| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08225417B2 |
Circuit for controlling signal line transmitting data and method of controlling the same
A circuit for controlling a signal line transmitting data. The circuit includes a data level controller that, when the level of the data transmitted through the signal line is changed, controls the level of the data to be lower than an external power supply voltage level and higher than a ground voltage level after a predetermined time. |
| US08225416B2 |
Dynamic entitlement manager
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products configured to calculate an indicator of the likelihood that an entitlement exists in a first community relative to a second community. The calculated indicator is then used to determine the appropriateness of entitlements within the first community or after a transfer of a person from the first community to the second. |
| US08225410B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for securing content
Methods, systems, and devices secure content in memory. When the content is received, the content includes a lock that prohibits reading the content from memory. Prior to expiration of the lock the content cannot be read from memory. At expiration, however, the content is then readable. |
| US08225402B1 |
Anomaly-based detection of SQL injection attacks
A method for detecting a SQL injection attack comprises a training phase and a detection phase. In the training phase, a plurality of SQL queries is transformed into a respective plurality of SQL token domain queries which are processed using a n-gram analysis to provide a threshold and an averaging vector. In the detection phase, each newly arrived SQL query is transformed into a new SQL token domain query, and the n-gram analysis is applied together with the averaging vector and the threshold to each new SQL token domain query to determine if the new SQL query is normal or abnormal. The detection may be online or offline. |
| US08225398B2 |
System for regulating host security configuration
A recommendation engine coupled to a server computer in communication with a plurality of hosts is described. The recommendation engine includes computer readable intrusion-protection instructions stored in a memory device, which cause a processor of said server computer to determine a current host-protection configuration for a target host; detect discrepancy between said current host-protection configuration and a prior host-protection configuration; install said current host-protection configuration in said target host upon detecting said discrepancy; record successive host-reconfiguration periods, a host reconfiguration period being a difference between successive instants of time at which a current host-protection configuration differs from a prior host-protection configuration; determine a monitoring period according to a value of at least one of said successive host-reconfiguration periods; and a scheduler for activating said intrusion-protection instructions according to said monitoring period. |
| US08225395B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting child identity theft
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting an indication of a suspicious event associated with personal information of a child. Personal information representing a social security number of the child and a name of the child is received. Parent personal information representing contact information for a parent of the child is received. A child file for the child is created and stored on a computer-readable medium. The child file for the child includes the personal information representing the social security number of the child and the name of the child. The child file for the child is locked by associating an electronic notice to the child file for the child to prevent access to a database using at least part of the personal information of the child. The database includes credit data. The child file and the credit data is monitored for the indication of the suspicious event using the personal information representing the social security number of the child. A notification is transmitted to the parent using the parent personal information representing contact information for the parent. The notification is transmitted after detecting the indication of the suspicious event. The notification includes information associated with the indication of the suspicious event. |
| US08225394B2 |
Method and system for detecting malware using a secure operating system mode
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for detecting malware using a secure operating system mode. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure a file is received. The file is stored in a secure directory. At least one operation is prevented on the file. A secure operating system mode is started to detect whether the file comprises malware. |
| US08225392B2 |
Immunizing HTML browsers and extensions from known vulnerabilities
An exemplary computer-implementable method (300) transforms or “immunizes” information to reduce or eliminate risk of exploitation of a known vulnerabilty of a software service and includes receiving information (304) in response to a request, transforming the information (308) to produce transformed information and sending the transformed information (312). An exemplary firewall server (112) includes server software (144, 148) that allows the firewall server (112) to receive information from a resource (104, 108) via a network and to send information to a client computer (114) and an immunization component (264, 268) for immunizing the information to prevent exploitation of a vulnerabilty of browser software (154) on the client computer (114). Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08225389B2 |
Method and system to provide physical port security in a digital communication system
A method and system of providing physical port security in a digital data network is disclosed. The system keeps bit maps of allowed physical output ports for each physical network connection. The map of allowed ports can be different for different source addresses connected to the device. When digital data, such as an IP packet, is received, the appropriate physical port security bit map is retrieved and a logical AND is done on the physical port bit map generated by the destination information. The resulting bit map is used to determine which physical ports the data is routed to, blocking any requested destinations that are not appropriate destinations based on the port security bit map. |
| US08225380B2 |
Methods to authenticate access and alarm as to proximity to location
Methods for authenticating access and proving positional awareness using mobile phones. Embodiments for authenticating access include receiving identification indicia from a person seeking access, sending a message to a person having authority for access, and receiving either a second message indicating that the person has taken an affirmative action to indicate authorization, or a password that was provided in the first message. Access may be computer access or physical access, as examples. Methods of providing positional awareness include obtaining or storing location coordinates, monitoring the location of a mobile phone, and providing an alarm, for example, through a second mobile phone. In a number of embodiments, location coordinates are automatically obtained from Internet websites. In some embodiments, parents can monitor the location of their children to make sure they do not get too close to a reported residence of a registered sex offender, for instance. |
| US08225377B2 |
Method and system for handling content delivery in communication networks
A system for handling transactions in a communication network, wherein the transactions include at least one technology-dependent request for a given content made by a requester to at least one server. The system operates based on an access content list including permit/deny access clauses regulating access of the requesters to the contents by the server. A processing module, configured for detecting the technology-dependent request, and extracting therefrom information identifying the requester making the request and the content requested, is provided. A corresponding technology independent access content entry, adapted to be checked against the access content list to derive permit/deny information concerning the request detected, can thus be generated. The request is handled as a function of the permit/deny information derived and thus, e.g., forwarded toward the server or either dropped or forwarded to an alternative destination. Access to the various contents delivered is thus controlled in a manner that is independent of the specific technologies used for delivering the media contents. |
| US08225376B2 |
Dynamically generating a privacy summary
A system and method for dynamically generating a privacy summary is provided. The present invention provides a system and method for dynamically generating a privacy summary. A profile for a user is generated. One or more privacy setting selections are received from the user associated with the profile. The profile associated with the user is updated to incorporate the one or more privacy setting selections. A privacy summary is then generated for the profile based on the one or more privacy setting selections. |
| US08225374B2 |
System and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel
A system and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel is provided. An initiation terminal transmits a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager through a target terminal. Evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager is awaited. Approval of the channel initiation request is received upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease. A communication channel is opened between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval. |
| US08225371B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating an information security policy based on a pre-configured template
A method and apparatus for creating a policy based on a pre-configured template is described. In one embodiment, source data having a tabular structure is identified. Further, one of multiple policy templates is used to automatically create a policy for detecting information from any one or more rows within the tabular structure of the source data. |
| US08225369B2 |
Home digital audiovisual information recording and playback system
A method for operating a home digital audiovisual information recording and playback apparatus. The method includes: displaying menus with user-selectable system operation options; enabling a selection of desired audiovisual information for reproduction; effecting payment for the desired audiovisual information; inputting a user personal identification number; and downloading, from a main server, the desired audiovisual information after payment has been effected and a valid personal identification has been received. |
| US08225365B2 |
Sending apparatus and receiving apparatus
A sending apparatus sends program information to which accompanying information is added with the program information and the accompanying information being suitable for sending. The sending apparatus contains a detection portion that detects the accompanying information, a separation portion that separates the accompanying information from the program information. The sending apparatus also contains a signal-processing portion that compresses and encodes the separated accompanying information and program information, respectively, and then packetizes the accompanying information and the program information, respectively, and a local area network interface for communication. The accompanying information and the program information are sent following separated data formats. |
| US08225363B1 |
Wireless information transfer and interactive television system
A wireless information signal transfer and interactive television system comprises: a first communication unit, operatively coupled to a television set, for generating an information signals and for generating display signals for display on the television set; a remote keyboard device, wirelessly coupled to the first communication unit, for permitting a system user to control display of the display signals on the television set and enter data corresponding to the display of the display signals; a satellite network, operatively coupled to the first communication unit, for wirelessly transferring signals including the information signals; a second communication unit, operatively coupled to the satellite network, for receiving the information signals; and a server, operatively coupled to the second communication unit, for processing the information signals and providing data included in the information signals to a network; wherein the server retrieves return data from the network and provides the return data to the second communication unit, the second communication unit generating return information signals and providing the return information signals to the satellite network, the satellite network wirelessly transferring the return information signals to the first communication unit, which generates the display signals for display on the television set. |
| US08225361B2 |
Remote monitoring and control method and apparatus for an information distribution system
Techniques to remotely monitor and control operations performed by one or more head-ends (or servers) in an information distribution system. In one implementation, a monitor and control unit communicates with various elements (e.g., an IPG service manager and a session manager) within each head-end to receive information relating to the operations of the head-end. This information may include status and/or indications of possible error conditions relating to (1) various operations (e.g., encoding, multiplexing, and so on) performed by the head-end, and (2) the transport streams being transmitted from the head-end. The received information may then be forwarded to one or more remote devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, PDAs) designated to receive the information. Response messages may also be received from the remote devices and forwarded to the appropriate head-end, which may adjust its operation as indicated by commands included in the messages. |
| US08225360B2 |
Communication system, information processing apparatus, image pickup device, control method therefor, and storage medium
A communication system includes an image pickup device and an information processing apparatus. The image pickup device is connectable to a printer, and the information processing apparatus is connectable to a server device. The image pickup device includes an acquiring unit that acquires printer information indicating information on the printer if the image pickup device is connected to the printer and a transmitting unit that transmits the printer information acquired by the acquiring unit to the information processing apparatus if the image pickup device is connected to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus also includes a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, an indication that the printer indicated by the printer information can be registered with the server device, based upon the printer information transmitted from the transmitting unit. |
| US08225354B2 |
Merging electronic program guide information
Techniques are disclosed herein for merging EPG data associated with a variety of program sources. In one aspect, EPG data is accessed for different program sources and rules are selected that define how entries in the EPG data are to be merged. The rules may be selected based on whether the EPG data was collected in-band or out-of-band. In addition, the merging rules can be dependent on the program source, which allows the flexibility of applying different rules to different program sources. The EPG data from the different program sources is merged into a single EPG based on the selected rules. |
| US08225346B2 |
System and method for providing conditional access to data in an MHP or DCAP broadcast system
A system and method is provided for providing subscribers with conditional access to data receivable across a communications medium in an MHP or OCAP broadcast system (100, 300). The invention can be implemented for use with standard MHP or OCAP receivers, without the need for a backchannel or specialized hardware. |
| US08225339B1 |
Rotary head data storage and retrieval system and method
A head carriage unit in a data storage and retrieval system and method has a substantially planar working surface and multiple heads disposed at the working surface. The head carriage unit is adapted for rotational motion about an axis oriented substantially normal to the working surface. A tape drive unit moves a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface of the head carriage unit. The multiple heads record multiple data tracks on or retrieve multiple data tracks from the tape media as the head carriage unit rotates while the tape media moves past the working surface of the head carriage unit. |
| US08225338B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An optical disc reproduction apparatus as electronic apparatus has a display unit mounted via a hinge unit on a main body unit which has a main body case having lower and upper cases for housing a control board and a hinge connecting portion connected to a main body-side joint member of the hinge unit. The hinge connecting portion is formed of a part of the main body case, and has upper and lower connecting members formed of a part of the upper case and a part of the lower case, respectively. The lower connecting member is overlaid on a lower surface of the upper connecting member. The main body-side joint member is attached to the upper connecting member, and connected to both the upper and lower connecting members with hinge mounting screws so as to be connected to the hinge connecting portion. |
| US08225336B2 |
Method and system of configuring a virtual device
A method of configuring a virtual device and a system of configuring a virtual device is provided. A plurality of virtual device drivers corresponding to a plurality of specific functions of a first device is identified along with a second device. A plurality of virtual device drivers corresponding to the plurality of specific functions of the second device is also identified. A plurality of virtual device drivers required for a service is selected from the plurality of virtual device drivers corresponding to the plurality of specific functions of the first device and the plurality of virtual device drivers corresponding to the plurality of specific functions of the second device. The virtual device is configured with the plurality of virtual device drivers required for the service. |
| US08225335B2 |
Processing files from a mobile device
The presently described subject matter allows the user to interactively browse a collection of electronic files, such as a digital photo collection, remotely using a mobile telephone. Files from the collection of electronic files can be directed from the mobile telephone to be sent to a remote display device, where the file can be displayed. Also, a user can record voice and text annotations from the mobile phone to preserve with an electronic file, and which is transported along with the file when it is displayed on a remote display device. |
| US08225329B1 |
Tail synchronized FIFO for fast user space packet access
A network device may include a line interface to receive and transmit data units, a memory including instructions associated with a user space and a kernel space that are executable by a processor, the user space including a first-in-first-out (FIFO) region for storing the data units and corresponding metadata, where the kernel space writes the data unit and the corresponding metadata to the FIFO region, the metadata including a next pointer that identifies a memory address for storing the next data unit in the FIFO region, a user space process determines whether to transmit or drop the data unit, the user space process being a single process, and the user space transmits the data unit from the FIFO region without involving the kernel space when the user space process issues a command. |
| US08225328B2 |
Access to a target object with desired functionality
A system and method provide access to a target object associated with a desired functionality. This is accomplished by creating an instance of a pre-existing object, replacing one or more functions of a table shared by all objects of the object's class, and triggering a call that ultimately causes the replacement functions to be called to allow access to the target object. The system includes software portions for enabling the method. |
| US08225326B2 |
Future scheduling by direct representation of possible dependencies
A method for evaluating objects in a data structure is provided. The method includes assigning one or more objects to one or more nodes in a data structure having at least a root node, in which the objects are assigned to the nodes in accordance with a first order to maintain pre-existing dependencies between the objects and to allow the objects to be evaluated in a serial manner to avoid deadlock when concurrently executing threads to evaluate the objects, and selecting a first object for evaluation, in response to determining that the current object is unevaluated. |
| US08225325B2 |
Multi-dimensional thread grouping for multiple processors
A method and an apparatus that determine a total number of threads to concurrently execute executable codes compiled from a single source for target processing units in response to an API (Application Programming Interface) request from an application running in a host processing unit are described. The target processing units include GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit) and CPUs (Central Processing Unit). Thread group sizes for the target processing units are determined to partition the total number of threads according to a multi-dimensional global thread number included in the API request. The executable codes are loaded to be executed in thread groups with the determined thread group sizes concurrently in the target processing units. |
| US08225322B2 |
Contact centre with improved management and allocation of resources
Process for management resources each resource having one or several characteristics and, for each characteristic, a given category to which the resource belongs, this process comprising the following operations:a) identify (101) one or several characteristics required for the resources,b) identify (102) a group of resources with the required characteristic(s),c) for each resource in said group, and for each characteristic of the resource, associate (103) the resource category with a time, with a value that depends on the category,d) assign (104) a magnitude in time to each resource, called adhesion, equal to the greatest time of the resource characteristics. |
| US08225320B2 |
Processing data using continuous processing task and binary routine
A computing method and system is presented that modifies a standard operating system utilizing two or more processing units to execute continuous processing tasks; such as processing or generating continuous audio, video or other types of data. One of the processors is tasked with running the operating system while each processing unit is dedicated towards running a single continuous processing task. Communication is provided between both processors enabling the continuous processing task to utilize the operating system without being affected by any operating system scheduling requirements. |
| US08225318B1 |
Controlling data transfers between tasks associated with different blocks in a mutli-rate model
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a rate transition block in a graphical modeling environment that is programmable by a user to specify data integrity during a data transfer operation between two operations operating in an asynchronous manner or between an operation operating in an asynchronous manner having a first priority and an operation operating in a synchronous manner having a second priority. The rate transition block is a multi-rate transition block generating code that is portable. The multi-rate transition block has more than one operation operating at more than one operating rate. |
| US08225317B1 |
Insertion and invocation of virtual appliance agents through exception handling regions of virtual machines
A method for inserting an agent of a virtual appliance into a virtual machine. The method may include inserting, into an exception handler memory location of a virtual machine, one or more computer-executable instructions configured to facilitate transfer of control from the virtual machine to an agent-insertion module. The method may also include triggering an exception during execution of the virtual machine to cause the one or more computer-executable instructions in the exception handler memory location to be executed. The method may further include obtaining control from the virtual machine after the at least one computer-executable instruction executes. The method may include inserting the agent of the virtual appliance into the virtual machine. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08225316B1 |
Methods and systems for creating and applying patches for virtualized applications
A method may include identifying a first version of a virtualized application. The first version of the virtualized application may include a first read-only virtualization sublayer, and the first read-only virtualization sublayer may provide a base state of the first version of the virtualized application. The method may also include identifying a second version of the virtualized application. The second version of the virtualized application may include a second read-only virtualization sublayer, which may provide a base state of the second version of the virtualized application. The method may further include determining a difference between the first read-only virtualization sublayer and the second read-only virtualization sublayer and using the difference to create a patch configured to update an instance of the first version of the virtualized application to an instance of the second version of the virtualized application. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08225311B1 |
Deploying and distributing content management code
Deploying and distributing content management code is disclosed. A software object class is received at a repository. The software object class is stored at the repository. The software object class is downloaded from the repository to an application server associated with the repository. |
| US08225308B2 |
Managing software lifecycle
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing software lifecycle. Based on declarative models and knowledge of their interpretation, embodiments of the present invention facilitate lifecycle management for model-based software applications. Lifecycle models, such as, for example, lifecycle state machine models are stored in a shared repository such that executive services can determine how software application lifecycles are to be managed and transitioned. Software lifecycle activities can verify that a transition is possible and identify any errors preventing a lifecycle transition. Model-based error handling and error recovery mechanisms can be used to correct any identified errors. |
| US08225304B2 |
System and method for remotely securing software updates of computer systems
The subject application is directed to a system and method for providing a subscription service wherein a remote host enables the automatic receipt at a customer site of the most recent updates, patches, or fixes for services the customer site is running. The remote host uses a secured private port to transfer the updates to the subscribed systems. A remote host server searches an update database for updates of the services from a list configured by an administrator. The host server then downloads the updates and notifies the administrator that an update is available. An update script is subsequently generated, allowing the update to be pushed to a subscribing system. The host server the searches a listing of subscribing systems to determine which subscribing systems run a service for which an update is available. The host server, through a private port, uploads the content to the subscribing system automatically. The communication port is a secured port that will require authentication of the host server by the subscribing system prior to uploading. |
| US08225302B2 |
System and method for managing source code and acquiring metrics in software development
A method and system is described for managing the development of software source code, and in addition, collecting useful metrics about the development process. A first source code is provided in a desired state. The desired state may be the requirement that the source code can be built or the desired state may be the requirement that the source code can be built and pass one or more tests. A second source code is then received. The second source may be a modified copy of the source code. It is then determined whether the second source code is in the desired state, and the first source code is updated using the second source code in response to the second source code being in the desired state. Metrics that may be collected include: the name of a task, time to complete the task, line of code involved, etc. |
| US08225299B2 |
Program converting apparatus, method, and program
Program converting methods, apparatus and systems including a code analysis unit for performing lexical and syntactic analyses of a source code of an execution program, an optimization unit for transforming this execution program, and an output code generation unit for converting the transformed execution program into a machine language code. In addition, this optimization unit detects a calling procedure and a called procedure in a procedure call of this execution program analyzed by the code analysis unit, guards an evaluation of an argument described in the called procedure under a predetermined evaluation condition, and transforms the execution program so that the evaluation is performed when referring to this argument. |
| US08225295B2 |
Register allocation by puzzle solving
We show that register allocation can be viewed as solving a collection of puzzles. We model the register file as a puzzle board and the program variables as puzzle pieces. We model pre-coloring by letting some of the puzzle pieces be already immovably placed on the puzzle board, and we model register aliasing by letting pieces have a plurality widths. For a wide variety of computer architectures, we can solve the puzzles in polynomial time. Puzzle solving is independent of spilling, that is, puzzle solving can be combined with a wide variety of approaches to spilling. |
| US08225293B2 |
Method for supporting calibration parameters in an ECU
A method is provided for controlling ROM parameters embedded in a microprocessor software executable without modifications to the underlying source code. The method includes: presenting a software program having a plurality of machine instructions of a finite number of fixed lengths in an executable form; searching through the machine instructions of the executable and finding at least one appropriate instruction defined in a read only memory space to replace; defining a replacement instruction for identified machine instructions in the software program; and replacing identified machine instructions in the executable form of the software program with the replacement instruction. The replacement instruction may be further defined as a branch instruction that references an address outside an address space for the software program. |
| US08225292B2 |
Method and system for validating a knowledge package
A method for validating a knowledge package involves generating the knowledge package, where the knowledge package includes guidelines for obtaining and installing software deliverables. The method further involves obtaining the software deliverables based on the guidelines in the knowledge package, performing a test installation of the software deliverables on a managed host, based on the guidelines in the knowledge package, generating an incident report indicating that the test installation has failed, and updating the knowledge package based on the incident report. |
| US08225287B2 |
Method for testing a system
In a method for testing a system, the technology initially accesses a database having a plurality of stand-alone pieces-of-code. Each piece-of-code includes a sequence of operations to be performed on a system. One or more of a plurality of stand-alone pieces-of-code within a database are selected to generate a set of at least two stand-alone pieces-of-code, based on a testing scenario. A variable test sequence from a set of at least two stand-alone pieces-of-code is then generated. The variable test sequence is then utilized to test a system based on a testing scenario. |
| US08225283B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling collaborative product development processes
A computer-implemented method supporting collaborative product development. A plurality of artifacts associated with the collaborative product development is maintained under revision control in a first repository. Each artifact has a plurality of lifecycle states and each artifact is associated with a first finite state machine (FSM) that defines lifecycle state transitions for the artifacts. A plurality of artifact tuples associated with the collaborative product development is maintained under revision control in a second repository. At least one artifact tuple is comprised of at least one access information providing access to at least one of said plurality of artifacts in the first repository. Each artifact tuple has a plurality of lifecycle states and each artifact tuple is associated with a second finite state machine (FSM) that defines lifecycle state transitions for the artifact tuples. There exists a set of lifecycle state transition mappings which maps all valid lifecycle state transitions for an artifact with desired lifecycle state transitions for an artifact tuple and all valid lifecycle state transitions for an artifact tuple with desired lifecycle state transitions for an artifact. A workflow process relating to an evolution of an artifact or artifact tuple is expressed through sequencing of one or more members of the said lifecycle state transition mappings set. |
| US08225282B1 |
Semantic-based, service-oriented system and method of developing, programming and managing software modules and software solutions
Methods, systems, frameworks, and software products are disclosed for building well-defined software modules through the optionally nested aggregation of other similar modules at any depth. The invention provides visual methods of aggregation and nesting of software interfaces withincomposite software services with an automated runtime platform. Other aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, innovative methods for routing the flow of invocation, inter-service communication, and exception handling. Industry standards are leveraged to integrate the methods discussed in this invention to any computer system, programming language or software platform. The semantic-based and visual nature of the invention discussed can significantly reduce the complexity of building, maintaining and deploying computer systems and software products. |
| US08225281B1 |
Automated baseline deployment system
An automated baseline deployment system is provided. The system comprises an at least one computer system and an automated baseline deployment application that, when executed on the computer system, extracts software source code from a source code repository in response to an application build request. The system also inserts the source code using an automated process into a secure build process to produce baseline code, places the baseline code into an application product depot, and extracts a copy of the baseline code from the application product depot in response to a deployment request. The system also creates metadata to associate a destination deployment environment with the copy of the baseline code deployed into the deployment environment and installs the copy of the baseline code into the deployment environment, wherein the application prevents the insertion of source software code from sources outside the source code repository into the secure build process. |
| US08225277B2 |
Non-localized constraints for automated program generation
A method and a system for non-locally constraining a plurality of related but separated program entities (e.g., a loop operation and a related accumulation operation within the loop's scope) such that any broad program transformation affecting both will have the machinery to assure that the changes to both entities will preserve the invariant properties of and dependencies among them. For example, if a program transform alters one entity (e.g., re-expresses an accumulation operation as a vector operation incorporating some or all of the loop's iteration) the constraint will provide the machinery to assure a compensating alteration of the other entities (e.g., the loop operation is reduced to reflect the vectorization of the accumulation operation). One realization of this method comprises specialized instances of the related entities that while retaining their roles as program entities (i.e., operators), also contain data and machinery to define the non-local constraint relationship. |
| US08225276B1 |
Shared code management
An electronic device and method are provided to enable the management of shared code. Code may be shared if the environmental configuration is suitable for execution of the code and the functionality of the code matches. An identifier is provided to correspond to the functionality for a unit of code. Examples of identifiers can include file names, function names, macro names and class names. A checksum may also be used to identify the functionality of the unit of code. An organizational structure is configured to have constituents corresponding to environmental configurations suitable to execute the unit of code. Examples of the organizational structure include a directory structure or a class structure. The various units of code may be stored in the organizational structure and located by the constituent in which they are located and their functionality determined by the identifier to enable sharing. |
| US08225275B2 |
System and method for providing indicators of textual items having intrinsic executable computational meaning within a graphical language environment
An electronic device with a graphical language environment that includes a method which examines a graphical model to identify textual items having intrinsic executable computational meaning within the graphical model is discussed. The method identifies at least one textual item with intrinsic executable computational meaning. The method further provides an indicator for the at least one identified textual item with intrinsic executable computational meaning in a display of the graphical model. The indicator may be based upon a characteristic of the identified textual item. |
| US08225271B2 |
Apparatus for control systems with objects that are associated with live data
Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object. Configuration-time formulas contained objects are evaluated to constants prior to downloading to the control system. |
| US08225269B2 |
Technique for generating an analysis equation
During a method, a hybrid graphical user interface (GUI), which is associated with electronic-design-automation (EDA) software, is displayed. This hybrid GUI allows users to efficiently specify useful analysis equations using textual and/or graphical information. In particular, the hybrid GUI has a first window that includes graphical objects associated with a circuit design. A user can select one or more of the graphical objects and associated electrical parameters using a user-interface device, such as a mouse. The hybrid GUI has a second window that has icons and other graphical controls that allow the construction of an analysis equation using the user-interface device. In addition, the hybrid GUI has a third window that includes an equation editor that provides a symbolic representation of an analysis equation based at least on one or more text entries provided by a user using a second user-interface device (such as a keyboard) and/or user selections of a given graphical object in the graphical objects and an associated electrical parameter. |
| US08225266B2 |
Modeling the skin effect using efficient conduction mode techniques
Described herein are embodiments of methods for extracting various high frequency parameters for a circuit design. In one exemplary embodiment, circuit design information indicating at least a geometric layout of conductors in the circuit design and a desired frequency of operation for the circuit design is received. Conduction modes representing distribution functions for currents in the conductors at the desired frequency of operation are defined. A conduction mode matrix including matrix elements based on the defined conduction modes is generated. Values for one or more matrix elements are computed by decomposing integrands for calculating the matrix elements into simplified terms that are less computationally intensive than the integrands and computing the values of the simplified terms. The values for the one or more matrix elements can be stored (e.g., on one or more computer-readable media). |
| US08225265B2 |
Logic circuit delay optimization
A method for modifying a logic circuit layout to optimize circuit propagation delays for improved circuit operation is presented. The layout includes multiple logic gates connected by conductive segments. An initial layout of a physical electronic logic circuit having the plurality of logic gates is input. A respective size is determined for each of the logic gates in accordance with the initial layout and a circuit propagation delay criterion. The circuit propagation delay criterion is a joint function of properties of at least some of the logic gates and at least some of the conductive segments. A modified logic circuit layout is output. The modified logic circuit layout includes a layout of the logic gates arranged in accordance with the initial layout, where each of the logic gates is modified according to the respective determined size, thereby to obtain a modification of the logic circuit layout incorporating an optimized circuit propagation delay. |
| US08225264B2 |
Method and system for the modular design and layout of integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (IC) and fabrication method thereof is provided that include the steps of specifying a plurality of required tile modules suitable for a particular end application, each of the modular tiles being configured to perform a predetermined function and constructed to have approximately the same length and width dimensions. The modular tiles are used to form the IC in a standard IC fabrication process. In many implementations, physical layout of the IC does not include the step of routing. Capabilities also include configuring the modular tiles to have programmable performance parameters and configuring the modular tiles to cooperate usefully with one another based on a programmable parameter. |
| US08225263B2 |
Method of semiconductor integrated circuit, recording medium recording design program of semiconductor integrated circuit, and design support apparatus of semiconductor integrated circuit
A design method of a semiconductor integrated circuit carried out by a computer, including: a DRC step of performing a design rule check (Design Rule Check) with reference to layout information on an internal wiring in a capacitor cell and layout information on a signal wiring in the semiconductor integrated circuit; an integration step of integrating layout information on the internal wiring into layout information on the signal wiring when being determined in the DRC step that there is an error; and an elimination step of eliminating an error portion in the internal wiring from the integrated layout information. |
| US08225261B2 |
Methods for defining contact grid in dynamic array architecture
First and second virtual grates are defined as respective sets of parallel virtual lines extending across a layout area in first and second perpendicular directions, respectively. The virtual lines of the first and second virtual grates correspond to placement locations for layout features in lower and higher chip levels, respectively. Each intersection point between virtual lines of the first and second virtual grates is a gridpoint within a vertical connection placement grid. Vertical connection structures are placed at a number of gridpoints within the vertical connection placement grid so as to provide electrical connectivity between layout features in the lower and higher chip levels. The vertical connection structures are placed so as to minimize a number of different spacing sizes between neighboring vertical connection structures across the vertical connection placement grid, while simultaneously minimizing to an extent possible layout area size. The vertical connection structures may be contacts or vias. |
| US08225260B2 |
Programmable analog tile placement tool
A programmable analog tile integrated circuit placement tool allows a user to manipulate a graphical representation of a first power management integrated circuit (PMIC) tile with respect to a graphical representation of a second PMIC tile in a proposed Multi-Tile Power Management Integrated Circuit (MTPMIC). The novel PMIC tiles have pre-defined physical structures including a bus portion and a memory structure for storing configuration information for configuring the tile. When appropriately placed in a MTPMIC, the bus portions of the selected tiles automatically form a standardized bus that accommodates all signal communication required for a functioning MTPMIC. A remote user with minimal training in analog circuit design may command the placement of individual tiles in a proposed MTPMIC layout. Upon receiving a user response indicating satisfaction with the placement of PMIC tiles, the tool quickly and automatically generates physical layout data suitable for fabrication of the MTPMIC. |
| US08225258B2 |
Statistical integrated circuit package modeling for analysis at the early design age
In designing an integrated circuit on a die having a set of die bumps, a method to generate a set of lumped circuit parameter values associated with the set of die bumps, based upon distances between the set of die bumps and the center of the die, the method also based upon a sample-data distribution function of a die bump distance variable and a sample-data distribution function of a lumped circuit parameter variable. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08225251B2 |
Circuit states
Systems and methods for deriving a net equation representing a net state of an analog circuit net, wherein the net equation is derived from at least one other net state, determining a truthfulness of the net equation, reporting the truthfulness. |
| US08225243B2 |
Development method for integrated circuits, program storage medium for storing the development method for integrated circuits, and concurrent development system, development program, and development method of ASIC and programmable logic device
A method for developing integrated circuits includes generating a core (logic core) in an HDL format readable by a logic synthesis tool, from an ASIC core (logic core) made of ports of blocks and port connection information, creating a temporary chip design from chip terminal information to generate a terminal in the temporary chip design, generating a design identical to that created, as a cell within the design created, connecting a design port with a cell port, wherein a name of the design port is identical to a name of the cell port, inserting an I/O buffer, depending on the device technology, into a net between the ports connected, replacing the cell by the core (logic core) created to gerate a netlist, and expanding a hierarchy of the design, being the top hierarchy. |
| US08225242B2 |
Highly compact non-volatile memory and method thereof
A non-volatile memory device capable of reading and writing a large number of memory cells with multiple read/write circuits in parallel has an architecture that reduces redundancy in the multiple read/write circuits to a minimum. The multiple read/write circuits are organized into a bank of similar stacks of components. In one aspect, each stack of components has individual components factorizing out their common subcomponents that do not require parallel usage and sharing them as a common component serially. Other aspects, include serial bus communication between the different components, compact I/O enabled data latches associated with the multiple read/write circuits, and an architecture that allows reading and programming of a contiguous row of memory cells or a segment thereof. The various aspects combined to achieve high performance, high accuracy and high compactness. |
