, which is configured as required by the error-checking-and-correction encoding scheme. |
| US08181088B2 |
Apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on an information storage medium using padding information, and the information storage medium
An apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on a disc are provided using padding information, and a corresponding information storage medium. The recording method includes recording a recording unit block in which invalid data is padded in part of the block and recording padding information indicating that the invalid data is included. According to the method, a disc drive becomes able to distinguish valid data from invalid data in an error correction block such that reliability of reproduction increases and stability of the system is improved. |
| US08181087B2 |
Apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on an information storage medium using padding information, and the information storage medium
An apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on a disc are provided using padding information, and a corresponding information storage medium. The recording method includes recording a recording unit block in which invalid data is padded in part of the block and recording padding information indicating that the invalid data is included. According to the method, a disc drive becomes able to distinguish valid data from invalid data in an error correction block such that reliability of reproduction increases and stability of the system is improved. |
| US08181084B1 |
Detecting insertion/deletion using LDPC code
Systems and methods are provided that use LDPC codes to determine the locations of insertions or deletions within bit-strings of information transmitted through communication channels and which notify a LDPC decoder of the locations of the insertions or deletions prior to the start of the decoding process. The use of such systems and methods, according to this disclosure, may improve LDPC decoder performance by reducing errors cause by insertions and/or deletions. The use of such systems and methods, according to this disclosure, may also provide improved application performance and larger data transmission rates. |
| US08181079B2 |
Data transmission with HARQ and interference mitigation
Techniques for transmitting data with hybrid automatic retransmission (HARQ) and interference mitigation are described. In one design, a transmitter processes a packet of data in accordance with a rate and sends at least one transmission of the packet to a receiver with HARQ. In one design, the transmitter sends a trigger message to the receiver to trigger the receiver to send a request to reduce interference to interfering station(s). The transmitter may send a first transmission of the packet (i) after the trigger message, e.g., in consecutive frames of a single HARQ interlace, or (ii) along with the trigger message in the same frame. The number of transmissions to send for the packet may be dependent on whether the interfering station(s) reduce interference to the receiver. The packet transmission may terminate early if interference mitigation is successful or may terminate late if interference mitigation is unsuccessful. |
| US08181077B2 |
Methods and devices for the dynamic management of transmission errors by network points of interconnections
The disclosure describes transferring at least one data packet in a network from at least one server to a client through a point of interconnection. The point of interconnection executes a process of: receiving from the client at least one configuration map specifying at least one error correction mechanism, receiving from the server the at least one packet, detecting errors included in the at least one packet, and if the at least one packet includes at least one error, applying to the at least one packet at least one error correction mechanism specified in the at least one configuration map. |
| US08181068B2 |
Apparatus for and method of life-time test coverage for executable code
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of associating a dedicated coverage bit to each instruction in a software system. Coverage bits are set every time the software application runs, enabling a more comprehensive and on-going code coverage analysis. The code coverage bit mechanism enables code coverage analysis for all installations of a software application, not just software in development mode or at a specific installation. Code coverage bits are implemented in either the instruction set architecture (ISA) of the central processing unit, the executable file of a software application, a companion file to the executable file or a code coverage table residing in memory of the computer system. |
| US08181065B2 |
Systems and methods for providing nonlinear journaling
In one embodiment, systems and methods are provided for nonlinear journaling. In one embodiment, groups of data designated for storage in a data storage unit are journaled into persistent storage. In one embodiment, the journal data is recorded nonlinearly. In one embodiment, a linked data structure records data and data descriptors in persistent storage. |
| US08181063B2 |
Computer device, continuing operation method for computer device, and program
A computer device that includes a plurality of processor boards each provided with a processor, a memory, and a chipset, includes a first processor board that makes data in a cache, which have become unfixed as a result of an uncorrectable failure, invalid when the uncorrectable failure occurs on the first processor board in operation, and switches from the first processor board to a second processor board for replacement, and the second processor board that re-executes an instruction that was being executed in the first processor board when the failure occurred. |
| US08181060B1 |
Preventing data corruption with transparent network connections
Transparent network devices intercept messages from non-transparent network devices that establish a connection. Transparent network devices modify these messages to establish an inner connection with each other. The transparent network devices mimic at least some of the outer connection messages to establish their inner connection. The mimicked messages and any optional reset messages are intercepted by the transparent network devices to prevent them from reaching the outer connections. Transparent network devices modify network traffic, using error detection data, fragmentation data, or timestamps, so that inner connection network traffic inadvertently received by outer connection devices is rejected or ignored by the outer connection network devices. Transparent network devices may use different sequence windows for inner and outer connection network traffic. To prevent overlapping sequence windows, transparent network devices monitor the locations of the inner and outer connection sequence windows and may rapidly advance the inner connection sequence window as needed. |
| US08181058B2 |
Clock-data-recovery technique for high-speed links
A receiver circuit is described. In the receiver circuit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) generates first samples of a data signal based on a first clock signal, and a clock-data-recovery (CDR) error-detection circuit generates second samples of the data signal based on a second clock signal. In addition, the CDR error-detection circuit estimates intersymbol interference (ISI) at a current sample in the second samples from an adjacent, subsequent sample in the second samples. Based on the second samples and the estimated ISI, a CDR circuit generates the first clock signal and the second clock signal, which involves modifying the skews of either or both of these clock signals so that the current sample is associated with a zero crossing of a pulse response of a communication channel from which the data signal was received, thereby reducing or eliminating the ISI from the adjacent, subsequent sample. |
| US08181056B2 |
Serial-connected memory system with output delay adjustment
Systems and methods for performing output delay adjustment are provided for application in serial-connected devices operating as slave devices. A master device provides a clock to the first slave device, and each slave device passes the clock to the next slave device in turn, and the last slave device returns the clock to the master device. The master device compares the outgoing clock to the returned clock and determines if an output delay adjustment is needed. If so, the master device generates and outputs commands for the slave devices to perform output delay adjustment. The slave devices apply the output delay to the clock signal, but may also apply the delay to other output signals. Each of the slave devices has a circuit for performing output delay adjustment. In some implementations, each slave device is a memory device, and the master device is a memory controller. |
| US08181052B2 |
Power supply control circuit
A power supply control circuit includes a standby control circuit, a microprocessor, and a power supply main circuit. The standby control circuit generates a pulse signal, outputs a first control signal, and sets the first control signal to an active state upon actuation of the switch member. The microprocessor outputs and sets a second control signal to first and second states upon first and second generations of the pulse signal, respectively. The standby control circuit maintains the first control signal at the active state when the second control signal is set to the first state, and sets the first control signal to an inactive state when the second control signal is set to the second state. The power supply main circuit outputs a power when the first control signal is set to the active state, and cuts off the power when the first control signal is set to the inactive state. |
| US08181047B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling power management by comparing tick idle time data to power management state resume time data
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling power management based on information on ticks for performing program tasks and information on each of power management states, which is applicable to every apparatus and component able to enter a power saving state.By means of entering a corresponding power management based on a result of comparing idle time of a processor during the tick with resume time of each power management state, power consumption can be reduced. |
| US08181043B1 |
Methods and apparatus for improved remotely switchable power supply
Methods and apparatus systems for remotely controllable power supplies for various network devices in various situations. |
| US08181038B2 |
Systems and methods for executing encrypted programs
Systems and methods for secure program execution are described. At least one embodiment includes a system for securely executing software comprising a host configured to accept a disc containing encrypted content to be accessed and store an encrypted program used to access the content on the disc. The system further comprises a secure coprocessor communicatively coupled to the host and configured to receive the encrypted program, decrypt and execute the encrypted program, and communicate an output generated by the program back to the host. |
| US08181037B2 |
Application protection systems and methods
Application protection systems and methods. The system comprises a security platform device comprising a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit comprises a root security key and an application security key. The security platform device receives a unique key from an application. The processing unit encrypts the unique key using the root security key, and determines whether the encrypted unique key conforms to the application security key. If so, the application is allowed to execute. |
| US08181036B1 |
Extrusion detection of obfuscated content
Techniques are disclosed that enable extrusion detection (i.e., outgoing confidential information from an enterprise or other entity). The techniques operate to detect outgoing confidential information at the gateway and/or the client, even if that confidential information is encrypted, compressed, or otherwise obfuscated before transmission (e.g., via email or to a portable storage media such as a memory stick). |
| US08181034B2 |
Secure data utilization
A system, comprising an external memory operative to store data therein, the data including a plurality of sections, each of the sections being associated with a signature, and an internal memory operationally connected to the external memory, and a processor arrangement operationally connected to the internal memory, the processor arrangement including a transfer module to transfer one section from the external to the internal memory, an authentication module to authenticate the signature of the section transferred from the external memory, a validity status module to identify the section as valid if the signature is authentic, and an execution module to utilize the section of the data only if the section is valid, wherein the validity status module is operative to invalidate the section, if the content of the section is changed while stored in the internal memory. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08181030B2 |
Bundle authentication system and method
There is provided a bundle authentication system and method that can perform network access authentication and authentication at a service request in a next generation network utilizing a Bundled Authentication Key (BAK) generated by using an Extended Master Session Key (EMSK) that is an encryption key generated during access authentication. |
| US08181029B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for entering secure passwords
Apparatus, methods and/or computer program products are provided that facilitate entering secure passwords into a user device. A user requested image is displayed via a display or monitor of a user device. The image is zoomable to one or more higher resolution levels beyond an initial display resolution, and the image is displayed at higher resolution levels in response to a user activating a zoom function via the user device. The coordinates of a user selected feature within a displayed higher resolution level image are obtained and translated into a password. The password is then entered into the requesting application. |
| US08181024B2 |
Data processing apparatus
In the configuration performing a data processing by a hardware processing circuit (accelerator), to provide a technology capable of improving a poorness of processing efficiency by multiple accesses to the data, the following solving means are provided. A network data processing accelerator of the present network data processing apparatus comprises processing units corresponding to each processing of an encryption/decryption, a message authentication, and a checksum, and in the data processing including a combination of each processing, accesses for the same data of the memory and the like through a bus I/F unit and the like is collected together into one time, and a pipeline processing is performed using the least common multiple of the data processing unit of each processing. |
| US08181023B2 |
Information processing device and information processing system
An information processing device is provided with a tamper-proof IC chip that includes a storage area and that can process data from the storage area, and with a storage module that includes a storage area external to the IC chip. First key data stored in the IC chip storage area and second key data stored in the storage module storage area are used for two-way authentication between the IC chip and the storage module and for encrypting and decrypting data in the storage module storage area. The IC chip storage area includes a cache area to temporarily store data. The IC chip, following a request by an external device, uses the key data for two-way authentication with the storage module, securely reads data to satisfy the request from the storage module storage area into the IC chip cache area, and processes the data read into the cache area. |
| US08181015B2 |
System and method for establishing historical usage-based hardware trust
Establishing trust according to historical usage of selected hardware involves providing a usage history for a selected client device; and extending trust to a selected user based on the user's usage history of the client device. The usage history is embodied as signed statements issued by a third party or an authentication server. The issued statement is stored either on the client device, or on an authentication server. The usage history is updated every time a user is authenticated from the selected client device. By combining the usage history with conventional user authentication, an enhanced trust level is readily established. The enhanced, hardware-based trust provided by logging on from a trusted client may eliminate the necessity of requiring secondary authentication for e-commerce and financial services transactions, and may also be used to facilitate password recovery and conflict resolution in the case of stolen passwords. |
| US08181010B1 |
Distributed authentication user interface system
A system for authenticating a request to access a protected network resource behind two security layers is disclosed. The system includes a client which contains a web browser, a first server tier, and second server tier. The first server tier is protected behind a first security layer and hosts a first software object and second software object. The first server tier is operatively coupled to the client system via a first connection wherein the first software object and second software object are configured to be in communications with the web browser. The second server tier is protected behind the first security layer and second security layer and hosts an authentication service. The second server tier is operatively coupled to the first server tier via a second connection wherein the authentication service is configured to be in communications with the second software object. |
| US08181009B2 |
VLAN tagging over IPSec tunnels
In accordance with a nonlimiting example, a network device transfers communications data along a communications channel within an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A communications module includes a signal input connected to the communications channel of the IP network and receives an Ethernet packet having an Ethernet header and IP data. A processor is coupled to the communications module and processes the Ethernet packet. It removes the Ethernet header and adds Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tagging information to a padding section in the packet. In one aspect, the processor includes an encryption module that encrypts the VLAN tagging information along with the IP data. The network device includes a signal output through which the packet is transferred to a destination within the IP network over the communications channel as an IPSec tunnel. |
| US08181004B2 |
Selecting a resource management policy for a resource available to a processor
Embodiments include a device and a method. In an embodiment, a device provides a resource manager operable to select a resource management policy likely to provide a substantially optimum execution of an instruction group by comparing an execution of the instruction group pursuant to a first resource management policy applied to a hardware resource and an execution of the instruction group pursuant to a second resource management policy applied to the hardware resource. |
| US08181003B2 |
Instruction set design, control and communication in programmable microprocessor cores and the like
Improved instruction set and core design, control and communication for programmable microprocessors is disclosed, involving the strategy for replacing centralized program sequencing in present-day and prior art processors with a novel distributed program sequencing wherein each functional unit has its own instruction fetch and decode block, and each functional unit has its own local memory for program storage; and wherein computational hardware execution units and memory units are flexibly pipelined as programmable embedded processors with reconfigurable pipeline stages of different order in response to varying application instruction sequences that establish different configurations and switching interconnections of the hardware units. |
| US08181001B2 |
Conditional data-dependency resolution in vector processors
Described is a method for performing parallel operations in a computer system when one or more conditional dependencies may be present, where a given conditional dependency includes a dependency associated with at least two data elements based on a pair of conditions. During operation, a processor receives instructions for generating a vector of tracked positions of actual dependencies, where a given tracked position indicates the position of a given actual dependency, and where the given actual dependency occurs when the pair of condition matches one or more criteria. Then, the processor executes the instructions for generating the vector of tracked positions. |
| US08181000B2 |
Method and apparatus for binding shadow registers to vectored interrupts
A method and apparatus within a processing system is provided for associating shadow register sets with interrupt routines. The invention includes a vector generator that receives interrupts, and generates exception vectors to call interrupt routines that correspond to the interrupts. The exception vector considers the type of interrupt and the priority level of the interrupt when selecting the exception vector. Shadow set mapping logic is coupled to the vector generator. The mapping logic contains a number of fields that correspond to the different exception vectors that may be generated. The fields are programmable by kernel mode instructions, and contain data mapping each field to one of a number of shadow register sets. When an interrupt occurs, the vector generator generates a corresponding exception vector. In addition, the shadow set mapping logic looks at the field corresponding to the exception vector, and retrieves the data stored therein. The data is used to switch to one of the shadow register sets for use by an interrupt routine. Upon return from the interrupt routine, the previously used register set is selected. |
| US08180987B2 |
Encrypt-only data storage cartridge
Control of the encryption of data for storage with respect to removable data storage cartridges having a recording media and having cartridge memory with at least a portion lockable to read-only, employs the steps of inspecting the read-only portion of the cartridge memory of the removable data storage cartridge for an “Encrypt-Only” flag. If the “Encrypt-Only” flag is present, writes to the recording media of the removable data storage cartridge are limited to data in an encrypted format, if any; and, else, writes to the recording media of the removable data storage cartridge are allowed for data in any of encrypted and unencrypted formats. |
| US08180986B2 |
Memory conflict detection via mapping of the physical heap to control access permissions to the memory
A transactional memory system is described for reporting memory access violations which occur when memory accesses made from instructions within a transaction conflict with memory accesses to the same memory location made from a non-transactional instruction. In an embodiment this is achieved by creating two mappings of a physical heap being used by a thread. The thread (which may be part of a multi-threaded process) comprises instructions for both transactional and non-transactional accesses to the physical heap which may execute concurrently as part of that thread. One of the mappings is used for non-transactional memory accesses to the physical heap. The other mapping is used for transactional memory accesses to the physical heap. Access permissions associated with the mappings are controlled to enable attempted memory access violations to be detected and reported. |
| US08180982B2 |
Archival and retrieval of data using linked pages and value compression
A method for archiving data comprises storing static information in a header compartment, the static information including one or more pointers. The method further comprises writing updated time stamps to a page compartment for one or more measurand updates, and writing, to a page compartment, a pointer to a data compartment entry. The method further comprises writing measurand data to a data compartment entry. |
| US08180976B2 |
Programming non-volatile memory devices based on data logic values
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array, a data scanning unit, and a program unit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells, where each of the memory cells is programmable to store data have a first logic value or a second logic value. The data scanning unit is configured to search among a plurality of data to be programmed in the memory cells to identify data having the second logic value. The program unit is configured to group the identified data having the second logic value, and to program at least a portion of the group of identified data at a same time into the memory cells. |
| US08180972B2 |
Reducing remote reads of memory in a hybrid computing environment by maintaining remote memory values locally
Reducing remote reads of memory in a hybrid computing environment by maintaining remote memory values locally, the hybrid computing environment including a host computer and a plurality of accelerators, the host computer and the accelerators each having local memory shared remotely with the other, including writing to the shared memory of the host computer packets of data representing changes in accelerator memory values, incrementing, in local memory and in remote shared memory on the host computer, a counter value representing the total number of packets written to the host computer, reading by the host computer from the shared memory in the host computer the written data packets, moving the read data to application memory, and incrementing, in both local memory and in remote shared memory on the accelerator, a counter value representing the total number of packets read by the host computer. |
| US08180971B2 |
System and method for hardware acceleration of a software transactional memory
In a transactional memory technique, hardware serves simply to optimize the performance of transactions that are controlled fundamentally by software. The hardware support reduces the overhead of common TM tasks—conflict detection, validation, and data isolation—for common-case bounded transactions. Software control preserves policy flexibility and supports transactions unbounded in space and in time. The hardware includes 1) an alert-on-update mechanism for fast software-controlled conflict detection; and 2) programmable data isolation, allowing potentially conflicting readers and writers to proceed concurrently under software control. |
| US08180970B2 |
Least recently used (LRU) compartment capture in a cache memory system
A two pipe pass method for least recently used (LRU) compartment capture in a multiprocessor system. The method includes receiving a fetch request via a requesting processor and accessing a cache directory based on the received fetch request, performing a first pipe pass by determining whether a fetch hit or a fetch miss has occurred in the cache directory, and determining an LRU compartment associated with a specified congruence class of the cache directory based on the fetch request received, when it is determined that a fetch miss has occurred, and performing a second pipe pass by using the LRU compartment determined and the specified congruence class to access the cache directory and to select an LRU address to be cast out of the cache directory. |
| US08180967B2 |
Transactional memory virtualization
Methods and apparatus to provide transactional memory execution in a virtualized mode are described. In one embodiment, data corresponding to a transactional memory access request may be stored in a portion of a memory after an operation corresponding to the transactional memory access request causes an overflow and a stored value may be updated for an occurrence of the overflow. |
| US08180964B1 |
Optimization of cache configuration for application design
A system generates application code based on a received model, determines an optimal cache configuration based on the application code, executes the application code in a target cache environment, generates cache performance results based on the executed application code, and re-determines the optimal cache configuration based on the cache performance results. |
| US08180963B2 |
Hierarchical read-combining local memories
The present disclosure relates to a system for hierarchical read-combining memory having a multicore processor operably coupled to a memory controller. The memory controller is configured for receiving a plurality of requests for data from one or more processing cores of the multicore processor, selectively holding a request for data from the plurality of requests for an undetermined or indefinite amount of time, and selectively combining a plurality of requests for the same data into a single read-combined data request. The present disclosure further relates to a method for hierarchical read-combining data requests of a multicore processor and a computer accessible medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing a procedure for hierarchical read-combining data requests of a multicore processor. |
| US08180961B1 |
Method and system for revoking rights associated with I/O operations in storage systems
A machine implemented process and system is provided. The process determines if any right granted to an entity for performing an I/O operation associated with a data container stored at a first storage volume is to be revoked. The right itself may be cached at the first storage volume and resident at a second storage volume. A recall message is sent to the node that manages the second storage volume. Any pending I/O operation is completed, after the message is sent and before the right is revoked. Thereafter, the right is revoked and the cached copies of the right are invalidated. |
| US08180952B2 |
Storage system and data guarantee method
A system according to the invention reads/writes data by using a memory device performing a wear leveling. A host 4 reads/writes data from/in a flash memory device 2. A first protection code BC is added to the end of a logical block for every logical block of 512 bytes. A second protection code FC is added to the head of the logical blocks. The first protection code BC and the second protection code FC are configured to include data for specifying the logical address. When data is read from the flash memory device 2, the logical address obtained from the first protection code BC is compared to the logical address obtained from the second protection code. When both logical addresses are identical, it is determined that correct data is read. |
| US08180948B2 |
Two-wire loop process IO transmitter powered from the two-wire loop
A two-wire process input-output (“IO”) transmitter powered by a two-wire process loop and configured as a single transmitter. The transmitter including a gateway module and at least one local IO module. The gateway module including a first circuit configured to wholly power the gateway module from the two-wire process loop, a second circuit configured to communicate via the two-wire process loop, and a third circuit configured to communicate with the at least one IO module via a local bus separated from the two-wire process loop. The at least one local IO module including a first circuit configured to wholly power the respective local IO module from the two-wire process loop, a second circuit to communicate at least with the gateway module via the local bus, and a third circuit configured to interface with at least one IO field device. |
| US08180945B2 |
USB add-on module
An adaptive USB extender is installed in a computer and includes a USB host controller mounted on a computer motherboard, a USB receptacle mounted on an I/O board, a USB cable interconnecting the I/O board and the USB host controller for transmitting USB-compliant signals, and an active signal driver mounted on the I/O board and connected between the USB receptacle and the USB cable for amplifying and buffering the USB-compliant signals, thereby maintaining the signal integrity of the USB-compliant signals. |
| US08180944B2 |
Guest interrupt manager that records interrupts for guests and delivers interrupts to executing guests
In an embodiment, a system comprises a memory system and a guest interrupt manager. The guest interrupt manager is configured to receive an interrupt message corresponding to an interrupt that is targeted at a guest executable on the system. The guest interrupt manager is configured to record the interrupt in a data structure in the memory system to ensure that the interrupt is delivered to the guest even if the guest is not active in the system at a time that the interrupt message is received. |
| US08180943B1 |
Method and apparatus for latency based thread scheduling
A method and apparatus for providing latency based thread scheduling. A thread attribute, e.g., latency of a process, is used in effecting the scheduling of the thread. |
| US08180941B2 |
Mechanisms for priority control in resource allocation
Mechanisms for priority control in resource allocation is provided. With these mechanisms, when a unit makes a request to a token manager, the unit identifies the priority of its request as well as the resource which it desires to access and the unit's resource access group (RAG). This information is used to set a value of a storage device associated with the resource, priority, and RAG identified in the request. When the token manager generates and grants a token to the RAG, the token is in turn granted to a unit within the RAG based on a priority of the pending requests identified in the storage devices associated with the resource and RAG. Priority pointers are utilized to provide a round-robin fairness scheme between high and low priority requests within the RAG for the resource. |
| US08180935B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interconnecting SAS devices using either electrical or optical transceivers
Methods and systems for encoding and/or decoding digital signals representing serial attached SCSI (SAS) out of band (OOB) signals exchanged over an optical communication between two SAS devices. A SAS OOB signal to be transmitted from a first SAS device to a second SAS device is first encoded as a digitally encoded signal representing the analog SAS OOB signal and then transmitted over an optical communication medium to another SAS device. A receiving SAS device coupled to an optical communication medium decodes a received digitally encoded signal to detect a received, encoded SAS OOB signal and processes the received SAS OOB signal when receipt is detected. The digitally encoded signal may comprise an idle word portion and a burst word portion to represent various SAS OOB signals. Further, the digitally encoded signal may be precomputed in a variety of disparity forms and stored in a memory for lookup and retrieval. |
| US08180932B2 |
Signal receiving method for determining transmission format of input signal and related signal receiving circuit
