| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08214918B2 |
Probes for enhanced magnetic force microscopy resolution
Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) probe tips that provide enhanced spatial resolution and methods of manufacture are provided. In one aspect, two or more magnetically-decoupled layers may be deposited on an AFM probe in order to create an active magnetic region at about the apex of the probe tip with dimensions less than about 10 nanometers. In another aspect, nanoscale patterning techniques may be employed to fabricate probe tips that possess plateau features. These plateau features may serve as substrates for the deposition of magnetic films having properties similar to magnetic recording media. Machining techniques, such as Focused Ion Beam (FIB) may be further employed to reduce the size of the magnetic materials deposited upon the substrate. Beneficially, because the plateaus of the substrate are substantially flat and of known geometry, and the magnetic properties of magnetic films deposited on flat surfaces are similar to those deposited upon the plateau, the magnetization of the MFM probe tips may be determined to high accuracy. In this manner, fine control over the magnetic properties of MFM probe tips may be achieved, providing enhanced MFM resolution. |
| US08214917B2 |
Molded microfluidic fluid cell for atomic force microscopy
A microfluidic cell includes a compressible block and a cantilever. The compressible block includes a first horizontal surface, an opposite second horizontal surface and a plurality of vertical surfaces therebetween. A gasket structure depends downwardly from the second horizontal surface. The gasket structure defines an open cavity therein. The compressible block defines a fluid inlet passage and a fluid outlet passage each in fluid communication with the cavity and opening to a selected one of the first horizontal surface and one of the plurality of vertical surfaces. The cantilever includes body portion and a beam extending laterally therefrom. The body portion is embedded in the compressible block and a portion of the beam extends into the cavity defined by the gasket structure. |
| US08214916B2 |
Large area, homogeneous array fabrication including leveling with use of bright spots
Better leveling procedures for patterning at the small scale including the nanoscale. A method comprising: providing at least one array of cantilevers comprising tips thereon, wherein the cantilevers comprise at least one relatively bright spot, or at least two relatively bright spots, near the tip upon viewing, providing a substrate, leveling the array and the substrate with respect to each other, wherein the relatively bright spot near the tip is viewed to determine a contact of the tip and substrate. |
| US08214912B2 |
Method and apparatus for temporarily using DRM contents
A method and apparatus for temporarily using Digital Rights Management (DRM) contents is provided. The method includes receiving a rights object having information required for using the contents, converting the rights object into a first temporary rights object and a second temporary rights object for a temporary use of the contents, and transmitting the first temporary rights object and the second temporary rights object to an unauthorized device. The first temporary rights object and the second temporary rights object are the rights objects that allow using the contents for a predetermined time. |
| US08214908B2 |
Electronic musical apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method
An automatic performance apparatus which can make it difficult to discriminate between music contents which require copyright protection and music contents which do not require copyright protection. An encrypted content file distributed by a contents distributing site via a network is received, and copyright protection information indicative of whether or not the received encrypted content file requires copyright protection is acquired. The received encrypted content file is decoded to generate a decoded content file. When the acquired copyright protection information indicates that copyright protection is required, a storage medium stores the encrypted content file, or a re-encrypted content file generated by re-encrypting the decoded content file by an encrypting method different from an encrypting method used to obtain the encrypted content file. On the other hand, when the acquired copyright protection information indicates that copyright protection is not required, the storage medium stores the decoded content file. |
| US08214907B1 |
Collection of confidential information dissemination statistics
Client computers track visited websites and monitor confidential information transmitted to the visited websites. Upon subsequent identification of a website as malicious or compromised, it is determined whether the unsecure website was visited, and if so, whether any confidential information was exposed to the unsecure website. Clients compile statistical reports concerning confidential information transmitted to unsecure websites, and provide these reports to a central server. The central server uses statistical reports received from a wide distribution of clients to maintain comprehensive statistical data indicating exposure of confidential information to unsecure websites. This comprehensive statistical data can be used for purposes such as damage assessment, trend tracking and profiling of suspected malicious websites. |
| US08214902B2 |
Determination by circuitry of presence of authorized and/or malicious data
An embodiment may include circuitry that may be comprised in a host. The host may include memory and a host processor to execute an operating system. The circuitry may be to determine, independently of the operating system and the host processor, the authenticity of signature list information, based at least in part upon authentication information received by the circuitry from a remote server. The circuitry also may be to determine, independently of the operating system and the host processor, based at least in part upon comparison of at least one portion of the signature list information with at least one portion of contents of the memory, whether authorized and/or malicious data are present in the at least one portion of the contents of the memory. Of course, many variations, modifications, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US08214900B1 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring a computer to detect operating system process manipulation
A method and apparatus for monitoring a computer to detect operating system process manipulation by malicious software programs is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for detecting operating system process manipulation through unexpected process behavior includes accessing process behavior indicia regarding memory addresses used by at least one user mode process to request computer resources and comparing the process behavior indicia with a user mode request to identify operating system process manipulation. |
| US08214899B2 |
Identifying unauthorized access to a network resource
An online service gathers information about a user's access to an online account and makes that information available to the account owner and/or other authorized user. When an online account is accessed, the online service logs a time stamp, a network address from which the account was accessed, a port number, a user ID, routing data, and/or other access data. The online service may use the access information to obtain address ownership name, geographic location, and/or other ownership information associated with the account access. The accessing client also stores access data. The client, account owner, and/or another decision maker evaluates all, or portions of information to detect unauthorized access to the account. The decision maker may dynamically evaluate and display the access data or later compare log files of the online service and the account owner's local log file. |
| US08214898B2 |
ICAP processing of partial content to identify security issues
A system receives a first part of a response that includes a number of parts, determines whether there is a security issue associated with the first part of the response, stores the first part of the response when there is no security issue associated with the first part of the response, and causes the first part of the response to be transmitted toward a destination when there is no security issue associated with the first part of the response. The system also receives a last part of the response, combines the last part of the response with at least the first part of the response to obtain combined parts of the response, processes the combined parts of the response to determine whether there is a security issue associated with the combined parts of the response, and causes the last part of the response to be transmitted toward the destination when there is no security issue associated with the combined parts of the response. |
| US08214895B2 |
Whitelist and blacklist identification data
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to identifying good files and malware based on whitelists and blacklists. In aspects, a node starts a scan of files on a data store. In conjunction with starting the scan, the node creates a data structure that indicates the directories on the data store. The node sends the data structure to a whitelist server and a blacklist server and an indication of a last successful time of communication. The whitelist and blacklist servers respond to the node with information about any new files that have been added to the directories since the last successful communication. The node may subsequently use the information to identify known good files and malware. |
| US08214893B2 |
Method and system for configuring local and remote resources to accomplish rendering of multimedia content on dissimilar format devices based on user biometric data
A system and method is provided for communication of information in a mobile communication device (WMCD) configured to network connection may include discovering via a wireless mobile communication device, available communication resources based on acquired biometric data for a user of the WMCD, and communicating multimedia information between the WMCD and one or more of the discovered available resources. The acquired biometric data may include physical and behavioral biometric data to be authenticated and validated by a pattern recognition database. A connection between the WMCD and one or more discovered available resources may be established through linking the acquired biometric data to resources in available local or remote network. The established connection may enable the WMCD to consume or redirect media from the available resources and may be dynamically adjusted and updated based on dynamic sensing of the acquired biometric data in the available network or available resources. |
| US08214891B2 |
Using multi-touch gestures to protect sensitive content using a completely automated public turing test to tell computers and humans apart (CAPTCHA)
The invention described herein uses a multi-touch manager for authorizing multi-touch devices by first providing a multi-touch test to a multi-touch device. In turn, the multi-touch manager receives a multi-touch response from the multi-touch device. The multi-touch manager then compares the multi-touch response with a multi-touch answer and authorizes the device based upon the comparison. |
| US08214888B2 |
Two-factor USB authentication token
The present patent application discloses a USB token that advantageously mimics a human interface device such as a keyboard in interacting with a host computer, thus removing the need for pre-installation of a dedicated device driver. This is accomplished by requiring the host computer to direct the input of the attached human interface devices of the keyboard type, including the USB token, exclusively to the program interacting with the USB token, by using cryptographic algorithms based on a shared secret, which require less data to be transferred than PKI-based algorithms, and by employing an efficient encoding scheme that minimizes the time needed to exchange information with the USB token, and minimizes the probability of generating ambiguity with input that might legitimately be generated by other attached human interface devices. By using only symmetric encryption and the low-speed USB protocol, a single low-performance processor may be used, which results in a more cost-effective solution than PKI USB tokens emulating the combination of smart cards and smart card readers or USB tokens presenting themselves to the host computer as mass storage devices. The overall security is increased by adding a second authentication factor consisting of a static password entered by the user, and by limiting the number of valid token response that can be generated or retrieved in a usage session. |
| US08214881B2 |
Security key with instructions
There is described an automation system comprising at least one programmable logic controller with integrated web server, user interface means, and security means. It is configured to allow a complex and flexible presentation of data at the user interface means while reducing the communication load at the same time. For this purpose, the instructions for presentation of the data are stored within the security means. |
| US08214880B1 |
Methods and systems for securely configuring a network device
In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a provisioning subsystem communicatively coupled to a network device by a communication network. The provisioning subsystem is configured to incorporate, in a configuration profile, a unique parameter associated with the network device. The configuration profile includes one or more parameters for provisioning the network device to access at least one service provided over the communication network. The provisioning subsystem is further configured to encrypt the configuration profile having the unique parameter and to provide the encrypted configuration profile to the network device. In certain embodiments, the network device is configured to decrypt the encrypted configuration profile and verify that the configuration profile is intended for the network device. |
| US08214874B2 |
Method for the distribution of audio-visual information and a system for the distribution of audio-visual information
A jukebox system, including a server that stores a master library of audiovisual selections; a plurality of jukeboxes, each of which is operable to store audiovisual selections received from the server and to play the audiovisual selections at the request of a user; a communication system through which the server and the jukeboxes communicate; wherein the server is operable to define authorized uses for the audiovisual selections received from the server; and further wherein the authorized uses correspond to various rights that third parties have in the audiovisual selections, the rights requiring by law or regulation payment of respective royalties; and further wherein the server maintains information on the authorized uses made by each of the jukeboxes and determines the amount of royalties due. |
| US08214871B2 |
Signal compression for fiber node
A method, device and network for compressing cable modem data signals and conserving bandwidth within the network. Cable modems transmit upstream data signals to a fiber node which compresses the data signals and transmits the compressed signals upstream to a headend which decompresses the data signals. The fiber node compression may be by a shaping filter or a fast Fourier transform (FFT) function. The headend decompression may be by an inverse shaping filter or an inverse FFT function. |
| US08214870B2 |
Method and arrangement for improved channel switching
In a method of providing a channel/client status register to enable improved channel switching in an Internet Protocol network with a plurality of client nodes each capable of receiving video sessions over a plurality of channels from at least one video provider system, initially arranging S1 said plurality client 5 nodes into an associated group. A first client node, upon switching to or joining a new channel, transmitting S2 a channel update message to said associated group, said channel update message comprising an identity of said first client node, an identity of said new channel and a topological indication for said channel. Subsequent providing and updating S3 a respective channel/client 10 status register in each of said plurality of client nodes based on said transmitted channel update message, thereby enabling identification of what channels the client nodes in said associated group are associated with or viewing. |
| US08214869B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a status change of a multimedia asset in multimedia delivery systems
Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset. |
| US08214861B2 |
System and method for providing video on demand preview channel through channel zapping in real-time broadcast service
Disclosed is a system and a method of providing a VOD (Video On Demand; below referred to as ‘VOD’) preview channel through channel zapping in a real-time broadcast service. To do this, the present invention includes a VOD preview channel for a VOD service between real-time broadcast channels, and allows a user to view a VOD screen as well as a real-time channel through channel zapping. As a VOD screen, a playing screen for playing a pre-downloaded VOD preview content for the corresponding VOD preview channel is displayed, and the corresponding VOD can be watched through such functions as an initial viewing and a continuous viewing if a viewing on the screen is wanted. |
| US08214860B2 |
Image retrieval assisting method, image retrieval assisting apparatus, and broadcast receiving set
The present invention enables a user to retrieve his or her desired one of a number of image programs easily and to view it quickly.An image retrieval assisting apparatus (100) for assisting retrieval of broadcast contents in a broadcast-contents-recording/reproducing apparatus or a broadcast receiving set comprises a classification criterion information storage portion (21) for storing classification criterion for classifying broadcast contents into a plurality of categories, program information acquisition means (23) for acquiring program information of said broadcast contents, program information classification means (27) for classifying said program information into said categories according to said classification criterion, an HDD (29) for storing said classified program information, and display means (31) for displaying said categories defined by said classification criterion horizontally on a monitor screen in a selectable manner and displaying only the program information fallen in a selected category vertically on said monitor screen in a selectable manner. |
| US08214859B2 |
Automatic switching between high definition and standard definition IP television signals
A user interface receives a user selection of a video content item. The video content item is available in a high definition (HD) format and a non-HD format via a broadband network access line. A format selector automatically selects which format of the video content item from the HD format and the non-HD format to retrieve via the broadband network access line. The format is automatically selected based on at least one rule. A receiver receives the video content item via the broadband network access line in the format automatically selected by the format selector. A television display displays the video content item received by the receiver and in the format automatically selected by the format selector. |
| US08214857B2 |
Generating a combined video stream from multiple input video streams
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for generating a combined video stream from multiple input video streams. A first video stream including a first product commercial generated to be played at a first playback speed and a second video stream including a second product commercial generated to be played at a second playback speed are processed. The second playback speed is faster than the first playback speed. A combined video stream is generated including a first panel in each frame to display the first video stream and a second panel in each frame to display the second video stream. When the combined video stream is played at the first playback speed the second video stream is rendered to appear at a slower speed than the second playback speed for which it was generated. When the combined video stream is played at the second playback speed the first video speed is rendered to appear at a faster speed than the first playback speed for which it was generated. |
| US08214855B2 |
Delivery of streams to repair errored media streams in periods of unrecoverable errors
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a program stream from a program source on a first channel. The method also includes detecting an unrecoverable error in the program stream, and receiving a standalone decodable repair stream from an error repair source on a second channel. The repair stream refers to a portion of the program stream, where the portion corresponds to the unrecoverable error. The method also includes combining the repair stream and the program stream to produce a presentable stream for user viewing. |
| US08214853B2 |
Systems and methods for providing content to a subscriber through a foreign service provider and for facilitating the subscriber incurring a fee for viewing the content
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for providing content to a subscriber of a first video service provider through a second video service provider and for facilitating the subscriber incurring a fee for viewing the content. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods authenticate a subscriber of a first video service provider and allow the subscriber to view content through a second video service provider and incur the fee for viewing such content. Various embodiments may make use of a content brokerage provider to facilitate the brokerage of content between video servicer providers. Further, in various embodiments, the first video service provider (and/or content brokerage provider) bills the subscriber for the fee incurred for viewing the content through the second video service provider and, in particular embodiments, a portion of the fee is paid to the second video service provider. |
| US08214850B2 |
Text editor virtual backing store
At an interface between a text engine and a first client application, text and first client application properties associated with the text may be received from the first client application. Then the interface may map the first client application properties associated with the text to text engine properties associated with the text. Next, the interface may provide the text and the text engine properties associated with the text to the text engine. The text engine may process the text. Next, the text engine may provide the processed text and the text engine properties associated with the processed text to the interface. The interface may then map the text engine properties associated with the processed text to the first client application properties associated with the processed text. The interface may then provide the processed text and the first client application properties associated with the processed text to the first client application. |
| US08214849B2 |
System for loading device-specific code and method thereof
A system and methods are provided for loading device-specific functions into a device driver. Upon boot-up an operating system initiates a device driver to be loaded into kernel mode memory. Functions that are device independent are loaded into memory and form a first portion of the device driver. An identifier associated with a particular device being used is received. The device identifier is compared to a table of supported devices to identify a device-specific image from a plurality of executable image files. The identified device-specific image is then loaded to form a second portion of the device driver in kernel mode memory. |
| US08214845B2 |
Context switching in a network on chip by thread saving and restoring pointers to memory arrays containing valid message data
A network on chip (‘NOC’) that includes IP blocks, routers, memory communications controllers, and network interface controllers, each IP block adapted to the network by an application messaging interconnect including an inbox and an outbox, one or more of the IP blocks including computer processors supporting a plurality of threads, the NOC also including an inbox and outbox controller configured to set pointers to the inbox and outbox, respectively, that identify valid message data for a current thread; and software running in the current thread that, upon a context switch to a new thread, is configured to: save the pointer values for the current thread, and reset the pointer values to identify valid message data for the new thread, where the inbox and outbox controller are further configured to retain the valid message data for the current thread in the boxes until context switches again to the current thread. |
| US08214842B2 |
Visualization-centric performance-based volume allocation
A method, system, and computer program product for visualization-centric performance-based volume allocation in a data storage system using a processor in communication with a memory device is provided. A unified resource graph representative of a global hierarchy of storage components in the data storage system, including each of a plurality of storage controllers, is generated. The unified resource graph includes a common root node and a plurality of subtree nodes corresponding to each of a plurality of nodes internal to the plurality of storage controllers. The common root node and the plurality of subtree nodes are ordered in a top-down orientation. Scalable volume provisioning of an existing or new workload amount by graphical manipulation of at least one of the storage components represented by the unified resource graph is performed based on an input. |
| US08214841B2 |
Calculating and communicating level of carbon offsetting required to compensate for performing a computing task
Methods, systems, services and program products are provided for implementing carbon offset computing. During performance of a specified computing task data concerning resource consumption regarding that specified computing task is gathered and stored. Upon completion of the specified computing task, the amount of carbon offset required to compensate for resource consumption associated with performance of the completed specified computing task is calculated based upon stored or known resource consumption data. The calculated amount of carbon offset information may be transmitted to a carbon offset function provider, and a carbon offset function provider implements the specified amount of carbon offset based upon the calculated amounts communicated for the completed specified computing task. |
| US08214838B2 |
System and method for attributing to a corresponding virtual machine CPU utilization of a network driver domain based on weighted communication
A method comprises observing communication through a virtualized interface between at least one virtual machine (VM) and a driver domain. Based on the observed communication through the virtualized interface, a weighted amount of communication between the VM and the driver domain is determined for each of the VM(s), wherein the weighted amount is based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the observed communication, such as directional flow and/or size of packets in the communication. Another method comprises evaluating CPU utilization of a target network driver domain in processing communications having different characteristics, and deriving corresponding weighting for the different communication characteristics. The derived weighting for the different communication characteristics are employed within a communication monitor that observes communication between virtual machines and the target network driver domain. |
| US08214834B2 |
Asynchronous wakeup mechanism that places reference to process on sleep queue if execution of copyout functionality is caused to sleep
A system for asynchronous process sleep or wake management and corresponding methods thereof are described. The system comprises a sleep queue hash table, a process, and a first sleep object and a second sleep object. The first and second sleep objects each comprise a sleep queue and each of the first and second sleep objects are associated with the process. The system further comprises one or more kernel-space processes arranged to perform at least one of associating the first sleep object with the sleep queue hash table and designating the second sleep object to be used for sleeping the process. |
| US08214832B2 |
Techniques for implementing separation of duties using prime numbers
A technique for implementing separation of duties for transactions includes determining a current task assignment number of an entity. The technique also includes determining whether the entity can perform a new task based upon the current task assignment number and a task transaction number (which is based on at least one prime number) assigned to the new task. |
| US08214831B2 |
Runtime dependence-aware scheduling using assist thread
A runtime dependence-aware scheduling of dependent iterations mechanism is provided. Computation is performed for one or more iterations of computer executable code by a main thread. Dependence information is determined for a plurality of memory accesses within the computer executable code using modified executable code using a set of dependence threads. Using the dependence information, a determination is made as to whether a subset of a set of uncompleted iterations in the plurality of iterations is capable of being executed ahead-of-time by the one or more available threads in the data processing system. If the subset of the set of uncompleted iterations in the plurality of iterations is capable of being executed ahead-of-time, the main thread is signaled to skip the subset of the set of uncompleted iterations and the set of assist threads is signaled to execute the subset of the set of uncompleted iterations. |
| US08214827B2 |
Method and system for improving user confidence and experience in content purchasing via a service provider premises
A system that listens to the data traffic running over the Service Provider Premises between the plurality of surfers and the Internet. The system can identify downloading of a content object. The data transportation of each user can be parsed for identifying a connection that is involved in downloading a content object from a content server. When a downloading of a content object is identified, the download process is monitored and resuming information is stored. In case that the download process is incompletely terminated the stored resuming information can be used to accelerate the response to a request to renewal the download process of the same object. |
| US08214824B2 |
Device management apparatus, device management method, and storage medium
A device management apparatus which receives software to be used in an image processing apparatus from a distribution apparatus and redistributes the software to an image processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire from the image processing apparatus user history information indicating usage history of a user of the image processing apparatus, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire from the distribution apparatus execution instruction information of the software including conditions for executing a process associated with installment of the software, a search unit configured to search for a user satisfying conditions included in execution instruction information acquired by the second acquisition unit based on the user history information acquired by the first acquisition unit, and an instruction unit configured to issue, when a user satisfying conditions included in the execution instruction information is found by the search unit, an execution instruction based on the execution instruction information to an image processing apparatus which is a distribution destination of the software. |
| US08214822B2 |
Editor for program files
Methods and systems are disclosed for updating a candidate computer program file. An exemplary method includes loading a first and second revisions of a first computer program file, loading a first revision of a second computer program file, and generating a candidate computer program file. References are made to the first and second revisions of the first computer program file and the first revision of the second computer program file in generating the candidate computer program file. |
| US08214820B2 |
Object set optimization using dependency information
A method for optimizing dependencies for a set of objects includes: automatically detecting dependencies among a set of objects, where each of the objects in the set includes at least one linkable file; adding the detected dependencies to a dependency list; and removing dependencies from the dependency list for any object that does not have at least one file dependency. The method optionally includes removing unused files from the set of objects, breaking a selected object into smaller objects, and making a file having a large number of dependencies into its own object. |
| US08214816B2 |
Compiler implemented software cache in which non-aliased explicitly fetched data are excluded
A compiler implemented software cache in which non-aliased explicitly fetched data are excluded are provided. With the mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments, a compiler uses a forward data flow analysis to prove that there is no alias between the cached data and explicitly fetched data. Explicitly fetched data that has no alias in the cached data are excluded from the software cache. Explicitly fetched data that has aliases in the cached data are allowed to be stored in the software cache. In this way, there is no runtime overhead to maintain the correctness of the two copies of data. Moreover, the number of lines of the software cache that must be protected from eviction is decreased. This leads to a decrease in the amount of computation cycles required by the cache miss handler when evicting cache lines during cache miss handling. |
| US08214810B2 |
Method of compiling source code, compiler, computer system, and computer program product
A method of compiling source code, involving a pre-processing step for including at least one additional source code file into the source code prior to generating target code from the source code. The proposed method further comprises the steps of: establishing, during the pre-processing step, at least one network connection to at least one remote server; and downloading the additional source code file from the remote server. |
| US08214806B2 |
Iterative, non-uniform profiling method for automatically refining performance bottleneck regions in scientific code
A method for profiling performance of a system includes steps of: monitoring execution of the system at multiple points during the system's operation; analyzing results derived from the monitoring in order to provide analyzed results; reconfiguring the monitoring non-uniformly according to the analyzed results; and repeatedly performing iterations of the above steps until a particular event occurs. The iterations may be terminated upon: reaching a specified level of analysis precision, determining a source of one or more performance bottlenecks, determining a source of unexpectedly high output or low completion time, completing a predefined number of iterations, reaching an endpoint of an application, or having performed iterations for a specified period of time. |
| US08214805B2 |
Method and system for graphical user interface testing
A method and system are provided for testing a graphical user interface (GUI). The method includes providing a pattern of a collection of generalized interface object types, searching an interface or a model of an interface for instances of collections of interface objects matching the pattern, and identifying a control provided by the interface represented by the collection of interface object types and its location in the interface hierarchy. A pattern includes a first generalized object type and a second generalized object type with a specified relative position in the interface to the first object type. |
| US08214804B2 |
System and method for assigning computer users to test groups
A system and method to efficiently and randomly place users into a test group associated with a test running on a website being hosted on a server is disclosed. When a user first accesses the website, a random value is transmitted to the user in such a manner that the random value is stored in a computer-readable memory local to the user. Each subsequent time the user accesses the website, the random value is returned to the server from the user. The server may then place the user into a test group for a test to which the user will be exposed on the website based upon the result of an operation that includes the random value received from the user and a unique test value previously associated with the test. |
| US08214781B1 |
Empirical prediction of simultaneous switching noise
In an example embodiment, the system obtains the mutual inductance (e.g., Mij) between a quiet I/O buffer and each switching I/O buffer on a PLD from an automatic SSN measurement system. The system calculates the corrected mutual inductance between the quiet I/O buffer and each switching I/O buffer by multiplying the mutual inductance by a correction factor (e.g., αj). The system multiplies each corrected mutual inductance by the rate of current flowing through the switching I/O buffer to obtain an induced voltage resulting from the switching I/O buffer. The system sums the induced voltages for all the switching I/O buffers on the PLD to obtain an estimate of total induced voltage caused in the quiet I/O buffer by all switching I/O buffers. The correction factor is based on bench measurements and depends on the amplitude of the simultaneous switching noise affecting each switching I/O buffer. |
| US08214780B2 |
Optimization of verification of chip design
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for optimization of verification of a chip design are disclosed. In various embodiments, a method for reducing a number of points to be verified during a verification process is disclosed, the method comprising selecting a first and a second verification point of a model of an integrated circuit design, determining whether the first and second verification points are isomorphic, and outputting the result of the determining to enable the first and second verification points being verified by verifying only a selected one of the first and second verification points in case the first and the second verification points are isomorphic. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. |
| US08214775B2 |
System for determining repetitive work units
During a method for generating a mask pattern for a photo-mask, a target pattern is partitioned into subsets of the target pattern. The subsets of the target pattern may be selected so that at least some of the subsets are approximately identical, thereby dividing the subsets into a degenerate group and a non-degenerate group. A group of the subsets may include multiple shapes, and a given target pattern may be significantly larger than a pre-determined length scale and a given shape in the multiple shapes is smaller than the pre-determined length scale. The non-degenerate group of subsets of the target pattern may be distributed to multiple processors. These processors may be used to determine subsets of the mask pattern based on the non-degenerate group of subsets of the target pattern. The subsets of the mask pattern may be combined to generate the mask pattern. |
| US08214774B2 |
Method for implementing functional changes into a design layout of an integrated device, in particular a system-on-chip, by means of mask programmable filling cells
A System-on-Chip (SoC) may include logic blocks connected to each other and to external connections, and a hardware debug infrastructure logic connected to the logic blocks and for performing functional changes to a design layout of the SoC. The hardware debug infrastructure logic may include software re-configurable modules based upon the logic blocks obtained from substituting a mask programmable ECO base cell configured as a functional logic cell for a logic cell in the design layout. |
| US08214768B2 |
Method, system, and graphical user interface for viewing multiple application windows
Methods, systems, and graphical user interfaces for viewing multiple application windows are disclosed. In one embodiment, a portable electronic device with a touch screen display: displays an application, which includes a displayed window and at least one hidden window; displays an icon for adding windows to the application; detects activation of the icon for adding windows; in response to detecting activation of the icon for adding windows, adds a window to the application; detects a gesture on the touch screen display; and, in response to detecting the gesture, moves a displayed window in the application off the display and moves a hidden window onto the display. |
| US08214767B2 |
Method and computer program product for generating shortcuts for launching computer program functionality on a computer
The present application discloses a method for generating a shortcut for launching computer program functionality on a computer. The method comprises the steps of monitoring a sequence of user actions resulting in the launch of the functionality; determining a launch frequency of the functionality; determining a complexity rating for the launch; comparing the launch frequency and the complexity rating with a predefined criterion; and generating the shortcut for activating the functionality if the predefined criterion is met. The present application further discloses a computer program product implementing the above method and a computer comprising such a computer program. |
| US08214766B1 |
Method and system for preview control for image adjustment
An image-editing application may transform digital images. The image-editing application may display a thumbnail image control including a sequence of thumbnail images. A main image may also be displayed. One or more of the thumbnail images may be transformed according to different transformation adjustment levels. As a user input control rolls over each of the thumbnail images, the main image may be transformed according to the adjustment level associated with the thumbnail image that currently has the user input control over it, offering a preview of the transformation adjustment level associated with the currently active thumbnail image. A slider-bar control may be associated with the thumbnail image control. The slider-bar control may be associated with a complete range of adjustment levels. The image-editing application may coordinate the operation of the slider-bar control, the thumbnail control and the display of the main image. |
| US08214765B2 |
Canvas approach for analytics
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can construct a map for summarizing analyses with respect to data included in a database. In addition, the architecture can display the map in a special canvas area. Generally, the map is a hub-and-spoke-style map in which a hub is associated with an entity (e.g., a related set of records) included in a database. Likewise, the spokes are typically representative of operations (e.g., filter, join, transform) that act upon the hub/entity from which it extends. The map can aid with open-ended analysis on complex databases by recording and ordering competing hypotheses and can also further collaborative efforts with respect to analysis. |
| US08214760B2 |
Window minimization trigger
A method and computer-storage media for minimizing application windows based on a triggering event are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include determining that a triggering event has occurred with respect to a target window, automatically minimizing all of the minimizable application windows except the target application window, and generating an undo record that may be used to restore the minimized windows upon the determination that a second triggering event has occurred with respect to the target window. In one embodiment, the triggering event is shaking the target application window. |
| US08214759B2 |
Taskbar media player
A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar. |
| US08214752B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamically generating user interfaces for controlling a device with a client side filter
A method for dynamically constructing a user interface definition is disclosed. A request for an information list is sent. The user interface definition with the information list is received. A filter script is applied to the user interface definition to provide a filtered user interface definition. The filtered user interface definition is sent to an application. The filtered user interface definition is constructed. The filtered user interface definition is displayed. |
| US08214751B2 |
Dynamic spawning of focal point objects within a virtual universe system
In various embodiments, the density of a plurality of virtual universe avatars within a predetermined proximity from a designated focal point object in a virtual universe is determined. One or more auxiliary focal point objects associated with the designated focal point object are dynamically spawned within the virtual universe based on the determined density of the virtual universe avatars. Dynamic spawning of auxiliary focal point objects can reduce the load on virtual universe host servers and the corresponding client devices, and thus may improve performance of the virtual universe system. |
| US08214750B2 |
Collapsing areas of a region in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources
Described herein are processes and devices that collapse areas in a region of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver determines a first area of a region in a virtual universe. The first area has objects or avatars. A first computing resource processes data for presenting and controlling the objects or avatars in the first area. The virtual resource conserver determines a second area of the region that is similar in topology to the first area. The virtual resource conserver moves the objects or avatars from the first area to the second area and transfers data for presenting and controlling the avatars or objects from the first computing resource to a second computing resource. Finally, the virtual resource conserver reduces usage of the first computing resource, thus conserving resources in the virtual universe. |
| US08214746B2 |
Establishment of message context in a collaboration system
A processing device used to support communications between users of the collaboration system is provided with a graphical user interface. A graphical context activation mechanism associated with a discussion between users of the collaboration system may be displayed. Responsive to a selection input, a graphical illustration of information regarding the users participating in the discussion is displayed. The graphical illustration may comprise indicia of location of at least one of the users that may be displayed, for example, within the context of a geographical map. The graphical illustration may further comprise indicia of identity of at least one of the users. Additionally, a textual context activation mechanism may be provided and utilized in the same manner, thereby allowing text-based context regarding the message to be displayed. In this manner, team-wide context may be more readily established. |
| US08214745B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for assisted browser navigation
Assisting navigation of a first browser executing on a first data processing system is provided by navigating, responsive to a second browser executing on a second data processing system, to identify information to be displayed using the first browser on the first data processing system. An identifier is request to associate with the identified information and the identifier is dynamically generated responsive to the request for an identifier. The identifier is associated with the identified information to be displayed using the first browser such that the identified information may be retrieved using the identifier. |
| US08214739B2 |
Imaging device and user interface
A screen ST1 of an LCD with which a digital camera is provided displays an icon of a folder F1 indicating that the folder F1 has been selected. Image files P11 and P12 are captured reproduced images. A display frame SC displays a currently captured picture of an object, files P11 and P12, and the icon of the folder F1. To switch the folder F1 to a folder F2, the user presses a down button of a cross key 27. When the user presses the down button on the screen ST1, the screen ST1 is switched to a screen ST3 through a screen ST2. On the screen ST2, the number denoted in the icon is changed. The screen ST2 displays a state of which the folders are being switched. An icon displayed on the screen ST3 indicates that the folder F1 was switched to the folder F2. |
| US08214738B2 |
Displaying location-based content in a handheld device
Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. |
| US08214735B2 |
Structured document processor
Structured documents are processed by selecting a predetermined graphical template, analyzing the structure of the graphical template and identifying at least one content area and at least one common area. A first structured document is selected and analyzed so as to identify various structural components thereof. The predetermined structural template is applied to the first structured document so as to insert each particular structural component into a corresponding selected content area of the template and to include each common area of the template into the first structured document. A plurality of additional documents is then selected and the template is applied to each selected additional document by iteratively repeating each insertion until that insertion is valid from a structural viewpoint for each particular selected structural component of the corresponding additional document. |