| US08225233B2 |
Analysis of complex data objects and multiple parameter systems
A computer facilitates multiple parameters data analysis by special visualization and navigation methods. Data to be analyzed is loaded from an external source the computer displays the data in response to user input using a variety of methods including data tables, slices of data spaces, hierarchically navigated data spaces, dynamic slice tables, filters, sorting, color-mapping, numerical operations, and other methods. |
| US08225232B2 |
Dynamic configuration of unified messaging state changes
The subject invention relates to systems and methods that enable dynamic programming and execution of an electronic communications dialog. In one aspect, a configurable messaging system is provided. The system includes a configuration file to describe interface options of a computerized dialog session, wherein the configuration file specifies interface activities and state transitions between the interface options within the configuration file. A state controller executes the interface options during communications activities with the dialog session. The configuration file can also describe prompt elements to solicit information from users or applications. |
| US08225227B2 |
Managing display of user interfaces
Managing a display of a user interface. In one implementation, a first user interface and an option to change the first user interface to a second user interface may be displayed. A selection of the option to change the first user interface to the second user interface may be received. In response, the second user interface may be displayed. In addition, a count of the number of times the request to change the first user interface to the second user interface is received may be kept. If the count is equal to a predetermined number, an option to set the second user interface as the default user interface may be displayed. If the option to set the second user interface as the default user interface is selected, the second user interface may then be set as the default user interface. |
| US08225223B2 |
Method and system for creating graphical and interactive representations of input and output data
The invention relates to a method and tool which allows users to create interactive representations of input and output data, and simulate the associated algorithms used to manipulate this data, that are used in spreadsheet applications and other similar software programs. The interactive simulation is visually represented by a customizable set of components which hereinafter will be referred to as a control pane. The control panels can consist of a variety of components which include user interface elements (such as sliders, buttons, and checkboxes), charts and maps. The underlying simulation is generated based on data sources within an application software program file (e.g., spreadsheet data cells) selected by the user during the control panel creation process. |
| US08225222B2 |
Security apparatus
An apparatus and methods for modifying the security status of a computer component are disclosed. The apparatus represents a plurality of computer components; represents interactions among the plurality of computer components; and allows modification of a security setting associated with at least one of the computer components. The methods disclosed teach depicting a plurality of computer components; depicting interactions among the plurality of computer components; and modification of a security setting associated with at least one of the computer components. |
| US08225221B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing representations of objects and entities
A method of constructing a representation of an object having at least one property includes identifying at least one property group associated with the object which has been chosen to represent the object. At least one property of the object belongs to each property group identified as being associated with the object. The method further includes identifying any other object that the object references within a property of an identified property group. An object representation engine retrieves data corresponding to each of the properties belonging to the at least one property group. The engine then represents the object using the retrieved data. |
| US08225219B2 |
Identifying unique content in electronic mail messages
Unique content in interrelated email messages is identified and duplicate content filtered out for user friendly display of a flow of exchange within the interrelated messages. Follow-on messages such as replies or forwards are compared to the original message to determine which part of a follow-on message is not present in the original message and is a unique part of the follow-on message. The comparison includes parsing of the messages to extract user viewable parts determination of which extracted part is the last message part containing unique information. Once the unique message part is determined, message body that excludes everything after the unique part including the headers is be displayed. |
| US08225217B2 |
Method and system for displaying information on a user interface
A method and system for displaying information in a user interface of a computer program uses documents, such as mark-up language documents and style-sheet language documents, to specify how the user interface is to be rendered on a computer display. The user interface has a variety of possible appearances, or “skins.” |
| US08225216B2 |
Image production system, apparatus, and method using user data of mobile communication terminal
An image production system, image production apparatus, and image production method are disclosed, which sort user data received from a mobile communication terminal based on at least one type of the user data; display the sorted user data on a daily record page; produce the images from user data which are selected from the displayed user data and which serve as a source; and play back the produced images on a certain region of the daily record page. All the user data of the mobile communication terminal can be easily checked through the daily record page. |
| US08225211B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and computer-readable recording medium storing display control program
A display control apparatus is disclosed. The display control apparatus includes a number of items determining unit which determines the number of selection items to be simultaneously displayed in an item selection list on an operating screen based on a selection of a button on the operating screen, a position determining unit which determines an upper end position of the item selection list on the operating screen to be a position so that a part of the selection items in the item selection list is displayed in a direction inverse to a normal extending direction of the selection item list with a position of the selected button as a reference based on a comparison of the number of the selection items to be simultaneously displayed with the displayable number of selection items on the operating screen, and a generating unit which generates the item selection list on the operating screen based on the determined position. |
| US08225210B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method
An image processing apparatus includes: a display unit capable of displaying image data in a one-image display mode, in which images are displayed one by one, and a multi-screen display mode, in which a plurality of images is displayed at the same time; a selection unit configured to select between the one-screen display mode and the multi-screen display mode; an editing unit configured to edit the image data; and a control unit configured to control the display unit so that when the one-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data edited by the editing unit is displayed and when the multi-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, information indicating that the image data is edited is displayed together with the edited image data. |
| US08225208B2 |
Interactive frames for images and videos displayed in a presentation application
A presentation application for framing objects, such as images and videos, is provided. Using the presentation application, the user may select a frame from a plurality of available frames. The presentation application may mask portions of the displayed object that would lie outside of the selected frame before displaying the selected frame. The presentation application may provide an interface that allows the user to adjust the size of the frame and the object. The presentation application may automatically adjust the size of the frame when the size of the object is changed, and vice versa. |
| US08225206B2 |
User preference based collecting of music content
A method of operating an entertainment system includes computer-implemented steps including determining an audio/video preference profile of the user. An item of audio/video content that fits the profile but that is not available to the system is identified. The identified item is wirelessly received from a source of audio/video content. The source is external to the entertainment system. The received item is stored in memory within the system. The stored item is retrieved from memory. The retrieved item is played back to a human user of the system. |
| US08225201B2 |
Device and method for generating a text object
A graphic output device for generating a mixed graphic-textual depiction having at least one text object consisting of multiple letters for identifying a geographic feature, the output device comprising a processor unit, which is set up to reshape the text object in such a manner that the reshaped text object comprises, in addition to a normal text area having letters in the original size, a compressed text area having letters shrunken and/or compressed in relation to the original size, the boundary between the normal text area and the compressed text area running along a semantic jump point of the text object. A method for preparing a text object consisting of multiple letters using a processor unit, for the purpose of depicting the text object using a graphic output device. |
| US08225198B2 |
Flexible web page template building system and method
Flexible web page template building systems, methods and applications using an auto-expanding user-editable content container(s) are presented. A web page template displayable on a user display is configured with at least one auto-expanding user-editable content container that includes a predefined top portion, a pre-defined bottom portion, and a repeatable middle portion, The auto-expanding user-editable content container is configured to monitor the size of user-provided content in the content container relative to the size of the content container upon entry or removal of content and automatically adjust the size of the content container to fit the user-provided content by dynamically inserting or removing instance(s) of the middle portion of the content container to vertically expand or contract the size of the content container to fit the user-provided content. |
| US08225191B1 |
Synchronizing web browsers
Systems and methods for synchronizing web browsers using synchronization windows are disclosed. A user action performed in a synchronization window, such as a popup window or tab of a web browser, may cause synchronization data to be generated. The synchronization data may be provided to one or more other devices having web browsers and cause the user action to be replicated on the one or more other devices. A synchronization server may be used to coordinate the synchronization process. |
| US08225186B2 |
Ecoding and decoding methods and apparatus for use in a wireless communication system
The claimed subject matter relates to encoding and decoding information in a wireless communication system using soft-demodulation and interleaving of concatenated code received in a strip channel. A set of symbols is received containing a plurality of information bits, dividing the received set of symbols into a plurality of subsets of symbols, each subset corresponding to the input of an inner code demodulation selecting a set of initial a priori values of the inner code demodulation for each subset of symbols, and demodulating each subset of symbols, using the initial a priori values of the subset of symbols and an inner code generator matrix, to generate a plurality of first soft information values as the output of the inner code demodulation. |
| US08225182B2 |
Processing of block and transaction signatures
A network communication device includes a host interface, which is coupled to communicate with a host processor, having a host memory, so as to receive a work request to execute a transaction in which a plurality of data blocks are to be transferred over a packet network. Processing circuitry is configured to process multiple data packets so as to execute the transaction, each data packet in the transaction containing a portion of the data blocks, and the multiple data packets including at least first and last packets, which respectively contain the first and last data blocks of the transaction. The processing circuitry is configured to compute a transaction signature over the data blocks while processing the data packets so that at least the first data block passes out of the network communication device through one of the interfaces before computation of the transaction signature is completed. |
| US08225180B2 |
Error correcting codes for rank modulation
We investigate error-correcting codes for a novel storage technology, which we call the rank-modulation scheme. In this scheme, a set of n cells stores information in the permutation induced by the different levels of the individual cells. The resulting scheme eliminates the need for discrete cell levels, and overshoot errors when programming cells (a serious problem that reduces the writing speed), as well as mitigates the problem of asymmetric errors. In this discussion, the properties of error correction in rank modulation codes are studied. We show that the adjacency graph of permutations is a subgraph of a multi-dimensional array of a special size, a property that enables code designs based on Lee-metric codes and L1-metric codes. We present a one-error-correcting code whose size is at least half of the optimal size. We also present additional error-correcting codes and some related bounds. |
| US08225174B2 |
Decoding device and decoding method
To provide a decoder capable of efficiently dealing with various Z, even when in-block parallel degree is fixed in MP decoding of quasi-cyclic LDPC codes. A reception value aligning device keeps the first S or less reception value data from the block head. If block size Z is not a multiple of S, (S−(Z mod S)) data of the block head are added to the end of the reception value data of the block so that the block size Z is a multiple of S. The block size is written into reception value memory. A message aligning device performs cyclic permutation. If Z is not a multiple of S, the first (S−(Z mod S)) messages from the block output head are added to the end of the output message of the block so that the Z is a multiple of S and is outputted to the message memory. |
| US08225171B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having an error correction function and associated method
A semiconductor memory device may include a parity generating circuit, a memory cell array, an error calculating circuit and an error corrector. The parity generating circuit generates parities having different number of bits according to types of a partial array self-refresh mode, and selects one of the parities to output a first parity. The error calculating circuit calculates an error based on a first data corresponding to the input data and a second parity corresponding to the first parity and outputs a first error data. The error corrector corrects the first data based on the first data and the first error data. |
| US08225165B2 |
Methods and devices for encoding data in communication systems
Methods and apparatuses for encoding data in a wireless communication system including receiving an information sequence, and encoding the received information sequence to generate three subblocks of sequences. A first subblock of the three subblocks is the information sequence, a second subblock of the three subblocks is an encoded sequence, and a third subblock of the three subblocks is an interleaved and encoded sequence. The method further includes permuting the three subblocks of encoded sequences separately by subblock permutation, and continuously mapping the three subblocks into a circular buffer, the circular buffer including a first part, a second part, and a third part. Further, the method includes bit-selecting bits from the circular buffer, in a circular order corresponding to the first part, the second part, and the third part, to generate a first redundancy version and a second redundancy version, wherein bit-selection for a first redundancy version of the plurality of redundancy versions begins at a first position in the circular buffer, bit-selection for each successive redundancy version of the plurality of redundancy versions begins after a last position in the circular buffer corresponding to a previous redundancy version, and wherein, when a complete codeword is selected, bit-selection is offset from the first position by a fixed number of bits X. Finally, the method includes transmitting at least one redundancy version of the plurality of redundancy versions to at least one receiving device. |
| US08225164B2 |
Media container file management
The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. Forward error correction (FEC) redundancy data is pre-calculated for the different source blocks and organized into the container file as different FEC reservoirs. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the respective FEC reservoirs. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing and FEC calculation. |
| US08225159B1 |
Method and system for implementing power savings features on storage devices within a storage subsystem
The present disclosure is directed to implementing power savings features on storage drives within a storage subsystem. A controller determines a drive is inactive and directs a power connector to prevent power from being provided to the drive. The controller may receive an input/output request for the inactive drive, direct the power connector to allow power to be provided, and provide the input/output request. When the controller receives an input/output request for the inactive drive, the controller sends a notification to the request's originator that the drive is unavailable and to retry after a fixed period of time. The controller performs maintenance on the drive when the drive is not inactive. The controller determines a maintenance time when the drive will be inactive and performs maintenance at an accelerated rate. |
| US08225153B2 |
Tolerant in-system programming of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)
Fault tolerant programming of a programmable device advantageously occurs via a host controller that first queries the programmable device through a Boundary scan interface to identify the device. Thereafter, host controller selects a program file in accordance with the device identity for subsequent downloading via the Boundary scan interface to program the device. Thereafter, the host controller verifies that successful programming has occurred. |
| US08225146B2 |
Method for implementing continuous data protection utilizing allocate-on-write snapshots
The present disclosure is directed to a method for providing continuous data protection for a virtual volume (VV). The method may comprise conceptually dividing the VV into a plurality of same sized chunks; preserving contents of the VV at a specified time; creating a Point in Time (PiT) instance for the VV at the specified time, comprising: a PiT Temporary Virtual Volume (PTVV) for storing modifications to the VV subsequent to the specified time, wherein data stored in the PTVV is prohibited from been overwritten; a re-allocation table for providing read access to a most recent version of each of the plurality of chunks of the VV; and a Continuous Data Protection (CDP) log for providing read access to a historic version of a chunk stored in the PTVV; and updating the PiT instance when a chunk of the plurality of chunks of the VV is being modified. |
| US08225144B2 |
Operations management apparatus, operations management system, data processing method, and operations management program
An operations management apparatus is provided which acquires performance information for each of a plurality of performance items from a plurality of controlled units, and manages operation of the controlled units, The operations management apparatus includes a correlation model generation unit and a model searching unit. The correlation model generation unit derives a correlation function between a first element and a second element of the performance information, generates a correlation model between the first element and the second element based on the correlation function, and obtains the correlation model for each element pair of the performance information. The model searching unit searches for the correlation model for each element between an input element and an output element among elements of the performance information in series, and predicts a value of the output element from a value of the input element based on the searched correlation model. |
| US08225141B2 |
Information processing apparatus, process verification support method, and computer product
An information processing apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect an abort signal among signals from a kernel that monitors execution of a process by referring to details concerning the execution; an obtaining unit configured to obtain information that concerns the details concerning the execution of the process and is referred to by the kernel at a detection of the abort signal by the detecting unit; and a storing unit configured to store the information obtained by the obtaining unit into a memory. |
| US08225138B2 |
High-speed recovery for computing systems
The invention broadly contemplates a computing system that offers high-speed recovery. The system is configured to offer such a high-speed solution via an instant roll back scheme. The system utilizes a virtualization to handle the system state and provide a rescue and recovery like solution without requiring a full system reboot. The system is configured to utilize virtualization, e.g. through the use of a hypervisor to track the fundamental system components. This enables the system to very quickly back the system up on a rolling basis via tracking atomic changes and offering the instant rollback at essentially any point following an atomic change, should common system difficulties be encountered. |
| US08225135B2 |
System and method for protecting users of data storage systems against known problems
Methods and apparatus automatically identify certain types of data storage system problems, such as a flawed storage device or an incompatibility between a data storage system and a data storage device or an incompatibility between the storage system and a user computer. The existence of such a problem may be highlighted to a user through an indicator on the storage system and/or through a “dashboard” application being executed by the user computer, and the problem may be automatically corrected by automatically downloading a fix (e.g., new firmware or a “patch”) from a server (e.g., a server managed by the storage device manufacturer, a server managed by the storage system manufacturer and/or a server managed by a third party) and automatically implementing the fix. |
| US08225134B2 |
Logical partitioning of a physical device
In one embodiment, an indication of a fault condition is received relating to a first service running on a physical device in a computer network. The first service is associated with a first virtual device context defined on the physical device. Then, the first service is disabled without affecting operation of a second service on the physical device. The second service is associated with a second virtual device context defined on the physical device. In another embodiment, a first virtual device context is created on a physical device in a computer network. Then, a second virtual device context is created on the physical device. The first virtual device context may then be managed independently of the second virtual device context such that resources assigned to a virtual device context are managed without affecting management of another virtual device context. |
| US08225132B2 |
Storage system detecting physical storage device suffering failure, and method of performing processing for additional storage device provision
In a storage system, a first loop and a second loop are connected to a controller, and at least one of the first loop and the second loop is connected to existing storage devices (which are physical storage devices other than additional storage devices, which are physical storage devices which are additionally provided). In processing for additional provision, after having disconnected all of the existing storage devices from the first loop, the controller connects an additional storage device to the first loop. And the controller acquires, via said first loop, an address acquired by this additional storage device, and makes a first suitability decision as to whether or not this address is appropriate. And, if the result of this first suitability decision is negative, then the controller blocks up this additional storage device whose address has been acquired. |
| US08225118B2 |
Server system, reducing method of power consumption of server system, and a computer readable medium thereof
A server system comprises a plurality of servers, and a management unit. Each of the servers has virtual machines which can move among the servers. The management unit moves all the virtual machines on one server to another server(s) based on information showing an electric power value so as to reduce the number of servers in operation as much as possible. The management unit stops supplying the electric power to the server on which no virtual machine has run as a result of the movement of the virtual machines. |
| US08225112B2 |
Using historic load profiles to dynamically adjust operating frequency and available power to a handheld multimedia device processor core
A technique is provided for use in a handheld multimedia device that uses the historical load profile statistics of a particular multimedia stream to dynamically scale the computational power of a computing engine, depending upon the complexity of the multimedia content and thereby reduce the power consumption for computationally less intensive content and consequently reduce the power consumption by a significant amount over a duration of time. |
| US08225109B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating a compressed and encrypted baseline backup
An apparatus and method for securing a baseline backup are disclosed. As part of an incremental backup process, a selected set of file system data, including directories and files, are identified. The selected set of file system data are compressed, and then encrypted. Based on the encrypted and compressed file system data, a data digest is generated that uniquely identifies the encrypted and compressed file system data. The compressed and encrypted file system data are written to a portable storage device along with the data digest, thereby enabling the safe, manual transport of the file system data to a secondary, or backup, computer system (e.g., at a remote data center). |
| US08225106B2 |
Differential encryption utilizing trust modes
Systems and methods are provided for data protection across connected, disconnected, attended, and unattended environments. Embodiments of the inventions may include differential encryption based on network connectivity, attended/unattended status, or a combination thereof. Additional embodiments of the invention incorporate “trust windows” that provide granular and flexible data access as function of the parameters under which sensitive data is accessed. Further embodiments refine the trust windows concept by incorporating dynamic intrusion detection techniques. |
| US08225103B2 |
Controlling access to a protected network
A system for controlling access to a protected network includes a network access control module that is coupled to the protected network and which is configured to restrict access to the network to an authorized user through a computer coupled to the protected network. The system also includes a communication device associated with the computer. The communication device automatically transmits a unique identifier corresponding to the communication device to the network access control module when a user uses the communication device to request access to the protected network via the computer. When the network access control module receives the unique identifier, the network access control module is configured to authenticate the communication device based on the unique identifier, to authenticate the user via the communication device when the communication device is authenticated, and when the user is authenticated, to submit log-on information directly to a log-on interface of the computer associated with the communication device so that the user can access the protected network via the computer. |
| US08225099B2 |
Linear predictive coding implementation of digital watermarks
Z-transform calculations may be used to encode (and/or decode) carrier signal independent data (e.g., digital watermarks) to a digital sample stream. Deterministic and non-deterministic components of a digital sample stream signal may be analyzed for the purposes of encoding carrier signal independent data to the digital sample stream. The carrier signal independent data may be encoded in a manner such that it is restricted or concentrated primarily in the non-deterministic signal components of the carrier signal. The signal components can include a discrete series of digital samples and/or a discreet series of carrier frequency sub-bands of the carrier signal. Z-transform calculations may be used to measure a desirability of particular locations and a sample stream in which to encode the carrier signal independent data. |
| US08225098B2 |
Direct anonymous attestation using bilinear maps
Direct Anonymous Attestation, DAA, involves a Signer entity using a credential supplied by an Issuer to attest its possession of a particular characteristic to a Verifier without the identity of the Signer being revealed. Security and performance improvements are disclosed where DAA is performed using a non-degenerate, computable, bilinear map with the credential being a CL-LRSW signature on a secret known only to the Signer. |
| US08225094B2 |
Device authentication in a PKI
A method for establishing a link key between correspondents in a public key cryptographic scheme, one of the correspondents being an authenticating device and the other being an authenticated device. The method also provides a means for mutual authentication of the devices. The authenticating device may be a personalized device, such as a mobile phone, and the authenticated device may be a headset. The method for establishing the link key includes the step of introducing the first correspondent and the second correspondent within a predetermined distance, establishing a key agreement and implementing challenge-response routine for authentication. Advantageously, main-in-the middle attacks are minimized. |
| US08225092B2 |
Access authentication method suitable for the wire-line and wireless network
An access authentication method includes pre-establishing a security channel between the authentication server of the access point and the authentication server of the user terminal and performing the authentication process at user terminal and access point. The authentication process includes 1) the access point sending the authentication_activating message; 2) the user terminal sending the authentication server of user terminal request message; 3) the authentication server of the user terminal sending to the user terminal response message; and 4) completing the authentication. |
| US08225090B2 |
Method and apparatus for inserting authentication code, and method and apparatus for using data through authentication
Provided is a method of inserting authentication code into a data packet. The method includes determining whether to insert authentication code into a data packet based on at least one of an importance of the data packet and a type of the data packet, and inserting the authentication code into the data packet based on a result of the determining. |
| US08225089B2 |
Electronic transaction systems utilizing a PEAD and a private key
The method includes the steps of receiving at the PEAD first digital data representing the transaction request. The PEAD provides information to the user regarding an ability to approve the transaction request. When the transaction request is approved by the user, the PEAD receives second digital data representing the electronic service authorization token. A remote agent server may provided a bridge between the electronic transaction system and the PEAD. In another embodiment, the private key is stored on the portable device, encrypted. The decryption key is stored outside of the device, at a trusted 3rd party location. When the user attempts to make a signature the software sends a request for the decryption key, along with the user's password or pass phrase keyed in at the keyboard of the PDA, smart phone, or cell phone, to a server belonging to the trusted 3rd party. |
| US08225085B2 |
System and method for distributed SSL processing between co-operating nodes
A secure communication protocol (e.g., SSL) transaction request from a client to a server is intercepted at a client-side proxy communicatively coupled to the client and logically deployed between the client and the server. The client-side proxy initiates a secure connection with the server and passes an attribute (e.g., a cryptographic key) associated with that secure connection to a server-side proxy communicatively coupled to the server and logically deployed between the client and the server. This enables the server-side proxy to engage in secure communications with the server in a transparent fashion. |
| US08225082B2 |
Card device for loading applications to a mobile device
A system for loading application identifiers to a mobile device includes a mobile device, a card device insertable into the mobile device, and an application center. The card device is adapted to determine an effective mobile device identifier of the mobile device, and transmit the effective mobile device identifier to the application center. The effective mobile device identifier is based at least in part on the result of a process performed by the card device. The application center is adapted to (1) determine zero or more allotted application identifiers and zero or more application identifiers of applications loaded on the mobile device based at least in part on the effective mobile device identifier, (2) identify at least one application identifier of the zero or more allotted application identifiers which does not form part of the zero or more application identifiers of applications loaded on the mobile device, and (3) load the at least one application identifier to the mobile device. |
| US08225079B2 |
Accelerating system boot using a set of control data recorded by operating system during a first OS boot
A method for accelerating an operating system boot process is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, during a first operating system boot, information regarding the physical locations of disk access performed by the operating system to complete the boot are recorded and stored in a control data file. The control data file is used during a second operating system boot to predict which data will be required during the second operating system, and to populate a cache with that data. The cache can then be used to improve the second operating system boot to improve the boot time. In one embodiment, the information is independent of a file system of the operating system. In another embodiment, the cache can be populated by copying data from a mass storage device to a cache, and when the data is used, it can be moved from the cache to another cache. |
| US08225077B2 |
Obfuscation device for generating a set of obfuscated instructions, processing device, method, program, and integrated circuit thereof
An obfuscation device includes a first instruction generating unit, for each of a first process and a second process, which generates an initialization instruction for securing a management area for managing identification information indicating an instruction block that should be executed next so as to proceed with the process. Further, a second instruction generating unit generates a selection instruction (i) to make a first selection selecting a process that should be proceeded out of the first process and the second process, (ii) to make a second selection selecting an instruction block indicated by the identification information managed in the management area as an instruction block that should be executed for proceeding with the process selected by the first selection, and (iii) to cause the execution device to execute the instruction block selected by the second selection, and stores the selection instruction in a storage unit. |
| US08225071B2 |
Accessing multiple page tables in a computer system
A virtual memory system implementing the invention provides concurrent access to translations for virtual addresses from multiple address spaces. One embodiment of the invention is implemented in a virtual computer system, in which a virtual machine monitor supports a virtual machine. In this embodiment, the invention provides concurrent access to translations for virtual addresses from the respective address spaces of both the virtual machine monitor and the virtual machine. Multiple page tables contain the translations for the multiple address spaces. Information about an operating state of the computer system, as well as an address space identifier, are used to determine whether, and under what circumstances, an attempted memory access is permissible. If the attempted memory access is permissible, the address space identifier is also used to determine which of the multiple page tables contains the translation for the attempted memory access. |
| US08225067B2 |
Multilevel cell NAND flash memory storage system, and controller and access method thereof
A multi level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory storage system is provided. A controller of the MLC NAND flash memory storage system declares it a signal level cell (SLC) NAND flash memory chip to a host system connected thereto and provides a plurality of SLC logical blocks to the host system. When the controller receives a write command and a user data from the host system, the controller writes the user data into a page of a MLC physical block and records the page of the SLC logical block corresponding to the page of the MLC physical block. When the controller receives an erase command from the host system, the controller writes a predetermined data into the page of the MLC physical block mapped to the SLC logical block to be erased, wherein the predetermined data has the same pattern as a pattern of the erased page. |
| US08225062B2 |
Controlling memory visibility
Embodiments are disclosed herein that are related to controlling the visibility of a portion of memory in a hardware device. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a hardware device comprising a communications interface configured to connect to a complementary communications interface on a computing device. The hardware device further comprises a portion of memory having a first ID configured to cause the portion of memory to be visible to a user of the computing device to which the hardware device is connected. Further still, the hardware device comprises instructions stored in the portion of memory which are executable by and transferable to the computing device to cause the installation of a computer program related to the hardware device, and to cause the portion of memory to be hidden from the user of the computing device upon transferring of the instructions to the computing device. |
| US08225061B2 |
Method and apparatus for protected content data processing
Methods and an apparatuses that perform protected content data processing with limited access to system resources are described. One or more regions in a memory (including a source memory and a destination memory) can be allocated and unprocessed content data can be mapped to the source memory. A process can be initialized with the source and destination memories to process the content data. The process can be prevented from accessing resource other than the allocated regions in the memory. The processed content data can be stored in the destination memory. In one embodiment, the content data can include media content. A playing device can be instructed to play the media content based on the processed content data via the destination memory. |
| US08225060B2 |
Data de-duplication by predicting the locations of sub-blocks within the repository
A computer-enabled method of storing an input dataset in a storage medium includes storing a copy for each of a plurality of repeatable blocks of data in an input dataset in a storage medium. The process further includes finding a location in the storage medium of the copy of a block of data in the input dataset. Finding the location includes determining a most likely location in the storage medium of the copy of the block of data from one or more blocks of data preceding the block of data based on statistics of past stored data. Finding the location further includes if the determined most likely location contains a block of data that matches with the actual block of data, retrieving the location in the storage medium of the copy of the block of data. The process also includes storing the location of the copy of the block of data. |
| US08225057B1 |
Single-system configuration for backing-up and restoring a clustered storage system
A method implements a single system configuration for backing-up and restoring a clustered storage system. The clustered storage system contains a plurality of storage servers. A virtual volume is configured based on one or more of the plurality of storage servers. The virtual volume shields its physical implementation from a client system. A virtual backup device is configured based on a physical backup device connected with one of the plurality of storage servers. The virtual backup device shields its connectivity from the client system. The method backs-up volume data stored in the virtual volume to the virtual backup device, irrespective of which of the plurality of storage servers is utilized by the virtual volume, or which of the plurality of storage servers is connected with the physical backup device. |
| US08225055B2 |
Data backup system, data backup program, data restoration processing system, and data restoration processing program
A data backup system includes an administration device built in an image forming apparatus for administering a state of usage of the image forming apparatus every administrative unit of a previously registered user and/or organization, and a backup device for acquiring registration data of the administrative unit and the data of the activities as backup data. |
| US08225049B2 |
Data storage device having self-powered semiconductor device
Provided is a data storage device. The data storage device includes an interface, a buffer controller, a memory controller, a non-volatile memory, and a self-powered semiconductor device adjacent to and electrically connected to the buffer controller. The self-powered semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a rechargeable micro-battery attached to the semiconductor chip. The rechargeable micro-battery includes a first current collector and a second current collector, which face each other, a first polarizing electrode in contact with the first current collector and facing the second current collector, a second polarizing electrode in contact with the second current collector and facing the first polarizing electrode, and an electrolyte layer formed between the first and second polarizing electrodes. |
| US08225044B2 |
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. |
| US08225043B1 |
High performance caching for motion compensated video decoder
A method for high performance caching is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) and (B). Step (A) may fetch a plurality of reference samples of a reference image from a first circuit to a cache of a second circuit. The cache may include a plurality of cache blocks and a plurality of valid bits. Each of the cache blocks generally corresponds to at most one of the valid bits. A size of the cache blocks may match a smallest read access size of the first circuit. Step (B) may transfer the reference samples having the corresponding valid bit set to valid from the cache to a processor of the second circuit. |
| US08225036B2 |
Storage controller and method for controlling the same
A storage controller that can maintain its performance and reduce power consumption and thereby realize large capacity and low power consumption, and a method for controlling such a storage controller are provided. The storage controller includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory modules having a plurality of nonvolatile memory chips for storing data from a host computer, and a nonvolatile memory control unit for controlling data input to and output from the host computer by controlling a power source for the nonvolatile memory modules. When reading or writing data from or to a designated nonvolatile memory module at a specified time in response to a data read/write request from the host computer, the nonvolatile memory control unit controls the power source for only the designated nonvolatile memory module to be turned on. |
| US08225033B2 |
Data storage system, electronic system, and telecommunications system
A data storage system comprising a plurality of buffers configured to store data, a read pointer to indicate a particular one of the plurality of buffers from which data should be read, and a write pointer to indicate a particular one of the plurality of buffers to which data should be written. The write pointer points at least one buffer ahead of the buffer to which the read pointer is pointing. An electronic system and a telecommunications system are further disclosed. |
| US08225032B2 |
Circuit and method for generating data input buffer control signal
A data input buffer control signal generating device is capable of preventing unnecessary operation and current consumption of blocks and thus stabilizing an internal operation of DRAM by generating a control signal which controls an enabling timing of a data input buffer not to be conflicted with an output data. The data input buffer control signal generating device includes a write-related control unit configured to generate a data input buffer reference signal generated on the basis of a write latency by a write command, a read-related control unit configured to replicate a delay through a data output path, delay an end command for a data output termination and generate a delayed end command, wherein the end command is generated by a read command, and an output unit configured to output a data input buffer control signal by combining the data input buffer reference signal and the output of the delayed end command. |
| US08225031B2 |
Memory module including environmental optimization
A memory apparatus enable operation which is adapted to environmental conditions. The memory apparatus includes a memory module that can store and incorporate environment-dependent optimal operating parameters. The memory module comprises a plurality of volatile memory devices and one or more non-volatile memory devices that store a plurality of environment-dependent device parameters for a device selected from the plurality of volatile memory devices. The stored parameters enable the selected device to function optimally in multiple environmental conditions. |
| US08225027B2 |
Mapping address bits to improve spread of banks
A device may include a group of requestors issuing requests, a memory that includes a set of memory banks, and a control block. The control block may receive a request from one of the requestors, where the request includes a first address. The control block may perform a logic operation on a high order bit and a low order bit of the first address to form a second address, identify one of the memory banks based on the second address, and send the request to the identified memory bank. |