The present invention discloses a signal receiving method for determining a transmission format of an input signal and a related signal receiving circuit. The signal receiving method includes: receiving the input signal; generating a signal detecting result corresponding to at least a signal transmission channel of a plurality of signal transmission channels according to an output result of the signal transmission channel; and determining the transmission format of the input signal according to the signal detecting result. The signal receiving circuit includes: an input interface, for receiving an input signal; a detecting module, for generating a signal detecting result corresponding to at least a signal transmission channel of a plurality of signal transmission channels according to an output result of the signal transmission channel; and a determining unit, for determining the transmission format of the input signal according to the signal detecting result. |
| US08180931B2 |
USB-attached-SCSI flash-memory system with additional command, status, and control pipes to a smart-storage switch
An electronic flash-memory card has additional pipes for commands and status messages so that data pipes are not clogged with commands and status messages, allowing for a higher data throughput. The command and status pipes are activated when a UAS/BOT detector detects that a host is using a USB-Attached-SCSI (UAS) mode rather than a Bulk-Only-Transfer (BOT) mode. The host can send additional commands and data without waiting for completion of a prior command when operating in UAS mode but not while operating in BOT mode. A command queue (CQ) in the device re-orders commands for accessing flash memory and merges data in a RAM buffer. Smaller 1 KB USB packets in the data pipes are merged into larger 8 KB payloads in the RAM buffer, allowing for more efficient flash access. |
| US08180924B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program for the same
There is described information processing method and apparatus, which make it possible not only to suppress the maldistribution of the loads in the network system, but also to suppress the deterioration of the overall system performance. The apparatus that is capable of communicating with a client terminal device and other information processing apparatuses through a network, includes a communicating section to communicate with the client terminal device and the other information processing apparatuses; a control section to conduct processes of receiving apparatus information sent from the other information processing apparatuses, establishing at least a group of information processing apparatuses to be in charge of an information processing requested by the client terminal device, based on the apparatus information received, creating a list in which the information processing apparatuses included in the group are registered, and transmitting the list to at least the information processing apparatuses registered in the list. |
| US08180923B2 |
Network access control for many-core systems
In a processor based system comprising a plurality of logical machines, selecting a logical machine of the system to serve as a host; the host communicating with a policy decision point (PDP) of a network to provision a data channel interconnecting the processor based system and the network and to provision a logical data channel interconnecting each logical machine of the system to the network. |
| US08180922B2 |
Load balancing mechanism using resource availability profiles
Resource availability profiles are received, wherein each resource availability profile describes a resource associated with a server. Each resource is assigned a plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of policies. The weights are determined by, for each of the plurality of the policies, determining a weight for each resource based a given policy and selected information in the resource availability profiles corresponding to the resources. The method further comprises determining a policy from the plurality of the policies corresponding to a given a context associated with a connection request. A first of the load-balanced servers is selected for the connection request based on the weights assigned to the plurality of resources for the policy for the given context. |
| US08180921B2 |
Method and apparatus for load balancing
A method and apparatus is provided in which a multi-site load balancing system directs a client to a site best able to respond to the client's request based on a combination of balancing methods. Performance metric balancing is employed to select sites having the best performance metrics to participate in network latency balancing to determine the site best able to respond the request. The sites participating in the network latency balancing are selected based on having performance metrics within an allowable deviation of the best performance metric. Alternatively, network latency balancing is employed to select sites having the least network latency to participate in performance metric balancing to determine the site best able to respond to the request. |
| US08180918B2 |
Multiplexing and congestion control
Methods, systems and devices for network congestion control exploit the inherent burstiness of network traffic, using a wave-based characterization of network traffic and corresponding multiplexing methods and approaches. |
| US08180916B1 |
System and method for identifying network applications based on packet content signatures
Embodiments of the invention provide a framework for traffic classification that bridges the gap between the packet content inspection and the flow-based behavioral analysis techniques. In particular, IP packets and/or IP flows are used as an input, network nodes are associated to specific network applications by leveraging information gathered from the web, and packet content signatures are extracted in an off-line fashion using clustering and signature extraction algorithms. The signatures learned are systematically exported to a traffic classifier that uses the newly available signatures to classify applications on-the-fly. |
| US08180915B2 |
Coding data streams
A method of delivering an encoded data stream to a plurality of recipient end-user nodes of a network includes receiving an incoming encoded data stream at a first recipient node from a transmitting node over the network. During ongoing receipt of the incoming encoded data stream at the first recipient node from the transmitting node, the incoming encoded data stream is decoded at the first recipient node to produce a decoded data stream that is output for consumption at the first recipient node. The decoded data stream is used to generate a modified encoded data stream being a modified version of the incoming encoded data stream. Still during ongoing receipt of the incoming encoded data stream at the first recipient node from the transmitting node, the modified encoded data stream is relayed from the first recipient node to one or more second recipient nodes over the network. |
| US08180914B2 |
Deleting data stream overload
A system and method to delete overload in a data stream are described.A method of an embodiment of the invention may analyze data quality information in a data stream and delete data items that are found to be of lower than a desired data quality.In one embodiment, data items may be evaluated according to maximize a particular aspect of the utility of the data in a data stream.In one embodiment, a system of an embodiment of the invention may evaluate data quality in a data stream to suggest one or more actions to be performed to improve the data quality in the data stream. Further, the system of the embodiment of the invention may evaluate each suggested action to determine how the suggested action may impact the data quality in the data stream if performed. |
| US08180911B2 |
Method of distributing real time data streams across a multimedia network as well as a mediation device and a multimedia network therefore
The invention relates to a method of distributing real time data streams across a multimedia network to receiving terminals, wherein a selected real time data streams is transmitted from a media server to a specific receiving terminals, wherein a mediation device is located between said media server and the receiving terminals, that a bi-directional communication with said media server is terminated at said media server for receiving data streams destined for the selected terminal and that said data streams are further forwarded to said selected terminal by means of a uni-directional communication protocol, and also a mediation device and a multimedia network therefore. |
| US08180906B2 |
Dynamically optimizing delivery of multimedia content over a network
Communication device capabilities may change during an established multimedia session due to connection of a peripheral device. For example, a user listens to an Internet radio service on a mobile phone through a set of headphones. Later, the user connects the mobile phone to stereo system in a car. The mobile phone can leverage the car's stereo system to present higher quality audio than it could present with the headphones. Functionality can be implemented in a communication device to detect connection of a peripheral device and determine multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device. The communication device updates its presence information to indicate the multimedia capabilities of the peripheral device. In response, a multimedia server determines multimedia capabilities indicated in the presence information have changed and optimizes delivery of multimedia content based on the updated multimedia capabilities. |
| US08180902B1 |
Establishing network connections between transparent network devices
Transparent network devices intercept messages from non-transparent network devices that establish a connection. Transparent network devices modify these messages to establish an inner connection with each other. The transparent network devices mimic at least some of the outer connection messages to establish their inner connection. The mimicked messages and any optional reset messages are intercepted by the transparent network devices to prevent them from reaching the outer connections. Transparent network devices modify network traffic, using error detection data, fragmentation data, or timestamps, so that inner connection network traffic inadvertently received by outer connection devices is rejected or ignored by the outer connection network devices. Transparent network devices may use different sequence windows for inner and outer connection network traffic. To prevent overlapping sequence windows, transparent network devices monitor the locations of the inner and outer connection sequence windows and may rapidly advance the inner connection sequence window as needed. |
| US08180894B2 |
System and method for policy-based registration of client devices
A system and method for policy-based registration of client devices is provided. Policy-based registration may use registration keys to register devices on a network. For example, registration keys may include policy assignments, folder assignments, group assignments, or other assignments for registering, identifying, and managing the device on the network. Devices can register one or more times (e.g., using one or more registration keys), resulting in the device being added to any number of folders and groups. Further, the policies may be used to control a registration process or to enforce registration rules. As such, administrators can construct folders or groups of devices with a set of keys, providing a consistent mechanism to easily register and manage a device. |
| US08180891B1 |
Discovery, access control, and communication with networked services from within a security sandbox
Particular embodiments permit a computer program running within a security sandbox to discover and communicate with networked services for example print servers, or remote control programming interfaces for TVs, stereos, and game boxes. The sandbox allows the computer program to originate unicast connections to a limited set of hosts but otherwise provides no access to the network. Particular embodiments may require no prior install, zero configuration, no account names or passwords, and yet resists spam. This is achieved by using centralized global infrastructure to coordinate the communications rather than local multicast, anycast, or datalink broadcast. |
| US08180888B2 |
Network mass operation infrastructure
In various embodiments, a method for managing edge processors includes providing an interface that allows a user to define a network operation associated with a edge processor. A network operation is generated based on input received via the interface. An action defined by the network operation is then performed at one or more edge processors. |
| US08180886B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection of information transmission abnormalities
In one embodiment, a method for securing a network application is described. The method for securing a network application includes receiving network information within a network application and assigning a probability value to an independent aspect of the network information. The probability value is based on a verification of the independent aspect of the information against a profile of acceptable behavior. The method for securing a network application also includes aggregating the probability values of the independent aspects of the network information to determine the probability of the entire network traffic. In addition, the method for securing a network application includes determining whether the probability value of the entire network information is above or below a threshold probability value. The entire network information is screened out based on the probability value of the entire message with respect to the threshold probability value. |
| US08180884B1 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring, reporting and charging for services in an application network
A method and apparatus is disclosed for the monitoring of active threads in a network service, such as a content transformation service. A network element periodically samples active threads that are indicative of an active session of a service being provided to a subscriber. Identifiers associated with the active threads are collected and stored in, for example, a network log along with related information, such as the subscriber identifying information associated with the thread and/or the amount of network resources utilized by the thread. The collected information is then made available or displayed for use in, or example, controlling the usage of a network service or billing for services based accurately on the amount of network resources consumed by a subscriber. |
| US08180883B1 |
Method and system for processing directives included in management events
A method and system for processing directives included in management events are disclosed. A method for handling management events includes detecting an event generated upon an occurrence relating to a device, such as a network device. The device related occurrence has a characteristic. A directive, appropriate to this characteristic, is included with the event format. The event is directed to a management entity, which interprets the directive and handles the event by processing it according to the directive. Such preprocessing directives included in the events allow recipients of the events to decide what to do with them, e.g., with the messages therein, and thus help prevent inadvertent loss of information conveyed in these events. |
| US08180882B2 |
Distributed messaging system and method for sharing network status data
A distributed messaging system and method allows servers in a network to share data, such as network status data associated with all of the servers in the network. In one embodiment, the distributed messaging system and method may be used in element management system (EMS) servers in a distributed network management system (NMS). The servers in the network share the data in a distributed manner by transmitting messages including the network status data, for example, using a star/broadcast method or a circular message queue (CMQ) method. |
| US08180880B2 |
Active intelligent content
Active intelligent content is aware of its own timeline, lifecycle, capabilities, limitations, and related information. The active intelligent content is aware of its surroundings and can convert automatically into a format or file type more conducive to the device or environment it is stored in. If the active intelligent content does not have the required tools to make such a transformation, it is self-aware enough to seek out the tools and/or information to make that transformation. Such active intelligent content can be used for enhanced file portability, target advertising, personalization of media, and selective encryption, enhancement, and restriction. The content can also be used to collaborate with other content and provide users with enhanced information based on user preferences, ratings, costs, genres, file types, and the like. |
| US08180877B2 |
Logically partitioned system having subpartitions with flexible network connectivity configuration
A method of configuring a data processing system for facilitating network communications involves creating a primary logical partition (LPAR) in the data processing system, the LPAR configured to host a specified operating system. The method further includes creating a first virtual network adapter within the LPAR, associating the first virtual network adapter with a first network address, and binding the first virtual network adapter to the LPAR. The method additionally involves creating a first logical subpartition (LSPAR) within the LPAR, the first LSPAR configured to employ said specified operating system and no other. The method also includes creating a second virtual network adapter within the LPAR, associating the second virtual network adapter with a second network address, wherein the second network address is not an alias network address of the first network address, and binding the second virtual network adapter to the first LSPAR. |
| US08180874B2 |
Facilitating defense against MAC table overflow attacks
A method for defending against MAC table overflow attacks comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for determining whether each one of a plurality of MAC addresses within a MAC table has one-way traffic or two-way traffic corresponding thereto. Thereafter, operations are performed for designating each MAC address having two-way traffic corresponding thereto as a first category of MAC address and for designating each MAC address having one-way traffic corresponding thereto as a second category of MAC address. In response to the number of the MAC addresses designated as the second category of MAC address exceeding a prescribed threshold value, an operation is performed for causing a timeout value of at least a portion of the MAC addresses designated as the second category of MAC address to be less than a timeout value of the MAC addresses designated as the first category of MAC address. |
| US08180869B2 |
Distributed means of organizing an arbitrarily large number of computers
A technique for organizing a plurality of computers such that message broadcast, content searching, and computer identification of the entire collection or a subset of the entire collection may be performed quickly without the use of a controlling computer. The technique describes the creation, operation, and maintenance of a connection scheme by which each computer in the collection appears to be the top level of a hierarchical array. The maintenance of this hierarchical connection scheme allows one to many communications throughout the collection of computers to scale geometrically rather than linearly. |
| US08180863B2 |
Electronic apparatus and system capable of assigning appropriate address
In order to prevent unnecessary APIPA process from being executed in a LAN environment which does not adopt APIPA, an ICMP echo request for a predetermined IP address is broadcast. Whether there are more than N apparatuses using APIPA is checked based on the replies, and if there are, IP address setting by APIPA is executed. In a LAN environment which adopts APIPA, whether the IP address to be assigned to an apparatus is already being used by another apparatus is checked. If the date and time when the other apparatus was assigned the IP address is earlier than the date and time when the apparatus was assigned the IP address, APIPA is executed to decide the IP address of the apparatus. |
| US08180861B2 |
System and method for providing a communications client on a host device
A system and a method (100, 500) for integrating an uncertified client (104) with a certified host device (102) are provided. The integration system (100) is configured to integrate the uncertified client (104), which has a plurality of client applications (106), with the certified host device (102), and has a client virtual machine (108), host applications (142), and an abstraction layer (138, 156). The client virtual machine (108) is coupled to the uncertified client (104) and is configured to execute the plurality of client applications (106). The host applications (142) are coupled to the certified host device (102) and are configured to control host dependent features on the certified host device (102). The abstraction layer (138, 156) are coupled to the host applications (142) and to the client virtual machine (108), and are configured to translate feature calls from the plurality of client applications (106) to function calls for the host applications (142). |
| US08180856B2 |
Testing a network
There are disclosed processes and systems relating to optimized traffic generation and reception for testing a network. A TCP/IP protocol stack and an HTTP program are operative in kernel space. The HTTP program may receive a test request from an application operative in user space. The HTTP program is adapted to fulfill the test request. The test request may be fulfilled without receipt of further instructions or data from the application program. |
| US08180854B2 |
Aspect services
An aspect request associated with a web application is received by an aspect server, the web application being hosted by a web application server that is remote from the aspect server. Operations are performed according to the aspect request, the operations being associated with a crosscutting concern. A result is returned, the result supplementing functionality of the web application. |
| US08180851B1 |
Management of pre-fetched mapping data incorporating user-specified locations
Map tile data for displaying graphic elements of a web-based mapping system in a mobile computing device may be pre-fetched to the device based on selection of an option to store the data at the device. A request for mapping system data may be sent from a mobile computing device to a remote mapping system via a network connection. The request may include user-specified location data. The remote mapping system may retrieve the mapping data corresponding to the user-specified location data and send it to the mobile computing device via the network connection. The mobile computing device may receive the retrieved mapping data and display a selectable option to store or not store the mapping data in a cache memory of the mobile computing device. The retrieved mapping data may then be stored at the mobile computing device in response to selection of the option to store the mapping data. |
| US08180849B2 |
System and method for managing web services
A system for managing a plurality of web services of a service oriented architecture (SOA) comprising a registry including a description of each of the plurality of web services registered in the registry, a service filter adapted to filter at least one request of a client invoking at least one of the web services registered in the registry, wherein the service filter is adapted for gathering run-time information about the request in accordance with the description of the respective web service in the registry. |
| US08180846B1 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining agent status in a network management application
A system determines status of agent execution of a command in a network. The system identifies a command to be performed by an agent and issues the command to the agent for execution. The agent operates a status manager that tracks execution status of commands in the agent. The system sends status requests to the agent to determine a status of execution of the command by the agent and the agent responds and sends a status response indicating the status of the execution of the command by the agent. Applications are thus provided with current status of execution of long running commands in an agent. |
| US08180841B2 |
System for facilitating thread-based message prioritization
To perform thread-based message prioritization, metadata may be extracted from a received electronic message. Based on the extracted message metadata and accumulated metadata extracted from previously received messages, a message thread to which the received electronic message belongs may be identified. Based on a set of thread priority assessment criteria, a priority level for the message thread may be determined. At least part of the message thread may be processed according to the priority level. The processing may be altering a notification behavior of an electronic messaging client for electronic messages of the message thread. Thread priority assessment may be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. Message thread identification may also be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. |
| US08180838B2 |
Efficiently managing modular data storage systems
The management of a data storage system. The system may store data objects that are subject to change in container sets. The data storage system uses location maps to map the data objects to a corresponding container. When there has been, or will be, a change in the availability of containers, a new location map is created which maps the data objects to a new potentially overlapping set of containers. New data objects are added to the new set of containers, and a data object is found by searching all location maps. As an alternative or as an addition to this system, data objects may be stored in a manner that they may be efficiently removed when a condition is met. A container is created which stores all data objects to be removed when the condition occurs. When the condition occurs, the container is removed. |
| US08180837B2 |
Image spam filtering based on senders' intention analysis
Systems and methods for an anti-spam detection module that can detect image spam are provided. According to one embodiment, an image spam detection process involves determining and measuring various characteristics of images that may be embedded within or otherwise associated with an electronic mail (email) message. An approximate display location of the embedded images is determined. The existence of one or more abnormal factors associated with the embedded images is identified. A quantity of text included in the one or more embedded images is determined and measured by analyzing one or more blocks of binarized representations of the one or more embedded images. Finally, the likelihood that the email message is spam is determined based on one or more of the approximate display location, the existence of one or more abnormal factors and the quantity and location of text measured. |
| US08180835B1 |
System and method for protecting mail servers from mail flood attacks
Most unsolicited commercial email (UCE) countermeasures call for a message by message analysis. However, some UCE attacks occur when a single sender of UCE floods a mail transfer agent (MTA) with a number of copies of a UCE, in a mail flood attack. The attacks rarely rise to the level of denial of service attacks but are significant enough to place a strain on MTAs and anti-UCE countermeasures. The anti-mail flood methodology disclosed herein provides a system and method for protecting mail systems from such mail flood attacks enabling anti-UCE countermeasures to work more efficiently. |
| US08180832B2 |
Differential dynamic content delivery to alternate display device locations
Differential dynamic content delivery including providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; identifying a recording period within a presentation session; recording, during the recording period, a presentation control instruction; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon the recorded presentation control instruction and in dependence upon user classifications of a user participant in the presentation; and presenting the selected structural element to the user. |
| US08180828B2 |
Architecture, system and method for providing a plug-in architecture in a real-time web application framework
A method and apparatus for providing a plug-in architecture in a real-time web application framework is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an application to be installed on a hub of a real-time web application framework. The method may also include installing the application on an entry point of the hub, the application one of a plurality of different types of applications to be automatically run by the hub. |
| US08180825B2 |
Traffic differentiated network services
Network services are provided to client devices based on the network traffic to be communicated between the device and the network. A number of home agents are configured to provide network services to mobile nodes. The system is configured in such a way that a mobile nodes may be served by more than one of the home agents. Thereby, for example, a certain mobile node may be provided one type of network traffic via one home agent and a different type of network traffic via another home agent. |
| US08180822B2 |
Method and system for processing the booth encoding 33RD term
A computer system for computing a binary operation involving a first term multiplied by a second term resulting in a product, where the product is conditionally added to a third term in a central processing unit. The central processing unit includes a carry save adder configured to add a plurality of partial products obtained from the product of the first term and the second term to obtain a first partial result and a second partial result, a multiplexer configured to output one selected from the group consisting of the second term, the third term, and zero, and an alignment shifter configured to shift an output of the multiplexer to align the output of the multiplexer with the first partial result and the second partial result to obtain a shifted term. The shifted term, the first partial result and the second partial result are added together to obtain a result of the binary operation. |
| US08180819B2 |
Partially complex modulated filter bank
An apparatus for processing a plurality of real-valued subband signals using a first real-valued subband signal and a second real-valued subband signal to provide at least a complex-valued subband signal comprises a multiband filter for providing an intermediate real-valued subband signal and a calculator for providing the complex-valued subband signal by combining a real-valued subband signal from the plurality of real-valued subband signals and the intermediate subband signal. |
| US08180818B2 |
Partially complex modulated filter bank
An apparatus for processing a plurality of real-valued subband signals using a first real-valued subband signal and a second real-valued subband signal to provide at least a complex-valued subband signal comprises a multiband filter for providing an intermediate real-valued subband signal and a calculator for providing the complex-valued subband signal by combining a real-valued subband signal from the plurality of real-valued subband signals and the intermediate subband signal. |
| US08180816B2 |
Control of a pseudo random number generator and a consumer circuit coupled thereto
A system having a pseudo random number generator, a control circuit being configured to increase a quality of a pseudo random number output signal of the pseudo random number generator by coupling the pseudo random number generator with a true random number output signal of a true random number generator and a consumer circuit being configured to use the pseudo random number output signal before and after the increase. |
| US08180814B1 |
System and method for file management
Embodiments of the invention provide, among other things, an improved system and method for building logical associations (links) between files and for assigning attributes to the files and/or links. In embodiments of the invention, such attribute data is indexed in a data store according to Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) in each file header. |
| US08180807B2 |
System and method of determining relationship information
Systems and methods of determining relationship information are provided. A system may include processing logic and memory accessible to the processing logic. The memory may include instructions executable by the processing logic to access communication data associated with at least one first party. The memory may also include instructions executable by the processing logic to analyze a plurality of communications between the at least one first party and at least one second party to determine relationship information descriptive of a relationship between the at least one first party and the at least one second party. The communication data may include a call log and an email log, and the plurality of communications may include at least one call and at least one email message. |
| US08180804B1 |
Dynamically generating recommendations based on social graph information
In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining access to information comprising nodes and edges; receiving a request from a first user corresponding to a first user node for a structured document corresponding to a first concept node; determining a first data set that identifies concept nodes connected by edges with user nodes that are each connected by edges with both the first user node and the first concept node; determining a second data set that identifies concept nodes connected by edges with the first concept node and user nodes that are each connected to the first user node; generating a score for each concept node in the data sets; selecting one or more concept nodes based on their scores as recommended nodes; and transmitting to the client device the structured document and code executable by a client application to render node names or identifiers of the recommended nodes for display. |
| US08180799B1 |
Dynamically creating tables to store received data
Methods, systems, and apparatus for dynamically creating tables to store received data. A form that includes data of one or more data types is received. Each of the data types is associated with a corresponding field type. The data types in the form are identified, and a storage location configured to store data of the field-type is accessed. Field types in the storage location are compared with those of the received data, and on determining that a portion of the data is of a data type that the storage location is not configured to store, the storage location is modified to store that portion of the data. |
| US08180798B2 |
Data management and distribution