| US08214734B2 |
Credibility of text analysis engine performance evaluation by rating reference content
Evaluating the performance of a text analysis engine is provided. A plurality of pre-annotated reference documents and a set of annotation types associated with the pre-annotated reference documents are received. Annotation contexts of reference annotations in the plurality of pre-annotated reference documents are analyzed using the set of annotation types. Similar annotation contexts are identified between the reference annotations and the set of annotation types. Responsive to identifying the similar annotation contexts, the similar annotation contexts are clustered thereby forming a plurality of reference annotation clusters. A set of reference content heterogeneity scores are computed based on the number of reference annotation clusters for each annotation type in the set of annotation types. An integral reference content rate for the set of annotation types is then computed and output to a user. |
| US08214728B2 |
Apparatus and method of early decoding in communication systems
A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a frame of interleaved information bits in a communication system, where the decoding of the frame of interleaved information bits may begin before all of the bits in the frame are received. An exemplary interleaved frame is formed by receiving a frame of N information bits within the communication system; encoding the information bits at a code rate R to provide encoded bits; and arranging the encoded bits into a frame of N/R coded bits, wherein a plurality of puncturing patterns pi are applied to the frame of N/R coded bits such that a code rate of R/ai is produced for each of the plurality of puncturing pattern pi. The arrangement of encoded bits involves applying a puncturing pattern pj to the encoded bits; and applying a permutation function to the punctured encoded bits to generate a fractional section of the frame of N/R coded bits. The fractional section of the frame of N/R coded bits comprises N/R*aj bits. |
| US08214724B2 |
Transmitting data with variable unit for playback
Provided is a transmitter for continuously and sequentially transmitting data with a variable unit for playback. The transmitter includes an obtaining section, a buffer, a computing section and a transmitting section. The obtaining section sequentially obtains segment data of the data to be transmitted. The buffer stores an error correction code to correct an error caused in the data by transmission. The computing section computes, every time newly obtained segment data reaches a predetermined size, XOR of the error correction code already stored in the buffer and the newly obtained segment data, and then updates the error correction code with the computed XOR. The transmitting section sequentially transmits the obtained segment data, as well as reads from the buffer and transmits the updated error correction code every time the computing section computes XOR for data in a size corresponding to the unit for playback. |
| US08214723B2 |
Fast encoding and decoding methods and related devices
A method of low latency encoding of an input bit sequence (S0) to yield an encoded bit sequence (S), and a corresponding decoding method, said encoding method including: a first encoding step (E1) applied to bits of the input bit sequence (S0), using a first code; an interleaving step (E3) in which an interleaver interleaves the bits obtained from said first code; and a parity, second encoding step (E4) applied to the bits obtained from said interleaver, using a second code, to generate said encoded bit sequence (S). The parity, second encoding step (E4) starts after a predetermined number Δ of bits have been interleaved, said predetermined number Δ of bits ranging between a first lower number Δi of bits depending on one or more parameters of said interleaving step (E3) and a first higher number Δs of bits corresponding to the total number of bits to be processed during said interleaving step (E3). |
| US08214718B2 |
Erasure flagging system and method for errors-and-erasures decoding in storage devices
A system and method for erasure flagging for errors-and-erasures decoding in storage devices includes determining a deviation measure between a read/write head position relative to a track of symbols in storage media. A reliability value is determined for the symbols based on the deviation measure. Flagging the symbols with a reliability value below a threshold as erasures is performed. The symbols are decoded using errors-and-erasures decoding in an iterative procedure. |
| US08214714B2 |
Nonvolatile storage device, controller of nonvolatile memory, and nonvolatile storage system
A nonvolatile storage device includes a nonvolatile memory for storing data such as a flash memory, and a controller for controlling writing or reading of data to or from the nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory stores control information (control program, control parameter) specifying a method of controlling writing or reading of data to or from the nonvolatile memory. The controller determines a type of the nonvolatile memory, and acquires the control information from the nonvolatile memory according to an acquisition procedure corresponding to the type of the nonvolatile memory, and stores (loads) the control information. |
| US08214710B2 |
Methods and apparatus for processing error control messages in a wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus for processing error control messages, such as RLC ARQ control messages, are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises signaling a medium access controller (MAC) that link resources are needed for transmitting data, receiving an indication from the MAC that link resources for transmitting the data are scheduled, and generating an error control message after receiving said indication, based on a current error control status. The error control message is then forwarded to the MAC for transmission. Because the generation of an error control message is delayed until resources for its transmission are scheduled, the queuing of stale control messages is avoided. |
| US08214706B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing an electronic circuit integrated with a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including an electronic circuit, a memory, and an error detecting module. The electronic circuit is configured to receive an input signal having been generated by a test module, and generate an output signal based on the input signal. The memory is configured to store a predetermined output value that is expected to be output from the electronic circuit based on the electronic receiving the input signal, wherein the predetermined output value is stored in the memory prior to the input signal being generated by the test module. The error detecting module is configured to (i) generate a sample value of the output signal, (ii) compare the sample value of the output signal to the predetermined output value stored in the memory, and (iii) generate a result signal that indicates whether the sample value of the output signal matches the predetermined output value. |
| US08214705B2 |
IC with first and second external register present leads
An integrated circuit carries an intellectual property core. The intellectual property core includes a test access port 39 with test data input leads 15, test data output leads 13, control leads 17 and an external register present, ERP lead 37. A scan register 25 encompasses the intellectual property core and ERP lead 37 carries a signal indicating the presence of the scan register. |
| US08214704B1 |
Scan testing system and method
A system including a first clock, a first scan chain, and a first sampling circuit. The first clock is configured to generate a first clock signal. The first scan chain includes a first input, a first set of devices, and a first output. The first input is configured to receive a portion of first data to test the first scan chain. The first set of devices has a first plurality of states, wherein each of the first set of devices changes between the first plurality of states in response to the portion of the first data. The first output is configured to output a portion of second data in response to the first plurality of states. The first sampling circuit is configured to sample the portion of the second data from the first output at least twice per clock cycle of the first clock signal. |
| US08214697B2 |
Deinterleaver for a communication device
A deinterleaver for a wireless communication device is provided that is simple and inexpensive to implement. In particular, a deinterleaver for deinterleaving a stream of data bits representing a plurality of symbols that have been interleaved using a multi-stage interleaving scheme is provided, the deinterleaver comprising preprocessing means for ordering the data bits in the stream into pairs, such that the data bits in the pair are consecutive data bits from a symbol; at least one memory for storing the paired bits, such that each pair of data bits is stored in a respective location in the memory; and a read and write address generator for the at least one memory, the generator being adapted to determine the addresses in the at least one memory that pairs of data bits are to be stored, and to determine the addresses in the at least one memory that pairs of data bits are to be read from. |
| US08214694B1 |
Lightweight probe and data collection within an integrated circuit
A system for monitoring a device under test implemented within an integrated circuit (IC) can include at least one probe that detects a designated type of data transaction, where in response to detecting the designated type of data transaction, each probe outputs a single data transaction detection signal. The system also can include a data collector coupled to each probe, where the data collector stores an indication of each data transaction detection signal that is output by each probe. The data collector can be configured so that no value of any probed signal is stored. |
| US08214692B1 |
System and method for enforcing a third-party factory test
A system and method is disclosed for enforcing a third-party factory test during a quality verification of a newly-manufactured computing device. During an assembly line quality verification, a factory implemented test and a required third-party factory test are executed on a computing device, and then the execution verified by an external process. On verifying the required third-party factory test was executed, the computing device is configured to execute a release image on a subsequent startup of the computing device. |
| US08214689B2 |
Disk array device and its control method
To shorten the time from power restoration to the resumption of business operation. During a power failure, a memory controller saves configuration information and directory information of a shared memory to a nonvolatile memory, and saves data of a cache memory to the nonvolatile memory. During power restoration from a power failure, the memory controller returns information of the nonvolatile memory to the shared memory so that it can be updated before the lapse of the initialization time, the micro processor executes online processing based on information of the shared memory, and the memory controller 70 controls the storage area of the cache memory so that it will become gradually writable according to the battery capacity of the battery if the battery capacity of the battery is still gradually increasing even after the lapse of the initialization time. |
| US08214686B2 |
Distributed processing method
According to an aspect of the embodiment provides a method for controlling a processing device for distributing jobs among a plurality of job processing devices for executing the jobs, respectively. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a job to one of the job processing devices to have the job executed by the one of the job processing devices; generating a procedure information for transmitting a continuation data from the one of the job processing devices before completion of execution of the job back to the processing device, the continuation data enabling another job processing device to continue execution of the job; and transmitting the procedure information to and receiving the continuation data from the one of the job processing devices. |
| US08214680B1 |
PoE powered management circuitry using out-of-band data port
A local area network system includes switching circuitry and in-band data ports under control of the switching circuitry. Device management circuitry is configured to manage the local area network device and system power is configured to provide power to the switching circuitry and the device management circuitry. An out-of-band data port is coupled to the device management circuitry. The out-of-band data port is supplied with a Power-over-Ethernet supply. |
| US08214675B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for power management utilizing multiple processor types
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for computer system power management. A control module 602 is activated on a computer 200 in response to an event and enters 818 a standby state if the computer 200 is not already 814 in the standby state. A policy module 604 detects 904 a power source of a predetermined type connected to the computer 200 and dictates 908 one or more processors 302 of higher power consumption for a more abundant type of power source such as an AC adapter 314, or one or more processors 304 of lower power consumption for a less abundant type of power source such as a battery 318. A configuration module 606, activated by the control module 602, switches 1004 the computer 200 to one or more processors 302 and 304 of a predetermined power consumption as dictated and exits 1016 the standby state. |
| US08214674B2 |
Integrated circuit having a microcontroller unit and methods of controlling the operation mode thereof
Integrated circuit having a Microcontroller Unit and Methods of Operation therefore. An integrated circuit comprises a microcontroller unit with synchronous logic operably coupled to non-clocked intelligent logic. The non-clocked intelligent logic is arranged to autonomously monitor multiple events associated with an operation of the synchronous logic and, in response thereto, the non-clocked intelligent logic initiates autonomously an alternate operational mode of the microcontroller unit. A method of operating a microcontroller unit is also described. |
| US08214670B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device having internal circuit with plural power supply regions
A semiconductor integrated circuit has an internal circuit to which operation power is supplied or interrupted, and a power supply control circuit for controlling the supply and interruption of operation power to the internal circuit in accordance with an operation mode. The power supply control circuit has a storage circuit and a power supply control sequence circuit. The storage circuit inputs and holds switching instruction data for instructing switching between supply and interruption of the operation power and low-power-consumption-mode data determining an operation mode of the interruption of operation power and cancellation of the interruption. The power supply control sequence circuit performs a control of transition between the interruption and supply of the operation power with reference to the switching instruction data and the low-power-consumption-mode data held in the storage circuit and, at the time of cancelling a state of interrupting the supply of operation power in response to the switching instruction data in the operation power supply interruption state according to the low-power-consumption-mode data, stops newly referring to the low-power-consumption mode data until an operation of the internal circuit to which the operation power is to be supplied is assured. |
| US08214668B2 |
Synchronizing circuit
A synchronizing circuit includes an internal partial power supply interruption circuit section which can be subjected to a power supply interruption and includes a data transmission register configured to output data for controlling a power supply interruption and a clock enable control register configured to output an enable signal; an internal partial power supply interruption control circuit section configured to control a power supply interruption and includes a gated clock buffer configured to control a clock signal based on the enable signal, and a data reception register configured to take in data based on the controlled clock signal; and an isolation cell configured to output an output from the internal partial power supply interruption circuit section as a fixed value when the internal partial power supply interruption circuit section has been subjected to a power supply interruption. |
| US08214667B2 |
Central processing unit start-up circuit of portable electronic devices
A central processing unit (CPU) start-up circuit for controlling a CPU of a portable electronic device includes a power management unit (PMU) connected to the CPU, an awaking circuit connected to the CPU, and a main power supply connected to the CPU, the PMU and the awaking circuit. The main power supply provides working electric power to the CPU, the PMU detects the status of the main power supply and generates a status signal (SS) according to the detecting result, the awaking circuit detects the status of the main power supply and generates a waking signal (WS) according to the detecting result, and the SS and the WS are both transmitted to the CPU to cooperatively control the CPU to be switched on and switched off. |
| US08214665B2 |
Method and system for transmit queue management for energy efficient networking
Aspects of a method and system for queue management for energy efficient networking are provided. In various embodiments of the invention a network device may determine whether to transition into or out-of an energy-saving mode of operation, and arm an EEN trigger by buffering the EEN trigger in a queue and/or setting one or more flags. The network device may transition into or out-of the energy-saving mode upon the EEN trigger being read from the queue or upon the queue becoming empty while the trigger is armed. Upon the occurrence of an event meeting one or more criteria prior to the EEN trigger being read from the queue or prior to the queue being empty, the EEN trigger may be disarmed. The network device may disarm the EEN trigger by deleting the EEN trigger from the queue and/or by resetting the flag. |
| US08214664B2 |
Power supply system and power supplying control method
A power supplying control method of a computer system for use with a first power supply and a second power supply both providing a first specific voltage to a motherboard, including steps of: detecting whether the first power supply and the second power supply, outputting the first specific voltage, are at a stable state; outputting the first specific voltage to a first pin when the first power supply is at the stable state; outputting the first specific voltage to the first pin when the second power supply is at the stable state; and outputting the first specific voltage to the motherboard via the first pin. |
| US08214663B2 |
Using power proxies combined with on-chip actuators to meet a defined power target
A mechanism is provided for using a power proxy unit combined with on-chip actuators to meet a defined power target value identifying a target power consumption of a component of a data processing system. A power manager in the data processing system identifies a proxy power threshold value, for the defined power target value, identifying a maximum power usage for the component, and a power usage estimate value identifying a current power usage estimate for the component. The power manager sends a set of signals to one or more on-chip actuators in the power proxy unit associated with the component in response to the power usage estimate value being greater than the power proxy threshold value. The one or more on-chip actuators adjusts a set of operational parameters associated with the component in order to meet the defined power target value. |
| US08214661B2 |
Using a control policy to implement power saving features
Managing power-consumption, for use in a storage system comprising first data stored on one or more storage devices is provided. A receiver receives a policy comprising a power-management parameter, a first parameter and a rule associated with the policy. An analyser, responsive to receipt of a policy, analyzes second data associated with the rule. A determiner, responsive to the analysis, determines third data in accordance with the second data. The third data is associated with migration of the first data. |
| US08214660B2 |
Structure for an apparatus for monitoring and controlling heat generation in a multi-core processor
A design structure for a processor may be embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing or testing a processor integrated circuit. The design structure may control heat generation in a multi-core processor. The design structure may specify that each processor core includes a temperature sensor that reports temperature information to a processor controller. The design structure may also specify that if a particular processor core exceeds a predetermined temperature, the processor controller disables that processor core to allow that processor core to cool. The design structure may also specify that the processor controller enables the previously disabled processor core when the previously disabled processor core cools sufficiently to a normal operating temperature. In this manner, a multi-core processor may avoid undesirable hot spots that impact processor life. |
| US08214659B2 |
Communication device having pull-up voltage supply circuit supplying pull-up voltage via one power supply during standby state and another power supply during power-on state
A communication device includes a bus including a signal line supplied with a pull-up voltage Vp, a first power supply operating during both a standby state and a power-ON state, and supplies a source of a first predetermined voltage of 3.3V, a second power supply operating during only the power-ON state, and supplies a source of a second predetermined voltage of 5V, a first device driven by the first power supply, and capable of communicating via the bus when the pull-up voltage Vp is equal to either of 3.3V and 5V, a second device driven by the second power supply, and capable of communicating via the bus when the pull-up voltage Vp is equal to 5V, and a pull-up voltage supply circuit supplying the pull-up voltage Vp by the first power supply during the standby state, and supplying the pull-up voltage Vp by the second power supply during the power-ON state. |
| US08214656B1 |
Managing the encryption of data
Embodiments of methods, devices and/or systems for managing the encryption of data are described. |
| US08214651B2 |
Radio frequency identification (RFID) based authentication system and methodology
Disclosed are embodiments of a radio frequency identification (RFID) authentication system and an associated authentication methodology. The embodiments incorporate an identification device (e.g., an identification badge, a key fob, etc.) with an embedded RFID tag. The embedded RFID tag is associated with a specific user and stores a private key generated as part of a public key-private key encryption scheme. The private key is read by an RFID reader and used to decode public key encrypted data stored within or accessible by a computer system (e.g., a desktop computer system, a laptop computer system, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital fax machine, wireless telephone, etc.). Thus, the embodiments provide a portable way to use public key-private key encryption scheme data anywhere using RFID technology. |
| US08214648B2 |
Secure configuration of a computing device
In accordance with a broad aspect, a method is provided to securely configure a computing device. A configuration indication is received into the computing device, including receiving a digital signature generated based on the configuration indication. Generation of the digital signature accounts for a unique identifier nominally associated with the computing device. The received configuration indication may be verified to be authentic including processing the unique identifier, the received configuration indication and the received digital signature. The computing device may be operated or interoperated with in accordance with the received configuration indication. In one example, a service interoperates with the computing device. For example, the computing device may be a portable media player, and the service may provide media to the computing device based on a capacity indication of the configuration indication. |
| US08214643B2 |
Service verifying system, authentication requesting terminal, service utilizing terminal, and service providing method
An object is to provide a service providing method capable of curbing rise of cost A service providing method according to the present invention is one for providing services A and B, which authenticates a user of an authentication requesting terminal in order to make service A available to the user and which determines whether service B is available to the user, in a state in which the user is authenticated about service A. When service B is determined to be available, a permission message is stored and a permission response based on the permission message for utilization of service B is transmitted to the authentication requesting terminal. Then the permission message on which a utilization request message from a service utilizing terminal is based, is verified, and, if it is in an available status, the service utilizing terminal is permitted to utilize service B. The use of the authentication result on service A obviates a need for provision of a new authentication for service B, so as to lead to reduction of cost. |
| US08214636B2 |
Customizable public key infrastructure and development tool for same
A public key infrastructure comprises a client side to request and utilize certificates in communication across a network and a server side to administer issuance and maintenance of said certificates. The server side has a portal to receive requests for a certificate from a client. A first policy engine to processes such requests in accordance with a set of predefined protocols. A certification authority is also provided to generate certificates upon receipt of a request from the portal. The CA has a second policy engine to implement a set of predefined policies in the generation of a certificate. Each of the policy engines includes at least one policy configured as a software component e.g. a Java bean, to perform the discreet functions associated with the policy and generate notification in response to a change in state upon completion of the policy. |
| US08214634B1 |
Establishing trust via aggregate peer ranking
Validating a certificate is disclosed. Whether the certificate was previously determined to be valid by one or more peer entities is determined. The certificate is validated based at least in part on the determination. |
| US08214633B2 |
Implementing a diagnostic or correction boot image over a network connection
The present invention is directed to a system that initiates specific maintenance and diagnostic boot images on remote computers. The system is used to select a particular remote device over a network. A particular new boot image is also selected, and that boot image is tailored to operate a maintenance or diagnostic function on the target machine. The new boot image is downloaded to the target, and the target is rebooted with the new boot image. The new boot image is selected from other specific boot images. Upon reboot, the new boot image performs the diagnostic or maintenance routines on the remote target machine. At some predetermined point, the original boot image is swapped back, and the machine rebooted once again. This returns the machine to its original image. |
| US08214631B2 |
Host build and rebuild system and method
Methods of building a host computer system. The methods may comprise the steps of discovering hardware components present at the host and determining whether the hardware components are certified. The methods may also comprise the step of determining whether a build of the host is requested. According to various embodiments, a profile may also be downloaded to the host. The profile may comprise an indication of an operating system, an indication of an application, and an indication of a configuration parameter. The methods may also comprise the steps of installing the operating system to the host; installing the application to the host; and configuring the host according to the configuration parameter. |
| US08214625B1 |
Systems and methods for voting among parallel threads
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently performing voting operations within a multi-threaded parallel-processing system. A group of related parallel program threads executes within a processor core together in parallel. A new instruction, called a “vote” instruction, is introduced that enables a parallel program thread to post an individual vote within the context of the group of related threads and to receive the result of the vote. In this fashion, the vote instruction advantageously reduces overhead associated with inter-thread communication, thereby improving overall system performance. |
| US08214617B2 |
Apparatus and method of avoiding bank conflict in single-port multi-bank memory system
Provided are a method and apparatus for avoiding bank conflict. A first instruction that is one of access instructions that are predicted to cause the bank conflict is replaced with a second instruction by changing an execute timing of the first instruction to a timing prior to the execute timing of the first instruction so as for the access instructions not to cause the bank conflict. Next, a load/store unit that is scheduled to access the bank according to the first instruction accesses the bank and reads out a data from the bank at an execute timing of the second instruction, and after that, the load/store unit is allowed to be inputted the read data at the execute timing of the first instruction. Accordingly, although the access instructions that are predicted to cause the bank conflict are allocated to the load/store units, the bank conflict can be prevented, so that it is possible to avoid deterioration in performance due the occurrence of the bank conflict. |
| US08214616B2 |
Memory controller device having timing offset capability
A memory controller is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the memory controller may comprise a first transmitter to output first and second write commands synchronously with respect to a clock signal, a second transmitter to output first data using a first timing offset such that the first data arrives at a first memory device in accordance with a predetermined timing relationship with respect to a first transition of the clock signal, and a third transmitter to output second data suing a second timing offset such that the second data arrives at a second memory device in accordance with a predetermined timing relationship with respect to a second transition of the clock signal. |
| US08214613B2 |
Storage system and copy method
In a storage system, one or more storage apparatuses provide a management computer with a first volume for storing data from the management computer, provide a host computer with a second volume for storing data from the host computer, and manage a volume address for the one or more storage apparatuses to manage the first volume and the second volume in the one or more storage apparatuses. The management computer issues a command specifying an arbitrary volume address to the one or more storage apparatuses, and designates, when receiving a normal response from the arbitrary volume address, a volume with the arbitrary volume address as the second volume. |
| US08214610B2 |
Managing backup device metadata in a high availability disk subsystem
A system includes a data storage device, a controller coupled with the data storage device, a backup device coupled with the controller for backing up a modified portion of data and volatile memory metadata stored by the controller, and a backup power source for powering the controller. The controller includes a pre-specified region of volatile memory for storing backup device metadata for managing a modified portion of data, the metadata comprising one or more intents corresponding to modified data written back to the data storage device. The controller is configured to invalidate the one or more intents. During a restore operation, the controller is configured to store the backup device metadata in the pre-specified region of volatile memory when a charge on the backup power source is at least a minimum threshold charge and to store the updated backup device metadata in the backup device during an interruption of power. |
| US08214607B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of subblocks in a reduced-redundancy storage system
Method and apparatus for rapidly determining whether a particular subblock of data is present in a reduced-redundancy storage system. An aspect of the invention achieves this by hashing each subblock in the storage system into a bitfilter that contains a ‘1’ bit for each position to which at least one subblock hashes. This bitfilter provides an extremely fast way to determine whether a subblock is in the storage system. In a further aspect of the invention, index entries for new subblocks may be buffered in a subblock index write buffer so as to convert a large number of random access read and write operations into a single sequential read and a single sequential write operation. The combination of the bitfilter and the write buffer yields a reduced-redundancy storage system that uses significantly less high speed random access memory than is used by systems that store the entire subblock index in memory. |
| US08214605B2 |
Method for reading out data from a storage medium
A method for reading out data from a storage medium which stores the data in such a way that they are distributed in sectors, each sector being assigned a sector identifier as a function of the datum respectively stored in the sector. The method includes the following steps: a) assigning a data identifier corresponding to the datum to be read out; b) grouping the data identifiers into at least one group; and c) carrying out a search algorithm in which the sector identifier in each sector is compared by sector and by group to the data identifiers contained in the group, and when one of the data identifiers corresponds to a sector identifier the particular datum is read out from the sector. |
| US08214599B2 |
Storage device prefetch system using directed graph clusters
A system analyzes access patterns in a storage system. Logic circuitry in the system identifies different address regions of contiguously accessed memory locations. A statistical record identifies a number of storage accesses to the different address regions and a historical record identifies previous address regions accessed prior to the address regions currently being accessed. The logic circuitry is then used to prefetch data from the different address regions according to the statistical record and the historical record. |
| US08214596B2 |
Apparatus and method for segmented cache utilization
In some embodiments, a non-volatile cache memory may include a segmented non-volatile cache memory configured to be located between a system memory and a mass storage device of an electronic system and a controller coupled to the segmented non-volatile cache memory, wherein the controller is configured to control utilization of the segmented non-volatile cache memory. The segmented non-volatile cache memory may include a file cache segment, the file cache segment to store complete files in accordance with a file cache policy, and a block cache segment, the block cache segment to store one or more blocks of one or more files in accordance with a block cache policy, wherein the block cache policy is different from the file cache policy. The controller may be configured to utilize the file cache segment in accordance with information related to the block cache segment and to utilize the block cache segment in accordance with information related to the file cache segment. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US08214595B2 |
Storage system which utilizes two kinds of memory devices as its cache memory and method of controlling the storage system
Provide is a storage system including one or more disk drives, and one or more cache memories for temporarily storing data read from the disk drives or data to be written to the disk drives, in which: the cache memories includes volatile first memories and non-volatile second memories; and the storage system receives a data write request, stores the requested data in the volatile first memories, selects one of memory areas of the volatile first memories if a total capacity of free memory areas contained in the volatile first memories is less than a predetermined threshold, write data stored in the selected memory area in the non-volatile second memories, and changes the selected memory area to a free memory area. Accordingly, there can be realized capacity enlarging of the cache memory using a non-volatile memory device while realizing a high speed similar to that of a volatile memory device. |
| US08214592B2 |
Dynamic runtime modification of array layout for offset
Disclosed are a method, a system and a computer program product for operating a cache system. The cache system can include multiple cache lines, and a first cache line of the multiple of cache lines can include multiple cache cells, and a bus coupled to the multiple cache cells. In one or more embodiments, the bus can include a switch that is operable to receive a first control signal and to split the bus into first and second portions or aggregate the bus into a whole based on the first control signal. When the bus is split, a first cache cell and a second cache cell of the multiple cache cells are coupled to respective first and second portions of the bus. Data from the first and second cache cells can be selected through respective portions of the bus and outputted through a port of the cache system. |
| US08214591B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for a front-end, distributed raid
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a front-end, distributed redundant array of independent drives (“RAID”). A storage request receiver module receives a storage request to store object or file data in a set of autonomous storage devices forming a RAID group. The storage devices independently receive storage requests from a client over a network, and one or more of the storage devices are designated as parity-mirror storage devices for a stripe. The striping association module calculates a stripe pattern for the data. Each stripe includes N data segments, each associated with N storage devices. The parity-mirror association module associates a set of the N data segments with one or more parity-mirror storage devices. The storage request transmitter module transmits storage requests to each storage device. Each storage request is sufficient to store onto the storage device the associated data segments. The storage requests are substantially free of data. |
| US08214589B2 |
Data storage system redundancy scheme verification
Data storage systems are provided. Some embodiments of data storage systems include a storage device controller and a plurality of storage devices. The plurality of storage devices are illustratively in a redundancy scheme and the storage device controller receives from the plurality of storage devices a plurality of symbols. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of symbols is representative of data in the redundancy scheme, and the storage device controller verifies the consistency of the redundancy scheme based at least in part on the plurality of symbols. |
| US08214583B2 |
Direct file data programming and deletion in flash memories
Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. The file based interface between the host and memory systems allows the memory system controller to utilize the data storage blocks within the memory with increased efficiency. |
| US08214580B2 |
Solid state drive with adjustable drive life and capacity
A method for adjusting a drive life and a capacity of a solid state drive (SSD), the SSD comprising a plurality of memory devices includes determining a desired drive life for the SSD; determining a utilization for the SSD; and allocating a portion of the plurality of memory devices as available memory and a portion of the plurality of memory devices as spare memory based on the desired drive life and the utilization. An SSD with an adjustable drive life and capacity includes a plurality of memory devices; and a memory allocation module configured to: determine a desired drive life for the SSD; determine a utilization for the SSD; and allocate a portion of the plurality of memory devices as available memory and a portion of the plurality of memory devices as spare memory based on the desired drive life and the utilization. |
| US08214579B2 |
Memory controller, flash memory system with memory controller, and method of controlling flash memory
In a case where at least one of physical blocks composing the virtual block becomes a defective block, use of the virtual block to which the defective block belongs is forbidden and the virtual block of which use is forbidden is managed as a defective virtual block. Replacing the defective block with a normal block is performed among the defective virtual blocks so as to generate the virtual block to which the defective block does not belong. Then use of the virtual block generated is allowed. |
| US08214578B2 |
Method of storing data into flash memory according to usage patterns of addresses and data storage system using the same
A data storage method for a flash memory storage device is provided. The method includes disposing a pattern identification unit in the flash memory storage device and disposing a pattern analysis unit in a host connected to the flash memory storage device. The method further includes analyzing a usage pattern of each flash memory storage address in the flash memory storage device by using the pattern analysis unit, receiving information from the pattern analysis unit through the pattern identification unit to identify the usage pattern of each flash memory storage address, and storing data into each flash memory storage address through a corresponding process according to the usage pattern of the flash memory storage address. Thereby, data can be stored according to the usage pattern of each flash memory storage address, and accordingly the speed of storing data into the flash memory storage device can be effectively increased. |
| US08214576B2 |
Zero copy transport for target based storage virtual appliances
A method of transferring data from a virtual machine (VM) to a storage virtual appliance (SVA) is disclosed. In this method, the data is transferred to an iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) device that is coupled to the VM and has a zero copy data mover implementation of a TCP socket interface. The method further includes sending a memory address of the data to the SVA. The SVA includes an iSCSI device having a zero copy data mover implementation of a TCP socket interface to receive the memory address of the data. The VM and the SVA are running in a same hypervisor host. |
| US08214574B2 |
Event handling for architectural events at high privilege levels
Methods and apparatus to perform event handling operations are described. In one embodiment, after an event (such as an architectural event occurs), the corresponding occurrence response (e.g., a yield event) may cause generation of an interrupt. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08214572B2 |
Semiconductor device
The router which relays a transfer request and a reply between master and slave components has request-control circuits provided therein. The request-control circuits judge the slave component to transfer a request from each master component to, and arbitrate the conflict between requests to one slave component. Further, for the router, a slave-component-allocation-control circuit which variably allocates the slave components to be connected to the request-control circuits to the request-control circuits is adopted. In case that a slave component in connection with one request-control circuit is subjected to no access, changing the allocation of the slave component in connection with the one request-control circuit makes possible to utilize the resource of the one request-control circuit. |
| US08214563B2 |
Host computer, computer terminal, and card access method
According to one embodiment, the host controller includes a transmission circuit that encodes transmission data, according to a serial transfer format, a reception circuit that decodes received data, according to the serial transfer format, a variable frequency clock generator that generates a card clock and a transfer clock, a card clock output unit that outputs the card clock to the memory card, an interface unit includes a transmission interface that transfers the transmission data from the transmission circuit to the memory card in synchronization with the transfer clock, and a reception interface that transfers received data from the memory card to the reception circuit in synchronization with the transfer clock, and a setting register circuit that holds setting information concerning an input/output method of the memory card, and controls frequency of the transfer clock generated by the variable frequency clock generator, based on the setting information. |
| US08214559B2 |
Virtual machine system
Arbitration of IO accesses and band control based on the priority of virtual servers is enabled while curbing performance overhead during IO sharing among the virtual servers. A virtual machine system includes a CPU, a memory, a hypervisor that generates plural virtual servers, and an IO controller that controls an IO interface. The IO controller includes: a DMA receiving unit that receives DMA requests from the IO interface; a decoder that decodes received DMA requests and locates the corresponding virtual servers; a DMA monitoring counter that monitors DMA processing status for each of the virtual servers; a threshold register set in advance for each of the virtual servers; and a priority deciding unit that compares the DMA monitoring counter and the value of the threshold register, and based on processing priority obtained as a result of the comparison, decides the priority of processing of the received DMA requests. |
| US08214556B2 |
Controlling execution of an action object at a peripheral device based on data stored in a removable storage medium
A terminal device 100 to and from which a removal storage medium 200 is attached and removed includes a display 130 and a writer 150. The display 130 displays an action-command input region and an execution-subject input region, the action-command input region being used for inputting an action command to execute a certain action, the execution-subject input region being used for inputting an execution subject for the execution of the action command. The writer 150 writes the action command inputted in the action-command input region and the execution subject inputted in the execution-subject input region, into the removable storage medium. |
| US08214555B2 |
Communication control device and communication control method in audio visual device system, and television receiver
A communication control device in an audio visual device system has disconnection detection unit for detecting that an audio visual device is disconnected from the audio visual device system, device detection unit for detecting an audio visual device which has not acquired a logical address according to a device type, and control unit for performing control for causing the audio visual device without a logical address to acquire a logical address, when disconnection of a audio visual device is detected by the disconnection detection unit. With this configuration, in an audio visual device system in which an upper limit is set to the number of logical addresses according to a device type, it is possible to cause an audio visual device which cannot acquire a logical address according to the device type to acquire a logical address when it is made available. |
| US08214553B2 |
Virtualization of an input/output device for supporting multiple hosts and functions
Methods and apparatus are provided for simultaneously supporting multiple hosts with a single communication port; each host may host multiple functions. The input/output device comprises multiple buffers; each buffer stores packets for one host, but can be dynamically reallocated to a different host. Multiple buffers may simultaneously support the same host and all of its functions. After a packet is received and classified, it is stored in at least one buffer, along with control information for processing the packet upon egress from the buffer. Egress managers for each buffer extract packets and transfer them to destination host/functions, by speculatively moving the packets forward even while DMA engines perform their processing to facilitate their transfer. |
| US08214552B2 |
Transmission apparatus, transmission method, communication apparatus, and program
A transmission apparatus includes a memory adapted to store data to be transmitted, a transmission unit adapted to transmit, via a network, the data to be transmitted to a destination apparatus connected to the network, and a first rate controller adapted to control a first rate such that when the data to be transmitted having a size greater than the capacity of a transmission buffer of the transmission unit is transferred from the memory to the transmission buffer, the first rate at which the data is transferred from the memory to the transmission buffer is controlled to restrict the amount of data to be transmitted stored in the transmission buffer. |
| US08214542B2 |
USB host, control method thereof, computer program, USB hub and USB device for allowing upgraded operation
