| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08224838B2 |
Database search method, program, and apparatus
A search condition specifying unit specifies a search condition item, and specifies a re-search condition item which is desired to be re-searched based on the search result according to the search specified condition. A search processing unit extracts an item value corresponding to the re-search condition item from the search result of the database according to the search condition item, and repeats search of a database wherein the item value serves as the search condition item until no item value is extracted. A search result display unit displays the search result according to the search processing unit in a list. |
| US08224837B2 |
Method and mechanism for supporting virtual content in performing file operations at a RDBMS
Techniques are provided for accessing and storing files within a virtual folder. A virtual folder is a folder that is logically a part of a hierarchical folder structure of a file system repository, but the contents of the virtual folder are not physically stored in the file system repository. A client may issue, to an access mechanism, a request to perform a file operation on a file in a virtual folder. The access mechanism, which may be a database server or a component therein, may perform the file operation on the file in the virtual folder as if the file was stored in a particular folder within the hierarchical folder structure implemented by the file system repository. Advantageously, files may be physically stored outside of the file system repository, but still be a part of the hierarchical folder structure implemented by the file system repository. |
| US08224835B2 |
Expanding attribute profiles
A method and system for expanding attribute profiles are presented in which primary attributes from one or more attribute profiles are used to derive secondary attributes which are added to the respective attribute profiles to generate expanded attribute profiles. The expanded attribute profiles are generated to increase the strength of association of a query attribute with one or more attribute profiles associated with query-attribute-positive individuals. |
| US08224832B2 |
Computerized document examination for changes
A system and method are provided to examine a changeable monitored document and to provide alerts relating to changes of interest. The logical entities of a monitored document are compared, when changed, to the logical entities of an updatable reference of the monitored document which comprises material from the monitored document at a given time. The system distinguishes between logical entities which have moved within a document and logical entities which have been changed in a document. A user or users are alerted to any change in the monitored document according to the user's preferences. The system also allows the user to specify one or more search terms, thereby allowing a user to receive alerts only when a specified search term or terms appear in a newly changed portion of the monitored document. After examination, an extracted copy of the monitored document is retained as the editable reference. |
| US08224829B2 |
Database
A database is provided in which an index for the database is provided as a hierarchical structure of nodes that are navigated during a search until a conclusion set is reached. The structure is organized such that key information relating to a node is inferred from the position of the node in the structure. The index is queried using a search criterion having at least one key, each key including at least one key symbol, in order to locate data matching the search criterion. The index is a hierarchical structure of nodes that is navigated during a search until a conclusion set satisfying the search criterion is reached, and the index is searched by comparing, at each node, a decision group within the search key with a decision value associated with the node. The structure is organized such that the key symbols are not stored at a node in the structure, and each node has less than three exit paths therefrom. |
| US08224828B2 |
Multi-client generic persistence for extension fields
Access to a networked application can be provided to multiple users while allowing user-specific extension fields to be created and maintained for exclusive access by the user creating the extension field. A user-customized data object that includes a standard field value of a standard field of a standard data object defined by the networked application and a user-specific extension field value of a user-specific extension field that modifies operation of the networked application for the user and that is not available to other users of the plurality of users can be received from a user for writing to memory. The user-specific extension field value can be separated from the standard field value. The standard field value and the user-specific extension field value can be persisted in a first database table and a second database table, respectively. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also provided. |
| US08224826B2 |
Agent rank
The present invention provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for searching and ranking linked information sources. The techniques include receiving multiple content items from a corpus of content items; receiving digital signatures each made by one of multiple agents, each digital signature associating one of the agents with one or more of the content items; and assigning a score to a first agent of the multiple agents, wherein the score is based upon the content items associated with the first agent by the digital signatures. |
| US08224825B2 |
Graph-processing techniques for a MapReduce engine
Systems, methods, and devices for sorting and processing various types of graph data are described herein. Partitioning graph data into master data and associated slave data allows for sorting of the graph data by sorting the master data. In another embodiment, promoting a data bucket having a first data bucket size to a data bucket having a second data bucket size greater than the first data bucket size upon reaching a memory limit allows for the reduction of temporary files output by the data bucket. |
| US08224823B1 |
Browsing history restoration
Systems and methods are presented for restoring and/or utilizing browsing history for dynamically-generated or modified content is described. In one embodiment, the method includes: in response to a user request to display a page of information including a navigational element on a computing device, obtaining a content identifier for content associated with the navigational element, identifying a stored content identifier associated with the content and corresponding to a prior navigational element that was previously viewed on the computing device, verifying the prior navigational element associated with the stored content identifier, and setting at least one property of the navigational element to indicate, when displayed, that the content associated with the navigational element was previously viewed on the computing device. |
| US08224822B2 |
Template based entity transformation
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with template based entity transformation are described. One example method includes generating a difference set that describes differences between an existing data entity and a template. The example method may also include applying the template to the existing data entity based on the difference set and conflict resolution choices. |
| US08224814B2 |
Methods and systems for intermingling hetergeneous listing types when presenting search results
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for managing how merchandise listings satisfying a search query are processed and presented to a user of a computer-based trading or e-commerce application when the listings are of heterogeneous types. Consistent with some embodiments, in response to a user-initiated search query, item listings and product listings are displayed intermingled in a set of search results pages. The item listings and product listings are positioned relative to one another, in part, based on a level of demand associated with the product listings and the item listings, where demand is measured by monitoring user-initiated activities in connection with the item and product listings. |
| US08224811B2 |
Workload management using robustness mapping
Computer-implemented systems and associated operating methods use performance maps created by evaluating robustness of a database operator, query plan, or query to analyze health of a currently-executing query. The computer-implemented system comprises logic that receives one or more robustness maps of measured database system performance acquired during database execution in a predetermined range of runtime conditions. The logic analyzes state of a currently-executing query by locating the query's performance on the robustness maps. |
| US08224810B2 |
Abstract classification field specification
Techniques are disclosed for storing and rendering a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes a display area for specifying result fields and operators to define an abstract query. Each result field corresponds to a logical field specification of a data abstraction model abstractly describing data in a database. The GUI further includes a display area for specifying classification fields for the abstract query, each classification field including a result field and a classification definition, and the display area including a result field window displaying available result fields and graphical elements configured to allow specification of classification definitions for one or more selected result fields. The classification definition is suitable for dividing data into a plurality of categories. The GUI further includes a selection element for specifying whether the specified classification fields are included with the abstract query for execution, and another selection element for initiating execution of the abstract query. |
| US08224809B2 |
System and method for matching entities
Matching systems are provided that are configured to determine if a first entity received from a client device of a first user matches with at least one other entity of a plurality of entities indexed in an index in which each entity is associated with one or more index points. The system includes an application server adapted for communication with a matching engine and the client device. The matching engine is configured to index the first entity by associating the first entity with one or more index points in the index; and search for other entities matching the first entity among the plurality of entities indexed in the index by searching for other entities associated with at least one of the index points with which the first entity is associated. The matching system is adapted to initiate the search for other entities matching the first entity upon occurrence of a match triggering event and interpret the reception of the first entity as a match triggering event such that search is initiated upon reception thereof. |
| US08224802B2 |
User interface for facts query engine with snippets from information sources that include query terms and answer terms
A method and a system for providing snippets of source documents of an answer to a fact query are disclosed. Snippets of source documents may be provided in response to a user request for the source documents from which the fact answer to a fact query was extracted. The snippets include the terms of the fact query and terms of the answer. The snippets may be displayed along with Uniform Resource Locators (URL's) of the source documents. |
| US08224801B1 |
System and method for improved information retrieval
An improved information retrieval system. In response to detecting that the user has interacted with a display element in a first web page within a web browser window, retrieving information from a second web page before the user requests that the second web page be displayed within the web browser window. Other enhanced information retrieval techniques. |
| US08224800B2 |
Hardware accelerated reconfigurable processor for accelerating database operations and queries