| US08225025B2 |
Motherboard with selected sub-system controlling shared peripherals
A motherboard for selecting one of sub-systems immediately includes a plurality of sub-systems, a shared/control unit, and an input/output unit. The plurality of sub-systems individually has a corresponding kernel unit, a corresponding interface control unit and a corresponding power circuit. According to an external selecting signal, the shared/control unit selects a corresponding sub-system to be the target sub-system, so that the target sub-system can control all the shared peripherals. |
| US08225021B2 |
Dynamic address change for slave devices on a shared bus
A master/slave data communication system in which a master device communicates with the slave devices by uniquely addressing each of the slave devices. In order to enhance the security of the data communication system, each slave device includes an address generator for generating unique addresses. Periodically, the master device requests that one or more slave device change its address. In response to the request, the addressed slave device increments its address generating algorithm to provide a new slave address. The master device also includes an algorithm that is synchronized with the slave address generating algorithm, whereby when the slave changes its address, it need not transmit the new slave address to the master device over the bus. |
| US08225020B2 |
Method and system for hardware based implementation of USB 1.1 over a high speed link
Certain aspects of a method and system for a hardware-based implementation of USB 1.1 over a high-speed link may comprise translating at a client side of a client server communication system, USB protocol messages comprising a first USB standard to corresponding encapsulated USB protocol messages, wherein the USB protocol messages comprising the first USB standard are received from a client device at the client side of the client server communication system. The translated corresponding encapsulated USB protocol messages may be communicated from the client side to a server at a server side of the client server communication system. |
| US08225018B1 |
System and method for mapping functions to and from network devices using configuration compatible with an adapter by remapping plurality of logical ports of adapter
An adapter having a plurality of functions and a plurality of ports, in which the mapping between functions and ports is configurable. In certain embodiments, device memory can be programmed with a desired mapping scheme that overrides a default mapping scheme for the adapter. In certain embodiments, device memory can be reprogrammed with a different desired mapping to enable the adapter to dynamically respond to system conditions. |
| US08225017B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing power supply introduced data dependent jitter in high-speed SerDes transmitters
A high-speed SerDes transmitter which may reduce power supply introduced data dependent jitter. Instead of trying to make the output voltage of a power supply of a pre-driver constant, the output voltage of the power supply is returned to its normal level periodically, e.g., after each bit time to follow the data rate of an input data stream. A complementary pre-driver may be used to create a complementary data stream which may be at the same data rate as the input data rate. The complementary data stream may have a transition when there is no transition between two consecutive bits in the input data stream, but have no transition when there is a transition in the input data stream. As a result, there is a transition at the power supply during each bit time, and the power supply may be drawn back to its normal level during each bit time. Consequently, the power supply variation is periodic at the beat of the input data rate, and the power supply may have the same impact on each data bit. Thus, each bit in the input data stream may see the same level of power supply, and data dependent jitter may be reduced or eliminated. |
| US08225008B2 |
Image display device for controlling external device through registration of control ownership and method thereof
An image display device that controls an external device and a method therefore are provided. The image display device includes an interface unit which is connected to an external device, a determining unit which determines whether another external device that has a control ownership of the external device exists, and a control unit which registers the control ownership of the external device if it is determined that the other external device does not exist. The external device is controlled by registering the control ownership. |
| US08225007B2 |
Method and system for reducing address space for allocated resources in a shared virtualized I/O device
A method for reducing address space in a shared virtualized I/O device includes allocating hardware resources including variable resources and permanent resources, to one or more functions. The method also includes allocating address space for an I/O mapping of the resources in a system memory, and assigning a respective portion of that address space for each function. The method further includes assigning space within each respective portion for variable resources available for allocation to the function to which the respective portion is assigned, and further assigning space within each respective portion for a set of permanent resources that have been allocated to the function to which the respective portion is assigned. The method further includes providing a translation table having a plurality of entries, and storing within each entry of the translation table, a different internal address of a permanent resource that has been allocated to a particular function. |
| US08225004B1 |
Method and system for processing network and storage data
Method and system for transmitting data using a network protocol and a storage protocol via an adapter is provided. The method includes receiving an input output control block (IOCB) from a host system for transferring data stored in a host system memory; acquiring data from the host system memory; copying a header template in a local memory of the adapter, wherein the header template is created by a driver executed by the host system; creating a header for the network protocol and a header for the storage protocol; wherein a first module for the adapter creates the network protocol packet header and the first modules uses an assist module to create the storage protocol packet header; and creating a packet to transfer a portion of the acquired data, wherein a packet size is based on a payload size for the storage. |
| US08225000B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing messages between multiple terminals
A method for synchronizing messages between multiple terminals includes: receiving a message state change notification carrying a message state and a message identifier from a first terminal of a user; and sending a message state change notification to the second terminal of the user, according to the message state change notification. A method for synchronizing storage layouts between multiple terminals includes: receiving a storage layout synchronization request carrying a storage directory and/or storage data from a first terminal; sending the storage layout synchronization request to other terminal correlated with the first terminal, so that the other related terminals update the messages or synchronize the media data and/or storage structures. The invention also discloses a server and a terminal for synchronizing messages between multiple terminals. Through the present invention, messages, message states, storage data, and storage structures can be synchronized between multiple terminals. |
| US08224997B2 |
Document source debugger
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a data transfer network having a server side and a client side, wherein content is sent from the server side to the client side in successive output streams to dynamically create a document on the client side, and the content for different output streams is provided, respectively from different ones of a plurality of originating sources that are located on the server side. One embodiment, directed to a method, includes the steps of intercepting a given output stream, and determining whether or not a debug directive can be inserted into the intercepted output stream, wherein the determination is made in conformance with prespecified lexeme rules associated with the intercepted output stream. Responsive to a determination that a debug directive can be inserted into the intercepted stream, a debug directive is created that contains information identifying the originating source on the server side which provided the content for the intercepted output stream. The method further includes inserting the created debug directive into the intercepted stream at a selected insertion location. |
| US08224995B2 |
Method and system for providing an accurate address of a device on a network
A method, system and reporting arrangement for providing an accurate address of a device which receives media are described. In particular, these method, system and reporting arrangement enable a request to be received for establishing communication with the device. In addition, the accurate address (which is an actual address) of the device is determined using the method, system and reporting arrangement. Thereafter, the request is responded to using a response, which includes the accurate address of the device that can be transmitted to the device. |
| US08224994B1 |
Fictitious domain name method, system, product, and apparatus
A Domain Name System (DNS) server of a conventional DNS includes a DNS query having a highest level domain (HLD), a root zone having at least one root resource record adapted to resolve said DNS query when it is determined that said HLD is a top level domain alias (TLDA). |
| US08224992B2 |
Communication device, communication system therefor, and computer program therefor
A method, device and system, whereby communication delay that affects the advancement of an interactive task such as a multiple-player participation game is reduced is disclosed. A game system has a large number of game devices. A game device is grouped with three or more other devices to form a group, in which one device becomes a provisional parent node, and the other devices become provisional child nodes. Each of the game devices in the group generates measurement data indicating the sum of response times with respect to other game devices with itself as an origin. The game device that has generated measurement data indicating the minimum sum is selected as a parent node by the provisional parent node, and the other game devices are selected to be child nodes. A child node communicates with another child node via a parent node. |
| US08224988B2 |
Network relay method, network relay apparatus, and network relay program
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of relaying by network between a plurality of terminal devices and a relay device, comprising: providing first address information corresponding to a first one of said terminal devices shared between said first terminal device and said relay device; providing second address information used by the other terminal devices than said first terminal device for accessing via said relay device said first terminal device; providing a table of said first address information and said second address information in association with each other at said relay device; and changing the content of said first address information with time, said first address information enabling said relay device to access said first device, said relay device enabling other terminal devices to access said first terminal device by converting said first and second address information in reference to said table notwithstanding changing of the content of the first address information. |
| US08224985B2 |
Peer-to-peer communication traversing symmetric network address translators
Disclosed are systems and methods for peer-to-peer communication over a network between a first node behind a first network address translator (NAT) and a second node behind a second NAT, despite the first NAT and the second NAT intervening between the first and second nodes. The first NAT is a Symmetric NAT. A port prediction is performed wherein the first node constructs a list of predicted transport addresses on the first NAT. A message containing the list of predicted transport addresses is sent from the first node to the second node. A connectivity check is performed with the second node using the predicted transport addresses. |
| US08224983B2 |
System and method for dynamic bandwidth provisioning
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a control device and a method executing thereon for allocating network bandwidth to users accessing a controlled network. In response to a user connecting to the control device using a user device, the control device obtains a user bandwidth allocation profile for that user based on user credentials. The user bandwidth allocation profile may be stored local or remote to the control device. A provisioning module running on the control device can map attributes in the user bandwidth allocation profile to a traffic control rule and associate the traffic control rule with the user based on the user credentials and considering information identifying the user device used by the user to connect to the control device. A traffic conditioning module running on the control device can regulate the network bandwidth usage by the user utilizing the traffic control rule associated with the user. |
| US08224982B2 |
Network performance assessment apparatus, systems, and methods
Various embodiments of network performance assessment apparatus, systems and processes collect performance information pertaining to a current capacity utilization of a network, identify an occurrence of a capacity constraint on a portion of the network that is communicating the program to at least one presentation device, and modify at least one characteristic of the program and/or the communication thereof over the network so that a total capacity utilization of the network is less than a peak capacity of the network. |
| US08224980B2 |
Adaptive parsing and compression of SOAP messages
A method and system for optimizing SOAP messages combines mechanisms of accelerating the composition of SOAP messages, reducing SOAP parsing overheads, and reducing SOAP message sizes by leveraging elements of the previous two techniques and policies for configuring these mechanisms. A byte-level partial representation of a SOAP message may be constructed upon its first use and each new instantiation of the same message is composed from this representation and the encoded parameters or return values. SOAP message parsing may be accelerated using a cache of associations. Each entry may associate the byte-level encoding of an XML tag with its component in the internal data representation of the received message. These two techniques can be used independently on one or both SOAP endpoints. |
| US08224979B2 |
Use of proxy servers and pseudonymous transactions to maintain individual's privacy in the competitive business of maintaining personal history databases
A system is provided that preserves data privacy for the Individual—I and Private Data Owner (PDO) while granting data access to the User—U and Accessor who need such data to perform their usual and customary business functions. The method and system completely control the User's access to the Private Data Owner's Private Data by replacing Identifying Information for the User—U, Individual—I, Accessor and PDO with pseudonyms. This assures the overall privacy of individuals, throughout the course of collecting, storing, accessing, analyzing and sharing detailed private records among different organizations engaged in providing and/or consuming services and/or products. Access Control Rule Sets (“ACRS”) consist of instructions which prescribe the terms and conditions for permitting Users to access the PDO's Pseudonymized and Actual Private data in accordance with the rules governing their authorization to access such data. |
| US08224978B2 |
Mechanism to verify physical proximity
Two participants may observe periodic data sources available only in the vicinity of physical trust (i.e. a wifi beacon). If an initial test of whether each participant has received the same key is passed, each party may hash the periodic source and communicate it to the other over a non-proximal communication channel (an IP network) and both are able to verify that the other (or agent of the other) is within the same vicinity. |
| US08224977B2 |
Using local locks for global synchronization in multi-node systems
Described herein are techniques for global synchronization that under various scenarios eliminate or defer the acquisition of global locks. In many cases, the need to acquire global locks is eliminated, thereby saving the overhead attendant to processing global locks. |
| US08224976B2 |
Using a server's capability profile to establish a connection
A network device connects between a client and a server. The network device is configured to store information regarding a capability of the server; receive a first message, from the client, intended for the server; obtain the stored information regarding the capability of the server; generate a second message that includes the information regarding the capability of the server; send the second message to the client; receive a third message from the client; and establish, based on the third message, a connection between the client and the server. |
| US08224975B1 |
Web service initiation protocol for multimedia and voice communication over internet protocol
A method, system and computer program product for establishing communication services using web service operations over a network is presented. An application session can be established, extended and terminated between an event source and an event sink across the network by way of a session service. An addressing service on at least one of said event sink and said event source is used to address services. A multimedia communication services between the event source and the event sink is established by way of an eventing service. |
| US08224969B2 |
Information processor
In an information processor connected with an external apparatus by wireless to transmit and receive data, a connection with a plurality of external apparatuses can be easily changed. The information processor includes a wireless USB (WUSB) communication unit configured to connect to each of a plurality of external apparatuses by wireless to transmit and receive data to and from each external apparatus. A CPU acquires information about at least one external apparatus among a plurality of external apparatuses via the WUSB communication unit. The acquired information is displayed on a display unit before the communication is started to perform image processing between the information processor and one of a plurality of external apparatuses via the WUSB communication unit. |
| US08224967B2 |
Methods and systems for providing an application from an application providing system to a first front-end system and a second front-end system
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an application. The systems and methods may include receiving a first selection data from a first front-end system or a first back-end system and receiving a second selection data from a second front-end system and a second back-end system. The systems and methods may next include transmitting a first version of a first service module to the first front-end system and transmitting a second version of the first service module to the second front-end system. In addition, the systems and methods may include receiving a first output data and a second output data from the first front-end system and from the second front-end system respectively, the first output data being produced by the first version of the first service module executed on the first front-end system and the second output data being produced by the second version of the first service module executed on the second front-end system. |
| US08224966B2 |
Reproxying an unproxied connection
A method is disclosed for reproxying connections. According to one aspect, a first connection is established between a client and a proxy device. A second connection is established between the proxy device and a server. The first connection comprises a first endpoint at the client and a second endpoint at the proxy device. The second connection comprises a third endpoint at the proxy device and a fourth endpoint at the server. The first and second connections are unproxied by dissolving the second and third endpoints while maintaining the first and fourth endpoints. After the connections have been unproxied, a packet is received at the proxy device. In response, the first and second connections are reproxied by creating fifth and sixth endpoints at the proxy device, so that the first connection comprises the fifth endpoint and the second connection comprises the sixth endpoint. |
| US08224965B2 |
Method for delivery of a service controlled on a per-block basis and devices for performing this method
A method for controlled delivery of a service from a server (S) to a client (C), includes the steps of sending a download descriptor, from server (S) to client (C), retrieving of the service by the client, sending of a first type confirmation message by the client, activating the service by the client (C), wherein the service is first transformed within the server (S) into a sequence of individual blocks, wherein download descriptor (descn) and first type of confirmation message (confn) are generated and transmitted per at least one block of said sequence, and wherein the first type confirmation message (confn) is sent upon receipt of said at least one block by said client (C). Further improvements include the activation of block n being started before the total contents of block n being received, the first type of confirmation message (confn) for block n being generated upon the complete receipt of block n, and the download descriptor (descn+2) for block n+2 being generated and transmitted upon receipt of said first type confirmation message (confn) for block n. |
| US08224961B1 |
Network tunnel termination device selection using weighted load balancing
Techniques are described for load balancing subscriber sessions across tunnel termination devices. A network device is described, for example, that includes a tunneling module that load balances subscriber sessions across a plurality of tunnel termination devices based on weightings associated with the tunnel termination devices. The weightings may be assigned to the tunnel termination devices by a user, or may be calculated by the network device based on resource constraints associated with the tunnel termination devices. The network device may calculate the weightings, for example, based on a maximum number of subscriber sessions supported by each of the tunnel termination devices. As one example, the techniques may be applied to load balance Point-to-Point (PPP) subscriber sessions across L2TP Network Servers (LNSs). |
| US08224960B2 |
Method of flexible frequency allocation
In the method of flexible frequency allocation, at least a portion of a frequency spectrum for a lower priority class of applications is allocated to a higher priority class of applications if overload of frequency spectrum for the higher priority class of applications is detected, an emergency situation occurs, etc. |
| US08224957B2 |
Migrating virtual machines among networked servers upon detection of degrading network link operation
Migrating virtual machines among networked servers, the servers coupled for data communications with a data communications network that includes a networking device, where migrating includes: establishing, by a virtual machine management module (‘VMMM’), one or more virtual machines on a particular server; querying, by the VMMM, the networking device for link statistics of a link coupling the network device to the particular server for data communications; determining, by the VMMM in dependence upon the link statistics, whether the link coupling the network device to the particular server is degrading; and if the link coupling the network device to the particular server is degrading, migrating a virtual machine executing on the particular server to a destination server. In some embodiments, migrating occurs is carried out only if non-degrading link is available. If no non-degrading links are available, the network device, rather than the link, may be failing. |
| US08224956B2 |
Hypothesis selection and presentation of one or more advisories
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: selecting at least one hypothesis from a plurality of hypotheses relevant to a user, the selection of the at least one hypothesis being based, at least in part, on at least one reported event associated with the user; and presenting one or more advisories related to the hypothesis. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08224955B2 |
Ensuring affinity at all affinity domains by folding at each affinity level possible for a partition spanning multiple nodes
The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for folding at each affinity level for a partition spanning multiple nodes. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for identifying a number of domains in a number of affinity levels. A lightest loaded domain is identified in the number of domains identified. A number of nodes are identified in the lightest loaded domain identified. A lightest loaded node is identified in the number of nodes. A lightest loaded processing unit on the lightest loaded node is identified and the lightest loaded processing unit is folded. |
| US08224953B2 |
Method and apparatus for replay of historical data
The invention is directed to a system and method for displaying data associated with network appliances. Icons may be arranged in a display area in accordance with a characteristic associated with the network appliances. This characteristic may be related to location, alarm state, sensor value, or others. Further, the icons may display visual indication associated with network appliance parameters. Moreover, the icons may be superimposed on a graphical element. This element may be a map, blueprint, image, or plot. Further, a set of historical data may be replayed through the display by altering the visual indications of the icons and the graphical element in accordance with a sequence of values contained in the historical data. |
| US08224951B2 |
Determining operational status of a mobile device capable of executing server-side applications
To determine the operational status of a wireless communication device capable of executing server-side applications, a message is sent to the device requesting operational status of the device. The message may be may be triggered by a system administrator at a middleware server. The wireless communication device may receive the message, compose a response message indicative of the operational status of the device, and send the response message back to the middleware server. The messages may be extensible markup language (XML) messages. Composition of the response message may entail verifying that a textual operational status description forming part of the response message omits illegal XML characters, e.g., by passing the description through an XML formatter for removal of any illegal XML characters. |
| US08224949B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing broadband residential gateways
A broadband residential gateway (BRG) management system (101) has a communications interface (102) coupled to one or more BRGs 120 and one or more content service providers (CSPs)(110), a memory (104), and a processor (106). The processor can be programmed to establish (202) a content profile for each of the BRGs according to one or more attributes of the BRGs and the CSPs, receive (204) a content access request from one or more BRGs, and supply (206) each BRG access to selectable content from one or more of the CSPs according to the content profile. |
| US08224948B2 |
Traffic fencing mechanism for control plane enabled networks
A device receives a traffic fencing (TF) function for a network, and provides a TF attribute, based on the received TF function, over a link of the network to enable activation of a TF rule of a link state routing (LSR) algorithm used by the network to implement the TF function for the network. |
| US08224947B2 |
Managing stored data on a computer network
A method and system for managing stored data on a computer network organizes data into logical volumes, and each logical volume has a friendly name associated with it. A domain controller keeps track of the friendly names of the logical volumes and associates those friendly names with the actual physical paths of the logical volumes. When a client computer on the network wishes to access a logical volume, it sends a look-up request having the friendly name to the domain controller. The domain controller may fulfill the request by sending the path of the logical volume to the client computer. |
| US08224944B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for serial attached SCSI (SAS) domain management
Embodiments of the invention include a method, apparatus and system for providing a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain management application using a domain overlay architecture. The method includes comparing user constructs or data sets defining an existing domain overlay with device data that identifies various network devices in at least one SAS domain, and binding the existing domain overlay to an SAS domain if the existing domain overlay and the SAS domain are uniquely associated with one another. The method also includes creating a new domain overlay that is uniquely associated with an SAS domain for any SAS domain that is not bound to an existing domain overlay. A domain overlay and an SAS domain are not uniquely associated with one another unless the domain overlay references only network devices within the SAS domain and the network devices within the SAS domain are referenced only by the domain overlay. |
| US08224940B2 |
Strategies for compressing information using bloom filters
A strategy is described for constructing bloom filter information and exception information. The bloom filter information is constructed to express a set of items in a lossy compressed form. The exception information reveals occasions in which the bloom filter information erroneously indicates that a candidate item is a member of the set. The strategy can apply the bloom filter information and the exception information to select a representative device among a group of devices on which a user may maintain simultaneous presence. |
| US08224939B2 |
System and method for utilizing environment information in UPnP audio/video
An environment variable for use cases such as UPnP AV use cases. The environment variable of the present invention is used to store the physical location of the user. For example, the environment variable can be used to identify a particular location as being a user's living room, kitchen, etc. The information stored in the environment variable can be used to enhance the user experience of the digital home or other environment by minimizing the number of manual selections that the user has to make in order to initiate a use case such as playing music in a bedroom or watching movies in a living room. The environment variable is used to trigger a change of a profile and select the devices needed to implement different use scenarios. |
| US08224936B2 |
Configuration file override
In one embodiment, a router is configured to relay a provisioning request originating from a remote network device to a remote provisioning server. When the router receives back a provisioning response including provisioning information identifying a first remotely stored configuration file, the router is configured to modify the provisioning information such that the modified provisioning information no longer identifies the first remotely stored configuration file. The router then relays the provisioning reply, which may identify a second different configuration file, to the remote network device. |
| US08224935B1 |
Systems and methods for efficiently synchronizing configuration data within distributed computing systems
A method for efficiently synchronizing configuration data within distributed computing systems may include: 1) maintaining a hash tree that is based on the hierarchical relationship of each object within a distributed computing system that is relevant to the computing device, 2) determining, during a reconciliation process with an additional computing device, that a hash of a top-level node of the hash tree differs from a hash of a corresponding node of the additional computing device's hash tree, 3) identifying, by iterating through the hash levels of the computing device's hash tree, at least one leaf node within the computing device's hash tree whose hash differs from a hash of a corresponding leaf node within the additional computing device's hash tree, 4) receiving the changed leaf node's value from the additional computing device, and then 5) updating the identified leaf node's value to match the changed leaf node's value. |
| US08224934B1 |
Running third party applications as embedded agents in a storage management server
Running applications to support a storage server is made more efficient by at least establishing a sandbox to run the applications as embedded agents within the storage server. To accomplish this, in at least one embodiment, a management module of the storage server designates resources of the storage server to establish the sandbox using a role based access control mechanism. The sandbox communicates with the management module to access the resources of an operating system of the storage server to run the applications. Based on this, the need for separate external computers to run the applications is eliminated. Additionally, an administrator can control operations of the applications through the management module, thus providing the administrator a uniform interface for controlling both the storage server and the applications. The applications also utilize an existing user interface of the storage server to display logs and events to the administrator. |
| US08224933B2 |
Method and apparatus for case-based service composition
An apparatus for creating composite services includes a processing unit which identifies at least one constituent component for a composite service by a processor unit. The constituent component has a runtime state. The apparatus includes a data-store having past composition decisions and corresponding runtime states. The processing unit locates a past composition decision regarding the constituent component that has essentially the equivalent runtime state in the data-store, and reuses the past composition decision for the constituent component for the composite service. A method for creating composite services includes the steps of identifying at least one constituent component for a composite service by a processor unit, the constituent component having a runtime state. There is the step of locating a past composition decision regarding the constituent component that has essentially the equivalent runtime state in a data-store by the processing unit. There is the step of reusing the past composition decision for the constituent component for the composite service by the processor unit. |
| US08224931B1 |
Managing use of intermediate destination computing nodes for provided computer networks
Techniques are described for providing managed computer networks. In some situations, the techniques include managing communications for computing nodes of a managed computer network by using one or more particular computing nodes of the managed computer network that are configured to operate as intermediate destinations to handle at least some communications that are sent by and/or directed to one or more other computing nodes of the managed computer network. For example, a manager module associated with a source computing node may select one or more particular intermediate destination computing nodes to use for one or more particular communications from the source computing node to an indicated final destination, such as based on a configured logical network topology for the managed computer network. The manager module then forwards those communications to a first of the selected intermediate destination computing nodes for further handling. |
| US08224930B2 |
Signaling partial service configuration changes in appnets
A device, method, computer program product, and network subsystem are described for signaling a first application relating with a first core and with a second core, and for aggregating information in response to data received after signaling the first application relating with the first core and with the second core, transmitting at least a portion of the information aggregated in response to the data received after signaling the first application relating with the first core and with the second core, or signaling via a third core a partial service configuration change at least in the first core in response to data received after signaling the first application relating with the first core and with the second core. |
| US08224929B2 |
Mobile device polling for media content selection and presentation control
Mobile device polling is disclosed. A content polling system includes a content polling module configured to transmit a content polling request to participant mobile devices that is executable by each participant mobile device to return a content polling response to the content polling module. The content polling module is further configured to receive the content polling response from each participant mobile device that indicates an attribute of one or more media content items stored at or previously accessed via that participant mobile device. The content polling module is further configured to transmit a content selection request to a content selection module that indicates the attributes of the content polling responses. The content selection request is executable by the content selection module to return a content selection response indicating selected media content that was selected by the content selection module based on the attributes indicated by the content selection request. |
| US08224928B2 |
Methods and systems for distributing operating status information within a converged network
Disclosed is a communications network element that is capable of routing signaling messages and also performing inter-network management functions in a converged telephony-data network environment. A signaling gateway routing node is adapted to facilitate signaling communication between nodes in a signaling system 7 network and nodes in an Internet protocol (IP) type network. In addition to basic message routing functionality, the signaling gateway routing node is adapted to notify nodes in the IP network when a node in the SS7 network becomes congested or unavailable. In certain cases, the signaling gateway selectively notifies only IP nodes that are concerned with the status of the troubled SS7 node, while in other cases, notification messages are broadcast to all relevant IP nodes. The signaling gateway also serves to filter redundant congestion status queries or polling type messages that are conveyed from IP nodes through to the distressed SS7 node. |
| US08224923B2 |
Characterizing unregistered domain names
Methods and apparatus for characterizing unregistered domain names are provided. One embodiment includes obtaining a list of a plurality of resolution requests for the unregistered domain names, determining a number of occurrences of each of the unregistered domain names, computing a plurality of groupings based on the number of occurrences, and associating a score with each of the unregistered domain names. |
| US08224921B2 |
Method for authenticating mobile units attached to a femtocell that operates according to code division multiple access
The present invention provides a method involving a femtocell in communication with a secure core network such as an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. The method includes receiving, from the femtocell and at a first secure entity in the IMS network, a global challenge including information indicating a random number. The method also includes receiving an authentication response computed by a mobile unit based on the random number and the first key known by the mobile unit and not known by the femtocell. The method further includes determining, at the first secure entity, that the random number is a legitimate random number provided to the femtocell by the IMS network. |
| US08224919B2 |
Mobile communications system including intermediate service provider and related methods
An intermediate service provider operates to mediate communications between mobile terminals and various service providers. In one embodiment, the intermediate service provider and a given mobile terminal establish a persistent session supported by a logical communication channel that is used to convey communications for all of the various service applications implemented by the mobile terminal, i.e., a single, multiplexed channel. In another embodiment, common command subsystems are used to support the multiple service applications, thereby reducing overhead resulting from multiple protocol headers. In yet another embodiment, establishment of communications with various service providers begins with a single connection request message that specifies at least two selected service applications such that the intermediate service provider can establish communications with the multiple service providers in response to the single connection request message. |
| US08224918B2 |
Data synchronization protocol
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for syncing data between a client device and a server. Synchronizing data includes initiating a sync session by negotiating a sync mode between a client device and a server for each of one or more dataclasses. A status code is generated based on a result of the negotiating. Based on the generated status code, the client device and the server exchange one or more data items to be updated for the one or more dataclasses using the negotiated sync mode for each dataclass. The exchanged one or more data items are updated at the client device or the server. The updated one or more data items are committed at the client or the server. |
| US08224915B2 |
Initiating instant messaging (IM) chat sessions from email messages
Systems and methods for integrating instant messaging (IM) services and email services are described. In one embodiment, among others, an email message is received and an IM chat session is automatically initiated from the email message. In some embodiments, the initiation of the IM chat session may be subject to certain programmable criteria. |
| US08224913B2 |
System and method for verifying delivery and integrity of electronic messages
A server transmits a message from a sender to a destination address. During transmission, the server and the destination address have a dialog constituting an attachment, via a particular one of SMTP and ESMTP protocols, concerning the message, the server and the destination address. The message passes through servers between the server and the destination address. This passage is included in the attachment. Verifiers are provided for the message and for the attachments. The verifiers may constitute encrypted hashes of the message and of the attachment. The sender receives the message, the attachments and the verifications from the server before authentication and transmits the message, the attachments and the verifiers to the server to obtain authentication by the server. The server operates on the message and the message verifier to authenticate the message and operates on the attachments and the attachments' verifier to verify the attachments. |
| US08224911B2 |
Information distribution system and method
An information distribution system 3 including a portable telephone set (70), having a display unit for displaying image data, and a communication function, and owned by a user, an image data processing device (11), having an image data processing function and a communication function, a server (12) for storing image data transmitted from the image data processing device (11), and a portable telephone base station 13 connected to the portable telephone set (15) over a portable telephone communication network (14). A list of the addresses formulated in the past is displayed on a display unit of the portable telephone set (70). The text data included in the data referenced by the address selected from the list of addresses displayed is modified and a new address is appended to the modified data. |
| US08224907B2 |
System and method for transmitting illusory identification characteristics
Methods and systems for associating one or more fees with transmissions of one or more illusory identification characteristics are provided. |
| US08224905B2 |
Spam filtration utilizing sender activity data
Spam is identified by computing sender reputation derived from historical activity data across counts for various categories. A spam filter or machine learning system can be trained utilizing pre-categorized data in conjunction with activity data associated with a sender aggregated across at least one time period. This sender activity filter can be employed alone or in combination with other filters to facilitate classification of messages as spam or non-spam. |
| US08224903B1 |
End to end email monitor
An end to end email monitoring system which monitors and verifies the ability of a client mail system to send and receive email messages to and from local and remote networks. The monitor tests inbound email flow, internal email services, database availability, and outbound email flow. It uses checksums for precise identification and allows emails from multiple client environments to arrive in a single, shared Internet test account. The use of multiple targets for email verification eliminates false positives due to a single email destination being unavailable. Moreover, SNMP alerting is used in addition to email alerting to provide an out of band notification method. The SNMP alerting has been enhanced to send the identification of the tested email server as the source. The monitor stores historical information for 45 days and can produce detailed reports summarizing outage events and delay occurrences in addition to providing real-time alerts. |
| US08224900B2 |
Network-aware communications
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to detect a device connecting to a network, determine the identity of the network, and publish a status indication to at least one of a list of active contacts or a list of inactive contacts. The list of active contacts may be selected from an original list of contacts, based on the identity of the network and a personal rule set associated with a user of the device. The list of inactive contacts may be included in the original list and not included in the list of active contacts. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08224896B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for locating and contacting an invited participant of a meeting
In one embodiment, the methods and systems detect a meeting; detect a missing participant scheduled to attend the meeting; identify a device actively utilized by the missing participant; and transmit a reminder message to the device. |
| US08224893B2 |
System and method for prioritizing components
A system and method for prioritizing components is provided. Components, including at least one requester components and at least two service components are maintained. The components each include a historical context and access information. The requester component requests the historical contexts associated with one or more of the service components. The one or more service components are filtered to determine which of the one or more service components are accessible to the requester component using the access information. The accessible service components for the requester component are prioritized based on the associated historical contexts. |
| US08224891B2 |
Electronic game-based learning system
An electronic game-based learning system capable of providing a game-based learning environment(s) to at least one user is described. The system having at least one host system capable of selectively providing video and output portions of a game-based learning environment(s) and at least one client system capable of selectively providing input portions to the host system such that the client system provides the user within an interactive game-based learning environment(s). |