A USB host is provided which can connect to a USB device via a USB hub, the USB host including, a combination storage unit that stores an upgrade allowable combination, for which upgrading of the USB device is allowed, among a combination of hub identification information for identifying the USB hub and device identification information for identifying the USB device; an identification information acquisition unit acquires hub identification information from the USB hub in compliance with USB standards when the USB hub is connected and acquires device identification information from the USB device in compliance with USB standards when the USB device is in connected to the USB hub; and a command transmission unit that transmits an upgrade command to the USB device when a combination of the acquired hub identification information and the acquired device identification information is identical to the combination stored in the combination storage unit. |
| US08214540B2 |
Peripheral device and device connection system
A peripheral device includes: an input/output block connected to a device subject to connection; a communication block configured to communicate with a device subject to communication; and a conversion block configured, if the device subject to communication is a storage device, to convert a storage access command output by the device subject to connection to the input/output block into a communication command that is transferred between the communication block and the device subject to communication, wherein the communication block transmits the communication command generated by the conversion block to the device subject to communication and transfers, with the device subject to communication, one of data that is written by the device subject to connection to the device subject to communication and data that is read from the device subject to communication. |
| US08214536B2 |
Methods and apparatus for selecting a wireless network based on quality of service (QoS) criteria associated with an application
In one illustrative example, a mobile communication device has a plurality of software applications including an Internet browser application, an electronic mail (e-mail) communication application, and an audio or video player application. The mobile device is adapted to receive, from wireless communication networks or through use thereof, available quality of service data for the wireless networks and store the corresponding data in association with each network identification. The available quality of service data includes at least a bandwidth criterion and a delay criterion associated with each wireless network. For each one of the software applications, the mobile device is adapted to execute the software application; identify, based on the stored quality of service data, one or more wireless networks having a bandwidth criterion and a delay criterion that best match a bandwidth requirement and a delay requirement, respectively, of the executed software application; and select, based on the identifying, an available wireless network for communication using the executed software application. |
| US08214535B2 |
Changing Ethernet MTU size on demand with no data loss
A method and system for substantially avoiding loss of data and enabling continuing connection to the application during an MTU size changing operation in an active network computing device. Logic is added to the device driver, which logic provides several enhancements to the MTU size changing operation/process. Among these enhancements are: (1) logic for temporarily pausing the data coming in from the linked partner while changing the MTU size; (2) logic for returning a “device busy” status to higher-protocol transmit requests during the MTU size changing process. This second logic prevents the application from issuing new requests until the busy signal is removed; and (3) logic for enabling resumption of both flows when the MTU size change is completed. With this new logic, the device driver/adapter does not have any transmit and receive packets to process for a short period of time, while the MTU size change is ongoing. |
| US08214533B2 |
Quality assured network service provision system compatible with a multi-domain network and service provision method and service broker device
The invention provides quality assured network services in a multi-domain network and comprises a network service management device for managing device clusters incorporated within the operations management network of each provider network and receiving service orders, and a multi-domain service broker for providing a broker function for achieving agreement between a plurality of providers, and the multi-domain service broker further comprises a device for collecting domain information and information relating to the services each provider is able to provide from the network service management devices, and a device which on receipt of a network service request from a customer, extracts the network service management device of the domain which is able to satisfy the required quality level, and then issues instructions for the setting of the required information within the extracted network service management device. |
| US08214529B2 |
Automatic network cluster path management
Automatic network configuration of cluster paths to access data within a cluster is described. Each node of the cluster presents to clients an image of the cluster as a single system. Each node also stores information regarding what node has particular data, as well as information about network addresses and corresponding network capabilities for the various network addresses for each node. When a node receives a request for data, the node determines a node where the request data can be accessed, determines network addresses and network capabilities for each network address of the node, and selects a path to access the node based on the determined information. The receiving node may select the path based on network type and capability, as well as load and performance of the network. |
| US08214525B2 |
Addresses assignment for adaptor interfaces
An initial configuration is maintained assigning multiple local interfaces to one initial local address. For each local interface, a remote address of a remote interface on at least one remote device to which the local interface connects is received. The initial local address is used to identify the local interfaces assigned to the initial local address in response to receiving a same remote address for each remote interface connected to the local interfaces assigned the initial local address. |
| US08214520B1 |
Automated network source changes for real-time streaming media
Media, methods and systems are provided for coordinating changes of network sources for media streams in a telecommunications network. The streams communicate instances of media content via packets to devices. A first network source streams packets of an instance of media content to a device. Each packet includes information regarding the temporal ordering of that packet within the instance and information regarding the sequencing of the packet within the stream. It is determined that a second network source should stream the instance of media content. A point in the temporal ordering within the instance is identified and communicated at which the second network source will provide the instance of media content. The second network source streams to the mobile device the instance of media content from the identified point, without requiring adjustment of the information regarding the sequencing of the packets within the stream. |
| US08214509B2 |
Receive coalescing and direct data placement
A networked computer with a network interface device to which the network stack can offload a subset of the functions needed to process received data packets. The network interface device can receive a map between connections and application buffers. Upon receipt of a data packet through a connection, the network interface device may use the map to identify an application buffer and transfer the data packet to that application buffer. The network interface device may be programmed to recognize qualifications on data packets appropriate for transfer to an application buffer, such as by receiving the sequence number of the next expected packet. Because the network interface device can recognize packets for transfer to an application buffer by simple comparison of a packet header to the map, additional hardware required in the network interface device to perform the offloaded functions is lightweight. |
| US08214506B2 |
Providing content to client device
Content is provided to a client device. A request is received from the client device at a content management service which has access to a database of content and a database of devices on a network. The request identifies content requested by a client. The content management service designates a content source. Capability information is received from the client device. The content management service determines whether the client device has capabilities corresponding to the content identified by the request, using the capability information. Responsive to a determination that the client device has the capabilities, the client device is provided with information to facilitate direct communication between the client device and the content source. Responsive to a determination that the client device does not have the capabilities, a communication channel is constructed between the client device and one or more other devices which have capabilities corresponding to the content. |
| US08214499B2 |
System and method for enabling software applications as a service in a non-intrusive manner
A system and method for enabling software applications as a service in a non-intrusive manner in isolated user groups (IUGs) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user request from one of the plurality of IUGs to access application functionality of one of plurality of software applications, identifying the one of the plurality of IUGs, locating one of the plurality of service modules by a service gateway based on a request sent by one of the plurality of service adapters, providing an appropriate access to the one of the plurality of IUGs, obtaining configuration data associated with the one of the plurality of IUGs, forwarding the configuration data and the user request to the one of the plurality of software applications, and generating an appropriate response associated with the application functionality and returning the generated appropriate response to the one of the plurality of IUGs. |
| US08214498B2 |
Method and system for managing a peer of a peer-to-peer network to search for available resources
A method and apparatus for managing a peer of a peer-to-peer network to search for an available resource includes organizing peers of the peer-to-peer network in a hierarchical structure based upon locality of the peers. A request for the available resource is received at a parent from a peer as a request bit string. An aggregate availability bit string representing an aggregate of resources available at all children associated with the parent is accessed to determine if one or more children of the parent are able to fulfill the resource request. The determination is by performing a logical operation with bits of the request bit string and bits of aggregate availability bit string. When more than one child of the parent is able to provide the requested resource, a child with available resource that is closest to the peer requesting the resource is identified. The available resource of the identified child is used to satisfy the resource request of the peer. |
| US08214497B2 |
Multi-dimensional reputation scoring
Methods and systems for assigning reputation to communications entities include collecting communications data from distributed agents, aggregating the communications data, analyzing the communications data and identifying relationships between communications entities based upon the communications data. |
| US08214483B2 |
Method and system for continuous availability subscription service
Embodiments related generally to a method of providing continuous availability subscription service. The method includes retrieving a configuration data of a customer, where the configuration data relates to the hardware and application requirements of the customer. The method also includes creating a virtual machine for the customer based on the configuration data of the customer in response to a catastrophic event at a site of the customer. |
| US08214480B2 |
Method of identifying a root cause of a network event
A method of identifying a root cause of an event in a network of linked entities. The method comprises: defining a plurality of signatures, each signature comprising one or more classes, the classes being categorized by a taxonomy of classes; receiving a first message from the network; assigning one or more of the signatures to the first message; establishing a set of one or more hypotheses, each hypothesis identifying:a respective root cause; and one of the signatures assigned to the first message; receiving one or more subsequent messages from the network; determining whether each subsequent message matches a signature identified by a previously hypothesis; and generating an output based on the determination.Typically the method involves an element of human interaction. Typically at least one of the signatures includes a class which encloses two or more subclasses categorized by the taxonomy of classes. The ability to define signatures including such higher level entity classes in the taxonomy enables a human user to generate, store and edit generic hypotheses quickly and intuitively, and/or provides an output which can be easily understood by a human user. |
| US08214479B2 |
Scalability and redundancy in an MSC-Server blade cluster
This invention relates to the field of Telecommunications, in specific to a distribution mechanism for distributing calls within a Mobile Switching Center Server Blade Cluster. In particular, a method and a corresponding distributor entity for providing scalability and redundancy in blade cluster comprising a plurality of server blades of a telecommunication system are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a message of a subscriber comprising a unique subscriber identifier determining by use of the unique subscriber identifier a first value and determining by said first value a first server blade of said blade cluster, Further, by use of the unique subscriber identifier a second value is determined and by use of said second value a second server blade of said blade cluster, whereby the first server blade is excluded from being determined. |
| US08214477B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic assignment of sets of addresses
A method is provided of dynamically allocating an IP address, via a DHCP relay, to a client terminal within a communication network. The DHCP relay is able to choose the IP address within at least one first set of IP addresses that is administered by an entity for managing sets of IP addresses. The method implements: a first step of transmitting, to the entity for managing sets of IP addresses, a request to allocate an IP address to the client terminal; a second step in which the entity for managing sets of IP addresses selects a set of IP addresses within which to choose the IP address to be allocated from among: either the at least one first set of IP addresses; or at least one second set of IP addresses that is newly created as a function of at least one predetermined parameter; and a third step of allocating in respect of the client terminal at least one IP address chosen by the DHCP relay in the selected set of IP addresses. |
| US08214475B1 |
System and method for managing content interest data using peer-to-peer logical mesh networks
Managing content interest data using peer-to-peer logical mesh networks. Instructions may be processor-executable to implement a given logical node of a logical mesh network that includes a number of such nodes. The given logical node may be configured to store identifying information of its peer nodes. In response to detecting a message-passing event, the given logical node may be configured to generate and convey an outgoing message, which may correspond to respective network-based content and may include indicia of the content, to its peer nodes. The given logical node may not convey the outgoing message to any node that is not a peer. Dependent upon indicia of network-based content included in an incoming message received from a given one of its peer nodes, the given logical node may be further configured to update its identifying information to add or delete a particular node as a peer node. |
| US08214467B2 |
Migrating port-specific operating parameters during blade server failover
Migrating port-specific operating parameters during blade server failover including querying, by a system management server of a data center, a switch for port-specific operating parameters of a first port, the data center comprising blade servers coupled for data communications to one another and to the system management server by a network, the system management server comprising a computer subsystem that automates server management processes in the data center, the switch comprising a data communications component of the network, the switch comprising ports, the ports comprising physical points of connection between the switch and blade servers, each port having associated port-specific operating parameters, the switch connected at the first port to a failing blade server; and assigning, by the system management server, the port-specific operating parameters to a second port in a same switch or another switch connected at the second port to a replacement blade server. |
| US08214466B2 |
Virtualization of scalable role-based command line interface views
Providing for virtualization of a role-based command line interface (CLI) view that enables highly scalable association of such a view with an inter-networking operating system (IOS) device is disclosed herein. By way of example, an IOS correlation component can define VPN routing/forwarding tables (VRFs) to reference a virtual role-based CLI view. Whereas typically an instance of the CLI view must be re-created in memory for each VRF, the subject specification provides for referencing a single CLI view that is global to an IOS platform, greatly increasing scalability of the IOS platform. According to further aspects, transferable CLI views are provided that can be saved in a portable file format and distributed amongst various network devices. The subject disclosure, therefore, provides for greatly increased efficiency and scalability with respect to configuration and implementation of IOS CLI views. |
| US08214465B2 |
Method and system of transporting media signals and allocating assets
Methods and systems of transporting media signals to user devices as a function of users associated therewith and to allocating assets in such systems as a function of users receiving the media signals so as to permit signals, assets, and other features to be directed, allocated, and otherwise distributed as a function of the users associated therewith. |
| US08214464B2 |
Current updates
This document describes tools capable of differentiating a superset of entities from which a user may receive current updates effective to provide current updates for only some of the entities of the superset. In one embodiment, for example, the tools enable a user of a mobile device to select a set of entities from which the user will automatically receive updates that are current, easily accessible, and visible at-a-glance. The tools may forgo providing current updates for entities that are not selected by the user, though the tools may provide these updates when explicitly requested by the user or at particular times or events. |
| US08214456B2 |
System and method for restrictively exchanging and controlling product data between communication devices of a private network
A novel and non-trivial system and method for restrictively exchanging and controlling product data between communication devices of a private network is disclosed. A processor in communication with a plurality of user communication devices is used for controlling and restricting the exchange of product data. In such network, the processor may establish a communication connection with an initiating communication device of an initiating user, receive initiating product data from the initiating communication device and corresponding first users (e.g., defined trusted users) data, provide the initiating product data to at least one available first user communication device, receive responding product data responsive to the initiating product data, and provide the responding product data to the initiating communication device. Additionally, the processor may provide interested users who have not been defined as trusted users with the initiating product data and receive responding product data from such interested users. |
| US08214452B2 |
Monitoring of windows on computers
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for monitoring windows on computers. In one embodiment, movement of a mouse or cursor in a focused window of the computer is analyzed to determine whether an application is properly executing in the computer. |
| US08214451B2 |
Network service version management
Network service version management techniques are disclosed. Service access information, which is associated with access to a network service by a network service user, may be destined for a particular version of the network service. A determination is made as to whether a different version of the network service is accessible by the network service user. If so, then a further determination is made as to whether to select the different version of the network service to process the service access information. Any inconsistency between versions of the network service, such as different information requirements, can be handled by transforming received service access information. A replay function may also be provided, to have service access information again processed by the same or a different version of a network service. This function may be useful, for example, where a version of a service is rolled back or for debugging. |
| US08214449B2 |
Method and apparatus for switching communication channel in shared memory communication environment
A method for switching a communication channel in a shared memory communication environment which sets up a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication channel and a shared memory communication channel from a first virtual machine to a second virtual machine, the method includes: transmitting a channel switching message to the first virtual machine when the first virtual machine moves to another physical machine; transmitting the channel switching message from the first virtual machine to the second virtual machine; and switching a channel state between the first virtual machine and the second virtual machine. |
| US08214447B2 |
Managing an audio network
A method for an audio system controls a number of audio devices from a master device over a wired network for at least one wired audio device and over a wireless network for at least one wireless device. The method receives a reply in response to a poll message from each of the wired audio devices and aggregate polling information indicative of the state of the wireless devices from one of the wireless devices. |
| US08214446B1 |
Segmenting access to electronic message boards
Systems and methods are provided for fine level access control over message content in an electronic messaging system. Access criteria associated with the message content define requirements that a user must satisfy in order to perform specified actions on message content. The user's complete profile is examined at run time and compared to access criteria to make a real time decision about the level of access that a user should have to message content. Depending on the access criteria associated with content, stronger authentication or weaker authentication of the user profile information may be performed on the user profile to determine the level of access that should be granted to the user. |
| US08214439B2 |
Document object model API for MIME
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate interpreting Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) data to view and/or edit MIME content. An interface can obtain MIME data. For instance, this MIME data can be obtained from a stream of MIME data, from loading a static file including the MIME data, etc. Moreover, any disparate type of RFC 822 data can additionally or alternatively be received by the interface. In an embodiment, a MIME reader analyzes the MIME data (and/or normalized RFC 822 data) to interpret encoded structural information and generates at least one primitive based on the encoded structural information. A MIME writer which complements the MIME reader then generates MIME data from the at least one primitive. Further, a hierarchical model can be built utilizing the at least one primitive. |
| US08214437B1 |
Online adaptive filtering of messages
In general, a two or more stage spam filtering system is used to filter spam in an e-mail system. One stage includes a global e-mail classifier that classifies e-mail as it enters the e-mail system. The parameters of the global e-mail classifier generally may be determined by the policies of e-mail system owner and generally are set to only classify as spam those e-mails that are likely to be considered spam by a significant number of users of the e-mail system. Another stage includes personal e-mail classifiers at the individual mailboxes of the e-mail system users. The parameters of the personal e-mail classifiers generally are set by the users through retraining, such that the personal e-mail classifiers are refined to track the subjective perceptions of their respective user as to what e-mails are spam e-mails. Retraining data for the personal e-mail classifiers may be aggregated and a subset of the aggregate may be chosen for use in retraining the global e-mail classifier. |
| US08214436B2 |
System for digital yearbook delivery
An application for a system for providing a digital yearbook includes a server, a terminal and a database. The database is interfaced to the server and yearbook data is captured at the terminal, transferred to the server and stored in the database. The yearbook data is filtered and formatted based upon user profiles, creating customized views (subsets) of the yearbook for each of the users, including formatting and organizing the customized views for a desired viewing device of each user. |
| US08214433B2 |
System and method to provide context for an automated agent to service multiple avatars within a virtual universe
A system and method to interact with business systems through the use of automated agents and provide context for an automated agent to service multiple avatars within a virtual universe. The system comprises a chat engine, a communications subsystem, and a channelizer configured to mediate one or more communications between the chat engine and the communications subsystem. The channelizer is further configured to map at least one channel to an application. |
| US08214431B2 |
Content and playlist providing method
A content providing method includes the steps of preparing, on a network, a bulletin board server that provides an electronic bulletin board and a content server that accommodates content; enabling, by the bulletin board server, a second user to make a post on a topic when a first user introduces the topic under a predetermined title on the electronic bulletin board; outputting, by the bulletin board server, a list indicating recommended content as a playlist to an apparatus of a user who accesses via the network when the second user posts information on the recommended content that suits the title in the topic; and outputting, by the content server, designated content to the apparatus of the user to which the playlist is output when the content included in the playlist is designated. |
| US08214426B2 |
System for individually customized digital yearbook delivery
An application for a system for providing a digital yearbook includes a server, a user computer and a database. The database is interfaced to the server and global yearbook data and private yearbook data is captured at the computer and transferred to the server. The yearbook data and private data are stored in the database and each user is provided with their own subset of the global yearbook data along with their own private yearbook data at a device for displaying such. |
| US08214425B2 |
System and method for storing a program using partial compression
A method is set forth for compressing a file of size C for storage in a memory space of size F, where C>F, comprising compressing successive portions of the file until C≦F, creating a header to the file including an offset value indicating a location separating compressed and uncompressed portions of the file, and appending the header to the file. A further method is set forth for executing a file comprising reading the header to determine the predetermined compression algorithm and the offset, copying the uncompressed portions from the memory to a RAM, decompressing the compressed portions starting at the offset, storing the decompressed portions of the load into RAM in sequence after the uncompressed portions, and executing the file from the RAM. |
| US08214424B2 |
User level message broadcast mechanism in distributed computing environment
A data processing system is programmed to provide a method for enabling user-level one-to-all message/messaging (OTAM) broadcast within a distributed parallel computing environment in which multiple threads of a single job execute on different processing nodes across a network. The method comprises: generating one or more messages for transmission to at least one other processing node accessible via a network, where the messages are generated by/for a first thread executing at the data processing system (first processing node) and the other processing node executes one or more second threads of a same parallel job as the first thread. An OTAM broadcast is transmitting via a host fabric interface (HFI) of the data processing system as a one-to-all broadcast on the network, whereby the messages are transmitted to a cluster of processing nodes across the network that execute threads of the same parallel job as the first thread. |
| US08214422B1 |
Methods and apparatus for sending content between client devices
Sending content between client devices connected to a computer network is described. According to one described aspect, a server maintains a database correlating unique identifiers for client devices to their network address information. A first client device may query the server for network address information of a second client device by sending the unique identifier to the server. The server returns the network address of the second client device, which is used to send a message directly from the first client device to the second client device, indicating the availability of content. Also, the message is preferably formatted such that it automatically populates a content guide of the second client device, with an entry used to initiate a transmission of the content from the first client device to the second client device. |
| US08214421B2 |
Conformance testing without reference implementation of an XML standard
Messages exchanged between two or more participants are conformance tested to a specific markup language standard without using a reference implementation of the markup language standard. Conformance is tested by executing verification rules corresponding to the specific markup language standard, where the verification rules comprise a representation of at least one protocol verification graph. |
| US08214418B2 |
Method for combining binary numbers in environments having limited bit widths and apparatus therefor
The present disclosure provides a method and system for combining multiple coefficient words using only the magnitude bits of each of the coefficient words and using the sign bits of each of the coefficient words to modify the output of the combined magnitude bits. Using this method and/or system, it is possible to implement, for example, digital filters using larger coefficient word sizes without having to incur the inefficiencies and cost associated with using additional hardware resources, while maintaining an acceptable gain error in the filter response. |
| US08214416B2 |
Floating-point addition acceleration
Embodiments of the present invention generate a normalized floating-point sum from at least two floating-point addends. The mantissa of an un-normalized floating-point sum is generated. A pointer is generated which indicates the location of the left-most significant digit (LSD) in the mantissa of the un-normalized floating-point sum. A plurality of possible values for the exponent of the normalized floating-point sum are generated, in parallel with each other and in parallel with the mantissa addition, based on a common exponent value (e.g., the largest of the two addends' exponent values). Based on the LSD pointer, one of the possible values is selected as the exponent of the normalized floating-point sum. The mantissa of the un-normalized floating-point sum is normalized to yield the mantissa of the normalized floating-point sum. By generating the possible exponent values in parallel, embodiments of the present invention can result in significant time savings over prior-art methods. |
| US08214414B2 |
Combined set bit count and detector logic
A merged datapath for PopCount and BitScan is described. A hardware circuit includes a compressor tree utilized for a PopCount function, which is reused by a BitScan function (e.g., bit scan forward (BSF) or bit scan reverse (BSR)). Selector logic enables the compressor tree to operate on an input word for the PopCount or BitScan operation, based on a microprocessor instruction. The input word is encoded if a BitScan operation is selected. The compressor tree receives the input word, operates on the bits as though all bits have same level of significance (e.g., for an N-bit input word, the input word is treated as N one-bit inputs). The result of the compressor tree circuit is a binary value representing a number related to the operation performed (the number of set bits for PopCount, or the bit position of the first set bit encountered by scanning the input word). |
| US08214411B2 |
Atomic deletion of database data categories
A device maintains, in a database, a plurality of data items, each data item of the plurality of data items being associated with a respective category. The device associates, in the database, a first counter value with each data item, the first counter value indicating a number of times the respective category has been deleted from the database at a time when the data item was stored in the database. The device associates, in the database or another database, a second counter value with the respective category, the second counter value indicating a current value for a number of times the respective category has been deleted from the database. The device selectively deletes, from the database, one or more data items of the plurality of data items from the database based on the first counter values and the second counter value. |
| US08214408B2 |
Method, database system and computer program for joining temporal database tables
A method, database system and computer program are disclosed for performing a temporal join between two temporal database tables. The method includes determining a selected table intersection between a period of interest and a time period value for a selected table row, scanning an inner table for a row that matches the selected table on the join conditions and overlaps the selected table intersection, and determining the remainder time period values from the selected table intersection. |
| US08214404B2 |
Media aware distributed data layout
A storage system comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk containing a plurality of storage segments, and each segment providing a specific class of service (CoS). Each vdisk stores files with data and meta data distributed among its storage segments. A storage system comprises a memory having multiple classes of service. The system comprises an interface for storing a file as blocks of data associated with a class of service in the memory. The interface chooses the class of service for a block on a block by block basis. A file system for storing a file comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk having a plurality of inodes. Each inode of each vdisk stores data on one or more segments, with each segment having a different class of service. The system comprises a controller which stores data of a file in an inode of a vdisk, in one or more segments of that vdisk. A file system for storing a file comprises a plurality of vdisks, and each vdisk having a plurality of inodes. The system comprises a controller including a plurality of processors, with each processor serving one or more of the vdisks. A file system for storing comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk having a plurality of inodes, a plurality of inodes of at least one vdisk storing data on a plurality of segments, each segment having a different class of service. The system comprises a controller which stores data of the file in one or more segments of one vdisk. A method for storing a file. |
| US08214403B2 |
Structured document management device and method
An index creating unit divides text information into words and creates index information associated with schema identification information and identification information for each of the words divided. When the number of pieces of the index information stored in a file format exceeds a threshold, an index analyzing unit analyzes a distribution of a schema identification information group and an identification information group. When an analysis shows that more than a predetermined number of the schema identification information substantially match the schema identification information stored in a first rule storage unit, a first compressing unit compresses the schema identification information group using group identification information and in-group identification information stored in the first rule storage unit. A second compressing unit compresses at least one of the schema identification information group and the identification information group using a compression rule stored in a second rule storage unit and determined in accordance with a analysis of the index information. |
| US08214402B2 |
Interactive physical design tuning
An architecture for providing interactive sessions for physical database design is described, allowing users to readily try different options, identify problems, and obtain physical designs in a flexible way. Embodiments based on a .NET assembly and modifications to a database management system (DBMS) are also described. |
| US08214401B2 |
Techniques for automated generation of ontologies for enterprise applications
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for generating ontologies. In one embodiment, techniques are provided for automatically generating an ontology based upon input information. The input information may, for example, be in the form of XSD, XML, WSDL, or WSRP, etc. The automatically generated ontology may be encoded in OWL or other RDF-compliant language. A set of inference rules may also be automatically generated using the input information. The automatically generated ontology and the set of inference rules may be stored in a database for further processing. |
| US08214400B2 |
Systems and methods for maintaining distributed data
Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is mirrored index tree where the copies of the nodes of the tree are stored across devices in a distributed system. In one embodiment, nodes that are stored on an offline device are restored, and an offline device that comes back online is merged into the distributed system and given access to the current indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is traversed to locate and restore nodes that are stored on offline devices of the distributed system. |
| US08214398B1 |
Role based access controls
Role-based access controls improve user access in a computer system. A profile associated with a role is generated. The profile is enforced with respect to one or more users associated with the role. Optionally, the profile is generated based at least in part on a user interaction. |
| US08214396B2 |
Lead management
Systems and methods for lead management. Lead management systems can collect contact information and service information associated with a user and store the contact information to a contact data store. The lead management system can submit an the service information and obfuscated contact information to a provider on behalf of the user. The lead management system can thereafter present communications from the provider to the user. |
| US08214392B2 |
Domain independent system and method of automating data aggregation
A computer automated method and system of presenting data. The method may include the steps of inputting a set of user-defined instructions into a remotely located computer database system via a public network connection, inputting a user query into the computer database system via the public network connection, mining the computer database system for data relevant to the user query, creating a data set comprising the data relevant to the user query, and aggregating data in the data set using domain metrics selected based on any of predefined and configurable rules and past user usage. The aggregation may further include tagging all data attributes in the data set based on database metadata and inputs from a user, wherein the data attributes comprise any of data identifications (IDs), data grouping attributes, and data measure attributes. |
| US08214388B2 |
System and method for adding a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store
An improved system and method for adding a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Additional storage servers may then be added and column chunks may be redistributed among the storage servers in the column chunk data store. |
| US08214386B2 |
System and method for structured news release generation and distribution
A method of providing a news release to a user is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: providing access to the user, over a network, to data stored in a computer-readable digital storage medium; and structuring the data provided to the user over the network so that the user experiences a news release having a plurality of sections, the sections including a headline, a summary, key points, and a network address. |
| US08214384B2 |
Knowledge archival and recollection systems and methods
A computer implemented method of recording user activity in a knowledge archival and recollection system, comprising: initiating a network browser plug-in on detecting that a network browser has been opened; providing at least one file to a user from the network; transmitting and storing at least one file to a file archive using a file transfer protocol; gathering user activity data for each said at least one file accessed; associating user activity data to each related file; transmitting and storing user activity data to a database server using a database connection protocol; and indexing each file. |
| US08214381B2 |
Expected future condition support in an abstract query environment
Embodiments of the invention are generally related to data processing, and more specifically to retrieving data from a database. An abstract query may include query conditions and a first logical field comprising conditions for determining whether a second logical field will have a predefined value in the future. Upon execution, the abstract query may return results that satisfy the conditions for determining whether the second logical field will have the predefined value. |
| US08214380B1 |
System and method for managing search results
A system and method for managing search results available from a network resource using a data feed is disclosed herein as incorporating a processor programmed to retrieve user unsorted search results matching search terms provided by a user, transmit the search results along with a user selectable sorting identifier over the network for display on a graphical user interface and further programmed to sort each search result according to the user selected sorting identifier, update the sorting status of each search result, and transmit for display on the graphical user interface the search results in accordance with the sorting status and the user selected sorting identifier. |
| US08214379B2 |
Composing views with automatic creation of links
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for composing views with automatic creation of links. Generally, views receive data through a query. Views also can have bindings to variables, for example, to represent what is selected in the view. Analyzing these queries can be used to determine whether a composition is valid, and how to compute a new query for a composed second view. In a composite view, a selection variable is utilized, and is bound to the selection parameter of the new first view. The data query for the second new view is re-written to refer to the selection variable in the composite. |
| US08214370B1 |
Data pre-processing and indexing for efficient retrieval and enhanced presentation
A system, a method and a computer readable storage medium for pre-processing data collected from one or more data sources more accurately summarize data. During the pre-processing, multiple raw data are summarized into a pre-processed datum. By using the pre-processed data entries, more accurate trend data may be generated. Alternatively, data entries are indexed and selectively retrieved based on indices. Decimation of data points are performed based on the indices without retrieving all the data sets from the database, reducing the data access time for returning a query result. Additional data sets may also be retrieved efficiently from the database using the indices. |
| US08214369B2 |
System and method for indexing and prefiltering
A method and system are provided for selecting advertisements for presentation to a user in response to a user search query. The system may include a keyword server for parsing the user search query and an index server for receiving the parsed search query. The index server may include an index of advertising phrases and pre-filtering components for comparing index entries to the parsed user search query in order to discard non-matching index entries and locate matching entries. The pre-filtering components may include either a phrase length pre-filtering component or a word hash pre-filtering component. The system may additionally include a listing server for sorting through the matching entries located by the index server and further filtering the matching entries for retrieval and presentation to the user. |
| US08214368B2 |
Device, method, and computer-readable recording medium for notifying content scene appearance
An extracting unit extracts keywords from metadata extracted from played scenes. An attaching unit attaches a semantic class to the keywords. A semantic class determining unit determines whether the semantic class is a should-be-played class. When there is a keyword with the should-be-played class attached, an acquiring unit acquires at least one keyword without having the should-be-played class as a should-be-observed keyword. When the metadata includes the should-be-observed keyword and a keyword to which a should-be-stopped class is attached, an appearance determining unit determines that a scene including the should-be-observed keyword appears in contents. |
| US08214367B2 |
Systems, methods, means, and media for recording, searching, and outputting display information
Systems for recording, searching, and outputting display information are provided. In some embodiments, systems for recording display information are provided. The systems include a virtual display that: intercepts display-changes describing changes to be made to a state of a display; sends the display-changes to a client for display; records the display-changes; and a context recorder that records context information describing a state of the display derived from a source independently of the display changes and independently of screen-images. In some embodiments, the systems further include a display system that generates an output screen-image based at least in part on at least one of the display-changes and in response to a search of the context information. In some embodiments, the virtual display further records screen-images; and the display system further generates the output screen-image based at least in part on a recorded-screen-image of the recorded screen-images. |
| US08214361B1 |
Organizing search results in a topic hierarchy
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for searching a data set and returning search results organized in a hierarchy of categories are disclosed. A set of categories is provided for organizing a set of search results, wherein each category is associated with one or more search results. The set of search results is organized into a hierarchy of categories, the hierarchy including at least one category from the set of categories. At least a portion of the hierarchy of categories is displayed and a user request to modify the hierarchy of categories is received. The hierarchy of categories is modified in accordance with the user request. |
| US08214360B2 |
Browser context based search disambiguation using existing category taxonomy
A mechanism is provided for context based search disambiguation using existing category taxonomy. A client provides additional cues for search term disambiguation through the context of the specific user's browser. A bookmark or favorites data structure is sent along with the search term(s) to be disambiguated. The bookmark data structure acts as pre-existing category taxonomy for a clustering search engine to classify the results of the search. A viewed content history may also be sent along with the search terms to be disambiguated. The viewed content history acts as a cue to a clustering search engine to display as more relevant the results that are classified in the same category as the pages sent along with the search terms. |