Embodiments of the present invention provide a hardware accelerator that assists a host database system in processing its queries. The hardware accelerator comprises special purpose processing elements that are capable of receiving database query/operation tasks in the form of machine code database instructions, execute them in hardware without software, and return the query/operation result back to the host system. For example, table and column descriptors are embedded in the machine code database instructions. For ease of installation, the hardware accelerators employ a standard interconnect, such as a PCle or HT interconnect. The processing elements implement a novel dataflow design and Inter Macro-Op Communication (IMC) data structures to execute the machine code database instructions. The hardware accelerator may also comprise a relatively large memory to enhance the hardware execution of the query/operation tasks requested. The hardware accelerator utilizes hardware-friendly memory addressing, which allows for arithmetic derivation of a physical address from a global database virtual address simply based on a row identifier. The hardware accelerator minimizes memory reads/writes by keeping most intermediate results flowing through IMCs in pipelined and parallel fashion. Furthermore, the hardware accelerator may employ task pipelining and pre-fetch pipelining to enhance its performance. |
| US08224799B2 |
Providing lock-based access to nodes in a concurrent linked list
A method of providing lock-based access to nodes in a concurrent linked list includes providing a plurality of striped lock objects. Each striped lock object is configured to lock at least one of the nodes in the concurrent linked list. An index is computed based on a value stored in a first node to be accessed in the concurrent linked list. A first one of the striped lock objects is identified based on the computed index. The first striped lock object is acquired, thereby locking and providing protected access to the first node. |
| US08224795B2 |
Map data product, map data processing program product, map data processing method and map data processing device
A first data product that can be read into a computer or a map data processing apparatus, contains therein map data having map-related information of a map. The map data includes: a structure having the map-related information divided into units of a plurality of divisions into which the map is divided; and a structure having management information for the map-related information divided into units of the divisions, and: the map-related information obtained by the computer or the map data processing apparatus can be updated in units of the individual divisions by using the management information. |
| US08224793B2 |
Registration in a de-coupled environment
A method, system and computer program product for registration in a de-coupled environment or system may include providing an identity of a spawned component to a manager. The method, system and computer program product may also include taking a predetermined action in response to the spawned component failing to report its status to the manager after a preset time period. |
| US08224791B2 |
Information lifecycle cross-system reconciliation
In the described systems and methods for information lifecycle cross-system reconciliation, a number of reconciliation indicators for a certain type of data are defined. A first set of values of the reconciliation indicators are calculated at a first computer system based on data stored in a memory of the first computer system. A second set of values of the reconciliation indicators are calculated at a second computer system based on data transferred from the first computer system. The two sets of values are received at reconciliation cockpit and stored in a reconciliation data structure. Further, the reconciliation data structure is examined to identify inconsistency between the data stored in the memory of the first computer system and the data transferred to the second computer system. If such an inconsistency is identified, the data transfer is cancelled. If inconsistency is not identified, the data transfer is confirmed. |
| US08224790B2 |
Information processor arrangement
Irregular links and relationships in a data set may relate to fraudulent actions or identify deception or risk assessment or knowledge generation but may be identified by simple superficially unlinked actions. Thus, for example a claimant may claim through an address using one telephone number but contact the insurer for that claim using a different telephone number. By pooling all the information received, including all telephone numbers, unusual or irregular or fraudulent leads can be identified by establishing telephone numbers or other gateway cluster nodes for each dataset such that supposedly unrelated claims can be matched and therefore be more closely scrutinized. The information processor arrangement may create a cascade of clusters for an as presented data set which can be configured through cluster nodes to allow better identification of suspect activity or for better analysis profiling. |
| US08224774B1 |
Electronic form processing
Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to producing an electronic form with the approximate look and/or feel of a previously existing hardcopy form, including generating a series of objects such as, for example, classes, table structures, metadata, etc., representing the hardcopy form. One or more object-oriented classes may be generated based, at least in part, on a form definition template representing a previously existing hardcopy form. |
| US08224768B1 |
Tropical cyclone prediction system and method
A method of predicting information related to a path of a weather phenomenon includes obtaining a plurality of tracks corresponding to the weather phenomenon from at least one source. A factor is assigned to each of the plurality of tracks. A set of probabilities for the weather phenomenon to intersect a plurality of segments corresponding to a boundary is determined using at least intersection points of the plurality of tracks with the boundary and the factor assigned to each of the plurality of tracks. |
| US08224766B2 |
Comparing spatial-temporal trails in location analytics
Systems and computer-implemented methods are provided for comparing, associating and deriving associations between two or more spatial temporal data trails. One or more spatial-temporal data trails comprising one or more places are received at a processor. Each place is identified by a spatial temporal data point. And each spatial-temporal data trail is associated with an individual. The similarity between pairs of places is determined to establish one or more groups of places or one or more groups of individuals. Similarity and/groups can be determined based on demographics associated with the place or individual. |
| US08224761B1 |
System and method for interactive correlation rule design in a network security system
A method for generating correlation rules for events comprises receiving event data for each of a plurality of events, the event data of a particular event comprising at least one attribute associated with that event. The method continues by displaying the event data for each of the plurality of events to an operator. The method continues by receiving a selection of at least a portion of the events. The method continues by generating at least one rule that correlates the selected events based at least in part upon the attributes associated with the selected events. The method concludes by displaying the event data to the operator in accordance with the at least one rule. |
| US08224760B2 |
Self learning method and system for managing a group reward system
A system for managing a purchase agreement, including: a memory element for at least one specially-programmed general purpose computer for storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP) and a purchase agreement between a customer and at least one business entity, the purchase agreement including at least one requirement regarding at least one retail transaction between the customer and the business entity; a processor in the specially-programmed general purpose computer for: compiling a purchasing history for the customer with respect to the business entity and the purchase agreement, the memory element for storing the purchasing history, and modifying, using the purchasing history and the AIP, the at least one requirement to increase revenue or profitability of the business entity; and an interface element in the specially-programmed general purpose computer for transmitting the modified at least one requirement for presentation to the customer. |
| US08224757B2 |
Curriculum management system
Methods and systems, including computer program products, for use with a curriculum management system that manages a curriculum comprised of at least a course. The method includes scheduling a booking of the course for a learner; receiving input requesting a modification to the booking; determining whether the booking is an individual booking or a curriculum booking; and processing the modification based on whether the booking is an individual booking or a curriculum booking. |
| US08224754B2 |
Generation, distribution and verification of tokens using a secure hash algorithm
Methods, systems, and apparatus for generation, distribution and verification of tokens are described. In an implementation, a method is described in which a value of an offer is determined and a token for representing the offer is generated. The token has a number of characters based on the determination of the value of the offer. |
| US08224749B2 |
Methods and systems for automated generation of bills
The present invention provides methods and systems for processing bills electronically. Generally, a bill is created for a customer using billing information and master data from a biller and master data from a customer. Billing information is received from the biller by a first processing module having access to the master data of the biller. The first processing module generates a bill using the billing information and the master data of the biller. A second processing module having access to the master data of the customer provides customer data to the first processing module. The bill is transformed into a format specified in the master data of the customer by the first processing module if the format of the generated bill is not the format specified in the master data of the customer. The generated or transformed bill is transferred to the second processing module by the first processing module. |
| US08224748B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting account terms based on purchase transaction information
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a financial account. The disclosed systems and methods may include providing a financial account offer to a customer. The disclosed systems and methods may also include receiving en acceptance of the offer, providing the financial account, setting an account variable equal to a first account value, and monitoring the financial account. The monitoring may further comprise resetting the account variable equal to a second account value when a number of purchase transactions corresponding to a currently monitored time period are less than a threshold value. Furthermore, the account variable may be reset equal to a third account value when the number of purchase transactions corresponding to the currently monitored time period are greater than or equal to the threshold value and a number of purchase transactions corresponding to the previous time period were less than the threshold value. |
| US08224746B1 |
Method for processing payment for a purchase transaction
A method for processing payment for a purchase transaction includes enabling the provision of a first payments account to an accountholder and enabling a second payments account of the accountholder to be associated with the first payments account. A limit on the number of times the first payment account can be used for making purchase transactions within a determined time period is established. During a purchase transaction being made by the accountholder using the first account, information indicative of the first account and the purchase transaction is received. It is determined whether the limit on the number of times the first account has been used by the accountholder within the determined time period has been reached. When the limit on the number of times the account can be used in the time period has been reached, the second account of the accountholder is used for the purchase transaction. |
| US08224744B2 |
Apparatus and method of a distributed capital system
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for conducting financial transactions over a network. A user requests to execute at least one financial transaction with at least one of a number of parties, each of the parties corresponding to a data processing system on the network. Real-time financial information relating to the financial transaction is obtained, and the user can test and confirm that the financial transaction with the at least one party can take place prior to execution of the financial transaction. |
| US08224735B1 |
Method, system, and computer program for investing