| US08224889B2 |
Moderated syndication data feed
One or more input syndication data feeds are processed to generate an adjusted syndication data feed. The input syndication data feeds are received, and include a plurality of syndication data items. Based on a configuration of a syndication feed adjuster, particular ones of the syndication data items in the received syndication data feed are determined to not be included in an output syndication data feed. The output syndication data feed is provided based on the received input syndication data feeds and a result of the determination. The determination may be provided via a user interface via which, for example, a user may indicate particular ones of the syndication data feed items to not include in the output syndication data feed. Furthermore, in some examples, if no decision has been made about a particular syndication data feed item, that syndication data feed item is not provided in the output syndication data feed. |
| US08224887B2 |
System, method and computer program product for authenticating a client
A system, method and computer program product are provided for authenticating a user. The method includes receiving, such as from an authenticator, a set of at least one label identifying at least one element of an authentication matrix. The authentication matrix includes a plurality of elements, each element capable of being identified by a label. Then, a passcode is formulated, such as by the client, based upon the element(s) identified by the received set of label(s). Thereafter, the client is authenticated based upon the formulated passcode, such as by the authenticator. The set of label(s) can be received, the passcode can be formulated, and the client can be authenticated a plurality of times. In such instances, to permit the passcode to dynamically change, each set of label(s) received can differ from each previously received set of label(s). |
| US08224876B1 |
Method and apparatus for creating an embedded tag for a computer system
A method and apparatus of uniquely tagging a computer system that is provisioned using a provisioning server. The unique tag is hidden within the computer system by exploiting select characteristics of the computer system to ensure that the tag is both hidden and semi-immutable. The tag may be embedded by manipulating such characteristics as the INODE differentials, the disk sector differentials, or the directory order. The tag may encode the unique identifier for the provisioned computer, as well as other information about the provisioning server, such as serial number, version number of the software, or any other information that is pertinent to identifying or monitoring the use of the software. |
| US08224875B1 |
Systems and methods for removing unreferenced data segments from deduplicated data systems
A computer-implemented method for removing unreferenced data segments from deduplicated data systems may include: 1) identifying a deduplicated data system that contains a plurality of data segments, 2) identifying a plurality of containers within the deduplicated data system, with each container containing a subset of the data segments within the deduplicated data system, 3) identifying at least one container within the plurality of containers that is likely to include a large proportion of data segments that are not referenced by data objects within the deduplicated data system, and then, for each identified container, 4) searching for unreferenced data segments within the identified container and 5) removing the unreferenced data segments from the identified container. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08224873B1 |
System and method for flexible security access management in an enterprise
Some embodiments provide a method and system for flexibly managing access to enterprise resources. To flexibly manage security, some embodiments secure the enterprise resources and provide a security access manager (SAM) to control access to the secured resources. The SAM controls access to the enterprise and the secure resources through one or more configurable management modules of the SAM. Each management module of the SAM is configurable to facilitate control over different security services of an enterprise security hierarchy (e.g., authentication, authorization, role mapping, etc.). Specifically, each management module is configurable to leverage security services that are provided by different security systems. In some embodiments, the management module is configured to interface with one or more adapters in order to establish the interfaces, logic, and protocols necessary to leverage the security functionality of such security systems. |
| US08224869B2 |
Re-establishing traceability method and system
A traceability link establishing method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computing system, mapping data comprising data associating elements of a source model to elements of a target model. The computing system retrieves the target model and elements of the target model. The computing system processes an element of the elements. The computing system retrieves first traceability links from the element. The computing system processes the traceability links. The computing system retrieves supplier data associated with the traceability links. The supplier data comprises data associated with a first supplier. The computing system verifies if the supplier comprises a valid supplier. The computing system stores results of the verifying process. The results indicate if the supplier comprises a valid supplier. |
| US08224865B2 |
System and method for searching a remote database
A device is in communication with a server over a wireless network. Items are stored locally in the device. The device receives, from a user of the device, a request to search for items matching a search parameter. The device finds items among the locally-stored items that match the parameter. The device sends a request to the server for the server to search among items stored remotely on the server for items matching the parameter. The device receives, from the server, a list of the remotely-stored items that match the parameter without receiving the items themselves. The device displays, to the user, a composite list of both the locally-stored items and remotely-stored items matching the parameter. |
| US08224862B2 |
System and method for providing a networked viral family tree
A system and method for a networked viral family tree are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises receiving a first profile from a first client. The first profile includes a first e-mail address. A second e-mail address is received from the first client. The second e-mail address is associated with a second profile. The second profile is created dynamically when the client provides the second e-mail address. An invitation is sent to the second e-mail address to provide additional profile information associated with the second profile. One or more relationships are associated to the first profile and the second profile to generate a family tree. One or more user interfaces is provided through which the first client provides a plurality of e-mail addresses corresponding to members of the family tree and are associated with of a plurality of profiles. |
| US08224860B2 |
Database management system
A multi-user, elastic, on-demand, distributed relational database management system. The database is fragmented into distributed objects called atoms. Any change to a copy of an atom at one location is replicated to all other locations containing a copy of that atom. Transactional managers operate to satisfy the properties of atomicity, consistency, isolation and durability. |
| US08224858B2 |
Methods and system for information storage enabling fast information retrieval
Methods and apparatus for judicially storing information to enable fast information retrieval are disclosed. The information is organized in information fields each field having a respective set of information elements. Cells of information elements are defined and corresponding information records are cached. The cells may be user defined or formed based on affinity coefficients of pairs of information elements. With a large number of fields, each having a large number of information elements, cells are generated recursively. Each cell is associated with at least one pre-defined query. |
| US08224857B2 |
Techniques for personalized and adaptive search services
Techniques are presented for automatically selecting information sources that are most relevant to user queries. Results of searches returned by information sources for queries are analyzed and the information sources are ranked based on this analysis. The information sources that have high rankings for a query are subsequently used to search for relevant results. This process can be adaptive, as the returned results of old queries can be analyzed at a later date to update the ranking of the information sources, automatic searches can be performed to update the ranking of the information sources, new queries can be used for analysis and stored, new information sources added, and old information sources deleted. A linguistic library is used to store personal categories for one or more users and general categories. Each category is associated with keywords and ranked lists of information sources. The library also contains general categories, taxonomies, and dictionaries. |
| US08224847B2 |
Relevant individual searching using managed property and ranking features
Embodiments are configured to provide information relevant to individuals of interest to a searching user. In an embodiment, a method includes identifying relevant individuals of a network using a relevance model that includes the use of a number of managed properties and ranking features to identify relevant individuals of a defined network. The relevance model of one embodiment is defined by a schema that includes a textual matching ranking feature, social distance ranking feature, a levels to top ranking feature, and a proximity ranking feature. |
| US08224845B2 |
Transaction prediction modeling method
Methods of generating a transactions prediction model using a computer for optimizing a number of transactions associated with a database system include capturing a database workload, where the database workload includes a number of statements corresponding with the transactions over a specified period of time, where each of the statements includes a variable parameter; then generating a generalized statements from the statements by replacing the variable parameter with a constant value; then generating other generalized statements, where if two or more of the number of the generalized statements are the same grouping the generalized statements to correspond with the other generalized statements; and then creating transaction classes, where each of the transaction classes includes at least one generalized statements. |
| US08224844B1 |
Searching for user interface objects
A computer-implemented method includes searching resources related to an application in response to receiving a query, identifying an operation in the application that satisfies the query, and exposing an object that provides access to the identified operation, within the application. |
| US08224842B2 |
Hypothesis selection and presentation of one or more advisories
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: selecting at least one hypothesis from a plurality of hypotheses relevant to a user, the selection of the at least one hypothesis being based, at least in part, on at least one reported event associated with the user; and presenting one or more advisories related to the hypothesis. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08224836B1 |
Searching in multiple languages
Systems and methods for multilingual searching allow search terms to be entered in a first language and searched in another language. A selection of a language may be associated with a search term or phrase in a search query, allowing terms from different languages to be searched at the same time. |
| US08224833B2 |
Generating search results based on determined relationships between data objects and user connections to identified destinations
A search system generates an ordered list of destination targets including identified individuals and data objects, based on applying a user context to an information context and to a connection context. The user context identifies a search context (i.e., the information the user is seeking) relative to an identity of the user, and the information context identifies destinations accessible by the user, including data objects and communications-based actions (e.g., voice over IP telephony calls, instant messaging session transcripts, etc.). The connection context identifies relationships between chosen destinations throughout the system, and the strength of those relationships determined from artifacts of the chosen destinations: the connection context is updated based on artifact detection. The portion of the connection context that is relevant to the user context is used to order the portion of the information context that is relevant to the user context, resulting in the ordered list of destination targets. |
| US08224831B2 |
Virtualization of metadata for file optimization
Mechanisms are provided for optimizing files while allowing application servers access to metadata associated with preoptimized versions of the files. During file optimization involving compression and/or compaction, file metadata changes. In order to allow file optimization in a manner transparent to application servers, the metadata associated with preoptimized versions of the files is maintained in a metadata database as well as in an optimized version of the files themselves. |
| US08224830B2 |
Systems and methods for manipulation of inexact semi-structured data
The data constraint framework solution of the present invention addresses data quality issues by standardizing, verifying, matching, consolidating and merging data records using powerful inexact matching logic and search reduction technologies. The data conditioning framework uses these technologies to more efficiently condition data to improve the quality of data and/or resolve quality data issues such as incomplete, inaccurate and duplicate data records. For example, the data conditioning framework is used to “cleanse” incorrect, incomplete and duplicate data from a data source, such as an information system. The data conditioning framework uses the following approximate searching and matching techniques to improve the efficiency of the approximate matching, reduce the search space for approximate matching, and improve the speed of executing approximate searches and matches: 1) inexact trimmed matching, 2) adaptive search ordering, 3) cascading search space reduction, 4) tiered and metric indexing, and 5) domain knowledge matching. |
| US08224827B2 |
Document ranking based on document classification
A system may determine an extent to which a document is selected when the document is included in a set of search results, generate a score for the document based, at least in part, on the extent to which the document is selected when the document is included in a set of search results; and rank the document with regard to at least one other document based, at least in part, on the score. |
| US08224819B2 |
Apparatus, method, and program for processing information
An information processing method for an information processing apparatus to process content data, including generating content data information associated with content data; and registering information associated with the content data generated in the content data information generation step, in an edit list indicating a result of editing of the content data. The apparatus makes it possible to manage a large number of image data in the form of an editing result and easily manage a large number of image data having complicated relationships. A clip data detector of an editing apparatus detects clip data including image data and audio data supplied from the outside. The clip data detector extracts meta data associated with detected clip data and supplies it to a sub clip processing unit. A sub clip information generator of the sub clip processing unit generates sub clip information based on the meta data and supplies the generated sub clip information to a sub clip information registration unit. The sub clip information registration unit registers the sub clip information generated by there sub clip information generator in an edit list stored in an edit list memory. |
| US08224817B2 |
Tailored intergenerational historic snapshots
A tailored intergenerational historic snapshot message informs a younger person about the world an older person lived in when they were young. The older person's age and the younger person's age are used to identify a historic time period in which the older person was the same age as the younger person. A circumstance which occurred in the historic time period is selected from a database or web search result. The message is tailored to the ages of the people involved. The message may also be tailored to recite circumstances specific to a topic area or a geographic location. |
| US08224816B2 |
System and method for segmenting information
A system and a method of segmenting information, is provided. A topic list is displayed. A user selects a topic from the topic list, including a question indicative of the topic. The user is also provided with a pre-generated compounded statement, upon selecting, a correlated content is displayed. The question includes a plurality of response forms. The user selects a response form and a correlated content to the response form is displayed. The correlated content may be modified by the user by selecting a filter of a plurality of filters. An option to remove the question, and/or switch the question is provided. A priority is provided, allowing the user to display the correlated content in a specific sequence. An opposite correlated content is provided, that is opposite to the correlated content. A public content is provided that is indicative of what is popular among the public. The user is provided with a tracking overlay, the tracking overlay comprised of a rating panel, including a plurality of rating factors, and a selecting panel, including a plurality of commands, sorting of the correlated content to the response and generating a correlated content. |
| US08224815B2 |
Interactive message editing system and method
In an interactive message editing system (10) and method a database (16) contains data representative of a plurality of media objects (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) and of a plurality of data strings each associated with one or more of the media objects according to a predetermined rank. A memory (14) stores multimedia message data entered by a user and a parser (15) coupled to the memory parses the message data on the fly for identifying successive character strings, each of which is compared with data strings in the database. One or more media objects associated with a data string in the database that at least partially matches a character string are presented on a display device (11) according to the predetermined rank for manual selection by the user. A selected media object is embedded in spatial association with the associated data string. |
| US08224813B2 |
Cost based analysis of direct I/O access
A method, system, and computer program product for cost based analysis for data access in a database management system. In one approach, the method, system, and computer program product identifies data to access. A first cost for direct I/O storage access and a second cost for cache access are then determined for accessing the data. A comparison between the first cost and the second cost is then performed. Finally, a first portion of identified data is accessed based at least in part upon the comparison. |
| US08224812B2 |
Database management system and method
A database management system has a query interface for receiving a query and a query executor for executing the received query. The query executor dynamically generates a task, and executes a plurality of tasks in parallel. In execution of each task, each time data is required to be read from a database, the query executor generates a task for acquiring the data, and in execution of the generated task, issues a data read request for reading the data from the database, to thereby shorten a time taken to execute each task. |
| US08224808B2 |
Tracking modifications to values of various fields in a database server
Storing historical/previous values of a field of a relational database in the same table. The previous values can be conveniently used to revert back to any of such previously stored values. Thus, for each update/modify operation, the present value is stored as a previous value. In one embodiment, the previous values are stored in a VARRAY associated with each field. The indexed entries of the VARRAY store the present as well as previous values of the field. |
| US08224807B2 |
Enhanced utilization of query optimization
System, method, computer program product embodiments and combinations and sub-combinations thereof for enhanced utilization of query optimization in a database system are provided. In an embodiment, query optimization of the database system is augmented to include statistics on temporary tables through an implicit update statistics option. Further, a statistics update is generated in the database system on a first optimizable query referencing at least one optimizable column of a temporary table when statistics for the at least one optimizable column are not already available. |
| US08224806B2 |
Selectivity-based optimized-query-plan caching
Optimized query plans are partitioned into equivalence groups that each include equivalence classes. Each equivalence group corresponds to a particular compiled, normalized, and parameterized query plan prior to optimization. Each equivalence class within an equivalence group corresponds to a different query plan corresponding to the particular compiled, normalized, and parameterized query plan represented by the equivalence group that has been optimized with respect to the selectivity of one or more predicate clauses of the query that is compiled to produce the particular compiled, normalized, and parameterized query plan. Optimized query plans are cached according to their respective equivalence groups and equivalence classes. When a query, similar to a query already compiled, optimized, and cached, is subsequently received and compiled, a selectivity for a predicate of the compiled query is computed, allowing the database management system to retrieve a cached query plan optimized for a similar query with similar selectivity. |
| US08224805B2 |
Method for generating context hierarchy and system for generating context hierarchy
The present disclosure relates to a method for generating a context hierarchy and a system for generating a context hierarchy, and more particularly, to a method for generating a context hierarchy from data streams configured of an infinite set of continuously transactions and a system for generating a context hierarchy from the data streams. |
| US08224798B2 |
Reducing the number of operations performed by a persistence manager against a persistent store of data items
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing the number of operations performed by a persistence manager against a persistent store of data items. A plurality of requests from an application are received. Each request is mapped into a transaction for performance against the persistent store, each transaction having at least one operation. Transactions are accumulated and preprocessed to reduce the number of operations for performance against the persistent store. |
| US08224797B2 |
System and method for validating data record
A system and associated method for utilizing a record stored in a database. An application requests the record stored in the database to be validated. The method executes a query for retrieval and validation in a unified operation. A set of valid values for an attribute is stored in a configuration table per attribute. The query sets a null value for an attribute in the record that has an invalid value and produces a validated record. The method creates a data object with the validated record. The requester application utilized the data object having a respective value and a corresponding validity flag for each attribute. |
| US08224796B1 |
Systems and methods for preventing data loss on external devices
A computer-implemented method for data loss prevention may include: 1) indentifying an external device, 2) intercepting a write attempt to a file on the external device, 3) creating a sandbox version of the file, 4) performing the write attempt on the sandbox version of the file, and then 5) analyzing the sandbox version of the file for potential data-loss violations. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08224794B2 |
Clearinghouse system, method, and process for inventorying and acquiring infrastructure, monitoring and controlling network performance for enhancement, and providing localized content in communication networks
A computerized system, method and process allows telecommunications carriers to find, evaluate and select locations for equipment through direct access to end users, while providing citizens the opportunity to offer the use of their dwelling or other assets to carriers. The system and method further provides a computerized mechanism for (a) creating an inventory and marketplace for available properties for use in telecommunications networks, (b) providing quality and/or performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data in the clearinghouse, and (c) providing localized content over wireless networks using the clearinghouse. |
| US08224792B2 |
Generation of realistic file content changes for deduplication testing
Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for facilitating deduplication product testing in a computing environment are provided. In one such embodiment, data to be processed through the deduplication product testing is arranged into a single, continuous stream. At least one of a plurality of random modifications are applied to the arranged data in a self-similar pattern exhibiting scale invariance. A plurality of randomly sized subsets of the arranged data modified with the self-similar pattern is mapped into each of a plurality of randomly sized deduplication test files. |
| US08224788B2 |
System and method for bookmarking and auto-tagging a content item based on file type
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for bookmarking and tagging content items such as media files with user-defined tag information and system-defined tag information based on file types. Utilizing tag information, a user of a bookmarking and tagging service provider can easily search for and retrieve links to media files having specific tag information, even if the media files are located at geographically disparate sites. A user may also retrieve the media files using web feeds. |
| US08224787B2 |
Redundant, multi-dimensional data partitioning: methods, program product and system
Horizontal partitioning can handle a transaction by accessing a single node only if the transaction is restricted along the single partitioned dimension. Composite partitioning allows for partitioning along more than one dimension, but can only handle a transaction by accessing a single node if the transaction is limited along all partitioned dimensions. A partitioning method partitions a tuple space along more than one dimension and, by storing tuples redundantly, allows transactions restricted along one or more of the partitioned dimensions to be handled by accessing a single node. Other embodiments include a computer program product and a system for partitioning a tuple space. |
| US08224786B2 |
Acquisition and write validation of data of a networked host node to perform secondary storage
Methods and a system to acquire and perform write validation of data generated by one or more networked host nodes to perform secondary storage are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method to passively acquire and perform write validation of data generated by one or more networked host nodes to perform secondary storage in a SAN-based data storage and recovery network includes generating data to store in primary storage. The method further includes generating metadata describing the data generated to store in primary storage, sending the data and metadata to a primary SAN storage device, acquiring passive access to data traveling a data path between a generating node and the primary SAN storage device, the data mirrored over an access line to a secondary storage server. The method further includes receiving, at the secondary storage server, an exact copy of a data stream that passes a splitter. |
| US08224785B2 |
Document conversion and network database system
A network database system wherein clients of subscribing entities are authorized network access to reliable documents that are identified by each entity as being relevant to clients of that entity. Features that can be included in the system are customization of the documents to reflect sourcing by particular subscribers, automated formatting of the documents for storing in a network database, client access facilitated by subscriber-maintained databases, and the avoidance of cookies remaining on clients' computer hard drives following document access. Also disclosed is a method for processing repeated data requests on a distributed computer database. |
| US08224784B2 |
Combined computer disaster recovery and migration tool for effective disaster recovery as well as the backup and migration of user- and system-specific information
Computer tools and methods novelly combine periodic backup and restore features with migration features to transfer the components of a failed system to a new system. As well as backing up and transferring critical data files during the disaster recovery operation, an aspect of the present invention also transfers, inter alia, applications, user states, hardware settings, software settings, user preferences and other user settings, menus, and directories. In another aspect of the present invention, a network of shared end-user computers periodically backs up each individual end-user computer to a central instrumentality, in a novel manner to reduce storage and time requirements. That is, redundancies for the end-user computer backup files are eliminated or greatly reduced by only making reference to but not storing components that are generic to the system, and further for each previously stored component, only storing differential or incremental information, unless predefined conditions are met. |
| US08224782B2 |
System and method for chunk based tiered storage volume migration
System and method for reducing costs of moving data between two or more of multi-tiered storage devices. Specifically, the system operates by moving only high tier portion of data and merely remapping the low tier data to migration target device, which eliminates a large amount of data movement (low tier) while maintaining the SLA of high tier data. Specifically, when a command to migrate a thin provisioned volume is received from a source primary storage device to another target primary storage device, the system doesn't copy all of the tier1 and tier2 chunk data that the source thin provisioned volume holds, but copies only tier1 chunk data to the target storage device. The copy operation is performed after the storage system prepared the target thin provisioned volume on the target side. After that, tier2 chunks are remapped from the primary storage device to another target primary storage device without copying. |
| US08224781B2 |
Data protection in a data storage system
Systems and methods herein provide for protecting data using snapshots and images of those snapshots to quickly recreate data upon request. For example, a storage controller of a data storage system allocates a period of time between creating snapshots of data in a first storage volume of the data storage system. The controller then logs received write requests to the first storage volume and generates snapshot of data in the first storage volume based on the allocated period of time. Thereafter, the controller may receive a request to recreate data. The controller locates the snapshot in the first storage volume based on that request to recreate the data. In doing so, the controller generates a snapshot image in a second storage volume. The controller then retrieves logged write requests and applies them to the snapshot image to recreate the data in the second storage volume. |
| US08224780B2 |
Checkpoints for a file system
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to checkpoints for a file system. In aspects, updates to the file system are organized into checkpoint buckets. When a checkpoint is desired, subsequent updates are directed to another checkpoint bucket. After global tables have been updated for updates in the current checkpoint bucket, a logical copy of the global tables is created. This logical copy is stored as part of the checkpoint data. To assist in recovery, a checkpoint manager may wait until all updates of the current checkpoint bucket have been written to storage before writing final checkpoint data to storage. This final checkpoint data may refer to the logical copy of the global tables and include a validation code to verify that the checkpoint data is correct. |
| US08224779B2 |
Data management apparatus and data management system
In order to prevent leakage of prescribed information (such as highly confidential information, for example) stored in a data management apparatus via a storage device external to such data management apparatus, when the data management apparatus carries out processing to back up the data stored therein to the external storage device, the data management apparatus prohibits backup of prescribed designated information. |
| US08224778B1 |
Systems and methods for backing up emails
A computer-implemented method for backing up emails may include: 1) identifying a file for storing emails, 2) inspecting the file to determine whether the file is in a consistent state, 3) determining that the file is in a consistent state, and then 4) performing a backup operation on the file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08224777B2 |
System and method for generating consistent images of a set of data objects
A system and method efficiently generates a set of parallel persistent consistency point images (PCPIs) of volumes configured as a SVS and served by a plurality of nodes interconnected as a cluster. A volume operations daemon (VOD) executing on a node of the cluster is configured to manage generation of the volume PCPIs. Notably, the set of PCPIs is generated substantially in parallel to thereby obtain a consistent and accurate point in time reference of the entire SVS. |
| US08224776B1 |
Method and system for hosting entity-specific photo-sharing websites for entity-specific digital cameras
The system and method provide hosting entity-specific photo-sharing websites for entity-specific image capture devices by providing software for the entity-specific image capture devices that causes the image capture devices to transmit entity ID information when the image capture devices transmit images over the Internet. The system and method further provide an online photo-sharing service capable of hosting the entity-specific photo-sharing websites for each of the entities, such that when the image capture devices connect to photo-sharing service, the photo-sharing service uses the entity ID received from the image capture devices to automatically associate the image with the photo-sharing website of the identified entity. |
| US08224770B2 |
Methods of operating computer system with data availability management software
According to some embodiments, a method includes running a first application program on a computer system, running a second application program on the computer system, and running a data availability manager (DAM) program on the computer system. The first application program is operative to indicate to the DAM program that a first data item processed by the first application program is available for further processing. The DAM program is operative to determine a second data item that is dependent for processing upon availability of the first data item and to indicate to the second application program that the second data item is ready for processing. |
| US08224767B2 |
Rapid knowledge transfer among workers
A system and method enable rapid knowledge transfer, for example between a plurality of experts and a plurality of apprentices located remotely from the experts. The system makes use of unique tools to facilitate transfer of knowledge and collaboration between individuals, even among remotely located individuals. An input to the system is a Knowledge Transfer Plan which has been designed to orchestrate the knowledge transfer. The knowledge transfer system integrates a shared repository and collaboration tools for use by the expert and apprentice. The collaboration tools may be accessed through role-specific portals which are automatically created from the Knowledge Transfer Plan. In one embodiment, the system is configured with a World Wide Web-based interface and an integrated suite of tools to support knowledge transfer activities on a global basis to facilitate knowledge transfer among workers engaged in an outsourcing business process. |
| US08224765B2 |
Method for computing the relative likelihood of failures
A method for determining relative likelihood of a failure mode is provided. The method comprises receiving evidence observations of a monitored system from monitors connected in a many-to-many relationship to the failure modes, generating a fault condition including states of all failure modes that are connected to the monitors, and computing a relative probability of failure for each failure mode. The fault condition is generated for a reference model of the monitored system and is based on the received evidence observations. The relative probability of failure for each failure mode is based on a false alarm probability, a detection probability, and a ratio of prior probabilities of a candidate hypothesis to a null hypothesis of no active failure mode. |
| US08224758B2 |
Systems and methods for managing the transportation of dangerous materials
Systems and methods are provided for managing the transportation of dangerous materials. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system comprises a database for storing master data for a set of materials. Each material has an assigned regulation applicable for the transportation of the material. The master data indicates at least one exception of one of the assigned regulations. The at least one exception defines a modification of the one of the regulations. The system further comprises a user interface for selection of a sub-set of the set of materials to be transported and a processor for checking compliance of the sub-set with the regulations that are assigned to the materials of the sub-set. |
| US08224755B2 |
Socially derived, graduated access control in collaboration environments
A method for socially derived, graduated access control to a collaboration environment includes calculating a variable reputation score for a user based on a user's actions within a collaboration environment; and dynamically enabling graduated access control to the collaboration environment based on the reputation score. |
| US08224752B2 |
Digital rights management license renewal
A method of playing back content based on digital rights management (DRM) between a portable storage and a device and a portable storage for the same are provided. The method of playing back content using a portable storage includes requesting the portable storage to transmit a right to play back content protected through digital rights management (DRM), receiving the right to play back the content protected through DRM from the portable storage, and informing the portable storage of completion of the playback when a playback of the content protected through DRM using the right is completed. |
| US08224747B2 |
Interactive funds transfer interface
In a software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of data through a single portal accessible from a data-packet-network, a software interface for enabling proxy transfer of funds from one financial account to another is provided. The software interface comprises, an interactive main window for configuring transfer funds orders, viewing pending transfers, viewing transaction history, and viewing active account balances related to registered financial accounts, an interactive selection window accessible through the main interface, the selection window for enabling selection of individual accounts for grouping into a list of activated accounts and an automated confirmation window enabling confirmation of data parameters of a requested funds transfer. A user operating the main interface may initiate funds transfer orders to be performed between accounts at requested times by proxy in a fashion transparent at the time of execution to the requesting user. |
| US08224745B2 |
Automatic delinquency item processing with customization for lenders
A method of processing delinquency items associated with taxes on properties may include receiving preferences from two or more lenders. Delinquency items may be automatically processed according to the preferences of each lender for their respective loans. The preferences may include business rules for whether to process a delinquency item. A lender preference may include specific criteria for a determination process (e.g., criteria for when to act on delinquencies with respect to particular states). |
| US08224742B2 |
Processing binary options in future exchange clearing
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing binary options (also referred to as digital options) in existing clearing systems, such as futures clearing systems. The binary option is treated, or processed, similar to standard options on a non-tradeable cash-settled underlying futures contract. A hypothetical instrument, referred to as a book instrument is created to facilitate clearing of the binary option. The book instrument has an expiration date after the expiration of the binary option, such as the day after the expiration of the binary option. For each binary option that expires in the money, a transaction is created for the book instrument future. The underlying book future has an assigned price that is a fixed amount less that the final price for the underlying statistical or actual value of the binary option at expiration. Transactions are loaded in the clearing system and processed and all positions are liquidated. Options exercise and assignment processing is performed in the clearing system as well as an associated clearing firm bookkeeping system. |
| US08224739B2 |
Allocating goods to bidders in combinatorial auctions
Embodiments are directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for allocating goods to bidders in combinatorial auctions. In one embodiment, bids are received in a combinatorial auction and the winner determination problem is modeled as an interval knapsack problem (I-KP) or an interval multiple-choice knapsack problem (I-MCKP), efficient algorithms (both pseudo-polynomial-time exact algorithms and FPTAS) for I-KP (and I-MCKP) are used to compute an allocation of goods to winning bidders. |
| US08224737B2 |
Hedging risks associated with variable priced orders for derivative financial products
Systems and methods are provided for executing a hedge transaction in connection with the execution of a derivative product order in which the price of the derivative product is defined by one or more variables. The hedge transaction may be executed at an exchange or match engine that is different from the exchange or match engine executing the derivative product order. The execution of derivative product transaction may be contingent on the existence of an appropriate hedge transaction. Alternatively, a best efforts approach may be used to fill the hedge transaction order after executing the derivative product transaction. |
| US08224736B2 |
Method and system for providing a fixed rate annuity with a reset interest rate feature
A data processing method and system administers a deferred annuity product during the accumulation phase of a contract term. The annuity product permits the client to select both an interest rate which is reset periodically (reset rate) and an interest rate which is guaranteed for multiple years (MYG rate), during the same contract term. The client may elect to automatically switch from the reset rate to the MYG rate, for the remainder of the contract term, when the reset rate falls below the MYG rate. |
| US08224729B2 |
System and method for managing and evaluating network commodities purchasing
Comparison values are calculated for evaluating a commercial transaction. A request for quote received from a buyer agent includes a product specification data set that identifies items that differ in accordance with at least one parameter. Price data sets received from seller agents identify items and prices in response to the product specification data set. At least one of the price data sets identifies an item having a different parameter value as compared to the item in another price data set. A comparison value for each price data set is generated by determining a price total from the price data set and calculating a summed market price total by summing market price totals for each of the items. Calculating market price totals includes obtaining metric data indicative of market prices. The summed market price total is compared to the price total for the price data set to generate the comparison value. |
| US08224728B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for allocating assets among a plurality of investments to guarantee a predetermined value at the end of a predetermined period
A system, method, and computer program product for allocating assets among a plurality of investments to guarantee a predetermined value at the end of a predetermined time period. A computer program controls the allocation of assets in the investment vehicle, which allows the investor to initially invest one hundred percent of the initial deposit in non-secure, high risk investments. At the end of the each trading day, the computer program determines if assets should be reallocated from the non-secure investments to the secure investments, from the secure investments to the non-secure investments, or if no reallocation is necessary. |
| US08224727B2 |
Systems and methods to process transactions based on social networking
Systems and methods to authenticate and process requests received via social networking websites. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a first phone number of a user with an identification of the user in a social networking website; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers of mobile communications. The converters communicate with the controllers in different formats and with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor receives a request including the identification of the user, identifies the first phone number of the user based on the data stored on the data storage facility, and uses the converters to communicate with a mobile phone at the first phone number to confirm the request. |
| US08224725B2 |
Escrowing digital property in a secure information vault
Digital data can be escrowed by receiving escrow parameters including a condition(s) for releasing the escrowed data, and an escrow recipient. An escrow contract is then created based upon the specified escrow parameters. The escrowing further includes storing the digital data in a secure information vault, and storing the escrow contract, along with a pointer to the stored data, in a database. When the condition has been satisfied, the data is released to the escrow recipient. The condition(s) for release can be a payment sum, a date, an indication from a depositor, a trustee or a vault administrator, and/or fulfillment of another escrow contract. |
| US08224719B2 |
Light weight, strong, fire retardant dunnage platform bag and system of loading, dispensing and using bag
The present invention provides a dunnage platform bag that is light weight, strong, made of a fire retardant material and which forms an ultra violet light, weather and dust particle barrier to protect the integrity of the dunnage platforms when not in use. A system and method for supplying, dispensing, positioning, tracking, transporting, forwarding and storing dunnage platforms based on the dunnage platforms bag is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, a modified dunnage platform made up of a dunnage platform base and attached legs can be stored in the dunnage platform bag. |