Data management and distribution are described, including a memory configured to store data, the data being stored in a file and the file is downloaded in response to a signal, and downloading is performed based on a parameter determined by a provider of the file or the system, and a logic module configured to process the signal and access data stored in the file, and the file is downloaded to a device and configured for interaction with a user, and user activity is recorded and used by the logic module when selecting another file for downloading to the device. |
| US08180795B2 |
Apparatus and method for distribution of a report with dynamic write-back to a data source
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to integrate a write-back module in a report document, to publish to a recipient the report document and metadata identifying the recipient, and to update a data source based on received write-back information, including the metadata identifying the recipient. |
| US08180792B2 |
Method of processing song claims involving songs including, but not limited to musical works, compositions, etc
In one embodiment, a method is provided for receiving a song claim, and comparing the song claim to records of a database of songs. To this end, results of the comparing may be indicated. In various embodiments, such songs may include musical works, compositions, etc. Of course, songs in the form of a recording are also contemplated. |
| US08180790B2 |
Search macro suggestions relevant to search queries
Search macros suggestions are provided to refine a user's search. When a search query is received from an end user, one or more search macros are determined to be relevant to the search query. The search macros are then provided to the end user as suggestions for refining the user's search. In some instances, the end user may chose to select one of the suggested search macros. A search is then performed using the search query and the selected search macro to provide search results to the end user that may be more relevant to the user's search. |
| US08180785B2 |
Method and system for searching numerical terms
A method and system for searching numerical terms are provided. The method includes processing a numerical term to a stem, the stem being in the form of a number, and a distance measurement of the numerical term to the stem, wherein a numerical term is a string of characters identified as a number by a numeric parser, and indexing the numerical term in a search index by the stem for search retrieval. The method includes receiving a query and processing the query to divide it into terms, including a numerical term. The numerical terms of the query are also processed to a stem and a distance measurement and document results are retrieved for the stem from an index. |
| US08180783B1 |
Document ranking systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for ranking document data retrieved from a data source in response to a search request. A ranking system retrieves document data from documents in the data source that each includes at least one key term that matches a search term in the search request. For each document, a term frequency value is calculated based on a number of occurrences of the key term in the document. Prefix and suffix term rules are used to determine whether a particular occurrence of the key term in a particular document should be included in determining a term weight value for that particular occurrence of the key term. A relevancy ranking value is determined for each document based on the corresponding term frequency and term weight values. The document data is displayed according to each document's corresponding relevancy ranking value. |
| US08180781B2 |
Information processing apparatus , method, and computer-readable recording medium for performing full text retrieval of documents
An information processing apparatus for creating a retrieval result displaying a list of retrieval documents. Retrieval documents corresponding to a retrieval condition are classified into groups based on scores indicating degrees of relevance to the retrieval condition. A clustering process is conducted with respect to the retrieval documents in a group, for each of groups to which the retrieval documents belong. |
| US08180779B2 |
System and method for using external references to validate a data object's classification / consolidation
A computer system and method for validating data object classification and consolidation using external references. The external references may be web pages, product catalogs, external databases, URLs, search results provided by a search engine or subsets or combinations of any of these to validate a classification or consolidation of records. Embodiments validate a data object classification or consolidation decision by searching external data sources, such as databases, the Internet etc. for references to the transactional data object and determining a confidence level based on the original data object and the unstructured information reference, URL, or search result for example. Decisions may be verified or denied based on the comparison of the external references related to each data object. Embodiments of the invention save substantial labor in validating business data objects and make data more reliable across enterprise systems. |
| US08180777B2 |
Method and system to compare data objects
The present invention relates in general to methods and systems for comparing and maximizing the optimal selection of a first set of one or more data objects to a set of second data objects. In one embodiment, the first set of data objects represent one or more tasks to be fulfilled by a set of capabilities represented by the second data objects. In one embodiment, methods and systems are provided that apply topic modeling and similarity metrics to determine the optimal selection. In one embodiment, methods and systems are provided to determine the appropriateness of a set of second data objects to satisfy the requirements of a first data object given interaction attributes. Embodiments may be used to compare mission requirements with potential team members to determine the appropriateness of team members and teams for a given mission based on interaction attributes of the team members and teams. |
| US08180774B2 |
Web-scale data processing system and method
A system and method for obtaining and processing web-scale data are provided herein. More particularly, a web-scale data processing system and method for crawling, storing, processing, encoding, and/or serving web-scale data are disclosed. |
| US08180773B2 |
Detecting duplicate documents using classification
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for detecting a duplicate document. A plurality of documents may be assigned to categories, each category corresponding to a collection of duplicates, or near duplicate documents. A new document may be received. The new document may be evaluated against each category to determine a similarity score between the new document and each category. The new document may be identified as a duplicate based on the similarity scores and thresholds for each category. An action may then be performed on the duplicate based on duplication rules. The thresholds and duplication rules may be customized by a user. |
| US08180771B2 |
Search activity eraser
A system and method of data processing receives a query at a server computer system. The system and method utilizes the query to extract a search result from a data source. The system and method receives at least one search activity record and a user preference from a client computer system over a network at a server computer system. The server computer system stores at least one search activity record on the server computer system and deletes the at least one search activity record on the server computer system based on the user preference. |
| US08180768B2 |
Method for extracting, merging and ranking search engine results
A method and a computer program product for identifying the domains, selecting for each domain one domain-specific search engine and data source to be involved, generating the domain-specific subqueries for each selected search engine, defining a strategy for sending requests to each search engine and data source, and receiving, merging and ranking results. The result of the multi-domain query is a list of combinations, where every combination consists of a tuple of data, each relative to one of the domains of the query; such data is present in the results returned either by search engines or by data sources. The method provides the combinations having the highest combination score, as computed by a monotone aggregation function over the combinations. |
| US08180764B2 |
Apparatus, method and medium for transmission and/or reception of digital content based on time or location information
A digital content transmission apparatus, method and medium, and a digital content reception apparatus, method and medium enable multimedia content, extracted according to the location and time of a transmitting mobile terminal, and alphanumeric text, to be combined into a single message sent to a receiving mobile terminal, thereby allowing a user of the transmitting mobile terminal to reflect the circumstances facing the user in the message. The digital content transmission apparatus includes an input module to receive an alphanumeric message, a state searching module to search for time information and location information of the message, a control module to extract a serial number of a first multimedia content corresponding to the time information and the location information, and a communication module to transmit data into which the message and the extracted serial number are combined. |
| US08180760B1 |
Organization system for ad campaigns
An automatic account organization tool is provided to organize a large adgroup into smaller adgroups with semantically meaningful names. For example, a set of input keywords is received, semantically related pairs of keywords are identified from the set of input keywords, and hierarchical clustering is applied to the pairs of keywords to identify a set of clusters of keywords, each cluster having semantically related keywords. A name can be determined for each of the clusters. |
| US08180757B2 |
System and method for leveraging tag context
A method and computer program product for leveraging the creation context of a tag includes creating one or more tags, each of the one or more tags associated with a respective piece of content. A creation context is associated with each of the one or more tags. The one or more tags are searched based upon, at least in part, the creation context. |
| US08180755B2 |
Matching reviews to objects using a language model
A method is provided to associate reviews that have unknown correspondences to tangible entities to structured objects that have known correspondences to tangible entities comprising: transforming a respective review and text from a respective structured object to a collection of words that intersect the respective review and text from the respective structured object; determining a measure of a likelihood of a match as a function of respective probabilities of occurrences of respective words of such intersecting collection within generic review text and respective probabilities of occurrences of respective words of such intersecting collection within structured object text. |
| US08180751B2 |
Using an encyclopedia to build user profiles
Described are various embodiments which enable organizations to track and use knowledge and expertise of their associated individuals. An organization can use exemplary embodiments to automatically summarize the expertise of each individual from documents available from internal or external web sites. For example, a web crawler crawls a computer network to identify documents that name an individual. Summaries of the documents are generated based on articles in an encyclopedia, and a profile is built of the individual using the summaries. These summaries are used for automatically searching and automatically discovering individuals having particular knowledge or expertise on certain topics and subjects. |
| US08180746B2 |
Method and assignment of transaction branches by resource name aliasing
The Java transaction API for use with global transaction can use a system using alias for the branch ID. The alias can allow multiple branch IDs for single resource. |
| US08180745B2 |
Persistent object references to parallel database containers
A system to create a first database object in the object-oriented database, the first database object associated with a primary key, a first group ID m, and a first delta ID m, associate a first pointer with the first database object, create a second database object in the object-oriented database, the second database object associated with the primary key, a second group ID n, and a second delta ID n, associate a second pointer with the second database object, and create a third database object in the object-oriented database, the third database object associated with the primary key, the first group ID m, and a third delta ID m+1. The third database object is associated with a change to the first database object. |
| US08180742B2 |
Policy-based information management
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for managing an object are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises managing an object having content, in a system having a dynamic policy selector configured with at least one analytic policy applied to evaluate the content of the object. The object is associated to an information management policy. Classification levels may be used, in which classification levels are associated to information management policies and objects are associated with classification levels. Objects containing certain elements or related elements may be associated to form an information group, to which information management policies may be applied as a group. Storage pools may be used for managing objects with similar classification levels or information protection policies. |
| US08180741B2 |
Methods and systems for providing data objects on a token
A computer system, method and/or computer-readable medium provide independent data objects to a token in compressed form. The independent data objects are representative of security information associated with the token. The system includes an interface operable to communicate with a token, and a processor cooperatively operable with the interface. The processor is configured to determine a set of independent data objects that are associated with the token, and to aggregate the set of independent data objects associated with the token into a group. Also, the processor is configured for compressing the group into a unit of contiguous data, and writing the unit of contiguous data to the token via the interface. |
| US08180736B2 |
Methods for improving file system performance
Techniques for managing inodes of a file system are described herein. According to one embodiment, in response to a request received at the file system for committing a file to a storage, a first indirect block having multiple entries is allocated. At least one entry stores a pointer linked with a data block, where the first indirect block is referenced by a pointer stored within an inode associated with the file. A first set of data blocks having a first predetermined number of data blocks is allocated, where each entry is referenced by a pointer stored in an entry of the first indirect block. The first indirect block and the first set of data blocks are contiguous blocks with respect to each other, such that content of the first indirect block and the first set of data blocks can be retrieved via a single storage access operation. |
| US08180734B1 |
Prioritization of backup tasks in a global de-duplication backup system
Various embodiments of a system and method for initiating backup tasks to backup data from a plurality of client computer systems are described. The backup tasks may be initiated in an order specified by a ranking of the client computer systems according to their respective network transmission speeds. For example, the backup tasks may be prioritized so that backup tasks for client computer systems with faster transmission speeds are initiated before backup tasks for client computer systems with slower transmission speeds. |
| US08180732B2 |
Distributing data in master data management systems
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for distributing data in a data management system. The technique includes identifying one or more objects in a central data store for distribution, determining if a routing exists for at least one object of the one or more objects, and distributing the at least one object to one or more target systems specified by the routing. The one or more objects include master data objects for use by all systems in a data management system, and the one or more target systems are part of the data management system. |
| US08180730B2 |
Arbitration token for managing data integrity and data accuracy of information services that utilize distributed data replicas
Illustrative embodiments present a computer-implemented method for controlling update of stored data in a set of data replicas. The computer-implemented method responsive to receiving a data request from a requester, identifies a data replica to resolve the data request to form an identified data replica. The computer-implemented method transmits an update data request to a replica administration agent if the data request is an update data request, determines whether an arbitration token is present, and responsive to a determination that the arbitration token is present; a replica administration agent updates the data in the identified data replica. |
| US08180729B2 |
Data replication method
To ensure data consistency for a new data replica created for a computing system, the transmission and receipt of messages altering the data are monitored and replication of the data is permitted when all changes to the data that have been transmitted to the data have been received. |
| US08180726B2 |
Constraint failure analysis using constraint evaluation tree of constraint patterns
A method and device for performing a constraint failure analysis on an instance model. The present invention provides a convenient tool to bridge between a model-constraint designer and a model user, reduce load for model/constraint usability, simplify the learning curve, and assist to make a model correction for the model user. |
| US08180718B2 |
Engine for performing root cause and effect analysis
An engine for performing root cause analysis on a system comprising a plurality of elements in a modeled domain, the engine comprising a module loader and parser for loading modules of computer code containing computer language statements modeling elements of the system, including one or more of model type definitions, conditions, causal rules, and continuations; and for parsing the computer language statements; a storage for storing the parsed computer language statements; a receiver for receiving conditions representing state changes of system elements, accessing the storage, and determining one or more parsed computer language statements to apply to the received conditions; a hypothesis generator for instantiating one or more hypotheses of potential causes of each received condition consistent with the received conditions and the parsed computer language statements; a blackboard for receiving the instantiated hypotheses, and determining a root cause of the received conditions based on the hypotheses consistent with the received conditions and the parsed computer language statements; and an output for outputting the determined root cause. |
| US08180715B2 |
Systems and methods for collaborative filtering using collaborative inductive transfer
A database includes a list of members of a first group, a list of members of a second group, and ratings for at least some of the members of the second group. The database is accessed. The ratings are attributed to the members of the first group. A machine learning training set is built for a particular member of the first group. The training set includes class labels corresponding to the particular member's ratings for the members of the second group, and features that include supplied and predicted ratings from at least a subset of processed members of the first group. A predictor for the particular member of the first group is trained based on the machine learning training set. The predictor corresponding to the particular member is used to generate predicted ratings for one or more members of the second group the particular member has not rated. |
| US08180713B1 |
System and method for searching and identifying potential financial risks disclosed within a document
A system and method for alerting analysts to the presence of risk indicative information in a source report such as an SEC Edgar filing are described. An alert containing the risk indicative text may be e-mailed to an analyst and a link may be provided so that the analyst may easily access and view the complete report and additional identified risk indicative information. Additionally, the alerts and reports may be organized according to a hierarchical taxonomy of risk and/or corporate categories. |
| US08180712B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining whether a media presentation device is in an on state or an off state
Methods and apparatus for determining whether a media presentation device is in an on state or an off state are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises determining first and second characteristics of a signature associated with a signal representative of media content presented via a media presentation device, evaluating the first and second characteristics to determine first and second fuzzy contribution values representing, respectively, degrees with which the first and second characteristics correspond to the media presentation device being in at least one of an on state or an off state, determining a third fuzzy contribution value based on a number of the first and second contribution values indicating the media presentation device is in one of the on or off states, and combining the first, second and third fuzzy contribution values for use in determining whether the media presentation device is in the on state or the off state. |
| US08180710B2 |
System, method and computer program product for an interactive business services price determination and/or comparison model
A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for determining a standard market pricing index for pricing user-defined business services and for comparing unique configurations of business services to the determined market pricing index and/or to other unique configurations of business services. Portions of the disclosed system, method, and/or computer program product describe a model and user interface for performing standard, objective, repeatable, and directly comparable benchmarking of business services. In general, the computerized model compiles a set of market price data and interprets specific configurations and characteristics from the market data set. The model performs a periodic analysis to determine which configurations and/or characteristics are the most common within the data set, yielding a common market configuration. The model further performs an iterative process in which all the data within the data set is normalized and adjusted to the common market configuration of similar business services. A user enters a user-defined services data set into the model, in the form of answers to questions through a user-interface, and upon running the model, receives a report indicating a likely market price for such services. |
| US08180709B2 |
Method and device for consuming rights objects having inheritance structure in environment where the rights objects are distributed over plurality of devices
A digital rights management method and device are provided. To implement the DRM method and device, there is provided a master device including a storage module which stores a plurality of rights objects (ROs) having an inheritance structure, a detection module which detects the storage module for an RO needed for playing back a predetermined content object, a message generation module which, if the detection module fails to discover the RO needed for playing back the predetermined content object from the storage module, generates an RO request message, a device interface module which transmits the RO request message to a slave device and receives the RO needed for playing back the predetermined content object from the slave device, and a playback module which plays back the predetermined content object using at least one of the RO detected from the storage module and the RO received from the slave device. |
| US08180706B2 |
Systems and methods for maximizing a rewards accumulation strategy during transaction processing
Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. |
| US08180704B2 |
Lost credit card notification system and method
A system and method for notifying one or more credit card companies of lost or stolen credit cards relatively automatically upon noticing that the one or more credit cards are missing. A user profile is created and stored on a server computer system, wherein the user profile has user verification information, credit card account information and credit card company contact information, typically for each credit card owned by a particular user. Using the user profile, the server computer system receives a request to cancel one or more of the owner's credit cards. The server computer system then communicates with each individual credit card company, relatively automatically, to notify of the loss. The communication may involve the request to cancel the credit card(s), as well as a request for a replacement credit card. Additionally, the owner may be notified by the server computer system that the request(s) have been made and/or by the credit card companies of the received request(s) and respective account status. |
| US08180703B2 |
Consumer behaviors at lender level
The present disclosure generally relates to financial data processing, and in particular it relates to lender credit scoring, lender profiling, lender behavior analysis and modeling. More specifically, it relates to rating lenders based on data derived from their respective consumers. Also, the present disclosure relates to rating consumer lenders based on the predicted spend capacity of their consumers. |
| US08180699B2 |
System and method for facilitating unified trading and control for a sponsoring organization's money management process
An embodiment of the present invention provides a system, method, process, software and standards that enable a unified trading and control process utilized by sponsoring organizations and asset managers (money managers) for sub advised or externally managed investment portfolios as to increase control over the trading process by a sponsoring organization, enhance regulatory compliance, substantially lower trading costs and improve investment performance on a recurring basis for the shareholders and beneficiaries investing in registered and non registered mutual funds and institutional investment portfolios. |
| US08180698B2 |
System for physicals commodity trading
A method and system for an electronic commodities trading marketplace along with ancillary tools provide an electronic trading center for world market commodity importers, exporters, and the intermediaries and processors between them. This trading center is offered through its website centered around a 24-hour exchange that provides trading markets for commodities such as coffee, sugar, cocoa and cotton. The scalable system provides aggregated third party services linked to both front and back office operations. These services can include items such as live futures quotes and real-time news, futures brokerage, banking and finance links and resources, and a suite of applications tailored to members' specific risk-management and end-to-end contract execution needs. The system also provides access to shipping related services such as freight brokerage, direct booking for liner transport, load and discharge supervision and laboratory testing. |
| US08180693B2 |
Prediction of financial performance for a given portfolio of marketing investments
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for quantifying financial impact of marketing investments. Time series data describing the financial performance generated by corresponding marketing investments that are made as a function of time is provided to configure an econometric model. The econometric model, which describes a linear relationship between the financial performance and the corresponding marketing investments, is transformed into an aggregated non-linear econometric model that includes non-linear factors causing the financial performance to change at a varying rate as a function of the marketing investments. |
| US08180689B2 |
Services for enabling users to share information regarding E-commerce transactions
Various computer-implemented services are disclosed for assisting users in selecting items from an electronic catalog, and for selecting merchants with which to conduct transactions. One such service enables users to share information about their respective purchases with other users. Another service enables users to share information regarding the merchants with which they have conducted transactions. |
| US08180687B2 |
Method for selectively verifying or blocking remote purchase requests
A method for partially verifying the legitimacy of a remote purchase request based on a card number from a card issuing financial institution. The method includes receiving and storing a first purchase request information set including an origin and a card number. Further, the origin and the card number are sent to the card issuing financial institution to determine if the origin matches an origin on file for the card number at the card issuing financial institution. |
| US08180686B2 |
Multi-step authentication-based electronic payment method using mobile terminal
Disclosed herein is a multi-step authentication-based electronic payment method using a mobile terminal. Order request information of a product is sequentially transmitted to an affiliated store server and a PG company server, and the product and a relevant affiliated store are verified. A mobile communication company server primarily authenticates the user, and the PG company server generates an OTP. The OTP is transmitted to allow the PG company server to secondarily authenticate the user using the OTP. The affiliated store server requests the PG company server to confirm information about a payment for the product and information about authentication of the user, and the PG company server confirms payment and authentication information. The affiliated store server requests the PG company server to process payment for the product, the PG company server requests the mobile communication company server to process payment, and the mobile communication company server processes requested payment. |
| US08180684B1 |
System and method for selling wellhead production assets
A system for selling wellhead production assets is provided. The system includes a bid request system that displays one or more bidders, such as approved oil refinery operators, and receives one or more bidder selections from the seller. A production posting system connected to the bid request system receives the bidder selections and provides lease data to the bidders selected by the seller, so as to allow the seller to obtain competing bids without alerting the bidders of the other competing bids. |
| US08180682B2 |
System and method for generating a view of and interacting with a purchase history
A system for generating a view of a purchase history, includes an electronic receipt generator for generating an electronic receipt including information regarding a purchase by a customer, a storage device for storing the electronic receipt, and a display screen generator which accesses the electronic receipt in the storage device to generate a display screen which displays a map corresponding to the information included in the electronic receipt. |
| US08180679B2 |
Computer-implemented method of performance testing software applications
A method of performance testing for software applications can include storing, in a network accessible location, options corresponding to functions for use in performance test cases and sending to a computer system an electronic document specifying at least one of the plurality of options. The computer system can be remotely located from the network accessible location. The method further can include receiving, from the computer system, input selecting at least one option from the electronic document and automatically generating a performance test case using functions corresponding to the selected option(s). The options can be selected through a Web-based shopping cart and/or system interface thereby easing the process of test case generation. |
| US08180678B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing products and services in a transport vehicle using a network of computers
Computer network system for providing, and managing delivery of, products and services to persons on a transport vehicle. An exemplary network (10) includes: Computers (11a through 11c), such as laptop computers, used by persons on the vehicle (15) to request and receive services; A member computer (12) used by the operator crew to request and receive services; Member handheld computers (13a through 13b) used by cabin attendants to manage delivery of products and services; A computer server onboard the vehicle for storing data, performing calculations, and acting as a communications gateway to other members in the network; A communications link (16) to a ground fixed router (17); A ground router (17) for access to the Internet and other members of the network; A computer server for managing product inventory and product delivery (18); A computer for recording inventory (19), and Computer kiosks (20a and 20b) at departure and arrival ports for passenger ordering. The network of computers provides more precise control over product and service ordering, inventory management, and the delivery of the product and services. The network supports a preferred transaction method using credit cards and debit “phone cards” allowing cash-less delivery of products and services. |
| US08180676B2 |
Systems and methods to connect people in a marketplace environment
Systems and methods to provide telephonic connections. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a listing on a marketplace, the listing including an assigned reference to be used to initiate a real time communication connection; and billing for a real time communication lead generated from presenting the listing in response to a real time communication initiated via the reference. In one embodiment, a method includes: conducting online auction of telephonic leads; determining a way to present listings based at least partially on received price bids on the telephonic leads (e.g., the order of placement, the selection for placement, etc); and providing the listings with information to initiate a telephonic connection in a way trackable to measure a number of telephonic calls generated from presenting the listings. |
| US08180670B2 |
Self-checkout coupon sharing