| US08214357B2 |
System and method for linking ad tagged words
There is disclosed a computer-implemented method operable on a mobile communication device for linking words to advertising resource links. In an embodiment, the method comprises: scanning a list or a body of text in order to identify a tagged keyword; linking at least one corresponding advertising resource link to each identified tagged keyword; and visually distinguishing a tagged keyword upon the at least one advertising resource link becoming accessible to the mobile communication device. In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing as an advertising resource link one or more of an advertising website, an email address, an SMS text address, a telephone number, or a purchase option screen corresponding to the identified tagged keyword. |
| US08214349B2 |
Automated creation and delivery of database content
A method and apparatus are disclosed which automatically build a database by automatically assigning links to an expert, pushing content to an expert, providing expert annotation, and linking the content to an annotation database. A term is selected by applying rules, such as, the term not previously existing in the database, an unusually high frequency of the term, the term is an article or the term is an unusual part of speech. An advertiser can sponsor the term, for example, by having a banner ad automatically pop-up on a keyword search. Content windows can be attached to the term, the content window containing information such as definitions, related products or services, sponsorship information, information from content syndicators, translations and reference works. A utility is available to the expert that allows the expert to analyze the term in context by extending or reducing the sentence or paragraph the word is contained in. Data objects that represent the contents of the database and templates are syndicated to remote servers running a processing engine. The processing engine uses these data objects to execute linking rules without requiring a connection to the database. |
| US08214344B2 |
Search engine inference based virtual assistance
Techniques described herein generally relate to real time inference based systems. Example embodiments may set forth devices, methods, and computer programs related to search engine inference based virtual assistance. One example method may include a computing device adapted to receive text as input and a computer processor arranged to determine at least one inference regarding subject matter of the text based on one or more web searches of one or more terms within the text. The inference(s) may then be automatically displayed upon the inference(s) being determined. The text may be automatically received as input from a voice-to-text converter as voice-to-text conversion producing the text is occurring. |
| US08214341B2 |
Determining when to apply writes received to data units being transferred to a secondary storage
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for managing writes received to data units that are being transferred to a secondary storage as part of a mirror relationship. Synchronization information indicates data units to transfer from a primary storage to a secondary storage, wherein the synchronization information data is updated to indicate the transfer of one of the data units from the primary storage to the secondary storage. A storage controller receives a write request having an update to a target data unit comprising one of the data units indicated in the synchronization information that has not been transferred from the primary storage to the secondary storage. The write request is allowed to apply the update to the target data unit in response to transferring the data in the target data unit to a network adapter of the storage controller and before the data in the target data unit is transferred to the secondary storage. |
| US08214340B2 |
Observing and reporting changes in complex software dependencies
An observation system includes mechanisms for efficiently tracking the state of source components, which include functions, arguments, or values, etc. In one implementation, an observing component requests that a source component processes a request. The observation system then identifies all possible components in a dependency chain for the request, and all such components that are configured for change notifications. A dependency registry stores a representation of each identified component that is configured for change notifications. Any time any component configured for change notifications changes, including indirectly related components, the observing component can be immediately notified of the change, without having to reprocess the entire set of component dependencies. |
| US08214338B1 |
Methods and systems for media storage
Described herein are methods and systems related to managing the storage of telephony-related data, such as calls, contacts, and/or messages. An illustrative embodiment receives media via a telephonic device. The media is stored in a first data store with a first degree of compression as a first file of a first size. A search interface is provided via which a user can search for the media. After a first period of time and/or at least partly in response to determining that the media has not been accessed or has been infrequently accessed, the media is stored in a second data store with a second degree of compression as a second file of a second size, wherein the second degree of compression is higher than the first degree of compression, and wherein the second size is smaller than the first size. |
| US08214337B2 |
Data management through decomposition and decay
Systems and methods for decomposing and decaying data over time by decomposing a type of data item into constituent units of the data item, establishing relationship factors between data items to other data items and between constituent units, creating a shelf-life criterion for the constituent units priority dimensions, calculating or updating a decomposability index for each constituent unit as a function of the priority dimensions while also applying a relationship factor and optionally incrementing for another dimension, and then decaying over time the data items by deleting all constituent units which have decomposability indices exceeding a configured threshold. |
| US08214335B2 |
Controlling and using virtual universe wish lists
Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item. |
| US08214334B2 |
Systems and methods for distributed system scanning
Systems and methods are provided for scanning files and directories in a distributed file system on a network of nodes. The nodes include metadata with attribute information corresponding to files and directories distributed on the nodes. In one embodiment, the files and directories are scanned by commanding the nodes to search their respective metadata for a selected attribute. At least two of the nodes are capable of searching their respective metadata in parallel. In one embodiment, the distributed file system commands the nodes to search for metadata data structures having location information corresponding to a failed device on the network. The metadata data structures identified in the search may then be used to reconstruct lost data that was stored on the failed device. |
| US08214331B2 |
Managing storage of individually accessible data units
Managing data includes: receiving at least one group of individually accessible data units over an input device or port, each data unit identified by a key value, with key values of the received data units being sorted such that the key value identifying a given first data unit that is received before a given second data unit occurs earlier in a sort order than the key value identifying the given second data unit; and processing the data units for storage in a data storage system. The processing includes: storing a plurality of blocks of data, each of one or more of the blocks being generated by combining a plurality of the data units; providing an index that includes an entry for each of the blocks, wherein one or more of the entries enable location, based on a provided key value, of a block that includes data units corresponding to a range of key values that includes the provided key value; and generating one or more screening data structures associated with the stored blocks for determining a possibility that a data unit that includes a given key value was included in the group of individually accessible data units. |
| US08214330B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program product
An information processing apparatus includes a generating unit that, based on schema information defining a structure of an object, generates the object that has a duplicating function for generating a clone as a copy of self. There is a receiving unit that receives a generation request for generating the object and a requesting unit that requests generation of the clone to the object when the duplicating function of the object for which the generation request is received is determined to be available. Further, there is an output unit that outputs the clone generated by the object, whose duplicating function is determined to be available, to a source that has issued the generation request for generating the object. |
| US08214327B2 |
Optimization and staging method and system
An optimization method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system a data footprint associated with data and a human resource model. The data footprint comprises a primary data section, a secondary data section, and an archive data section. A plurality of data storage strategies are associated with the primary data section, said secondary data section, and said archive data section. The plurality of data storage strategies are compared to each other. A data staging orchestrator software module is executed. The computing system determines based on results of executing the data staging orchestrator software module, an optimal migration time, an optimal migration speed, and an optimal migration cost for managing storage for portions of the data. The computing system executes a risk modulation software module and determines a risk associated with the managing. |
| US08214325B2 |
Federating business event data within an enterprise network
Parsing of event queries in an enterprise system is described. The enterprise system receives queries, which are broken down into query components. The query components each represent segments of the query. The enterprise system identifies sources of event data and sends queries towards the sources of the event data. The query components are processed close to the data source. The responses are combined to generate an event query response that indicates the event data of each of the query components. |
| US08214323B2 |
Extensible data warehouse for flow cytometry data
Methods, systems, and computer program products for storing, managing, querying, and displaying data are described herein. The method operates by classifying and displaying received flow cytometry data. In an embodiment, the method creates a first extensible dimension table with columns that include keywords from received data. The method creates a second extensible dimension table with columns corresponding to parameters from the received data. The method then populates dimension tables with data describing values of dimensions of the classified data. The method populates a first fact table from the classified data. The method then populates a second fact table with a summary of data from the first fact table. The method displays a user interface on a display of a computer device. The method then permits a user to select query attributes including keywords and parameters. The method builds and executes queries based upon dimensions generated from grouped selected query attributes. |
| US08214319B2 |
Data processing in a distributed computing environment
A computerized system configured to provide a data cell graph for a distributed data set comprised of different data formats. The system comprises a plurality of data repositories, each data repository configured to retain a portion of the distributed data set translated into a uniform semantic language and a plurality of processing cells, each processing cell configured to translate a portion of the distributed data set into the uniform semantic language, wherein the processing cells are further configured to perform at least one of applying rules to classify data against semantic knowledge models and/or adding inferred facts to and/or transforming the structure of the data found in the translated data in the data repository. The processing cells are configured in a computerized data cell graph so as to progressively create a unified semantic knowledge model for the distributed data set. |
| US08214318B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for content recommendation and recording medium
An attribute weight adjustment engine adjusts a weight of a user in accordance with a record of an identified member ID out of records of an attribute weight adjustment database. The weight adjustment is performed through the multiple regression analysis based on a target similarity resulting from the record of the attribute weight adjustment database and a similarity of each attribute of the attribute weight adjustment database. The resulting weight is identified as the weight of each attribute of the identified user. To account for the weight of each attribute of the user, an attribute weight database is updated, and an unwanted record is deleted from the attribute weight adjustment database. |
| US08214317B2 |
Failure detection system risk reduction assessment
A process includes determining a probability of a failure mode of a system being analyzed reaching a failure limit as a function of time to failure limit, determining a probability of a mitigation of the failure mode as a function of a time to failure limit, and quantifying a risk reduction based on the probability of the failure mode reaching the failure limit and the probability of the mitigation. |
| US08214310B2 |
Cross descriptor learning system, method and program product therefor
A cross descriptor learning system, method and program product therefor. The system extracts descriptors from unlabeled exemplars. For each unlabeled exemplar, a cross predictor uses each descriptor to generate labels for other descriptor. An automatic label generator also generates labels for the same unlabeled exemplars or, optionally, for labeled exemplars. A label predictor results for each descriptor by combining labels from the cross predictor with labels from the automatic label generator. |
| US08214308B2 |
Computer-implemented systems and methods for updating predictive models
Computer-implemented systems and methods for updating champion predictive models that operate within a production environment. A system and method can include evaluating the predictive model performance of a champion predictive model. Based upon an indication of decay of predictive model performance of the champion predictive model, a corrective action is performed to correct the performance of the champion predictive model. |
| US08214303B2 |
Apparatus for executing interoperable digital rights management using contents device and method of performing operations between contents device and digital rights management tool for interoperable digital rights management
Provided are an apparatus for executing interoperable digital rights management (DRM) using a contents device and a method of performing an operation between the contents device and a DRM tool for interoperable DRM, and more particularly, a method and apparatus for executing a DRM tool in various environments, regardless of the type of device or type of DRM tool, using an interfaced DRM executing apparatus including a DRM processor or a DRM tool agent. |
| US08214299B2 |
Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactions
A system and method for conducting electronic commerce are disclosed. In various embodiments, the electronic transaction is a purchase transaction. A user is provided with an intelligent token, such as a smartcard containing a digital certificate. The intelligent token suitably authenticates with a server on a network that conducts all or portions of the transaction on behalf of the user. In various embodiments a wallet server interacts with a security server to provide enhanced reliability and confidence in the transaction. In various embodiments, the wallet server includes a toolbar. In various embodiments, the digital wallet pre-fills forms. Forms may be pre-filled using an auto-remember component. |
| US08214296B2 |
Disaggregated secure execution environment
An electronic device, such as, a computer, may be adapted for self-monitoring for compliance to an operating policy. The operating policy may specify a pay-per-use or subscription business model and measurements associated with compliant usage. A secure execution environment may measure usage in accordance with the business model as well as monitor and enforce compliance to the operating policy. To increase the difficulty of attacking or otherwise disabling the secure execution environment, elements of the secure execution environment may be distributed. The distribution points may include other functional elements of the computer, such as interface circuits, or may even be remotely located over a network. An implementation method for disaggregating the secure execution environment is also disclosed. |
| US08214291B2 |
Unified identity verification
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to register one time, at a financial entity, information comprising an identity uniquely associated with an individual having a financial account held by the financial entity. Additional actions include receiving a request at the financial entity from a requesting party to authenticate a customer purporting to be the individual, authenticating, by the financial entity, the customer as the individual by matching a token presented by the customer to the identity uniquely associated with the individual, and providing to the requesting party a previously-authorized portion of a profile associated with the individual. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08214282B2 |
Automated securities trade execution system and method
An automated securities order execution system includes order entering means for a client to enter an order and at least one filtering means for determining whether the order can be automatically executed. Routing means are used for routing the order to a destination based upon the determination made by each of the filtering means. After the order has been properly routed, the order is executed and the result of the order execution is reported to the client. |
| US08214280B2 |
System and method for coordinating automated and semi-automated trading tools
The present embodiments include methods, systems, and computer program products that provide tools for use in any type of electronic trading environment. In one aspect, leaning manager includes software that can be implemented on any type of computer device for tracking and/or coordinating the buying and selling of available market quantities by multiple automated or semi-automated trading tools. For instance, if more than one automated or semi-automated trading tool is leaning on the same tradeable object then the leaning manager may track and/or coordinate such action. The trading tools can use the tracked information and/or the allocated quantities and their prices to enhance their trading strategies. |
| US08214277B2 |
Multidimensional risk analysis systems
Multi-dimensional risk assessment in multiple time frames, capable of warning of upcoming risks and current risk levels in market trading without tedious manual confirmations. |
| US08214276B1 |
Method and system for providing relative financial position data
A method and system for providing relative financial position data whereby actual financial data, such as, but not limited to, overall financial position data, income and asset data, expense data, and transactional data, and/or demographic data for various individuals is obtained from one or more sources. A given individual's actual financial transaction data is then compared with other individuals that are determined to be similarly situated with the given individual. The given individual is then provided one or more graphical displays and/or data displays showing a comparison between the given individual's own financial data and/or position and the average financial data and/or position of similarly situated individuals. |
| US08214270B2 |
System and method for integrating billing information from alternate energy sources with traditional energy sources
The method and system of the present invention provides for data gathering of energy systems, calculation of billing information for the energy systems to include both traditional energy sources and renewable energy sources, and creation of various outputs to include various user interfaces applicable to overall management of the energy systems. The user interfaces can include integrated, real-time billings to a consumer that measure the cost of the primary energy as well as savings provided by renewable energy sources. The present invention also provides predictive analysis for various aspects of energy use in order to better manage particular facilities that may incorporate renewable energy sources. The gathered data and the various user interfaces enables a user to modify or adjust the use of the renewable energy sources at selected sites to maximize their impact on reducing the cost of the primary energy bill. |
| US08214268B2 |
Resolving demand and supply imbalances
A system for resolving demand and supply imbalances includes a supply liability reduction process (SLRP) executable upon identifying an excess component inventory liability. The SLRP includes: a procurement and development assessment sub-process that represents a greatest magnitude of liability; a liability council assessment sub-process that represents a magnitude of liability less than that of the procurement and development assessment sub-process; a sales activities sub-process that represents a magnitude of liability less than that of the liability council assessment sub-process; and a liability write-off sub-process that represents a magnitude of liability less than that of the sales activities sub-process. The SLRP performs one or more sub-processes in an order of the magnitude of liability. The sub-process reduces the excess component inventory liability by: determining alternative end products that use components identified in the excess component inventory liability; and executing for enticing sales of alternative end products. |
| US08214266B2 |
Brochure inventory and distribution tracking system
A brochure inventory and tracking system provides a method and apparatus for distributing and tracking brochures. A brochure inventory route is assigned to a driver of a vehicle. The brochure inventory route includes at least one brochure distribution point having at least one brochure rack having at least one brochure bin. A handheld device runs remote inventory software and is carried by the driver. A server runs central inventory software and communicates wirelessly with the handheld device. An estimated brochure level for each brochure bin and the number and identity of brochure necessary to refill each brochure bin are determined and the brochure bins are refilled. Information regarding the estimated brochure level for each brochure bin is uploaded to the server for analysis. Customer inventory software allows a customer to access substantially real time data regarding brochure distribution. |
| US08214265B2 |
Indirect customer identification system and method
A database system and method is presented that updates a retail transaction database for each transaction by extracting a name from a payment mechanism. Associations already made between the customer records, the transactions database, and the payment account database are used in conjunction with the extracted name to create additional associations between customers and transactions and between customers and payment accounts. In addition, new customer records can be created by searching demographic databases using the reverse append name and data associated with the transaction already in the database. |
| US08214264B2 |
System and method for an electronic product advisor
A system and method operates on a client device and acquires a suspect list of user products based on information derived from the client device. The system normalizes the list, and the user confirms the accuracy of the product list. The user product list is sent to a server where the user product list is compared to other lists using collaborative filtering techniques. The collaborative filtering techniques determine products of interest for the use and the level of interest of the user. The system computes a similarity measure based upon the number of similar products that match the user's product list and rankings provided by the user and others. Demographic and behavioral data may also be used in performing the comparison and the similarity measure. The system acquires editorial rankings of products from other users and provides a ranked list of recommended products based upon the editorial rankings. |
| US08214262B1 |
System and method of enhancing leads
A consumer lead enhancement system comprises a vendor criteria database, a web server, and a matching engine. The vendor criteria database is configured to store vendor criteria for receiving leads regarding consumers. The web server is configured to request from a consumer a first set of consumer characteristics and a second set of consumer characteristics. The matching engine is configured to compare the consumer characteristics with information in the vendor criteria database in order to match the consumer with one or more vendors so that the system is capable of generating a lead and transmitting the lead to the vendors. If the consumer provides the second set of consumer characteristics, the consumer may be matched to vendors based on the second set of consumer characteristics. Otherwise the consumer may be matched to vendors based on the first set of consumer characteristics. |
| US08214261B2 |
Method and system for promoting user generation of content
Systems and methods for promoting user generation of content are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of systems and methods to facilitate the generation of content by users are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, in order to drive generation of desired content, the generation of content by a user may be linked to an opportunity to generate additional content (where the two types of content may be the same or different). In particular, in certain embodiments when a user has generated a first type of content the opportunity to generate a second type of content may be presented to that user. |
| US08214256B2 |
System and method for advertisement delivery within a video time shifting architecture
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for creating a program for delivery to a client in a video time shifting architecture. The system of the present comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to select one or more advertisements and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the selected advertisements and an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to generate a playlist that identifies content. The playlist includes a user requested time shifted program and the one or more selected advertisements. A video server is operative to interpret the playlist and deliver the content to the user. |
| US08214254B1 |
Method and system for compiling a consumer-based electronic database, searchable according to individual internet user-defined micro-demographics (II)
A system and method is provided for interactive exchange of information. A processor is in operable connection with processor readable media, a database provided on the processor readable media stores preference information related to a plurality of individuals. The processor is operable to retrieve and provide search results from the database in response to prompted requests for information. A module is provided on the media, and is operatively coupled to the processor to receive requests for information from a user and the database provider in tandem. A search results module is operable to provide a first search result in response to a search by the user, and is further operable to provide a second search result that relates to the first search results. The first search result relates to a first group of the plurality of users and the second search result relates to a second group of a plurality of the users of the database that is distinct from the first group, and the first search result includes first preference information and the second search result includes second preference information, wherein the first preference information is at least partially different from the second preference information. |
| US08214250B2 |
System and method for multi-enterprise supply chain optimization
A method of optimizing multi-enterprise supply chain agreements using an electronic scenario based option contract includes creating at a buyer computer a plurality of scenarios of forecasted demand for one or more products and communicating from the buyer computer to a seller computer an offer to enter into an option contract for the supply of the one or more products, the option contract including an option corresponding to each of the plurality of scenarios of forecasted demand. The method further includes executing the option contract, receiving at the buyer computer an indication of current buyer demand for at least one scenario associated with the one or more products, and exercising at least a portion of the option in the option contract based at least in part on the indicated buyer demand. |
| US08214248B1 |
System and method for assessing viability and marketability of assets
Systems and methods for assessing viability and marketability of an asset are provided. In exemplary embodiments, an asset assessment system receives disclosure information for the asset. The disclosure information comprises information indicating at least one taxonomy segment associated with the asset. An attribute grade may then determined based on the disclosure information, while a market grade may be determined based on market data for the at least one taxonomy segment. A final grade based on the attribute grade and the market grade is then calculated. This final grade provides an indication of the viability and marketability of the asset. The final grade may then be output. |
| US08214247B2 |
Methods and system for managing vending operations based on wireless data
A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations. |
| US08214246B2 |
Method for performing retail sales analysis
The invention provides a user with substantial flexibility in requesting and generating analysis projects on transaction and/or consumer data that is stored in one or more databases. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method for retailers and other authorized users, such as suppliers, to access and perform sophisticated, highly specialized analysis on transaction and/or consumer data, such as retail sales and consumer data, from a remote location using an internet connected computer. The transaction and/or consumer data that is accessed can be a compilation of retail transaction data (collected from EPOS systems, for example) and/or consumer data (which has been collected from frequent-shopper or loyalty cards used by consumers when they shop, for example). Projects are generated as spreadsheet based interactive reports, which are easy to manipulate for further analysis and presentations. Insights from these projects can lead to better decisions on new product launches, sampling, merchandizing, assortment, distribution, and other sales and marketing priorities. Exemplary projects may be interactive, allowing the user to manipulate and extract information which is specific to the user's particular needs. |
| US08214237B2 |
Methods and apparatus for resource allocation in computer architectures
Methods and apparatuses for searching for an optimal resource allocation configuration are disclosed. First and second configurations for allocating resources are generated, each having first and second degrees of optimization, respectively. The second configuration is based on a variation of the first configuration. The second configuration is rejected if the first degree of optimization represents a more optimal configuration than the second degree of optimization based on a first probability that the first configuration is a global optimum configuration. The second configuration is accepted if the first degree of optimization represents a more optimization configuration than the second degree of optimization based on a second probability that the first configuration does not comprise the global optimum configuration. |
| US08214234B2 |
Method and system for generating personal/individual health records
A system and method for generating and/or updating a personal/individual health record. Inputs of data to the system may come from diverse sources including, but not limited to, patient questionnaires, insurance company (or other payor) claims data, hospitals, clinics and other institutional providers, and individual physicians and physicians' offices. |
| US08214233B2 |
Payment systems and methods
Disclosed are payment systems and methods. |
| US08214232B2 |
Healthcare insurance claim fraud detection using datasets derived from multiple insurers
Various techniques are described that enable a smaller insurer (or an insurer with a less developed dataset) to be able to characterize whether certain healthcare insurance claim elements are potentially fraudulent or erroneous. Datasets from larger insurers (with well developed datasets) and/or datasets from a consortium of insurers can be leverage by the smaller insurer. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are also described. |
| US08214230B1 |
Health plan management method and apparatus
Techniques and apparatus for managing contributions to an accruable health spending account in an employer-sponsored plan offering a member an employer-funded defined contribution, at least one insurance premium option and the ability to specify an allocation of the defined contribution for payment of option premiums and, in turn, a directed contribution amount designated to such accruable account are disclosed. The accruable account may be used to reimburse the member for qualified medical expenses, and the member may pay any premium shortfall using a tax-advantaged process such as a premium only payment plan. Also disclosed are techniques and apparatus directed to presenting member-specific out-of-pocket expenses for a selected procedure offered by at least one health-care provider. |
| US08214229B2 |
Method and system for creating a network of medical image reading professionals
A method and system is provided for creating a network of medical image reading professionals who are highly skilled and proficient at reading and interpreting medical images. By creating such a network of medical image reading professionals, misdiagnoses can be dramatically reduced, thereby improving patient outcomes, reducing patient suffering and anxiety, reducing costs, and reducing the overall burden on the healthcare system. |
| US08214223B2 |
Audio decoder and decoding method using efficient downmixing
A method, an apparatus, a computer readable storage medium configured with instructions for carrying out a method, and logic encoded in one or more computer-readable tangible medium to carry out actions. The method is to decode audio data that includes N.n channels to M.m decoded audio channels, including unpacking metadata and unpacking and decoding frequency domain exponent and mantissa data; determining transform coefficients from the unpacked and decoded frequency domain exponent and mantissa data; inverse transforming the frequency domain data; and in the case M |
| US08214222B2 |
Method and an apparatus for identifying frame type
A method for identifying a frame type is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving current frame type information, obtaining previously received previous frame type information, generating frame identification information of a current frame using the current frame type information and the previous frame type information, and identifying the current frame using the frame identification information.And, a method for identifying a frame type is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving a backward type bit corresponding to current frame type information, obtaining a forward type bit corresponding to previous frame type information, generating frame identification information of a current frame by placing the backward type bit at a first position and placing the forward type bit at a second position. |
| US08214219B2 |
Speech communications system for a vehicle and method of operating a speech communications system for a vehicle
A speech communications system for a vehicle includes a microphone system provided in the vehicle interior in order to detect audio information. An interaction manager provides grammar information to a speech recognizer. The speech recognizer provides speech recognition results to the interaction manager. An acoustic echo canceller eliminates portions of the audio information detected by the microphone system. A sound localizer determines a sound source location in the vehicle interior. A method of operating a speech communications system in a vehicle is also provided. An interruptible text-to-speech operation provides a speech output to a user. Voice information is requested from the user for a maximum number of times if insufficient voice information or no voice information is provided in response to the speech output provided by the interruptible text-to-speech operation. The dialog context of an unfinished speech interaction is saved. |
| US08214215B2 |
Phase sensitive model adaptation for noisy speech recognition
A speech recognition system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a distorted speech utterance. The speech recognition also includes an updater component that is in communication with a first model and a second model, wherein the updater component automatically updates parameters of the second model based at least in part upon joint estimates of additive and convolutive distortions output by the first model, wherein the joint estimates of additive and convolutive distortions are estimates of distortions based on a phase-sensitive model in the speech utterance received by the receiver component. Further, distortions other than additive and convolutive distortions, including other stationary and nonstationary sources, can also be estimated used to update the parameters of the second model. |
| US08214209B2 |
Speech recognition system, method, and computer readable medium that display recognition result formatted in accordance with priority
Disclosed is a speech recognition system which including speech input means for receiving the speech data, speech recognition means for receiving the input speech data from the speech input means and performing speech recognition, recognition result evaluation means for determining a priority of at least one of a recognition result and each portion forming the recognition result obtained by the speech recognition by the speech recognition means, storage means for storing the recognition result and the priority, recognition result formatting means for determining display/non-display of the recognition result and/or each portion forming the recognition result and generating output information according to the priority, and output means for outputting the output information. |
| US08214204B2 |
Method for generating a vector codebook, method and device for compressing data, and distributed speech recognition system
A method for compressing data, the data being represented by an input vector having Q features, wherein Q is an integer higher than 1, including the steps of 1) providing a vector codebook of sub-sets of indexed Q-feature reference vectors and threshold values associated with the sub-sets for a prefixed feature; 2) identifying a sub-set of reference vectors among the sub-sets by progressively comparing the value of a feature of the input vector which corresponds to the prefixed feature, with the threshold values associated with the sub-sets; and 3) identifying the reference vector which, within the sub-set identified in step 2), provides the lowest distortion with respect to the input vector. |
| US08214203B2 |
Method and apparatus for recovering line spectrum pair parameter and speech decoding apparatus using same
A method and an apparatus for recovering a line spectrum pair (LSP) parameter of a spectrum region when frame loss occurs during speech decoding and a speech decoding apparatus adopting the same are provided. The method of recovering an LSP parameter in speech decoding includes: if it is determined that a received speech packet has an erased frame, converting an LSP parameter of a previous good frame (PGF) of the erased frame or LSP parameters of the PGF and a next good frame (NGF) of the erased frame into a spectrum region and obtaining a spectrum envelope of the PGF or spectrum envelopes of the PGF and NGF; recovering a spectrum envelope of the erased frame using the spectrum envelope of the PGF or the spectrum envelopes of the PGF and NGF; and converting the recovered spectrum envelope of the erased frame into an LSP parameter of the erased frame. The method and apparatus can improve the quality of a recovered speech signal, be applied to a variety of technologies, and provide a method of recovering an LSP parameter for development of an algorithm for speech decoding. |
| US08214200B2 |
Fast MDCT (modified discrete cosine transform) approximation of a windowed sinusoid
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for approximating an MDCT coefficient of a block of windowed sinusoid having a defined frequency, the block being multiplied by a window sequence and having a block length and a block index. A finite trigonometric series is employed to approximate the window sequence. A window summation table is pre-computed using the finite trigonometric series and the defined frequency of the sinusoid. A block phase is computed for each block with the defined frequency, the block length and the block index. An MDCT coefficient is approximated by the dot product of a phase vector computed using the block phase with a corresponding row of the window summation table. |
| US08214199B2 |
Systems for translating sentences between languages using language-independent semantic structures and ratings of syntactic constructions
A method and computer system for translating sentences between languages from an intermediate language-independent semantic representation is provided. On the basis of comprehensive understanding about languages and semantics, exhaustive linguistic descriptions are used to analyze sentences, to build syntactic structures and language independent semantic structures and representations, and to synthesize one or more sentences in a natural or artificial language. A computer system is also provided to analyze and synthesize various linguistic structures and to perform translation of a wide spectrum of various sentence types. As result, a generalized data structure, such as a semantic structure, is generated from a sentence of an input language and can be transformed into a natural sentence expressing its meaning correctly in an output language. The method and computer system can be applied to in automated abstracting, machine translation, natural language processing, control systems, Internet information retrieval, etc. |
| US08214197B2 |
Apparatus, system, method, and computer program product for resolving ambiguities in translations
A machine translation apparatus includes a translating unit that translates a source language document into a translated document described in a target language, and creates an ambiguous portion that is a word or a sentence having an ambiguity occurred during translation; a storing unit that stores the translated document and the ambiguous portion; a speech receiving unit that receives a speech in the source language; a recognition unit that recognizes the speech received and creates a source language speech sentence as a recognition result; a translation updating unit that updates the translated language document by retranslating a part of a speech content of the source language speech sentence to which the ambiguous portion corresponds, when the source language document includes the ambiguous portion; and a display control unit that displays the updated translated document on a display unit. |
| US08214194B2 |
Performing dynamic simulations within virtualized environment
A method and apparatus for and article of manufacture for simulating workloads experienced by multiple partitions in a virtualized system are provided. A master workload driver initiates, coordinates and regulates one or more workload drivers that execute one or more workload simulation tasks in a logical partition. Further, each workload driver may be configured to report a measure of performance regarding the workload to the master control driver where results of many workload drivers may be correlated and analyzed. A configuration file specifies the characteristics of each simulation. Further, the rate and nature of workloads may be adjusted dynamically during a given simulation to model the performance under different real-world scenarios of different computational loads that may be experienced by the virtualized system. |
| US08214193B2 |
Virtualized policy tester
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to testing policy changes associated with a production network. A virtual network that represents at least a portion of the production network can be generated. A first transaction log based on a first execution of the virtual network using test traffic and a first set of policies that are implemented in the production network can be obtained. A second transaction log based on a second execution of the virtual network using the test traffic and a second set of policies to be implemented in the production network can be obtained. Based on a comparison of the first and second transaction logs, it can be determined whether the second set of policies has a desired effect in the virtual network. |
| US08214187B2 |
Method for constructing a hybrid grid from a CPG type grid
This method for evaluating fluid flows in a heterogeneous medium, uses a hybrid grid constructed from a CPG type structured grid and from a radial grid. The first stage includes locally deforming a CPG type grid into a non-uniform Cartesian grid. These local grid cell deformations correspond to the change from a “CPG” frame to a “Cartesian” frame defined by the deformation. These deformations are then quantified, by a deformation function φ, and applied to the radial grid so as to shift to the “Cartesian” frame. The second stage includes locally correcting the definition of this deformation function around the radial grid, so that the radial grid, in the “Cartesian” frame, keeps its geometrical characteristics. A hybrid grid is then generated in the “Cartesian” frame from the two grids thus deformed. Finally, this hybrid grid is deformed to return to the “CPG” frame, using the inverse of deformation function φ. |
| US08214186B2 |
Oilfield emulator
A method for performing oilfield operations for an oilfield. The method includes receiving modeling data and user instructions from a graphical user interface, selectively adjusting at least a portion of the modeling data to generate adjusted modeling data, obtaining an oilfield model based on the user instructions, instantiating first and second simulator instances based on the user instructions for performing a simulation using the adjusted modeling data and the oilfield model, passing interim simulation results between the first and second simulator instances for performing the simulation, displaying a result of the simulation using the graphical user interface, and performing the oilfield operations based on the result of the simulation. Further, the oilfield operations include a gas lift operation of the oilfield and the graphical user interface is configured to emulate the gas lift operation using a wellbore simulator. |
| US08214185B2 |
Stability performance of the coupled algorithms for viscoelastic ink jet simulations
A system and method for simulating the flow of a viscoelastic fluid through a channel. The simulation including a interface between a first fluid and a second fluid. The simulation including the formation of a droplet. The simulation includes solving equations governing the viscoelastic flow of the first fluid through the channel, including viscoelastic stress equations that include a normalized relaxation time greater than or equal to 5. The calculations simulate the flow of the first fluid through the channel. The simulation is stable over a period time in which a droplet is formed. The simulation including a level set function that describes the position of the interface between the first and second fluids, and the evolution of the level set function over time describes the shape and position of the interface. |
| US08214177B2 |
Optimized stochastic resonance signal detection method
Apparatus and method for detecting micro-calcifications in mammograms using novel algorithms and stochastic resonance noise is provided, where a suitable dose of noise is added to the abnormal mammograms such that the performance of a suboptimal lesion detector is improved without altering the detector's parameters. A stochastic resonance noise-based detection approach is presented to improve suboptimal detectors which suffer from model mismatch due to the Gaussian assumption. Furthermore, a stochastic resonance noise-based detection enhancement framework is presented to deal with more general model mismatch cases. |
| US08214169B2 |
Circuits and methods for characterizing random variations in device characteristics in semiconductor integrated circuits