| US08224718B1 |
Method and system for managing inventory information using a mobile device
A method for managing inventory information that includes displaying the inventory information in a graphical user interface of a mobile device, and adding an item as part of the inventory information, using the mobile device, where adding the item includes adding descriptive metadata about the item to the inventory information. |
| US08224716B2 |
Methods and systems for facilitating the provision of opinions to a shopper from a panel of peers
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system determines an image, selects a panel of participants, and outputs the image to each of the participants of the panel of participants. Responses may be collected from the participants and an indication of the results may be output to a shopper. |
| US08224714B2 |
Peer to peer network personal assistant
Methods and computer storage media for communicating an electronic gift suggestion for a first user to a second user are provided. Accessing an online social network profile for a first user created by the first user in an online social network. Determining one or more gift suggestions for the first user and displaying the one or more gift suggestions in the online social network account of a second user. In some embodiment, the gift suggestions for the first user may be based on the social profile of the first user, based on the social profile of the first user utilizing an electronic gift wish list, or based on sales data of purchasers having similar personal information and purchasing history as personal information accessed from the first user's social profile. |
| US08224711B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating contextualized auction feeds
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for generating contextualized live auction feeds. The method of generating contextualized live auction feeds comprises receiving context data from a user. The method further comprises utilizing the context data received from the user to search auctions. The method, in one embodiment, includes generating contextualized live auction feeds for an auction based on the context data. |
| US08224710B2 |
Method and system for bidding on multiple auctions
A method and system for bidding on multiple auctions. The multiple auction bidding system allows a user to define various models for bidding at multiple auctions. The bidding system then automatically places bids on behalf of the user. The bidding rules may specify to win at most one of multiple auctions at the lowest price or to bid at an auction only if successful at bidding at another auction. |
| US08224704B2 |
Business rating placement heuristic
A system and method for distributing information (collectively the “system”) is disclosed. The system includes category-based, geography-based, and ratings-based attributes to better “focus” the information distributed by the system. In the processing of listing-based attributes (e.g. attributes limited to a particular listing), the system can also be influenced by relationship-based attributes (e.g. attributes between the administrator of the system and the advertisers, and even potentially users). |
| US08224703B2 |
Fluid process system selection
A selection system (100) that selects fluid process systems is comprised of an interface (101, 103) and a processing system (102). The processing system (102) directs the interface (101, 103) to transfer a first signal that indicates user prompts. The interface (101, 103) receives a second signal that indicates user inputs provided responsive to the user prompts. The user inputs indicate fluid process information. The processing system (102) processes the fluid process information to select a first one of the fluid process systems. The processing system (102) obtains first performance and specification information for the first one of the fluid process systems. The processing system (102) directs the interface (101, 103) to transfer a third signal that indicates the first performance and specification information for the first one of the fluid process systems. |
| US08224697B2 |
Managing customer entitlements to rewards from multiple entitlement programs
Managing entitlements to rewards from multiple entitlement programs includes receiving transaction data associated with a reward entity. The transaction data is generated by a computer application that is separate from an entitlement management component used to manage entitlements to rewards from multiple entitlement programs. One of the multiple entitlement programs that applies to the received transaction data is identified. Each entitlement program is associated with a type of reward and has an entitlement rule for determining, from transaction data, an amount of reward credit for the type of reward of the entitlement program. An entitlement rule of the identified entitlement program is used to determine an amount of reward credit to be provided to the reward entity associated with the received transaction data. The determined amount of reward credit is associated with the reward entity associated with the received transaction data. |
| US08224693B2 |
Advertisement selection based on key words
A computer-implemented method comprises running, by a processor, a plurality of classifiers on a web page to obtain one or more keywords. The method further comprises selecting, by the processor, advertisements based on the one or more keywords. |
| US08224689B1 |
Estimating inventory, user behavior, and/or cost and presentation attributes for an advertisement for use with an advertising system
An advertiser may be provided with fast and accurate estimates of the future performance of at least one of their advertisements. These estimates may be broken down by keyword, thereby providing, up-front, useful information to the advertiser about how different keywords will affect the performance and cost of their ad campaign. Estimates and/or suggestions for a set of keywords, given additional campaign parameters, may be generated by using historical search traffic (or some other ad serving trigger) data to predict future inventory and to find useful keyword (or some other serving constraint) variations. Current data on competing ads may be used to simulate the competitions (e.g., real-time auctions) that the given ads will participate in. |
| US08224687B2 |
Point-of-sale-based market tracking and reporting
Systems and methods are described for transforming actual aggregated data (e.g., transaction and terminal data) from a large number of POS terminals into market trend reports that include macro-level trend data and analyses. For example, POS datasets are aggregated from POS terminals distributed across many merchant outlet locations, each POS dataset including location data and transaction data for its respective POS terminal. A reporting request is received for a market trend report corresponding to a designated market over a designated timeframe. A market dataset is identified from the portion of the aggregated POS data corresponding to the designated timeframe and market. Unreliable portions of the data may be discarded. Market trend data is then calculated as a function of the reliable portion of the market dataset, and graphical report data is output as a function of the market trend data in response to the reporting request. |
| US08224683B2 |
Information technology service request level of service monitor
A method, system, and computer program product for monitoring service tickets for information technology (IT) service providers to ensure that levels of service regarding resolving problems identified by a customer are met is provided. In one embodiment, a monitoring server inspects a service ticket in a database to determine a deadline for when a problem associated with the service ticket must be resolved. The server then determines a deadline approaching alert time. This deadline approaching alert time is a time at which a help desk user must be notified that the deadline for resolving the problem must be met is approaching. The server then alerts the help desk user that the deadline for resolving the problem is approaching when the deadline approaching alert time is reached. If the problem is not resolved by the deadline, the server periodically alerts the help desk user when times for status updates, which have been specified by a level of service agreement for updating the customer of the status of resolution of problems that have past deadline, are approaching, thereby ensuring that the IT provider meets its obligations to the customer. |
| US08224681B2 |
Optimizing a security patrolling strategy using decomposed optimal Bayesian Stackelberg solver
Techniques are described for Stackelberg games, in which one agent (the leader) must commit to a strategy that can be observed by other agents (the followers or adversaries) before they choose their own strategies, in which the leader is uncertain about the types of adversaries it may face. Such games are important in security domains, where, for example, a security agent (leader) must commit to a strategy of patrolling certain areas, and robbers (followers) have a chance to observe this strategy over time before choosing their own strategies of where to attack. An efficient exact algorithm is described for finding the optimal strategy for the leader to commit to in these games. This algorithm, Decomposed Optimal Bayesian Stackelberg Solver or “DOBSS,” is based on a novel and compact mixed-integer linear programming formulation. The algorithm can be implemented in a method, software, and/or system including computer or processor functionality. |
| US08224680B2 |
System and method for real time maintaining an inventory of services and associated resources of a client company
A system for real-time maintaining an inventory of services and associated resources of a client company. A product component communicates with feeds receiving inventory data from the client company. A transactional component communicates with the product component for managing transactional records, processing responses related thereto and updating the inventory records accordingly. An expert engine component evaluates the transactional records against corresponding ones of the inventory records stored in the product component to identify eventual changes to be made to the inventory records as determined by set conditions, and controls generation of service orders articulated on action parameters of the transactions and the inventory records concerned by the transactions. A user interface capable of displaying selected inventory records, inputting transactions relative to the inventory records, and of inputting responses to the service orders placed by the expert engine component communicates with the product and transactional components. |
| US08224675B2 |
Method and system for insurance companies contracting with and paying medical image reading professionals in a network
A system and method for insurance companies contracting with and paying medical image reading professionals in a medical image reading professionals network. The network may be independent of a medical facility and be arranged to have each of the medical image reading professionals may be an expert in reading medical images of particular anatomical regions. The insurance companies may have lower overall costs by contracting with the medical image reading professionals who are experts in reading medical images of anatomical regions, modalities, and medical conditions as misdiagnoses are reduced due to proficiency of the medical image reading professionals. |
| US08224674B2 |
Method and system for issuing insurance underwriting instruments
A method and system for issuing an insurance underwriting instrument using at least one computing processor. The system includes a computer processor and a first and second query-able plurality of memory locations storing data indicative of images of a plurality of forms associated with a particular type of fidelity or surety bond and data indicative of policies respectively. The system further includes a user interface for inputting data indicative of an insurance client and of the fidelity or surety bond. A calculator application is included which automatically calculates a premium for the insurance underwriting instrument based on the input data using the computer processor. The system includes software for selecting a sub-set of the data indicative of the images and software for automatically rendering the bond to be issued using the data of bond customer. |
| US08224673B2 |
System and method for administering annuities
A computer-implemented method for administering an annuity product includes storing by a processor in memory an amount of an initial funding payment, an interest rate formula and a term for an accumulation annuity, and storing terms including a deferral term for a guaranteed income annuity. If the processor determines that the current time is during the term, the processor calculates an amount of interest earned on the fixed rate annuity and storing in memory a credit of the calculated interest amount to a guaranteed income annuity. After the accumulation period, the processor provides an output signal indicative of instructions to provide a notice of expiration. After the deferral period, the processor calculates an income annuity payment amount from the guaranteed income annuity; and provides an output signal indicative of instructions for a payment to be made to an annuitant based on the income annuity payment amount. |
| US08224671B2 |
Documentation of protocol orders
Computerized methods and systems for creating and documenting protocol orders in a molecular diagnostic laboratory environment are provided. Utilizing the methods and systems described herein, protocol statements may require values to be entered in association therewith prior to permitting access to subsequent protocol orders. Accordingly, more accurate test runs and, consequently, more accurate test results, may be achieved. Additionally, as values associated with protocol statements are electronically captured, in accordance with embodiments hereof, such values may be searched to evaluate trends or identify protocol orders and/or results that may be affected by a later discovered error or the like. |
| US08224664B1 |
Portable prescription order distribution cart and tracking system
A portable cart and related system for operating the cart to automatically detect and track a prescription orders through distribution, particularly within a health-care facility is disclosed. A unique wireless tag is operably secured to each prescription order, and tag readers, which are in communication with a computer system, are positioned near the cart and, if needed, throughout the facility, to detect the presence of a tag within a defined physical area. Preferably, unique tags are also operably secured to each worker and patient. The system this detected information to track the prescription order and preferably verify the proper distribution of the prescription order to the correct patient. More preferably, the system also records, or charts, the distribution event. |
| US08224658B2 |
Method, medium, and apparatus encoding and/or decoding an audio signal
A method, medium, and apparatus encoding and/or decoding an audio signal. The method of encoding an audio signal includes transforming an input audio signal into an audio signal in a frequency domain, quantizing the frequency-domain transformed audio signal, and performing bitplane coding on the quantized audio signal using a context that represents various available symbols of an upper bitplane. |
| US08224655B2 |
Audio human verification
A system generates an audio challenge that includes a first voice and one or more second voices, the first voice being audibly distinguishable, by a human, from the one or more second voices. The first voice conveys first information and the second voice conveys second information. The system provides the audio challenge to a user and verifies that the user is human based on whether the user can identify the first information in the audio challenge. |
| US08224640B2 |
Method and system for computational modeling of the aorta and heart
A method and system for generating a patient specific anatomical heart model is disclosed. A sequence of volumetric image data, such as computed tomography (CT), echocardiography, or magnetic resonance (MR) image data of a patient's cardiac region is received. A multi-component patient specific 4D geometric model of the heart and aorta estimated from the sequence of volumetric cardiac imaging data. A patient specific 4D computational model based on one or more of personalized geometry, material properties, fluid boundary conditions, and flow velocity measurements in the 4D geometric model is generated. Patient specific material properties of the aortic wall are estimated using the 4D geometrical model and the 4D computational model. Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations are performed using the 4D computational model and estimated material properties of the aortic wall, and patient specific clinical parameters are extracted based on the FSI simulations. Disease progression modeling and risk stratification are performed based on the patient specific clinical parameters. |
| US08224634B2 |
Systems and methods for the determination of active constraints in a network using slack variables
Systems and methods for determining active constraints in a surface facility network, which include the use of slack variables and multipliers in system equations to eliminate the extraneous (inactive) constraints. |
| US08224629B2 |
Method of modelling a saturation dependant property in a sample
A method for modelling a saturation dependant property in a sample by obtaining a spatially resolved measurement of fluid saturation in the sample; determining a measured value of a saturation dependant property from the measurement; fitting a model to the measured value to obtain a model value for the measured value; and optimising the fit of the model to the measured value by minimizing an error between the model and the measured value where the error is a distance between the measured value and the model value. |
| US08224624B2 |
Using application performance signatures for characterizing application updates
One embodiment is a method that determines application performance signatures occurring at an application server in a multi-tier architecture. The method then analyzes the application performance signatures to determine whether a change in transaction performance at the application server results from a modification to an application. |
| US08224622B2 |
Method and apparatus for distribution-independent outlier detection in streaming data
The present invention relates to an iterative method and an apparatus for distribution-independent detection of intermediate outliers and outliers in the distribution tail of streamed data. A considerable sequence of streamed data is sequentially read and subsequently assigned to matching bins. The bins are adaptively allocated when, where and if they are needed. Each bin range expands concurrently with the distribution range of the accumulating items assigned to the bin, adding a margin. For every N'th read item, overlapping or adjoining bins are merged, whereupon the bins are assessed for insider preclusion. Information regarding outliers is extracted from the remaining outlier bins when the entire data sequence has been processed. |
| US08224620B2 |
Method for checking the driftability of metallic tubes
The invention relates to a method for testing the driftability of metal tubes, wherein a cylindrical drift body having a defined diameter and a defined length is guided through the tube with defined force for ensuring a predetermined internal diameter and a minimum straightness. Virtual drifting is hereby performed instead of the physical drift operation. |
| US08224615B2 |
Browser on test equipment
A portable telecommunication test set with a web browser incorporated therein is provided. A standard Hyper Text Mark-up Language or Wireless Application Protocol browser may be incorporated within the portable test set, allowing a network technician to access the Internet as well as other remotely-located sources of information to retrieve data and other useful technical information while in the field for communication network or telephone line maintenance, troubleshooting or repair. The test set may contain memory to locally store certain technical information that may be retrieved and “read” by the built-in browser module when prompted by the network technician. The web browser may display the content of the requested information on a display provided on the test set. Line-specific (as well as manufacturer-specific) test information need not be in a manufacturer-dictated proprietary format. Testing-related data may thus be supplied by a vendor other than the manufacturer of the test set. |
| US08224611B2 |
One pin calibration assembly and method for sensors
Described herein is a sensor assembly that can be calibrated after manufacture and a method for calibrating that assembly. The assembly comprises a sense element, microprocessor and a protection circuit. The assembly can use pins on the existing connector to input calibration data. The present invention also is a method of calibrating sensor outputs using an assembly that contains a protection circuit to prevent the sensor assembly from electrostatic discharge and high and reverse voltage. |
| US08224608B1 |
Calibrating breathalyzer
The calibrating breathalyzer comprises an alcohol sensor, a non-volatile memory, a processing unit or processor, a display and a housing to house these components. The processing unit can calibrate the breathalyzer using the user's body as a simulator based on the user's metabolism rate, type and amount of alcohol consumed by the user. The processing unit determines a sample time to receive a breath sample from the user based on a time to a predetermined calibration point from the drinking start time calculated using the user's metabolism rate and the determined maximum alcohol level. The BAC % measurement based on the user's breath sample at the sample time is used as a reference point in calibrating the breathalyzer. |
| US08224607B2 |
Method and apparatus for robot calibrations with a calibrating device
Described herein is a method and apparatus for performing calibrations on robotic components. In one embodiment, a method for performing robotic calibrations includes moving the calibrating device across a target (e.g., a wafer chuck). Next, the method includes measuring distances between light spots from the sensors and a perimeter of the target using the sensors located on the calibrating device. Next, the method includes determining a displacement of the calibrating device relative to a center of the target. Then, the method includes determining a rotation angle of the calibrating device relative to a system of coordinates of the target. Next, the method includes calibrating a robot position of the robot based on the displacement and rotation angle of the calibrating device with respect to the target. |
| US08224603B2 |
Frequency offset estimating apparatus and estimating method thereof
A frequency offset estimating apparatus includes an nth power computing module and a spectrum analyzing module. By raising a received signal to nth power to generate an nth power signal and analyzing the spectrum of the nth power signal, the present invention is capable of quickly and accurately estimating a frequency offset of the received signal. As being unaffected by channel characteristics, the estimating frequency offset apparatus is suitable for all channel environments. |
| US08224600B2 |
Method of monitoring deterioration of lubricating oil and device therefore
A method of monitoring deterioration of lubricating oil and a device therefore capable of judging deterioration of the oil with high accuracy suppressing measurement error due to mixing of foreign matter in the oil. Correlation between relative permittivity and TBN (total base number) of the lubricating oil is obtained beforehand (step S1), electric current and voltage are measured (step S2) when high-frequency voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes located in an oil path in a gas engine, permittivity of the oil is detected (step S3) based on the measurement of current and voltage, TBN of the oil is obtained (step S4) from the correlation between relative permittivity and TBN, and deterioration of the oil is judged by the obtained value of TBN. |
| US08224596B2 |
Portable device battery optimization routing system
A battery life management unit for managing the battery life of a portable device. The battery life management unit determines a scheduled event for a user of a portable device and estimates whether battery power of the portable device will last throughout the scheduled event. If the battery power of the portable device is estimated not to last throughout the scheduled event, the battery life management unit determines whether a location of the scheduled event provides one or more battery charging resources. If the location of the scheduled event provides one or more battery charging resources, the battery life management unit reserves a battery charging resource for the user of the portable device. |
| US08224593B2 |
Startup techniques for a digital flowmeter
Startup and operational techniques for a digital flowmeter are described. The techniques select an optimal mode of operation for the digital flowmeter, depending on a current environment of the flowmeter. For example, during a startup operation of the flowmeter, the mode of operation might include a random sequence mode, in which filtered, random frequencies are applied as a drive signal to a flowtube associated with the digital flowmeter. Once the flowtube reaches a resonant mode of vibration, the digital flowmeter may transition to a positive feedback mode, in which a sensor signal representing a motion of the flowtube is fed back to the flowtube as a drive signal, as part of a feedback loop. Once an oscillation of the flowtube is achieved and analyzed, a digital synthesis mode of operation may be implemented, in which the analyzed sensor signals are used to synthesize the drive signal. In either the positive feedback mode or the digital synthesis mode, the digital flowmeter may revert to a previous mode to regain stable and desired oscillation of the flowtube, such as might be required during a recovery operation associated with a disturbance to an operation of the digital flowmeter. |
| US08224590B2 |
Apparatus and method of inspecting mask
A mask inspecting apparatus and method of inspecting a mask having a plurality of openings used in deposition in a desired pattern, the mask inspecting apparatus capable of detecting a defect of the mask through the openings of the mask. The mask inspecting apparatus includes: a detection unit detecting boundary line of each of the openings of the mask; a storage unit storing information about a member on which deposition is to be performed using the mask; a setting unit setting a first boundary line, a second boundary line, and a safety area for each of the openings using the stored information about the member on which deposition is to be performed, wherein the first boundary line forms an outline of a deposition area, the second boundary line surrounds the first boundary, and the safety area is interposed between the first boundary line and the second boundary line; and a control unit determining whether the boundary line of the mask detected by the detection unit does not contact the first boundary line and the second boundary line and whether it is present in the safety area. |
| US08224584B2 |
Parametric system for quantifying analyte polynucleotides
System for quantifying analyte polynucleotides employs computer-implemented analysis of real-time amplification data using a calibration curve defined by parametric equations. |
| US08224582B2 |
Non-equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM)-based methods for drug and diagnostic development
The invention discloses a Non-Equilibrium Capillary Electrophoresis of Equilibrium Mixtures (NECEEM) method and NECEEM-based practical applications. The NECEEM method is a homogeneous technique, which, in contrast to heterogeneous methods, does not require affixing molecules to a solid substrate. The method of the invention facilitates 3 practical applications. In the first application, the method allows the finding of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of complex formation. It advantageously allows for revealing two parameters, the equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, and the monomolecular rate constant of complex decay, koff, in a single experiment. In the second practical application, the method of this invention provides an approach for quantitative affinity analysis of target molecules. It advantageously allows for the use of affinity probes with relatively high values of koff. In the third practical application, the method of this invention presents a new and powerful approach to select target-binding molecules (ligands) from complex mixtures. |
| US08224581B1 |
Methods for detection and identification of cell type
A process is provided for identifying a cell type in a sample that includes identification of one or more peptide sequences in the sample. Each peptide sequence is assigned to a protein of known sequence. A matrix of assignments is generated for the presence or absence of each peptide in one or more cells. The matrix of assignments is rearranged according to cell classification. A cell type based on the most probable cell classification is identified. |
| US08224580B2 |
Optimization of crossover points for directed evolution
Methods and devices for more efficiently engineering diversity into recombinant polypeptides and/or nucleic acids are provided herein. For example, a variety of methods of selecting and/or assessing potential crossover sites in an amino acid sequence or a nucleotide sequence are provided, as well as the resulting chimeric product sequences. These methods include, e.g., consideration of structural, functional and/or statistical data in the selection and assessment of sequences and crossover sites for use in recombination. |
| US08224570B2 |
On-vehicle map display apparatus, map display method
This on-vehicle map display apparatus comprises a map scale setting unit that sets a map scale, a summary map generation unit that generates a summary map by abbreviating road shapes if a map scale that is less than a predetermined scale is set by the map scale setting unit, a summary map display control unit that displays the summary map generated by the summary map generation unit upon a display monitor, a congestion information acquisition unit that acquires congestion information, and a congestion information display control unit that displays the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit as superimposed upon the summary map displayed upon the display monitor by the summary map display control unit. |
| US08224569B2 |
Software based driving directions
A method for electronically generating driving directions including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; indicating one or more preferences for the directions to include less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the one or more preferences; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and one or more preferences. Also provided is a method for electronically generating driving directions including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; instructing the use of less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the instruction; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and instruction. Also provided is a method for electronically generating driving directions by indicating addresses or locations on a map. |
| US08224566B2 |
Apparatus and method to indicate course deviation instrument saturation
An apparatus and method to maintain traditional navigational deviation presentation in a manner that is consistent with existing training and safety methodology, but eliminates confusion generated when a navigation needle is placed in a fully pegged position by positively indicating that a needle is off-scale and not representing an actual accurate deviation. |
| US08224562B2 |
Method for the automatic, computer-assisted determination of a route travelable by motor vehicles
A method for the automatic, computer-assisted determination of a route travelable by motor vehicles from a starting point to a destination point based on digitalized map data, wherein a computer acquires a starting point and destination point and determines the route based on possible road segments in such a way that the automatically generated route has a high recreational value. To this end, it is proposed that the computer determining the route preferably incorporate those road segments into the route that exhibit a high number of curves. |
| US08224553B2 |
Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder and an exhaust gas tract, which contains a component to be protected. An estimated dynamic component temperature of the component is determined in accordance with at least one operating variable of the internal combustion engine, taking into consideration the dynamic behavior of the section of the internal combustion engine. An estimated stationary component temperature of the component is determined in accordance with at least one operating variable of the internal combustion engine without taking into consideration the dynamic behavior of the section of the internal combustion engine. An actual value is determined for the component temperature of the component in accordance with the estimated dynamic and stationary component temperatures of the component to be protected. Protective measures for the component are implemented in accordance with the actual value of the component temperature of the component to be protected. |
| US08224551B2 |
ACC extended mode operation
When employing an a cruise control system in a commercial or heavy-duty vehicle, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (14) is activated upon activation of a vehicle or set-speed cruise control (SSCC) system (16). The ACC (14) remains on, even after SSCC shutoff, to maintain a minimum following distance for a primary vehicle in which the ACC (14) is employed and a forward vehicle. The ACC (14) is deactivated after detection of an ACC shutoff trigger event, which may be driver application of the brakes of the primary vehicle, driver-initiated acceleration for a predefined time period, expiration of a predetermined time period, manual shutoff (e.g., via a switch or button), etc. |
| US08224548B2 |
Starting aid
Disclosed is a method of preventing a vehicle in a starting maneuver from rolling in a direction opposite a direction selected to move the vehicle during the starting maneuver. A brake force is built up or maintained on at least one wheel brake during standstill of the vehicle. The method is characterized in that a comparison between an engine rotational speed gradient and an engine rotational speed gradient threshold value as well as a comparison between a pedal travel, by which an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed, and a pedal travel threshold value are performed, and in that the brake force at the at least one wheel brake is reduced when it is established that the engine rotational speed gradient exceeds the engine rotational speed gradient threshold value, and/or the pedal travel, by which the accelerator pedal is depressed, exceeds the pedal travel threshold value. Also disclosed a device that is appropriate to implement the method. |
| US08224546B2 |
ABS control system
A second threshold value which is smaller than a first threshold value is set as a threshold value for starting pressure decrease control of a wheel on a high μ road surface side when a select low control is employed. Then, if a slip ratio of the wheel on the high μ road surface side exceeds the second threshold value, a pressure decrease control in ABS control is started even if the slip ratio of a wheel on a low μ road surface side does not exceed the first threshold value. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the vehicle running state from becoming unstable due to the wheel speed of the wheel on the high μ road surface side from decreasing with respect to the vehicle speed. |
| US08224542B2 |
Automatic transmission and control method thereof
In an automatic transmission of this invention, a determination as to whether or not a failure has occurred in a friction element is made repeatedly while a vehicle is traveling, and control to specify the failed friction element is begun when a vehicle speed falls to or below a predetermined value for the first time following detection of the failure in the friction element (S1, S3). When the failed friction element has been specified (S4, S13, S15, S24, S26, S35, S37), usable gear positions are determined on the basis of the specified friction element, whereupon shift control is performed using only the usable gear positions (S5, S14, S16, S25, S27, S36, S38, S39). |
| US08224539B2 |
Method for altitude-compensated transmission shift scheduling
A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to a transmission operative in one of a plurality of operating range states to transfer power between the engine and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, monitoring barometric pressure and engine input speed to the transmission, determining an achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the transmission based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed, and determining a preferred operating range state for the transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power. |
| US08224536B2 |
Method for controlling a shift point in an automatic transmission
The method according to the invention for shift point control in automatic transmissions by means of an electronic control device, which receives a performance requirement value and the vehicle speed as input signals and triggers up-shifts and down-shifts, by means of a functional module. The functional module controls the shift point, by using characteristic shift curves stored in the control device as a function of the performance requirement value and the vehicle speed. When predetermined operating conditions apply, a speed range is defined below a defined vehicle speed, in which range an instantaneous down-shift is performed, which is independent of the currently applicable characteristic shift curve. As soon as the performance requirement value or an operating value proportional to the performance requirement value falls below a threshold, an up-shift subsequent to the down-shift is delayed by a first predetermined time period after the instantaneous down-shift. |
| US08224535B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for vehicular power transmitting apparatus
A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting apparatus includes, in series, i) a differential portion which is provided with a differential mechanism having a differential function with respect to an input shaft and an output shaft, in which the differential mechanism is switched between a differential state and a non-differential state, and ii) a stepped shifting portion that shifts between a plurality of gears in a stepped manner. During a shift with a switch between the differential state and the non-differential state in the differential portion, the control apparatus either maintains the gear at that time or shifts into a gear that is adjacent to that gear. |
| US08224533B2 |
Auto lighting system
An auto lighting system that performs lighting control that corresponds to the driver's visual perception is provided. An auto lighting system 1 includes imaging means 2 for capturing an image of the road ahead of a vehicle and lighting control means 3 for turning on or off lights such as headlights based on the image of the road ahead of the vehicle captured with the imaging means 2. The brightness ahead of the vehicle as perceived by the driver is recognized based on the image of the road ahead of the vehicle captured with the imaging means 2, and lighting control in which lights 101 are turned on or off is performed based on the brightness ahead of the vehicle. |
| US08224532B2 |
Vehicles including master control device for control of power door
A vehicular control system includes a master control device. The master control device is configured to facilitate selection by a driver of a vehicle from among multiple operational modes. In a first operational mode, the control system prevents a door control device from effecting operation of a power door actuator. In a second operational mode, the control system facilitates operation of a power door actuator in response to a door control signal. Vehicles including the control system are also provided. |
| US08224530B2 |
Car steering system
A steering system for a car having two front direction wheels and a number of electronic dynamic-performance control devices; the steering system has a steering wheel for controlling a turn angle of the front direction wheels, and a power-assist device which generates a power-assist torque which is added to the torque exerted on the steering wheel to vary the turn angle of the front direction wheels; the power-assist device has a control unit, which determines operation of the electronic dynamic-performance control devices, and modifies the power-assist torque as a function of operation of the electronic dynamic-performance control devices. |
| US08224527B2 |
Steering control apparatus, steering control system, and steering control program
Embodiments of the invention provide a computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The computer program product is encoded with instructions configured to control a controller to perform a process. The process includes setting a target steering angle for the vehicle based on a steering amount of the vehicle, setting a target torque difference between right and left steered wheels based on the target steering angle, and setting a target driving/braking force for the vehicle based on an acceleration amount and a braking amount of the vehicle. The process also includes setting each target torque for the right and left steered wheels based on the target torque difference and the target driving/braking force and controlling driving of the steered-wheel motors based on the target torque. The kingpin point is positioned closer to the vehicle on an inside portion of an inside sidewall of a steered wheel. |
| US08224526B2 |
Vehicle stabilization control device
A vehicle stabilization control device includes: an actual turning state quantity acquisition unit that acquires an actual turning state quantity indicating an actual turning state of a vehicle; a curve information acquisition unit that acquires the shape of a curve ahead of the vehicle; a vehicle speed acquisition unit that acquires speed of the vehicle; and a curve traverse possibility determination unit that determines a possibility that the vehicle can stably traverse the curve, based on the curve shape and speed of the vehicle; a control quantity computation unit that, to control braking force on each wheel and suppress understeering, computes a target control quantity for each wheel, based on the actual turning state quantity and on the possibility that the vehicle can stably traverse the curve; and a control unit controlling the braking force for each wheel, based on the target control quantity for each wheel. |
| US08224525B1 |
Indication of attraction domains for controlled planar motion of a ground vehicle
A method and apparatus for operating a vehicle under manual or automatic steering mode is disclosed herein. An estimation of an attraction domain of stability is calculated for the vehicle using the vehicle's current position and orientation information relative to a target trajectory. If an unstable estimation of the attraction domain is determined, then the vehicle is operated in manual mode under control of an operator. |
| US08224518B2 |
Automated recordation of crane inspection activity
In a method for creating a record of crane inspection activity, a wireless inspection communication between a component monitor and a component information unit is initiated in response to a crane inspection activity. The component information unit is mechanically coupled with a crane component. An inspection record related to the crane component is automatically storing within the component monitor. The inspection record includes a geostamp and a timestamp associated with the inspection communication. The geostamp and timestamp are stored in the inspection record in conjunction with a component identification that is associated the crane component and that is received from the component information unit as part of the wireless inspection communication. |
| US08224517B2 |
Method and device for diagnosing a coolant pump for an internal combustion engine
In order to diagnose a coolant pump (11) which is provided for the purpose of circulating a coolant in a closed cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine (10) and which can be activated and deactivated independently of the operating state of the internal combustion engine (10), both a value representing the coolant temperature (TCO) of the internal combustion engine (10) and a value representing the cylinder head temperature (TZK) of the internal combustion engine (10) are determined at a predefined time instant (t2) after a cold start of the internal combustion engine (10) has been detected and the values are subsequently compared with each other. The coolant pump (11) is rated in terms of its operational integrity as a function of the result of the comparison. This enables a faulty coolant pump to be detected at a very early stage after a cold start of the internal combustion engine. |
| US08224514B2 |
Creation and depletion of short term power capability in a hybrid electric vehicle
Short term power limits of an electrical energy storage device are progressively tightened toward long term power limits in accordance with net energy flow or magnitude or duration metrics. |
| US08224512B1 |
Backup method for controlling the operation of a marine vessel when a throttle lever is disabled
A control system is provided which allows the operator of a marine vessel to select a transmission position (e.g. forward, neutral, or reverse) and an engine speed in the event that a throttle lever malfunctions. By providing messages to the operator on an annunciator and receiving selections from the operator on a plurality of push button switches, a microprocessor selects gear positions and engine operating speed in response to commands received from the operator. |
| US08224510B2 |
System and method to provide communication-based train control system capabilities
A portable computer system and method of operating a vehicle using the portable computer system in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory is provided. The portable computer system includes a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the CBTC system, wherein the portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle. The method includes verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system, and removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system. |
| US08224509B2 |
Linear synchronous motor with phase control
A system for controlling movements of a vehicle along a guideway includes an array of targets that are mounted on the vehicle, and a series of wayside sensors that are mounted on the guideway. A signal processor monitors the passage of targets past appropriate sensors and uses resultant signals to derive parametric values that are characteristic of the vehicle's movements. The parametric values are then coordinated with a controller for the operation of a linear synchronous motor that propels the vehicle. |
| US08224502B2 |
Method and device for fault detection in the load path of a spindle actuator
A method and a device for fault detection in the load path of a spindle actuator which is provided for actuating a high-lift flap of an aircraft, wherein the spindle actuator has a redundant load path which is formed by a spindle and a secondary connection which are connected rotationally fixedly to one another on the driven side and are coupled to the surface to be actuated and which are assigned separate load paths on the drive side, whereof the primary load path contains a primary spindle which is driven by a motor and can be fixed in its rotational movement by a primary brake, and the secondary load path contains the secondary inner connection, which is arranged concentrically in the primary spindle, which can be fixed in its rotational movement by a secondary brake, in which output signals representing the turning position of the spindle are detected and evaluated. |