An investment method provides a predictable monthly income to a retiree or other investor while increasing asset growth potential and decreasing the likelihood that assets will need to be sold during market downturns. The method may be implemented by computer equipment and computer programs operated by an investment services provider. Funds are first received from an investor and used to purchase assets for a Growth Component and an Income Protection Component. The assets in the Growth Component are invested primarily in growth-oriented investments, and the assets in the Income Protection Component are invested primarily in income-oriented investments. The investor may be paid distributions from the Income Protection Component. As the Income Protection Component is depleted through the payment of the distributions, it is periodically replenished by selling assets from the Growth Component. To minimize the likelihood that assets will be sold from the Growth Component during down markets, the amount of assets sold from the Growth Component is based at least partially on the rate of return of the Growth Component and may also be based on the state of the Income Protection Component. |
| US08224732B1 |
Fiduciary screener test and benefit plan selection process
A process for enrolling individual participants in compensation and employee benefit plans using performance scores from a psychometric testing instrument to determine whether individual participants understand the risks of their plan choices. As an individual's score increases on the test, a larger array of plan choices become available allowing greater opportunity for plan customization. This screening process benefits the individual plan participant by limiting plan choices where risks are not properly understood. Additionally, the use of the test as a screener to curtail unsuitable plan choices affords plan sponsors a mechanism to demonstrate that they have properly exercised their fiduciary duty. |
| US08224730B2 |
Scanning based spreads using a hedge ratio non-linear optimization model
The disclosed embodiments utilize hedge ratios to determine the optimal hedge ratio and associated scanning spread. This tells traders what ratios of the quantities of products they should have in their portfolio in order to maintain the status of the portfolios as delta neutral, i.e. be delta hedged, and receive optimal margin credits therefore. |
| US08224724B2 |
Method and system for associating a collateral agreement with a receivable
Embodiments of the present invention relate to software for automatically forming links between a collateral agreement and receivable secured by the collateral agreement. |
| US08224723B2 |
Account opening system, method and computer program product
A system that facilitates opening of a bank account by banking personnel for a customer. The account opening system includes an automatic rate determination feature that uses customer information, account information and other criteria to determine an account interest rate. The rate determination system may also mediate rate negotiation between a personal banker and the customer by limiting the increase in rate awarded by the personal banker. An auditing system assigns numbers to a series of profiles, each describing a request to open an account. Profiles to be audited are determined by generating random numbers that fall within the range of assigned profile numbers. Random number generation is repeated until a threshold percentage of profiles have been selected for auditing. The account opening system includes a system for tracking the progress of the account application and for organizing information recorded by the personal banker during interactions with the customer. |
| US08224722B2 |
Customizable marketing project interfaces
Systems and methods are provided to enable filtered searches of marketing-related data by extracting marketing project information, including marketing activities, promotions, and campaigns information from an existing marketing system database and restructuring the extracted information in a hierarchical series of selectable nodes. In an embodiment, some of the nodes may be grouped into time, accounts, products, agreements, or marketing plan tabs. In an embodiment, once one or more nodes are selected and a search is activated, the results may be presented in a list or Gantt chart. In an embodiment, the Gantt chart may be supplemented with additional information including additional date ranges, key performance indicators (KPIs), and/or trade spends. In an embodiment, this additional information may vary according to a user role and the nodes selected. |
| US08224721B2 |
Lightweight dunnage platform
A dunnage platform adapted to support a load for transport comprises a deck including a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge extending therebetween and a pair of legs, each of the legs including at least one foot extending from the leg. The bottom surface of the deck includes at least one stub for each of the legs, the at least one stub positioning the leg along the bottom surface. The at least one foot of each leg is hollow to receive the at least one stub. When the pair of legs is positioned along the deck, the dunnage platform is elevated by the at least one foot extending from the each said leg of the pair of legs. |
| US08224720B2 |
System and method for tracking inventory
A computer-based system for tracking inventory based on sales. The system can include a processor configured to process, manage, and analyze data. Additionally, the system can include a computing device operably coupled to the processor, wherein the computing device is associated with an entity. Notably, the processor can be configured to request information associated with a product from the computing device, wherein the information comprises an on-hand inventory quantity of the product and a total sales quantity of the product for a designated period of time for the entity and receive the requested information associated with the product from the computing device. The processor can also be configured to determine whether the on-hand inventory quantity is at least one and the total sales quantity of the product for the designated period of time is zero. Furthermore, the processor can be configured to select the entity when it is determined that the on-hand inventory quantity is at least one and the total sales quantity of the product for the designated period of time is zero. |
| US08224717B2 |
Managing an inventory of service parts
An inventory of service parts may be managed by assessing a company's capability, optimizing the inventory and implementing a management program based on the assessment and optimization. Optimizing target stock levels for the inventory of parts may be accomplished by calculating an inventory baseline for understanding information about the currently held inventory; developing a service strategy for a set of segments; quantifying a service level for each of the segments; analyzing the segments and their service levels for identifying at least one logistically distinct business; assigning each of the segments to a “best-fit” planning model for indicating each segment's deployment, replenishment, forecasting and review characteristics; identifying a probability distribution function for estimating a demand process of each of the segments; and calculating a target stock level for each segment. |
| US08224713B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced information visualization
In accordance with the present invention, an information management application that provides users with the ability to create and customize matrix displays of information relating to a particular product or service for navigation by other users is provided. |
| US08224706B2 |
Commodity information registering method and system which automatically matches commodity model and category with the commodity information
A goods information registration method includes: maintaining a goods model database including a goods model identifier which is used in a predetermined shopping mall relay server; receiving a goods identifier or a goods name of goods information which is registered in a predetermined shopping mall server; extracting a model name keyword from the goods name; using the model name keyword for searching the goods model database for at least one recommendation goods model identifier corresponding to the goods identifier, based on a predetermined automatic goods model recommendation logic; presenting search results including a list of the at least one recommendation goods model identifier to a goods registrant, and receiving a selection on any one recommendation goods model identifier of the list, from the goods registrant; and registering the goods information in the shopping mall relay server, in association with the selected recommendation goods model identifier. |
| US08224705B2 |
Methods, systems and devices for packet watermarking and efficient provisioning of bandwidth
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for transmitting streams of data. The present invention also relates to generating packet watermarks and packet watermark keys. The present invention also relates to a computerized system for packaging data for transmission to a user. The system may utilize computer code to generate a bandwidth rights certificate that may include: at least one cryptographic credential; routing information for the transmission; and, optionally, a digital signature of a certificate owner; a unique identification code of a certificate owner; a certificate validity period; and pricing information for use of bandwidth. The present invention also relates to an electronic method and system for purchasing good and services by establishing an account whereby a customer is credited with a predetermined amount of bandwidth usage, and then charges are assessed against the account in an amount of bandwidth usage which corresponds to the agreed upon purchase value for the selected item. |
| US08224698B2 |
System and method for determining weighted average success probabilities of internet advertisements
A method and related system for determining the weighted average conversion (or click-through) probability (WACP) associated with an activity, such as an internet advertising bid activity. The method involves gathering information associated with prior actions relevant to future actions, such as bidding on internet advertisement placement, for example. The gathered information, such as clicks, impressions and conversions resulting from an advertisement placement, is used in an algorithm to calculate the WACP. The method may be carried out as part of a system including one or more computing devices and the execution of instructions embodied in computer-readable media. The algorithm may include the option of weighting the data used, such as by valuing recent data more than older data. |
| US08224696B2 |
Automated reward management for network-based contests
A system for automated reward management for network-based contests includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the processors, where the memory stores program instructions executable by the processors to implement a contest manager. The contest manager is configured to collect an entry fee corresponding to each entry of a plurality of entries submitted for a contest over a network, and provide a prize to a winning entry of the contest based at least in part on a total amount of entry fees collected for the contest. |
| US08224695B2 |
Monetizing service calls through advertising
A platform service that is used by an application may be linked to an advertising service. A cost of using the platform service may be reduced based on the linking. |
| US08224692B2 |
System and method for pricing of overlapping impression pools of online advertisement impressions for advertising demand
An improved system and method for pricing of overlapping impression pools of online advertisement impressions for advertising demand is provided. An inventory of online advertisement impressions may be grouped in impression pools according to attributes of the advertisement impressions and advertisers' requests for impressions targeting specific attributes may be received. An optimal price may be computed for each of the impression pools of the inventory of online advertisement impressions using dual values of an optimization program. The values of a dual variable for prices of impression pools on the supply constraints of an objective function for allocating the impression pools may be extracted and iteratively increased on those impression pools which have a dual value greater than the book rate value. |
| US08224691B1 |
System and method for distributing information through cooperative communication network sites
Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details. An additional feature of the invention makes use of a consumer “personal page,” which is an individualized database in which consumer shopping preferences are defined, both by information that the consumer expressly provides and by the consumer's past shopping activity. Use of the personal page allows the consumer to receive product offers that are more targeted to the individual consumer, thus saving the consumer time and effort. Another embodiment of the invention provides for distribution of a product purchase incentive directly to the consumer in response to his or her selection of an advertising banner displayed on an independent commercial network site. |
| US08224690B2 |
Graphical risk-based performance measurement and benchmarking system and method
A system and method provides analysis of pre- and post-project effects on frequency and severity of operational loss. The method includes the computation of the frequency of incidents and the severity of incidents for equipment based on recorded incident data. Risk, a function of frequency and severity, is calculated before and after a project to determine if the project has changed the risk of an incident in a piece of equipment or facility and if the project has changed the nature of risk (i.e. increasing severity while decreasing frequency). The method may be used to compute forecast estimates of future operational losses, assess goals for improving current performance relative to demonstrated industry performance, and determine statistical confidence intervals of forecast such that risk, and changes in risk, may be visually quantified and communicated. |
| US08224686B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for analyzing initiatives for a business network
A system, method, and article of manufacture is disclosed for analyzing a business initiative for a business network including business locations separated into control group sites and test sites that have implemented the business initiative for a predetermined test period. Each of the sites have an associated set of attributes reflecting various characteristics corresponding to the respective site, such as geographical location, size of business location, number of employees, etc. In one aspect of the invention, a process is performed that collects a performance value for each of the test and control group sites reflecting a level of performance of each respective sites during the test period. The performance of the test sites is then measured relative to the performance of the control sites over the same time period. The process may segment the performance values for each test site attribute to identify those attributes that have a greater impact on the performance values of the test sites than other attributes. Further, the process configures a model for predicting the performance values of the test sites using the identified attributes and determines whether the model accurately predicts these performance values. If so, the process applies the model to the non-tested sites to predict the performance values of these sites. Based on the predicted performance values, a user may select one or more of the sites to implement the business initiative. |
| US08224682B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for calendar-based coverage monitoring
Methods, systems, and computer program products for calendar-based coverage monitoring are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving a coverage rule defining at least one covering entity for performing an activity for a covered entity and at least one period of time during which the multiple covering entities is to perform the activity. Individual calendars for the at least one covering entity are monitored and a change in one of the calendars is detected. It is then determined whether the change causes the coverage rule to be violated, and in response to determining that the change causes the coverage rule to be violated, a notification indicating violation of the coverage rule is automatically generated. |
| US08224678B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking health-related spending for validation of disability benefits claims
A method for tracking health-related spending for validation of disability benefits claims includes receiving, by a Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, from an authorization server, an identification of an approved transaction initiated by a recipient of insurance settlement funds to acquire at least one of a healthcare-related service and a healthcare-related good by a provider, the recipient authorized to receive the at least one of the healthcare-related service and the healthcare-related good from the provider. The method includes tracking, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, healthcare-related expenditures by the recipient. The method includes generating, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, a statement of approved transactions. The method includes transmitting, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, to a disability benefit provider, the statement of approved transactions. |
| US08224677B2 |
System and method for administering life insurance policies issued prior to underwriting
A computer system for administering applications for life insurance has a processor and a memory storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to receive data indicative of an application and an initial premium payment from a proposed insured for life insurance; based on the received data, determine whether the proposed insured is uninsurable; responsive to a determination that the proposed insured is not uninsurable, generate an output signal having data indicative of a decision to respond to the application by issuing a policy and commencing a comprehensive underwriting process; receive data indicative of a result of the comprehensive underwriting process; based on the result of the comprehensive underwriting process, determine a rating of the proposed insured; and, based on the rating, provide an output signal indicative of a same or changed premium for the policy. |
| US08224676B2 |
On-demand flight accident insurance
A system for providing flight accident insurance at low price and fixed coverage comprises means for limiting the number of policies that can be sold on any given flight to not more than a predetermined number. The predetermined number may be 20. The premium for the insurance is a function of the GDP of the country in which the airline operating said flight is domiciled such that said premium is a decreasing function of said GDP. |
| US08224668B2 |
Satori integrated health and financial benefits system and method
A shared medical savings system and method are provided that allow a patient to participate in the savings generated by selecting to have a medical procedure performed overseas. The system has one or more computing devices, a link that is capable of connecting the one or more computing devices to a medical shared savings unit that is capable of interacting with the computing devices. An employer uses the computing device to elect to participate in a medical savings plan using a Health Reimbursement Account, a patient using the computing device to select an overseas medical procedure that is part of the medical savings plan so that the savings for the overseas medical procedure is divided between the employer and the patient utilizing a medical savings plan. |
| US08224667B1 |
Therapy adherence methods and architecture
A therapy adherence system is provided. The system comprises at least one computer system, a database, and an application that, when executed on the at least one computer system, receives a message from a home-based patient device containing medication compliance information and physical condition information. The system also compares medication compliance information and physical condition information with a current treatment regimen and historical medication and physical condition information stored in the database. The system also calculates an updated regimen and health risk level based on at least current and historical medication compliance information and physical condition information. The system also notifies an at least one health care provider when health risk level exceeds a threshold. The system also receives response from the at least one health care provider, the response comprising adjustments to the updated regimen and a diagnosis and communicates the updated regimen. |
| US08224666B1 |
Rules based medical charging system
The combination of a data communication system, including data input, data retention, and data output means, and to the supporting software to develop an accurate account of charges for a surgical procedure, including pre-op, surgical and post-op, of a patient in a medical facility. The method consists of a pair of sequential and interrelated modular subsystems having an administrator module and a manager module. The method includes inputting of such information as base charges, modifying the inputted base charges based on known circumstances and unique conditions of the patient, and identifying materials and facility resources used in the surgical procedure. Further, the actual materials used in the surgical procedures are identified along with actual items and duration of use during the surgical procedure, for inputting into data input base, where all of this data and information is transmitted to the data retention and data output base for accurately determining the appropriate charges to the patient. |
| US08224665B2 |
Estimating healthcare outcomes for individuals
A method and apparatus for predicting a health benefit for an individual is provided. Outcomes from a first simulation on a set of simulated individuals reflecting a population are stored and used to determine a first risk function and corresponding cost values. Outcomes from a second simulation on a set of simulated individuals reflecting having a healthcare intervention are stored and used to determine a second risk function reflecting the intervention and corresponding cost values of the intervention. A benefit function is derived from the difference of the first and second risk functions. A cost function that describes the cost of the intervention is derived from the respective cost values. The derived benefit function and cost function are used to predict the corresponding benefit and cost of the healthcare intervention for a given individual. Individuals can be ranked by degree of expected benefit. |
| US08224663B2 |
System and method for assessment and corrective action based on guidelines
A system and method are provided for applying guidelines to data and providing self-assessment ability. Guideline data is stored in a data storage component, along with user data. The user data represents both quantitative data and qualitative self-assessment data. In a self-assessment system and method, a graphical user interface is provided along with a target image and factor icons. The icons are adapted to be moved onto a position on the target image representative of an entity's self assessment of performance relative to the corresponding factor. A subset of actionable alternatives are selected and displayed based on the self-assessment data and the guidelines. |
| US08224661B2 |
Adapting masking thresholds for encoding audio data
According to one embodiment, an improved audio coding technique encodes audio having a low frequency transient signal, using a long block, but with a set of adapted masking thresholds. Upon identifying an audio window that contains a low frequency transient signal, masking thresholds for the long block may be calculated as usual. A set of masking thresholds calculated for the 8 short blocks corresponding to the long block are calculated. The masking thresholds for low frequency critical bands are adapted based on the thresholds calculated for the short blocks, and the resulting adapted masking thresholds are used to encode the long block of audio data. The result is encoded audio with rich harmonic content and negligible coder noise resulting from the low frequency transient signal. |
| US08224660B2 |
Method of coding a source audio signal, corresponding coding device, decoding method and device, signal, computer program products
A method is provided for coding a source audio signal. The method includes the following steps: coding a quantization profile of coefficients representative of at least one transform of the source audio signal, according to at least to distinct coding techniques, delivering at least two sets of data representative of a quantization profile; selecting one of the sets of data representative of a quantization profile, as a function of a predetermined selection criterion; transmitting and/or storing the set of data representative of a selected quantization profile and an indicator representative of the corresponding coding technique. |
| US08224654B1 |
Editing voice input