Circuits and methods for measuring and characterizing random variations in device characteristics of semiconductor integrated circuit devices, which enable circuit designers to accurately measure and characterize random variations in device characteristics (such as transistor threshold voltage) between neighboring devices resulting from random sources such as dopant fluctuations and line edge roughness, for purposes of integrated circuit design and analysis. In one aspect, a method for characterizing random variations in device mismatch (e.g., threshold voltage mismatch) between a pair of device (e.g., transistors) is performed by obtaining subthreshold DC voltage characteristic data for the device pair, and then determining a distribution in voltage threshold mismatch for the device pair directly from the corresponding subthreshold DC voltage characteristic data. The voltage threshold mismatch distributions of different device pairs of a given circuit design can then be used to determine voltage threshold variations of the constituent circuit devices. The voltage threshold variation of the devices can be used to characterize the random variations of the given circuit. |
| US08214163B2 |
Envelope generation algorithm
A time domain measurement method and apparatus are provided. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a burst signal and determining a plurality of min/max values of the burst signal. The determined min values are connected to generate a lower floor outline. The determined max values are connected to generate an upper roof outline. The burst signal is displayed along with the lower and upper outlines. |
| US08214161B2 |
System and method for detecting flaws in welded tubulars
The system provides first and second sensor assemblies and processor that work in cooperation to detect flaws in welded tubulars. The first sensor detects and provides an indication of the weld line to the processor, which analyzes the indication and determines the approximate location of the weld line along the tubular. The processor then transmits a signal to the second sensor assembly, which is preferably mounted on an automatic positioning apparatus. In response to the signal, the automatic positioning apparatus adjusts and readjusts the position of the second sensor assembly into proximity with the weld line to search for flaws in the tubular. |
| US08214159B2 |
Apparatus and method for automated quality control
Methods and apparatus to assess current aspects of Quality Control useful for release of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as PET tracers as injectables, in an automated manner, without user interference, and in compliance with regulatory guidelines. The present method and system relates to an integrated automated quality control analysis of a substance utilizing a single sample injection for a plurality of inline quality control tests. A quantitative analysis of the sample via the plurality of quality control tests is conducted. A measurement value of each of the plurality of quality control parameters is determined and a comparison of each measurement value of the plurality of quality control parameters with a predetermined corresponding criterion value is made. A cumulative quality rating for the sample is determined and the validated sample is released based on the quality rating. |
| US08214158B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus, X-ray imaging method and method of controlling X-ray imaging apparatus
A simplified X-ray imaging apparatus is capable of computationally determining effective atomic numbers with small error factors even for light elements. In one embodiment, the X-ray imaging apparatus has an X-ray generation unit 101 (400) for generating X-rays and a detector 105 (405) for detecting X-rays transmitted through an object of examination 104 (403). A computing unit 106 (406) computationally determines a quantity of an X-ray phase attributable to the object of examination and an X-ray transmittance of the object of examination from data detected by the detector. The computing unit also computationally determines an effective atomic number of the object of examination from ρet determined from the quantity of the X-ray phase and μt determined from the X-ray transmittance. |
| US08214156B2 |
System and method for improving data management between implantable medical devices and external devices
Systems, methods and devices are provided for improving data management between implantable medical devices (IMDs) and external devices for the detection of volume overload and volume depletion conditions. Data acquired by the IMD is periodically communicated to the external device where a volume overload monitoring algorithm is operated to detect whether a volume overload condition is present in the patient by monitoring the acquired data at the external device at a first lower, non-real-time frequency rate. Upon detection of a volume overload condition, the external device issues an instruction to the IMD causing the IMD to initiate a volume depletion condition monitoring algorithm for detecting in real time whether a volume depletion condition is present in the patient. |
| US08214152B2 |
Apparatus and method for predicting vertical stress fields
A method of estimating at least one of stress and pore fluid pressure in an earth formation is disclosed. The method includes: discretizing a domain including at least a portion of the earth formation into a plurality of cells, each cell including a respective density value; dividing the domain into a first region and a second region, the first region including a surface of the earth formation; vertically integrating the respective density values in the first region; and estimating the total vertical stress for each cell in the first region and the second region by estimating a point load based on the respective density value. |
| US08214150B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus for performing route guidance or content playback in cooperation with a portable terminal
When an operation mode (a latest cooperation mode) immediately before removal of a portable navigation device and an operation mode (a latest independence mode) immediately before re-mounting of the portable navigation device are the same, an MPU performs processing using processing data in the latest independence mode and takes over a route-guidance operation or a content-playback operation that was independently performed by the portable navigation device. On the other hand, when the latest cooperation mode and the latest independence mode are different from each other, the MPU performs processing using processing data in the latest cooperation mode and takes over a route-guidance operation or a content-playback operation that was performed by an in-vehicle apparatus and the portable navigation device in cooperation with each other. |
| US08214147B2 |
Navigation unit and base station
The present invention relates to a navigation unit and base station used for determining location. A plurality of base stations are initialized to determine their location relative to each other. At the navigation unit, the time of arrival of at least one signal from each of the plurality of base stations is measured. From this, the location of the navigation unit relative to the plurality of base stations may be directly calculated using a closed solution. In one embodiment, a time of arrival technique is used and in another embodiment a time difference of arrival technique is used. Preferably an ultra-wide band frequency is utilized. |
| US08214146B2 |
Route data compression method
A route data compression method to compress the recording points of a line of a route planning data by means of setting the values of predetermined distance, predetermined angle and predetermined number of compression points and then determining whether or not the distance between every two recording points is greater than the predetermined distance and whether or not the contained angle of the two link lines of every three recording points is greater than the predetermined angle. After determination of all recording points, the recording points are compressed. If the number of points after compression is greater than the predetermined number of compression points, increase the value of the predetermined distance, and then repeat the determination procedure. When the number of points after compression becomes smaller than the predetermined number of compression points, the compression is done. Thus, the amount of storage data that records the route is greatly reduced, saving data storage space and enhancing data transmission speed. |
| US08214145B2 |
Map distribution server, map information terminal, and map distribution system using these map distribution server and map information terminal
A map distribution system that implements navigation using desired map data in which the degree of reliability of information about an object, such as a road or a facility, is taken into consideration is provided. A map distribution server 1a creates distribution data including difference map data and a reliance status showing the degree of reliability of the difference map data as a reply to edit request information about an edit request made by a user, and a map information terminal 3 receives the distribution data via a communication network 2 and performs navigation according to the reliance status included in the distribution data. |
| US08214141B2 |
Route evaluation system
A route evaluation system includes a processor, a computer readable memory and a database that stores roadway data pertaining to a route. A first routine is arranged to obtain selected roadway data from the database. A second routine is arranged to determine a route from an origin to a destination based at least in part on the roadway data. A third routine is arranged to compute a set of navigation parameters for the route. A fourth routine is arranged to compare the set of navigation parameters to at least one vehicle maneuverability parameter of a vehicle. |
| US08214137B2 |
In-vehicle information apparatus and in-vehicle multi-media system
When a present position is determined to be included in a high upland area, it is determined whether a presently displayed image can be displayed continuously during the stop of a hard disk drive. For example, a map image may be presently displayed based on map data stored in the hard disk drive. In such a case, displaying the map image cannot be continued in the state of the hard disk drive disabled at the high upland area. Thus, a subsequently displayed image is selected either from an image based on design image data stored in an external memory or from a video obtained from an external video apparatus. The display is changed to the selected image or video. |
| US08214136B2 |
Device and method for assisting in the choice of rerouting airports
The invention relates to assistance in the navigation of an aircraft in the cruising phase, particularly in an emergency rerouting situation. The invention relates to a method of assisting in the choice of rerouting airports for an aircraft having a position P and a speed V.: generating A first list LAC—1 of airport names Ai is generated. The first list LAC—1 has N airport names, with i being an index between 1 and N which uniquely identifies an airport that an organization operating the aircraft chooses as a relevant destination. A number m is determined which is a minimum between a predefined number M and the number N. M airport names are presented from the first list LAC—1 to an operator of the aircraft in a predefined order. |
| US08214132B2 |
Efficient wave form to control fuel system
An efficient control wave form is utilized to actuate the solenoids of a fuel system to reduce boost power/energy consumption. The solenoid is initially energized by applying a boost voltage from an electronic controller across a solenoid coil circuit. The electronic controller monitors the current level in the solenoid coil circuit, and changes to a reduced battery voltage when the current level in the solenoid coil circuit reaches a predetermined trigger current. The controller then maintains a pull-in current based upon battery voltage for a pull-in duration that initiates movement of the solenoid armature from an initial air gap position toward a final air gap position. After the pull-in duration, the current level is dropped to a hold in level for the remaining duration of the actuation event. The solenoid may be used for fuel injector control and/or pump control, such as to control fuel injection and pumping events respectively. |
| US08214131B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine with a common-rail system, in which a fuel quantity is computed from a measured fuel pressure distribution and in which the computed fuel quantity is set as the controlling value for controlling an injection. The fuel quantity is computed by measuring the pressure distribution (pE) of an individual accumulator, reproducing a modeled pressure distribution (pEMOD) according to the measured pressure distribution (pE) using a hydraulic model, and computing the fuel quantity from the hydraulic model. |
| US08214129B2 |
Distinguishing the fuel admitted to a fuel system
A method for registering a content change in a fuel system of a motor vehicle, where the fuel system is configured to receive a first fuel and a second fuel into a common space. A first condition is correlated to receiving the first fuel, and a second condition is correlated to receiving the second fuel. The method comprises admitting fuel to the fuel system and indicating that the first fuel has been admitted if a condition responsive to admitting the fuel matches the first condition and does not match the second condition. |
| US08214123B2 |
Running control apparatus and running control method for vehicle
A running control apparatus for a vehicle includes a required driving output deciding unit that decides a required driving force of a driving system of the vehicle on the basis of an integrated value of a difference between a target vehicle speed and an actual vehicle speed, a driving control unit that controls the actuation of the driving system on the basis of the required driving force, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the required driving force is unrealizable in the control of the driving system due to the intervention of additional control. The required driving output deciding unit imposes a limit on an increase or a decrease in the required driving force when the determination unit determines that the required driving force is unrealizable in the control of the driving system. |
| US08214122B2 |
Energy economy mode using preview information
A method for improving energy efficient operation of a vehicle includes monitoring vehicle operating characteristics, modeling operation of the vehicle by utilizing the vehicle operating characteristics to estimate energy consumption rates of the vehicle across an allowable vehicle operating range, and generating a control output to the vehicle on the basis of the energy consumption rates. |
| US08214118B2 |
Control apparatus for automatic transmission
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission including an automatic speed change mechanism that has an input shaft connected to a drive source, an output shaft connected to driving wheels, and a plurality of friction engagement elements, and that performs a shifting operation among a plurality of shift speeds by changing engagement/disengagement states of the plurality of friction engagement elements. |
| US08214117B2 |
Driving force controlling apparatus of vehicle
A driving force controlling apparatus includes a driving force controller configured to determine a state of a road surface. A driving force controller is configured to control a driving force of a vehicle based on the road surface state. A rear-wheel speed sensor is configured to detect a rear-wheel speed. A low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device is configured to determine whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface using the rear-wheel speed on a predetermined condition. A determination prohibition device is configured to prohibit the low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device from determining whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface, if (a) the rear-wheel speed sensor is abnormal, or if (b) a predetermined time has elapsed from when a shift range is changed from a reverse range to a drive range and/or (c) a gear position has become greater than or equal to a predetermined gear position. |
| US08214116B2 |
Apparatus and method for decreasing an upshift delay in an automatic transmission
A method reduces a time delay or lag between a commanded upshift and a resultant upshift event in vehicle. The method detects the commanded upshift, calculates a scheduled engine torque reduction torque value as a function of an unmanaged torque, and reduces an input torque value from the engine using the calculated scheduled torque. A powertain includes an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, clutches that are selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio, and a neutral condition, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm controlling an operation of an off-going clutch and the on-coming clutch during a speed ratio change representing an upshift event. The algorithm calculates a scheduled torque value as a percentage of an unmanaged torque level of the engine, and controls the off-going and on-coming clutch through the speed ratio change using the calculated scheduled torque value. |
| US08214112B2 |
Engine control method for a vehicle with idle stop function
The present invention makes it possible to smoothly and quickly shift a transmission from a neutral position to a driving position and prevent a shift shock and a start delay by appropriately controlling an engine output when a vehicle with an idle stop function is started after an idle stop. |
| US08214107B2 |
Vehicle behavior control apparatus and control method
A vehicle behavior control apparatus includes a rotary body formed as a part of a power plant installed in a vehicle, and a shaft deflection unit that sets a vehicle behavior target value for obtaining a target vehicle behavior, and deflects a direction of a rotary shaft of the rotary body relative to a vehicle body in accordance with the vehicle behavior target value. Thus, the vehicle behavior can be controlled appropriately by using a pre-existing vehicle constitutional component such as an engine or a motor as the rotary body, and using a gyro moment generated by deflecting the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary body. |
| US08214105B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic detection of steering wheel control signals
A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals. |
| US08214102B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing access to vehicle electronic systems
One embodiment is directed to providing access between external systems and embedded vehicle electronic systems. That is, an interface module may receive information from a system external to the vehicle, determine an embedded system of the vehicle to which to provide the information, and provide the information to the embedded system. Similarly, the interface module may receive information a embedded electronic systems of a vehicle, determine a system external the vehicle to which to provide the information, and provide the information to the external system. |
| US08214099B2 |
Method for monitoring the operating conditions of motor vehicles
The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring the operating conditions of motor vehicles, with a drive system with at least one differential that distributes drive torque to the driven wheels. To avoid unacceptable wear in the differential of the drive system, it is proposed that at least the output speeds of the differential, and, via a steering angle sensor, an at least approximate driving of the motor vehicle in a straight line are detected and are compared over a time interval, and that in the case where the differential speed of the output shafts is above a defined speed threshold and prevails over the time interval and the vehicle is driven in a straight line, a warning signal is generated. |
| US08214097B2 |
Hybrid vehicles
A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances. |
| US08214096B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling an accelerator for electric vehicles
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling an accelerator for electric vehicles. The method comprises steps of: acquiring an actual accelerator pedal depth value and a current vehicle speed; determining a maximum output torque of motor under the current vehicle speed based on the current vehicle speed; and controlling the output torque of motor in such a way that the growth rate of the output torque higher than that of the actual accelerator pedal depth value at the beginning and then closed to that of the actual accelerator pedal depth value during the actual accelerator pedal depth value growing. The invention makes the output torque grown rapidly within the shallow range of accelerator pedal depth, while makes the output torque grown closed to that of the accelerator pedal depth within the relative deep range of accelerator pedal depth. Thus during the initial stage of acceleration, the vehicle may rapidly output a bigger torque, with an excellent dynamic response, to improve the driving comfort. |
| US08214094B2 |
Hybrid system for motor vehicle with internal combustion engine and motor-generator
A hybrid system for powering a vehicle and a method of controlling the hybrid system. The hybrid system has both an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator. The vehicle is controlled in response to the combination of states of five control parameters of the vehicle: polarity of the MG (positive or negative), relative rotor/stator speed, fueling of engine (on or off), clutch (on or off), and transmission shift position (drive, reverse, park). A control unit receives data from the vehicle representing these states, and determines an associated control mode. In at least one of the control modes, the engine both drives the vehicles and provides power to the generator. |
| US08214093B2 |
Method and apparatus to prioritize transmission output torque and input acceleration for a hybrid powertrain system
A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes operating the transmission in an operating range state wherein input speed can operate independent of output speed and wherein a reactive torque is transmitted through the transmission. The method further includes monitoring commands affecting a requested output torque, monitoring a calculated output torque, and prioritizing between an input acceleration of the transmission and an output torque of the transmission based upon whether operating the transmission in the operating range state is in transient operation or stable operation. |
| US08214092B2 |
Method and apparatus for an interlocking control device
A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices.A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed, and is based on a parameterization approach that incorporates a plurality of vital parameters into the vital logic of the device. The device is then customized to a site specific location by activating the appropriate parameters for that location. In addition, a plurality of new concepts, and signal control functions are provided, and include a vital change management process, and a failure recovery scheme based on dynamic reconfiguration of home and distant control functions. |
| US08214090B2 |
Method and device for generating a yaw speed order for an aircraft during a taxiing
Disclosed is a method and device for generating a yaw rate command for an aircraft along a ground trajectory. The yaw rate command is generated by determining a current curvature, lateral deviation and angular deviation of the ground trajectory. A yaw rate calculator then calculates a yaw rate and generates the yaw rate command based on the determined current curvature, lateral deviation and angular deviation. |
| US08214089B2 |
Stall, buffeting, low speed and high attitude protection system
A flight control system moves elevators according to a pilot command summed with an automatic command. The flight control system monitors a set of flight parameters to determine if the flight vehicle is operating inside a permitted envelope. The flight controls system incorporates automatic protections thru the automatic elevator command if the flight vehicle is close to its envelope limits. The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation herein provides automatic protections in order to protect the flight vehicle from low speeds, high attitude, stalls and buffetings. |
| US08214086B2 |
Systems and methods for retractable fan cooling of electronic enclosures
Systems and methods for a retractable fan cooling system for an electronics enclosure are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises at least one cooling fan coupled to an electronics enclosure having a heat sink; and a fan positioning mechanism coupled to the at least one cooling fan. When a temperature inside the electronics enclosure is less than a first temperature, the positioning mechanism places the at least one cooling fan into a retracted position that does not inhibit a natural convective air flow across the heat sink. When the temperature inside the enclosure is greater than a second temperature, the positioning mechanism places the at least one cooling fan into an engaged position that produces a forced air flow across the heat sink. |
| US08214083B2 |
Manipulator
A manipulator comprises a tube body including a bending portion, a bending wire for a bending drive of the bending portion, a motor including a rotary shaft which rotates in accordance with a drive command signal, a reduction gear unit connected to the rotary shaft and configured by a plurality of gears meshing with each other, a detection unit which detects an operation state of the motor, a storage unit which stores load variation values periodically caused by the meshing of the plurality of gears constituting the reduction gear unit as correction information, a load calculation section which calculates a load exerted on the tube body as a bending load estimated value, and a notifying unit which notifies a calculation result of the load calculation section. |
| US08214082B2 |
Nursing system
A nursing system of the present invention can position where a person to be nursed through a sensor network widely deployed in an environment, instantaneously detect if the person to be nursed has an accident, and forward a message to inform a relative or medical staff. An autonomous robot will actively move beside the person to be nursed and transmit real-time images to a remote computer or PDA so that the relative or medical staff can swiftly ascertain the situation of the person to be nursed and the person to be nursed in case of emergency can be rescued as soon as possible. |
| US08214079B2 |
Central information processing system and method for service robot having layered information structure according to recognition and reasoning level
A central information processing system for a service robot. The system includes a broker unit including a plurality of interfaces for analyzing an information request from a corresponding service robot, transforming a format of the requested information, and transmitting the transformed information to the service robot, a spatial information manager for hierarchically composing and storing spatial information according to a recognition/reasoning level, searching spatial information, and returning the searched spatial information, an object information manager for hierarchically composing and storing object information about objects according to a recognition/reasoning level, searching object information, and returning the searched object information, and a space and object reasoning unit for searching and reasoning upper layer information about the object or space using lower layer information obtained from real environment or object, or searching and reasoning lower layer information to be used for comprehension of the object or space from upper layer information. |
| US08214065B2 |
Audio signal processing device
In a digital mixer, a standard mode or a switched mode of an input patch is selectable. When shifting from the standard mode to the switched mode is selected, input port information in input patch data stored in a current memory is converted according to a port correspondence relation indicated by conversion data. When shifting from the switched mode to the standard mode is selected, the input port information in the input patch data stored in the current memory is reversely converted to original information according to the port correspondence relation indicated by the conversion data. |
| US08214061B2 |
Distributed intelligence automated lighting systems and methods
A distributed intelligence lighting system is comprised of a global controller, one or more local controllers, wall stations, sensors and lighting fixtures. In one aspect, the lighting system provides schedule-based, occupancy-based, and/or daylight-responsive automated control and multi-level or ON/OFF manual control of lighting loads. System components communicate over a topology-free and polarity-free modular low voltage digital network that combines power and control wiring in an easily installed labeled and keyed cable. Embodiments according to the system do not require any components to be addressed, manually configured, or programmed (beyond setting the project location and current time and date) for energy code compliance. Manual and after-hours override control is accomplished via local low voltage wall stations or occupancy sensors. Global controllers generally each incorporate an onboard modem and user interface with LCD display, both permitting programming of advanced features, override, system monitoring, and diagnostics. |
| US08214060B2 |
Building appliance controller with safety feature
A building appliance controller is disclosed that includes a safety feature. In one illustrative embodiment, the building appliance controller may include a controller and a safety element. In some cases, the controller may include a control panel configured to provide an interface, and one or more option cards configured to communicate with the control panel via the interface and to provide additional functionality to the appliance controller. The safety element may include a first relay or other switching element that is configured to selectively pass power to the building appliance. In some illustrative embodiments, when an unsafe operating condition is detected by the control panel and/or the one or more option cards, the control panel and/or the one or more option cards may open the first relay of the safety element to cut off power to the building appliance. In some cases, a safety key may be passed between the control panel and the one or more option cards to help verify the safe operation of the building appliance. |
| US08214059B1 |
Self-addressing control units and modular sign including plurality of self-addressing control units
A self-addressing control unit system and method for controlling a sequence of or an array of display signs comprising of a remote or master controller and a plurality of control units interconnected by a physical or logical parallel electrical bus having multiple connections to transfer data or power between the plurality of control units; wherein the electrical bus further comprises of a main broadcast line, an addressing line and a feedback line to every control unit. The remote or master controller transmits an initial address to a first of the plurality of control units on the addressing line of the bus where a calculator or computer within each of the plurality of control units computes its own address by performing a mathematical operation that changes the initial address by adding a constant of one to the address received to produce its own new address. |
| US08214058B2 |
Lead assemblies with one or more switching networks
Exemplary lead assemblies include a lead body having a plurality of conductor wires embedded therein, a plurality of electrode contacts at least partially disposed on an outer surface of the lead body, and a plurality of switching networks each configured to control an operation of one or more of the plurality of electrode contacts. |
| US08214054B2 |
Systems and methods for coupling conductors to conductive contacts of electrical stimulation systems
An electrical stimulation lead includes a plurality of conductive contacts disposed at a distal end and a proximal end of a lead body. The plurality of conductive contacts includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of terminals. At least one of the conductive contacts is a first conductive contact that includes at least one adhesive aperture defined between an inner surface and an outer surface of the at least one conductive contact. A plurality of conductors each electrically couple at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. Each first conductive contact has a conductor associated with, and electrically coupled to that first conductive contact. The adhesive is disposed in proximity to the at least one adhesive aperture of at least one first conductive contact to adhesively couple that first conductive contact to the at least one associated conductor. |
| US08214051B2 |
Distributed system for neurostimulation therapy programming
A distributed system comprises a programming device and a remotely located server. During a programming session, the programming device transmits programs and rating information associated with the programs to the server. The server presents the rating information to a clinician to assist the clinician in selecting from among programs tested during the programming session. The programming device may also transmit patient information and device configuration information to the server for storage with selected programs and rating information within a database as part of a patient record. Programs and information received from a plurality of programming devices and for a plurality of patients may be stored in the database and analyzed by the server to provide responses to user queries made by clinicians via programming devices. |
| US08214048B1 |
Fully implantable neurostimulator for autonomic nerve fiber stimulation as a therapy for urinary and bowel dysfunction
An implantable stimulator(s), small enough to be located near or adjacent to an autonomic nerve(s) innervating urinary and/or gastrointestinal structures, uses a power source/storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. Periodic recharging of such a power source/storage device is accomplished, for example, by inductive coupling with an external appliance. The small stimulator provides a means of stimulating a nerve(s) or other tissue when desired, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. When necessary, external appliances are used for the transmission of data to and/or from the stimulator(s) and for the transmission of power, if necessary. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one implant includes at least one sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters. |
| US08214045B2 |
Lead implant system
A lead implant system includes a lead coupling device, which is configured to couple a lead during an implant procedure, in communication with a medical device and an implantable medical device, which is contained within a package that includes an electrical interface for electrical coupling with an electrical contact of the implantable medical device. The electrical interface facilitates coupling of the packaged medical device to an electrical contact of another medical device, which is located outside the package. If the electrical contact of the packaged device is mounted within a bore of the device, then the connector structure allows for passage of a sterilizing gas into the connector bore, and past the connector contact, within the bore. |
| US08214042B2 |
Techniques for controlling charging of batteries in an external charger and an implantable medical device
Disclosed are charging algorithms implementable in an external charger for controlling the charging of both an external battery in the external charger and an implant battery in an implantable medical device. Because full-powered simultaneous charging of both batteries can generate excessive heat in the external charger, the various charging algorithms are designed to ensure that both batteries are ultimately charged, but in a manner considerate of heat generation. In some embodiments, the charging algorithms prevent simultaneous charging of both batteries by arbitrating which battery is given charging precedence at a given point in time. In other embodiments, the charging algorithms allow for simultaneous charging of both batteries, but with at least one of the batteries being only weakly charged at low power levels. In other embodiments, the temperature generated in the external charger is monitored and used to control the charging algorithm. In these embodiments, if a safe temperature is exceeded, then the charging algorithms change to new temperature-reducing schemes which still allow for both batteries to be ultimately charged. |
| US08214041B2 |
Optimization of AV intervals in single ventricle fusion pacing through electrogram morphology
This document provides a simple and automatic method for determining an optimal AV interval and/or range of AV intervals for, in an exemplary embodiment, LV-only pacing. Such a method provides significant advantages for patients while reducing burdens related to post-implant follow-up by clinicians in that it greatly reduces the need for doing echocardiographic-based AV interval optimization procedures as well as providing a way to dynamically optimize AV intervals as the patient moves about their activities of daily living (ADL). |
| US08214039B1 |
Individually adapted cardiac electro-mechanical synchronization therapy
A method of determining pacing therapy for an individual patient including determining representative electromechanical physiologic characteristics for a plurality of normal patients having a range of anatomical dimensions and developing a plurality of normal templates. Each template indicates the representative electromechanical physiologic characteristics of a group of normal patients having similar anatomical dimensions. The method can include measuring the anatomical dimensions of a dysfunctional patient, matching the dysfunctional patient with a template for normal patients having similar anatomical dimensions as the dysfunctional patient, determining the physiologic characteristics for the dysfunctional patient, determining indicated correction factors corresponding to any differences between the dysfunctional patient's physiologic characteristics and those of the matched template, and adjusting therapy delivery by any indicated correction factors to stimulate the patient in a pattern more closely matched to the physiologic characteristics of the matched template. |
| US08214035B2 |
System and method for utilizing brain state information to modulate cardiac therapy
A system for regulating or modulating cardiac therapy using brain state information. The modulation may include suppressing standard, prescribed cardiac therapy for a period of time or it may involve modulating the type of cardiac therapy delivered In another embodiment, a system is provided for determining whether a cardiac event is categorized as neurologically matched, and, if so, modulating the therapeutic output to the heart. |
| US08214032B2 |
Implantable device using ultra-nanocrystalline diamond
An implantable biocompatible device, that may be either a sensor or stimulator, having electronic circuitry and electrodes formed on a substrate, is uniformly covered with a coating approximately one-micron thick of ultra-nanocrystalline diamond, hermetically sealing the electronic circuitry. Selected electrodes are either left uncovered during coating or uncovered by conventional patterning techniques, allowing the electrodes to be exposed to living tissue and fluids. The ultra-nanocrystalline diamond coating may be doped to create electrically conductive electrodes. These approaches eliminate the need for a hermetically sealed lid or cover to protect hybrid electronic circuitry, and thus allow the device to be thinner than otherwise possible. The conformal ultra-nanocrystalline diamond coating uniformly covers the device, providing relief from sharp edges and producing a strong, uniformly thick hermetic coating around sharp edges and on high aspect-ratio parts. |
| US08214031B1 |
Switch for transdermal patch
A transdermal device such as a patch can include a drug source, a porator, and an energy storage device on-board the patch. The porator operates free of any concurrent connection to any external source of power. A switch can be used to make the selective electrical connection between the porator and the energy storage device. The switch can be arranged to respond to a manual user action after the patch has been adhered to skin, including separation of the porator from a remainder of the patch. Optionally, a series of switches can make electrical connections between the porator and respective individual energy storage devices. |
| US08214029B2 |
System and method for neuromuscular reeducation
A system and a method that promotes the restoration of physical functions of the neuromuscular system by incorporating into one device the treatment modalities of biofeedback based repetitive practice, includes an actuator, a joint position measurement system, a force sensing measurement system, an EMG measurement system, a neuromuscular low-level stimulation system, a controller, and a display device. |
| US08214027B2 |
Cardiac rhythm template generation system and method
A method and system provides for generating a snapshot representative of one beat of a patient's normal cardiac rhythm. Cardiac rate channel signals and shock channel signals are sensed. A fiducial point is determined for a predefined number of the cardiac rate channel signals. A predefined number of the shock channel signals are aligned using the fiducial point. A template is generated using the aligned shock channel signals, whereby the template is representative of one of the patient's normal supra-ventricular conducted cardiac beats. The template is updated on a periodic basis. |
| US08214026B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the coronary sinus vein branch accessed by a coronary sinus lead
Systems and methods for determining the coronary sinus vein branch location of a left ventricle electrode are disclosed. The systems and methods involve detecting the occurrence of electrical events within the patient's heart including sensing one or more of the electrical events with the electrode and then analyzing the electrical events to determine the electrode's position. The determination of electrode position may be used to automatically adjust operating parameters of a VRT device. Furthermore, the determination of electrode position may be made in real-time during installation of the electrode and a visual indication of the electrode position may be provided on a display screen. |
| US08214023B2 |
Microcirculation imaging
An image is created of blood circulation deep (e.g. a plurality of millimeters) below the surface of living tissue to aid in evaluating a patient. A first beam (26) of circularly polarized light is directed forwardly (F) against an outer surface (14) of the tissue. Light that has penetrated to only a shallow depth before moving rearwardly and out of the tissue remains polarized and is blocked by a filter (38). Light that has penetrated to greater depths (12), is scattered more and becomes depolarized, and a portion of it passes through the depolarizing filter (38) and is focused on a photodetector (48) to create an image. Light spots (54) on the image that move, represent spaces between blood platelets (52) that are moving through a capillary, and indicates the velocity of blood through the capillary. |
| US08214020B2 |
Method and system for correlating tomographically controlled interventional procedures with patient position in the respiratory cycle
In a method and an imaging system for implementing a CT-assisted or MRT-assisted minimally-invasive interventional procedure at an anatomical location inside the body of a patient, the inspiratory or respiratory position of the patient within the respiratory cycle of the patient is continuously detected and a measurement value, identifying a current position of the patient within the respiratory cycle, is detected at a point in time that a CT or MRT slice image of the anatomical location is obtained. This measurement value is stored together with the image data of the slice image so that the measurement value and the image data can be retrieved together and displayed together. |
| US08214015B2 |
In vivo localization and tracking of tissue penetrating catheters using magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance image (MRI) guided tissue penetrating catheters and their methods of use. One or more MRI apparatus (e.g., one or more coils) are positioned on or in a catheter device that includes a tissue penetrator that may be used to form a penetration tract from a body lumen in which the catheter is positioned to a target location outside of that body lumen. The MRI apparatus (e.g., coil(s)) is/are used in conjunction with an MRI imaging system to indicate the position and/or rotational orientation of the penetrating catheter within the subject's body. |
| US08214006B2 |
Devices and methods for detecting β-haematin and haemozoin
In the application, the change in the magnetic state of the haemoglobin caused by the malarial infection is exploited by detecting suitable properties of haemozoin which are dependent on the application of a magnetic field. FIG. 1 shows apparatus, shown generally at (10), for performing magneto-optical detection using photo-acoustic techniques. The apparatus (10) comprises a light source (12), producing a beam of optical radiation (14) which passes through a polarizer (16), a variable LC retarder (0 or 180° retardance) (18), and a (chopper 20), before impinging on a sample (22) held in a sample holder (24). The sample is in direct contact with an acoustic detector (26). The apparatus (10) further comprises an electromagnet (28), and a Gauss meter (30) can be utilized to measure the applied magnetic field strength. Advantages associated with this approach are the—possibility of making in vivo measurements, and the avoidance of problems of optical scattering associated with conventional optical measurements on turbid liquids such as whole blood. |
| US08214002B2 |
Portable terminal
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal including: a first housing; a second housing slidable in a sliding direction with respect to the first housing; a first magnet disposed in the first housing; a second magnet disposed in the second housing to face the first magnet in a closed state; and a third magnet disposed in the second housing to face the first magnet in an opened state, wherein an S pole of the first magnet is positioned on a side of the first housing facing the second housing, and wherein an N pole of the second magnet, an S pole of the second magnet, an S pole of the third magnet and an N pole of the third magnet are aligned as a sequence along the sliding direction. |
| US08214001B2 |
Portable communication device with rotating display
A portable communication device includes a housing body and a display. The housing body includes a hinge portion at one side. A block is formed at each side of the hinge portion. A display forms two knuckles at the other end. Each knuckle forms a plurality of teeth portions, and the hinge portion rotatably connects to the two knuckles. The blocks engage with the teeth portions allowing the display to hold any of a variety of selectable positions relative to the housing body. |
| US08213998B2 |
Slim line battery pack
A battery pack is configured to reduce weight, enhance battery identification, ensure proper placement of a lid retaining the battery, and facilitate battery pack removal. The battery pack has one or more cells that lack an outer coverage except for a polymer sheathing. The battery pack includes a mating notch on a terminal plate and may include a fingernail notch and/or one or more guide rails. The fingernail notch may be a single depression formed to allow a fingernail to slip onto the battery pack, may be a single depression and a ledge that are side-by-side, or may be formed of multiple ledges and/or depressions. There may be a single guide rail or multiple guide rails. Each guide rail preferably has a hollow interior section that is crossed by one or more ribs or segments. |
| US08213994B2 |
Mobile communications system and method for providing common channel coverage using beamforming antennas
Wireless mobile unit communication initiation is provided in a radio network that has a plurality of base stations, each providing wireless communication services in a respective geographic coverage. The wireless communication is established by first transmitting an omnidirectional sounding pulse from a wireless mobile unit. Information related to the detected sounding pulse is communicated to an interface by each base station detecting the sounding pulse. One of the base stations that detected the sounding pulse is selected for mobile unit communication based on the communicated information and directs a communication beam to the mobile unit to establish wireless communication. Alternatively, one or more of the base stations that detected the sounding pulse direct a communication beam to the mobile unit and the mobile unit selects unit the base station with which it is to establish wireless communication. Preferably, smart antennas, including directional beamforming capability, are employed by the base stations. |
| US08213990B2 |
System for providing remote subscriber identity card to mobile station and methods thereof
A system for providing a remote subscriber identity card to a mobile station is provided. The system includes a subscriber identity card, a Bluetooth module and a controller. The Bluetooth module establishes a Bluetooth connection to the mobile station. The controller accesses the subscriber identity card to obtain identity information and provides the obtained information to the mobile station via the Bluetooth connection such that the mobile station camps on a cell according to the obtained information. |