| US08224496B2 |
Modular power control system to manage power consumption
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code having programming instructions tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The programming instructions are operable to receive an indication of a geoboundary event and determine an occurrence of at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) event and a local area network (LAN) event. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to adjust one or more power consumption settings of an environment based on at least one of the receiving of the indication of the geoboundary event and the determination of the occurrence of the at least one of the RFID event and the LAN event. |
| US08224495B2 |
Control of power generation system having thermal energy and thermodynamic engine components
A thermal source provides heat to a heat engine and or one or more thermal demands, including space and water heating and heat storage. Additionally the output of the heat engine may be used for local in situ electricity needs, or directed out over the grid. A system controller monitors conditions of the components of the system, and operates that system in modes that maximize a particular benefit, such as a total accrued desired benefit obtained such as reduced electricity cost, reduced fossil fuel use, maximized return on investment and other factors. The controller may use past history of use of the system to optimize the next mode of operation, or both past and future events such as predicted solar insolation. |
| US08224494B2 |
System and method for providing prescribed resources to plants
Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method and system for providing an application of a resource to plants. A plurality of per plant prescriptions for a plurality of plants are received and a source is selected to fulfill the plurality of per plant prescriptions to form a selected source. Movement of a mobile utility vehicle is controlled to the selected source, the resource is obtained, and movement of the mobile utility vehicle is controlled to each plant in the plurality of plants. The resource is applied from the mobile utility vehicle to each plant according to the per plant prescription. |
| US08224492B2 |
Auto-configuring condition monitoring system and method
In one embodiment, the disclosed method includes receiving a user selection of a machine system type from a plurality of machine system types, where the system types corresponding to specific machine component combination. The method also includes configuring alarms based on the machine system type, configuring calculations of vibration parameters based on the machine system type, wherein the calculations are adjusted for the machine system type, and configuring diagnostic information based on the machine system type. |
| US08224489B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating the control of HVAC units
A control strategy for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units used to condition the environment in data centers and other commercial buildings such as retail stores with an open-plan design is provided to coordinate the operation of the actuators of the HVAC units. A supervisory controller receives feedback signals from a plurality of environmental sensors and uses a set of references values to determine control signals to the actuators of the HVAC units. A pseudoinverse of a transfer function matrix G may be used to determine the control signals from errors in the feedback signals relative to the reference signals. |
| US08224488B2 |
System and method for temperature management of a data center
A system and method for managing the temperature of a data center is disclosed in which a target computer system is identified. The target computer system is the system that requires access or service. The operation of the computer systems in the vicinity of the target computer system is modified to reduce the temperature in the vicinity of the target computer system or along the pathway between the entrance to the data center and the target computer system. After the target computer system is accessed or serviced, the computer systems in the vicinity of the target computer system or along the pathway between the entrance to the data center and the target computer system can be returned to their original state. |
| US08224481B2 |
Method and apparatus for dispensing fluid compositions
A miniaturized fluid dispensing system for dispensing customized fluids. The dispenser may include first and second reservoirs containing constituent fluids; a drive motor; at least two pump assemblies commonly driven by the drive motor and in communication with the first and second reservoirs; first and second valve assembly in communication with the first and second pump assemblies; and a control system for selectively controlling the valve assemblies to blend and discharge a composition from the constituent fluids. The system may include a dispensing header to house the valves and to define ‘discharge’ and ‘recirculation’ flow paths for each constituent fluid. The present invention also provides a method for dispensing a fluid regimen (e.g. a plurality of compositions) by periodically blending and discharging varying compositions over time. |
| US08224480B2 |
Automated dispenser with a paper sensing system
A dispenser for dispensing a portion of sheet product stored in a dispenser, in which a dispensed sheet portion is to be removed by tearing the sheet portion from the remaining product supply. The dispenser includes a system which detects the presence of sheet product in a region of a dispensing outlet. Upon detection of a potential user, the sensing system causes dispensing of paper, on the condition that the sheet portion is regarded as having been torn off. The system includes elements for detecting a discontinuity in the sheet product. |
| US08224479B2 |
Method of sorting mailpieces, the method including optimized management of mailpiece signature exploration space
In a method of sorting mailpieces in a plurality of sorting passes in a sorting machine having accumulation sorting outlets, use is made of a technique for identifying the mailpieces by image signatures derived from the images of the mailpieces. The mailpieces are transferred in trays between two sorting passes. A match between a current fingerprint in the second sorting pass and fingerprints generated in the first sorting pass is searched for in an exploration memory space containing a limited number of fingerprints. The size of this exploration space is optimized by associating the signatures and the trays with designation data indicative of sorting outlets, and with time data delivered by a clock. |
| US08224473B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring an industrial process
An apparatus for monitoring an industrial process comprising a plurality of variables. The apparatus comprises a defining module configured for defining a normal-condition data set may comprise data values of the variables when the industrial process is operating under a normal condition and for defining an abnormal-condition data set may comprise data values of the variables when the industrial process is operating under an abnormal condition; a modelling module configured for modelling a normal-condition model from the normal-condition data set and modelling an abnormal-condition model from the abnormal-condition data set; a plotting module configured for plotting a normal-condition plot from the normal-condition model and plotting an abnormal-condition plot from the abnormal-condition model; and an analysis module configured for analysing live data values of the variables for simultaneous display with the normal-condition plot and the abnormal-condition plot. |
| US08224471B2 |
Allocation of multiple product structures
A system, method, and computer program for allocating product structures, comprising the steps of representing a product with at least one product structure; mapping a domain relationship from said at least one product structure; and deriving a fulfilled product structure through said mapping and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions. |
| US08224470B2 |
Sound system, and controlling and monitoring method therefor
A plurality of amplifiers and PCs each having installed therein remote controlling software for controlling the amplifiers are connected to a network. Data stored in a memory of each of the amplifiers include a device ID, operation data and an area ID. Memory of each of the PCs stores therein a project file each including area IDs, device information and device IDs. On the basis of the area IDs and device IDs stored in the amplifiers and the area IDs and device IDs stored in the project file, a CPU of the PC performs association between the amplifiers and virtual devices indicated by the device information and overwrites the operation data of a particular amplifier, having been associated with any one of the virtual devices, onto the project file, to thereby display, on a display, the operation data of the associated amplifier as operation data of the corresponding virtual device. |
| US08224465B2 |
Coordinating service performance and application placement management
Coordinating tasks of performance management and application placement management in a dynamic fashion by: estimating capacity needs for various service classes of service requests; computing desired capacities of at least one application for said service requests; deciding whether the desired capacities are satisfied by a current application placement; making no change to current application placement if the desired capacities are satisfied; determining a new application placement based on the desired capacities and a projected load if the desired capacities are not satisfied; computing corresponding capacity constraints for all pairs of service classes and servers; and computing an optimal allocation of capacities among the service classes so as to optimize a quality of service. |
| US08224462B2 |
Medical lead system utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters
Medical lead systems utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters are provide which can be utilized in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment for patients who have implanted medical devices. The medical lead system includes an implanted lead having at least one bandstop filter associated therewith, for attenuating current flow through the lead over a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems. |
| US08224461B2 |
Porous fiber electrode coating and related methods
The embodiments herein relate to an electrode having a porous coating including a fiber mesh, a multi-layer coating, and an outer coating, and a method of making the same. The various electrode coating embodiments include pores in the coating that prevent access by protein or cells while allowing for ion and/or liquid access. |
| US08224460B2 |
Anchoring units for leads of implantable electric stimulation systems and methods of making and using
A nerve stimulation lead has a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The nerve stimulation lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end, and a plurality of conductive wires electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes electrically to the plurality of terminals. The nerve stimulation lead also includes at least one anchoring unit disposed on the nerve stimulation lead. The at least one anchoring unit is configured and arranged for anchoring the nerve stimulation lead against a bony structure. |
| US08224458B2 |
Lead having reinforcing member
An implantable medical device, such as a lead or lead extension, includes a body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion configured to be at least partially received by an apparatus. The device further includes a conductive member at the distal end portion of the body and an electrical contact at the proximal end portion of the body. The electrical contact is electrically coupled to the conductive member and is positioned such that, when received by the apparatus, at least a portion of the apparatus is capable of electrically coupling to the electrical contact. The device further includes a reinforcement member integrated in the body. The reinforcement member: (i) may be located in the body at a location that receives a compressive force when the proximal end portion is received by the apparatus; (ii) may be non-conductive and may be in contact with the electrical contact, and may extend distally within the body from the electrical contact; or (iii) may be located in the body at a location receivable by the apparatus. |
| US08224456B2 |
Directional stimulation lead and orientation system
A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body. |
| US08224453B2 |
Spinal cord stimulation to treat pain
A system and method for treating pain without paresthesia by spinal cord stimulation. |
| US08224452B2 |
Differential neurostimulation therapy driven by physiological therapy
An implantable neurostimulator system adapted to provide therapy for various neurological disorders is capable of varying therapy delivery strategies based on the context, physiological or otherwise, into which the therapy is to be delivered. Responsive and scheduled therapies can be varied depending on various sensor measurements, calculations, inferences, and device states (including elapsed times and times of day) to deliver an appropriate course of therapy under the circumstances. |
| US08224450B2 |
Feed through interconnect assembly for an implantable stimulation system and methods of making and using
A stimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator having a sealed chamber and an electronic subassembly disposed in the sealed chamber. Feed through pins are coupled to the electronic subassembly and extend out of the sealed chamber. Feed through interconnects are coupled to the electronic subassembly via the feed through pins. At least one tab is disposed on at least one feed through interconnect. The tab(s) are configured and arranged to flex away from the feed through interconnect and against a side of the feed through pin.A feed through interconnect assembly includes an assembly frame; feed through interconnects extending from the assembly frame; a first contact pad and a second contact pad disposed on at least one of the feed through interconnects; and a tab formed on a first contact pad of at least one of the feed through interconnects. |
| US08224449B2 |
Microstimulator with flap electrodes
An implantable microstimulator includes an elongate casing, a flap coupled directly to the casing, and electrodes attached to the flap such that the electrodes extend laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the casing. The electrodes are coupled to active circuitry that is housed within the casing. Due to the lateral arrangement of the electrodes relative to the casing, effective operation of the microstimulator may still occur even after the microstimulator migrates away from the target stimulation site. Since there are not any leads associated with the microstimulator, the entire microstimulator, including the electrodes and the casing, is implanted adjacent to the target stimulation site. The electrodes may be configured for mono-polar or multi-polar stimulation. In one example, the microstimulator includes an insulative coating on the casing and the coating and the flap are contiguous. |
| US08224447B2 |
Medical device packaging system
A system, comprising a sterilizable package; an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the implantable medical device and extending from inside the sterilizable package to outside the sterilizable package. In various embodiments, the interface may include package contacts electrically coupled to electrode terminals on the implantable medical device, patient terminals and conductors extending between the package contacts and the patient terminals. |
| US08224446B2 |
Autocapture pacing/sensing configuration
A cardiac electrical stimulation system that enhances the ability of the system to automatically detect whether an electrical stimulus results in heart capture or contraction. The cardiac electrical stimulation system may be utilized, for example, as a cardiac pacer or as a cardioverter defibrillator. The cardiac electrical stimulation system includes an electrical stimulation circuit that attenuates polarization voltages or “afterpotential” which develop at the heart tissue/electrode interface following the delivery of a stimulus to the heart tissue, which thereby allows the stimulation electrodes to be utilized to sense an evoked response to the electrical stimulus. The cardiac electrical stimulation system utilizes the stimulation electrodes to sense an evoked response, thereby eliminating the necessity for an indifferent electrode to sense an evoked response. The present invention allows accurate detection of an evoked response of the heart, to thereby determine whether each electrical stimulus results in capture. |
| US08224445B2 |
Far-field sensing channel for implantable cardiac device
An implantable pacemaker is provided with a far-field sensing channel which requires a reduced refractory period during the time when pacing pulses are delivered as compared with sensing channels using intra-cardiac electrodes. The far-field sensing channel may use the conductive housing of the implantable device or can and an indifferent electrode mounted on the device header as the electrodes for its differential inputs. Such a far-field sensing channel is able to sense activity occurring in either the atria or the ventricles for the purposes of arrhythmia detection and/or capture verification. |
| US08224436B2 |
Unidirectional neural stimulation systems, devices and methods
An embodiment relates to a method for delivering a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation treatment. A test neural stimulation is delivered, and a physiologic response to the test neural stimulation is monitored. At least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation is adjusted if the test neural stimulation does not elicit a desired physiologic response. If the test neural stimulation does elicit the desired physiologic response, at least one treatment parameter for a unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is determined using the at least one neural stimulation parameter for the test neural stimulation that provided the desired physiologic response. The unidirectional afferent nerve stimulation is delivered using the at least one treatment parameter. |
| US08224435B2 |
Electrotransport device having a reservoir housing having a flexible conductive element
This invention relates to an electrotransport device, which incorporates a flexible conductive element within the reservoir housing of the device, which permits electrical communication from within the housing to outside of the housing without the use of opening, which require various methods of sealing the opening against leaks and moisture. |
| US08224431B2 |
Techniques for selective channel processing and data retention in an implantable medical device
Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. An implanted device obtains data and stores the data in the data record in a first data structure that is age-based. Before an oldest data record is lost, the oldest data record may be stored in a second data structure that is priority index-based. The priority index may be determined by a severity level and may be further determined by associated factors. The implanted device may organize, off-load, report, and/or display a plurality of data records based on an associated priority index. Additionally, the implanted device may select a subset or composite of physiologic channels from the available physiologic channels based on a selection criterion. |
| US08224430B2 |
Baseline processing for a cardiac event detection system
A system for the detection of cardiac events occurring in a human patient is provided. At least two electrodes are included in the system for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient's heart. An electrical signal processor is electrically coupled to the electrodes for processing the electrical signal and a patient alarm means is further provided and electrically coupled to the electrical signal processor. The electrical signal is acquired in the form of electrogram segments, which are categorized according to heart rate, ST segment shift and type heart rhythm (normal or abnormal). Baseline electrogram segments are tracked over time. |
| US08224429B2 |
Adaptive watch
A watch or other type of portable electronic console that employs a number of different functions in order to improve its usability. The watch may, for example, allow a user to connect the watch to one or more remote electronic devices, such as an electronic performance sensor or MP3 player. The watch then displays information related to the connected electronic devices. Still further, the watch may allow a user to control the operation of one or more connected remote electronic devices. Thus, if the watch is connected to a remote speed/distance monitor employing a calibration variable, then the watch may allow the user to adjust the calibration variable. |
| US08224428B2 |
Rotation transmitting mechanism and optical scanning probe
A rotation transmitting mechanism comprises: a three-layered coil that has an innermost layer coil portion, a middle layer coil portion and an outermost layer coil portion with alternating winding directions; and at least one elastic band that is fit to an outer peripheral area of said three-layered coil to press said outermost layer coil portion toward an inner peripheral side. |
| US08224425B2 |
Hyperspectral imaging in diabetes and peripheral vascular disease
The invention is directed to methods and systems of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging of medical tissues. In particular, the invention is directed to new devices, tools and processes for the detection and evaluation of diseases and disorders such as, but not limited to diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, that incorporate hyperspectral or multispectral imaging. |
| US08224424B2 |
Tissue site markers for in vivo imaging
The invention is directed biopsy site markers and methods of marking a biopsy site, so that the location of the biopsy cavity is readily visible by conventional imaging methods, particularly by ultrasonic imaging. The biopsy site markers of the invention have high ultrasound reflectivity, presenting a substantial acoustic signature from a small marker, so as to avoid obscuring diagnostic tissue features in subsequent imaging studies, and can be readily distinguished from biological features. The several disclosed embodiments of the biopsy site marker of the invention have a high contrast of acoustic impedance as placed in a tissue site, so as to efficiently reflect and scatter ultrasonic energy, and preferably include gas-filled internal pores. The markers may have a non-uniform surface contour to enhance the acoustic signature. The markers have a characteristic form which is recognizably artificial during medical imaging. The biopsy site marker may be accurately fixed to the biopsy site so as to resist migration from the biopsy cavity when a placement instrument is withdrawn, and when the marked tissue is subsequently moved or manipulated. |
| US08224423B2 |
Means of tracking movement of bodies during medical treatment
During preprogrammed medical treatment and remote controlled surgery tracking the movements of the body being treated and integrating those tracked movements with the preprogrammed/remote controlled treatment to arrive at an integrated modified treatment track and following that modified track during the treatment. The treating instrument may be a solid scalpel or high-energy radiation, such as X-rays, ultra sound, laser beams or the like. |
| US08224420B2 |
MRI guided ultrasound therapy apparatus
This invention provides a MRI guided ultrasound therapy apparatus. It comprises a static field magnet adapted to apply a static magnetic field in an magnetic resonance volume at a predetermined disposition; at least one ultrasound energy applicator adapted to apply energy within an energy application zone at a predetermined disposition; and The mechanical positioning means for moving said ultrasound energy applicator to position the applicator so that the energy application zone intersects said magnetic resonance volume within said region of the subject. In that apparatus, the static field magnet is open at both ends or open at side. The sided open is upward or downward and the mechanical positioning means of this ultrasound energy applicator is close to and is located outside of this sided open. This invention reduces the space limitation for the mechanical positioning means of the ultrasound transducer. Meanwhile, the non-magnetic requirement on the mechanical positioning means become less greatly and particularly the problem of interference from magnetic field produced by working current of the transducer power cord to MRI system can be solved. |
| US08224416B2 |
Basket catheter having multiple electrodes
Embodiments of the present invention provide a catheter that comprises an elongated catheter body (16) and an electrode assembly (10) at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly comprises a plurality of spines (11), each of the spines having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter and a distal end, the distal ends of the spines being connected at a spine tip junction (13). Each spine includes an elbow (20) having at least one discontinuity in stiffness at an intermediate position between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The spines include a plurality of electrodes (12). The electrode assembly is collapsible to a collapsed arrangement to fit within a lumen of the elongated catheter body and expandable to an expanded arrangement with the elbows of the spines bending outwardly relative to the proximal and distal ends of the spines. |
| US08224414B2 |
System and method for analyte sampling and analysis with hydrogel
The invention relates to a transdermal analyte monitoring system comprising a medium adapted to interface with a biological membrane and to receive an analyte from the biological membrane and an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes, wherein the medium is adapted to react continuously with the analyte, an electrical signal is detected by the electrode assembly, and the electrical signal correlates to an analyte value. The analyte value may be the flux of the analyte through the biological membrane or the concentration of the analyte in a body fluid of a subject. The medium may comprise a vinyl acetate based hydrogel, an agarose based hydrogel, or a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) based hydrogel, for example. The surface region of the electrode may comprise pure platinum. The system may include an interference filter located between the biological membrane and the electrode assembly for reducing interference in the system. The system may comprise a processor programmed to implement an error correction method that corrects for sensor drift. |
| US08224411B2 |
Noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a handheld multi-parameter patient monitor capable of determining multiple physiological parameters from the output of a light sensitive detector capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue. For example, in an embodiment, the monitor is capable of advantageously and accurately displaying one or more of pulse rate, plethysmograph data, perfusion quality, signal confidence, and values of blood constituents in body tissue, including for example, arterial carbon monoxide saturation (“HbCO”), methemoglobin saturation (“HbMet”), total hemoglobin (“Hbt”), arterial oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), fractional arterial oxygen saturation (“SpaO2”), or the like. In an embodiment, the monitor advantageously includes a plurality of display modes enabling more parameter data to be displayed than the available physical display real estate. |
| US08224409B2 |
Three-dimensional filter with movable superconducting film for tuning the filter
A three-dimensional filter includes a pair of superconductor films opposed to each other, and a three-dimensional resonator made of dielectric and situated between the superconductor films, wherein one of the superconductor films is movable relative to the three-dimensional resonator. |
| US08224407B2 |
Mobile device having a movable display and associated systems and methods
Mobile devices having movable displays and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A mobile communication device configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, for example, including a first component having a front side and a first periphery edge, and a second component operably coupled to the first component. The second component is rotatably movable about the front side of the first component into at least first, second, and third operating positions. The second component includes a second periphery edge, and the first and second periphery edges remain generally parallel with each other as the second component rotatably moves between the first, second, and third operating positions. |
| US08224405B2 |
Implementation of friction hinge with a range of motion and detent separation greater than 180 degrees
A mobile phone or other electronic device is provided with an improved friction hinge with a radial range of motion greater than 180 degrees and with detents at both ends of travel. The friction hinge can include an asymmetrical cam in conjunction with a single tab on a follower. Advantageously, the electronic device with the improved friction hinge can allows a full 360 degree range of motion with any number of detents at any radial position. |
| US08224402B2 |
Method and apparatus for a power-efficient framework to maintain data synchronization of a mobile personal computer to simulate a connected scenario
An apparatus and method for a power-efficient framework to maintain data synchronization of a mobile personal computer (MPC) are described. In one embodiment, the method includes the detection of a data synchronization wakeup event while the MPC is operating according to a sleep state. Subsequent to wakeup event, at least one system resource is disabled to provide a minimum number of system resources required to re-establish a network connection. In one embodiment, user data from a network server is synchronized on the MPC without user intervention; the mobile platform system resumes operation according to the sleep state. In one embodiment, a wakeup alarm is programmed according to a user history profile regarding received e-mails. In a further embodiment, data synchronizing involves disabling a display, and throttling the system processor to operate at a reduced frequency. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08224401B1 |
System and method for controlling a powered device that draws power from a communications network in response to user detection
A system and method controls a powered device of the user that is connected to a communications network and draws power therefrom. A determination is made if the user is in the vicinity of the communications network by generating a probe packet to a wireless access point (WAP) of the communications network that is returned positive when a wireless communications device of the user that is configured to connect to the communications network via the WAP is connected thereto. If the probe packet is returned positive indicative of the presence of a user, the network switch port of a network switch connected to the powered device of the power is enabled to allow the powered device to draw power from the communications network. The network switch port is disabled when the probe packet is returned negative indicative that the user is not in the vicinity of the communications network. |
| US08224399B2 |
Method and apparatus to supply power voltage to a mobile device in a variable manner
A method and apparatus to supply a power voltage to a mobile device in a variable manner in order to provide high output power and a high quality sound environment and a mobile device using the same. The apparatus includes a volume control unit to detect installation of an external power supply and to generate a voltage control value corresponding to a current volume level, and a DC-DC converter unit to convert a voltage of an internal power supply in a variable manner on the basis of the voltage control value generated in the volume control unit in order to drive the switching power amplifier. |
| US08224398B2 |
Hands-free telephone conversation apparatus
A hands-free telephone conversation apparatus can reduce negative influence of an echo on a sound to be transmitted to a far-end user without deteriorating the sound. When a MPU determines that a mobile phone receives an incoming call, and a user starts to talk on the mobile phone, in accordance with an operation of an input device connected to an in-vehicle bus line, a MPU controls the mobile phone to have the mobile phone output, to the DSP, a sound signal indicative of a sound to be transmitted to the far-end user, and to have a switch select a loudspeaker, installed in an vehicle without being directed to the microphone, as a loudspeaker for outputting a sound received from the far-end user. |
| US08224397B2 |
Wireless headset with voice announcement
A wireless headset (1) for forming a connection endpoint of a communications channel with at least one further connection point (4, 26, 27). The headset (1) comprising: means (11) for attaching the headset (1) to the head of the user, a short-range receiver (2) for receiving a first signal from at least one peripheral device (4, 26), a short-range transmitter (3) for transmitting a second signal to the peripheral device (4, 26), a speaker (5) for generating a sound, selecting means (7, 10) for selecting a connection point (4, 26, 27) from at least two different connection points (4, 26, 27) and a memory (8) for storing identity information of the at least two different connection points (4, 26, 27). The headset (1) comprises voice announcement means (7, 8, 9) for announcing through the speaker (5) the identity of the selected connection point (4, 26, 27). The disclosure also relates to a method for providing a telecommunications channel, wherein the telecommunications channel comprises and endpoint formed by a wireless headset (1) as mentioned above and at least on other connection point (4, 26, 27). |
| US08224396B2 |
Wireless speaker
An apparatus includes first and second rod-shaped bodies and a first hinge unit configured to rotatably couple the first and second rod-shaped bodies. Each of the first and second rod shaped bodies includes a speaker positioned on a longitudinal side thereof and is structured to include at least one curved portion proximate to a first end thereof. The first hinge unit is configured to rotatably couple the first and second rod-shaped bodies, such that an end of the at least one curved portion of the first rod-shaped body faces an end of the at least one curved portion of the second rod-shaped body to form a continuous body having an axis therethrough. The first hinge unit permits relative rotational movement between the first and second rod-shaped bodies. |
| US08224393B2 |
Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special |
| US08224392B2 |
Mobile terminal capable of recognizing fingernail touch and method of controlling the operation thereof
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes displaying, on a touch screen display of the mobile terminal, an operation screen corresponding to a current operating mode executing on the mobile terminal; detecting, via a detecting device, a touch input on the touch screen display of the mobile terminal; determining, via a controller on the mobile terminal, a first finger characteristic describing a finger touching the touch screen display and a second finger characteristic describing the finger touching the touch screen display that is different than the first finger characteristic; performing, via the controller, a first operation relevant to the current operating mode based on the determined first finger characteristic; and performing, via the controller, a second operation relevant to the current operating mode based on the determined second finger characteristic. |
| US08224390B2 |
Methods and devices of a communication device and a digital picture frame
Disclosed are devices and methods of a mobile communication device including receiving data related to an image exhibited on a display device of a digital frame and processing the received data to access at least one communication initiation address. The communication device and the digital frame may establish communication in any number of manners. For example, the communication device may be in the proximity of the digital frame or may touch the frame itself, for example on a touch screen of the digital frame. In any event, the digital frame may include a transceiver to transmit data to the communication device so that at least in part based on data of the digital frame the communication device may automatically or semi-automatically initiate a communication to a communication address associated with the data. Accordingly, a user's desire to place a call telephone based on viewing a photo may be simply initiated. |
| US08224389B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A device, computer program product and method of controlling a display on a mobile terminal including a first body, a second body connected to the first body, the method including displaying a first display, including one of a still image, a slide show, or a moving image, on the touchscreen when the mobile terminal is closed; and automatically overlaying a text box on the first display when the mobile terminal is opened. |
| US08224387B2 |
Beamforming system and method
A beamforming system that can be used for both receive and transmit beamforming is provided. The system receives samples of a number of signals, each sample containing a band of frequencies and routes all sampled signals associated with the same beamformed frequency band to a predetermined processing block. A predetermined number of the routed sampled signals are selected sequentially according to predetermined criteria, weighted and accumulated to form a composite signal. Individual signals are then selected from the composite signal and routed to an appropriate output. The system uses a much smaller number of weighting functions than conventionally required, with processing for a single frequency being performed in the same processing block. This reduces the complexity of beamforming processing substantially and simplifies frequency reuse. In addition a single DSP design that works for both transmit and receive beamforming can be implemented. |
| US08224384B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for oversubscription of wireless media gateway resources
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for oversubscription of wireless media gateway resources. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for oversubscription of wireless media gateway resources. The method includes defining at least one per-resource oversubscription factor for wireless media gateway resources required by at least one wireless network connection. The wireless media gateway resources are provisioned for the at least one wireless network connection using the at least one per-resource oversubscription factor. Allocating the wireless media gateway resources to the at least one wireless connection network includes oversubscribing the wireless media gateway resources by an amount based on the at least one per-resource oversubscription factor to increase utilization of the wireless media gateway resources by increasing the number of wireless network connections that the wireless media gateway is capable of serving. |
| US08224375B2 |
Proximity purchase ringtones
A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include initiating a transaction with the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving at least one price from the point-of-sale terminal, determining whether the at least one price satisfies a price warning condition, and transmitting a first audible signal if the at least one price satisfies the price warning condition. |
| US08224372B2 |
Uplink power control for multiple component carriers
A first method includes determining if a sum of the transmit powers of individual component carriers is less than a maximum user equipment transmit power, adjusting the transmit power of one or more of the component carriers if the sum of the transmit powers of the individual component carriers is not less than the maximum user equipment transmit power, and transmitting the component carriers to a network access node. A second method includes identifying a component carrier with minimum transmit power and a component carrier with a maximum transmit power, calculating a power difference, determining if the power difference is greater than a predetermined maximum power difference and, if it is, increasing the transmit power of the component carrier with minimum transmit power by a first amount and decreasing the transmit power of the component carrier with the maximum transmit power by a second amount. |
| US08224371B1 |
Multimode power control
Disclosed herein are methods that enable a sending entity and a receiving entity, operating in a wireless communication network, to adjust transmission power at the sending entity according to one of two power control modes. One method provides for a continuous power control mode in which the sending entity begins transmission of a particular data flow at a power level responsive to a most recently received power adjustment command. Another method provides for a per-flow power control mode in which the sending entity begins transmission of a particular data flow at a power level responsive to the most recent transmission power level of the different particular data flow. Further methods provide for the receiving entity to dynamically instruct the sending entity in which power control mode to operate. |
| US08224361B2 |
System and method for enhanced message routing
Coincident with the evolution, maturation, etc. of (e.g., Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, IP Multimedia Subsystem, etc.) wireless messaging ecosystems an infrastructure that provides, in new and creative ways, enhanced message routing capabilities. The dynamic, flexible, and extensible nature of the enhanced message routing capabilities support, among other things, very large volumes of messaging traffic, numerous billing paradigms, different Quality of Service levels and possible charges for same, improved troubleshooting and problem investigation capabilities, etc. The infrastructure may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor. |
| US08224352B2 |
Method and system for providing local private broadcasting service with a mobile terminal
The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing a local private broadcasting service with a mobile terminal. The system for providing a local private broadcasting service with the mobile terminal according to the present invention comprises a broadcasting mobile terminal; a viewing mobile terminal; and a broadcasting relay device which relays a broadcasting content to be streamed down in real time from the broadcasting mobile terminal to the viewing mobile terminal placed in a predetermined broadcasting service area centering on a position of the broadcasting mobile terminal based on a movement of the broadcasting mobile terminal. Thus, the present invention provides a method and a system for providing a local private, broadcasting service through which a mobile terminal user performs a private broadcasting and which has a limited, predetermined broadcasting transmission area based on a position of a broadcasting mobile terminal. |
| US08224350B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining location
A method of determining the location of a portable device comprises obtaining identities of wireless communication devices detectable by the portable device at a particular location which is to be determined, thereby to obtain a set of identities. The set of identities is compared with the content of a database, which database stores a plurality of findings, to select one or more findings; each finding comprising a reference location and a set of identities of wireless communication devices sighted at that location. The location of the portable device is found based on processing the selected findings. |
| US08224347B2 |
Apparatus for providing location information of hand-held device and method thereof
A method and apparatus for providing location information of a user terminal is provided, which makes it possible to mark the location of a user terminal using geographical information stored in a broadcast receiver. |
| US08224345B2 |
Adjustments of IUB load measurements
A method may include determining whether a discrepancy exists between scheduling headroom computable by a first device and scheduling headroom computable by a second device, determining one or more load measurements that the second device bases its computation of the scheduling headroom if it is determined that the discrepancy exists, modifying the one or more load measurements, and calculating the scheduling headroom based on the modified one or more load measurements. |
| US08224343B2 |
Method and system for data retransmission in MBMS
The present invention provides a method of data retransmission in MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service), comprising: a step in which a base station allocates an uplink time-frequency resource block to mobile stations; a step in which the mobile stations feed back uplink feedback signalings with respect to the received downlink MBMS service data to the base station on the allocated uplink time-frequency resource block, wherein the uplink feedback signalings with respect to one and the same downlink MBMS service data are combined in one and the same uplink time-frequency resource, and the uplink feedback signalings with respect to different downlink MBMS service data are multiplexed in one uplink time-frequency resource block; a step in which the base station decides whether to retransmit a data block based on the fed-back uplink feedback signalings. |
| US08224339B2 |
Mobile network with inverse frequency superposition
The invention relates to a mobile network, especially according to that of GSM- and/or UMTS-standards for the communication of mobile stations. The network consists of at least two base stations with antennas for sending and/or receiving communication signals, wherein the covered area of the base stations forms a radio cell which is divided into a close-up range and a far range, wherein different transmission sources are provided for the radio traffic. |
| US08224334B1 |
Calling connection for mobile communication
Providing for data exchange between mobility management and location management components over a signaling network to facilitate establishment of end-to-end mobile communication is disclosed herein. Components can include an access control component that receives identification information associated with a target mobile device, and a lookup component associated with the mobile device that can provide routing information via a signaling network to the access control component. Such routing information can be sufficient to locate a second access control component serving the target device to assist in establishing end-to-end communication between the target device and an originating device. By such systems and methods, the claimed subject matter can increase scalability and capacity of finite core network resources engaged in facilitating mobile communication. |
| US08224332B2 |
Method for forming a moving network group in a mobile relay station and mobile multi-hop relay system supporting the same
A method for forming a moving network group by a mobile relay station (MRS) in a mobile multi-hop relay (MMR) system is provided. The MRS determines whether a transportation means mounted with the mobile relay station is at a predetermined location derived from travel information. When a velocity information of the transportation means at the predetermined location is zero (0), the MRS determines whether to include a mobile station (MS) to the moving network group based at least partly upon a signal that the mobile station receives from the mobile relay station. |
| US08224331B2 |
Cell search method and base station