A computer-implemented method of generating a voice command to perform an action includes receiving a voice request to perform the action, wherein the voice request comprises first audio information for one or more first data fields associated with the action; generating a GUI that when rendered on a display device comprises a prompt message prompting a user to speak second audio information for one or more second data fields associated with the action; and inserting into the one or more second data fields data indicative of one or more of (i) the first audio information, and (ii) the second audio information. |
| US08224653B2 |
Method and system for operating a vehicular electronic system with categorized voice commands
Methods and systems for operating an avionics system with voice command capability are provided. A first voice command is received. A first type of avionics system function is performed in response to the receiving of the first voice command. A second voice command is received. A second type of avionics system function that has a hazard level higher than that of the first type of avionics system function is performed in response to the receiving of the second voice command only after a condition is detected that is indicative of a confirmation of the request to perform the second type of avionics function. The avionics system may also have the capability to test whether or not the voice command feature is functioning properly. |
| US08224651B2 |
System and method for hazard mitigation in voice-driven control applications
A speech recognition and control system including a sound card for receiving speech and converting the speech into digital data, the sound card removably connected to an input of a computer, recognizer software executing on the computer for interpreting at least a portion of the digital data, event detection software executing on the computer for detecting connectivity of the sound card, and command control software executing on the computer for generating a command based on at least one of the digital data and the connectivity of the sound card. |
| US08224641B2 |
Language identification for documents containing multiple languages
Multiple nonoverlapping languages within a single document can be identified. In one embodiment, for each of a set of candidate languages, a set of non-overlapping languages is defined. The document is analyzed under the hypothesis that the whole document is in one language and that part of the document is in one language while the rest is in a different, non-overlapping language. Language(s) of the document are identified based on comparing these competing hypotheses across a number of language pairs. In another embodiment, transitions between non-overlapping character sets are used to segment a document, and each segment is scored separately for a subset of candidate languages. Language(s) of the document are identified based on the segment scores. |
| US08224637B1 |
Method and apparatus for modeling transistors in an integrated circuit design
An aspect of the invention relates to modeling a transistor in an integrated circuit design. Layout data for the integrated circuit design is obtained. A geometry relating the transistor to at least one well edge of at least one implant well is extracted from the layout data. An effective well proximity value for the transistor is calculated based on the at least one well edge using a complementary error function. The transistor is modeled using the effective well proximity value. In one embodiment, the effective well proximity value is added to a post-layout extracted netlist for the integrated circuit design. The integrated circuit design may be simulated using the post-layout extracted netlist. The effective well proximity value may be used to calculate a threshold voltage for the transistor during the step of simulating the integrated circuit. |
| US08224636B2 |
Method and system for implementing parallel execution in a computing system and in a circuit simulator
A method and mechanism for implementing a general purpose scripting language that supports parallel execution is described. In one approach, parallel execution is provided in a seamless and high-level approach rather than requiring or expecting a user to have low-level programming expertise with parallel processing languages/functions. Also described is a system and method for performing circuit simulation. The present approach provides methods and systems that create reusable and independent measurements for use with circuit simulators. Also disclosed are parallelizable measurements having looping constructs that can be run without interference between parallel iterations. Reusability is enhanced by having parameterized measurements. Revisions and history of the operating parameters of circuit designs subject to simulation are tracked. |
| US08224633B2 |
Computer simulation of physical processes
Simulating a physical process includes storing, in a computer-accessible memory, state vectors for voxels, where the state vectors correspond to a model and include entries that correspond to particular momentum states of possible momentum states at a voxel. Interaction operations are performed on the state vectors. The interaction operations model interactions between elements of different momentum states according to the model. Move operations performed on the state vectors reflect movement of elements to new voxels according to the model. The model is adapted to simulate a high-Knudsen number flow that has a Knudsen number greater than 0.1. |
| US08224632B2 |
Virtual prototyping and testing for medical device development
A system and method of developing better-designed medical devices, particularly cardiovascular stents and endovascular grafts. The system comprises a geometry generator, a mesh generator, a stress/strain/deformation analyzer, and a visualization tool. In one embodiment, the geometry generator receives three-dimensional volumetric data of an anatomical feature and generates a geometric model. The mesh generator then receives such geometric model of an anatomical feature or an in vitro model and a geometric model of a candidate medical device. In another embodiment, the mesh generator only receives a geometric model of the candidate medical device. Using the geometric model(s) received, the mesh generator creates or generates a mesh or a finite element model. The stress/strain/deformation analyzer then receives the mesh, and the material models and loads of that mesh. Using analysis, preferably non-linear analysis, the stress/strain/deformation analyzer determines the predicted stresses, strains, and deformations on the candidate medical device. Such stresses, strains, and deformations may optionally be simulated visually using a visualization tool. |
| US08224631B2 |
Stress, geologic, and support analysis methodology for underground openings
A method of designing supports for an underground mine opening comprising the steps of: receiving mine slope information including at least one of site location, entry length, entry grade, entry orientation, size of opening, surface topology, adjacent borehole data and rock mechanics test data, historical roof fall height, and expected steel set support capacity; conducting stress and geological condition evaluation of the mine opening using a finite element computer modeling program based on the mine opening information; and designing structural supports for the mine opening utilizing the stress and geological condition evaluation of the mine opening. |
| US08224627B2 |
Technique for determination of the signal subspace dimension
A technique for determination of the signal subspace dimension K in direction of arrival estimation and in exponentially damped sinusoids modeling (where K represents respectively the number of detected objects and the model order) by using the ratios between the squared singular values of the processed data matrix and of its sum with an auxiliary matrix composed of random entries from a normal distribution. The disclosed noise addition technique (NAT) is computationally effective and thoroughly tuned for use in each one of the designated tasks, causes very few false alarms, operates accurately within or below the SNR limits attained by others techniques and downwards determines a steadily decreasing to zero dimension K of the signal subspace. |
| US08224621B2 |
Sensing apparatus and method
A method for the determination of the time of flight of a signal transmitted between a transmitter (42, 44) and a receiver (44, 42). In one form, the method involves transmitting a first signal and a second signal having a waveform modification introduced at a predetermined point in time of the duration of the second signal; receiving said first and second transmitted signals; determining a point of diversion between the first and second received signals to determine an arrival time of the introduced waveform feature modification at the receiver. In addition, the invention provides an accurate time of flight determination of ultrasonic signals in a flow sensor (24) adapted for a smoke detector system (10). |
| US08224619B2 |
Gesture recognition apparatus, gesture recognition method and program
A gesture recognition apparatus includes: first and second one-dimensional sensor means for detecting movement corresponding to a motion of an object in a one-dimensional direction along one detection axis and outputting a signal corresponding to the detected movement; a normalization processing means for executing processing of normalization of first and second signals outputted from the first and second one-dimensional sensor means; a phase plane mapping processing means for forming a signal track corresponding to the first and second signals in time series by plotting coordinates on a phase plane using x- and y-coordinate values based on the normalized first and second signals; a correlation coefficient calculation means for calculating a correlation coefficient with respect to the first and second signals using coordinate values forming the signal track; and a motion determination means for determining whether the detected movement is a motion in the first or second direction based on the value of the correlation coefficient. |
| US08224617B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating temperature dependent green's function using weight function
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for calculating a temperature dependent Green's function using an appropriate weight function. The apparatus includes a material temperature change information input unit inputting change information of a material temperature; and a temperature dependent Green's function calculation unit receiving the change information of the material temperature through the material temperature change information input unit, calculating a temperature dependent Green's function using a weight function, and outputting the calculated result. According to aspects of embodiments, accuracy in the calculation of a thermal stress value can be improved by designing the weight function such that changes in physical properties of a material that change according to temperature changes are considered. |
| US08224616B2 |
Sensor network system for managing the latest data and history data
In a sensor network system comprising a sensor terminal and a management server, the sensor terminal transmits observation data acquired using the sensor, the management server has a latest data storage manager which manages the latest observation data among observation data received from the sensor terminal, a history data storage manager which manages the history of the observation data from any time when data was received from the sensor terminal to the latest observation data, and a missing data manager which manages missing history data, and compensates the missing history data based on a predetermined rule, and when a request for such observation data is received, at least one of the latest observation data managed by the latest data storage manager, and history data wherein the missing data has been compensated and managed by the history data storage manager, is output according to the type of request. |
| US08224613B2 |
Synthesis and generation of arbitrary waveforms with ISI components for jitter tolerance
An Arbitrary Waveform Generator has a controller programmed to generate a sequence of test waveforms using previously-defined waveform data files. The controller generates this series of test waveforms by direct synthesis to cause each waveform to contain a respective different predetermined amount of Rj, Sj and ISI jitter components. In this way, the Arbitrary Waveform Generator produces a sequence of waveforms incorporating varying amounts of ISI to sweep the ISI jitter components from an initial amount of ISI, for example, zero ISI, and continually increment the amount of ISI to a full unit interval of ISI in predetermined increments, for example, 0.1 UI steps. |
| US08224612B2 |
Self-testing device component