| US08213987B2 |
Terminal device capable of outputting image data to external display device in supported image format
A terminal device usable in connection with an external display device is disclosed, which receives a plurality of sub-image data sets into which an original image data set has been divided, with each sub-image data set having a size within a display area size of the terminal device; converts an image format of the plurality of sub-image data sets into the same image-format as an image format of the external display device, on a per-sub-image-data-set basis; regenerates the original image data set from the plurality of format-converted sub-image data sets, such that the original image data set is formed in its entirety or in plural data blocks; and outputs the regenerated original-image-data-set to the external display device. |
| US08213986B2 |
Communication system and communication method
The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication method for simply and quickly starting communication. A cellular phone is loaded with a non-contact IC card that communicates with a reader/writer of a personal computer using an electromagnetic wave. When the non-contact IC card receives the electromagnetic wave emitted from the reader/writer with the cellular phone placed close to the personal computer, the cellular phone notifies the personal computer of a card ID set in the non-contact IC card. When the personal computer acquires Bluetooth device names of the cellular phone and PDA with intra-piconet synchronization established between the cellular phone and the PDA, the personal computer identifies the cellular phone as a communication partner based on the Bluetooth device names already notified of as the card ID. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and a cellular phone. |
| US08213977B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting and controlling information for managing an event
The invention includes a method and apparatus for displaying and controlling information for managing an event. A method according to one embodiment includes displaying accountability information associated with a unit deployed to the event where the accountability information is indicative of accountability of the unit with respect to at least one function to be performed for the event, displaying communication information in a manner for facilitating communications for the event, and displaying status information associated with the at least one unit deployed to the event, wherein the information is displayed in a manner tending to enable control of the information for managing the event. |
| US08213976B2 |
Communicating system, server, communicating terminal, and recording medium
A communicating system includes: a plurality of communicating system terminal including a communication unit that transmits and receives audio or video data and a reproducing unit that reproduces the data received by the communication unit; and a server including an administering unit that administers the plurality of communicating terminals as a communication group, an approving unit that approves the transmission of the data by one of the communicating terminals of the communication group, a receiving unit that receives the data transmitted by the one of the communicating terminals, and a transmitting unit that transmits the data received by the receiving unit to the other communicating terminals of the communication group. |
| US08213975B2 |
Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation at a live entertainment event
The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes use of an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data. |
| US08213973B2 |
Method for transmitting data
A method for transmitting data is applied to a receiver and a plurality of transmitters. The steps comprise respectively transmitting a data to the receiver at different first transmission times within a transmission interval by the transmitters. Next, the different first transmission times are respectively added with different accumulated values to become the different second transmission times. The different accumulated values are respectively added with a multiple of the different first transmission times. Finally, the transmitters respectively transmit a next data to the receiver at the different second transmission times within a next transmission interval. |
| US08213971B2 |
Apparatus and method for activating computer applications with SMS messaging
A method and system for remote activation of computer based applications uses Simple Message Service (SMS) messages to inform a remote computer that an application should be activated. The SMS message may be sent by a cell phone or from a computer. The remote computer receives the SMS message, parses the message to determine the application to be started, and starts the indicated application. If the remote computer is turned off, the SMS message can be received by an SMS receiver within a modem which can be configured to start the computer so the application can be activated. |
| US08213967B2 |
Preventing replay-type attacks on a vehicle communications system
A method and system for preventing replay-type attacks on a vehicle communications system that sends short message service (SMS) messages between a call center and a fleet of vehicles. The method uses separate sequence counters maintained at the call center and at each of the vehicles in the fleet to help prevent or at least minimize the effects of unauthorized third party interference; such as replay-type attacks. Each wireless message is embedded with a sequence counter that is provided by the sender and is compared by the recipient with a separate sequence counter for purposes of validation. Some optional features that can be used in conjunction with the sequence counters include a tolerance window feature, a consecutive message feature, and a proximity feature, to name but a few. |
| US08213966B1 |
Text messages provided as a complement to a voice session
Information may be provided to a caller via text messages as a complement to information provided over a voice interface. In one implementation, a system may receive a request for information over a voice channel from a mobile terminal and respond to the request with text transmitted to the mobile terminal over a text channel. |
| US08213957B2 |
Network autonomous wireless location system
A Network Autonomous Wireless Location System (NAWLS) is designed to allow for precise location of a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone) without interconnection to, and with minimal disruption of, the local wireless communications network. Using distributed radio network monitors (RNM) and a managed network emulator (NE); mobile devices are sampled, acquired or captured. Once triggered by the RNM or NE, an untethered wireless location system (U-WLS) is used to calculate a precise location. The U-WLS; comprising mobile receiver sites, each capable of self location, exchanging information with other components of the NAWLS, and receiving or exchanging signals from the mobile device; utilizes various network-based and handset-based wireless location techniques dependent on the deployed options. In addition, the NAWLS includes data links interconnecting the U-WLS, NE and RNM. |
| US08213956B2 |
Method of tracking a state of a mobile electronic device
The invention relates to a method of tracking a state of a mobile electronic device and to a mobile electronic device including processing apparatus arranged to perform the method.A method of tracking a state of a mobile electronic device, the method comprising iteratively performing: (i) representing the state of the mobile electronic device using a grid comprising a plurality of cells, each cell representing a region in state space defined by one or more state variables and having a probability value that the state of the mobile electronic device is within that region in state space, the grid being bounded to include only cells having a probability value above a predetermined threshold; (ii) obtaining measurement signalling indicating values of one or more state variables; (iii) updating the probability values of the grid based on the measurement signalling and rebounding the grid. |
| US08213954B2 |
Method for addressing user location errors in a cognitive radio system
A cognitive radio (CR) system (102) includes CR units (108, 110) that determine and update location-based system operating parameters to avoid interference with other systems operating in the same frequency band. Operational Location Uncertainty region and Allowed Location Error regions can be applied. The CR unit trades off between both, available channels and maximum system operating parameters, such that as Location Uncertainty of the CR device increases, available CR channels and location-based CR system operating parameters decrease over a maximum network reach. |
| US08213952B2 |
Communication system
A communication system includes a main communication unit, a subcommunication unit that communicates with the main communication unit by using first wireless channels, and an external communication unit that communicates with the main communication unit by using second wireless channels. The subcommunication unit includes a state detection unit that detects a use state of the second wireless channels. The main communication unit includes a state acquisition unit that acquires the use state of the second wireless channels, a selection unit that selects a predetermined number of the first wireless channels with the less effect of radio wave interaction in the wireless communications based on the use state, a channel determination unit that determines one of the predetermined number of the first wireless channels, and a first wireless communication unit that communicates with the subcommunication unit using the one of the predetermined number of the first wireless channels. |
| US08213948B2 |
Apparatus and method for allocating resources in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for allocating resources in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus and method include a BS for allocating downlink resources periodically to predetermined MSs, for generating resource allocation messages with resource allocation information for the MSs, and for transmitting control information including the resource allocation messages to the MSs. Accordingly, the apparatus and method more efficiently allocate resources in a wireless communication system. |
| US08213947B2 |
Method and apparatus for radio resource control profile creation in a UMTS network
A method for creating a radio resource control profile for a radio resource allocation or a state-transition profile having the steps of: receiving a parameter associated with a user equipment (UE); associating the parameter with the radio resource control profile for the radio resource allocation or the state-transition profile; and initiating the radio resource allocation or state transition profile for the UE. |
| US08213945B2 |
Mobile communication system, and method for controlling channel connection and control station in mobile communication system
A mobile communication system can predict a temporary access concentration to a particular wireless base station, select an appropriate wireless base station and assign down channels for each mobile terminal. In respective wireless base stations, switching scheduling to a channel congestion avoidance mode is performed by checking the obtained use history of respective wireless base stations to determine the periodicity regarding the channel congestion of the respective wireless base stations. Once switched to the channel congestion avoidance mode, a wireless base station for each mobile terminal is selected based on idle channel conditions of surrounding wireless base stations and moving direction characteristics of mobile terminals currently connected to the wireless base station. The only down channel of each mobile terminal is connected to the selected wireless base station, and the wireless communication is established. |
| US08213944B2 |
Method for mobile communications, a mobile communication device and a node in a mobile communications network for reducing the call setup delay
The invention relates to a method for a mobile communications, a mobile communication device (1), a node (N1, N2) in a mobile communications network (RAN, CN). The method comprises the step of sending a service request (307) from a mobile communication device (1) to a mobile communications network (RAN, CN), and in the method, the following steps are carried out before sending the service request (307): detecting an activity (301) related to the mobile communication device (1), and performing (304), in response to the detection (301) of the activity, at least one measurement of at least one candidate for serving a communication session. |
| US08213942B2 |
Method for cognitive 4G neighborhood selection
A method for cognitive neighbor selection in 4G networks describes a mechanism for automatic self-learning selection of neighboring base stations for the purpose of providing seamless handoffs in a dense deployment of pico and macro base stations. When a 4G network is modified by adding new base stations, the optimum handoff thresholds and advertised base station neighbors are automatically recalculated in a manner that reduces the number of unnecessary handoffs in a dense network with large number of pico and macro base stations. |
| US08213941B2 |
Self configuring and optimization of cell neighbors in wireless telecommunications networks
The present invention relates to a cellular communications network and in particular to the problem of identifying cells for neighbor lists, or handover candidates when the cells are identified by a limited number of non-unique identities. The present invention includes a method for a radio base station, wherein the base station receives reports from one or more terminals in neighbor cells quality and non-unique identities. The match is sought in a neighbor cell list non-unique identity with a unique cell identity. If the match cannot be made without ambiguity, the base station causes the terminal to detect the unique cell identity. If the reason for the ambiguity is the particular cell is not included in the neighbor cell list it is included when its unique identity has been established. The uniquely identified cell is used if it is determined to perform a handover. |
| US08213939B2 |
Mobile communication method
In a mobile communication method according to the present invention includes the steps of: transmitting, from a handover source radio base station to a switching center, a handover request including an NCC, a PCI and a KeNB*; changing, at the switching center, the NCC, changing, at the switching center, the KeNB* on the basis of the PCI, and transmitting, from the switching center to the handover target radio base station, the handover request including the changed NCC and the changed KeNB*; generating, at the handover target radio base station, a first key on the basis of the KeNB*; and generating, at the mobile station, the first key on the basis of the NCC and the PCI included in a handover command. |
| US08213938B2 |
Detection of failures in a telecommunication system
Determining a network transmitter that is more likely to cause handoff failures in a telecommunication service based on historical data records. The historical data records may be standard Call Data Records. A probability that a service provided by a first network transmitter will be handoffed to a second network transmitter is determined. An indication that a target network transmitter is overly busy is determined based on the number of failed services for each network transmitter that may handoff a service the target network transmitter and the probability that a service will be handoffed to the target network transmitter. Based on the indication, measures may be taken to increase quality level of the target network transmitter. |
| US08213928B2 |
Test apparatus and method for testing interoperability of wireless communication devices
A test apparatus and method are provided for testing interoperability of a first device to communicate with a second device via wireless communication. The test apparatus includes a wireless interface configured to interface via wireless communication with devices. The test apparatus also includes a processor, memory and logic stored in memory and executed by the processor. The logic causes the test apparatus to sequence through a plurality of wireless communication actions to communicate with a first device, monitor behavior of the first device during the actions, and store characteristics of the monitored behavior in memory so that the test apparatus may be used to emulate the first device when wirelessly communicating with a second device. |
| US08213926B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing multiservice testing
An approach is provided for a multiservice tester. A connection over an access link providing a customer premise with connectivity to a plurality of telecommunication services provided over a data network is established at a test device. Testing the plurality of telecommunication services is initiated by either physically connecting to one or more end devices or invoking an emulation application for emulating the one or more end devices. The plurality of telecommunication services are verified based on performance of the connection. A secure connection may be established with a provisioning system maintained by a service provider of the plurality of telecommunication services, wherein the secure connection may be established via the access link or via one or more wireless network access links. The provisioning system may facilitate verification of the plurality of telecommunication services and/or troubleshooting the plurality of telecommunication services. |
| US08213924B2 |
Providing distributed online services for mobile devices
A device, system, and method is provided for running mobile applications, including a server for running applications and a client installed in a mobile device. The client may connect to the server via a network. The client may display content, receive user input, and send user input to the server. The server may use the client to receive user input and to display content for running applications for the mobile device. |
| US08213917B2 |
Reusable multimodal application
A method and system are disclosed herein for accepting multimodal inputs and deriving synchronized and processed information. A reusable multimodal application is provided on the mobile device. A user transmits a multimodal command to the multimodal platform via the mobile network. The one or more modes of communication that are inputted are transmitted to the multimodal platform(s) via the mobile network(s) and thereafter synchronized and processed at the multimodal platform. The synchronized and processed information is transmitted to the multimodal application. If required, the user verifies and appropriately modifies the synchronized and processed information. The verified and modified information are transferred from the multimodal application to the visual application. The final result(s) are derived by inputting the verified and modified results into the visual application. |
| US08213916B1 |
Video processing system for identifying items in video frames
A picture captured via an optical input of a mobile device is received. A selection of an area of the picture via the touch screen input on the mobile device is received. An item in the selected area of the picture is identified. The picture is tagged with an identification of the item. An offer related to the identified item is generated. |
| US08213911B2 |
Mobile communication device for establishing automated call back
A mobile communication device is provided for enabling a user to establish an automated call back from a communication system, such as a call center, for example. A software device application enables the mobile communication device to communicate with the call center through the exchange of data. The mobile communication device includes a display screen for displaying controls for allowing the user to interact with the communication system. The controls allow the user to request a list of providers from which to select a provider or company to contact. The mobile communication device further provides controls for allowing the user to select a queue to join from a list of queues associated with the selected provider. For example, one queue may be related to billing and another queue may be related to another aspect of customer service. The user may then request the expected wait time in the selected queue for receiving a call-back from the communication system. Typically, the mobile communication device receives the expected wait time, and then the user may send a confirmation to the communication system for a voice call-back. |
| US08213910B2 |
Telephone using a connection network for processing data remotely from the telephone
A system of connection between computers. First and second computers are connected over a network. The network preferably uses an existing channel, such as a wireless connection or a telephone line. The first computer may be a PDA or a cell phone. One aspect may take speech into the telephone, send it over the network connection to the second computer, where it is recognized, and return the recognized speech to the first computer. |
| US08213908B2 |
Systems and methods for pairing bluetooth devices
Embodiments of software-supervised pairing processes are provided. The processes enable a user to pair a mouse and keyboard with a Bluetooth transceiver without having to use a second mouse and keyboard. At least two separate processes are provided, including a long transition for initial pairing or re-pairing and a short transition for re-establishing a connection after devices have already been paired. |
| US08213907B2 |
System and method for secured mobile communication
A method achieves secure mobile communications by authenticating a mobile device seeking communication with a secure server. The method prescribes steps for generating a code to indicate a plurality of portions of a digital fingerprint to request from the mobile device, each portion representing a different parameter of the mobile device, sending the code to the mobile device, receiving from the mobile device a response code representing the requested plurality of portions of the digital fingerprint, comparing each portion of the received plurality of portions with one or more predetermined codes, and granting the mobile device an access privilege when results of the comparison satisfy a predetermined minimum accuracy. |
| US08213906B2 |
Communication server and method for generating a one-time password using a mobile phone
A method for generating one-time password (OTP) using a mobile phone registers a telephone number of the mobile phone on a website at first. A communication server generates a first random number and a second random number. Furthermore, the communication server generates a first OTP according to the first random number, and a subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the mobile phone generates a second OTP according to the second random number. The communication server checks if the second OTP is the same as the first OTP. If the second OTP is the same as the first OTP, the mobile phone has successfully logged onto the website. |
| US08213900B2 |
Switching system and corresponding method for unicast or multicast end-to-end data and/or multimedia stream transmissions between network nodes
A method for setting up a data link including the steps of requesting an identity of an IP network node by a registration module; transmitting an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) stored on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of the IP network node to the registration module, storing the received IMSI in a user database of the registration module, complementing an IP data channel to form signal and data channels of a GSM network by a signaling gateway module, using the complemented IP data channel having GSM data as a basis for generating the necessary SS7/MAP functions for authenticating the IP network node, authenticating the IP network node by using the IMSI of the SIM card of the IP network node, receiving an appropriate entry in the user database of the registration module upon successful authentication, and setting up a data link to the at least some of the network nodes by the control module of the central connecting unit. |
| US08213897B2 |
System and method for transmitting a warning message via a radio network
A system for transmitting a warning message via a radio network has a transmitter (1) and at least one receiver (2). The transmitter (1) has an antenna for transmitting the warning message (14) over the radio network. The warning message (14) transmitted by the transmitter (1) includes parameters (18) of a warning area, a warning reason (15) and warning behavior (16). The receiver has an antenna (3) for receiving the warning message (14) transmitted via the radio network, a decoder (4), a processor (5), a memory (6) in which the location of the receiver (2) by geographic coordinates is stored and a warning output unit (7). In the processor (5) the received warning message (14) is captured and read out by means of a capture algorithm. The warning area is determined from the parameters (18) of the warning message (14) by using a zone algorithm. An analysis logarithm verifies whether the location stored in the receiver (2) is within the warning area, and if this is the case, a warning signal is generated and outputted by the warning output unit (7). The invention also comprises a receiver (2) for receiving a warning message (14) as well as a method for reception in a receiver (2) and a method for transmitting a warning message (14) in a radio network having a transmitter (1) and a receiver (2). |
| US08213896B2 |
Method of receiving a disaster warning message using scheduling information included in system information within mobile communication system
Disclosed is a method of receiving a warning message in wireless communication system. A terminal (UE) receives system information through a control channel such as a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), and receives a warning message through a downlink channel according to scheduling information related to the warning message included in the system information. |
| US08213892B2 |
FM-AM demodulator and control method therefor
A FM-AM demodulator includes a FM signal amplifier, a local oscillator, an image oscillator, a first selector, a first orthogonal mixer, an AM signal amplifier, a first frequency divider, a second frequency divider, a second selector, a second orthogonal mixer, a third selector, a first filter, a first amplifier, a fourth selector, a second filter, a second amplifier, a first gain controller, an I/Q compensation unit, an IF oscillator, a third orthogonal mixer, an adder, a channel filter configured to extract a signal with a predetermined frequency band output from the adder, a third amplifier, a second gain controller, a demodulator, and an I/Q compensation controller configured to generate an I/Q compensation signal to use for adjusting phase and gain of the I signal used in an I/Q compensation unit by detecting amplitude of the output signal from the demodulator, and output the generated signal to the I/Q compensation unit. |
| US08213891B2 |
Gain control apparatus and method in receiver of multiband OFDM system
A gain control apparatus in a receiver of multiband OFDM system includes: an amplifier amplifying a received signal based on a first auto gain control signal; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the amplified signal into a digital signal; band reception signal extractor for extracting a signal of a desired reception band from the converted digital signal for each reception band, and controlling gain of the extracted signal according to a second auto gain control signal; a reception power detector for detecting a reception power value of whole band from the converted digital signal; and a multiband integration baseband processor for generating the first auto gain control signal by using the detected reception power value of the whole band, and generating the second auto gain control signal to be provided to the band reception signal extraction units, resource allocation information for each band and a reception power for each reception band. |
| US08213889B2 |
Multi-channel receiver and method of reducing interference of the same
A multi-channel receiver capable of minimizing an interference effect occurring among mounted receivers and a method of reducing interference of the multi-channel receiver capable of minimizing the interference effect occurring among the mounted receivers are provided. The multi-channel receiver includes an antenna, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The antenna receives an RF signal in a predetermined frequency band. The first receiver down-converts the RF signal received through the antenna into a first IF signal. The second receiver down-converts the RF signal received through the antenna into a second IF signal. Here, the first and second receivers down-convert the RF signal by exclusively using a local oscillation frequency signal generated by using a low side LO injection method or a local oscillation frequency signal generated by using a high side LO injection method. |
| US08213888B2 |
Power control circuit, semiconductor device and transceiver circuit using the same
There is provided a power control circuit having a stable high-speed operation, and a semiconductor device and a transceiver circuit using it. The power control circuit controls the gain of an amplifier so that power outputted from the amplifier reaches a desired value according to a digital control signal. The power control circuit includes a digital feedback loop which converts a detected signal obtained by detecting a value of the output power of the amplifier to a digital signal, determines a differential between the digital signal and the digital control signal, converts the differential to an analog signal and outputs a first feedback signal, an analog feedback loop which outputs a high frequency element corresponding to a differential between an analog signal to which the digital control signal is converted and the detected signal, as a second feedback signal, and an adder which determines the sum of the first and the second feedback signal and outputs a gain control signal for controlling the gain of the amplifier. |
| US08213886B2 |
Hybrid techniques for antenna retuning utilizing transmit and receive power information
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver, an antenna tuner connecting the transceiver to an antenna, a power sensor adapted to acquire measurements about transmit power, a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) adapted to acquire measurements about receive power and wherein the tuner tunes the antenna based upon the transmit and receive measurements to optimize the antenna in both the receive and transmit bands. |
| US08213877B1 |
Frequency agile duplex filter
Systems and methods are disclosed for an electronically adjustable signal filter system, which comprises, in some embodiments, a first filter coupled to an antenna coupling network and a second filter, a power amplifier coupled to the first filter, an antenna connected to an antenna coupling network, a pilot tone generator coupled to the first filter, and a first signal source connected to the power amplifier and first filter. In some embodiments, the power amplifier amplifies the first signal, the first filter places a notch into the first signal transmitted to the antenna coupling network, the antenna coupling network combines the first signal and a second signal received from the antenna and transmits a third signal to the second filter. |
| US08213874B2 |
System and method for dynamic frequency assignment
White space devices are unlicensed radiofrequency devices that must have certain capabilities in order to avoid harmful interference to licensed operations. In general, they must be location-aware, must be able to contact a geolocation database and may not operate without receiving a positive control signal. A number of white space devices can use a control channel to communicate with a control station. In addition to meeting the geolocation and positive control requirements given above, the control station coordinates the channels used by the white space devices so as to minimize their aggregate interference. In one embodiment, a control channel uses a separate frequency band with high availability and reliability but low throughput. Embodiments optimize channel assignments where the potential interference depends on the mutual distances between the white space devices. Potential interference reductions of 20-30 dB have been found in simulations. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08213873B2 |
Method and apparatus for channel quality reporting in a wireless communication system
According to one aspect, the present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus that increase communications throughput by manipulating the order or manner in which CQI values are reported in a multi-rank CQI report that constrains one or more such values according to reporting order. As a non-limiting example, the present invention provides that the reporting order used for reporting multiple CQI values is chosen to eliminate or at least reduce under-reporting and over-reporting errors arising from the use of differential reporting formats for one or more of the reported CQI values. Additionally, the present invention provides for selection between single-rank or multi-rank CQI reporting, based on determining which one corresponds to the highest channel capacity, in view of the differential reporting constraints. |
| US08213869B2 |
Interference filtration device adapted to a sensor sensitive to electromagnetic waves and related filtration method
A method and device for filtering electromagnetic interference generated by the antenna of a transmitter on a sensor sensitive to electromagnetic waves, characterized in that it includes: vi. elements suitable for sampling the signal received by the sensor, vii. elements for count down the elapsed time, called the detection time, after the sampled signal has exceeded a threshold value, the signal, before exceeding the threshold value, being in a range of standard values, viii. elements for comparing in real time the detection time with a threshold time value, ix. elements suitable for providing a diagnosis of electromagnetic interference to be filtered if the sampled signal reverts to a standard value after a detection time of less than the threshold time value, and a diagnosis of an uninterfered sampled signal if this is not the case, x. elements for generating an output signal from the sensor eliminating the diagnosed electromagnetic interference. |
| US08213866B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing program
A first apparatus includes a first communication section 18 for performing either data transmission or data reception by using a first short-distance wireless communication scheme. A second apparatus includes a second communication section 26 for performing either data transmission or data reception by using a second short-distance wireless communication scheme. A third apparatus includes a third communication section 39 and a fourth communication section 38. The third communication section performs either data transmission or data reception by using the first short-distance wireless communication scheme. The fourth communication section performs either data transmission or data reception by using the second short-distance wireless communication scheme. The third apparatus transmits data, which is received from the first apparatus by using the third communication section, to the second apparatus by using the fourth communication section. |
| US08213865B2 |
Methods and apparatus to reduce power consumption in a wireless device
Methods and apparatus to reduce power consumption in a wireless device are disclosed. An example method includes sensing movement of the wireless device via a sensor unit; conveying data of a first size at a first frequency from the sensor unit to a first microcontroller, wherein the first microcontroller comprises data buffers of a second size; wirelessly transmitting data of the second size to a second microcontroller at a second frequency, wherein the second microcontroller comprises data buffers of the second size; and conveying data of the first size at a third frequency from the second microcontroller to an electronic device to communicate with the wireless device. |
| US08213864B1 |
Method and system for a reduced USB polling rate to save power on a bluetooth host
A Bluetooth host in a normal mode is enabled to monitor activities at USB endpoints. A Bluetooth USB radio has one or more active Bluetooth connections with peer Bluetooth radios. When each of the Bluetooth connections is in sniff mode, the Bluetooth host enables cancellation of normal USB activities at USB endpoints to enter a low power mode. The Bluetooth connections are still alive while the Bluetooth host is in the low power mode. In the low power mode, the Bluetooth host is enabled not to poll the bulk endpoint and to poll a USB interrupt endpoint in extended intervals for Bluetooth data received from the Bluetooth USB radio. The Bluetooth host is enabled to switch from the low power mode to the normal mode to process the received Bluetooth data over the bulk endpoint when a specific HCI event is received over the interrupt endpoint. |
| US08213859B2 |
Data communication system
A data communication system includes a transmission medium such as a human body for transmitting an information signal via an electric field, a mobile device including a sender for imparting the electric field in which the information signal is modulated to the transmission medium, a stationary device including a receiver for detecting the electric field via the transmission medium and demodulating the electric field into the information signal, a floor cover arranging the stationary device and also being contacted by the transmission medium, in which the floor cover has a communication area contacted by the transmission medium where a data communication is performed between the mobile device and the stationary device, and the communication area is in a state of being electrically floating with respect to the floor cover. |
| US08213857B2 |
Providing content to a device
Providing content to a device. Content stored on a device can be examined or searched based on the programming of channels that are available to the device over various networks. The content can be searched using other rules related to user preferences or content characteristics. Based on the results of the examination of the content, playlists are generated. Each playlist includes content from the device that matches or partially matches the content associated with one of the channels. Using the playlists, a user can load content from their device that has a theme consistent with a particular channel. When signal loss is detected for a given channel, the playlist associated with that channel can be loaded and played by the device. The device can resume playing the channel when the signal is again adequately detected. |
| US08213855B2 |
Image forming apparatus and paper ejection method of image forming apparatus
A drive unit for changing the driving rate of paper ejection rollers for ejecting sheets of paper after fixing is installed, and an image forming apparatus has an option, and when ejecting the sheets of paper to an intra-body paper ejection unit, after the sheets of paper pass a fixing device, the paper ejection rate of paper ejection rollers 24 is increased, and the ejection force of the sheets of paper P is increased, and paper jamming at the time of paper ejection to the intra-body paper ejection unit is prevented. |
| US08213845B2 |
Corona treatment for intermediate transfer member overcoat adhesion
An intermediate transfer member substrate with an overcoat and a process for preparing the intermediate transfer member substrate with an overcoat layer by application of corona treatment to the surface of the intermediate transfer member substrate to enhance the interfacial adhesion between the overcoat and intermediate transfer member substrate. |
| US08213843B2 |
Developing device having toner recovery tray and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes: a developing housing having a developer accommodating chamber; a developer bearing member which is supported rotatably inside a developing housing, and which holds on a circumferential surface thereof a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and toner; a toner bearing member which is supported rotatably with respect to the developer bearing member inside the developing housing, and to which the toner in the developer held on the developer bearing member adheres electrostatically; and a toner recovery tray which has an opening in an upper end thereof, and which is installed removably in the developing housing below the developer bearing member and the toner bearing member. |
| US08213840B2 |
Developer material holding apparatus, process cartridge to which the developer material holding apparatus is attached, and image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is attached
A developer material holding apparatus holds a developer. A body holds a developer material and includes a first opening through which the developer material is discharged. A shutter is assembled to the body, and is movable either to an opening position where the developer material is discharged from the body or to a closing position where the developer material is not discharged from the body. The shutter includes a second opening such that when the shutter is at the opening position, the second opening is in alignment with the first opening. At least one of the first opening and the second opening is in the form a mesh including a plurality of openings. |
| US08213839B2 |
Reducing toner leaks using internal support
To prevent the developer housing of a toner cartridge from flexing and thereby causing toner leaks, one or more support ribs are added internally to the developer housing, near the developer roll opening to prevent housing flexure. The support rib is designed to not impede toner flow, or movement and installation of components within the cartridge (such as the agitator or other moving parts). The support rib may be formed integrally within the housing, or formed separately and then installed within housing. |
| US08213838B2 |
Developing apparatus, image forming apparatus having the same, and developer supplying method for a developing apparatus
A developing apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus includes a developer cartridge having an outlet through which developer is discharged, a developing cartridge, in which the developer cartridge is detachably disposed, has an inlet, through which the developer discharged from the outlet of the developer cartridge enters, and a connecting member connecting the outlet of the developer cartridge and the inlet of the developing cartridge so that the developer is supplied from the developer cartridge to the developing cartridge, wherein through the arrangement of the developer cartridge, the developing cartridge and the connecting member, the flow of developer from the developer cartridge to the developing cartridge is regulated based on the developer pressure in the developing cartridge. |
| US08213837B2 |
Unidirectional pump auger shaft seal for developer housings
This is an auger shaft seal used in an electrophotographic marking system. The seal is made up of alternating raised and depressed pie-shaped sections, each having edges that force developer away from auger bearings. The seal of this invention can be used on bi-directional augers and will protect the bearing when the auger moves in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The seal is used with a magnetic seal to add additional protection for the bearings. |
| US08213836B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
The present invention provides a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a developer from being discharged excessively using simple configurations in the case that a trickle developing device that uses a two-component developer is in a tilted state. The developing device having stirring members for conveying and stirring a developer and a developer holder, comprises a developer replenishing tank for replenishing the developer to a developer tank and a trickle discharging mechanism, wherein the conveying passages thereof include an upper conveying passage, a lower conveying passage, a first communicating passage for connecting the downstream side of the upper conveying passage to the upstream side of the lower conveying passage, and a second communicating passage for connecting the downstream side of the lower conveying passage to the upstream side of the upper conveying passage, and also include a circulation passage through which the developer circulates using the upper conveying passage, the first communicating passage, the lower conveying passage and the second communicating passage; the discharging mechanism is disposed in the downstream end section of the upper conveying passage; the bottom face on the downstream side of the upper conveying passage is positioned above the bottom face on the upstream side of the lower conveying passage; and the first communicating passage is disposed obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal plane. |
| US08213833B2 |
Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, image forming method and developer for electrophotography
An image forming apparatus including at least an image bearer; a charger charging the image bearer; an irradiator irradiating the image bearer to form an electrostatic latent image thereon; an image developer developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer comprising a toner and a carrier to form a toner image on the image bearer; a developer feeder feeding a supplemental developer including the toner and the carrier into the image developer; and a developer collector collecting the developer in the image developer, wherein the developer feeder includes a cylindrical supplemental developer container containing the supplemental developer, including a spiral developer guide race on the inner circumferential surface thereof; and a sub-hopper configured to store the supplemental developer, and wherein the carrier includes a core material; and a layer coated on the core material, including a binder resin and non-black or a non-color inorganic particulate material. |
| US08213825B2 |
Cartridge with urging members
A cartridge set in a main body of an image forming apparatus including a developer roller positioned opposite a photosensitive member and a frame including the developer roller and in contact with an urging unit, wherein the urging unit is structured to urged the developer roller towards the photosensitive member, also the urging unit is structured to transfer a voltage from a power supply unit to the developer roller. |
| US08213823B2 |
High-voltage power supply device and image forming apparatus including the same
In a power supply that outputs a high voltage by driving a piezoelectric element, a switching-on time period of a switching element in an initial frequency range when the piezoelectric element starts to be driven is set to a smaller value. |
| US08213822B2 |
Power control for a printer fuser
A system for delivering desired magnitudes of AC power to a load. A three-cycle power mode includes a 1st and 3rd cycle in which either no AC power, or full power, is delivered to the load, and a 2nd cycle in which an AC switch is triggered at a desired phase angle to deliver the desired increments of AC power during the 2nd cycle. AC power is delivered in each cycle in a manner to provide a net zero DC offset in the AC current delivered to the load. A two-cycle mode can be achieved by using the 1st and 2nd cycle, or by using the 2nd and 3rd cycles to optimize power delivery performance. A multi-cycle power delivery system can employ both the three-cycle and the two-cycle modes together to minimize the harmonic content during delivery of various power levels. |
| US08213821B2 |
Engine synchronization with a small delta time between engines
A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines using a small delta time increment. According to the first mode of practice, the second electrophotographic module, designated as E2, is started at a slower operating speed than its normal run speed. The PI control algorithm that controls the motor speed will then allow the speed of E2 to reach its nominal speed. |
| US08213820B2 |
Measuring apparatus, measuring method and image forming apparatus
A toner amount measuring unit irradiates a toner image formed on an image carrying member with light, and an image capturing unit captures an image of a reflected waveform according to light reflected by the toner image. Then, an amount of applied toner is calculated based on the peak position or peak height of the reflected waveform in accordance with information associated with the density of the toner image to be formed. |
| US08213819B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus
In a fixing apparatus provided with a plurality of fixing heaters having heat distribution characteristics that are different from each other inside a fixing roller, and an image forming apparatus provided with the fixing apparatus, an auxiliary heater is provided, the auxiliary heater being provided inside the fixing roller and to which power is distributed only during the warm-up period until the fixing roller in a lower temperature state reaches a predetermined fixing temperature. The plurality of fixing heaters includes a first fixing heater having first heat distribution characteristics that mainly heats a center portion of the fixing roller, and a second fixing heater having second heat distribution characteristics that mainly heats both end portion regions of the fixing roller. |