The present invention is directed to a system for processing coupons by a self checkout system, where the self checkout system includes at least one self checkout station coupled to a server. In a first aspect, a self checkout system includes a server for managing the self checkout system and at least one self checkout station coupled to the server, where the self checkout station includes a scanner for scanning at least one item for purchase by a customer, a coupon reader for receiving a coupon from the customer, and a coupon manager. The coupon manager attempts to validate the coupon against the at least one item scanned by the customer, and if the coupon fails to validate, the coupon manager stores the coupon in a coupon pool at the server such that the stored coupon can be utilized at a subsequent sales transaction. |
| US08180669B2 |
Product recall using customer prior shopping history data
A system for determining customer identifiers (CIDs) associated with purchase of product items which are recalled includes a computer database management system (10, 20) and network (30). Consumers associated with the determined CIDs are notified of the recall of the products. |
| US08180668B2 |
Collaborative intelligent task processor for insurance claims
An insurance claim processing system may include an insurance claim database, an event processor component, a task engine component and a collaborative intelligent task processor. The insurance claim database may be configured to store and provide access to data in a data record that is related to an insurance claim. The event processor component may be executable with a computer to iteratively monitor the data in the data record and identify events. The task engine component may be executable with a computer in response to one of the identified events to generate tasks indicative of information that needs to be acquired based on the contents of the data record. The collaborative intelligent task processor may be executable with a computer to analyze a task generated by the task engine component and select an action plan that is responsive to the task. The action plan may include a first procedure that enables the collaborative intelligent task processor to acquire information related to the insurance claim, and a second procedure that enables the collaborative intelligent task processor to process the information to yield a result responsive to the task. |
| US08180667B1 |
Rewarding creative use of product placements in user-contributed videos
A video hosting service automatically identifies, in a video database, a set of videos associated with an advertiser, and presents the identified videos to the advertiser for consideration. The videos may be selected based on analysis of their video content for images of logos associated with the advertisers. The video hosting service may then receive from the advertisers a listing of which of the presented videos should be given an award. |
| US08180666B2 |
Real-time performance based incentives for company representatives in contact handling systems
Several of the embodiments disclosed herein relate to accessing and tracking real-time data concerning company representative performance, proficiency, training, scheduling, current work flow, and estimated work flow. Moreover, many of the improvements in contact handling systems disclosed herein automatically provide training, work, and incentives to company representatives to improve performance, proficiency, efficiency, effectiveness, automate scheduling, and automated work flow. More specifically, this application discloses, in part, a method for determining an incentive for a company representative. Also disclosed is a graphical interface enabling a user to control training based incentives. As a result of the teachings disclosed herein, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and revenue may be improved in the contact handling industry. |
| US08180660B2 |
Non-depleting chips for obtaining desired service level characteristics
This application describes non-depleting chips and their use in a Resource Management Framework. In this methodology, chips do not deplete when spent, but rather represent a weighting that each party/business unit (BU) has to accomplish its IT processing needs over time. In this model, BUs are assigned a certain buying power that may be thought of as akin to chips on a roulette wheel. Such a model may be used with either scheduled auctions (i.e., discrete events), or they may be used via a spot market where no scheduled auctions are conducted (i.e., fluid events). In this concept, the chips are never depleted. |
| US08180659B2 |
Identifying and measuring adherence to software development requirements
An approach to identifying and measuring adherence to software development requirements is presented. A software agent provides a user with product and technical questions. In turn, the user provides product and technical answers, or attributes, which are stored in a repository. A globalization plan generator uses the product and technical attributes to generate a software development plan. In addition, a globalization verification test generator uses the globalization plan to generate a test plan and measure the success of the software product based upon the test plan. |
| US08180658B2 |
Exploitation of workflow solution spaces to account for changes to resources
It is difficult for managers or other operators to decide how best to modify an available pool of resources used for their workflows. Methods for achieving this by improving the robustness of workflows are described. The more robust a workflow, the better its ability to withstand detrimental changes to its associated pool of resources. It is recognized here that the size of the solution space for the problem of allocating resources to tasks in a workflow provides a useful indicator of robustness of a workflow. In general, the greater the size of the solution space the more robust the workflow. A constraint optimization problem is specified for the problem of how best to modify resource characteristics of a pool of resources in order to maximize a size of a solution space. The solution space is that for the problem of allocating resources from the pool to tasks in a workflow. |
| US08180657B2 |
System and method for event slot negotiation
A method and computer program product for receiving a slot request, from a second respondent having a second seniority level, for an original event slot that was previously reserved by a first respondent having a first seniority level. The second seniority level is compared to the first seniority level. If the second seniority level exceeds the first seniority level: the reservation of the original event slot by the first respondent is cancelled, and the event slot request for the original event slot by the second respondent is accepted. |
| US08180654B2 |
Method and system for creating, assembling, managing, utilizing, and securely storing portable personal medical records
A method and system are provided for utilizing indexed electronic patient medical records stored on portable memory devices. Each of the portable memory devices is associated with a patient for electronically storing indexed medical records for the patient from a plurality of care providers. The indexed medical records are sortable or searchable. For each visit to a care provider by a patient, the method includes: (a) accessing the indexed medical records from a portable memory device associated with the patient; (b) automatically generating one or more documents for use during the visit from the indexed medical records; (c) providing medical services to the patient utilizing the indexed medical records and the one or more documents; (d) recording information relating to the medical services on the one or more documents, and loading the information on the portable memory device; and (e) sending delayed information relating to the medical services to a remote server for subsequent downloading by the patient or another authorized person of the delayed information from the server to the portable memory device. |
| US08180646B2 |
System and method for implementing voice print-based priority call routing
A system, method, and computer-usable medium for routing a call. A server receives a call from a client. A routing engine captures a voice print from the call. In response to the routing engine capturing the voice print from the call, the routing engine compares the voice print to a database that includes a collection of voice prints. In response to the routing engine matching the voice print to at least one voice print among the collection of voice prints, an interactive voice response (IVR) module routes the call to an appropriate call queue based on the matching of the voice print. The appropriate queue routes the call from the appropriate call queue to a call center corresponding to the appropriate call queue. |
| US08180645B2 |
Data preparation for media browsing
A media browsing system prepares various media content and synchronizes the content for playback. A user can specify the content and preconfigure the manner in which the content will be subsequently accessible through a user interface. A variety of mobile phone and media player devices having configurable, user interfaces promote a consistent media browsing experience across the devices for users accessing a variety of preconfigured media content. |
| US08180641B2 |
Sequential speech recognition with two unequal ASR systems
Sequential speech recognition using two unequal automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems may be provided. The system may provide two sets of vocabulary data. A determination may be made as to whether entries in one set of vocabulary data are likely to be confused with entries in the other set of vocabulary data. If confusion is likely, a decoy entry from one set of the vocabulary data may be placed in the other set of vocabulary data to ensure more efficient and accurate speech recognition processing may take place. |
| US08180634B2 |
System that detects and identifies periodic interference
A system improves speech detection or processing by identifying registration signals. The system encodes a limited frequency band by varying the amplitude of a pulse width modulated signal between predefined values. The signal is separated into frequency bins that identify amplitude and phase. The registration signal is measured by comparing a difference in average acoustic power in a plurality of adjacent bins over time. |
| US08180632B2 |
Method for limiting adaptive excitation gain in an audio decoder
Decoder for an audio signal coded by a coder including a long-term prediction filter wherein the decoder comprises: a block (211) for detecting transmission frame losses; a module (222) for calculating values of an error indication function representative of the cumulative adaptive excitation error during decoding following said transmission frame loss, an arbitrary value being assigned to said adaptive excitation gain for the lost frame; a module (213) for calculating an error indication parameter from said values of the error indication function; a comparator (214) for comparing said error indication parameter to at least one given threshold; and a discriminator (215) adapted to determine as a function of the results supplied by the comparator (214) a value of at least one adaptive excitation gain to be used by the decoder. |
| US08180631B2 |
Apparatus and method of processing an audio signal, utilizing a unique offset associated with each coded-coefficient
In one embodiment of the method, a block of digital audio data is stored in a buffer, and a set of parcor values are calculated for the block of digital audio data. Then, the parcor values are entropy encoded for transmission. The entropy coding includes selecting a table including offset values and entropy parameters from a plurality of tables based on a sampling rate of the block of digital audio data, wherein each offset is associated with a coded-coefficient and is different for each coded-coefficient in the first twenty coefficients, calculating parcor residual values based on offset values from the selected table, and encoding the parcor residual values using entropy codes defined by entropy parameters from the selected table. |
| US08180628B2 |
Apparatus and method for expanding natural language query requirement
The present invention provides an apparatus for expanding a query requirement, comprising: a query requirement understanding device which generates an explicit query requirement according to a user query request; and a query requirement expanding device which generates an implicit query requirement associated with the explicit query requirement. The query requirement understanding device generates an explicit query requirement including a query concept and a question type by searching a knowledge base and a language base, and the query requirement expanding device generates an implicit query requirement including a query concept and a question type by searching the knowledge base, the language base and a relevancy database. The present invention further provides a method for expanding a query requirement. The apparatus and method for expanding a query requirement according to the present invention can facilitate a user's query and provide the user with an accurate, comprehensive query answer. |
| US08180627B2 |
Method and an apparatus for clustering process models
The invention relates to an apparatus for clustering process models each consisting of model elements comprising a text phrase which describes in a natural language a process activity according to a process modeling language grammar and a natural language grammar, wherein said apparatus comprises a process object ontology memory for storing a process object ontology, a distance calculation unit for calculating a distance matrix employing said processing modeling language grammar and said natural language grammar, wherein said distance matrix consists of distances each indicating a dissimilarity of a pair of said process models, and a clustering unit which partitions said process models into a set of clusters based on said calculated distance matrix. |
| US08180625B2 |
Multi language exchange system
The invention discloses a multi language exchange system which includes a communication device having an input screen on which a message in a first language is to be translated into a second language. The input screen displays a programmable grid or list having at least one sentence or phrase formed by the grid or list in the first language. Each grid element of the at least one sentence or phrase contains a word or words in the at least one sentence or phrase. Each grid element of the at least one sentence or phrase having a sequence based on the order in which the word or words of the respective grid element would appear in the translation of the at least one sentence or phrase in the second language. The user follows the sequence to allow the at least one sentence or phrase to be translated in the correct order. |
| US08180622B2 |
Systems and methods for a real-time synchronized electrical power system simulator for “what-if” analysis and prediction over electrical power networks
A system for real-time modeling of electrical system performance is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a power analytics server and a client terminal. The power analytics server is comprised of a virtual system modeling engine, an analytics engine and a power system simulation engine. The virtual system modeling engine is configured to generate predicted data output utilizing a first virtual system model. The analytics engine is configured to synchronize the first virtual system model when a difference between the real-time data output and the predicted data output exceeds a threshold. The power system simulation engine is configured to store and process patterns and facilitate modification of parameters on the first virtual system model to create a second virtual system model; and forecast an aspect of the electrical system operating under parameters of the second virtual system model. The client terminal displays the forecasted aspects. |
| US08180620B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing hardware and software co-verification testing
Verification tests perform hardware and software co-verification on a system under verification. Each signal interface controller coupled to the system performs a test action transferring at least one of stimulus signals and response signals between a corresponding portion of the system under verification and the signal interface controller during verification. A debugger controls an associated processing unit that executes software routines. A debugger signal interface controller performs test actions transferring stimulus signals and response signals between the debugger and the debugger signal interface controller during verification. A test manager transfers test controlling messages to these interface controllers identifying the test actions to be performed. As a result, the test manager controls the processing unit via the debugger signal interface controller and the debugger in order to coordinate the execution of the software routines with a sequence of verification tests. |
| US08180618B2 |
Method and system for inductor power loss analysis
Described herein are embodiments of a method and system for determining power loss in an inductor. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided of determining power loss in an inductor. The method comprises modeling an inductor's windings and core using electromagnetic field simulation finite element analysis software executing on a computer. A ratio of AC resistance to DC resistance (Rac/Rdc) for the inductor is determined at one or more frequencies using the electromagnetic field simulation finite element analysis software. DC resistance (Rdc) of the windings is determined based on material properties and shape of the windings. The DC resistance is used to determine AC resistance (Rac) using the ratio, Rac/Rdc. Winding power loss at the one or more frequencies is determined based on the AC resistance (Rac). Core loss of the inductor is determined at the one or more frequencies using a core loss versus frequency curve. Winding power loss and core loss are summed at each of the one or more frequencies to determine total power loss at the respective frequency. |
| US08180616B1 |
Component tracing in a network packet processing device
Approaches for gathering packet processing information. A directed graph is used to represent the packet processing system. In response to each network packet input to the system, an associated, unique packet identifier is established for the network packet. Each input network packet is processed by one or more components of the system. For each input network packet, respective log data is stored by each of one or more components of the system that processed the input network packet. The log data includes data from the input network packet, and the associated identifier. Components of the device that processed a packet having a selected, associated packet identifier are determined by traversing the graph and searching for graph-connected nodes for which the represented components stored log data with the selected packet identifier. Data is output indicating the components that processed the packet having the selected packet identifier. |
| US08180610B2 |
Model-based diagnostic interface for a vehicle health management system having a system model with a system nomeclature
Methods and apparatus are provided for a model-based diagnostic interface. An apparatus is provided for a diagnostic interface for a system having system data, system information, and a system model having a model nomenclature, the diagnostic interface comprising at least one computational object producing an output responsive to said system data, wherein said at least one object includes a binding of said system data to said system information, wherein said system data is mapped to said model nomenclature before being bound. A method is provided for making a model-based diagnostic interface for a system having system information and system data representing the status of said system, the method comprising the steps of modeling said system to create a system model having a system model nomenclature, mapping said system data into said system model nomenclature, and binding said system data mapped to said system model nomenclature to said system information. |
| US08180609B2 |
Jittery signal generation with discrete-time filtering
The computer-implementable method allows for the fast creation of a multi-unit interval data signal suitable for simulation. The created signal represents the output of an otherwise ideal Discrete Time Filter (DTF) circuit, and the quick creation of the signal merely requires a designer to input the number of taps and their weights without the need of laying out or considering the circuitry of the DTF. A matrix is created based on a given data stream, and the number of taps and weights, which matrix is processed to create the multi-unit-interval data signal. Noise and jitter can be added to the created signal such that it now realistically reflects non-idealities common to actual systems. The signal can then be simulated using standard computer-based simulation techniques. |
| US08180608B1 |
Variable transport delay modeling mechanism
A method, system and apparatus for generating a variable transport delay for use in modeling a dynamic system. The variable transport delay of the present invention may be calculated using a variety of means, including the use of a lookup table generated at a variety of time steps such that an accurate variable transport delay can be calculated by interpolation. |
| US08180606B2 |
Wide angle substantially non-distorting mirror
The invention relates to a reflective surface substantially perpendicular to a vector field described by the equation: W ( x , y , z ) = target ( x , y , z ) - [ x , y , z ] target ( x , y , z ) - [ x , y , z ] + source ( x , y , z ) - [ x , y , z ] source ( x , y , z ) - [ x , y , z ] and a computer program for forming the reflective surface. The reflective surface is capable of providing a substantially undistorted wide-angle field of view. It is particularly useful as a driver's side mirror of a vehicle to provide an enlarged, substantially undistorted field of view which may be used to reduce or eliminate blind spots. |
| US08180604B2 |
Optimizing a prediction of resource usage of multiple applications in a virtual environment
Predicting resource usage of applications running in a virtual environment may include executing benchmarks in a native system and collecting first traces of resource utilization metrics; executing the same benchmarks in a virtual environment and collecting second traces of resource utilization metrics; generating a first prediction model that maps selected first traces to the second traces; generating a second prediction model that maps second selected first traces to the second traces; combining first and second application traces generated from running first and second applications on the native system; and predicting a combined resource usage of the first and second applications running in the virtual environment by applying the first and second prediction models to the combined application traces. |
| US08180596B2 |
Methods and apparatus for assembling rotatable machines
A processor-implemented method of assembling a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a geometric parameter for each blade in a row of blades that is relative to a ratio, R of an inlet area and an outlet area of a predetermined volume defined between each pair of blades, determining an initial sequence map for the row of blades that facilitates minimizing a difference of R between circumferentially adjacent pairs of blades, and iteratively remapping the sequence of the blades to facilitate reducing a moment weight vector sum of the rotor to a value that is less than a predetermined value. |
| US08180592B2 |
Portable monitoring devices and methods of operating same
The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device comprises (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user, (ii) a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of a user and, in response thereto, to generate motion data, (iii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response thereto, to generate change in altitude data, and (iv) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to: (a) calculate a change in elevation of the user using the motion data and the change in altitude data, and (b) a state of an avatar (which is a graphical representation of the user) using the motion data and/or the change in altitude data, and (vi) a display to output state of avatar data. |
| US08180591B2 |
Portable monitoring devices and methods of operating same
The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device comprising (i) a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user, (ii) a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of the user and, in response thereto, to generate motion data, (iii) an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to sample an altitude of the user in response to a sample signal, wherein, in response to sampling the altitude of the user, the altitude sensor generates change in altitude data, and (iv) processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to: generate the sample signal using the motion data, and calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the motion data and the change in altitude data. |
| US08180589B2 |
System for managing recipes for operating a measurement device
A semiconductor wafer inspection device which identifies an operator when an operation is performed and checks if the requested operation is permitted is provided. In a device that has already performed an operator authentication, the operator identification is further carried out when a particular operation is requested. If the operation requested is a permitted one, it is executed even if requested by an operator different from the one previously authenticated. The history of operations and the change history of in-device data are recorded and displayed. The operator authentication is performed only when necessary. |
| US08180586B2 |
Amplitude discrimination using the frequency mask trigger
A frequency mask trigger having frequency selective amplitude discrimination capability is provided for triggering when selected frequency components of an input signal fail to reach a desired power level. A frame of digital data representing an input signal is transformed into a frequency spectrum having at least one frequency bin, each frequency bin having a power amplitude value. Each power amplitude value is compared to an upper lower reference power levels and a lower reference power level. A trigger signal is generated when the power amplitude value in any frequency bin is above the lower reference power level and below the upper reference power level for a specified time duration. |
| US08180583B1 |
Methods and systems to determine a context of a device
Methods and systems for determining that a device is currently within a given context are described. A device may include multiple sensors coupled to the device. A sensor utility value combining a rate of power consumption for a sensor and an accuracy score indicating a degree to which the sensor may provide outputs indicative of the device being currently in the given context may be determined for each sensor. Based on sensor utility values, the multiple sensors coupled to the device may be ranked. A sensor may be identified based on a ranking of the sensor. A probability associated with a determination that the device is currently within the given context may be assigned to the sensor. More sensors may be identified to determine with increasing probability and increasing power requirements that the device is currently within the given context. |
| US08180582B2 |
System and method for sensing liquid levels
A system for detecting a presence of a liquid within a receptacle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor includes a transmitting probe and a receiving probe positioned within the liquid receptacle. The transmitting probe includes a first transducer and the receiving probe includes a second transducer. The processor is in electrical communication with the first and second transducers and monitors the first and second transducers to determine the presence and level of the liquid within the liquid receptacle based on a time between generation of a first extensional wave by the first transducer and reception of a second extensional wave by the second transducer. |
| US08180579B2 |
Real time gamma-ray signature identifier
A real time gamma-ray signature/source identification method and system using principal components analysis (PCA) for transforming and substantially reducing one or more comprehensive spectral libraries of nuclear materials types and configurations into a corresponding concise representation/signature(s) representing and indexing each individual predetermined spectrum in principal component (PC) space, wherein an unknown gamma-ray signature may be compared against the representative signature to find a match or at least characterize the unknown signature from among all the entries in the library with a single regression or simple projection into the PC space, so as to substantially reduce processing time and computing resources and enable real-time characterization and/or identification. |
| US08180573B2 |
Sample processing apparatus, method of outputting processing result by sample processing apparatus, and computer program product
Disclosed is a sample processing apparatus, comprising: a sample processing unit for processing a sample with an auxiliary item used to process the sample; an output device for outputting a processing result by the sample processing unit; and a controller for determining whether or not the auxiliary item is appropriate for the sample processing by sample processing unit, and controlling, when determining that the auxiliary item is not appropriate for the sample processing by the sample processing unit, the output device so as to output the processing result and reliability information showing that the processing result has a low reliability. Also disclosed is a method for outputting the processing result by the sample processing apparatus and a computer program product. |
| US08180569B2 |
Car information system, map server and on-board system
The present invention discloses highly accurate driving control of a vehicle using map data. A car information system for controlling a driving control unit group is located in a vehicle. The car information system includes a map database for storing map data, a support area management table in which each kind of attribute data of the map data is associated with information for identifying a field-researched area, and a control unit for estimating an area through which the vehicle travels. The control unit uses a support area management table to judge whether attribute data included in the estimated area is associated with the support area. |
| US08180567B2 |
Navigation device with camera-info
The present invention relates to a navigation device (10). The navigation device (10) is arranged to display navigation directions (3, 4, 5) on a display (18). The navigation device (10) is further arranged to receive a feed from a camera (24). The navigation device (10) is further arranged to display a combination of a camera image fr>m the feed fr>m the camera (24) and the navigation directions (3, 4, 5) on the display (18). |
| US08180561B2 |
Vehicle-installation obstacle detection apparatus
A vehicle-installed obstacle detection apparatus includes a forward-view camera, and processes resultant image data to detect objects as possible obstacles. A size value such as tail lamp spacing, transmitted from a preceding vehicle, and a corresponding size value as measured in a captured image, are used to calculate the distance of the preceding vehicle. This is used together with a height value transmitted from the preceding vehicle and a corresponding height value measured in the captured image, to calculate the relative height difference between the vehicles, which is then used to discriminate between detected objects which are actual obstacles and objects such as road surface markers. |
| US08180558B1 |
System and method for improved traffic flow reporting using satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) and vehicle communications, navigation and tracking system
A system and method for traffic flow reporting are provided. An satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) system receives traffic flow information for segments of roads with service coverage at a vehicle. A vehicle communications, navigation and tracking (VCNT) service system compares present Global Positioning System (GPS) position of the vehicle with the traffic flow information received from the SDARS system. If the present GPS position is within a segment, the VCNT service system compares present vehicle speed with a received traffic flow speed range. If vehicle speed is outside a received traffic flow speed range, the VCNT service system generates a message with present location and speed. An automated traffic flow aggregation system receives the message transmissions and applies location-specific filters based on number of messages received before forwarding a flow speed revision message to an SDARS broadcast station for broadcasting the traffic information to subscribers. RDS-formatted (e.g., ALERT-C) location codes can be stored at the vehicle and used in the SDARS broadcast of traffic flow information to refer to segments. |
| US08180557B2 |
Traffic state predicting apparatus
A traffic state predicting apparatus, which predicts congestion states of parts of a link based on limited information (the travel time for the link), comprises storage means that stores link data including a link length of each link forming part of a road on a map and parameters including, for each link, a smooth traffic speed indicting being smooth, a congested traffic speed indicating being congested, and a congestion reference position which is a reference position for a congested section; means that acquires a predicted travel time for the link; and congestion degree classified section calculating means that obtains sections classified according to their level of congestion in the link with use of the predicted travel time and the parameters. |
| US08180552B2 |
Variable valve timing apparatus and control method thereof
In valve timing control after issuance of an engine stop instruction with a prescribed value set as a target phase, an ECU delays permission of an engine stop process within a prescribed time period while an intake valve phase has not yet reached the target value, so that a valve timing control operation is continued while the engine operation is continued in an idle state. After the lapse of a prescribed time period from the issuance of the engine stop instruction, however, the ECU permits the engine stop process no matter whether the intake valve phase has reached the target value or not. As a result, the amount of valve timing that can be changed by the valve timing control in the engine stop operation can be increased, without causing any uncomfortable feeling of the driver. |
| US08180551B2 |
Vehicular control apparatus and method