A device has a microcontroller (102) configured to operate in a fully-assembled mode if a device component (100) of the device is connected to a primary portion of the device when power is applied to the device component and configured to operate in a self-test mode if the device component is not connected to the primary portion of the device when power is applied to the device component. |
| US08224609B2 |
Excitation uniformity
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with MRI excitation are described. One example method includes performing a calibration to determine a set of transmission parameters for a set of excitation pulses for transmission channels available on a multi-channel MRI transmitter. The set of excitation pulses are configured to produce a resulting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal from an object exposed to the set of excitation pulses. The resulting NMR signal comprises NMR signal associated with a first NMR resonance associated with the object and NMR signal associated with a second NMR resonance associated with the object. |
| US08224602B2 |
Automatic on-demand prescale calibration across multiple devices with independent oscillators over an I2C Bus interface
A system and method for synchronizing otherwise independent oscillators private to I2C Bus slave devices. An I2C Bus master device can issue two new general call commands, CALIBRATE and ZERO COUNTERS. The I2C Bus slave devices respond to the CALIBRATE command by counting the number of cycles its local, private oscillator makes through during the communication transfer period of the CALIBRATE command on the I2C Bus. All such I2C Bus slave devices measure the same communication transfer period on the I2C Bus, so the differences in the digital measurements obtained by each of them are proportional to their respective oscillator frequencies. The digital measurements are privately used by each I2C Bus slave device to calculate appropriate oscillator prescale factors, and to automatically load the values that will harmonize the final product frequencies of all of the local oscillators on all of the I2C Bus slave devices in the system. |
| US08224601B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of estimating capacitance value
A semiconductor device includes an element coupled between a first power supply line and a second power supply line, and a capacitor coupled between the first power supply line and the second power supply line. A capacitance value of the capacitor is estimated based on a first value that depends on a period of a change in an input signal input to the element and a change in an output signal output from the element, and a second value that depends on a voltage between the first power supply line and the second power supply line. |
| US08224599B2 |
System and method for automatic voltage range measurement
A system for automatic voltage range measurement borne by an electronic device controls a voltage regulator module (VRM) of the electronic device to output a work voltage equaling a work voltage output by the VRM last time added to or subtracted by a voltage difference. When a determination module determines the electronic device has failed to power on or a test of the electronic device for testing hardware of the electronic device has failed after the electronic device is powered on at a work voltage, a limit value of a voltage range boned by the electronic device is ascertained. The limit value is equal to the work voltage this time subtracted or added by the voltage difference. |
| US08224598B2 |
Method for forming optimal characteristic curves of solar cell and system thereof
The method for forming the optimal characteristic curve of a solar cell comprises the steps of: providing a first acceptable error; and determining a current-voltage polynomial regression equation, whose square root of the residual sum of square is less than the first acceptable error for a set of solar cell measured data. The order of the current-voltage polynomial regression equation is gradually increased until the square root of the residual sum of square of the current-voltage polynomial regression equation is less than the first acceptable error. |
| US08224597B2 |
Data collection device and associated system for monitoring and storing performance and maintenance data related to a component of an electrical system
The present invention provides systems and methods for testing and storage of information related to a component. A data collection device having a memory is fixedly connected to the component. A test device communicates with the data collection device to store test data concerning the component in the data collection device. The test device also performs analysis of the test data and provides information concerning the health and maintenance history of the component. The present invention also provides systems and methods for determining the current drawn or supplied by electrical components connected in parallel in an electrical system. A current sensor located between the electrical components determines the current supply or draw of one of the electrical components, while a current sensor between the electrical components and the remainder of the electrical system determine a cumulative current draw or supply by both the electrical components. |
| US08224594B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamic peak detection, identification, and tracking in level gauging applications
A method includes receiving data identifying wireless signals including wireless signals reflected off a surface of material in a tank and detecting a plurality of reflection peaks associated with the wireless signals. The method also includes classifying at least some of the detected reflection peaks and tracking at least some of the classified reflection peaks. The method further includes identifying a level of the material using at least one of the tracked reflection peaks. The classified peaks could include main-mode and/or high-mode reflection peaks, where the material level is identified using the main-mode peak or using an estimated location of the main-mode peak based on the high-mode peak. The classified peaks could also include level, bottom, and obstruction peaks, where the material level is identified by using a known permittivity, the bottom peak, and a tank height to estimate a location of the level peak when the level peak is lost or obscured. |
| US08224592B2 |
Method and device for estimating the intake air flow rate in an internal combustion engine
A method is described for estimating the intake air flow rate in an internal combustion engine provided with an air intake system, wherein said system comprises valve means for controlling an intake air flow rate, characterized in that it comprises the phases of implementing a first and a second algorithm, suitable to determine respectively a first and a second engine intake air flow rate; and of selecting the first or the second flow rate, on the basis of a previously defined selection criterion. |
| US08224591B2 |
Method, system, and computer software code for verification of validity of a pressure transducer
A system for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system, the system including a comparator subsystem configured to evaluate a pressure reading differential taken between a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered system and a second transducer that is a part of a braking system on a remote powered system, wherein the pressure reading differential is taken when the lead powered system and the remote powered system are operating in a distributed power application. A method and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system. |
| US08224589B2 |
System and method for automating scientific and engineering experimentation for deriving surrogate response data
The present invention provides a system and method for automatically deriving unique surrogate response data from experiment results in which inherent data loss occurs in a sufficient number of the samples to disallow quantitative effects estimation at the experimenter's desired level of confidence for statistical significance. In part, the unique surrogate response data sets of the present invention have four primary characteristics including: each is numerically analyzable; each may be more readily or directly obtained in which inherent data loss occurs; each provides a response value for an experiment trial; and each provides information on the effect of the change made to the process or system that would have been obtainable if the experiment samples had had no inherent data loss. |
| US08224588B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the conductivity of the water fraction of a wet gas
A method for determining the water conductivity of a multi-component mixture of gas and at least one liquid containing water in a pipe, the method comprising the following steps: a. electromagnetic measurements at least two measurement frequencies are performed in a pipe near the pipe wall at a first cross-sectional location where the mixture predominantly contains gas and at a second cross-sectional location where the mixture predominantly contains liquid, b. the temperature of the multi-component mixture is determined, and c. based on an empirically determined relationship between the measurements performed is step a and b and the conductivity of pure water, the conductivity of the water contained in the multi-component mixture is determined. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08224587B1 |
Method and system for determining a nutritional diet for a canine or feline animal
Determining a nutritional diet for a canine or feline companion animal comprises employing a computer; at least one electronic database coupled to the computer; and at least one software routine executing on the computer. First data comprises a relationship between expression data from the genomic map and a physiological condition of the animal, and second data comprises an effect of nutrition on the expression data from the genomic map. Based on said first and second data, a nutritional diet for the canine or feline companion animal is determined. |
| US08224585B2 |
Documenting and presenting mutation observations
A method and system in a computing environment for documenting mutation observations is provided. The method includes receiving mutation information, disassembling the mutation information into discrete elements and storing the discrete elements. A method and system for presenting mutations is also provided. The method includes obtaining discrete elements for a mutation, obtaining a standard for presenting the mutation and assembling the mutation presentation utilizing the discrete elements and the standard of presentation. |
| US08224579B2 |
Method of diagnosing osteoarthritis
The present invention relates to the identification and use of protein expression profiles with clinical relevance to osteoarthritis (OA). In particular, the invention provides the identity of marker proteins whose expressions are correlated with OA, OA subtype, and/or OA progression. Methods and kits are described for using these protein expression profiles in the study and/or diagnosis of OA, in the determination of the degree of advancement of OA, and in the selection and/or monitoring of treatment regimens. The invention also relates to the screening of drugs that modulate expression of these proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding these proteins, in particular for the development of disease-modifying OA agents. |
| US08224578B2 |
Method and device for optimizing a nucleotide sequence for the purpose of expression of a protein
The invention relates to a method for optimizing a nucleotide sequence for expression of a protein on the basis of the amino acid sequence of the protein, in which for a particular region there is specification of a test sequence with m optimization positions on which the codon occupation is varied, a quality function being used to ascertain the optimal codon occupation on these optimization positions, and one or more codons of this optimal occupation being specified as codons of the optimized nucleotide sequence. These steps are iterated, with the codons of the optimized nucleotide sequence which are specified in the preceding steps remaining unchanged in subsequent iteration steps. The invention additionally relates to a device for carrying out this method. |
| US08224577B2 |
Method for setting up a mobile machine