| US08213815B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveying path that conveys a sheet from a paper feeding tray to a secondary transfer position, an image transfer unit that transfers an image onto the sheet conveyed to the secondary transfer position via the sheet conveying path, a detection sensor that optically acquires information concerning a dirty spot on the sheet in a detection position located further on an upstream side than the secondary transfer position in the sheet conveying path, and a CPU that determines, on the basis of the information acquired by the detection sensor, whether a dirty spot is present in a predetermined region of the sheet. |
| US08213813B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing velocity errors in a movable image carrier of an image forming device
Systems and methods apply active feedback via a repetitive controller to compensate for periodic disturbances applied by recording media to a movable image carrier having a controlled velocity. The compensation parameters of the repetitive controller, once the error signal of the feedback converges to zero, can be stored with one or more characteristics of the print job or the recording media used for the print job. When other print jobs are received having the same one or more characteristics, the stored, converged compensation parameters can be retrieved, reducing the time to convergence of the systems and methods. |
| US08213811B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Provided is an image forming apparatus having a network connecting portion, a control portion, and a status information storage portion. When a status request is sent from an external apparatus while the image forming apparatus is in a power-saving status, based on a condition set by a setting portion, the control portion makes a determination of whether (a) to perform supply of power to the main body of the image forming apparatus and acquire a status information to transmit it through the network portion or (b) not to perform supply of power to the main body of the image forming apparatus, but to transmit through the network portion a status information that has been stored in the status information storage portion before the status request, and performs controls based on the determination. |
| US08213807B1 |
Tunable photonic channelizer
A tunable photonic channelizer includes an optical signal generator and an optical modulator. The optical modulator receives a first optical signal as an input from the optical signal generator and modulates the first optical signal to create a second optical signal. The tunable photonic channelizer includes an optical filter that is selectively tunable. The optical filter receives the second optical signal, filters the second optical signal, provides a third optical signal as a filtered version of the second optical signal. The tunable photonic channelizer includes a feedback loop between the optical filter and the optical signal generator to provide temperature and/or environmental feedback from the optical filter to the optical signal generator to enable the first optical signal to float in relation to the temperature and/or environmental feedback. |
| US08213806B2 |
Optical communications
A method of transmitting a plurality n data streams comprises modulating an optical carrier using differential M-ary phase shift key (DMPSK) signalling in which M=2n. Advantageously the method comprises using differential quaternary phase shift keying in which n=2. A particular advantage of the method of the present invention is that since the data is differentially encoded in the form of phase changes rather than absolute phase values this enables the modulated optical carrier to be demodulated using direct detection without requiring a phase-locked local optical oscillator. The invention is particularly applicable to WDM communication systems. |
| US08213803B2 |
Method and system for laser based communication
Method and system for determining a point-ahead angle from a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft, each spacecraft having a laser communication (“lasercom”) terminal is provided If ephemeris data regarding the second spacecraft is unavailable to the first spacecraft while the second spacecraft is mobile, (a) obtaining attitude information regarding the first spacecraft; and (b) obtaining gimbal offload commands from a fast steering mirror and a first spacecraft telescope subsystem of the first spacecraft; wherein a point-ahead determination module receives the attitude information and the gimbal offload commands; and determining an estimate of the point-ahead angle from the first spacecraft to the second spacecraft based on the attitude information and the gimbal offload commands. |
| US08213802B2 |
Receiver on a photonic IC
An optical receiver includes a first substrate including a demultiplexer and a first optical waveguide array. An input of the demultiplexer is configured to receive a wavelength division multiplexed optical input signal having a plurality of channels. Each of the plurality of channels corresponds to one of a plurality of wavelengths. Each of the plurality of outputs is configured to supply a corresponding one of the plurality of channels. The first optical waveguide array has a plurality of inputs. Each of the inputs of the first optical waveguide array is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of channels. A second substrate is in signal communication with the first substrate and includes an optical detector array. The optical detector array has a plurality of inputs, each of which is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of channels and generate an electrical signal in response thereto. |
| US08213801B2 |
Light emitting device, light receiving device, data transmission system and data transmission method using the same
A light emitting device, a light receiving device and a data transmission system and a data transmission method using the same are provided. The data transmission system includes the light emitting device and the light receiving device. The light emitting device includes a light emitting unit and a control circuit, and the light receiving device includes an image capture unit, a recognition unit and a decoding unit. The control circuit controls the light emitting unit to sequentially display a plurality of pattern images in a plurality of frame times to form a spatiotemporal pattern image according to setting data corresponding to a temporal domain and a spatial domain. The image capture unit captures the spatiotemporal pattern image. The recognition unit recognizes the spatiotemporal pattern image to output recognized data. The decoding unit decodes the recognized data to output decoded data. |
| US08213799B2 |
Optical receiver including a filter on a planar lightwave circuit
A planar lightwave circuit (PLC) includes a substrate, a tunable filter, a demultiplexer (DEMUX), and an optical processor each disposed on the substrate. The tunable filter is configured to filter at least one of a bandwidth or a wavelength of a Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) optical input signal. The DEMUX is connected to the tunable filter and configured to receive a filtered WDM optical input signal at an input and to supply one of a plurality of channels of the filtered WDM input signal at a respective one of a plurality of outputs. Each of the plurality of channels corresponds to one of a plurality of wavelengths of the filtered WDM input signal. The optical processor includes a bit-delay interferometer communicating with a respective one of the plurality of outputs of the DEMUX. The optical processor is configured to receive one of the plurality of channels from the DEMUX and output a plurality of demodulated optical signal components. |
| US08213798B2 |
Optical transmission apparatus, wavelength division multiplexing optical communication system and optical transmission method
An optical transmission apparatus for suppressing deterioration of transmission quality due to XPM in a wavelength division multiplexing optical communication system in which an intensity modulation optical signal and a phase modulation optical signal exist in a mixed form. The apparatus has an intensity inversion signal light output section which outputs light having an intensity pattern obtained by inverting intensity changes of the intensity modulation optical signal near a wavelength of the intensity modulation optical signal in arrangement on wavelength axis of optical wavelengths that can be multiplexed as a wavelength division multiplexed signal as intensity inversion signal light, and a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal output unit which wavelength-division-multiplexes the intensity modulation optical signal, the phase modulation optical signal and light from the intensity inversion signal light output section and outputs a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal. |
| US08213796B2 |
Method as a pre-condition for a gain control, optical access network, central station and terminal
The invention concerns a method as a pre-condition for a gain control of an optical amplifier that amplifies a whole signal out of a multiple of optical signals and where each of these signals includes regular gaps, in which these optical signals are synchronized with respect to each other such that the gaps coincide, as well as a tree-shaped optical access network, a central station, and a terminal. |
| US08213790B2 |
Method and device for the 1+1 protection of an optical transmission path
The present invention encompasses a method for 1+1 protection of an optical transmission path comprising a working path and a protection path that connect a first and second terminal node. In a working mode, an optical transmission signal is transmitted via the working path from the first to the second terminal node. At the second terminal node, the optical transmission signal is split into two optical sub-signals, and one of the optical sub-signals is sent via the protection path to a protection-path connection node as a working-path control signal. In the case of an interruption of the signal transmission via the working path, the protection-path connection node detects the absence of the working-path control signal and switches the system from the working mode to a protection mode in which signal transmission is conducted via a separate protection path. |
| US08213788B2 |
Viewfinder
A viewfinder including a base member for removably mounting on an electronic device suitable for taking digital photographs, attachment means connected to said base member for coupling the base member to an electronic device, an open-ended housing disposed on the base member, and a sighting grid disposed adjacent an open end of the open-ended housing and method for using same is provided. |
| US08213786B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing digital image by using fast autofocus
A method of performing fast autofocus (AF) in a digital image processing apparatus having a plurality of lenses mounted therein. By dynamically setting AF search start positions and AF search directions by using current AF position information, fast AF may be performed. |
| US08213782B2 |
Predictive autofocusing system
A system for providing a predictive autofocus prior to capturing an image of an iris of a subject. A sequence of images of the subject may be taken with a visible light sensitive camera. A speed and/or location of the subject may be estimated from the images. An encounter may be when the subject is within focus of the camera or, in other words, a focus distance and subject distance coincide. The focus may be determined in accordance with an intensity variance determination of the subject in the image, and more particularly of a subject's eye within a window of an image. Upon an encounter, an image of the iris of the eye may be captured with an infrared sensitive camera. |
| US08213775B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, and program
An information processing apparatus and method for providing images which coincide in reproduction time and atmosphere with BGM as a slideshow to a user. From sound data to be used for production of BGM, a head no-sound interval detection section detects a head no-sound interval and a tail no-sound interval detection section detects a tail no-sound interval while a tail fade-out interval detection section detects a tail fade-out interval. A play interval specification section specifies a play interval of the sound data other than the head and tail no-sound intervals, and an image content allocation section allocates photo album information and effect data to the play interval to produce vector data. A fade-out process setting section updates the vector data so that a fade-out process may be applied to images within the tail fade-out interval. |
| US08213774B2 |
Spotlight effect in video processing and playback
Spotlighting and other special effects are applied by processing circuitry in real time to received video streams. Effects tracking may be applied to fixed regions or moving regions or objects of interest. Viewers interact via conventional remote controls and other user interfaces to set effect parameters. Other special effects employed include zooming, masking, etc. and can be used to enhance one or more spotlight effects. Televisions, set top boxes and media players house the underlying circuitry. Effects are applied to layered and non-layered video streams to form layered and combined video stream output. Video outputs also deliver effect parameters such as region of interest location along with a video stream. Such effect parameters assist in the downstream application of dynamic effects. |
| US08213771B2 |
Templatized commands in disc authoring
Authoring a Blu-ray disc (BD), comprising: generating a template code representing templatized navigation commands, the template code specifying a first object to be processed, wherein the templatized navigation commands are used to provide navigational control of the BD using playable content; converting the template code to generate multiple lines of low level code; and automatically placing the low level code at multiple positions on the BD to effect desired behaviors by the BD. |
| US08213770B2 |
Apparatus and method for storing digital broadcast data
An apparatus and method for storing digital broadcast data in a digital broadcast receiving terminal. If the digital broadcast receiving terminal enters a weak electric field strength region during reception of digital broadcast data, digital broadcast receiving terminal stops the process of receiving the digital broadcast data so as to check whether digital broadcast receiving terminal re-enters again into the strong electric field strength region. Then, if the digital broadcast receiving terminal re-enters the strong electric field region, the terminal shifts a TS value of a received digital broadcast data frame to the value obtained by adding a frame interval of the digital broadcast data frames to the TS value of the previous data frame that had been completely stored just before the digital broadcast receiving terminal entered the weak electric field strength region. Thus, the invention enables the digital broadcast receiving terminal to drop the digital broadcast data frames received during the weak electric field strength intervals so that it may smoothly and continuously play back the digital broadcast data frames received only during the strong electric field strength intervals. |
| US08213768B2 |
Packet transmitting apparatus
A packet transmitting apparatus (401) capable of transmitting a copyright-protected content across an IP network includes: a transmission condition setting/managing unit (403) that extracts from inputted non-A/V data or A/V data at least one information of billing information, reproduction control information, copy control information for the A/V data, and packet output control information, and generate encryption mode information indicating an encryption mode which becomes a condition during transmission of the A/V data; an encrypted data generation unit (422) that encrypts inputted A/V data based on a transmission condition determined by combining input terminal information, data format information, and attribute information, and adds an encryption information header based on the encryption mode information and time-based discontinuity information to the encrypted A/V data so as to generate encrypted data; and a packetization unit (406) that generates a packet by adding a packet header and information representing a time-based discontinuity point to the generated encryption data. |
| US08213766B2 |
Embedded access information for digital versatile disc (DVD) independent of DVD player software
An operating system extension is used to implement embedded information on a DVD. The operating system extension examines DVD sector addresses requested from the DVD hardware. When address associated with an embedded link is requested, an application program that can run the embedded link is started, and the embedded link is provided to the application program. The system of the present invention has the advantage that it does not require modifying the DVD software program and thus can be used with a variety of different DVD software programs. |
| US08213760B2 |
Fiber optic enclosure
A fiber optic enclosure includes an enclosure having a base and a cover connected to the base. The base and the cover cooperate to define an interior region. The enclosure includes a tray mount disposed in the interior region. A plurality of fiber optic cable ports is mounted to the enclosure. A tray stack is mounted within the interior region of the enclosure. The tray stack includes a tray mounting plate assembly that is pivotally connected to the tray mount of the enclosure. The tray mounting plate assembly includes a tray mounting plate and a detent that engages the tray mount to selectively retain the tray stack in an opening position and a closed position. The tray stack further includes a plurality of trays mounted to the tray mounting plate. |
| US08213758B2 |
Rare earth doped and large effective area optical fibers for fiber lasers and amplifiers
Various embodiments described herein include rare earth doped glass compositions that may be used in optical fiber and rods having large core sizes. Such optical fibers and rods may be employed in fiber lasers and amplifiers. The index of refraction of the glass may be substantially uniform and may be close to that of silica in some embodiments. Possible advantages to such features include reduction of formation of additional waveguides within the core, which becomes increasingly a problem with larger core sizes. |
| US08213756B2 |
Breathable downhole fiber optic cable and a method of restoring performance
A breathable downhole fiber optic cable is provided having an outer protective tube; a fiber optic tube having a plurality of optical fibers contained therein; at least one annulus disposed between the outer protective tube and the fiber optic tube; and at least one path, extending through the length of the fiber optic cable, which provides a channel for a purge gas to flow for removing a second gas, such as hydrogen, from the fiber optic cable. |
| US08213752B2 |
Coherent optical mixer and a method of coherent detection of light
A coherent planar lightwave circuit (PLC) optical mixer chip is described comprising a matched pair of symmetrical four-coupler interferometers for in-phase and in-quadrature detection of two polarization components of light using a polarization diversity arrangement. The waveguide structure of the chip is symmetrical about two orthogonal central axes of the chip, whereby the effect of temperature gradients on the mixer is reduced. A light traveling from an input to an output of any of the two interferometers is cross-coupled by one of the two couplers it passes through, and is bar-coupled by the other of the two couplers, so as to compensate for polarization, wavelength, and manufacturing process dependence of bar-coupling with that of cross-coupling. |
| US08213751B1 |
Electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit and method for fabricating electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit
An electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit (EIC-PIC) for achieving high-performance computing and signal processing is provided. The electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit comprises a plurality of electronic circuit structures and a plurality of photonic circuit structures. The electronic and photonic circuit structures are integrated by a process referred to as monolithic integration. An electronic circuit structure includes one or more electronic devices and a photonic circuit structure includes one or more photonic devices. The integration steps of electronic and photonic devices are further inserted into standard CMOS process. The photonic circuit structures and the electronic circuit structures are integrated to form the electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit device. |
| US08213747B2 |
Variable resolution images
In accordance with one or more aspects, a variable resolution image is displayed at an initial resolution. The variable resolution image has multiple portions, at least two of which have different resolutions. A request to display one of the multiple portions of the variable resolution image at a higher resolution is received, and a check is made as to whether a higher resolution version of the one portion is available. The higher resolution version of the one portion is displayed if available, otherwise the one portion at the initial resolution is displayed. |
| US08213742B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus to read image of rectangle shape document set on a setting board, is supplied capable of assigning correct edge image to an output image. In the image reading apparatus, a image data storing section stores image data reading area lager than the rectangle shape document; an edge feature extracting section extracts edge feature according to the image data; a rectangle feature extracting section extracts edge feature of side regions respectively corresponding to each side of the rectangle shape document according to the edge feature; a region selecting section selects two regions from the side regions; a coordinates calculating section calculates coordinates specifying position of straight lines representing four sides through using inclination information of the selected respective two regions; and a compounded-image outputting section replaces the feature region with frame image according to the coordinates, compounds the frame image with image data, and outputs the compounded image. |
| US08213736B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device is for generating a smoothed image with an input image blurred. The device includes first low pass filters each set with a different range of level value, using each pixel in the input image or a first input image generated based on the input image as a pixel of interest, extracting each pixel that has a level value of each pixel in a filter size within a range of level value, and generating a first level value limit smoothed image by smoothing a level value of an extracted pixel to be used as a level value of the pixel of interest. The device also includes a first synthesis processing unit that uses each pixel in the input image or a second input image generated based on the input image as a processing object pixel. |
| US08213730B2 |
Server, screen transmitting method, and program storage medium
A server includes a generating unit which generates image data in a partial region of a displayed image on the screen; a type identifying unit configured to identify a type of a GUI component included in the region of the generated image data; a storage which stores compression property information for each GUI component type; a compression scheme deciding unit which decides a compression scheme based on compression property information corresponding to the GUI component type identified; a compression unit which compresses the generated image data with a decided compression scheme; a transmission unit which transmits the compressed data to the client terminal; an update frequency deciding unit which decides a update frequency of the compression property information in the storage for each type of the GUI component; and an updating unit which updates the compression property information with the update frequency decided for each type of the GUI component. |
| US08213726B2 |
Image labeling using multi-scale processing
Multi-scale processing may be used to reduce the memory and computational requirements of optimization algorithms for image labeling, for example, for object segmentation, 3D reconstruction, stereo correspondence, optical flow and other applications. For example, in order to label a large image (or 3D volume) a multi-scale process first solves the problem at a low resolution, obtaining a coarse labeling of an original high resolution problem. This labeling is refined by solving another optimization on a subset of the image elements. In examples, an energy function for a coarse level version of an input image is formed directly from an energy function of the input image. In examples, the subset of image elements may be selected using a measure of confidence in the labeling. |
| US08213725B2 |
Semantic event detection using cross-domain knowledge
A method for facilitating semantic event classification of a group of image records related to an event. The method using an event detector system for providing: extracting a plurality of visual features from each of the image records; wherein the visual features include segmenting an image record into a number of regions, in which the visual features are extracted; generating a plurality of concept scores for each of the image records using the visual features, wherein each concept score corresponds to a visual concept and each concept score is indicative of a probability that the image record includes the visual concept; generating a feature vector corresponding to the event based on the concept scores of the image records; and supplying the feature vector to an event classifier that identifies at least one semantic event classifier that corresponds to the event. |
| US08213723B2 |
Method and system for determining near duplicate images
The present invention provides a method and system for determining near-duplicate images. The method and system includes performing a Fourier-Mellin transform on each of a plurality of images. For each image of the plurality of images, the method and system includes generating a signature based on the Fourier-Mellin transform. The method and system includes comparing the signature of at least one of the images to at least one of the signatures of the other plurality of images and determining any near duplicate images based on the comparing of the signatures. |
| US08213722B2 |
Method for inspecting critical dimension uniformity at high speed measurement
A method for inspecting a uniformity of CD (CD) of a photo mask pattern increases a production yield. The method obtains a CD by precisely measuring a photo mask by using, an electron microscope. Then, a measurement image having, a plurality of patterns formed in the photo mask is obtained by photographing the photo mask at a high speed through an optical microscope. A gray level based on the CD is calculated by capturing just a pattern area in the measurement image, and an estimated value and a correlation coefficient is obtained, when an open density of the measurement image is relatively low. Accordingly, a uniformity of CD can be confirmed more clearly in a measurement of high speed for a measurement image having a relatively low open density. |
| US08213721B2 |
Product identification apparatus, product identification method, and program
A product identification apparatus for determining whether an inspection target product to be identified is the same as a predetermined verification product includes: an extraction unit configured to extract an input pattern formed of asperities on the surface of a predetermined part of the inspection target product from a captured image obtained by capturing the image of the predetermined part of the inspection target product; and a comparison unit configured to compare the input pattern with an identification pattern extracted from a captured image obtained by capturing in advance the image of a part of the verification product so as to determine whether the input pattern is the same as the identification pattern or the input pattern includes the identification pattern. |
| US08213720B2 |
System and method for determining chin position in a digital image
Automatic detection of chin positions is enabled from within digital images regardless of the facing directions of the faces. Faces having skin color are detected from input color images. Reference lines from center positions between eyes and center positions of mouths, which are included in faces are calculated, based on the faces detected by the face detecting section. Data that indicates statistical positional relationships among center positions between eyes, center positions of mouths, and chins therein are obtained. Probabilities that the reference lines calculated by the reference line calculating section include the positions of chins, based on the data that indicates the statistical positional relationships and the reference lines are calculated. Probabilities of skin colored pixels being present on the reference line are calculated. Rates of brightness variations along the reference line are calculated. Positions of chins are calculated based on combinations of the above the results of calculation. |
| US08213716B2 |
Method of gathering statistics of gray distribution of image
A method of gathering statistics of gray distribution of an image in an image processing device is provided. The method includes determining gray information of a plurality of data of an input image, wherein each piece of information corresponds to a count value. In addition, a fixed value is sequentially added to the corresponding count value according to the gray information of the data. When the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the count value is reset and the gray distribution of the image is updated. The count value of each piece of gray information is accumulated and when the accumulated value exceeds a predetermined value, the gray distribution of the image is updated to simplify the flow of process of the method of gathering statistics of gray distribution of an image. |
| US08213713B2 |
Image processing apparatus and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus is provided, the image processing apparatus including: a limited color conversion processing section that extracts plural pieces of color information constructing image information and converts the plural pieces of color information into color information representing specific colors to which each of the plural pieces of color information belongs; a by-color separation processing section that separates the image information containing the converted color information for each of the specific colors; a compression determination section that determines a compression system for each color as to each of pieces of image information which are separated by the by-color separation processing section for each of the specific colors; a compression processing section that compresses said each of pieces of image information according to the determined compression system for each color; and a layered structure forming processing section that collectively outputs said each of pieces of image information compressed. |
| US08213712B2 |
Methods of representing and analysing images
A method of representing at least one image comprises deriving at least one descriptor based on color information and color interrelation information for at least one region of the image, the descriptor having at least one descriptor element, derived using values of pixels in said region, wherein at least one descriptor element for a region is derived using a non-wavelet transform. The representations may be used for image comparisons. |
| US08213711B2 |
Method and graphical user interface for modifying depth maps
The invention relates to a method and a graphical user interface for modifying a depth map for a digital monoscopic color image. The method includes interactively selecting a region of the depth map based on color of a target region in the color image, and modifying depth values in the thereby selected region of the depth map using a depth modification rule. The color-based pixel selection rules for the depth map and the depth modification rule selected based on one color image from a video sequence may be saved and applied to automatically modify depths maps of other color images from the same sequence. |
| US08213704B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting defects in a reticle design pattern
Computer-implemented methods and systems for detecting defects in a reticle design pattern are provided. One computer-implemented method includes acquiring images of the reticle design pattern using a sensor disposed on a substrate arranged proximate to an image plane of an exposure system configured to perform a wafer printing process using the reticle design pattern. The images illustrate how the reticle design pattern will be projected on a wafer by the exposure system at different values of one or more parameters of the wafer printing process. The method also includes detecting defects in the reticle design pattern based on a comparison of two or more of the images corresponding to two or more of the different values. |
| US08213701B2 |
Apparatus and method for image processing and storage medium
An image processing apparatus and method including executing high-pass filtering in a column direction on the pixel values of original image data read from a flat panel detector to obtain first image data, and subtracting a value obtained by converting each of the pixel values of the first image data in accordance with an absolute value of a statistic calculated from pixel values in the same pixel row of the first image data from the value of a corresponding pixel of the original image data to obtain processed image data. |
| US08213696B2 |
Tissue detection method for computer aided diagnosis and visualization in the presence of tagging
A method for obtaining a tissue volume, includes inputting a dataset including a plurality of voxels; initializing a tissue probability volume for the plurality of voxels to a pre-determined value; updating, by one of increasing or decreasing the tissue probability volume of each of the plurality of voxels, based on corresponding intensity values of each of the plurality of voxels; and generating the tissue volume by combining the updated tissue probability volume and the inputted dataset. |
| US08213690B2 |
Image processing apparatus including similarity calculating unit, image pickup apparatus, and processing method for the apparatuses
An image processing apparatus includes an object-feature-information storage unit configured to store feature information of a predetermined object; an image inputting unit configured to input an image; an object detecting unit configured to detect an object contained in the input image; an attribute determining unit configured to determine an attribute of the detected object; a feature-point determining unit configured to determine, according to the determined attribute, positions of feature points to be set in the input image; and a similarity calculating unit configured to calculate, by comparing feature information stored in the object-feature-information storage unit to feature information at feature points set in the input image, similarity between an object corresponding to the feature information stored in the object-feature-information storage unit and the detected object. |
| US08213687B2 |
Image processing methods, image processing systems, and articles of manufacture
Image processing methods, image processing systems, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, an image processing method includes defining an image dimension corresponding to a common size of data content of a plurality of images which are associated with one another, determining a plurality of image boundaries individually corresponding to a size of the data content of a respective one of the images, comparing individual ones of the image boundaries with respect to the image dimension providing difference information for respective ones of the images and indicative of differences of the respective image boundaries with respect to the image dimension, and adjusting the images using respective difference information corresponding to respective ones of the images. |
| US08213686B2 |
Optical flow based tilt sensor
A method is described for determining a description of motion of a moving mobile camera to determine a user input to an application. The method may involve capturing a series of images from a moving mobile camera and comparing stationary features present in the series of images. Optical flow analysis may be performed on the series of images to determine a description of motion of the moving mobile camera. Based on the determined motion, a user input to an application may be determined and the application may respond to the user input, for example, by updating a user interface of the application. |
| US08213678B2 |
System and method of analyzing the movement of a user
The present invention relates to a system and method of analyzing the movement of a user. More particularly the present invention relates to a new technique for assessing a user's motor functions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, robust, and low-cost technique for analyzing the movement of a user, which can be used in an unsupervised home environment. This object is achieved according to the invention by a method of analyzing the movement of a user, the method comprising the steps of causing the user to perform a coordinated movement in accordance with an instruction, generating video image data in form of a sequence of images by video recording the user, determining in the sequence of images a degree of synchronicity of optical flow on the left and right body half using a computer system comprising computer vision technology, and assessing the user's motor functions based on the degree of synchronicity. |
| US08213676B2 |
Inspection apparatus method and apparatus comprising motion responsive control
An inspection apparatus can process image data of one or more frames. In one aspect processing of image data can include processing for determination of a motion parameter. In one aspect an inspection apparatus can be controlled responsively to the processing of image data for determination of a motion parameter. |
| US08213675B2 |
Device and method for outputting a private image using a public display
Disclosed are a device and a method for displaying a private image on a public display device. Image sequence pattern is generated for the private image and the corresponding masking image. The masking image is made from the dynamic inverse image of the private image, based on the refresh rate of the display device and the image sequence pattern. The masking image can screen the private image more effectively. The private image and the masking image is displayed on the display device according to the image sequence pattern. |
| US08213670B2 |
Sleep aid system and method
A sleep aid system, including a band adapted for surrounding a person's head, the band including an inside fabric layer and an outside fabric layer, two speakers between the fabric layers, the speakers positioned substantially opposite to one another, and an audio input for receiving audio from an audio player. |
| US08213667B2 |
Headphones
Headphones include a head harness and two ear pieces provided to respective ends of the head harness. Each ear piece is movably coupled to the head harness by a ball and socket arrangement structured to allow spherical articulation of each ear piece with respect to the head harness. |
| US08213666B2 |
Headphones with embeddable accessories including a personal media player
A set of headphones is configured with an integrated accessory receiving space and a device connector that interface with a variety of different interchangeable accessories. The accessories can range from a personal media player that can render audio, such as MP3 (Moving Pictures Expert Group, MPEG-1, audio layer 3) content, to rechargeable battery packs, storage devices, and modules that can support wireless communication between the headphones and other devices such as media centers, game consoles, and personal computers (“PCs”). A user can pick an accessory and snap it into the receiving space of the headphones. When so installed, the accessory becomes physically and functionally embedded so that its functionality becomes seamlessly integrated with operation of the headphones. |
| US08213663B2 |
Earphone via drumhead
A bowl-shaped cover (1) with a hole at the bottom replaces the cover with a sound hole of the conventional earphone, thus creating a constant space. The earphone sound vibrates the cover (1) by beating the inside of the cover (1) and then the vibration is transmitted to a rubber drumhead (vibrating membrane) (2) which is attached onto the cover (1). The rubber drumhead (vibrating membrane) (2) of the earphone works as a soft earmuff and makes wearing feel soft and comfortable. The present invention relates to the earphone that converts sound into vibration and also isolates sound. |
| US08213657B2 |
Apparatus for providing audio related signals for audio loops and associated methods
There is provided an apparatus comprising a primary winding and a corresponding primary core element, the primary winding/core element configured for the transmission of audio related signalling, using inductive coupling, with an appropriately positioned secondary core element/winding, the apparatus for providing induced audio related signals for an audio loop. |
| US08213656B2 |
Energy storage means holding device having covered charging contacts and a housing module
An energy storage means holding device and an associated housing module for a hearing device are provided. The holding device includes a holding module and a contact arranged in the holding module for connection to an energy charging device. A gripping is embodied in the holding module and cover the contact such that the contact can be contacted outside but cannot however be reached by human fingers when inserting the holding device into a housing module of the hearing device. |
| US08213654B2 |
In the ear audio device and method for fastening an electronic module in a cavity in a custom made shell part for an in the ear audio device
An in-the-ear audio device includes a custom made shell part which fits into the ear canal of a user and a pre-fabricated module part, the custom made part having a cavity with an opening for receiving the module. The cavity is partially bounded by two opposed, substantially parallel internal walls of the shell part which are spaced a distance which will allow two external, substantially parallel sides of the module to slide into the space between the two walls. Recesses and projections which extend in an arc on the walls and on the sides are provided such that the module may be inserted into the cavity between the two walls by a pivotal movement, with the projections at each side sliding in respective recesses. |
| US08213649B2 |
Method and device for evaluating auditory health
An earpiece (100) and a method (300) for evaluating auditory health are provided. Evaluating auditory health includes embedding (302) at least one excitation signal (402) in an audio clip (404) to produce an embedded excitation signal (406), emitting (304) the embedded excitation signal to an ear canal (131) at least partially occluded by the earpiece, analyzing (312) a recorded sound field within the ear canal during a continuous delivery of the embedded excitation signal to assess auditory health, and adjusting (314) the excitation signal within the audio clip during the emitting based on comparative differences with a reference otoacoustic emission (OAE). |
| US08213646B2 |
Apparatus for stereophonic sound positioning
A stereophonic apparatus uses three speakers respectively installed toward a front of a vehicle on both shoulders of a seat back of a driver's seat and toward a back of the vehicle on an exact center in front of a driver. This configuration provides more effectively exerted positioning effects for a virtual sound source realized by using the three speakers, especially for the effects in a frontward field of sound. |
| US08213643B2 |
Sound transducer for the transmission of audio signals
A sound transducer for the transmission of audio frequency signals with a pressure-voltage transducer is provided. This pressure-voltage transducer is disposed on a supporting plate and at least partially embedded in a sound-insulating, substantially incompressible material, for example a gel. The supporting plate rests herein in contact on a body part, for example a jaw or skull bone, of a person. If this person conducts a conversation, the vibrations of the bone generated through the conversation are transmitted to a supporting plate. This supporting plate subsequently transmits the vibrations onto the pressure-voltage transducer, for example a piezoelectric element or an electret element. |
| US08213642B2 |
Slide manipulation device and slide control console
A slide manipulation device is mountable in a manipulator panel and includes a manipulator, a frame configured to slidably support the manipulator, and a circuit board. The frame has an opposing part facing the inside of the manipulation panel when the frame is mounted to the manipulation panel, the frame extending in a direction intersecting the opposing part and extending in a slide direction of the manipulator. The manipulator extends outward from the interior of the frame and is slidable in the slide direction to indicate a parameter for use in an electronic equipment. The circuit board is disposed at the outside of the frame along the extending direction of the frame, and is mounted to the frame for carrying out overall control to signalize a parameter set by the manipulator and to transmit the signalized parameter to the electronic equipment, and otherwise to receive the parameter from the electronic equipment and to slide the manipulator in response to the received parameter. |
| US08213641B2 |
Enhancing audio with remix capability
One or more attributes (e.g., pan, gain, etc.) associated with one or more objects (e.g., an instrument) of a stereo or multi-channel audio signal can be modified to provide remix capability. In some implementations, a method can include obtaining a first plural-channel audio signal having one or more objects; obtaining side information, at least some of which represents a relation between the first plural-channel audio signal and the one or more objects; obtaining a set of mix parameters; and generating a second plural-channel audio signal using the side information and the set of mix parameters. |
| US08213640B2 |
Hearing device for musicians
There is described a hearing device especially for musicians. For this purpose a hearing device is proposed, in whose housing a music device is integrated with which tones or signals can be emitted via the signal processor and the loudspeaker to the hearing device wearer. This music device can, for example, be a tuner with tone pitch analysis or sound playback, a metronome and/or a tone pitch processing unit. A remote control for receiving pieces of music and for playback via a hearing device may also be provided. |
| US08213639B2 |
Sound and light control apparatus
A sound and light control apparatus includes an audio signal input terminal for receiving an audio signal, a voltage dividing circuit electrically connected to the audio signal input terminal for dividing the voltage of the audio signal into two divided voltages, a control knob electrically connected to the voltage dividing circuit for adjusting the divided voltages, at least one audio signal output terminal electrically connected to the voltage dividing circuit and at least one loudspeaker for transmitting one divided voltage to the loudspeaker, a frequency-divider crossover circuit electrically connected to the voltage dividing circuit for filtering the other divided voltage according to a plurality of different audio frequencies to generate corresponding frequency division voltages, and transmitting each frequency division voltage to a corresponding frequency division voltage output terminal electrically connected to a light emitting diode and enabling the light emitting diode to produce light corresponding to the frequency division voltage. |
| US08213638B2 |
Equalizer
Methods and apparatus to provide an equalizer for analog adaptive control are disclosed. An example equalizer described herein includes a high frequency amplifier to receive an input signal and to amplify a high frequency portion of the input signal, a low frequency amplifier to receive the input signal and to amplify a low frequency portion of the input signal, and a weight factor controller to control a gain of the high frequency amplifier and a gain of the low frequency amplifier. |
| US08213633B2 |
Sound source separation system, sound source separation method, and acoustic signal acquisition device
The invention provides a sound source separation system, a sound source separation method, and an acoustic signal acquisition device which can precisely separate a target sound and a disturbance sound coming from an arbitrary direction, and which ensures miniaturization of a device. A sound source separation system 10 comprises two microphones 21, 22 disposed side by side in a direction in which a target sound comes from, a target sound superior signal generator 30 which performs a linear combination process for emphasizing the target sound, using the received sound signals of the microphones to generate a target sound superior signal, a target sound inferior signal generator 40 which performs a linear combination process for suppressing the target sound, using the received sound signals of the microphones 21, 22, to generate a target sound inferior signal, and a separation unit 60 which separates the target sound and a disturbance sound, using a target sound superior signal spectrum and a target sound inferior signal spectrum. |
| US08213632B2 |
Electroacoustic transducer and ear speaker device