A vehicular control apparatus that controls an engine mounted on a vehicle includes: a generating section that generates respective required values of the engine based on quantities of state in different units of measure; an adjusting section that converts the required values into values in a common unit of measure and obtains a desired value of the engine based on the values in the common unit of measure; a control section that controls the engine based on the obtained desired value; and a determining section that determines whether the vehicle is in an idling state using respective reference values set for the quantities of state, the required values, and the desired value. One of the reference values is converted into the remaining reference values in different units of measure. |
| US08180549B2 |
Method for controlling a clutch
A method of controlling a clutch in a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle adapted to perform this method are suggested, in particular resulting in a good starting phase action for supercharged diesel motors. The method comprises the method steps of: setting a clutch torque that is transmitted by a clutch by a plurality of clutch characteristics; determining by a respective clutch characteristic the clutch torque for a particular motor load depending on the rotational speed of the motor; dividing the clutch characteristics into a low speed range and into a full load range; increasing within the low speed range at a constant rotational speed of the motor the transmitted clutch torque with increasing the motor load; and transmitting in the full load range in comparison to the low speed range lower clutch torques at the same rotational speed of the motor. |
| US08180548B2 |
Deceleration controlled braking
A system, apparatus and method of controlling a brake system of a vehicle having a brake input device, such as a brake pedal, a plurality of rotating wheels and a plurality of brakes, each brake of the plurality of brakes corresponding to one wheel of the plurality of wheels, is provided. In controlling the brakes, data indicative of a deflection of the brake pedal is received, and the received data is used to derive a target deceleration rate. A braking command is provided to each of the plurality of brakes, wherein the braking command is varied for each brake to regulate a deceleration rate the vehicle in accordance with the target deceleration rate. |
| US08180546B2 |
Electronic brake controller
A controller for electric trailer brakes that includes a three axis accelerometer for detecting deceleration of a towing vehicle and an interactive liquid crystal display controlled by a plurality of pushbuttons. |
| US08180540B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission can have one or more rotatable output shafts, rotatable non-output shafts, continuously variable transmission elements selectively interconnecting at least one non-output shaft and one output shaft so as to permit variation of a transmission ratio therebetween. The transmission can also have one or more control elements for controlling the instantaneously prevailing ratio of the transmission including a sensor device for sensing the rotational position of a non-output shaft, and a processing device for determining the rotational position of the sensed, non-output shaft at a chosen instant. The processing device is connected to control elements to cause variation of the transmission ratio so that the output shaft attains a desired rotational position at a chosen instant. |
| US08180539B2 |
Location range setting apparatus, control method and controller for apparatus mounted in mobile object, and automotive air conditioner and control method for the same
A location range setting apparatus includes: a location information acquiring unit for acquiring location information indicating the location of a mobile object; a road information acquiring unit for acquiring road segment information indicating a specific segment of a road; a segment determining unit for associating the location information with corresponding road segment information; a storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of location information and road segment information respectively as learned data; a clustering unit for clustering the plurality of pieces of road segment information included in the learned data into at least a first cluster or a second cluster; and a location range setting unit for determining first and second ranges for the location of the mobile object from the road segment information included in the first and second clusters, respectively. |
| US08180536B2 |
Automatic transmission control apparatus and method
During control of a shift of a first friction engagement element from an engaged state into a disengaged state and a shift of a second friction engagement element from a disengaged state into an engaged state for a gear shift to a first target gear from a second target gear, a desired torque capacity of the first friction engagement element is set based on an actual transmission gear ratio by interpolation from values of the desired torque capacity corresponding to at least first and second reference transmission gear ratios, wherein the first reference transmission gear ratio is a transmission gear ratio at start of an inertia phase of the shift control. When the first reference transmission gear ratio is between the actual transmission gear ratio and the second reference transmission gear ratio, the desired torque capacity is set to the value corresponding to the first reference transmission gear ratio. |
| US08180531B2 |
Safety device for motor vehicles
A safety device for motor vehicles includes an impact detection system and a triggering device for triggering a braking operation as a function of a signal of the impact detection system characterized in that the triggering device is designed for the purpose of triggering the braking operation when the impact detection system indicates the beginning of an impact. |
| US08180530B2 |
Steering control device
In a steer-by-wire steering control device for a vehicle using a model following control based on yaw rate or lateral acceleration, the target steering angle(s) of front wheels and/or rear wheels (Sfbs, Srbs) are corrected according a roll rate (Rre) of the vehicle which may be either detected or estimated from a lateral acceleration or yaw rate. Thereby, the roll rate gain can be reduced, and the damping property and response property of the yaw rate can be improved. |
| US08180528B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling wiper and washer
Provided are an apparatus and a method for controlling a wiper and washer. An apparatus for controlling a wiper and washer, includes a wiper to wipe a windshield of a vehicle, a washer to eject washer fluid to the windshield of the vehicle, and an intelligent multi-function module (IMFM) to utilize a temperature sensing function of the vehicle according to a selected intelligent multi-function mode, and control the wiper and washer according to a sensed temperature with respect to the vehicle. |
| US08180527B2 |
Driver assistance method
The invention relates to a method for the assistance of a driver of a vehicle during a journey along a road, in which bend data indicating the course of a bend in the road extending in front of the vehicle seen in the direction of travel and road condition data indicating the condition of the road surface disposed in front of the vehicle seen in the direction of travel are determined and a recommended maximum speed allowing a safe driving through the bend is determined with reference to the bend data and to the road condition data. |
| US08180525B2 |
Method and system for assisting a driver when parking or maneuvering a motor vehicle
A method for assisting a driver when parking or maneuvering a motor vehicle having at least one driver assistance system and a vehicle safety system is provided. The method includes the steps of detecting the surroundings and calculating a desired path in a calculation model, in which the differences in traveling distance between the individual wheels are monitored and determined by means of the vehicle safety system. The desired path is predicted in a calculation model by means of the differences in traveling distance, and detection of the surroundings is carried out by means of the driver assistance system. Furthermore, a system which is suitable to implement the method is provided. |
| US08180524B2 |
Diagnosis apparatus and method for diagnosing connection state of vehicle antenna
In diagnosis apparatus and method for diagnosing a vehicle antenna, the vehicle antenna performing transmission and reception of electric waves to and from a portable unit, the vehicle antenna is driven to perform communications with the portable unit when a first condition is satisfied and the vehicle antenna is driven to perform a diagnosis of a connection state of the vehicle antenna when a second condition is satisfied. The first condition is different from the second condition. |
| US08180521B2 |
Electronic control system for vehicle
An electronic control unit performs self-diagnosis based on signals received from various sensors, and stores abnormality data in an EEPROM when abnormality is detected. The DTC is stored in a first memory area and a second memory area of the EEPROM, if a condition flag stored in the EEPROM is OFF and ON, respectively. The condition flag is switched from OFF (initial value) to ON, when service start data is received from a telematics service center in a period from the completion of assembling the electronic control unit to the vehicle to the start of use of the vehicle by a user. |
| US08180516B2 |
Driver information interface and method of managing driver information
An interface (10) allows a user to choose when incoming information is received. Thus, the user may choose to receive particular types of information according to a current need for the information and when appropriate attention may be given to the information. The interface (10) identifies for the user at least the type of information to be received and a criticality and/or time-sensitivity of that information. The interface (10) may include, for each of a first, second and third information sources (12-16) a respective button (18-22) and a respective visual indicator (24-28). |
| US08180509B2 |
Tail pipe emissions mode control for hybrid electric vehicles
A hybrid electric vehicle has a propulsion system including an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor each configured to operate in parallel and each configured to propel the vehicle individually. A rechargeable battery is configured to deliver power to the electric motor to enable the electric motor to propel the vehicle for a certain distance without operation of the ICE. The rechargeable battery is further configured to receive power from a household power outlet. A controller is configured to control the propulsion system to operate in either a normal emissions mode or a no-emissions mode wherein the ICE is disabled. The controller is further configured to direct the propulsion system to operate in the no-emissions mode in response to the broadcast of an external control signal. |
| US08180505B2 |
Spacecraft solar cell monitoring system
An onboard solar cell array current and voltage characteristic determination method is preferably used on small spacecraft and determines the solar cell orientation relative to the sun by a comparison between prelaunch solar cell characteristics with on-orbit solar cell characteristics well suited for spin axis determinations and monitoring the degradation of on-orbit solar cells over the operational life of a picosatellite. |
| US08180504B1 |
Aircraft landing gear compression rate monitor and method to increase aircraft landing weight limitation
A system for use in monitoring, measuring, computing and displaying the rate of compression of aircraft landing gear struts, experienced while aircraft are executing either normal or hard landing events. Further by measuring the vertical compression rate of the landing gear strut, thus with aircraft hull angle correction to horizontal, determining the vertical sink-rate of the aircraft, as it comes into initial contact with the ground. Accelerometers are attached to opposing sides of a compressible landing gear strut, monitoring and measuring parallel data streams; then identifying differential acceleration data streams, which computed through mathematical algorithms measure the collapse rate of the landing gear strut. Pressure sensors are attached to the working pressure within the landing gear strut, so to monitor in-flight landing gear strut pre-charge pressure, until such time as the pre-charge pressure suddenly increases, to detect the aircraft has come into initial contact with the ground. A method of operating an aircraft at an increased maximum landing weight limitation. |
| US08180493B1 |
Method and apparatus for effecting temperature difference in a respective zone
Methods and apparatus provide for a demand limiting controller. The demand limiting controller obtains at least one temperature condition and at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area. The demand limiting controller determines when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate while minimizing the opportunity for all zones to be energized simultaneously. |
| US08180492B2 |
System and method for using a networked electronic device as an occupancy sensor for an energy management system
The invention comprises systems and methods for detecting the use of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one networked electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces. |
| US08180486B2 |
Mobile robot and controller for same
A mobile robot includes a radio communication unit; a radio environment detector detecting plural types of radio environment data indicating the degree of goodness of radio environment, a comprehensive radio environment data being calculated from results of weighting the plural types of radio environment data with predetermined weights; a self-position detecting unit; a storage for map data of a movement area; the calculated comprehensive radio environment data being written in association with its own position detected. The robot moves at a movement speed not higher than the maximum movement speed determined so that communication with the radio base station is not cut off during movement and, if radio communication is cut off, searches the radio environment map for a communication restoration position where the radio communication is feasible to establish and moves to the communication restoration position and has the radio intensity reporting control section reporting the determined level of radio intensity. |
| US08180478B2 |
Method for activating a workpiece manipulator of a machine tool
The invention relates to a method for activating a workpiece manipulator (4) of a machine tool (1), comprising a control device which prescribes machining paths (6) for a workpiece by means of a computing unit, which machining paths are travelled by the workpiece manipulator (4) from a machine starting position (A), wherein the workpiece (5) which can be moved by the workpiece manipulator (4) in a multi-axially translatory and preferably also rotating manner is passed to a plurality of tools (3) one after the other for the step-by-step machining. In order to provide advantageous conditions it is proposed that in the case of termination of machining the workpiece manipulator (4) is made to move with the workpiece (5) back over the path of movement (7) assigned to the respective machining step into a position (8) prior to this machining step, in which the workpiece manipulator is optionally stopped or from which the workpiece manipulator is moved into the machine starting position (A). |
| US08180475B2 |
Embroidery data processor, embroidery sewing system, computer readable medium and multi-needle embroidery sewing machine
An embroidery data processor that processes embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern comprising a plurality of subset patterns on a workpiece cloth with different needle thread colors by using a plurality of multi-needle embroidery sewing machines each provided with an embroidery frame drive mechanism that moves an embroidery frame holding the workpiece cloth in two predetermined directions, the embroidery data processor including a sew-time calculator that calculates required sew time for sewing each subset pattern based on subset pattern data being classified by thread color; and an allocator that produces an allocation schedule for allocation of the subset patterns to the multi-needle embroidery sewing machines based on the sew time calculated by the sew-time calculator, the allocation schedule being arranged to distribute equal or minimally-different sew time for each multi-needle embroidery sewing machine. |
| US08180472B2 |
Control method for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, control system for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
A control method for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, comprising: generating, as log data, a history of operation states of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus when a wafer is processed by the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus; specifying, based on the log data, processing results in which operation states of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus are abnormal states out of processing results after the processing of the wafer processed by the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus as abnormal processing results; creating control data for the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus based on the processing results and the abnormal processing results; and controlling the processing by the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus using the control data. |
| US08180470B2 |
Systems and methods for fine alignment of analog and digital signal pathways
Methods and systems lor temporally aligning audio samples of digital and analog portions ol a radio broadcast signal involve receiving a radio broadcast signal having analog and digital portions; separating the analog and digital portions; retrieving a stored first time interval of an approximate time for a sample of the digital portion to travel through a digital signal path in a receiver including a digital demodulator: measuring a second time lor the sample of the digital portion to travel from an input of the digital signal path to an input of the digital demodulator; generating a delay amount by adding the first time to the second time; delaying second audio samples of the digital portion by tho delay amount relative to first audio samples of tho analog portion such that the second audio samples are temporally aligned with the first audio samples; and combining ihe first and second audio samples. |
| US08180469B1 |
Method and system for linking two or more portions of digital media data for playback
A method and system for linking portions of digital media data during playback includes a process for linking portions of digital media data during playback whereby a user is provided the capability to link two or more digital media data tracks/segments of digital media data such that the linked digital media data tracks/segments of digital media data are treated as a single entity for playback purposes, thereby ensuring that the linked digital media data tracks/segments of digital media data are played back in an order desired/dictated by the user regardless of playback mode or which of the linked tracks is selected. |
| US08180468B2 |
Computer program, information reproduction device, and method
A computer program makes a computer perform: a measuring process of measuring a beat candidate value, which is the number of beats of content per unit time; a reference setting process of setting a beat reference value according to a user's input; and a determining process of determining a beat definite value set in the vicinity of the beat reference value, from among the measured beat candidate value. |
| US08180467B2 |
Household appliance with user selected default settings
A household appliance functions according to multiple operating cycles, wherein each operating cycle comprises at least one step characterized by a parameter having a factory-set default value. A user can access a controller of the household appliance through a user interface to simultaneously set new default values for a parameter common to at least two of the multiple operating cycles. |
| US08180466B2 |
Process device with supervisory overlayer
A process device is configured to meet a desired Safety Integrity Level (SIL). A device interface is configured to couple to the process device and provide an output related to operation of a component of the process device. A component monitor monitors operation of the component and identifies a safety event of the component. A safety response module responds to a safety event of the component in accordance with a safety response. |
| US08180465B2 |
Multi-modal device power/mode management
A system that facilitates managing resources (e.g., functionality, services) based at least in part upon an established context. More particularly, a context determination component can be employed to establish a context by processing sensor inputs or learning/inferring a user action/preference. Once the context is established via context determination component, a power/mode management component can be employed to activate and/or mask resources in accordance with the established context. The power and mode management of the device can extend life of a power source (e.g., battery) and mask functionality in accordance with a user and/or device state. |
| US08180464B2 |
Extended active disturbance rejection controller
Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow. |
| US08180463B2 |
Method and apparatus for a computerized integrated power bus
An electrical management control and monitoring device that easily interfaces with an existing motor vehicle electrical system that includes both “dumb” and “smart” circuits to protect the electrical system during events in which the voltage, current or temperature may change and potentially cause damage or render the vehicle electrically “dead”. The device, which is coupled to the motor vehicle's ignition switch, power source and multiplex bus, includes a motherboard, a microcontroller and software program that monitors the vehicle's capacitor, battery or combination voltage, current and temperature and automatically disconnects non-critical circuits when their values become extreme or reach a preprogrammed threshold. The motherboard includes output connectors that are coupled to solid-state relays that act as a supplemental power source to provide electrical power to components that require electrical power after the ignition has been turned off. The software program is used to prioritizes electrical power distribution to the components which are critical to engine starting, power train control and general longitudinal and lateral control systems of the vehicle. |
| US08180461B2 |
Minimally invasive apparatus for implanting a sacral stimulation lead
Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain. |
| US08180459B2 |
Electrode assembly for a stimulating medical device
An implantable electrode assembly for a cochlear implant comprising: an elongate carrier member having an intra-cochlear region, an extra-cochlear region, and an additional region immediately adjacent the extra-cochlear region and extending to a stimulator unit; one or more electrodes disposed on the intra-cochlear region of the elongate carrier member; and one or more signal pathways extending from the additional region through at least a portion of the intra-cochlear region, wherein a cross-sectional profile of each of the one or more signal pathways is smaller in the intra-cochlear region than in the additional region. |
| US08180456B2 |
Systems and methods to configure a multi-electrode lead
Methods and systems are provided for configuring a Multi-Electrode Lead (MEL) that includes N groups of electrodes, with each of the N groups of electrodes including at least M electrodes, where N≧2 and M≧2. Sent via the MEL is a first communication sequence of bits that includes N groups of bits, with each of the N groups of bits corresponding to a different one of the N groups of electrodes and specifying which electrode(s), if any, within the group of electrodes is to be configured as an anode. Also sent via the MEL is a second communication sequence of bits that includes N further groups of bits, with each of the N further groups of bits corresponding to a different one of the N groups of electrodes and specifying which electrode(s), if any, within the group of electrodes is to be configured as a cathode. |
| US08180453B2 |
Electrode array for neural stimulation
The present invention is an implantable visual prosthesis where the neural stimulator includes an electrode array body suitable to be placed in an epiretinal location with insulation covering the electrode array body and forming voids. Electrodes are recessed within those voids. |
| US08180452B2 |
Transcutaneous power optimization circuit for a medical implant
In a cochlear implant system, the implantable stimulator includes a monitor which monitors parameters associated with the stimulation signals and/or the power stored in an energy storage element which stores energy transmitted from the processor. This parameter or parameters is/are analyzed and one or more feedback signals are generated and transmitted back to the processor. The processor uses the feedback signal to insure that power is transmitted to the stimulator optimally and that the stimulation signals are compliant. |
| US08180449B2 |
Dual chamber pacemaker
An implantable medical device and a method for operating such a device to provide cardiac pacing to the heart of a patient for pacing hearts of patients suffering from periodical or intermittent atrio-ventricular blocks, for example, AV block or HIS block. A control circuit operates the device in a DDI-II mode, the DDI-II mode being an operation mode with an atrial inhibited pacing and a DDI-II mode ventricular pacing rate being lower than a predetermined base rate of a pulse circuit of the device, during periods with atrio-ventricular conduction conditions. If a block in atrio-ventricular conduction is detected and at least one first switching criterion is satisfied, the control circuit causes a switching circuit to switch from the DDI-II mode to the DDI mode and, if a block in atrio-ventricular conduction is detected and at least one second switching criterion is satisfied, the control circuit causes the switching circuit to switch from the DDI mode to the DDD mode. The control circuit is adapted to control the switching circuit to switch back to the DDI-II mode at satisfaction of a reinitiating criterion. |
| US08180448B2 |
Tank filters placed in series with the lead wires or circuits of active medical devices to enhance MRI compatibility
A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. |
| US08180444B2 |
Enhanced PhotoDynamic Therapy with immune system assist
A photodynamic therapy (PDT) method to treat primary sites of hyperproliferative tissue and induce long term, tumor specific immunity for regression and eradication of distant metastases is disclosed. The improved treatment regimen comprises the partial or fractional application of PDT with several applications, spaced in time, to permit a patient's immune system to react to dead tissue generated by each fractional application. Once activated, the immune system can help reduce or eliminate secondary stage tumors and metastasis stage tumors. |
| US08180443B1 |
Device and method for monitoring a patient access, in particular a vascular access in extracorporeal blood treatment
The present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring a patient access, in particular a vascular access in extracorporeal blood treatment, in which a patient's blood is withdrawn from the patient via an arterial conduit and is returned to the patient via a venous conduit. The blood is conveyed by a blood pump, preferably an occlusive blood pump, such as a roller pump. To monitor the vascular access, the electrical AC voltage and/or the alternating current and/or a derived electrical measured variable that is generated by electrostatic charges during operation of the occlusive peristaltic pump is monitored. If the triboelectric AC voltage generated by the blood pump and/or the alternating current and/or the derived electrical measured variable lies within predetermined limits, this indicates that the vascular access is faulty. |
| US08180442B2 |
Deriving patient activity information from sensed body electrical information
Electrodes of a subcutaneous monitoring system receive body electrical signals that indicate both cardiac and non-cardiac muscle activity. In general, non-cardiac muscle activity is often correlated with physical activity, and physical activity is typically a strong indicator of patient health. Exemplary systems and methods that detect non-cardiac muscle activity information in sensed body electrical waveforms may provide a diagnostic tool for monitoring physical activity level over time in patients that have subcutaneous monitoring systems. In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for presenting patient activity information in a graphical format over intervals of time include processing ECG waveform information to identify and to accumulate non-cardiac muscular activity information during each of the intervals of time. In various implementations, number, intensity, and/or duration of the events that are identified during a time interval may be accumulated and stored for subsequent recall. |
| US08180440B2 |
Alarm system that processes both motion and vital signs using specific heuristic rules and thresholds
The invention provides a body-worn monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling). The body-worn monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs by motion-related artifacts. A software framework generates alarms/alerts based on threshold values that are either preset or determined in real time. The framework additionally includes a series of ‘heuristic’ rules that take the patient's activity state and motion into account, and process the vital signs accordingly. These rules, for example, indicate that a walking patient is likely breathing and has a regular heart rate, even if their motion-corrupted vital signs suggest otherwise. |
| US08180437B2 |
Optical pulse wave velocity obtaining apparatus and method thereof
A biological-information obtaining apparatus includes a light-emitting unit, an image sensor configured to capture images, in a time sequence, relating to a living body, and a lens. The apparatus also includes an extreme-occurrence-time obtaining unit configured to obtain times T1 and T2 at which extremes occur in time sequence with respect to brightness values of a first region and a second region, respectively, of each of the captured images. The apparatus further includes a pulse wave velocity (PWV) calculation unit configured to calculate a pulse wave velocity according to the equation, P=(Y×L/f)/(T2−T1), where Y represents a distance on the image sensor, the distance corresponding to a distance between the first region and the second region, f represents the focal length of the lens, and L represents a distance between the lens and the living body. |
| US08180436B2 |
Systems for autofluorescent imaging and target ablation
Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed. |
| US08180431B2 |
Catheter with bendable tip
A medical probe includes a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. A coupling member couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and includes a tubular piece of an elastic material having a helical cut therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece. |
| US08180430B2 |
Resolution of magnetic dipole ambiguity in position tracking measurements
A method for position tracking includes using first and second field generators located at respective different first and second locations to generate respective first and second magnetic fields in a vicinity of first and second objects. The first and second fields are measured using first and second position sensors respectively associated with the first and second objects. First and second potential relative coordinates of the first object relative to the second object are calculated responsively to the first and second magnetic field. The potential relative coordinates are processed in order to determine a correct relative coordinate of the first object relative to the second object. |
| US08180425B2 |
ECG lead wire organizer and dispenser
An ECG lead set including an ECG electrode assembly and a lead set hub. ECG electrode includes at least one electrode configured to receive biopotential signals from a patient, a plug connector for connecting said ECG electrode assembly, a web, connected between the at least one electrode and the plug connector and configured to form an electrical connection therebetween. The lead set hub includes at least one receptacle configured to receive the plug connector of the ECG electrode assembly. |
| US08180420B2 |
Signal processing apparatus and method
A method and an apparatus to analyze two measured signals that are modeled as containing desired and undesired portions such as noise, FM and AM modulation. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, a transformation is used to evaluate a ratio of the two measured signals in order to find appropriate coefficients. The measured signals are then fed into a signal scrubber which uses the coefficients to remove the unwanted portions. The signal scrubbing is performed in either the time domain or in the frequency domain. The method and apparatus are particularly advantageous to blood oximetry and pulserate measurements. In another embodiment, an estimate of the pulserate is obtained by applying a set of rules to a spectral transform of the scrubbed signal. In another embodiment, an estimate of the pulserate is obtained by transforming the scrubbed signal from a first spectral domain into a second spectral domain. The pulserate is found by identifying the largest spectral peak in the second spectral domain. |
| US08180419B2 |
Tissue hydration estimation by spectral absorption bandwidth measurement
A system and method are provided for determining tissue hydration. Specifically, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for determining tissue hydration. The method includes detecting electromagnetic radiation scattered and reflected from the living tissue and using the detected electromagnetic radiation to determine spectral absorption bandwidth. The method also includes correlating the spectral absorption bandwidth to a tissue hydration index. |
| US08180416B2 |
Sliding-type mobile communication terminal
A sliding-type mobile communication terminal having a first housing and a second housing opened or closed by means of a sliding movement in a longitudinal direction of the first housing, The terminal includes a spring module adapted to provide a sliding force, along the longitudinal direction, for closing of the second housing within a predetermined range of distance, and for providing the sliding force in an opposite direction for opening of the second housing beyond the predetermined range of distance. The spring module includes link bars rotatably coupled in one end onto the first housing, coil springs supported by one end of the link bar and coupled to enclose the link bar, and a slider slidably coupled to the link bar to be acted upon by an elastic force from the coil spring. The coil springs implement a semi-automatic sliding opening/closure of the second housing. |
| US08180411B2 |
Injection molded solid mobile phone, machine, and method