The present invention relates to a cell search method for a multiband radio communication system including a mobile station and multiple base stations. The method includes the steps of: classifying base station information into multiple first categories on the basis of a cell size of each base station, the base station information being information on the base stations; classifying the base station information into multiple second categories on the basis of a radio-frequency band of each base station; associating movement speeds with the respective first categories and with the respective second categories; acquiring a movement speed of the mobile station; selecting at least one of the first categories and at least one of the second categories on the basis of the acquired movement speed and the associations between the movement speeds and the respective first and second categories; creating a base station list on the basis of base station information which belongs to the selected first category and base station in information which belongs to the selected second category, the base station list being to be notified to the mobile station; notifying the mobile station of the base station list; and causing the mobile station to perform a cell search on the basis of the notified base station list. |
| US08224329B2 |
Method for measuring home cell in mobile communication system
Disclosed is method for measuring a home cell in a mobile telecommunications system comprising: a network including a plurality of base stations for defining communications cells; and first and second user equipment for communicating with the network, said plurality of base stations including at least one home base station defining a home cell associated with said first user equipment and not with said second user equipment, said home cell overlapping in coverage with a communications cell usable by both said first and second user equipment, the method including the steps of: acquiring, at the network, position data indicative of the position of the first user equipment; determining whether the first user equipment is close to the home cell by using the acquired position data; sending a cell measurement control message from the network to the first user equipment via a base station specifying measurements of said home cell; performing, at the first user equipment a fine position measurement; determining at the first user equipment whether the first user equipment is close to the home cell, based on said fine position measurement; and taking measurements of said home cell at the first user equipment when the first user equipment is close to the home cell. |
| US08224328B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station and hand-over method used in mobile communication system
Disclosed is a mobile communication system which includes user equipment, radio base stations which communicate with the user equipment, and an upper level apparatus which communicates with the radio base stations. Each of the radio base stations includes a control unit and an inter-node communication unit. The control unit hands over a communication with user equipment to a hand-over target base station. The control unit prepares a forwarding packet which includes data addressed to the user equipment and is not transmitted and delay value identification information for specifying a delay value of the data that is not transmitted at the time of a hand-over. The inter-node communication unit transmits forwarding packets to a hand-over target base station. |
| US08224318B2 |
Location service providing system and method
A location service providing system and method the system includes target SUPL (Secure User Plane for Location) Enabled Terminal (SET) determines and stores a positioning method in an initialization stage of a location service according to a triggered location service request, determines in a location calculation process whether the stored positioning method is available, provides the stored positioning method if it is determined that the stored positioning method is available, and requests for re-determination of a positioning method if it is determined that the stored positioning method is unavailable: and a home-SUPL location platform (H-SLP) which provides the location service using the stored positioning method if the stored positioning method is provided from the target SET or provides the location service by re-determining a positioning method with the target SET if the re-determination of a positioning method is requested. |
| US08224314B2 |
Reduced-complexity coordinated multipoint reception
Teachings herein offer reduced-complexity coordinated multipoint (CoMP) reception of an uplink signal transmitted by a mobile terminal. The teachings obtain, for each sector antenna in a set of sector antennas deployed in a CoMP cell, a signal strength measurement of one or more downlink signals received by the mobile terminal from a sector associated with that sector antenna. The teachings compare the signal strength measurements and then select from the set, based on that comparison, a subset of sector antennas for CoMP reception of the uplink signal. By using a subset of sector antennas for CoMP reception, instead of all sector antennas in the set, the teachings reduce the computational complexity of CoMP reception. Moreover, the teachings in some embodiments minimize any performance degradation possibly resulting from performing CoMP reception with a reduced number of antennas, by selecting the subset to include sector antennas having the strongest signal strength measurements. |
| US08224312B2 |
Method and network for determining an environment wherein a mobile terminal is situated
A method of determining an environment wherein a mobile terminal of a mobile radiocommunication network is situated, the mobile terminal being associated to an identifier. The method includes: i) retrieving the identifier; ii) retrieving at least one technical feature of the mobile terminal according to the identifier, the one technical feature being related to the capability of the mobile terminal of receiving a radio signal; iii) taking a measurement indicative of a quality of the radio signal at the mobile terminal; and iv) applying to the measurement an operation for determining the environment, the operation depending on at least one parameter, wherein the method further includes, before step iv), v) adjusting at least one of the at least one parameter and the measurement according to the at least one technical feature. |
| US08224311B2 |
System and method for updating data in remote devices
A central host performs an automated method of updating multiple remote devices. In one embodiment, the host recognizes a predetermined download time and, in advance of the download time, transmits a calendar update to multiple remote devices. The calendar update includes the download time, and the remote devices may utilize the download time to set calendar reminders for entering an active state. Within a short time after reaching the download time, the host pushes download data to the remote devices by broadcasting the download data. In one aspect, the host may receive message acknowledgements from remote devices in response to a first calendar update, and the host may automatically transmit additional calendar updates to any remote devices that did not receive the first calendar update. Additional embodiments involve related methods and the terminal devices that receive the updates. |
| US08224310B2 |
Method and system for managing an electronic device
A method and system for managing an electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting (404) a change in orientation of a first electronic device, which is performed by the first electronic device. The method also includes communicating (406) the change in the orientation from the first electronic device to a second electronic device associated with the first electronic device, via a wireless link. Further, the method includes modifying (408) a first set of services available at the second electronic device, based on the change of orientation of the first electronic device. |
| US08224309B2 |
Method for presenting target information during call connection sequence
An information presenting method is provided for presenting target information by a first communication device during a call connection sequence. Firstly, target information is pre-downloaded to and stored in first communication device. When a call request issued by the user to the second communication device is detected by the first communication device, the target information is automatically presented. When a connection completing signal issued from the second communication device is detected by the first communication device, the information segment that is being presented is completely presented, and then the presentation of the target information is stopped. As such, normal communication between the user through the first communication device and the receiver through the second communication device is permitted. |
| US08224306B2 |
Call transfer to proximate devices
A second communication device is detected in proximity to a first communication device engaged in a call, and a substantially uninterrupted transfer of the call is made to the second device. |
| US08224305B2 |
System and method for extending conference communications access to local participants
A system and method for wireless conferencing. A personal wireless device is linked with a conferencing system for implementing a conference call. Voice input is received from a user through the personal wireless device. The voice input is transmitted to the conferencing system in response to receiving the voice input. The voice input is broadcast through one or more speakers in communication with the conferencing system in response to determining the voice input may be inaudible to one or more users in a room. |
| US08224302B2 |
Mobile wireless communication terminal and communication control method
In order to improve the efficiency of the data communication between mobile wireless communication terminals having a communication means mainly used for the wireless communication between the mobile wireless communication terminals and a wireless communication means mainly with a base station, a following terminal is used. Namely, it includes: a first communication unit used for communication with a specific base station; a second communication unit used for communication with other mobile wireless communication terminals; a storage area storing content data that can be used in the mobile wireless communication terminal and can be transmitted to other mobile wireless communication terminals; and a communication controller that obtains specific content data by searching the storage area when a request of the specific content data is accepted from a user of the mobile wireless communication terminal, transmitting a request to other mobile wireless communication terminals that can communicate via the second communication unit when the valid specific content data is not detected in the storage area, and transmitting a request to the specific base station via the first communication unit when the specific content data cannot be received from other mobile wireless communication terminals, which can communicate, within a predetermined time. |
| US08224301B2 |
Method and device for controlling terminal based on recognition of vehicle driving condition
A communication server in cooperation with a telematics center receives a result message for condition guidance service selection result information from the telematics center to control a driver terminal according to traveling condition recognition of a vehicle, stores a driver terminal number, call control request information during traveling, and condition notice information during traveling included in the result message, sets a condition guidance service, and controls call connection with a call connection attempting terminal for attempting a call connection to the driver terminal according to a type of the result message. |
| US08224299B2 |
Method of controlling and apparatus of receiving mobile service data
A data transmission system for minimizing the number of errors during Tx/Rx times of mobile service data under mobile environments, and a data processing method for the same are disclosed. The system additionally codes the mobile service data, and transmits the resultant coded mobile service data. As a result, the mobile service data has a strong resistance to noise and channel variation, and can quickly cope with the rapid channel variation. |
| US08224297B2 |
Advertising information providing method and advertising information providing system
By using the location information of a wireless communication terminal, an advertising information display method, etc. is provided to display on a display, highly useful advertising information, that is, advertising information of an advertising information transmission source, which is located at a location that is close to the location at which the user of the wireless communication terminal is present. This advertising information display method, which displays, on a display 2b of a mobile telephone device 2 that is capable of transmitting terminal location information 2b, advertising information 3a, which is transmitted from a store 3, and is capable of transmitting store location information 3p and advertising information 3a, has: a step to obtain terminal location information 2p and the transmission time thereof tm, a step to obtain the store location information 3p and the advertising information 3a, a step to perform a ranking of the advertising information of the advertising information 3a based on time difference information T between the advertising information transmission time ta when the advertising information 3a is transmitted to the mobile telephone device 2, and the terminal location information transmission time tm, and location difference information L between the terminal location information 2p and the store location information 3p, a step to transmit the advertising information 3a by being associated with the ranking information H, to the mobile telephone device 2; and a step to display the advertising information 3a on the display 2b of the mobile telephone device 2, based on the ranking information H. |
| US08224295B2 |
System and method for optimizing network communication in response to network conditions
A system and method for facilitating communications between a mobile device and a network application are provided. A mobile device transmits a request for data change information that includes a time out interval. The network application receives the request and measures a time elapsed since the receipt of the data change request. The network application will only transmit a notification to the mobile device client if new data is received or the time out interval has elapsed. As notifications are received, the mobile client device tunes the time out interval based upon network and device parameters. |
| US08224293B1 |
Encoded colorgram for mobile device security
A security system includes a software application running in a user's smartphone and a separately carried visual key that the user can image at will with the smartphone's camera. An effective visual key would typically comprise digital data encoded in a series of colored cells arranged in a colorgram. Such digital data is treated as a what-you-have security factor, and is concatenated with other security factors so users can authenticate themselves to websites, internet services, and even within the smartphone device itself or its applications. In one aspect, when users authenticate themselves to a server, the server returns a short-term supply of one-time-passwords or account numbers for use in secure access and financial transactions on other systems. |
| US08224286B2 |
Radio communication device
The invention relates to a method and arrangement for reducing power consumption of a radio communication device. In a solution according to the invention an audio signal is monitored (801) and the radio communication devise is activated to transmit (802) a radio signal containing information of the audio signal only when (803) the audio signal contains speech. The power consumption of the radio communication device can be reduced without a need for manual control actions that could limit the freedom of action of a person who is using of the radio communication device. |
| US08224284B2 |
Emergency communication system and method
A method and system for providing an emergency contact service are disclosed. The emergency contact system monitors presence off users with respect to various user devices in order to determine at which devices each user is present. An emergency message is then transmitted to devices at which the user is present. The emergency contact service is then capable of receiving a confirmation message to confirm receipt of the emergency message. The emergency contact service can track the users by retrieving location information, such as a GPS location, associated with a device at which a user is present. The emergency contact service can then identify whether a user in is the vicinity of an emergency location, and transmit an emergency message to the user is the user is in the vicinity of the emergency location. |
| US08224282B2 |
Method and device to manage power of wireless multi-sensor devices
An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a multi-sensor package, a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component and the sensor package, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory configured to store sensor data provided by the sensor package and computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor, wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to receive status information related to sensor data in control at a second automation component in communication with the building automation system, and communicate a portion of the stored sensor data corresponding to the received status information to the second automation component. |
| US08224281B2 |
Down-conversion of an electromagnetic signal with feedback control
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal, and applications thereof are described herein. Reducing or eliminating DC offset voltages and re-radiation generated when down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal is also described herein. Down-converting a signal and improving receiver dynamic range is also described herein. |
| US08224276B2 |
Method and arrangement for signal processing in a receiver that can be tuned to different carriers
A method and circuit for signal processing in a receiver that can be tuned to different carriers, the method determining the energy of the adjacent carriers N+1 and N−1, wherein a carrier N contains a signal of interest and the receiver is tuned to it, from the digital signal, in that the energy value of the carriers N+1 and N−1 determined are compared with a threshold value, and in the case where the threshold value is exceeded, a frequency shift of the signal by +Δf or −Δf is effected in the second method step prior to the filtering, and the frequency shift thus produced is reversed by a frequency shift by −Δf or +Δf prior to the filtering, and the signal is decoded. |
| US08224275B2 |
Area reduction techniques for saw-less receivers
Embodiments of a SAW-less RF receiver front-end that includes a frequency translated notch filter (FTNF) are presented. An FTNF includes a passive mixer and a baseband impedance. The baseband impedance includes capacitors that form a low-Q band-stop filter. The passive mixer is configured to translate the baseband impedance to a higher frequency. The translated baseband impedance forms a high-Q notch filter and is presented at the input of the FTNF. The FTNF can be fully integrated in CMOS IC technology (or others, e.g., Bipolar, BiCMOS, and SiGe) and applied in wireless receiver systems including EDGE/GSM, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, and wireless LANs (e.g., IEEE 802.11). In addition, embodiments of a multi-band SAW-less RF receiver front-end and techniques to share components of FTNFs included within the multi-band SAW-less RF receiver front-end are presented. |
| US08224272B1 |
System for signal metric based receive selection
A wireless networking receiver with digital antenna switching selects an antenna with an 802.11b signal based on a signal metric, such as the highest signal quality or highest peak amplitude. In one embodiment, the receiver comprises a plurality of antennas that may each receive one of a plurality of RF signals conforming to the IEEE 802.11b standard. The receiver may have multiple antennas for use with the IEEE 802.11n standard, but may receive signals conforming to the 802.11b standard. The receiver also comprises a carrier sense circuit configured to calculate a signal metric for each of the signals and further configured to generate a selection signal signifying one of the signals, based on the signal metric. The receiver further comprises a multiplexer configured to output one of the signals, based on the selection signal. In another embodiment, a wireless networking receiver comprises signal receiving means, carrier sensing means for calculating and selecting a signal based on a signal metric, and multiplexer means to output the signal. A related method is also disclosed. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another. |
| US08224270B2 |
Method and system for optimizing transmit power of a power amplifier using a battery voltage (Vbat) monitor
Methods, systems, and machine-readable code for optimizing transmit power of a power amplifier using a Vbat monitor are disclosed and may comprise adjusting the gain of gain stages in a transmit path based on a control signal that is a function of a supply voltage signal, among other variables, derived from a supply voltage that may be used to power a transmit path. The supply voltage signal may be received from a power management unit or derived directly from a battery or other supply. The supply voltage signal may be compared to a reference signal, the result of which may be utilized to generate the control signal. The values for the control signals may be determined over a range of supply voltages and stored in a lookup table. |
| US08224268B2 |
Transmitter linearization
One aspect of the invention includes a communication system that includes a tone generator configured to generate a first tone, a second tone, and a third tone. The third tone can have a frequency that is a harmonic product of at least one of the frequencies of the first and second tones. A transmitter that includes a predistortion system transmits a test signal comprising the first, second, and third tones. A receiver that is communicatively coupled to the transmitter receives and processes a received test signal corresponding to the test signal. The system further includes a controller that generates a set of correction coefficients based on a measured interaction of the third tone with a non-linear signal component in the received test signal. The set of correction coefficients can be provided to the predistortion system for substantially linearizing communication signals transmitted from the transmitter. |
| US08224261B2 |
Creation of a beam using antennas
Method and apparatus for creating a pencil beam using a plurality of small diameter dish antennas. A plurality of small diameter dish antennas are spatially arranged and driven by varying electronic signals in such a way that the plurality of small diameter dish antennas co-operatively produce a pencil beam in the direction of a distant object. |
| US08224260B2 |
Radio frequency signal transmission/reception apparatus and radio frequency signal transmission/reception method
A radio frequency (RF) signal transmission/reception apparatus and an RF signal transmission/reception method are disclosed. The RF signal transmission/reception apparatus is adapted to perform a transmission/reception duplex function using a bi-directional mixer at the IF band or baseband, not at the RF band. When a reception signal of the RF band is passed through the bi-directional mixer, it is converted into a signal in any one of the IF band and the baseband. Also, when a transmission signal in any one of the IF band and the baseband is passed through the bi-directional mixer, it is converted into a signal of the RF band. |
| US08224253B2 |
Directional antenna sectoring system and methodology
Methods and systems for packet-by-packet directional mobile wireless transmission utilizing plurality of directional antenna sectors, such that, the transmission of each packet is performed by at least one selected antenna sector. A plurality of directional antenna sectors, at least one receiving controller, and at least one transmitting controller, are all physically located at the same location. The direction of transmission is selected responsive to the direction in which the best electromagnetic signal reception was received. For each plurality of data packets, the transmission direction is selected again. Switching logic is coupling the out going transmission signal to selected ones from the plurality of the antennas responsive to the motion of the mobile user. The antenna design in this invention is aimed at increasing the gain and minimizing the interfering signals with respect large number of mobile users who are concurrently and continuously tracking and communicating with their access points, and consequently, increasing the bit rate of each transmission and the aggregate capacity of the wireless system. |
| US08224252B2 |
Inter-cell interference coordination method and base station
An inter-cell interference coordination method comprises: measuring an interference over thermal noise of a first subcarrier resource block in an uplink direction and obtaining an interference over thermal noise measurement value by a first base station; judging whether a first high interference indicating message is received from a second base station when the interference over thermal noise measurement value is larger than a first preset threshold value by the first base station; sending an overload indicator message to the second base station which has sent the high interference indicating message or shielding the first subcarrier resource block by the first base station when the first high interference indicating message is received; and sending the overload indicator message to base stations to which all the neighboring cells belong by the first base station when the first high interference indicating message is not received. The overhead at X2 interface is reduced according to the present invention. |
| US08224249B2 |
Wireless conference system
A wireless conference system includes a master device and a slave device. The master device includes a master user interface, a master BLUETOOTH unit, a master memory unit, and a command converting unit. The master user interface includes a master screen. The master memory unit saves a conference document. The slave device includes a slave user interface, a slave BLUETOOTH unit, and an executing unit. The slave memory unit saves a copy of the conference document. Operation commands to operate the conference document are input through the master user interface. The command converting unit converts the operation commands to corresponding slave commands. The corresponding slave commands are transmitted to the slave device by the master BLUETOOTH unit and the slave BLUETOOTH unit. The executing unit executes the corresponding slave commands to operate the copy of the conference document. |
| US08224248B2 |
Data security device
A backup device comprising a secondary user-carried device for backing up data from a primary portable data storage device is described. The backup device includes a short-range wireless communication link, a communication interface for communicating with the primary portable data storage device over the communication link to receive data to back up and to check for removal of the primary portable data storage device and storage for storing data received over the communication link from the primary portable data storage device. A triggering device is also provided for triggering an alert procedure when the primary portable data storage device is out of range for a predetermined period. |
| US08224247B2 |
Controller integrated audio codec for advanced audio distribution profile audio streaming applications
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of integrating the advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP) audio codec into a Bluetooth controller for audio streaming applications. The mechanism functions to break the prior art Bluetooth protocol stack by integrating a profile packet composer into the controller. The profile/stack control signaling is performed by the host while the profile data packet composer is implemented in the controller. The integrated data packet composer does not break the data path and flow control over the standard HCI. Further, the integrated packet composer allows the controller to open a dedicated data interface for specific applications (e.g., PCM/I2S for audio data). |
| US08224237B2 |
Method and apparatus related to on-board message repeating for vehicle consist communications system
A communications method for a vehicle consist (10) comprising a lead (14) and a remote (12A/12B/12C) powered vehicle, the lead (14) vehicle comprising first (29A) and second (29B) antennas each associated with a radio, and the remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) comprising third (29A) and fourth (29B) antennas each associated with a radio. The method comprises transmitting an outbound message from the lead (14) vehicle, receiving the outbound message at the third antenna (29A) and supplying a signal to the associated radio for producing a first received signal, and receiving the outbound message at the fourth antenna (29B) and supplying a signal to the associated radio for producing a second received signal, determining a first and second signal quality metric for the respective first and second received signals, selecting the first or second received signal for processing by the remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) in response to the first and second signal quality metrics. |
| US08224236B2 |
System and method for switching an antenna in a relay station
A relay station for use in a relay network may include an antenna, a radio, and an electronic circuit. The antenna may include a plurality of prongs. The radio may be configured to transmit and receive radio data using the antenna. The electronic circuit may be configured to select between a first mode of operation for the antenna and a second mode of operation for the antenna. The first mode of operation of the antenna may include an omni-directional mode of operation. The second mode of operation may include a directional mode of operation. |
| US08224235B1 |
System and method for reliably communicating information without explicit acknowledgements
A system and method communicates commands from a command originator to receiving devices, yet the receiving devices do not confirm receipt of the command. The most current command (e.g. the one with the highest sequence number) is rebroadcast by the command originator and the receiving devices, tending to be more frequent upon detection of an event indicating that the most current command was not received by at least one other device, and less frequently upon detection of an event indicating that the most current command was provided with sufficient duplication that if another device could receive it, the device likely did receive it, subject to a maximum and minimum rate. |
| US08224234B1 |
Method and apparatus for generation of radio frequency jamming signals
A system for generation of jamming signals and related and techniques are described. |
| US08224232B2 |
Bookbinding apparatus and bookbinding system
A bookbinding apparatus includes a glue coating device that coats glue on a back of a sheet bundle, a sheet bundle supporting device that supports the sheet bundle on which glue is coated a cover sheet supporting device that supports a cover sheet, a moving device that moves at least one of the sheet bundle supporting device and the cover sheet supporting device, and thereby changes a distance between the back of the sheet bundle and the cover sheet, and a control device that controls the moving device, wherein the control device controls the moving device so that a distance between the back of the sheet bundle on which the glue are coated and the cover sheet is set to a distance D1, then the distance is set to a distance D2 that is greater than the distance D1. |
| US08224227B2 |
Document feeding device
A document feeding device comprises a document input tray, a document output tray, a feeding mechanism provided for a feeding path connecting the document input tray and the document output tray via a scanning position to feed each document from the document input tray to the scanning position and to the document output tray, a turnover mechanism provided for a turnover path connected to the feeding path to return the document after passing through the scanning position to the upstream side of the scanning position while interchanging the front end and rear end of the document, and an ejection mechanism configured so that its document ejection mode can be switched between a first ejection mode for successively ejecting each document while stacking it on documents already ejected to the document output tray and a second ejection mode for successively ejecting each document while sliding it under the already ejected documents. |
| US08224225B2 |
Waste powder recovery container, connecting structure to waste powder recovery container, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A waste powder recovery container is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, and further, is provided with a recovery port, through which waste powder discharged from a component part constituting a process unit is recovered, at one end in a longitudinal direction and an inclined surface on the container side, which is gradually inclined downward in a lateral direction and has the recovery port formed thereat. The inclined surface on the container side moves an opening/closing member disposed in a discharging portion formed at the component part constituting the process unit by pushing an inclined surface on a main body side formed at the opening/closing member, thereby opening a discharging port formed at the discharging portion, to discharge the waste powder and recover the waste powder through the recovery port. |
| US08224223B2 |
Image heating apparatus and pressure roller used for image heating apparatus
A pressure roller forms a nip for contacting a heating member to pinch and convey a heat recording material. The roller includes a core metal and an elastic layer containing filler. The elastic layer containing the filler includes thermal conductive filler with a length of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 1 mm with a thermal conductivity λf in the longitudinal direction in a range of λf≧500 W/(m·k), being dispersed in not less than 5 vol % and not more than 40 vol %. The elastic layer containing the filler has a thermal conductivity λy in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction, of λy≧2.5 W/(m·k) and an ASKER-C hardness of the filler is not more than 60 degrees. A solid rubber elastic layer with a thermal conductivity λ in a thickness direction of not less than 0.16 W/(m·k) and not more than 0.40 W/(m·k) is included. |
| US08224216B2 |
Developing apparatus
A developing apparatus is described. The developing apparatus includes a transport member including a plurality of electrodes forming a traveling wave electric field by successively applied voltages and a casing storing a toner transported by the transport member, wherein the activity of the toner based on the following measuring method shown in (1) to (3) is not more than 2.0×10−6 mol/g: (1) dipping the toner in an aqueous solution containing an excess equivalent of benzethonium chloride with respect to electrostatically active polar groups present on the surface of the toner to electrostatically react the polar groups and the benzethonium chloride with each other; (2) adding sodium lauryl sulfate dropwise to the aqueous solution to react the same with the residual benzethonium chloride, thereby measuring the quantity of the sodium lauryl sulfate reacting with the residual benzethonium chloride; and (3) calculating the activity on the surface of the toner from the quantity of the reacting sodium lauryl sulfate. |
| US08224215B2 |
Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a developing device; and circulating member. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the developing device. The developing device incorporates the developing member. The circulating member is capable of operating while the toner cartridge remains coupled to the developing device, to circulate the toner between the developing device and the toner cartridge irrespective of whether the developing member is operating. |
| US08224212B2 |
Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A housing of a developing apparatus is provided with a conveying member and two agitating members. A guide is provided in an inner bottom surface of the housing between the agitating members. The guide has a mountain shape with wide foot portion in a cross sectional shape which is orthogonal to an axial direction of rotating shafts of the agitating members. The agitating members are arranged in such a manner that gaps between respective outermost portions thereof and the inner bottom surface of the housing and the guide become equal to or more than 1.5 mm and less than 3 mm. The agitating members rotate in the same direction respectively as viewing the rotating shafts from a near side in an axial direction. A discharge portion is provided on a downstream side of the developer agitating portion in a developer conveying direction of the first and second agitating members. |
| US08224209B2 |
High-frequency banding reduction for electrophotographic printer
A method for reducing high-frequency banding in an electrophotographic development station having a rotating shell and a rotating magnetic core is disclosed. A rotating angular velocity of the rotating shell is adjusted relative to a angular velocity of a photoconductor such that a ratio of these angular velocities is not a ratio of whole numbers. |
| US08224208B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is configured to control the timing to switch a development unit by a development rotary after forming an image, based on the size of the image to be formed. Accordingly, if the switching of the development unit is completed within a time period corresponding to a trailing edge margin of an image area, a subsequent color image can be formed without idling an intermediate transfer member, so that the image forming apparatus can suppress or reduce degradation of the throughput. |
| US08224205B2 |
Powder storage container and image forming apparatus using the same
A powder storage container includes a container body, an opening formed in a portion of the container body, an opening-and-closing cover, a cover holding frame, a protrusion portion provided in the opening-and-closing cover, a blocking portion provided in the cover holding frame, a position regulating protrusion protruding from the cover holding frame, and a disengagement suppressing protrusion provided in the opening-and-closing cover. When the opening-and-closing cover takes such an attitude that the opening-and-closing cover is swingably supported by a contact portion, serving as a fulcrum, between the disengagement suppressing protrusion and the cover holding frame and is arranged along the opening-and-closing operation direction, a distal end position of the protrusion portion is located in a position where the distal end position can be released from the blocking portion. |
| US08224203B2 |
Fixing device and temperature control method therefor
A fixing device includes a fixing belt, exercitation coils for induction-heating the fixing belt, power supplies that supply high-frequency power to the excitation coils, an output power detecting circuit that detects output electric energy of the power supplies, a power control circuit that controls the output electric energy of the power supplies, and temperature sensors that detect the temperature of a surface portion of the fixing belt. When electric energy applied to the excitation coils during the power fall reaches minimum power set in advance larger than 0 W, the power control circuit maintains the minimum power while the temperature detected by the temperature sensors is within a predetermined control temperature range and controls output power of the induction heating power supplies to shift from the minimum power to 0 W when the detected temperature deviates from the predetermined control temperature range. |
| US08224199B2 |
Image forming apparatus featuring toner image band formation and adjusting image formation
In an image forming apparatus, a control portion forms a restoring toner image (restoring toner band) at a position, in which the refreshing toner image overlaps with a control image with respect to a longitudinal direction of a secondary transfer roller, during post-rotation after image formation in an image forming job is completed. The restoring toner band is formed in a length corresponding to 3 full circumferences of the secondary transfer roller for one-sheet image forming job, 2 full circumferences of the secondary transfer roller for 5-sheet image forming job, and one full circumference of the secondary transfer roller for 10-sheet image forming is job. In the case of an image forming job on 50 sheets or more, a lowering in cleaning performance of a secondary transfer member cleaning device for the secondary transfer roller is not caused to occur, so that the restoring toner band is not formed. |
| US08224196B2 |
Waste toner detecting device, image forming apparatus having the same, and method thereof
An image forming apparatus to check an amount of waste toner stored in a waste toner container in stages. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a waste toner container which is installed in the main body to store waste toner, a light emitting part which emits light to detect an amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner container, a plurality of light receiving parts which receive the light emitted from the light emitting part, and a light distribution member which distributes the light emitted from the light emitting part to the plurality of light receiving parts. Waste toner detecting regions are respectively defined on light paths between the light distribution member and the plurality of light receiving parts. The waste toner detecting regions are located at different positions along an accumulated direction of the waste toner in the waste toner container. Also, the image forming apparatus has a light path member which extends from the light distribution member such that a first end is connected to the light distribution member and a second end opposes one of the plurality of light receiving parts, thereby additionally determining whether the waste toner container is installed. |
| US08224193B2 |
Image forming apparatus, MFP and method of displaying jam removal guidance
An image forming apparatus may include a printer to fix images on paper sheets that travel along a first paper path and a second paper path, and first and second doors that may be open to uncover the first and second paper paths, respectively. First and second sensors may detect if the respective doors are open and first and second jam detectors may detect jams along the respective paper paths. A memory may store first and second jam removal guidance for the jams along the respective paper paths. A controller may cause a display to switch from displaying the first jam removal guidance read from the memory to displaying the second jam removal guidance read from the memory upon the second door sensor detecting the second door is open. |
| US08224192B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus forms an image by fixing, on a recording medium, a toner image formed by an image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a determination unit which determines whether a delay has occurred during conveyance of a recording medium, based on the detection result of the recording medium discharged from a fixing unit for fixing a toner image on the recording medium, and a control unit which controls the operation of the image forming apparatus based on the determination result of the determination unit and a determination result indicating whether a jam processing operation was executed for the fixing unit. |
| US08224186B2 |
Transmission module and electronic system utilizing the same
A transmission module including an emitter device, a first reflection device, and a second reflection device is disclosed. The emitter device emits a light. The first reflection device reflects the light to generate a first reflected light. The second reflection device reflects the light to generate a second reflected light. The energy of the first reflected light is different from the energy of the second reflected light. |
| US08224184B2 |
Method and architecture for providing high bandwidth broadband communication to fast moving users
A wireless communication network architecture 100 is provided. The wireless communication network architecture consists of multiple fiber optic rings 110, 120, 130 and employs a Radio over Fiber (RoF) network. Each of these fiber optic rings is constructed using an optical fiber on a segment 105, 115, 125 formed by dividing a path. Each fiber optic ring includes a number of remote antenna units (RAUs) 181-184, 191-194. Each RAU 4 is integrated into a corresponding Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) 186-189, 196-199 and each ADM is further connected to a base station. |
| US08224181B2 |
Protection device for removing signal interference in a passive optical network
The invention relates to a protection device for removing signal interference in a passive optical network and to a corresponding passive optical network and to a method for removing signal interference in a passive optical network. |
| US08224179B2 |
Portable electronic device with camera module
An exemplary portable electronic device includes a main body defining a shaft receiving hole an inner surface in the shaft receiving hole, a camera unit mounted on the main body, and a fastening member. The camera unit includes a camera module, and a shaft connected with the camera module. The shaft is rotatably received in the hole, and axially movable relative to the main body. The inner surface and the shaft cooperatively define a wedge-shaped space. The fastening member includes an elastic portion. The elastic portion is slidable between a first position where the elastic portion is engaged in a narrow end of the space, and the shaft is securely fastened to the main body by the elastic portion, and a second position where the elastic portion is disengaged from the narrower end of the space, and the shaft is unfastened from the main body. |
| US08224178B2 |
Real time transmission of photographic images from portable handheld devices
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for effectively performing a streamlined photo distribution procedure is disclosed. A source device initially captures a photographic image of a target or subject using known techniques. The term “photographic image” as used herein is not limited to single photographs but includes moving pictures, video images and any other known or future means of capturing an image of an event. The source device is likewise broadly defined and includes, but is not limited to, digital cameras, video cameras, cell phones with digital photo capture means, computers, including PDA's or other devices or combination of devices with communication and photo capture means, as well as other image capture means. |
| US08224175B2 |
Photographic apparatus having ring light module
A photographic apparatus having ring light module includes a camera, a support base and a plurality of light units. The camera has a lens having an optical axis. The support base is connected to the camera and surrounds the lens. The support base includes an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall, and a bottom wall connected the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall. The bottom wall and the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall cooperatively define an accommodating groove. The angle between the bottom wall and the inner peripheral wall is an acute angle. The light units are arranged in the accommodating groove and fixed on the bottom wall and emit light beams in an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis. |
| US08224173B2 |
Imaging apparatus