A reproduced sound of high quality is allowed to be listened to by a listener while natural sound image localization is provided. By providing a housing 4L having internal space mounted at a predetermined position of the head of the listener, a speaker unit 7L mounted on one surface of the housing 4L and positioned away from an entrance of an external acoustic meatus of the listener for a predetermined distance when the housing 4L is mounted on the head 100 of the listener, and a tubular duct 8L extended so as to allow a sound generated by the housing 4L to reach the vicinity of the entrance of the external acoustic meatus of the listener, the sound generated by the housing 4L can be directly reached to an eardrum 103L in the inside of the external acoustic meatus from the vicinity of the entrance of the external acoustic meatus of the listener via a tubular duct 8L. In this manner, a sound at an sufficient level can be listened to by the listener while the natural sound image localization is provided as an open type. |
| US08213624B2 |
Loudness measurement with spectral modifications
The perceived loudness of an audio signal is measured by modifying a spectral representation of an audio signal as a function of a reference spectral shape so that the spectral representation of the audio signal conforms more closely to the reference spectral shape, and determining the perceived loudness of the modified spectral representation of the audio signal. |
| US08213617B1 |
Finding nearby users without revealing own location
A method can be implemented in a portable device operating in a wireless communication network. The method is for securely reporting an indication of a current geographic location of the portable device to a server without revealing the current geographic location of the portable device to the server, where the server is communicatively coupled to the communication network. The method includes generating a pseudo-random value using a signal from an environment in which the portable device operates, generating a location descriptor based on the current geographic location of the portable device, applying a cryptographic function to a combination of the pseudo-random value and the location descriptor to generate a secure location indicator for the portable device, and causing the secure location indicator to be electronically transmitted to the server via the communication network. |
| US08213613B2 |
Device pairing
The invention relates to pairing a slave device with a master device, for example decoders in a conditional access system. There is provided a security module that stores a device state that indicates whether a decoder shall be a master or a slave decoder. There is also provided a method in a conditional access system of providing a device with a device state stored on a security module. It is detected that the security module is in connection with the device and the device state is transferred from the security module to the device. There is further provided a method of pairing a slave device with a master device. The slave device asks the master device to identify itself, the master device returns an identification, and if the slave device has not yet been paired with a master device, it checks the identity of the master device and, if the identity is verified pairs with the master device. There is also provided a first, slave, device for pairing with a second, master, device. The first device comprises an interface for sending an identification command to and receiving an identification message from the master device, and a processor for checking the identity of the second device and pairing the first device with the second device. |
| US08213609B2 |
Key generating device, encrypting device, receiving device, key generating method, encrypting method, key processing method, and program
A key generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a parameter determining unit that randomly determines a plurality of parameters that are needed when generating a secret key and a public key; a bilinear group selecting unit that selects a plurality of bilinear groups and bilinear mapping on the basis of the plurality of parameters; and a key generating unit that generates the secret key and the public key on the basis of the parameters and the plurality of bilinear groups. |
| US08213608B2 |
Roaming utilizing an asymmetric key pair
Techniques for generating a portion of a split private key are provided. A first symmetric key and a second symmetric key different than the first symmetric key are generated at a first location. The generated second symmetric key and a first one of multiple factors for generating the private key portion encrypted with the generated first symmetric key are transmitted. Then, at a second network location, the symmetric keys are again generated. The encrypted first factor is received at the second network location subsequent to a user authentication based upon the second symmetric key generated at the second network location. The received encrypted first factor is then decrypted with the first symmetric key generated at the second network location, the decrypted first factor usable to generate the portion of the split private key of the asymmetric key pair. |
| US08213606B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing processor instructions for accelerating public-key cryptography
In response to executing an arithmetic instruction, a first number is multiplied by a second number, and a partial result from a previously executed single arithmetic instruction is fed back from a first carry save adder structure generating high order bits of the current arithmetic instruction to a second carry save adder tree structure being utilized to generate low order bits of the current arithmetic instruction to generate a result that represents the first number multiplied by the second number summed with the high order bits from the previously executed arithmetic instruction. Execution of the arithmetic instruction may instead generate a result that represents the first number multiplied by the second number summed with the partial result and also summed with a third number, the third number being fed to the carry save adder tree structure. |
| US08213605B2 |
Trapdoor one-way functions on elliptic curves and their application to shorter signatures and asymmetric encryption
The present invention provides a new trapdoor one-way function. In a general sense, some quadratic algebraic integer z is used. One then finds a curve E and a rational map defining [z] on E. The rational map [z] is the trapdoor one-way function. A judicious selection of z will ensure that [z] can be efficiently computed, that it is difficult to invert, that determination of [z] from the rational functions defined by [z] is difficult, and knowledge of z allows one to invert [z] on a certain set of elliptic curve points. Every rational map is a composition of a translation and an endomorphism. The most secure part of the rational map is the endomorphism as the translation is easy to invert. If the problem of inverting the endomorphism and thus [z] is as hard as the discrete logarithm problem in E, then the size of the cryptographic group can be smaller than the group used for RSA trapdoor one-way functions. |
| US08213604B2 |
Signcryption scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography
Embodiments include a method and a system for signcrypting data based on elliptic curve cryptography. In a head-end system data is encrypted using a random point R and digitally signed using the random point R. Only the x-coordinate Rx of the random point R and only the signature component ssignature of the signature are added to the data after signcrypting the data. In a smartcard the signcrypted data is verified using the random point R and decrypted using the random point R. |
| US08213602B2 |
Method and system for encrypting and decrypting a transport stream using multiple algorithms
There is provided a method for encrypting a data stream using multiple algorithms. In one embodiment, a first portion of the data stream is encrypted with a first algorithm utilizing a first key to generate a first encrypted portion. The first algorithm can be, for example, a Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (TDEA). Data indicating the first algorithm and the first key is then transmitted. Then, the first encrypted portion of the data stream is transmitted. Thereafter, a second portion of the data stream is encrypted with a second algorithm utilizing a second key to generate a second encrypted portion. The second algorithm can be, for example, a Single Data Encryption Algorithm (SDEA). Next, data indicating the second algorithm and the second key is transmitted. Thereafter, the first encrypted portion of the data stream is transmitted. |
| US08213601B2 |
Font level encryption method and apparatus
This invention improves upon the existing art by implementing encryption at the “font level,” thereby, in affect, protecting each independent small portion of a text file or image file. Such a capability offers enormous advantages, including the protection of subparts of a data file from the remainder of the information to be protected, such that a would-be hacker able to decode one of the constructs of the font level would not be able to unscramble the entire text file or image file. In the preferred embodiment, the font encryption system is provided as a plug-in improvement to the existing operating system, thereby facilitating streaming encryption on the fly in a manner which is transparent to the end user. That is to say, in contrast to existing modalities, use of the improved technique would not require deep “hooks” into the computer file system or file-sharing system. Overall, the improvement permits full digital rights management control over each device interface to the font-level encryption capability, allowing operatings such as click and drag, cut and paste, and so forth, to take advantage of the added security while maintaining a streamlined and easy to use user interface. |
| US08213599B2 |
Spring, semi-automatic sliding device using the same and sliding-type portable communication terminal
A spring employed in a semi-automatic sliding device of a sliding-type portable communication terminal is provided. The spring includes a first spring including a first coil spring having a first end and a first other end connected to the first end by means of a first link spring and arranged at a center of the first coil spring in the form of being wound at least one time, a second spring including a second coil spring having a second end and a second other end connected to the second end by means of the first link spring and arranged at a center of the second coil spring in the form of being wound at least one time and a connector for integrally fixing the first and second coil springs to the connector. The spring assists in the opening and closing of the portable terminal, allows the portable terminal to be made thinner and is simple to manufacture based on having few parts. |
| US08213596B2 |
Method of accelerating the training of an acoustic echo canceller in a full-duplex beamforming-based audio conferencing system
A method and apparatus is set forth for accelerating the total acoustic echo cancellation convergence time in a microphone array full-duplex conferencing system with beamformer. The invention is based on sequentially switching the beamformer to untrained sectors during periods of far-end speech activity and performing real-time cancellation of far-end echo signals from the near-end signals to consecutively adapt and store filter coefficients for the echo canceller corresponding to each sector. |
| US08213594B2 |
Method and apparatus for placing a long distance call based on a virtual phone number
A method and apparatus for reducing the cost of long distance phone calls is disclosed. Accordingly, an originating phone network is operatively connected to a first intermediate point, and a receiving phone network is operatively connected to a second intermediate point. Each intermediate point is operatively connected to communicate via a data network. Users on the originating and destination phone networks may communicate based on virtual numbers. The virtual number is preferably within the local calling area of the originating phone network. The first and second intermediate points route calls to any geographic location, regardless of distance, over the data network based on the virtual number. This provides the advantage of allowing a user on the originating phone network to access a user at a distant location for a price that is substantially similar to the price of a local call. |
| US08213590B1 |
Call prioritization in a communication network
A call control system comprises a communication interface and a processing system. The communication interface is configured to receive a first access request from a communication system requesting access to a voice service. The communication interface is configured to, in response to receiving the first access request, transfer a rejection to the communication system that indicates that the voice service is not available. The communication interface is configured to, in response to transferring the rejection, receive a first call request for a priority service from the communication system. The processing system is configured to process the first call request to determine if the first call request indicates the priority service. If the first call request indicates the priority service, then the communication interface is configured to transfer a second access request to a communication network in response to the first call request. The communication interface is configured to, in response to transferring the second access request to the communication network, receive a first successful response from the communication network. The communication interface is configured to, in response to receiving the first successful response, transfer a second call request to the communication network. |
| US08213583B2 |
Secure access to restricted resource
A system may generate an access number, provide the access number to a user via a telephone call, and provide the access number to an authentication server. The system may regulate access by the user to a restricted resource based on the access number provided to the user and the access number provided to the authentication server. |
| US08213582B2 |
Coupling signal processing circuitry with a wireline communications medium
A system and method for processing a communication signal from a wireline is provided. The system comprises a coupling unit and signal processing circuitry. The coupling unit comprises at least one transformer and is configured to receive the communication signal from the wireline. The coupling unit is also configured to generate a first signal based on amplifying the communication signal according to a first winding ratio of the at least one transformer and a second signal based on attenuating the communication signal according to a second winding ratio of the transformer. The signal processing circuitry is configured to process the first signal and the second signal. The wireline is optionally a powerline. |
| US08213578B2 |
System for text assisted telephony
A method of and system for operating a captioned telephone service, the method comprising the steps of providing words spoken by a remote user to a relay, at the relay, a call assistant listening to the words spoken by the remote user and re-voicing the words into a computer with voice recognition software trained to the voice of the call assistant to create a text stream of the words spoken by the remote user and presenting the text stream to an assisted user via a display. |
| US08213576B2 |
X-ray tube apparatus
Conventionally, the magnetic field generator was arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the electron beam. The magnetic field generator of this invention is arranged so as to be inclined relative to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the electron beam. Specifically, the magnetic field generator is arranged so as to be inclined relative to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the electron beam within the range in the cathode side from the focused and deflected electron beam. Inclination up to the anode side opposite to the cathode side will lead to a possibility of increasing the reduced X-ray source diameter. Thus, arranging the magnetic field generator so as to be inclined within the range in the cathode side from the electron beam may reduce the X-ray source diameter. |
| US08213574B2 |
Method for operating an x-ray image recording device having a moveable x-ray detector on the x-ray C-arm
A method for operating an x-ray image recording device having a movable x-ray detector on an-x-ray c-arm is provided. The x-ray C-arm supports an x-ray source and the x-ray detector which can be moved in the direction of the x-ray source. A variable is calculated which specifies the image quality of an x-ray image to be obtained in a position of the x-ray C-arm in a position of the x-ray detector and/or specifies the exposure dose of an operating person. A measure is taken as a function of the variable which results in a movement of the x-ray detector by the operating person and/or by an automatic movement. X-ray images are recorded in positions of the x-ray detector in which the image quality and/or the exposure dose of an operating person are optimal. |
| US08213573B2 |
System and method for monitoring X-rays received by a portable imaging detector
A method for imaging an object includes radiating the object of interest and sensing the radiation that penetrates through the object using a detector having at least one active area and at least one inactive area, determining when the radiation is completed using information received from the inactive area of the imaging detector, and reconstructing an image of the object using information received from the active area of the imaging detector. A medical imaging system and a computer-readable medium are also provided. |
| US08213568B2 |
Dynamic collimation in cone beam computed tomography to reduce patient exposure
When performing a fly-by or helical CT scan of a subject, radiation dose is limited by positioning a dynamic collimator (142) between the subject and an X-ray source (112). The collimator moves axially with the X-ray source (112) along a volume of interest (VOI) (122) in the subject and gradually opens, such that a narrow portion of the cone beam of X-rays is permitted to pass through the collimator (142) at ends of the VOI (122) and a wider full cone beam is emitted at central portions of the VOI (122). In this manner, tissue surrounding the VOI (122) is not needlessly exposed to X-rays, as would be the case if a full-width cone beam were used for the entire scan of the VOI (122). |
| US08213556B1 |
Signal power estimation for cellular OFDM systems
Signal power of a received signal, which has a plurality of preamble sequences associated with sub-carrier signals received from a plurality of sub-carriers, in a cellular Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing system may be estimated by estimating as power for at least one preamble sequence of a signal received at a selected receive antenna. The preamble sequence is associated with a base station and a set of sub-carriers. A differential received signal developed for one of the set of sub-carriers is correlated with a normalized differential transmit signal for the preamble sequence, and the estimate of the power for the at least one preamble sequence is extracted based on the correlation. |
| US08213551B2 |
Digital broadcasting transmission and reception devices and methods thereof
Digital broadcasting transmission and reception devices and methods thereof are provided. The digital broadcasting transmission device includes a randomizer which randomizes a dual transport stream including a normal stream and a robust stream, a supplementary reference signal inserter which inserts a certain supplementary reference signal into a stuffing region included in the randomized dual transport stream, a Reed-Solomon (RS) encoder which adds a parity into a parity region included in the dual transport stream, a robust processor which configures a new dual transport stream by convolution-encoding the robust stream among the dual transport stream, an interleaver which interleaves the configured dual transport stream, a trellis encoder which trellis-encode the interleaved dual transport stream, and a modulator which transmits the trellis-encoded dual transport stream. Accordingly, a sub-channel can be provided in which the robust data and the supplementary reference signal will be transmitted. |
| US08213546B2 |
System and method for decoding RDS/RBDS data
A method performed by a receiver is provided. The method includes generating an RDS/RBDS candidate codeword from a set of RDS/RBDS symbols where the RDS/RBDS candidate codeword has a subset of RDS/RBDS values that differs from corresponding subsets of RDS/RBDS values in all other possible RDS/RBDS codewords and determining whether the RDS/RBDS candidate codeword meets an acceptance criterion by comparing a first subset of reliability values determined from the set of RDS/RBDS symbols and having signs that differ from corresponding signs in the subset of RDS/RBDS values with a second subset of reliability values determined from the set of RDS/RBDS symbols and mutually exclusive with the first subset of the reliability values. A first number of values in the first and the second subsets of reliability values is less than a second number of values in the RDS/RBDS candidate codeword. |
| US08213542B2 |
Highly optimized digital IQ transmitter chain
Circuitry separates a modulation signal into digital sign and magnitude signal components. The digital magnitude signal is converted to an analog magnitude signal. The analog magnitude signal is the mixed with an in-phase or quadrature carrier signal under the influence of the digital sign signal and routed to a driver output stage. |
| US08213541B2 |
Receiving method for receiving signals by a plurality of antennas, and a receiving apparatus and a radio apparatus using the same
A weight vector computing unit derives amounts of phase rotation for a plurality of multicarrier signals, respectively, and rotates the phase of a weight vector. A combining unit weights respectively a plurality of multicarrier signals with the phase-rotated weight vector, combines weighting results, and determines a combined result. A receiving weight vector computing unit remodulates the determined result and derives a first phase difference between the plurality of multicarrier signals and a result of the remodulation. The receiving weight vector computing unit remodulates the values of pilot signals and derives a second phase difference between the plurality of multicarrier signals and a result of the remodulation. Further, the receiving weight vector derives phase rotation amounts based on the first phase difference and the second phase difference. |
| US08213539B2 |
Antenna selection and training using a spatial spreading matrix for use in a wireless MIMO communication system
A wireless communication system and method uses a spatial spreading matrix to distribute the encoded spatial data streams to a number of transmit chains and further uses the spatial spreading matrix for antenna selection computation in a transmitter. The spatial spreading matrix is designed such that a receiver is able to know and utilize the spatial spreading matrix for computing transmission antenna selection, receiver antenna selection and joint transmission/receiving antenna selection. The use of this spatial spreading matrix for antenna selection computation provides increased accuracy in antenna selection for transmission of spatial data streams, where the number of spatial data streams is less than the number of transmit or receive chains between the transmitter and receiver, and the number of transmit or receive chains is less than the corresponding transmission or receiving antennas. |
| US08213537B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for reducing spurious emissions resulting from carrier leakage
An exemplary apparatus includes a modulator configured to modulate a data signal onto a carrier signal to generate a modulated signal having a transmit frequency within a predefined frequency range adjacent to and within a boundary of an uplink frequency band, a filter configured to at least partially remove a carrier frequency component from the modulated signal to produce a filtered modulated signal, and an antenna configured to transmit the filtered modulated signal. |
| US08213536B2 |
Low complexity systems and methods for peak-to-average ratio (PAR) reduction using reserved tones
Systems and methods for reducing the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) at the transmitter can reduce the dynamic range required in various analog components. PAR can be reduced by applying a time-domain compensation signal which reduces the magnitude of peaks in the time-domain signal prior to transmission where the time-domain compensation signals use tones that are reserved for the purpose of reducing the PAR. The reservation of these reserved tones for PAR can be implemented by altering the typical startup procedures in a digital subscriber line (xDSL) system. The use of the reserved tones to reduce the PAR can be implemented using a low complexity algorithm or using an adaptive technique. |
| US08213531B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting signal in semiconductor integrated circuit
An apparatus for transmitting a signal in a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a multilevel transmission control block that outputs a plurality of bits of an input signal in serial or parallel according to whether a multilevel transmission operation is performed or not, and a signal processing block that selectively performs the multilevel transmission operation according to a form of the input signal, which are output in serial or parallel from the multilevel transmission control block. |
| US08213530B2 |
Method of transmitting using phase shift-based precoding and an apparatus for implementing the same in a wireless communication system
According to one embodiment, a method of receiving signals from a transmitter having a plurality of antennas includes: receiving the signals from the transmitter; selecting a precoding matrix based on a multiplexing rate (R) by selecting R column vectors from a single matrix corresponding to a maximum multiplexing rate, wherein the maximum multiplexing rate corresponds to a number (Nt) of the plurality of antennas, wherein each column vector of a first precoding matrix corresponding to a first multiplexing rate is included as a part of column vectors of a second precoding matrix corresponding to a second multiplexing rate when the second multiplexing rate is greater than the first multiplexing rate; and processing the received signals using the selected precoding matrix. |
| US08213527B2 |
Channel variation detection of wireless channel for adaptive transmission schemes
A first wireless communication device recovers data from a transmission received over a wireless channel from a second wireless communication device and processes the received data with each of multiple channel variation compensations to produce corresponding processed received data subjected to respective ones of the multiple channel variation compensations. For symbols in the received data and in each of the processed received data, distances are computed to their closest symbols in a symbol constellation set used in the wireless transmission. A corresponding distance metric is computed from the distances for symbols in the received data and from the distances for symbols in each of the processed received data resulting in a distance metric for the received data, and a distance metric for each of the processed received data. Channel variation of a wireless channel between the first and second wireless communication devices is estimated based on the distance metrics. |
| US08213524B2 |
DTMB-based control system and receiving system having the same
A DTMB-based control system includes a carrier mode detector, a TPS decoder, a first latch, a second latch, and a latch controller. The carrier mode detector receives a number of NTPS and NCS of input signals to thereby produce an amplitude sign signal and a carrier sign signal for accordingly determining a carrier mode to be multi- or single-carrier mode. The TPS decoder receives the NTPS input signals and accordingly determines a codeword index signal. The first latch locks the amplitude sign signal and the carrier sign signal. The second latch locks the codeword index signal. The latch controller receives a frame number and drives the first latch to lock the amplitude sign signal and the carrier sign signal or drives the second latch to lock the codeword index signal. |
| US08213521B2 |
Methods and apparatus for audience measurement using global signature representation and matching
Methods and apparatus for audience measurement using global signature representation and matching are disclosed. An example method to determine whether a monitored media content presentation corresponds to a reference content source disclosed herein comprises creating a track corresponding to the reference content source and representative of a history of signature matching results when a first site signature in a plurality of site signatures corresponding to the monitored media content presentation and a first reference signature in a plurality of reference signatures corresponding to the reference content source are determined to match at a particular time offset between the first site signature and the first reference signature according to a histogram representing a plurality of distances between the first site signature and the first reference signature corresponding to a respective plurality of time offsets between the first site signature and the first reference signature. |
| US08213517B2 |
Moving picture coding method, and moving picture decoding method
According to the present invention, a moving picture coding apparatus (70) for performing inter-picture predictive coding for pictures constituting a moving picture is provided with a coding unit (103) for performing predictive error coding for image data; a decoding unit (105) for performing predictive error decoding for an output from the coding unit (103); a reference picture memory (117) for holding output data from the decoding unit (105); and a motion vector detection unit (108) for detecting motion vectors on the basis of the decoded image data stored in the memory. When coding a B picture as a target picture, information indicating whether or not the target picture should be used as a reference picture when coding another picture is added as header information. Therefore, in a decoding apparatus for decoding a bit stream Bs outputted from the moving picture coding apparatus (70), management of a memory for holding the reference picture can be facilitated on the basis of the header information. |
| US08213516B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus that compresses moving-picture data includes an image converter configured to decimate pixels in individual blocks that are defined by dividing moving-picture frames, the image converter being configured to generate a plurality of layer signals using different sampled pixels corresponding to representative pixels in pixel decimation; and an encoder configured to receive input of the plurality of layer signals generated by the image converter and to generate encoded data based on the layer signals. |
| US08213515B2 |
Interpolated skip mode decision in video compression
A video encoding method determines the best video encoding mode for a macroblock in the SKIP mode and comparing this cost with other modes. This avoids sub-pixel interpolations for fractional pixels. This models the cost function in a quadratic model and computes the cost for a nearest integer pel and plural adjacent integer pels. This permits determination of the coefficients of the quadratic model. An estimated cost is obtained using the actual fractional pel position in the quadratic model. This can be used for obtaining the cost of a P Skip mode. This can be used for the decision of B direct or B skip modes in B frames. |
| US08213510B2 |
Motion vector coding and decoding methods
A motion vector coding method and apparatus that improves efficiency of coding motion vectors when a current block is coded using a plurality of motion vectors. The apparatus includes a motion vector coding unit that codes a motion vector inputted from a motion vector detecting unit. A motion vector for each current block is coded based on a difference between the motion vector and a predicted vector obtained from motion vectors for previously coded neighboring blocks. The predicted vector is generated by one of the following processes: (A) the motion vectors which refer to the same picture are selected from among the motion vectors for the neighboring blocks so as to generate the predicted vector; (B) the motion vectors for the respective neighboring blocks are ordered in the predetermined order, and the motion vectors of the same order rank are selected from the ordered motion vectors so as to generate the predicted vector; and (C) the predicted vector for the second motion vector of the current block shall be the first motion vector, and if the second motion vector and the first motion vector refer to different pictures, the first motion vector is scaled according to the temporal distance between the pictures so as to generate the predicted vector. |
| US08213499B2 |
Method and apparatus for context address generation for motion vectors and coefficients
A method for high/low usage is provided. The method receives a macroblock data structure and a syntax element at a digital signal processing engine. Further, the method classifies the syntax element as high use or low use. In addition, the method sends the syntax element from the digital signal processing engine to a logic unit, distinct from the digital processing engine, for binarization if the syntax element is high use. |
| US08213496B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program
A motion-vector-setting section (31) sets a motion vector in units of pixel in a target image. Based on the motion vector, a target-pixel-setting section (35) sets a target pixel for each image in plural images to be processed. A motion-blur-amount-setting section (33) sets a motion blur amount in units of pixel based on the motion vector and the exposure-time ratio set in units of image in the exposure-time-ratio-setting section (32). A processing-region-setting section (36) sets processing regions corresponding to the target pixel for each of the plural images based on the motion blur amount. A processing-coefficient-setting section (37) sets processing coefficients based on the motion blur amount. A pixel-value-generating section (38) generates motion-blur-removed pixel values that correspond to the target pixel by linear combination of pixel values corresponding to pixels in the processing region and the processing coefficients, so that they can be output from an integration section (39) as one pixel value. By utilizing any time-directional information significantly, motion-blur-removing processing can be accurately performed. |
| US08213494B2 |
Sign-based general zero-forcing adaptive equalizer control
In one embodiment, a system includes one or more digital feedback equalizers (DFEs) that include one or more residual intersymbol interference (ISI) detectors, one or more column balancers, and one or more weight selectors. The residual ISI detectors produce a first output signal indicating whether the residual ISI of a received input signal has a positive sign or a negative sign. The column balancers select one of the first output signals to produce a second output signal. The weight selectors access one of the weight values. The weight value corresponds to the column balancer that produced the second output signal and the residual ISI detector that produced the first output signal, and has a magnitude that is substantially independent of the sign of the residual ISI. The weight selectors produce a third output signal based on the weight value and the sign of the residual ISI. |
| US08213490B2 |
Transceiver system and associated methods and systems
In the example embodiments, test signals sent from a transmitting system are received at a receiving system. The receiving system generates a determination signal indicating, in one embodiment, whether received signals have a desired relationship with respect to a clock signal at the receiving system. Timing of the clock signal or timing for transmitting signals may be adjusted based on the determination. In another embodiment, the receiving system generates a determination signal indicating whether the pulse width of a lone pulse signal equals a desired time interval. Equalization or pre-emphasis is controlled based on the determination signal. |
| US08213487B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for jammer rejection
A method according to an embodiment obtains a list of peaks for each of a number of frequency hypotheses. Each peak has an energy result and corresponds to a code phase hypothesis. Embodiments include methods and apparatus that may be used in identifying a location of a signal (such as a GPS signal) in a two-dimensional search space. Location information may be further applied to operations such as signal acquisition, signal tracking, position location of a receiver, and timing operations such as the synchronization of one or more other processes. |
| US08213482B2 |
Method for fast synchronization and frequency hop sequence detection in wireless sensor networks
A method of synchronizing wireless devices includes establishing a recurring sequence of frequency channels at which the wireless devices are to communicate. The frequency channels are divided into a plurality of groups. Synchronization information is transmitted at a respective first frequency channel in each of the groups of frequency channels during a first sampling time period. One of the groups of frequency channels is selected. A wireless device is used to sample each of the frequency channels in the selected group during the first sampling time period. Non-synchronization information is transmitted after the first sampling time period. Synchronization information is transmitted at a next respective frequency channel in each of the groups of frequency channels during a next sampling time period. The next sampling time period occurs after the transmitting of the non-synchronization information. |
| US08213479B2 |
High power diode laser having multiple emitters and method for its production
The invention discloses a high power laser diode comprising a plurality of laser light emitters (2) and a plurality of light collimating means (33), wherein each of the laser light emitters (2) defines, in a direction perpendicular to a direction of propagation (32) of an output laser beam, a fast axis (y) and a slow axis (x), and wherein each of the light collimating means is associated with a laser light emitter and configured for collimating the output laser beam at least in a fast axis (y) direction. In order to enable a simple and cost-efficient assembly of the diode laser with collimating means, having a layered structure consisting of a plurality of plane-parallel substrates. For this purpose, the diode laser comprises planar substrate means (10, 30) which serves to precisely define a distance between a respective laser light emitter (2) and an associated light collimating means to the order of one or several millimetres and to support the collimating means (33) such that the optical axis of said laser light emitters are parallel to each other and for defining a precise location of emitters on the planar substrate (10), preferably at predetermined distance in fast axis direction between said laser light emitters. The collimating means is an array or multiple single of micro-optical lenses having a rear side which is bonded to the upper surface of the planar spacer means. The submounts of the light emitters (2) are mounted to the planar substrate means (10, 30) and to a heatsink (6). |
| US08213478B2 |
Laser device
Provided is a laser device. In the laser device, an active layer is connected to a stem core of a 1×2 splitter on a substrate, a first diffraction grating is coupled to a first twig core of the 1×2 splitter, and a second diffraction grating is coupled to a second twig core of the 1×2 splitter. An active layer-micro heater is designed to supply heat to the active layer. First and second micro heaters are designed to supply heats to the first and second diffraction gratings, respectively, thereby varying a Bragg wavelength. |
| US08213475B2 |
Group-III nitride semiconductor laser device, and method for fabricating group-III nitride semiconductor laser device
Provided is a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device with a laser cavity enabling a low threshold current, on a semipolar surface of a support base the c-axis of a hexagonal group-III nitride of which tilts toward the m-axis. In a laser structure 13, a first surface 13a is a surface opposite to a second surface 13b and first and second fractured faces 27, 29 extend each from an edge 13c of the first surface 13a to an edge 13d of the second surface 13b. A scribed mark SM1 extending from the edge 13c to the edge 13d is made, for example, at one end of the first fractured face 27, and the scribed mark SM1 or the like has a depressed shape extending from the edge 13c to the edge 13d. The fractured faces 27, 29 are not formed by dry etching and thus are different from the conventional cleaved facets such as c-planes, m-planes, or a-planes. It is feasible to use emission of a band transition enabling a low threshold current. |
| US08213473B2 |
Laser based on quantum dot activated media
A laser gain medium and laser system include a host material, a plurality of quantum dots dispersed throughout the host material, and a plurality of laser active ions surrounding each of the quantum dots. The laser active ions are disposed in close proximity to the quantum dots such that energy absorbed by the quantum dots is transferred to the ions, thereby exciting the ions to produce laser output. In an illustrative embodiment, each quantum dot is surrounded by an external shell doped with the laser active ions. |
| US08213468B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating information signal to be recorded
A compressively-encoding-resultant video signal resulting from compressively encoding a video signal, a first compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal resulting from compressively encoding a first audio signal having a synchronized relation with the video signal, a reference clock information signal relating to synchronization between the compressively-encoding-resultant video signal and the first compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal, and an indication timing information signal designating an indication timing of the video signal are multiplexed to get an AV multiplexing-resultant signal. A second audio signal is compressively encoded to get a second compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal. A sound-production-timing information signal is added to the second compressively-encoding-resultant audio signal to get a substitution playback audio signal. During playback, the substitution playback audio signal can be reproduced instead of the first audio signal while being synchronous with the video signal. The sound-production-timing information signal responds to the reference clock information signal, and relates to synchronization with the video signal. |
| US08213465B2 |
Robust digital communication system
Normally ordered robust VSB data are reordered in accordance with a first interleave to produce reordered robust VSB data. The reordered robust VSB data and ATSC data are reordered in accordance with a second interleave to produce normally ordered robust VSB data and reordered ATSC data. The normally ordered robust VSB data and reordered ATSC data are time multiplexed for transmission to a receiver. The receiver discards the reordered ATSC data or the normally ordered robust VSB data depending upon receiver type or user selection. A robust VSB receiver is able to process the normally ordered robust VSB data upstream of an outer decoder without an interleave thereby avoiding the delay associated with an interleave. |
| US08213462B2 |
Media player and control method thereof
Provided is a media player comprising a connector to which a cable for transmitting a media signal from an external source is connected, and a user manipulator, the media player including a signal processor for processing the media signal transmitted through the cable; a UI generator for generating a setting menu for setting characteristics of the cable; and a controller for controlling the signal processor to process the media signal on the basis of the set characteristics of the cable inputted through the setting menu by the user manipulator. The media player and a control method thereof provides a user interface (UI) allowing a user to input information about cable characteristics, and process a signal according to the cable characteristics inputted by a user. |
| US08213458B2 |
Negotiated call delivery capability
According to the invention, a method for establishing a personal communication between an originating end and a terminating end of a communication system is disclosed. In one step, a first number of personal communication modes associated with the originating end is retrieved. A determination is made if a second number of personal communication modes associated with the terminating end comprises any personal communication modes compatible with the first number of personal communication modes. A compatible personal communication mode from the first number of personal communication modes and the second number of personal communication modes is chosen to indicate the compatible personal communication mode to the terminating end. |
| US08213453B1 |
Quality of service (QoS) configuration for network devices with multiple queues
A network device implements automatic configuration of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters in response to operator specification of a relatively few and easily understandable “high level” parameters such as, for example, latency requirements or an acceptable rate of packet drops. In one implementation, a network device may receive user preference information that relates to a Quality of Service (QoS) for network traffic passing through the network device and may measure traffic patterns through the network device. The device further generates a configuration template based on the measured traffic patterns and on the user preference information transmit the data in an order of transmission that is prioritized according to a bandwidth allocation policy defined by the configuration template. |
| US08213442B2 |
Screening inbound calls in a packet-based communications network
A method and system is provided for performing inbound call screening in a packet-based network, such as an H.323 Voice over IP (VoIP) network. The inbound gateways on the network are registered with inbound gatekeepers, and standard messages are used between an inbound gateway, an inbound gatekeeper and an inbound screening database to decide: whether an inbound call to a particular called number (DID) is to be allowed into the network; whether the called number should be translated into a different called number; and whether a routing index should be included in the called number to indicate the destination of the call. |
| US08213438B2 |
Data transport protocol for a multi-station network
The invention relates to a method of operating a communication network, the network comprising a plurality of stations which are able to transmit data to and receive data from one another so that a message comprising a plurality of data packets is sent from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station. The method makes use of probe signals transmitted from each station on a selected probing channel to which other stations respond to indicate their availability as destination or intermediate stations. A Request to Send message is sent, with a Clear to Send message returned by an available station. The station with data to send opportunistically selects an available station and the selected station uses a Packet Acknowledge message to confirm successful reception of the transmitted data packet. An End-to-End Acknowledge message is sent by the originating station, directly or indirectly, to confirm receipt of said data packets. |
| US08213436B2 |
Line-timing in packet-based networks
In a packet-based (e.g., Ethernet) network, such as the network of central offices and base stations of a wireless telephone system, a node receives one or more incoming packet-based signals from one or more other nodes of the network and recovers a clock signal from each incoming packet-based signal. The node selects one of the recovered clock signals as the node's reference clock signal. When the node is part of a base station, the node uses the selected clock to generate and transmit one or more outgoing packet-based signals to one or more central offices. The node also uses the selected clock to generate the base station's wireless transmissions. In one implementation, the base stations and central offices are connected by Ethernet facilities. |
| US08213432B2 |
Network configuration investigating device, network configuration investigating program, network configuration management method, and network configuration management system
A network configuration management method has a step of sequentially propagating a network ticket that a network configuration monitoring node has issued to each of a predetermined number of nodes (predetermined number of nodes |
| US08213430B2 |
Transmitting a packet from a distributed trunk switch
A method of transmitting a packet from a distributed trunk switch and a computer-readable medium storing instructions therefor is described. The method comprises populating an address table of the distributed trunk switch. The method also comprises receiving a packet from a device connected to the distributed trunk switch and transmitting the received packet via a distributed trunk (DT) port of the distributed trunk switch if the destination address of the received packet corresponds to a distributed trunk port in the address table. |