A mobile phone includes a phone core with operative components thereof in a one piece phone housing that is directly molded to the phone core. Operative components that require exterior access from the housing, e.g., ear speaker, microphone, loudspeaker, SIM card reader, display, and keypad, may be shielded from molding material during the molding process by shielding boxes integrally molded into the housing and/or by shielding cores in the mold of a plastic injection molding machine. A plastic injection molding machine with shielding cores may form the phone housing as an integral structure directly to and about the phone core. A method of making a mobile phone includes plastic injection molding using insert molding technique. |
| US08180408B2 |
Method and arrangement for reducing power consumption in a mobile communication network
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface. Inactive time instants and listening time instants are defined according to provided rules. The receiver is arranged to listen for information from the sender during the listening time instants and to sleep during the inactive time instants. Thus, less power will be consumed during the inactive time instants. |
| US08180407B1 |
Automatic reduction of background wireless communication in a media player mode
A method and system for conserving battery power in a portable communication device. When a user puts the device into a media player mode such as by invoking a media player application on the device, the device will automatically reduce the extent to which it engages in background wireless transmissions, such as radio link control messaging, presence update messaging, and so forth, to help conserve battery power. In turn, when the device exits the media player mode, the device may then automatically revert to its normal extent of background wireless transmission. |
| US08180404B2 |
Sharing antennas for increased multiple-input uplink reception
The claimed subject matter facilitates sharing antennas among carriers co-located at a base station such to increase throughput of the individual carriers. Thus, the carriers can effectively receive multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) from mobile devices though the individual antennas of the carrier alone are not sufficient to receive such signals. A co-sharing interface is provided that takes signals from antennas of one carrier and forwards the signals to a second co-located carrier. In this regard, a carrier can receive signals from a related set of antennas as well as the co-sharing interface component (from a set of antennas related to a disparate carrier) and process the signals in conjunction. Thus, the signals can be disparate portions of a MIMO signal. In addition, the co-sharing interface can modify the signals as defined by the carrier receiving the signals from the interface, such as by applying gain control, alarming, bypass circuitry, and/or amplification. |
| US08180402B2 |
Control systems having a SIM for controlling a computing device
A system and associated method are provided. The system includes a subscriber identification module (SIM) comprising a memory configured to store one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the one or more executable instructions for controlling a device, a device configured for being controlled by the SIM, and a SIM interface configured to communicate the instructions from the SIM to control the device. |
| US08180399B1 |
Wireless interface extension for mobile devices
A wireless interface extension for mobile devices is provided. The wireless interface extension includes a user interface, a wireless communication link, and a processor. The processor communicates with a mobile device over the wireless communication link and enables a user to use the user interface to interact with at least one user application on the mobile device. |
| US08180398B2 |
Multimedia data communication method and system
A multimedia processing system is provided for communicating among a baseband module, an image sensor module, and at least one display module in a mobile phone. The system comprises: a serial baseband interface that transmits and receives processing data from the baseband module; an image sensor interface that transmits and receives image data from the image sensor module; a display interface that transmits and receives display data from the display module, wherein the display interface comprises a display write enable output, a display read enable output, and a display transceiver means to transmit and receive the display data; and at least one register that includes a clock phase control bit, a clock polarity control bit for assisting the serial baseband interface to accommodate different interface standards, and a burst read mode control bit for bursting the serial baseband interface to read sequential processing data from a multimedia module or from the baseband module. |
| US08180391B2 |
Combined communications system, prohibiting-signal transmitting apparatus, wireless base station, and method
A prohibiting-signal transmitting apparatus for use in a combined system such that there is at least a partial overlap between bands allocated to an old communications system and bands allocated to a new communications system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a unit which monitors for a band-in-use, over which communications are actually being conducted, out of the bands allocated to the old communications system; a unit which generates a prohibiting signal indicating that the band-in-use should not be used in the new communications system; and a unit which transmits the prohibiting signal to a communications apparatus of the new communications system. |
| US08180388B1 |
Methods and systems for improving session establishment with wireless communication devices
Methods and systems for reducing the latency of instant communication session establishment are presented. According to various preferred embodiments, a RAN, may receive a setup request message via a packet-switched network. The RAN may determine, from a quality of service (QOS) indication contained in the setup request message, that the setup request message is requesting establishment of a instant communication session. The RAN may further determine an intended destination wireless communication device (WCD) for the setup request message. Based on the QOS indication and/or a profile indicating the destination WCD's capabilities, the RAN may pre-allocate resources for the instant communication session in parallel to paging the destination WCD. In this way, the latencies associated with these procedures are overlapped, thus reducing the overall latency of instant communication session establishment. |
| US08180387B2 |
Method, terminal, and system for establishing PoC group session in PoC system
A method, a terminal, and a system for establishing a Push to Talk Over Cellular (PoC) group session in a PoC network based on session initiation information, such as information regarding presence of clients to be invited or session start-up time. According to the method, Universal Resource Indicator (URI) information regarding invitation and Information Reservation Service (IRS) parameters are set up in a PoC eXtensible markup language Document Management Server (XDMS), and a PoC server is requested to provide an IRS so that a session is established. |
| US08180384B1 |
Transmit data timing control
An RF transmitter that, during a transmission session, transmits multiple data slices, which are synchronized to each other by a transmit counter. Typically, the time between transmission of consecutive data slices is constant; however, to synchronize the transmission session with a base station, the time between transmission of consecutive data slices may be occasionally adjusted. By using the transmit counter to synchronize data transmissions, effects of uncompensated latencies or variances in latencies may be reduced or eliminated. |
| US08180383B2 |
Method and system for routing of short messages in a telecommunication system
A system for transmitting short messages between mobile communication systems includes a first mobile communication system which is based on a first mobile communication standard, a first short message service center connected to the first mobile communication system, a second mobile communication system based on a second mobile communication standard, a second short message service center connected to the second mobile communication system, a borne location register connected to the second mobile communication system, a mobile services switching center connected to the second mobile communication system, and a gateway for communications with and between the first and second mobile communication system. In a method implementing this functionality a muting component sends to the gateway a routing data query addressed to a predetermined numerical space. The short message is transmitted to the gateway, based on the address received in response to the routing data query, for further transmission of the short message to the second mobile communication system. |
| US08180382B1 |
Direct and immediate transmittal of voice messages and handset storage thereof
A system and method for direct and immediate transmittal of voice messages is provided. A sender mobile device (MD) is capable of sending instant voice messages to at least one recipient MD over a wireless communications network. The recipient MD(s) are can store the instant voice message in a computer readable memory. The sender MD can query a database and/or the recipient MD(s) to determine if the recipient MD is compatible and/or subscribed to instant voice messaging service. If the recipient MD is compatible and/or subscribed, the voice message is sent directly to the recipient MD, stored, and an instant voice message waiting indicator is presented to the recipient. If the recipient MD is not compatible and/or subscribed, the voice message is sent directly to a voicemail server, stored, and a voice message waiting indicator is presented to the recipient. |
| US08180381B1 |
Method and system for reducing paging channel traffic
A method and system for reducing an amount of traffic on a paging channel of a wireless communications system by holding a pending page message until a subsequent re-registration request and response cycle scheduled to occur within a threshold amount of time. A radio access network (RAN) may be configured to determine whether an amount of time to a next scheduled re-registration request and response cycle is less than a threshold amount. If the amount of time is less than the threshold amount, the RAN may delay transmission of the pending page message until the next re-registration request and response cycle. By sending the pending page message in a response to a scheduled re-registration request, or by sending the pending page as the response to a received re-registration request, the amount of traffic on the paging channel of the wireless communications system may be reduced. |
| US08180380B2 |
Associated paging indicator
A receiver for receiving wireless communication signals from a transmitter is arranged to operate in one of a plurality of states. The receiver is arranged to perform a state transition from the current state to another state among the plurality of states upon reception of a Paging Indicator Signal. The Paging Indicator Signal comprising an indication of the one of the plurality of states to which the state transition is to be performed. |
| US08180379B2 |
Synchronizing mobile and vehicle devices
Location information is received at a mobile device from the memory of a vehicle device. The mobile device is updated based on the location information. Sensor data is received from at least one sensor measuring movement of the mobile device, and an estimated location of the mobile device is calculated based at least in part on the location information and the sensor data. |
| US08180378B2 |
Access probe enhancements
A method of providing a location based service to an access terminal in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting one or more access probes, each of the one or more access probes including a preamble having a first specific length and transmitted at a first power level, where the preamble is utilized to determine a position of the access terminal. |
| US08180375B2 |
Potential call drop indicator
Mobile device user notifications of highly likely call drops or service losses are provided. A wireless network can determine from the location history of a mobile device if that mobile device is likely to lose connectivity to the wireless network or to a particular wireless service and issue an alert to the user. The form of the alert can be through one of various types of mobile device messages, or through an application on the mobile device. The mobile device's location can be determined using the global positioning system. Alternative directions can be provided to the user so that the user can travel without losing connectivity. The user may provide a destination before beginning travel, and receive a suggested course of travel that keeps the user within a higher quality coverage area. |
| US08180372B2 |
Positioning system, terminal apparatus, control method of terminal apparatus
The terminal apparatus has: base station and terminal error information generating means for generating base station and terminal error information indicating a rate of the base station and terminal frequency difference with respect to the official frequency; geostationary satellite and terminal difference information generating means for generating geostationary satellite and terminal difference information indicating a geostationary satellite and terminal frequency difference; geostationary satellite and terminal error information generating means for generating geostationary satellite and terminal error information indicating a rate of the geostationary satellite and terminal frequency difference with respect to the geostationary satellite frequency; base station frequency error information generating means for generating base station frequency error information indicating a frequency error of a transmitting radio wave from the communication base station based on the base station and terminal error. |
| US08180369B1 |
Facilty-based interpersonal communication and interactive information system
An interpersonal communication and an interactive information system, where a user can access a wireless local area network from any compatible mobile device and obtain information specific to the user's location and communicate with other mobile devices in the user's location through the wireless local area network. |
| US08180362B1 |
Multi-carrier load balancing scheme for voice and data
A method for preventing the occurrence of overload conditions in a multi-carrier communication system such as, but not limited to, enhancements to 1xEV-DV by controlling the amount of voice and data users having access to the communication system in order to provide enhanced QoS and load balancing. The method includes converting one of carriers in the multi-carrier voice/data system to a voice-only carrier when loading exceeds a given threshold related to QoS and outage criteria. |
| US08180361B2 |
Methods and systems for base station installation in distributed call processing networks
Methods and systems are provided for establishing a logical flow path between a radio network controller (RNC) having multiple call processors that are operable in a distributed manner and a base station, in particular a Node B, being served by the RNC using an internet protocol (IP) transport technology. In some embodiments a method comprises configuring of IP addresses to be used by the RNC and base station, establishing paths based on communication ports in the RNC and base station, performing cell initialization and establishing common channel paths between the RNC and base station. Methods described herein include a step for Node B attachment that can be added to a Node B and RNC installation phase that is current part of 3GPP standards as part of a “plug and play” deployment method. The methods for Node B attachment to the network enable the Node B to be installed and dynamically registered with the RNC. The Node B obtains access to distributed call processing resources from the RNC over public and IP networks to offer services to UEs that the newly attached Node B serves. |
| US08180354B2 |
Method for allocating radio resource in multi-carrier time division duplex mobile communication system
A method for distributing wireless resource in multicarrier time division duplexing mobile communication system, such as TD-CDMA system, to overcome the shortage of 3GPP single carrier cell channel distribution technology of covering more lager area in composing cellular system, which contains using an area of covering same or almost same as a cell, selecting one carrier as main carrier and other carriers as auxiliary carrier, the frequency of main carrier is as different as possible, setting all public control channel in main carrier, the left resource of main carrier and resource of auxiliary carrier are used in uplink and downlink service channel, the arrangement of public channel in main carrier is same with that in single carrier cell. |
| US08180349B1 |
Method and system for handoff controller-mediated handoff of a mobile node
A mobile node in communication with a first wireless system detects a handoff condition and responsively transmits a handoff request to a handoff controller. In response to the handoff request, the handoff controller selects a second wireless system for the mobile node and establishes a packet registration with the second wireless system on behalf of the mobile node. When the registration process is completed, the handoff controller transmits a handoff instruction to the mobile node. The mobile node may then acquire a radio link with the second wireless system and use the packet registration established by the handoff controller to send and/or receive packets via the second wireless system. |
| US08180346B2 |
Measurement request report extensions for media independent handover
A method and apparatus for generating a measurement report request including media independent handover (MIH) information at a medium access control (MAC) device for use in configuring a physical layer measurement device to measure the physical layer and generate a MIH event report are provided. The request is sent to a physical layer measurement device which is configured using the MIH information. A physical channel is then measured based on the MIH information. A MIH event is generated at the physical layer device and sent to a higher layer device. |
| US08180345B2 |
Method for optimizing the load distribution between a first mobile radio network and a second mobile radio network
A method for optimizing the load distribution between one mobile radio network, for example using the UMTS standard, and another mobile radio network, for example using the GSM standard, by optimizing the signalling sequence when establishing a connection in such a mobile radio system. It enables efficient cooperation when establishing a connection, for example a voice connection, between a UMTS and a GSM network. In addition to the efficient use of resources in a UMTS system, the method also enables direct establishment of a connection, for example of a voice connection that was initiated in a UMTS network, in a GSM network. |
| US08180344B2 |
Cell reselection for dual mode mobile stations in a common 2G/3G telecommunications network
A 2G controlling entity in a common 2G/3G network that includes a common Core Network is connected to dual mode mobile stations and to a 3G controlling entity also connected to dual mode mobile stations. The 2G controlling entity applies a 3G camping strategy and receives a service request, for a service at least supported by the 2G network, from a dual mode mobile station. The 2G controlling entity instructs the dual mode mobile station, when connected to the 2G network, to perform cell reselection evaluation of 3G network cells only when the 2G network signal strength is below a predetermined threshold. |
| US08180343B2 |
Detection of wireless communication devices in systems having cells with different pilot signal frequencies
An originating transceiver node sends a search message to an alternate transceiver node in response to receiving a pilot signal report message from a wireless communication device detecting a pilot signal from a detected transceiver node. The wireless communication device detects a strong pilot signal transmitted from the detected transceiver node at the same frequency used for the pilot signal transmitted by the originating transceiver node. The alternate transceiver node transmits a pilot signal at a second frequency. The pilot signal report message allows the originating transceiver node to determine at least an approximate location of the wireless communication device and to identify the alternate transceiver node as a transceiver node at least potentially able to provide wireless service to the wireless communication device. In response to the search message, the alternate transceiver node searches for uplink signals associated with a pilot signal having the first frequency. If uplink signals transmitted from the wireless communication device are detected by the alternate base station, a determination is made whether handoff to the alternate transceiver node should be performed. In some situations, the originating transceiver node may transmit a change uplink format message to the wireless communication device where the new uplink format increases the likelihood of detection of the uplink signals by the alternate transceiver node. |
| US08180342B2 |
System, method and computer program product for delivering a service guide of a first broadcast/multicast system as a program of a second broadcast/multicast system
An apparatus is provided which includes a server of a first broadcast/multicast system and an adaptation function. The adaptation function provides communication between the server of the first broadcast/multicast system and a server of a second broadcast/multicast system. The adaptation function is configured to envelop at least one content item of the second broadcast/multicast system within a program of the first broadcast/multicast system. |
| US08180338B1 |
Selective call anchoring in a multimedia subsystem
The present invention dynamically determines whether call control for a call from a user element should be anchored in a multimedia subsystem (MS) or in a circuit-switched subsystem (CS) based on the location of the user element. Calls may be anchored in the MS regardless of whether the user element is currently served by a cellular network of the CS or a WLAN of the MS. In particular, the anchoring decision is based on whether the user element is within an MS anchoring zone, which defines an area or areas where calls for the user element should be anchored in the MS. Accordingly, when the user element is outside of the MS anchoring zone, calls for the user element are not anchored in the MS. When the user element is within the MS anchoring zone, calls for the user element are anchored in the MS. |
| US08180336B2 |
System and method for remote asset management
A remote asset management system comprising a network of programmable wireless modules, each having an antenna and an identification module and configured to communicate via a radio communication protocol. The system further includes a plurality of assets each linked to one of the programmable wireless modules and configured to be managed by the linked programmable wireless module. A remote system server service platform is configured to receive remote asset data from at least one of the programmable wireless modules, pass the remote asset data to and from the wireless modules, send messages to at least one of the programmable wireless modules, monitor the programmable wireless modules by requesting and receiving current mode information, and remotely program the programmable wireless modules. A data processing module located within the at least one programmable wireless module and configured to process messages received by the programmable wireless module, authenticate said message, analyze authenticated messages, and carry out asset management instructions included in the message. |
| US08180333B1 |
Differential routing of communication-usage records
Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for differentially routing communication-usage records based on an identity of the base station that served the underlying communication. For example, if the base station is a home carrier base station, then the communication-usage records may be routed to a particular usage-tracking system, whereas, if the base station is an affiliate carrier base station, then the communication-usage records may be routed to a different usage-tracking system. Further, depending on the base station identity, the routing of the communication-usage records may be delayed or may be more immediate. |
| US08180323B2 |
Non centralized security function for a radio interface
A module dual mode device architecture and method of use is disclosed. The system architecture provides a distributed design of an IEEE 802.11i compliant supplicant module that provides security to data/voice packets sent over the wireless local area network (“WLAN”) radio interface from a dual mode device to an access point. The dual mode device establishes a connection with the access point and if the access point is security enabled, one or more session keys are generated. The session keys are used to provide security for communications over the radio interface between the dual mode device and the access point. |
| US08180318B1 |
Emergency alert system channel assignment
A mobile device automatically is configured to the emergency alert system (EAS) channel utilized by the cellular site from which the mobile device registers with a network. In an example configuration, an EAS server provides a mobile switching center (MSC) configuration information regarding the emergency alert channels to be used for the cellular sites supported by the MSC. When the mobile device registers via a cellular site supported by the MSC, the designated channel to be used for EAS messages is sent to the mobile device as part of the registration process. The mobile device assigns an internal channel to the designated channel. In another example configuration, the mobile device is preconfigured with a table listing all possible EAS channels, and the MSC provides, during the registration process, a pointer to the appropriate portion of the table. |
| US08180316B2 |
Automatic routing of in-vehicle emergency calls to automatic crash notification services and to public safety answering points
A system and method automatically routes in-vehicle emergency calls to an automatic crash notification (ACN) call center using information provided by the calling mobile device in the call set up message. An operator at the ACN call center is presented with an identification of a public safety answering point (PSAP) that serves the location of the vehicle. The ACN operator may then conference in the PSAP if needed. The provided information is displayed at both the ACN operator's position and at the PSAP. Alternatively, the call is routed to the PSAP first or to both the PSAP and the ACN call center simultaneously. |
| US08180315B2 |
Mobile terminal and functional operation control method of the same
A mobile terminal includes: a battery supplying electric power; a voltage detection portion which detects the voltage of the battery; a function activation control portion which activates a predetermined function at a preset time; and a warning portion which, in reference to a predicted battery voltage at the preset time calculated by subtracting a predicted value of reduced voltage based on a consumed current until the preset time from a detected voltage detected by the voltage detection portion, raises a warning if the predicted battery voltage is smaller than the minimum voltage that is necessary for activating the predetermined function by the function activation control portion. |
| US08180313B2 |
Mixer and transceiver having the mixer
Provided are a mixer and a transceiver having the mixer. The mixer includes: an local oscillation (LO) differential signal generator converting an input LO signal into a differential signal; and a mixing unit receiving the LO differential signal as a first input and a first signal having a first frequency as a second input and performing differential amplification on the LO differential signal and the first signal to output a second signal having a second frequency. |
| US08180312B2 |
Receiver architecture for minimizing use of external bandpass filter between low-noise amplifier and first mixer
A wireless receiver is provided that includes a multi-step gain-control low-noise amplifier (LNA) stage and a mixer stage. The LNA stage is operable to amplify at least one input signal to generate at least one LNA output. The mixer stage is directly coupled to the LNA stage (without an intervening external bandpass filter) and is operable to down-convert the LNA output to generate a mixer output. |
| US08180311B2 |
Local oscillation routing plan applicable to a multiple RF band RF MIMO transceiver
Local oscillation circuitry for use in an RF transceiver Integrated Circuit (IC) includes local oscillation generation circuitry operable to produce a local oscillation and local oscillation distribution circuitry. The local oscillation distribution circuitry includes a splitting circuit, a first distribution portion, and a second distribution portion. The splitting circuit receives the local oscillation and produces multiple copies of the local oscillation. The first distribution portion produces a first local oscillation corresponding to a first RF band and a second local oscillation corresponding to a second RF band based and to provide the first local oscillation and the second local oscillation to a first RF transceiver group. The second distribution portion produces a first local oscillation and a second local oscillation and provides the first local oscillation and the second local oscillation to the second RF transceiver group. |
| US08180309B2 |
Lock-in amplifier and method for filtering a measurement signal using such an amplifier
A lock-in amplifier with an additional phase-sensitive detector is provided. A measurement signal is mixed in a multiplicative fashion with a reference signal, which is phase-shifted by 90 degrees, for a modulation frequency. In order to reliably filter out interference signal portions in a widest possible dynamic range and, at the same time, minimize unavoidable influence on the useful signal portion, a control device is connected downstream of the additional phase-sensitive detector. The control device determines a control variable corresponding to the strength of the interference signal from the measurement signal mixed with the reference signal phase shifted by 90 degrees and uses the control variable to change the integration duration of the integrator proportionally to the control variable, a corresponding cut-off frequency of an equivalent low pass being coordinated automatically. |
| US08180307B2 |
Electric device
An electric device for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal is provided. The electric device includes an antenna, a first power amplifier, a battery, a second filter and a second power amplifier. The antenna is used for receiving and outputting a RF signal. The first power amplifier is used for receiving the RF signal, amplifying the RF signal and outputting the RF enhanced by the first power amplifier and a feedback signal. The battery is used for providing a working voltage to the first power amplifier, and receiving and outputting the feedback signal. The second filter is used for receiving the working voltage provided by the battery and the feedback signal, filtering the feedback signal and outputting the working voltage. The second power amplifier is used for receiving the working voltage. |
| US08180303B2 |
Power amplifier architectures
Implementations and examples of power amplifier devices, systems and techniques for amplifying RF signals, including power amplifier systems based on Composite Right and Left Handed (CRLH) metamaterial (MTM) structures. |
| US08180298B2 |
Method and apparatus to minimize interference among co-located multiple wireless devices
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing transmit requests among a plurality of co-located transmitting devices each associated with a wireless transmitting protocol. The method comprises the steps of determining the cost associated with each of the transmit requests, wherein the cost is associated with the cost of granting the request and the cost of rejecting the request, granting the request associated with the lowest cost, and rejecting all other requests. In another aspect of the invention, the method comprises the step of determining whether the lowest cost is acceptable and rejecting the request associated with the lowest cost when the lowest cost is unacceptable. |
| US08180293B2 |
Vehicle control and communication via device in proximity
An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are to make a determination that a first device associated with a vehicle is in proximity to a wireless device, transmit a signal from the first device to the wireless device to cause the wireless device to display information related to the vehicle, and perform an operation with respect to the vehicle based at least in part on the determination. |
| US08180284B2 |
Method and system for coordinating necessary radio transmission events with unrelated opportunistic events to optimize battery life and network resources
A method and apparatus for sending an event from user equipment operating in a mobile network, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring whether an unrelated opportunistic event has occurred; and sending said event with said unrelated opportunistic event. |
| US08180283B2 |
Method of providing feedback to a media server in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method involving a media server, a wireless network, and at least one media client associated with at least one air interface with the wireless network. The method includes accessing first information indicative of at least one state of the at least one media client. The first information is provided by the at least one media client. The method also includes accessing second information indicative of resources associated with the at least one air interface. The second information is provided by the wireless network. The method further includes providing at least one feedback parameter to the media server. The at least one feedback parameter is formed based on the first and second information. |
| US08180275B2 |
Computer based multi-channel radio system and user interface
A computer based multi-channel radio system (200) can include a computer (214) coupled to a display (215) and having a graphical user interface (500) and a radio receiver (100) coupled to the computer for receiving a plurality of channels and data associated with the plurality of channels. The graphic user interface can selectively display at least a portion of the data associated with the plurality of channels. The data associated with the plurality of channels can be simultaneously updated. The radio receiver can include an output port (207) that enables the system to stream data or audio or video from a selected channel among the plurality of channels. |