A small imaging apparatus (1) implementing an optical image stabilizing function has a vibratory driving device (3) which comprises a driving shaft (7), an electromechanical transducer (6) consisting of a plurality of elongatable portions capable of elongating and contracting in an axial direction of the driving shaft (7) respectively and integrated with each other, and a driving member (8) slidably engaging on the driving shaft (7); a axially movable optical member (10) of which position is restrained in the axial direction by the driving member (8); and a vertically movable optical member (9, 11) of which position is restrained in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction by the driving shaft (7), the elongatable portions uniformly elongating and contracting repeatedly to displace the driving member (8) slidingly on the driving shaft (7), and unequally elongating or contracting to incline the driving shaft (7) to displace the driving member (8). |
| US08224171B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving lens barrel, digital photographing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
A method of driving a lens barrel includes detecting a movement detection signal that indicates an operation of the lens barrel which operates using a stepping motor; determining a limit time during which movement of a lens barrel component is detected based on the movement detection signal; detecting the movement from the movement detection signal; and changing a driving level of the stepping motor from a first driving level to a second driving level when movement of the lens barrel component is not detected from the movement detection signal within the limit time, wherein torque of the second driving level is greater than torque of the first driving level. |
| US08224170B2 |
Photographic control system, devices and method
A control system for use with preconfigured photographic equipment that includes a controllable photographic device controlled by a controlling photographic device is disclosed. The controllable photographic device has a housing, and a device circuit having an upstream portion and a downstream portion coupled by control lines within the housing. An internal module may be located within the housing and includes a signal detecting arrangement configured to be coupled with the control lines between the upstream and downstream portions. The system may also include an external module configured to be located outside of the housing, and coupled with the internal module. The external module may include a signal receiving device capable of receiving a wireless control signal from the controlling photographic device, and to cause a module generated signal to be sent by the internal module to the downstream portion upon receipt of the wireless control signal. |
| US08224169B2 |
Optical unit with shake correcting function
An optical imaging device, wherein an imaging unit is displaced to correct the vibrations, and the imaging unit is supported on a stationary object by a total of four suspension wires. A first imaging unit drive mechanism and a second imaging unit drive mechanism are provided as a pair at two positions on either side of the optical axis L. In the imaging unit drive mechanisms, imaging unit drive magnets, are held on the imaging unit side, which is the movable side, and imaging unit drive coils, are held on the stationary object side. |
| US08224168B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and lens apparatus having mechanical and electronic shutters where blur correction is adjusted according to shutter mode
An image pickup apparatus having removably attached thereto a lens apparatus including a blur correction unit includes a selection unit configured to select a first mode in which a mechanical shutter is used to start exposure or a second mode in which an electronic shutter is used to start exposure; and a controller configured to output information indicating the start of exposure to the lens apparatus. The controller changes the information indicating the start of exposure depending on whether the first mode or the second mode is selected to control the lens apparatus to perform different blur correction operations. |
| US08224163B2 |
Variable frequency temperature limited heaters
A heater system may include an alternating current supply and an electrical conductor. Alternating current may be applied to one or more electrical conductors at a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 1000 Hz. The electrical conductors may be located in a formation. The electrical conductors may resistively heat upon application of the alternating electrical current. At least one of the electrical conductors may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. The electrical conductor may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. Heat may transfer from the electrical conductor to a part of formation. |
| US08224160B2 |
Optical disk replay device
A disk replay device includes a non-volatile storage unit, which forms a file list from file information including the file name of a compressed video file and the like, and from the number of times that viewing of the file is possible, and stores this file list. At the stage that a disk is set into a disk setting unit, this file list is created based upon information which has been acquired from a compressed video file recorded upon the disk. Moreover, the disk replay device includes a display unit which displays the file list stored in the storage unit, when a predetermined operation is performed by the operator, so that the operator is able to recognize, for each file, the number of times that viewing is possible. |
| US08224157B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting spatio-temporal feature and detecting video copy based on the same in broadcasting communication system
An apparatus for extracting spatio-temporal feature and detecting video copy based on the same in a broadcasting communication system, the apparatus includes: an original video feature extractor configured to receive an original video and extract spatio-temporal feature of the original video; an original video feature database configured to store the extracted feature; a query video feature extractor configured to receive a query video and extract spatio-temporal feature of the query video; and a feature comparison and decision unit configured to compare the spatio-temporal feature of the original video and the spatio-temporal feature of the query video and decide similarity of the original video and the query video based on the spatio-temporal features of the original video and the query video. |
| US08224154B2 |
Recording control device and method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a recording control apparatus and a recording control method which can improve the convenience of a storage medium and also to a program and a storage medium. Image annulus data or audio annulus data having a first data amount in accordance with a data amount required for reproduction for first reproduction time and low-resolution annulus data or frame-meta annulus data having a second data amount in accordance with a data amount required for reproduction for a second reproduction time that is different from the first reproduction time are recorded on an optical disk so that the data are periodically arranged. The image annulus data or the audio annulus data is extracted from a data series of corresponding video data or audio data. The low-resolution annulus data or the frame-meta annulus data is extracted from a data series of low-resolution that is video data having a less data amount or a series of frame metadata. Clip metadata generated in accordance with the frame metadata is recorded at random independently of those data. The present invention is applicable to a disk drive apparatus. |
| US08224153B2 |
Video editing method
While a video stream is loaded, a subtitle information file is simultaneously loaded for displaying messages at accurate times. When contents of the video stream are required to be edited, such as an addition or deletion of video, a time variance caused by the edited video stream is first calculated, and the times for displaying the messages upon the displayed video stream are correspondingly edited according to the calculated time variances so that the messages may be accurately matched with the video stream. After the contents of the video stream require no further editing, the video stream may be combined with the messages by encoding. Therefore, image quality of the video stream is minimized. |
| US08224151B2 |
Apparatus for recording and reproducing digital image and speech
An imaging apparatus and method includes an input device to which image data is inputted, a recorder which records the inputted image data into a recording medium, an eraser which erases the recorded image data in the recording medium, a protector which protects from an erasure setting so as to protect from erasure by the eraser of the recorded image data, and a display which displays a list of reduced images of a plurality of image data recorded in the recording medium. While the recorder is controlled utilizing a filing system and the list of reduced images of the plurality of image data recorded in the recording medium is displayed, the display is controlled so as to display a mark indicating that protection from erasure is set with respect to the recorded image data for which protection from erasure is set by the protector. |
| US08224149B2 |
Record/reproduction apparatus and record mode setting method for the same
A record/reproduction apparatus capable of performing record-reproduction with high definition and standard definition appropriately records information, and includes: at least one of a display unit and an output unit to an external display device; a hard disk drive; and a disc drive corresponding to record-reproduction using a disc for record-reproduction in a high definition mode and a disc for record-reproduction in a standard definition mode. With the configuration, the record/reproduction apparatus performs a display on the display unit in the high definition mode or a display-output to the output unit in the high definition mode at activation, recognizes one of the hard disk drive and the disc drive as a record medium after the display-outputting, and sets a record mode to one of the hard disk drive and the disc drive based on a result of the recognition. |
| US08224148B2 |
Decoding apparatus and decoding method
A decoding apparatus for enabling decoding processing free of unneeded delay at a switching point between digital high definition broadcast and multi-view broadcast. The decoding apparatus includes a picture frame storage unit (34) for storing an HD picture frame, decoded by a decoding unit (33), in terms of a storage area for HS as a unit, and for storing m SD picture frames, in terms of a recording area for SD as a unit, and a recording area procuring unit (host CPU) (14) for procuring a recording area for SD and a recording area for HD, based on the recording area information for HD and on the recording area information for SD, when m SD picture stream data is supplied. The decoding apparatus also includes a picture frame write unit (15) for writing an HD picture frame in the procured storage area for HD and for writing m SD picture frames in the procured storage area for SD. |
| US08224147B2 |
Interconnected multimedia systems with synchronized playback
One or more digital audio systems, such as a digital audio workstation, and one or more digital video systems, such as a video server, are interconnected by a computer network. A communication protocol among the systems using the computer network enables the systems to play back in synchronization. The communication protocol defines several states for connections between systems. In particular, two systems may be disconnected, connected and unlinked or connected and linked. Each system transitions through defined state changes that are caused by a sequence of commands in the communication protocol, called a play start sequence, to initiate synchronized playback. The play start sequence can be initiated by any of the linked systems. The communication protocol includes a mechanism for distributing a running time clock from the digital audio system for synchronizing with the digital video system when the digital audio system and digital video system are not both synchronized by the same video reference signal. |
| US08224145B2 |
Installing splitter module, storage receptacles and pigtails while pigtail connectors left in the storage receptacles
A method for configuring an enclosure used in a communications network is described. The method may include providing a group of pigtails. The method may further include routing the group of pigtails circumferentially around a subscriber termination field, where the group of pigtails is associated with an optical splitter module used to convey optical signals to a destination, and where the routing is performed in a manner that does not substantially obstruct access to at least one of a group of subscriber terminations that are associated with the subscriber termination field. |
| US08224142B2 |
Nano/micro-patterned optical device and fabrication method thereof
A nano/micro-patterned optical device includes a soft film substrate and nano/micro thin wires. A surface of the soft film substrate includes a nano/micro-pattern formed through a lithography process, and the nano/micro-pattern includes a plurality of depressed grooves. The nano/micro thin wires are placed in the depressed grooves, and used to form a plurality of optical waveguides, in which the optical waveguides include at least one optical coupling region, and the optical coupling region is located on a joining position of the optical waveguides. A fabrication method of the nano/micro-patterned optical device is also provided. |
| US08224137B2 |
Apparatus with two housings including a rotatable optical data communication coupling
The present disclosure provides an apparatus (100) that can include a first housing (110) and a second housing (120) rotationally coupled to the first housing where the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing about an axis of rotation (170). The apparatus can also include an optical transmitter (130) coupled to the first housing where the optical transmitter can be configured to transmit light. The apparatus can further include a lightguide (140) including a first lightguide end (144) substantially at the axis of rotation where the lightguide can include a second lightguide end (142) located at a distance from the axis of rotation where the second lightguide end is optically coupled to the optical transmitter. The apparatus can additionally include an optical receiver (135) coupled to the second housing at the axis of rotation where the optical receiver can also be optically coupled to the lightguide at the first lightguide end. |
| US08224135B2 |
Optical communication system using WDMA and CDMA
In a PON system, an OLT periodically transmits a channel resource information block specifying a carrier wavelength and a spreading code on a first downstream channel to which a spread-spectrum spreader having a first spreading code is applied; one of ONUs receives the channel resource information block with a spread-spectrum despreader having the first spreading code and transmits a connection request to the OLT, using the carrier wavelength and the spreading code specified by the channel resource information block; the OLT having received the connection request transmits a new channel resource information block specifying a carrier wavelength and a spreading code to be used on an upstream data channel to the requester ONU through the first channel; and the requester ONU transmits data, using the carrier wavelength and the spreading code specified by the new channel resource information block. |
| US08224134B2 |
Optoelectronic receiver
An optoelectronic receiver and associated method of operation. |
| US08224128B2 |
Portable information terminal device
An objective of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal device capable of exclusively storing information which is useful to identify an illegal user.If a matching degree between characteristic information extracted from a photographed image by a characteristic extraction part 402A and registered characteristic information is determined to be smaller than an authentication threshold value by a matching degree determination part, 402C, an error history information management part 404 causes an error history information storage part 414 to store error history information obtained at that time. Therefore, history information obtained when authentication has failed in the authentication process is stored as error history information only when a person who differs from a true user such as, for example, a person who has stolen a mobile phone tries to use the mobile phone illegally and characteristic information is extracted from a face image of the person, so that the person can be identified from the error history information after the mobile phone is retrieved. |
| US08224120B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus and image signal processing method
To perform an image processing for high resolution more suitably on even an image signal having images with different resolutions mixed therein. An image signal processing method of the present invention includes the steps of: performing a spatial low pass filter processing on a first image signal that is an input image; generating a second image signal by performing an image processing for high resolution on an image after the low pass filter processing; comparing corresponding regions in the first image signal and the second image signal; and selecting either of the first image signal and the second image signal with respect to the region based on this comparison result. |
| US08224119B2 |
Selecting a reference image for images to be joined
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to selecting a reference image for images to be joined in accordance with projective transformations. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes obtaining projective transformations corresponding to two dimensional images to be joined together in accordance with the projective transformations; selecting one of the two dimensional images to be a reference image for remaining ones of the two dimensional images, the selecting being based on a measure of overall distortion for the two dimensional images; setting a projective transformation of the one of the images according to a group transform; correcting remaining projective transformations of the remaining images in accordance with the setting the projective transformation of the one of the images; and making the two dimensional images and the projective transformations available for further processing and output. |
| US08224116B2 |
Image processing method and imaging apparatus
An image processing method for reducing noise of an image to be filtered; the method includes a step of creating shrunken image of shrinking ratio r×r (where r is a natural number) by averaging the pixel values for each pixel in a block for every r pixels, a step of obtaining the pixel value in the shrunken image that correspond to the focus pixel in the source image by performing linear interpolation from the shrunken image pixels, a step of determining the noise reduction filter from the focus pixel and reference pixel in the shrunken image, and a step of computing the compensated pixel value of the focus pixel in the source image by weighted sum of each pixel value applying the filter to the focus pixel in the source image and the corresponding shrunken pixel. |
| US08224112B2 |
Fuzzy method to detect thin lines in scanned image
Disclosed herein is a method for detecting thin lines in image data. The method is performed by a processor to process contone image data. The processing includes thresholding a window of pixels using a first set of thresholds established in the contone domain, and then counting and thresholding the binary pixels using a second set of thresholds. The processing in the contone and binary domain are used to determine if a thin line exists and if a pixel of interest in the window is an edge pixel that is part of a thin line. The disclosed method produces better quality output images and reduces the addition of false lines in an image. |
| US08224109B2 |
Method and relative device for estimating white gaussian noise that corrupts a digital image
A method for estimating the white Gaussian noise level that corrupts a digital image by discriminating homogeneous blocks from blocks containing a textured area and skipping these last blocks when evaluating the noise standard deviation. |
| US08224108B2 |
Digital image processing using face detection information
A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values. |
| US08224107B2 |
Method and system for signal processing, for instance for mobile 3D graphic pipelines, and computer program product therefor
A system renders a primitive of an image to be displayed, for instance in a mobile 3D graphic pipeline, the primitive including a set of pixels. The system locates the pixels in the area of the primitive, generates, for each pixel located in the area, a set of associated sub-pixels, borrows a set of sub-pixels from neighboring pixels, subjects the set of associated sub-pixels and the borrowed set of pixels to adaptive filtering to create an adaptively filtered set of sub-pixels, and further filters the adaptively filtered set of sub-pixels to compute a final pixel for display. Preferably, the set of associated sub-pixels fulfills at least one of the following: the set includes two associated sub-pixels and the set includes associated sub-pixels placed on pixel edges. |
| US08224106B2 |
Image enhancement system and method using automatic emotion detection
An image enhancement system and method using automatic emotion detection, the image enhancement system including: an emotional scale detection unit to analyze a pixel value of one or more frames of an input image in order to automatically detect an emotional scale of the input image; and an image enhancement unit to enhance a quality of the input image based on an image mode selected according to the emotional scale. |
| US08224101B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof with color data and monochrome data selection
In this invention, image data expressed by one component is encoded at a high speed by using a color image lossless encoder. To do this, a color conversion unit converts color image data read by a document reading unit into C, M, Y, and K data. In a color reading mode, a switching unit directly outputs the C, M, Y, and K data to an encoding unit. If the reading mode is a monochrome reading mode, the switching unit neglects the C, M, and Y components of the C, M, Y, and K data. Every time four K components are input, the switching unit supplies the four K components to the encoding unit as pseudo data of C, M, Y, and K color components. The encoding unit lossless-encodes the received C, M, Y, and K component data. |
| US08224097B2 |
Building segmentation for densely built urban regions using aerial LIDAR data
A method for extracting a 3D terrain model for identifying at least buildings and terrain from LIDAR data is disclosed, comprising the steps of generating a point cloud representing terrain and buildings mapped by LIDAR; classifying points in the point cloud, the point cloud having ground and non-ground points, the non-ground points representing buildings and clutter; segmenting the non-ground points into buildings and clutter; and calculating a fit between at least one building segment and at least one rectilinear structure, wherein the fit yields the rectilinear structure with the fewest number of vertices. The step of calculating further comprises the steps of (a) calculating a fit of a rectilinear structure to the at least one building segment, wherein each of the vertices has an angle that is a multiple of 90 degrees; (b) counting the number of vertices; (c) rotating the at least one building segment about an axis by a predetermined increment; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) until a rectilinear structure with the least number of vertices is found. |
| US08224094B2 |
Method and system for side detection of 3D undetailed ear impressions
A method and system for side detection of an undetailed 3D ear impression is disclosed. In order to determine whether a received 3D undetailed ear impression is a left or right ear impression, a local coordinate system of the 3D undetailed ear is defined based on side independent features of the 3D undetailed ear impression. A skeleton (or center spline) of the 3D undetailed ear impression is detected, and it is determined whether the 3D undetailed ear impression is a left or right ear impression based on the skeleton and the local coordinate system. |
| US08224092B2 |
Word detection method and system
A method of characterizing a word image includes traversing the word image in steps with a window and at each of a plurality of the steps, identifying a window image. For each of the plurality of window images, a feature is extracted. The word image is characterized, based on the features extracted from the plurality of window images, wherein the features are considered as a loose collection with associated sequential information. |
| US08224091B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and program for extracting information usable for a search
Input image data is converted into vector data. The type of the input image data is determined. If it is determined that the input image data is of a first data type, information usable for a search is extracted from the input image data in processing of converting the input image data into the vector data, and information usable for a search is further extracted from the vector data later in the idle time of the image processing apparatus. If it is determined that the input image data is of a second data type, information usable for a search is extracted by performing region segmentation of the input image data. The extracted information is held in association with the vector data as additional information. |
| US08224089B2 |
Information processing device and information processing method, image processing device and image processing method, and computer program
To perform progressive mesh segmentation suitable of interactive applications a high speed with high precision.An image processing device 10 includes an image information input unit 1 for inputting three-dimensional image information to be processed in the format of an incidence graph, an incidence graph evaluation unit 2 for evaluating and sorting the edges of the input incidence graph, an image region mesh growing unit 3 for extracting pairs of image regions sandwiching edges in the sorted order and evaluating and performing mesh growing thereof based on a statistical processing algorithm, and a minute node processing unit 4 for processing minute regions remaining as a result of the image region mesh growing. |
| US08224086B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for restoring color and enhancing electronic images
Methods and apparatuses for color image restoration and enhancement. In at least one embodiment, color signals for individual channels of an image (e.g., red, green, or blue) are adjusted based on a weighted set of averages (e.g., of the entire image, the center portion, the surrounding portion, or other portions). In one example, pixels with extreme values of color signals (e.g., pure black or white pixels) are ignored for the purposes of restoring color; and, the different averages are weighted according to the pixel location (e.g., the distance from the pixel to a center point). In one example, after color restoration for individual channels, the luminance of each pixel is adjusted back to their original levels; and the range of luminance of the image is further adjusted to provide improved brightness and contrast, where in determining the luminance the red, green and blue color channels are given an equal weight. |
| US08224083B2 |
Extraction of illumination light image in an image processing apparatus, and image processing method and storage medium therefor
For a read image having reflection of a light source, which occurs when a document is read, the reflection of the light source of the read image is corrected by the steps of: selecting an RGB color component having minimum average values of each RGB color component of a read image among RGB color components of an read image having reflection of a light source that occurs when a document is read; calculating the amount of change of luminance values of pixels of the read image derived from the reflection, from the values of pixels of the color components selected in the read image; and correcting the reflection of the light source in the read image by correcting the luminance values of pixels of the read image using the calculated amount of the change of the luminance values of the pixels. |
| US08224082B2 |
CFA image with synthetic panchromatic image
A method for forming a final digital color image with reduced motion blur including of a processor for providing images having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photo responses, interpolating between the panchromatic pixels and color pixels to produce a panchromatic image and a full-resolution color image to produce a full-resolution synthetic panchromatic image from the full-resolution color image; and developing color correction weights in response to the synthetic panchromatic image and the panchromatic image; and using the color correction weights to modify the full-resolution color image to provide a final color digital image. |
| US08224080B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, image recording program, image data recording medium, image processing apparatus, and image processing program
An image pickup apparatus is provided that allows image data to represent colors within the human visible region adequately. The apparatus includes an encoding part which encodes a color of each of pixels forming an image represented by image data that are input from an image pickup part, using an excitation purity and either a dominant wavelength or a complementary wavelength that are determined in a color space capable of representing an entire visible region based on a predetermined reference point within a visible region and a locus of a visible light spectrum in the color space, and which outputs obtained encoded data. |
| US08224078B2 |
Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. |
| US08224077B2 |
Data capture and identification system and process
An identification method and process for objects from digitally captured images thereof that uses data characteristics to identify an object from a plurality of objects in a database. The data is broken down into parameters such as a Shape Comparison, Grayscale Comparison, Wavelet Comparison, and Color Cube Comparison with object data in one or more databases to identify the actual object of a digital image. |
| US08224076B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method for improving image quality by appropriately detecting ringing artifacts and reducing only the detected ringing artifacts, is an image processing method which includes: selecting, from among a plurality of pixels included in an input image, a candidate for a noise pixel included in the ringing artifacts, using luminance values of the plurality of pixels; judging whether or not the candidate selected in the selecting is the noise pixel based on whether or not a chrominance value of the candidate is included in a chrominance range corresponding to a comparison target region which is a part of the input image; and filtering the noise pixel which has been judged in the judging. |
| US08224073B2 |
System and method for efficient storage of MRC images for easy classification and retrieval
A method and system for processing image data provides associated background metadata in a searchable format and reduces file size. MRC techniques are used to process input image data. It is known that the image data may be segmented to generate a background layer representing background attributes of the input image data. A background color value of the background layer is detected, and background metadata representing the color value is generated. The background metadata is associated with the image data (e.g., as a separate file, in the image header, etc.), thereby making the background metadata searchable and reducing the file size of the image data to be stored. |
| US08224072B2 |
Method for normalizing displaceable features of objects in images
A method normalizes a feature of an object in an image. The feature of the object is extracted from a 2D or 3D image. The feature is displaceable within a displacement zone in the object, and wherein the feature has a location within the displacement zone. An associated description of the feature is determined. Then, the feature is displaced to a best location in the displacement zone to produce a normalized feature. |
| US08224071B2 |
Method for registering 3D points with 3D planes
Three-dimensional points acquired of an object in a sensor coordinate system are registered with planes modeling the object in a world coordinate system by determining correspondences between the points and the planes. Points are transformed to an intermediate coordinate system using the correspondences and transformation parameters. The planes are transformed to an intermediate world coordinate system using world rotation and translation parameters. Intermediate rotation and translation parameters are determined by applying coplanarity constraints and orthogonality constraints to the points in the intermediate sensor coordinate system and the planes in the intermediate world coordinate system. Then, rotation and translation parameters between the sensor and world coordinate systems are determined to register the points with the planes. |
| US08224067B1 |
Stereo image convergence characterization and adjustment
A system and method for characterizing and adjusting an offset between displayed stereo image pairs allows for calibration of the stereo image content for each display environment. The stereo image content is typically authored assuming a particular display image size. When the stereo image content is displayed in a display environment that does not conform to the particular display image size the offset between displayed stereo image pairs is increased or decreased, resulting in a viewing experience that is different than intended. In some cases, the viewer may experience discomfort due to eye strain or eye fatigue. Adjusting the offset during the playback of the stereo image content may improve the viewer experience. |
| US08224062B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspection of wafer and semiconductor device
An individually isolated wafer adapted to a semiconductor chip is subjected to inspection in which an infrared ray is irradiated onto the backside of the wafer whose surface is sealed with a resin layer such that the optical axis thereof perpendicularly or slantingly crosses the surface of the wafer, whereby an image clearly showing cracks formed in the wafer is produced based on the reflected ray. Before or after an exterior inspection process, a tape inspection process is performed by use of an image of the surface of a dicing tape, in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are once attached onto and then separated from, so as to detect at least one of a defective element, a crack mark, and a foreign mark with regard to the semiconductor chip subjected to inspection. |
| US08224061B2 |
Method, program product, and apparatus for performing a model based coloring process for pattern decomposition for use in a multiple exposure process
A method of decomposing a target pattern containing features to be imaged onto a substrate into a plurality of exposure patterns for use in a multi-exposure process. The method includes dividing the target pattern into fragments; associating the fragments with an exposure pattern; associating the fragments with image log slope (ILS) evaluation points; and maximizing ILS values. Maximizing the ILS values further includes calculating ILS values at the ILS evaluation points; determining a minimum ILS value; calculating changes in the ILS values as a result of associating fragments with a different exposure pattern; determining a maximum change of the ILS values; and associating fragments associated with the maximum change with a different exposure pattern. |
| US08224057B2 |
Method and system for nodule feature extraction using background contextual information in chest x-ray images
A method and system for nodule feature extract using background contextual information in chest x-ray images is disclosed. In order to detect false positives in nodule candidates for a chest x-ray image, background contextual information, such as contextual vessel tree information, is defined in the chest x-ray image. Features are extracted for each nodule candidate based on the background contextual information, and the extracted features are used to detect whether each nodule candidate is a false positive or a genuine nodule. |
| US08224051B2 |
Method for detection of linear structures and microcalcifications in mammographic images
A method for detecting a linear structure in a digital mammographic image, using a processor or computer at least in part, locates at least one microcalcification candidate cluster in the image data and extracts a first region of interest that encloses the at least one microcalcification candidate cluster. The first region of interest is processed to identify feature points that correspond to geometric structures in the first region of interest. A linear detection algorithm is applied by a repeated process that selects a line model from a predefined set of line models and analyzes the line model to determine whether a linear structure is present in the first region of interest. |
| US08224050B2 |
Method for the creation of panoramic images of the eye fundus
A method for creating or calculating panoramic images of the eye fundus particularly from images of a fundus camera. In the method a pre-positioning process is carried out in which a first variable is determined for geometrically associating the images with each other. An anchor image is determined as a reference for the first variables for the geometric association; areas that are associated with each other are determined in the anchor image and the other images by a block-matching algorithm; transformation parameters for a geometric transformation between the anchor image and the other images are determined from the mutual position of the associated areas; and the other images are transformed onto the anchor image by transformation parameters and are superimposed onto the anchor image and among each other. |
| US08224049B2 |
Ultrasonic image processing apparatus and a method for processing an ultrasonic image
A contour specifying part receives volume data representing a subject acquired by transmission of ultrasonic waves to the subject, and specifies a 3-dimensional contour of a myocardium based on the volume data. A forming part sets a reference point on the contour of the myocardium, and forms an image generation plane including a plane substantially orthogonal to the contour of the myocardium at the reference point. An image generator generates image data on the image generation plane based on the volume data. A display controller controls a display to display an image based on the image data. |
| US08224048B2 |
Computer implemented method for correction of magnetic resonance images
A method of correcting magnetic resonance images is provided. Seed points having a same expected true intensity are selected from the image points in an image. An intensity correction function If(X) is determined by fitting measured intensities Im(Xs) of the seed points to Im(Xs)=If(Xs), where x denotes the coordinate of the image points. If(X) is a polynomial function and the values of its coefficients are determined by the fitting. Corrected intensities Ic(Xc) for corrected image points are calculated according to Ic(Xc)=Im(Xc)/If(Xc). A corrected image includes the corrected image points. |
| US08224045B2 |
System for early detection of dental caries
A method is disclosed for processing of images to detect dental caries, that includes the following steps. Directing incident light (16) toward a tooth (20), where this light excites a fluorescent emission from the tooth. Obtaining a fluorescence image (35) from the fluorescent light component (19), and obtaining a reflectance image (34) from the back-scattered light (18) from the tooth. Applying a color balance operation to the reflectance image. Removing the specular reflectance components from the color balanced reflectance image (82) to give a back-scattered reflectance image (50). Registering the fluorescent image with the back-scattered reflectance image. Combining the registered fluorescent image (115) with the back-scattered reflectance image to provide a diagnostic image (52). |
| US08224041B2 |
Media data processing apparatus and media data processing method
In the case that media data containing image information of persons are managed, protection of privacy is realized, and an increase in management costs and a deterioration of operability are suppressed.In a media data processing apparatus into which media data containing at least one image information is inputted so as to produce encrypted media data, the media data processing apparatus is equipped with: biological feature extracting unit 10 for extracting a feature of biological information which is related to at least one person contained in said image information from the media data inputted thereinto; and encrypting process unit 20 for partially, or wholly encrypting the media data based upon the feature extracted by the biological feature extracting unit. A feature parameter of a face of the person contained in the media data is utilized. |
| US08224038B2 |
Apparatus, computer program product, and method for processing pictures
When groups of coordinates of face areas respectively contained in mutually different frames are within a predetermined error range, a face attribute assigning unit assigns mutually the same face attribute value to each of the face areas. In the case where a difference in the feature amounts between the frames is within a predetermined error range, a similar shot detecting unit detects that the shots from which the frames have respectively been extracted are similar shots to each of which mutually the same shot attribute value is assigned. In the case where it is judged that face areas that respectively appear in the frames contained in the similar shots and to which mutually different face attribute values have respectively been assigned represent the face of mutually the same person, the face attribute re-assigning unit assigns mutually the same face attribute value to each of the face areas. |
| US08224035B2 |
Device, method and program for detecting eye
An eye detecting device includes an image generating device for generating a face image, a nostril detecting portion for detecting a nostril in the face image, an eye searching area setting portion for setting an eye searching area in the face image based on a position of the nostril detected by the nostril detecting portion, and an eye searching portion for searching an eye within the eye searching area set by the eye searching area setting portion. |
| US08224034B2 |
Biometrics system, biologic information storage, and portable device
In a biometrics system for a building entrance unlocking or a bank account authentication, reference information registered under administration by the system is transmitted to a room or mobile-phone for private storage, with the original reference information deleted from the system. Biologic information gotten upon authentication is transmitted through wireless system to the room or mobile-phone for comparison with the reference, the result being returned to the system. Or, the reference is tentatively sent back to the system for comparison with the gotten biologic information. The biologic information sent to mobile-phone also includes health control information for storage and display. Mobile-phone also can receive blood pressure information at a waiting lounge of medical institution though wireless local communication even if the main power shut down. The communication between the biometrics system and the mobile-phone is encrypted. The system includes sensor unit and protection unit, the abnormality thereof being separately checked. |
| US08224033B2 |
Movement detector and movement detection method
The invention provides a movement detector for a composite signal, comprising a frame delay unit, a first combiner, a second combiner and a third combiner. The frame delay unit receives the composite signal to generate a one-frame delayed signal, a two-frame delayed signal, and a three-frame delayed signal. The first combiner generates a first difference from a first pair of the composite signal, the one-frame delayed signal, the two-frame delayed signal, and the three-frame delayed signal. The second mean generates a second difference from a second pair of the composite signal, the one-frame delayed signal, the two-frame delayed signal, and the three-frame delayed signal. The first pair is different from the second pair. The third combiner generates a third difference for detecting motion based on the first difference and the second difference. |
| US08224032B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring a spatial area, in particular for safeguarding a hazardous area of an automatically operated installation
An apparatus for monitoring a spatial area, in particular for safeguarding a hazardous area of an automatically operated installation, comprises an illumination device which at least temporarily emits light signals into the spatial area. A first image recording unit records a first image of the spatial area. The first image recording unit comprises an image sensor having a plurality of pixels. An evaluation unit determines a distance value for at least one spatial area point, which is located in the spatial area and is imaged on at least one pixel, by means of a propagation type measurement. The propagation type measurement suffers from a limited unambiguity range. Therefore, a test device is designed to check the distance value by means of a reference distance value determined from a second image of said spatial area. |
| US08224028B1 |
System and method for queue analysis using video analytics
A method for analyzing queues using video analytics is provided. The method includes receiving a video comprising a plurality of images of a scene. The scene includes a queue region and an operation region. The method also includes processing at least a first image of the plurality of images to determine an occurrence of a first event associated with the operation region, and processing at least a second image of the plurality of images to determine an occurrence of a second event associated with the operation region. The method further includes determining an operation time based on an amount of time between the first event and the second event, processing at least a third image of the plurality of images to determine a quantity of entities in the queue region, and determining a wait time based on the operation time and the quantity of entities in the queue region. |
| US08224027B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing video data
A method for managing video data including selecting a target object from a monitored area monitored by at least one image capturing device, extracting feature data of the selected target object, detecting motion of an object occurring in video data corresponding to the monitored area, comparing feature data the object causing the detected motion with the extracted feature data of the target object, and outputting information related to the object causing the motion when the comparing step determines the object causing the motion is the target object. |
| US08224025B2 |
Group tracking in motion capture
Tracking a group of motion capture markers in a sequence of frames, comprising: establishing a group relationship among a plurality of motion capture markers in a current frame; and labeling the plurality of motion capture markers in the current frame using the group relationship. |
| US08224024B2 |
Tracking objects with markers
The spatial location and azimuth of an object are computed from the locations, in a single camera image, of exactly two points on the object and information about an orientation of the object.One or more groups of four or more collinear markers are located in an image, and for each group, first and second outer markers are determined, the distances from each outer marker to the nearest marker in the same group are compared, and the outer marker with a closer nearest marker is identified as the first outer marker. Based on known distances between the outer markers and the marker nearest the first outer marker, an amount of perspective distortion of the group of markers in the image is estimated. Based on the perspective distortion, relative distances from each other point in the group to one of the outer markers are determined. Based on the relative distances, the group is identified. |