The invention relates to a method for setting up a mobile machine (1), particularly an automatic concrete pump, a mobile crane or a movable elevating work platform. With such a method, the subsurface (28) of a site is analyzed for the properties and/or load-bearing capacity thereof before the machine (10) is positioned there and/or oriented and supported by means of flarable supporting legs (20, 24) in set-up positions (VR, VL, HR, HL) suitable according to the determined subsurface properties and load-bearing capacity. In order to determine an optimized set-up position for the supporting legs (20, 24), geodata (38) of a geographic environment that includes the site is read via a computer in a data memory (44) using a layer of subsurface data (40) that defines the subsurface properties and load-bearing capacity. In addition, the geographic position of the machine (1) and the orientation thereof at the site are determined and linked in the form of a data set that defines at least the geographic set-up positions (VR, VL, HR, HL) of the flared supporting legs (20, 24) to the imported geodata and subsurface data (38, 40). Then, the machine (1) is navigated with the supporting legs (20, 24) into a set-up position that is suited according to the imported geodata and subsurface data. |
| US08224574B2 |
System for multiple navigation components
An exemplary navigation system uses a master navigation component at a first location in a vehicle and a slave navigation component at a second location that is a variable displacement to the first location due to physical deformation of the vehicle. Static and dynamic location components provide static and dynamic information of the displacement between the first and second locations. An error estimator estimates errors in the navigational measurement data generated by the slave navigation component based on the navigational measurement data generated by the master navigation component and the displacement information provided by the static and dynamic location components. The master navigation component corrects the navigation measurement data of the slave navigation component based on the determined error and translates the corrected navigation measurement data of the slave navigation component into navigational measurement data in its coordinate system. |
| US08224572B2 |
Stateful, double-buffered dynamic navigation voice prompting
A navigation system written in J2ME MIDP for a client device includes a plurality of media players each respectively comprising a buffer. A navigation program manages the state of the plurality of media players. The plurality of media players are in either one of an acquiring resources state, and a playing and de-allocating state. The use of a plurality of media players each respectively comprising a buffer overcomes the prior art in which navigation system can cut off a voice prompt because of the time-consuming tasks associated with playing a voice prompt. |
| US08224568B2 |
Navigation apparatus, navigation server, and navigation system
In a navigation system, an index information (idx(di(S))) tagged to an objective differential information (di(S)) which is a part of the entire differential information (di) is transmitted from a navigation apparatus (200) to a navigation server (100). Specifically, the index information (idx(di(S))) tagged to the objective differential information (di(S)) pertained to an area (S) containing therein a navigation route (r) for guiding an automobile (2) to a destination position (p2) is transmitted from the navigation device (200) to the navigation server (100). Further, the navigation server (100) determines whether the objective differential information (di(S)) is temporally valid or not, and the objective differential information (di(S)) is added to a navigation map information on condition that the determination result is affirmative. Furthermore, a new navigation route (r) can be set and output according to the updated navigation map information to which the objective differential information (di(S)) has been added. |
| US08224567B2 |
Map-based browser
A map is presented by a browser, and breaking news content such as still photos, videos, etc. is placed on areas of the map to which the news pertains. A user can click on an area of the map for additional information, and can zoom in to a finer granularity. Personal content can also be displayed over map areas related to the personal content. The browser discovers locations to which content pertains in several ways, including by recognizing the name of a place in a story, through metadata, etc. |
| US08224565B2 |
Method and system for automatically creating POI by identifying geographic information on a screen of a portable navigation device
A method for automatically creating POI by identifying geographic information on a screen of a portable navigation device is disclosed. A first geographic information is retrieved from an information page shown in the screen of the portable navigation device and recognized by comparing with the first geographic information with a geographic information of landmarks stored in a map database of the portable navigation device. It is determined whether the first geographic information is in the map database. If the geographic information is in the map database, a first GPS coordinate corresponding to the first geographic information is obtained and stored as a first POI. |
| US08224564B2 |
Vehicle drive assist system
A control unit sets a current total risk function for each of white lines, guardrails, side walls, and three-dimensional objects existing around a vehicle, estimates a temporal change in the position of each object, and calculates a minimum of the total risk function at the vehicle position for each time. An objective function is generated for the time, and a turning control amount that minimizes the objective function at the time is calculated as a turning control amount of the vehicle. Risk functions provided when the vehicle moves by the turning control amount are set for respective routes. A final avoidance route is selected from the risk functions of the routes, and steering and braking are controlled. |
| US08224563B2 |
Running route acquiring system and arrival notifying system for touring bus
The latitude/longitude and time acquired at prescribed sampling time intervals by a touring bus 1 which runs a predetermined running route are wireless-transmitted. A user 6 specifies a getting-on/off point on the basis of the latitude/longitude and time provided by the touring bus and acquires a running route inclusive of the getting-on/off point. Therefore, the user can acquire the running route inclusive of the getting-on/off point easily and instantaneously. The user can specify the getting-on/off point using the speed computed from the latitude/longitude and time acquired. Thus, the user can set his desired notifying point on the running route thus acquired. In such a configuration, there are provided a system for permitting a user of a touring bus to acquire a running route of the touring bus inclusive of a getting-on/off point easily and instantaneously and a system for notifying the arrival of the touring bus which permits the user to set his desired notifying point easily. |
| US08224559B2 |
Method and apparatus to monitor a mass airflow metering device in an internal combustion engine
A method for operating an internal combustion engine configured to operate in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode and equipped with a mass airflow metering device includes monitoring an engine combustion state, monitoring states of engine operating parameters, calculating a nominal intake air mass flowrate corresponding to the states of the engine operating parameters, estimating an intake air mass flowrate corresponding to the nominal intake air mass flowrate and the engine combustion state, measuring intake air mass flowrate with the mass airflow metering device, comparing the estimated and measured intake air mass flowrates, and detecting a fault related to the mass airflow metering device when a difference between the estimated and measured intake air mass flowrates exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08224558B2 |
Internal combustion engine control apparatus and method
An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes a fuel supplying mechanism supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine; an exhaust gas recirculating mechanism recirculating exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine to an intake side of the internal combustion engine; a flow adjuster selectively increasing and decreasing a strength of flow of the supplied fuel and the recirculated exhaust gas in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine; a stop controller controlling the fuel supplying mechanism to stop the supply of fuel and controlling the exhaust gas recirculating mechanism to stop the recirculation of exhaust gas, when the internal combustion engine is operated in a predetermined deceleration mode; and in-cylinder flow controller controlling the flow adjuster to increase the strength of the flow when the control to stop the supply of fuel is cancelled. |
| US08224555B2 |
Control apparatus of spark ignition internal combustion engine
In an in-cylinder injection type spark ignition internal combustion engine in which the intake air amount is controlled by use of an intake valve or an exhaust valve, which is provided with mainly a variable valve mechanism, instable combustion during a low-load operation is avoided without an increase in pumping loss (without a decrease in the thermal efficiency). In the in-cylinder injection type spark ignition internal combustion engine, during low-load operation, on the basis of the cooling water temperature of the engine the opening and closing timing of the intake valve is controlled in a retard angle manner and the opening and closing timing of the exhaust valve is controlled in an advance angle manner. Furthermore, the fuel injection timing is controlled in a retard angle manner on the basis of the retard angle amount of the intake valve opening and closing timing. |
| US08224550B2 |
Steering assist system
A steering assist system includes traffic-line detecting means for detecting right and left traffic lines marked on a road, preceding-vehicle detecting means for detecting a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of a subject vehicle, traveling-target-point setting means for setting a traveling target point for traveling of the subject vehicle at a predetermined position in the preceding vehicle when the preceding vehicle is not within predetermined ranges from the right and left traffic lines, and for setting the traveling target point at a position offset from the predetermined position in the preceding vehicle toward the center of a traveling lane of the subject vehicle when the preceding vehicle is within the predetermined range of any one of the right and left traffic lines, and steering control means for controlling steering so that the subject vehicle passes over the traveling target point. |
| US08224549B2 |
Method and system for controlling vehicle functions in response to at least one of grade, trailering, and heavy load
A control module and method for controlling vehicle systems, including a possible acceleration module determining possible vehicle acceleration, an actual acceleration module determining actual vehicle acceleration, and a vehicle system control module controlling or providing input to the vehicle systems in response to the difference between possible vehicle acceleration and actual vehicle acceleration. |
| US08224545B2 |
Brake control apparatus and brake control method
A brake control apparatus (20) includes: a hydraulic pressure source (30) that regulates pressure of hydraulic fluid in accordance with a brake operation input (24,25); a wheel cylinder (23) that applies braking force to a wheel (22) in response to a supply of the hydraulic fluid to the wheel cylinder (23); a hydraulic pressure booster mechanism (31) that amplifies the brake operation input by using the hydraulic pressure source (30), and outputs the amplified brake operation input; a hydraulic fluid supply path (63) through which the hydraulic fluid is supplied from the hydraulic pressure source (30) to the wheel cylinder (23); and a controller (70) that shuts off (valve 66) a flow of the hydraulic fluid-through the hydraulic fluid supply path (63), if a malfunction due to hydraulic fluid leakage is detected in the hydraulic fluid supply path (63) during a brake control mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the wheel cylinder (23) through the hydraulic fluid supply path (63). |
| US08224537B2 |
Method and apparatus for dry clutch temperature prediction in a DCT
A clutch temperature prediction module for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes at least one clutch slip power module that determines a first clutch slip power of a first clutch and a second clutch slip power of a second clutch. A temperature calculation module receives the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, an ambient air temperature, an engine oil temperature, and a transmission oil temperature, and calculates at least one clutch plate temperature and a clutch housing temperature based on the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, the ambient air temperature, the engine oil temperature, and the transmission oil temperature using a linear time-invariant (LTI) model. |