| US08180274B2 |
System for managing and messaging critical student information
A system for managing critical student information is disclosed generally comprising storing information associated with individual students, such as important medical information or contact information for the student's parent or guardian, and providing different authorized users, such as school administrators, teachers, or coaches, permission to access the information and/or send messages for particular students. The stored information for each student is associated with one or more group identifiers, which identify particular groups of which the student is a member, such as a school or team, and each authorized user is likewise associated with one or more group identifiers, which identify the particular groups for which the user has access and can send messages. |
| US08180273B2 |
Meandering detection device, meandering detection method, meandering correction device, and image forming apparatus
A meandering detection device capable of detecting meandering of a subject with high accuracy includes: a contact which has an open end making contact with and following a subject body and which is supported by a support part; a reflection part integrally provided to the contact and reflecting light; an emission part emitting light toward the reflection part; and a first and a second light receiving parts which are disposed in front of the reflection part, which receive the light reflected by the reflection part and then outputs signals in accordance with respective amounts of light received, and which detect meandering of the subject based on a difference in the amount of light received. |
| US08180267B2 |
Electrophotographically produced barrier images using an intermediate transfer member
Systems and methods of producing image products using printing are provided. The printed image products can include stereoscopic and/or color shifting images. These images can be formed by a sequential application of a base image, a clear toner layer and a barrier image layer in a single pass through a printer. The barrier image layer can include opaque barriers (for stereoscopic or color shifting images) or can include translucent or transparent barriers (for color shifting images). |
| US08180266B2 |
Method, apparatus and systems for registering the transfer of an image associated with a printing device
This disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system for registering the transfer of an image from a belt to a media substrate associated with a printing device. Specifically, the exemplary methods use a ROS master clock and belt location sensor located downstream of a belt tensioning device to generate a reg sync signal to initiate transfer of the image. |
| US08180264B2 |
Image forming unit and image forming apparatus
An image forming unit and an image forming apparatus comprising the image forming unit are supplied capable of preventing toner in bottom part of toner accommodating room from accumulating so as to obtain toner image with good quality. In the image forming unit, a developer accommodating section that accommodates developer; a developing member that supplies developer to an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying body; a supplying member that faces to the developing member and supplies developer to the developing member; and a conveying mechanism that conveys developer in bottom part of the developer accommodating section to the upper part of the developer accommodating section. |
| US08180259B2 |
Developer supply container and developer supplying system
With a structure in which gear trains 5, 6 of a developer supply container 1 are locked by a locking member 7, and the gear trains 5, 6 receive a drive from a gear 12 of a developer receiving apparatus 10, thus accomplishing automatic setting rotation of developer supply container 1, when the developer supply container 1 is once dismounted and then remounted, the locking member 7 is in a non-locking position, and therefore, the setting rotation of the developer supply container 1 cannot be effected automatically.With inserting operation of the developer supply container 1, an inducing portion 7c of the locking member 7 is pushed and raised by a guide portion 10j provided in a groove portion of the developer receiving apparatus 10, so that locking member 7 effects its locking operation. Therefore, upon completion of the insertion of the developer supply container 1, the gear trains 5, 6 are locked by the locking member 7, and therefore, the setting rotation of the developer supply container 1 can be properly effected. |
| US08180258B2 |
Image forming apparatus with reduction of operation noise
A replacing mouth 5 for replacing each of toner cartridges 40 is provided at such a position that when any of developer units 32 stops at a developing position 38, the toner cartridge 40 adjacent to the pertinent developer unit 32 and supplementing the toner to another developer unit 32 different from the pertinent developer unit 32 can be replaced. Further, an information reading device 46 for reading the information from the storage medium 42 included in each of the toner cartridges 40 reads the information from the storage medium when any of the developer units 32 is located at the developing position 38. |
| US08180250B2 |
Driving device for toner cartridge for use in printing apparatus
A driving device for a toner cartridge includes a cartridge body and a driving portion disposed on the cartridge body. A transmission mechanism is disposed in the cartridge body. The driving portion includes a driving motor and a controller. The controller receives signal transmitted from a controller unit of a printing apparatus to precisely control the operation of the driving motor. The driving motor is connected with the transmission mechanism. Through the driving action of the driving portion, the transmission load of the printing apparatus can be reduced, and the stability of the printing system can be improved. Moreover, because the driving portion is built in the cartridge body, the gear transmission mechanisms of both of the printing apparatus and the toner cartridge can be simplified, and malfunction can be solved. |
| US08180249B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an enclosure including a first opening provided at a front side thereof, a second opening provided at a left side thereof, and a third opening provided at a right side thereof. The enclosure further includes an image bearing member to bear a latent image on the surface thereof; an image forming unit including the image bearing member and detachably mountable from the first opening; an exposure unit to expose the image bearing member to form the latent image on the surface of the image bearing member and detachably mountable from either the second or the third opening that is opposite the opening from which an intermediate transfer unit is detachably mountable; the intermediate transfer unit to transfer the toner image and detachably mountable from either the second or the third opening that is opposite the opening from which the exposure unit is detachably mountable. |
| US08180248B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a first unit including at least a development unit that develops an electrostatic latent image and a first developer container containing a developer; an image carrier that holds an electrostatic latent image to be developed by the development unit; a transfer unit that transfers a developer image developed by the development unit onto a recording medium; a fixing device that fixes a developer image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer unit onto a recording medium; and an image forming apparatus main body in which the first unit is installed, the image forming apparatus main body being configured such that a second unit including at least plural second developer containers respectively containing developers of different colors and development units for respective colors is installable instead of the first unit and, when the second unit is installed, a loop transport path is provided to allow the recording medium having the developer image fixed thereon by the fixing device to be transported around the second unit and toward the transfer unit. |
| US08180246B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes multiple image forming units disposed adjacent to and horizontally aligned with each other to form respective single non-black color images, a first transfer member to sequentially transfer and overlay the respective single non-black color images thereon for forming a composite color image, a black image forming unit disposed separately from the multiple image forming units including a black image carrier and a black image developing unit, a second transfer member to transfer the black image from the black image forming unit onto a recording medium, a first cleaning unit to clean the surface of the black image carrier, and a second cleaning unit to clean the surface of the second transfer member. The black toner removed from the surface of the black image carrier is collected to the black image developing unit. |
| US08180245B2 |
Xerographic machine toner contamination control system
This is a toner control system for use in a cleaning station of a xerographic marking apparatus. A sensor is located in the air conduits of the system to measure airflow throughout the system. The sensor is in contact with a controller that is configured to adjust the blower speed to normal conditions (i.e. sea level and clean filter conditions) as the flow rate is reduced due to normal apparatus use. The system has an air blower(s), a filter(s), air conduits, a sensor(s) and a controller(s) in communication with the sensor(s). |
| US08180244B2 |
Image forming apparatus and operation accepting method
A disclosed image forming apparatus accepts a selecting operation of selecting a button displayed on a touch panel and performs a process corresponding to the selected button. The image forming apparatus includes a moving region display unit displaying a region mark to be selected on the touch panel and moving the region mark as time passes and a button specifying unit specifying one or more buttons based on positional information indicating a position of the region mark and positional information indicating a pressed position of the touch panel. |
| US08180242B2 |
Print engine synchronization system and apparatus
A print engine synchronization system apparatus enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset. |
| US08180239B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image carrier; a transfer member, which is provided in a face-to-face relation to the image carrier and to which a transfer bias is applied; a first sensor that measures a resistance value of a section between the image carrier and the transfer member; and transfer bias controlling means. The transfer bias controlling means controls the transfer bias, which is applied to the transfer member based on a first resistance value measured by the first sensor before a recording sheet enters a nip between the image carrier and the transfer member and also based on a second resistance value measured by the first sensor when the recording sheet has entered the nip between the image carrier and the transfer member. |
| US08180237B2 |
Image forming apparatus, developing method, and image forming method
An image forming apparatus and method charges and exposes a latent image carrier to form a latent image. Bias is applied to liquid developer on a developer carrier, and liquid developer collected by a developer carrier cleaning member is stored in a collected developer storing portion. The state of the collected liquid developer is determined based on a state of bias application or detected image data, and a stirring amount of a conveying member that stirs the collected liquid developer is controlled based on the determined state to improve a property of the collected liquid developer conveyed to a storing unit. |
| US08180232B2 |
Apparatus for making combination prints with pleasing appearance
Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer has a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, receiver transport system, overlap positioning system, and fuser to cause a first toner image to be formed on the first side of the first receiver with toner at least in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver; to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a second thickness at a second end and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of image artifacts created by the overlapping second edge. |
| US08180230B2 |
Toner consumption calculation for printer with multiple interacting separations
Systems and methods are described that facilitate calculating toner consumption by a printing device. A multi-dimensional transform is applied to electronic image data to map or correlate toner consumed in a non-interacting color separation to toner consumed in an interacting color separation, for each of a plurality interacting color separations (e.g., C, M, Y, and/or K). Optionally, a one-dimensional linearization technique is performed on the image data before and/or after transformation. Image data resolution may be reduced to generate continuous-tone image data. A summed or average toner consumption value is output for each or all separations for user review. |
| US08180229B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling interchange between component parts in the apparatus
An apparatus which is capable of substantially prolonging the service live of each component part and preventing the degradation of apparatus specifications before and after parts interchange work by the user. A controller of the image forming apparatus detects a component part requiring interchange from among the component parts based on wear ratios of the respective component parts. The controller determines whether or not to interchange the component part requiring interchange with another component part, based on the wear ratios of the respective component parts and usage rate of the respective component positions. When it is determined that the component part requiring interchange should be interchanged with another component part, the image forming apparatus issues a parts interchange notification. |
| US08180227B2 |
Digital coherent detection of multi-carrier optical signal
Embodiments for optical communication are provided in which subbands of a multi-carrier optical signal are digital coherent detected and then processed to recover data carried by the modulated carriers corresponding to at least one of the subbands. An exemplary optical communication system includes a multi-carrier coherent optical receiver for receiving a multi-carrier optical signal having M modulated carriers that are frequency locked, wherein M is greater than 2. The multi-carrier coherent optical receiver includes a subband digital coherent detector configured to provide output signals in a digital form for N different subbands of the multi-carrier optical signal, where N is an integer greater than 1 and less than M; and a digital signal processor configured to process the digital form of the detected output signals in order to recover the data carried by the modulated carriers corresponding to at least one of the subbands of the multicarrier optical signal. |
| US08180221B2 |
Wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network for reducing degradation in noise characteristic of wavelength-locked fabry-perot laser diodes
The present invention relates to a wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) for reducing degradation in noise characteristic of a wavelength-locked Fabry-Perot Laser Diode (F-P LD). A WDM-PON for reducing degradation in a noise characteristic of a wavelength-locked F-P LD in accordance with the present invention comprises a central office (CO); a remote node (RN) being connected to the CO by a single mode fiber; and one or more optical network terminations (ONTs) being connected to the RN by one or more single mode fibers, respectively, wherein the CO comprises: a broadband light source (BLS) for generating light to be injected; a first wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) filter for filtering for the injected light generated from the BLS and having a bandwidth wider than a bandwidth of the injected light in order to minimize a filtering effect; and one or more optical transceiver having one or more F-P LDs into which light being filtered by the first WDM filter is injected; and wherein the RN filters the injected light generated from the BLS and injects the filtered light into the one or more ONTs; and wherein the RN comprises a second WDM filter having a bandwidth wider than a bandwidth of the injected light in order to minimize a filtering effect. |
| US08180219B2 |
Providing signal reachability information to a network
In particular embodiments, providing signal reachability information to a network includes establishing signal reachability information at a network node of the network. The signal reachability information describes attributes that affect reachability of an optical signal. The signal reachability information is inserted into an advertisement, and the advertisement is sent to network nodes of the network. |
| US08180213B2 |
Methods and systems for optical focusing using negative index metamaterial
In an embodiment of methods and systems for optical focusing for laser guided seekers using negative index metamaterial, the methods and systems comprise a light focusing system comprising: a lens comprising a negative index metamaterial to focus at least one selected wavelength while defocusing other wavelengths, and a sensor upon which the lens focuses the selected wavelength. |
| US08180210B2 |
Wireless camera flash synchronizer system and method
A single oscillator synchronizer system and method that automatically switches from a wireless receive mode of the oscillator to a wireless transmit mode of the oscillator upon the detection of a synchronization (synch) signal of a camera body. In one example, a method of wirelessly communicating a camera synchronization from a camera body to a remote device with a wireless camera flash synchronizer connected to a synchronization connector of the camera body, the wireless camera flash synchronizer including a transceiver having an oscillator element with a wireless receive mode and a wireless transmit mode, the oscillator element configured to be in only one of the wireless receive mode and wireless transmit mode at a time is provided. In another example, a wireless camera flash synchronizer that automatically switches from a wireless receive mode to a wireless transmit mode upon detection of a synch signal of a camera body is provided. |
| US08180205B2 |
Electrothermal oil radiator
An electrothermal oil radiator includes a radiating body (1), an electric-control box (2) mounted on the radiating body (1) and a heating body (3) located inside the radiating body (1). The radiating body (1) includes a plurality of radiating fins (11) linked in turn. Each radiating fin (11) is hollow and sheet-like and has at least two oil leading grooves (12) inside thereof. Hollow connecting sleeves (13) extending horizontally are formed or mounted on upper and lower ends of each radiating fin (11). An oil leading hole in communication with the oil leading grooves (12) is formed in each connecting sleeve (13). The sleeves (13) on each radiating fin (11) are connected together to form a sealed oil cavity in which heat conducting oil is filled. A reinforcing radiating fin (4) is mounted between two adjacent radiating fins (11). |
| US08180200B2 |
Prevention of trick modes during digital video recorder (DVR) and network digital video recorder (NDVR) content
Trick modes are substantially prevented during DVR and NDVR content by obtaining an audiovisual asset that is digitally compressed in accordance with a compression technique employing at least a plurality of substantially complete frames and a plurality of substantially intermediate frames, substantially removing the plurality of substantially complete frames from a portion of the asset for which trick play is to be substantially prevented, and streaming the asset, with the plurality of substantially complete frames substantially removed from the portion thereof, to a user thereof. |
| US08180192B2 |
Fiber optic splitter module
A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are integrally formed as part of a removable adapter assembly. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis. |
| US08180191B2 |
Mounting platforms for integrally supporting an optical splice tray(s) and/or an optical splitter(s) in a multi-port optical connection terminal and related methods
Multi-port optical connection terminals and mounting platforms and related methods designed to secure optical components inside an enclosure of the multi-port optical connection terminals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-port optical connection terminal includes an enclosure comprising a base and a cover configured to attach to the base to define an interior cavity. A mounting platform defining a mounting surface for mounting at least one optical component comprised from the group consisting of at least one splice tray and at least one optical splitter to the at least one mounting surface is provided. A plurality of mounting tabs of the mounting platform are configured to extend into channels disposed in an interior wall of the base. In this manner, the mounting platform and any optical components secured thereto are secured inside the interior cavity, which may prevent damage to optical fibers and/or splices of the optical components. |
| US08180188B2 |
Multimode planar waveguide spectral filter
A spectral filter comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. The waveguide confines in one transverse dimension an optical signal propagating in two other dimensions therein. The waveguide supports multiple transverse modes. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a diffracted portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide and diffracted by the diffractive elements. The diffracted portion of the optical signal reaches the output port as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode optical source may launch the optical signal into the planar waveguide, through the corresponding input optical port, as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode output waveguide may receive, through the output port, the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Multiple diffractive element sets may route corresponding diffracted portions of optical signal between one or more corresponding input and output ports. |
| US08180185B2 |
Fiber optic sensor for detecting multiple parameters in a harsh environment
A fiber optic sensor is provided. The fiber optic sensor includes a fiber core having a plurality of grating elements wherein, the grating elements comprise a periodic or a quasiperiodic modulated microcrystalline and silicon dioxide tetrahedral structure and a cladding disposed about the fiber core. |
| US08180183B1 |
Parallel modulator photonic link
An RF photonic link having at least one light source, at least one photodetector, multiple optoelectronic modulators, and an RF waveguide common to each one of said multiple optoelectronic modulators. The multiple optoelectronic modulators are optically arranged in parallel to receive light from said at least one light source and are disposed in said RF waveguide. The RF waveguide, in use, guides an RF electromagnetic field applied to each of the multiple optoelectronic modulators disposed therein, the RF electromagnetic field propagating through the RF waveguide in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which an optical field propagates through each of said optoelectronic modulators. |
| US08180172B2 |
Image processing method
An image processing method corrects an original image. The method performs a retinex processing on a luminance signal of each pixel in an original image. The method determines, for each pixel, a retinex-processed pixel value based on the luminance signal that has been subjected to the retinex processing and at least one signal other than the luminance signal. The method generates a histogram by counting a rate of occurrence of the retinex-processed pixel values for each level over a predetermined first range of pixel values to which the retinex-processed pixel value is possibly assigned. The method reassigns each pixel value based on the histogram. |
| US08180166B2 |
Transcoding method
A method for transcoding a first codeword to a second codeword, wherein both comprise escape codes and escape levels is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a bitstream to determine the first codeword therefrom, determining whether the first codeword belongs to a long escape mode or a short escape mode, and truncating the escape level of the first codeword to generate the second codeword when the first codeword belongs to the long escape mode. An embodiment of the first codeword is a Sorenson H.263 codeword and the second codeword is an H.263 codeword. |
| US08180165B2 |
Accelerated screen codec
An accelerated screen codec technique is described that provides a general screen compression framework, which, in one embodiment, is Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) friendly. In one embodiment, in order to compress screen data, blocks in a compound screen image containing both images and text are segmented into text blocks and pictorial blocks using a simple gradient-based procedure. The text and pictorial blocks are then compressed respectively via different compression techniques. Additionally, a GPU acceleration architecture of one embodiment of the accelerated screen codec technique provides a screen codec that maximally exploits a GPU's high parallelism and reduces the download bandwidth from GPU to Computer Processing Unit (CPU). |
| US08180164B2 |
OCR-guided text tokenization of digital images
An image processing method in which OCR is used to guide the text tokenization. More particularly, OCR is first performed on each symbol in the scanned image. For example, a symbol may be a number, letter, or other character. During the tokenization process, the OCR results are used to select appropriate matching criteria for each symbol. The symbols that are recognized as different characters are not allowed to be clustered into the same group. The symbols with the same OCR results are clustered according to the recognition confidence levels. |
| US08180161B2 |
Image classification device and image classification program
An image classification device includes a characteristic value set calculation unit 11 that calculates a characteristic value set of the whole image for each of multiple sets of image data in an image database 51, detects an edge of the set of the image data, and calculates a characteristic value set of the detected edge portions; a first clustering unit 12 that classifies the multiple sets of image data into multiple clusters on the basis of the characteristic value sets of the whole images; a second clustering unit 13 that further classifies the multiple clusters classified by the first clustering unit 12 into multiple clusters on the basis of the characteristic value sets of the edge portions; and a cluster integration unit 14 that determines which pixels constitutes a subject in each of the multiple sets of image data, based on the composition of the image, and integrates some of the multiple clusters classified by the second clustering unit 13 together based on the pixels constituting the subject. |
| US08180160B2 |
Method for character recognition
The present invention generally describes a method for classifying a line segment of a handwritten line into a reference feature set, wherein said handwritten line comprises one or several curves representing a plurality of symbols. First, sample data representing said handwritten line is received. Next, a sample line segment in said received sample data is identified by detecting a sample line segment start point (SLSSP) and a sample line segment end point (SLSEP). Then, a sample feature set of said identified sample line segment is determined. Finally, the determined sample feature set is matched to a reference feature set among a plurality of reference feature sets. |
| US08180158B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method for detecting a specific shape from an image
An image processing device capable of high-speed detection of a specific shape in an image. In the image processing device, a candidate position calculation section (106) obtains a first candidate position of the center point of a first circle in contact at three points with three sides contained in the shape of an object to be detected. An angle calculation section (106) obtains an angle formed by a normal line drawn from each of the three sides to the first candidate position and a standard line oriented in a specific direction and passing a point at which the normal line and each of the three sides cross. A relative relationship calculation section (106) obtains a relationship of the angle relative to the first candidate position. A recognition section (108) recognizes the shape contained in the given image based on the relative relationship of the angle and a relative relationship of a shape stored in advance. |
| US08180156B2 |
Method and device for machine-cutting a plate-shaped workpiece
In a known method for machine-cutting a plate-shaped workpiece, position and/or geometry and/or dimensions of the workpiece are detected without contact by means of a camera and the corresponding data are subjected to an evaluation by means of image processing. Starting from this, to permit a precise and reproducible detection of the position and/or geometry and/or dimensions of the workpiece to be treated without spending a lot of time, it is suggested according to the invention that the recording of the data should comprise a method step for the coarse localization of a workpiece edge, in which the camera is operated in a first operative mode with lower optical resolution, and a second method step for determining the exact positional data of the found workpiece edge, in which the camera is operated in a second operative mode with higher optical resolution. |
| US08180155B2 |
Decoding method for a two dimensional dot code
A decoding method for a two dimensional dot code includes the steps of defining coordinates of boundary dots in the two dimensional dot code, performing extrapolation and interpolation according to the coordinates of the boundary dots to create coordinates of a plurality of virtual code dots, and comparing a code dot in the two dimensional dot code with the virtual code dots to extract information intended to be reproduced from the two dimensional dot code. |
| US08180154B2 |
Method and apparatus for region-based segmentation image processing using region mapping
Object detection in an image using an image processing approach in which the image is updated based on an energy function. In one aspect, the exemplary image update process attempts to homogenize each region by associating each pixel with a particular region such that the total level of energy for the image based on the pixel located in that region is minimized with respect to the energy function. For example, the method of object detection in an image having a plurality of pixels by image segmentation includes dividing the image into a plurality of regions; assigning each pixel to one of the plurality of regions based on a characteristic; performing an energy reduction on the image based on a region reassignment of at least one pixel; and producing an output image based on the energy reduction. |
| US08180153B2 |
3+1 layer mixed raster content (MRC) images having a black text layer
A method, system and data structure for providing a 3+1 layer MRC image, including a black text layer. The black text layer includes pixel data corresponding to black text in an image and may be assigned a predetermined value for the color of black. According to one or more embodiments, using thresholding processing along with various morphological operations, the black text layer may be generated. |
| US08180150B2 |
Method and apparatus providing automatic color balancing for digital imaging systems
Pixels from an image are sampled for gray world statistics. To avoid the effect of saturated regions, the pixels are pruned. If a predetermined percentage of the pixels are included in the gray world statistics, color channel gain is calculated and applied to the image. As a result, color balance is achieved in a simple and efficient manner. |
| US08180149B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
This invention reduces the image data capacity by using PQR (spectral auxiliary coefficients) in addition to CIELAB (fundamental stimulus values). To accomplish this, there is provided an image processing apparatus which inputs image data representing an image, and performs an image process. The image data has a fundamental stimulus value and spectral auxiliary coefficient. The data amount of the fundamental stimulus value is constant regardless of the image area, and that of the spectral auxiliary coefficient changes in accordance with the image area. |
| US08180144B2 |
Hole punch die identification in a document reproduction system
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining which hole punch die is installed on a multifunction document reproduction device. A document scanner of a document reproduction system is used to scan a sample page that has been hole-punched by the presently installed punch die. The pattern of die holes on the punched test page is examined and compared to known punch die patterns. The method compares the current punch unit with bindings loaded in a hopper for the print/copy job. Information about the currently installed hole punch die is displayed on a graphical user interface so the user can confirm the print/copy job prior to the time of submission. The user can then accept the current hole punch configuration or change the unit to another before releasing their print/copy job. The method ensures that the selected punch pattern is compatible with other print/copy job finishing selections. |
| US08180143B2 |
Method and system for estimating contact patterns
A gear inspection system and method for a gearbox, wherein an image acquisition unit is oriented proximate the gearbox with a field of view of a section of the gears. The image acquisition unit obtains images of a gear tooth and corresponding contact pattern. In one embodiment a processing unit transforms the images to a gear tooth model so that the gear tooth image and contact pattern image matches the model gear tooth. Metrics are computed for the contact pattern, and based on threshold values, a determination is made as to whether the gearbox is acceptable. |
| US08180142B2 |
Test fail analysis on VLSI chips
Compact graphical representations of common test fail signatures and process related test fails are provided through methods of selecting, calculating and/or presenting information. The input may be a list of failing tests on a sample of devices under test from chip and/or wafer process fails. The failing tests are identified and then other tests that fail at the same time may be identified. Several graphical outputs are provided, including all possible combinations between test fails and between test fails and process fails. The dependencies are printed as sorted two dimensional bitmaps that are compact representations of the results using color codes. Subtraction of two independent bitmaps is provided, which eliminates common properties and emphasizes differences between multiple bitmaps which allows for quick identification of differences of process fails potentially different between the two different bitmaps indicating potential root causes for the selected one of the test fails. |
| US08180141B2 |
Wafer repair system
A system for wafer repair, comprising an inspection tool being capable of extracting a wafer image of a semiconductor wafer; a direct-writing tool being capable of locally exposing the semiconductor wafer; and an information processing module configured to compare the wafer image with a reference image and generate data of locations and patterns of defective regions and communicate the data of locations and patterns of defective regions to the direct-writing tool, wherein the reference image comprises a pattern consisting of a scanned image of another die having no defective region. |
| US08180140B2 |
Template creation method and image processor therefor
To create a template for use in image recognition based on design data, luminance information is set for each area in the template based on the information regarding the region defined by the template. The luminance information may be set based on material information, pattern size information of a pattern arranged in the region defined by the template, and layer information of the region defined by the template. Alternatively, luminance information may be set based on material information, setup conditions of the scanning electron microscope, and pattern outline information of a pattern arranged in the region defined by the template. |
| US08180138B2 |
Method and system for inspection of containers
A method and system for reconstructing and segmenting an image of the contents of a container. The method includes receiving actual scan data from a scan of the container, reconstructing the actual scan data to obtain a reconstructed image, and segmenting the reconstructed image to obtain a segmented image. The method also includes deriving simulated scan data corresponding to the segmented image, calculating an error term based on a difference between the simulated scan data and the actual scan data, and determining whether a criterion is satisfied. The method further includes using the error term to produce a modified reconstructed image and repeating the preceding steps with the modified reconstructed image substituted for the reconstructed image if the criterion is not satisfied, and outputting information from the segmented image if the criterion is satisfied. |
| US08180137B2 |
Comparison of optical and magnetic character data for identification of character defect type
A system for determining a plurality of PCS values for a document image representing a document having at least one area of interest on a surface of the physical item for containing critical data and a background image positioned on the surface, the document suitable for positioning in a digital image recorder, the system determines from the memory a plurality of PCS threshold values having specified surface locations matching the assigned locations of the calculated PCS values and compares the PCS threshold values with the calculated PCS values to determine whether the target portions satisfy their respective PCS threshold values; wherein the degree of target portions that satisfy their PCS threshold value is indicative of the acceptability of the design of the background image when processed by the digital image recorder. |
| US08180136B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus, and radiation image photographing/processing method and apparatus
Acquiring radiation image data representing a radiation image of a subject photographed using a radiation exposure field aperture, acquiring information of a radiation exposure field area determined by the exposure field aperture and relating it to the radiation image data based on the information, sequentially detecting pixel data of pixels from adjacent to the boundary line of the exposure field area toward the inner side thereof in the radiation image data, sequentially determining if the values of the detected pixel data are not greater than a predetermined threshold value, terminating the detection at a point where the value of the detected pixel data is greater than the predetermined threshold value, and performing a blackening process on pixel data of a pixel outside of the exposure field area and pixel data of a pixel whose value is determined to be not greater than the predetermined threshold value. |
| US08180131B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for mixed-density optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for acquiring an image set using optical coherence tomography (OCT). A first portion of a defined volume is scanned at a low-density sampling rate to obtain a plurality of low-density frames. A second portion of the defined volume is scanned at a high-density sampling rate, higher than the low-density sampling rate, to obtain at least one high-density frame. The low-density frames and the at least one high-density frame are combined to provide a complete mixed-density image set. |
| US08180119B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
A biometrics authentication system capable of easily performing biometrics authentication is provided. A biometrics authentication system includes: a microlens array section including a plurality of microlenses; an image pickup device for receiving light condensed by each microlens in the microlens array section from each different part of a living organism to obtain image pickup data of each part; an image processing section for producing a single image pickup data of the living organism on the basis of the image pickup data of each part captured by the image pickup device; and an authentication section for performing at least vein authentication using a vein of the living organism on the basis of the single image pickup data captured by the image processing section. |
| US08180114B2 |
Gesture recognition interface system with vertical display
One embodiment of the invention includes a gesture recognition interface system. The system may comprise a substantially vertical surface configured to define a gesture recognition environment based on physical space in a foreground of the substantially vertical surface. The system may also comprise at least one light source positioned to provide illumination of the gesture recognition environment. The system also comprises at least two cameras configured to generate a plurality of image sets based on the illumination being reflected from an input object in the gesture recognition environment. The system further comprises a controller configured to determine a given input gesture based on changes in relative locations of the input object in each of the plurality of image sets. The controller may further be configured to initiate a device input associated with the given input gesture. |
| US08180112B2 |
Enabling persistent recognition of individuals in images
A method and system for accumulating and using images of individuals, and associated image-derived data, on an continuous basis to create recognition models that facilitate ongoing recognition of individuals in images or photo collections. |
| US08180106B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and image capturing method
In an image capturing apparatus, a video input unit (2) captures the image of an object and sequentially acquires image data associated with the image capturing, a model data memory (6) stores model data associated with the first feature quantity calculated from a feature point of the object in a model image, a principal object detection unit (3) calculates the second feature quantity from a feature point of the object in the acquired image data, a state change estimation unit (4) estimates, on the basis of the second feature quantity and the model data, the timing when the object satisfies a predetermined condition, and an image input processing control unit (7) stores the image data corresponding to the estimated timing in an image recording unit (5). This configuration makes the image capturing apparatus acquire an image in a more proper state without large-capacity memory. |
| US08180104B2 |
Tracking method and tracking apparatus
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tracking method includes detecting a mobile unit within a space, tracking the detected mobile unit, making a position determination of the mobile unit to be tracked to obtain positional data, and making a movement prediction of the mobile unit, based on a high frequency component of positional data. |
| US08180101B2 |
Calibration method for structure parameters of structured-light vision sensor
This disclosure provides a calibration method for structure parameters of a structured-light vision sensor, which includes setting up the coordinate frames of a camera, image plane and target for calibration. The calculation of coordinates in the camera coordinate frame of stripes, projected by structured-light, on the planar target and a structured-light equation fitting according to the coordinates in the camera coordinate frame of the stripes on the planar target, by moving the planar target arbitrarily multiple times. The calibration method of the structured-light vision sensor provided by the disclosure is easy to operate and no auxiliary apparatus is needed, which can not only promote the efficiency of the calibration of structured-light, but also extend the application scope of calibration of structured-light. |
| US08180099B2 |
Rain detection apparatus and method
A rain detection apparatus and method, comprising a camera adapted to view a surface and a processor adapted to capture at least one image from the camera, in which the processor is further adapted to generate at least one signal indicative of the presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the at least one captured image and to, optionally drive surface cleaning apparatus in response thereto, in which the apparatus is adapted to capture images focused at a plurality of distances; in which the processor includes edge detection means adapted to detect edges visible in the at least one captured image and difference means adapted to calculate the difference between the number of edges visible between differing images; and in which the edge detection means is further adapted to disregard edges close to areas of light larger than the largest raindrop that is desired or expected to be detected. The apparatus and method optionally includes a backlight, which the difference in numbers of edges between frames with and without the backlight illuminated being used to distinguish between background features and rain on the surface. The surface may be a vehicle windscreen, windshield or the cover or lens of a vehicle lamp, in which case the cleaning apparatus may be one or more wipers or washers. |
| US08180097B2 |
Dynamic electro-acoustic transducer and earphone
There is thus provided a dynamic electro-acoustic transducer having a moving coil (100) with a coil exit location (110) and a first and a second feed line (200, 300). The first and second feed lines (200, 300) have first ends (210, 310) for coupling to the coil exit location (110), an intermediate portion (250, 350) and second ends (220, 320). The intermediate portions (250, 350) of the first and second feed lines (200, 300) are substantially parallel to a tangent at the moving coil (100). |
| US08180093B2 |
Assembly for coupling the housings of an electronic device
A headset device that includes an earbud housing, a primary housing, a threaded neck, an earbud screw, and a primary housing screw is provided. The earbud housing can include an earbud through-hole and a first neck engaging surface. The primary housing can include a housing through-hole and a second neck engaging surface. The threaded neck can include first and second neck surfaces that can mate, respectively to the first and second neck engaging surface. The earbud screw can fit through the earbud through-hole and can interlock with the threaded neck to fix the earbud housing to the threaded neck. The primary housing screw can fit through the housing through-hole and can interlock with the threaded neck to fix the primary housing to the threaded neck. The threaded neck can include a through-hole for enabling circuitry disposed in the earbud housing to electrically couple to circuitry disposed in the primary housing. |
| US08180091B2 |
Headphone
A headphone that is especially useful to test the efficacy of an earplug installed in an ear canal, by using the headphone to produce sound and by sensing sound pressure at the ear drum despite the presence of the earplug. Applicant uses the speaker (42) in the headphone to produce a smooth and reasonably “flat” frequency response by reversing the speaker orientation. In the reversed orientation, the front side of the speaker diaphragm (50) faces into the headphone cup and away from the ear. The rear side of the speaker that has a circle of holes (52), faces toward the ear. The headphone frame has a cylindrical passage (40) for carrying sound to the person's ear, which has an outer end (78) that is tapered to encompass the holes in the speaker back side (44). The axial distance (L) from the speaker rear side to the ear, is at least 0.6 inch to accommodate the protruding end of an earplug. |
| US08180089B2 |
Earphone
An earphone including a case, a case extension unit, a plate, a cover, a first speaker and a second speaker is provided. The first speaker is disposed on a supporting portion of the plate and is disposed on a first plane different from a second plane where the second speaker is located. A distance exits in the position of the first speaker and the position of the second speaker corresponding to a direction of the sound from the earphone to the user who wears the earphone. The distance variation can make the sound field have more special effects and have better frequency response in some frequency domain. The distance variation can also avoid the interference of different sound fields generated by the speakers inside the earphone, and thus improves the performance of the whole sound field. |
| US08180085B2 |
Assembly procedure for CIC with floating components
A method and appertaining assembly are provided for CIC hearing aid manufacture for the placement of floating components. A hearing aid shell fixture is formed that comprises an interior region identical in shape and size to an interior region of an actual hearing aid shell, and a replica of one or more shell components that is positioned so as to replicate a position and size of one or more real shell components in the actual hearing aid shell. The hearing aid shell fixture is placed onto a faceplate assembly that comprises a floating component, and a position of the floating component is adjusted to avoid contact with the replica of one or more shell components. The hearing aid shell fixture on the faceplate is subsequently replaced with the actual hearing aid shell. |
| US08180080B2 |
Antennas for hearing aids
An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit provides a compact design for a hearing aid to communicate wirelessly with a system external to the hearing aid. In an embodiment, an antenna includes metallic traces in a hybrid circuit that is configured for use in a hearing aid. The antenna includes contacts in the hybrid circuit to couple the metallic traces to electronic devices in the hybrid circuit. In an embodiment, the metallic traces form a planar coil design having a number of turns of the coil in a substrate in the hybrid circuit. In another embodiment, the metallic traces are included in a flex circuit on a substrate in the hybrid circuit. An antenna configured in a hybrid circuit allows for use in a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid. |
| US08180079B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting a hearing device
A method and apparatus for setting a characteristic of a source hearing device on target hearing device are provided. A transformation database is created. A source hearing device including the setting of the source hearing device are identified, the characteristic of setting is to be set on the target hearing device. The setting which, according to the transformation database on the target hearing device, results in the characteristic corresponding to the characteristic of the identified source hearing device is recalled. The target hearing device is set using the recalled setting. Settings are stored in the transformation database during their creation, which have to be set to hearing devices of different types to be set in order to grant these hearing devices the characteristic of other identified hearing with identified settings. |
| US08180076B2 |
System and method for reducing baffle vibration
Adjustments to an electro-acoustic transducer may be made to match the performance of a second electro-acoustic transducer such that a net inertial force generated by movement of the electro-acoustic transducers' diaphragms are substantially zero. Adjustments may include adjusting a moving mass of one of the elector-acoustic transducers. Adjustments may include applying an equalization to one of the electro-acoustic transducers. |
| US08180074B2 |
Display device and speaker system for the display device
At least one exciter is used to produce sound for a flat panel display. The exciter vibrates the housing for production of sound. The housing may also include a plate mounted on the front surface of the housing and the exciter may be attached to the plate, which serves as a resonance plate. |
| US08180069B2 |
Noise reduction through spatial selectivity and filtering
A signal processor uses input devices to detect speech or aural signals. Through a programmable set of weights and/or time delays (or phasing) the output of the input devices may be processed to yield a combined signal. The noise contributions of some or each of the outputs of the input devices may be estimated by a circuit element or a controller that processes the outputs of the respective input devices to yield power densities. A short-term measure or estimate of the noise contribution of the respective outputs of the input devices may be obtained by processing the power densities of some or each of the outputs of the respective input devices. Based on the short-term measure or estimate, the noise contribution of the combined signal may be estimated to enhance the combined signal when processed further. An enhancement device or post-filter may reduce noise more effectively and yield robust speech based on the estimated noise contribution of the combined signal. |
| US08180066B2 |
Method and system for transmitting audio signals
A system and method of transmitting audio signals. Frequency modulated carrier signals that each have an audio signal are mixed. The mixed signal is converted into a low voltage signal into which a feed voltage is coupled. The coupled signal is transmitted through a single line of a transmission cable to an audio signal infrared transmitter unit. |
| US08180062B2 |
Spatial sound zooming
Aspects of the invention provide methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for digital processing of acoustic signals to create a reproduction of a natural or an artificial spatial sound environment. An aspect of the invention supports spatial audio processing such as extracting a center channel in up-mixing stereo sound for multi-channel loudspeaker setup or headphone virtualization. An aspect of the invention also supports directional listening in which sound sources in a desired direction may be amplified or attenuated. Direction and diffuseness parameters for regions of input channels are determined and an extracted channel is extracted from the input channels according to the direction and diffuseness parameters. A gain estimate is estimated for each signal component being fed into the extracted channel and an extracted channel may be synthesized from a base signal and the gain estimate. The input channels may be partitioned into a plurality of time-frequency regions. |
| US08180060B2 |
Telemedical system
In the telemedical system securely sharing encryption keys for enabling secure exchange of the encrypted biological data between the measurement terminal and the server to prevent the data from being stolen by the malicious third party, a service key is transferred to the second adapter attached to a measurement terminal from the server via the first adapter attached to the management apparatus. First, the first adapter attached to the management apparatus receives the service key from the server. Next, the first adapter is temporarily detached from the management apparatus and is attached to the measurement terminal to store the symmetric key. The first adapter is detached from the measurement terminal, and is attached to the management apparatus again. The service key received in the first adapter is encrypted using the symmetric key, and the encrypted key is transmitted to the second adapter attached to the measurement terminal. |
| US08180058B2 |
Encryption of the scheduled uplink message in random access procedure
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing a random access procedure that leverages encrypted and/or unencrypted data in a scheduled uplink message. A random access preamble can be sent from an access terminal to a base station, and a random access response can be sent from the base station to the access terminal. A scheduled transmission message can be sent from the access terminal to the base station based upon a grant included in the random access response. When contention based random access is employed, the scheduled transmission message or a portion thereof can be unencrypted. Further, non-security-critical information can be sent in an unencrypted manner in the scheduled transmission message, while security-critical information can be encrypted for transmission (e.g., included in an encrypted portion of the scheduled transmission message and/or transmitted in a subsequent encrypted normal scheduled transmission message). |
| US08180055B2 |
Cryptographic system incorporating a digitally generated chaotic numerical sequence
A cryptographic system (CS) is provided. The CS (500) is comprised of a data stream receiving device (DSRD), a chaotic sequence generator (CSG) and an encryptor. The DSRD (602) is configured to receive an input data stream. The CSG (300) includes a computing means (3020, . . . , 302N−1) and a mapping means (304). The computing means is configured to use RNS arithmetic operations to respectively determine solutions for polynomial equations. The solutions are iteratively computed and expressed as RNS residue values. The mapping means is configured to determine a series of digits in the weighted number system based on the RNS residue values. The encryptor is coupled to the DSRD and CSG. The encryptor is configured to generate a modified data stream by incorporating or combining the series of digits with the input data stream. |
| US08180050B2 |
System and method for self-decaying digital media files and for validated playback of same
Information, such as audio visual information, is secured by self-decay of the information over time. For instance, a date stamp and decay rate embedded in an encrypted audio or visual digital media file can be applied to decrypt the file to a predetermined decayed state, such as a degraded playback quality. One or more keys can be included with the information to allow undecayed decryption but expire after use or a predetermined time period. In one embodiment, the decayed state can comprise gaps formed at intervals in the information, the gaps having increased length for decreased quality. In an alternative embodiment, the decayed state can be a reduced sample rate for a compressed digital media file. |
| US08180049B2 |
Signature schemes using bilinear mappings
Methods and systems are provided for generating and verifying signatures of digital messages communicated between signers and verifiers. Using bilinear mappings, such as Weil or Tate pairings, these methods and systems enable generation and verification of efficient multisignatures, identity-based ring signatures, hierarchical proxy signatures, and hierarchical online/offline signatures. |
| US08180045B2 |
Method for selection and routing of an inbound voice call to an appropriate network for completion
A method of directing a call includes receiving a call connection request, the call connection request including an identifier associated with a called party. The method also includes determining a network category associated with the called party in response to receiving the call connection request and generating an instruction operable to direct the call connection request to a selected one of at least two networks accessible for communication by the called party. The network is selected by the instruction in response to the determined network category associated with the called party. |
| US08180044B1 |
Semantic contact center management
A semantic contact center management method and system is provided in which the resources of a contact center (including agents and contacts) are represented as resources connected by properties such as skills and shared prior interactions. Contacts are allocated to agents based on the degree of connectedness and the availability of agents, and this provides visual tools to represent the state of the contact center and to enable automated and supervisor intervention. |
| US08180038B2 |
Rule-based intelligent call forwarding
A rule-based intelligent call forwarding system is provided that typically includes a central office, a service control point, and an internet call routing system. The central office typically triggers a query responsive to receiving a call request. The service control point, which is coupled to the central office, receives the query, and triggers an internet call routing query. The internet call routing system, which is coupled to the service control point, typically receives the internet call routing query, determines presence of the called party with respect to a registered communication device, parses rules associated with the called party, and terminates the call request responsive to the rules parsing and presence determination. Methods and other systems are also provided. |
| US08180036B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing missed call information
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for enabling missed call information to be accessed from a remote device via a packet network. Specifically, the method comprises receiving missed call information associated with a called party, storing the missed call information and transmitting the missed call information towards a remote device associated with the called party via a packet network. |
| US08180033B2 |
Telephone device, telephone line monitoring device and method
A telephone line monitoring device is connected to a telephone line and adjacent to a telephone device using the telephone line. The telephone line monitoring device includes a rectifying circuit for generating a corresponding direct current voltage according to an effective voltage of the telephone line; a first controller for generating a first control signal when the direct current voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage; a second controller for detecting an operating state of the telephone device and generating a second control signal when the telephone device is operated; a load booster for pulling down the effective voltage of the telephone line when enabled; and a first switch circuit for disabling the load booster whenever receiving the second control signal, and enabling the load booster when receiving the first control signal while not receiving the second control signal. A monitoring method and a telephone device are also provided. |
| US08180030B2 |
Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations. |
| US08180027B1 |
Score-driven management of recordings
Systems and methods are provided for score-driven management of such recordings. A score is assigned to a recording based at least in part on a plurality of monitored events that are detected for the call being recorded, and such score is then used for managing the recording, such as managing storage and/or post-processing of the recording. A recording manager is provided, which is operable to perform score-driven management of a recording. According to one embodiment, an initial score is determined for a recording at the initiation of the call being recorded. Such initial score may be determined based on fixed factors that are known at the time of the call's initiation. Various events related to the call are monitored during the call, and the score is then revised based on detected events. Management of storage, post-processing, and/or other handling of the recording is then based on the score assigned thereto. |
| US08180012B1 |
ISI pattern-weighted early-late phase detector with function-controlled oscillation jitter tracking
An inter-symbol interference (ISI) pattern-weighted early-late phase detector is provided. An I clock and a function-controlled oscillation cycle phase delay Q clock are generated. The I clock frequency is divided by n, creating a reference clock. A serial data stream is sequentially sampled with the I clock, and with the function-controlled varied phase delay Q clock, creating digital I-bit and varied phase delay Q-bit values, respectively. The values are segmented into n-bit digital words. I clock phase corrections are identified and a modulation factor is determined in response to comparing varied phase delay Q-bit values with I-bit values. Also identified are bit sequence patterns associated with each I-bit value. Each I-bit value is weighted in response to the identified bit sequence pattern and the identified I clock phase correction. The modulation factor is applied to the weighted average, and I and Q clock phase error signals are generated. |
| US08180011B2 |
Clock and data recovery loop with ISI pattern-weighted early-late phase detection
An inter-symbol interference (ISI) pattern-weighted early-late phase detector is provided. I and Q clocks are generated, where the Q clock has a fixed phase delay with respect to the I clock. The I clock frequency is divided by n, creating a reference clock. A serial data stream is sequentially sampled with the I and Q clocks, creating digital I-bit and Q-bit values, respectively. The I-bit values and Q-bit values are segmented into n-bit digital words. In response to analyzing the I-bit and Q-bit values, I clock phase corrections are identified. Also identified are bit sequence patterns associated with each I-bit value. Each I-bit value is weighted in response to the identified bit sequence pattern and the identified I clock phase correction. A phase error signal is generated by averaging the weighted I-bit values for each n-bit digital word, and I clock is modified in phase. |
| US08180008B2 |
Single wire transmission without clock synchronization
The present invention discloses a method for single-wire transmission without clock synchronization, comprising: providing three states; defining a spacing bit by a first state of the three states; and defining data signals, a start signal and an end signal by combinations of the second and third states of the three states. |
| US08180005B2 |
Apparatus and method for selecting optimal signal using auxiliary equalization in diversity receiver
Provided are an apparatus and method for selecting an optimal signal using auxiliary equalization in a diversity receiver. The optimal signal selecting apparatus includes: a plurality of sync recovery units for extracting sync information from baseband signals, which are candidate signals, except a baseband signal selected as a current optimal signal a plurality of auxiliary equalizers for channel-equalizing the candidate signals based on the extracted sync information; a plurality of SNR measuring units for measuring signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the candidate signals inputted to the auxiliary equalizers and the candidates signals equalized in the auxiliary equalizers; and an optimal signal selector for selecting an optimal candidate signal from the candidate signals by using the extracted sync information and the measured SNRs, and replacing the optimal signal with the optimal candidate signal when reception quality of the current optimal signal is poor. |
| US08180004B2 |
Method for estimating amount of distortion in CFO and DCO, method for compensating received signals using the same, and receiver
A received signal delivered through a transmission line can be compensated for carrier frequency offset and direct-current offset to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal, eventually resulting in an effective improvement in the error rate. The received signal has convoluted influences through the transmission line, so that observation of continual symbols of periodic pilot signals on the frequency axis shows just a phase shift by the carrier frequency offset. Therefore, the carrier frequency offset can be analytically found from the continual symbols of periodic pilot signals, thereby allowing the direct-current offset to be estimated and both the carrier frequency offset and the direct-current offset to be compensated for. |
| US08180003B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating per stream channel quality information in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication system
The generation of per stream Channel Quality Information (CQI) in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless communication system is provided. An apparatus includes a receiver for receiving signals from a transmitting end via a plurality of antennas; an estimator for estimating channels per antenna in relation with the transmitting end using the received signals and constituting a channel matrix; and a generator for deriving per stream effective noise when a lattice reduction scheme is adopted and generating per stream CQI using the per stream effective noise. Thus, feedback information for a Closed Loop (CL) MIMO system can be produced by generating the per stream CQI using the effective noise obtained through the lattice reduction. |
| US08180001B2 |
Adaptive equalization and interference cancellation with time-varying noise and/or interference
A method and apparatus is disclosed to compensate for interference and/or distortion impressed onto a transmitted communication signal in the presence of one or more time-varying noise and/or interference conditions. A communications receiver includes a noise analyzer to characterize the composition of the interference and/or the distortion impressed onto a transmitted communication signal in the presence of one or more time-varying noise and/or interference conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, the communications receiver selects at least one set of equalization coefficients and/or updates at least one parameter of a least-squares algorithm or the suitable equivalent algorithm to compensate for a particular interference and/or the distortion impressed onto the transmitted communication signal. In another exemplary embodiment, the communications receiver selects a corresponding adaptive equalizer from an adaptive equalizer bank to compensate for a particular interference and/or the distortion impressed onto the transmitted communication signal. |