| US08224534B2 |
System and method for automatically controlling deck plate position on a corn header
The system and method automatically controls the position of at least one deck plate of a harvesting unit of a corn header so as to increase the width of a stalk receiving channel or reduce pinching forces between the plates when entering a stand of corn to facilitate alignment with the corn rows, and to change the position after a suitable time period or other condition or event, to narrow the channel width and/or increase pinching force, to reduce kernel loss while also monitoring forces exerted against the plates by the stalks and responsively adjusting the plate position for maintaining a desired force on the stalks or width. |
| US08224529B2 |
Self powered steering wheel angle sensor
A steering wheel angle detection system having a steering wheel angle sensor, a generator and a controller memory such that when a vehicle ignition is powered off, movement of a steering wheel generates electricity and allows a steering wheel angle sensor to detect the change in steering wheel angle. The change, or an indicator, is stored in non-volatile RAM until a time in which the ignition is powered-on. The generator may be a generator dedicated to the steering wheel angle sensor or it may be an electric motor that is part of an electrically assisted power steering system. |
| US08224528B2 |
Vehicle steering apparatus
A steered shaft of a steered mechanism is rigidly fixed to a vehicle body. Steering-stiffness is reduced by a lowpass filter for filtering a steered angle detected by a steered angle sensor. A deviation between a target steered angle and the filtered steered angle detected by the steered angle sensor is input to a PID control unit. A gain setting unit sets each of gains for PID control at a low value to thereby reduce steering-stiffness. The PID control unit outputs a target current. A drive circuit performs, e.g., PID control of the steering actuator. |
| US08224524B2 |
Vehicle and control method of the same
A vehicle includes first and second rotary bodies in contact with a road surface. The vehicle also includes a rotation sensor that detects a rotational state of each of the first and second rotary bodies. Additionally, the vehicle includes a turning sensor that detects a physical quantity representing a turning state of the vehicle on the road surface. The vehicle also includes a calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of a turning parameter representing a turning amount of the vehicle by use of a difference between first and second physical quantities which represent the rotational states of the first and second rotary bodies. In addition, the vehicle includes a slip detection unit that detects occurrence of a slip of the first or second rotary body by comparing the predicted value with an actual measured value of the turning parameter obtained by receiving an output signal of the turning sensor. |
| US08224523B2 |
Automatic emergency call language provisioning
A method of language provisioning includes receiving a language designation as part of a packet sent from a communication point. The method also includes setting a local language emergency database (LLED) as a basis for a spoken language when placing emergency calls. According to this method, if an emergency call is originated by a vehicle computing system, outgoing communication from the vehicle computing system is performed at least substantially based on words and/or phrases stored in the LLED. |
| US08224522B2 |
Driving operation support device for a vehicle
A driving operation support device for a vehicle is provided herein. One exemplary driving operation support device includes a road sensor for acquiring information regarding a section of road ahead of a vehicle over which the vehicle is traveling. The driving operation support device may also include a controller for determining whether the section of road is passable for the vehicle based on the information acquired by the road sensor. The driving operation support device may further include a display provided between the section of road and a driver of the vehicle. The controller may display a guidance element on the display at a position overlapped with the section of the road as seen from the perspective of the driver, such that the guidance element indicates whether the road is passable based on the determination of the controller. |
| US08224521B2 |
Communication control apparatus
This invention intends to reduce a time difference in information collection time as much as possible in a vehicle installed network system for collecting information on distributed positions within a vehicle. According to this invention, information on a measurement result by a sensor (23) at a time point after a previously-defined time elapses since a specified signal transmitted regularly is received is held in a sensor data storage register (49) on a network (21) installed within a vehicle, capable of broadcasting, achieved according to a communication method in which a transmission right is supplied regularly, and the information is transmitted at a time point when the transmission right is obtained on the network (21). In the vehicle installed network system for collecting information on the distributed positions within the vehicle, the time difference in the information collection time can be reduced as much as possible. |
| US08224520B2 |
Failure determination apparatus for vehicle, failure determination method and computer readable medium for failure determination
A failure determination apparatus for a vehicle includes: a failure determination element configured to determine that failure occurs at the vehicle when a state with failure detection continues for a first period, and to determine that the failure is resolved when a state without the failure detection continues for a second period; a notification element configured to notify failure information to an external device when the failure determination element determines that the failure occurs at the vehicle; a repair completion detection element configured to detect completion of repair of the vehicle with respect to the failure; and a short-cut element configured to shorten the second period when the repair completion detection element detects the completion of repair of the vehicle. |
| US08224511B2 |
Vehicle regulated-control device with trimmed precision
The regulated-control device (10) for precision-stopping of a vehicle (4) with automatic control comprises: an observed kinematic input (44, 46) capable of receiving at least an observed kinematic variable for the vehicle (4), a predetermined setpoint input (42), capable of receiving an unregulated-control setpoint signal, a regulated-control output (40), which is dependent on the observed kinematic input (44, 46) and the setpoint input (42), according to a predetermined characteristic transfer function comprising at least an internal parameter (K, τ). |
| US08224507B2 |
Systems and methods of improving or increasing information concerning, particularly, runway conditions available to pilots of landing aircraft
Addressed are systems and methods for providing to pilots of landing aircraft real-time (or near real-time) information concerning runway conditions and aircraft-stopping performance to be encountered upon landing. The systems and methods contemplate using more objective data than utilized at present and providing the information in automated manner. Information may be obtained by using conventional ground-based runway friction testers or, advantageously, by using air-based equipment such as (but not limited to) unmanned aerospace vehicles (UAVs). |
| US08224504B2 |
Method and device for updating the position of an aircraft
A method and device for updating the position of an aircraft includes a flight management system incorporating first and second position supplying devices for supplying first and second positions during flight. The first position is based on inertial data and based on data from a satellite positioning system. The second position is based on inertial data and based on data from a radio-navigation system. The flight management system also includes an updating system that includes a fly over updating device, a radar updating device, and a take off updating device. The updating system is operable to generate an updating position manually or automatically that will be used as the second position and selected as a new position for use with the flight management system. |
| US08224503B2 |
Method of inspecting the integrity of an avionics system, and an inspection device for implementing said method
A method of inspecting the integrity of an avionics system (1) installed in an aircraft, by inspecting the integrity in terms of electrical installation and data acquisition and transmission, wherein the method includes: using an Ethernet network (4) connecting the avionics system (1) to an inspection computer (3); using the computer (3) to generate first inspection signals transmitted to the component and/or to acquire second inspection signals coming from the component; using data read and write elements of a controller of the avionics system (1) to generate reference data relating to the component and transmitted to the inspection computer (3) via the Ethernet network (4); and displaying the reference data and the inspection signals and where appropriate recording the reference data and the inspection signals. |
| US08224501B2 |
Store management system and method of operating the same
A method for controlling an unmanned platform from a manned station is provided. The method includes transmitting a master arm control message from the manned station to the unmanned platform via a first control path, transmitting a first critical control message from the manned station to the unmanned platform via a second control path that is independent of the first control path, and transmitting a second critical control message from the manned station to the unmanned platform via a third control path that is different than the first control path and the second control path. |
| US08224500B2 |
Distributed knowledge base program for vehicular localization and work-site management
The illustrative embodiments provide a computer program product for controlling a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a computer program product is comprised of a computer recordable media having computer usable program code for identifying a dynamic condition. When the dynamic condition is identified, computer usable program code using a knowledge base controls the vehicle. |
| US08224499B1 |
Remote annunciator
Apparatus and methods or algorithms that report data regarding an engine controller and allow control over an engine coupled to the engine controller. The controller is coupled to a remotely-located annunciator. The annunciator has an engine communication interface for communicating with the controller, a display, interface electronics for causing the display to indicate status reported by the engine controller a network interface, and a computer processor coupled to the interface electronics, the engine communication interface and the network interface. The controller is polled to monitor engine parameters and the status. The engine parameters and status are transmitted to a remote web-accessible database by way of the network interface. A remote monitoring and control system comprising the remote database is able to monitor the operation of multiple generators through their engine controllers and control individual generators by way of remote annunciators. The combination of the remote annunciators and the remote monitoring and control system allows remote control operation of the engines. |
| US08224493B2 |
Same code base in irrigation control devices and related methods
Various embodiments are described in which different irrigation controllers in an irrigation control system have machine code having a same code base. In one implementation, a first irrigation control unit comprises a processor and a medium storing a first set of machine code to be executed by the processor. The first set is based on a portion of source code on which a second set of machine code stored in a second irrigation control unit is based, and the first and second sets not identical to each other. The first and second irrigation control units are in a predefined hierarchical control relationship. In one variation, the first and second control units have at least related operating systems. In another variation, a central controller includes machine code developed from at least a portion of the same source code as machine code in a remote controller for simulation or execution purposes. |
| US08224491B2 |
Portable wireless remote control unit for use with zoned HVAC system
An HVAC remote control unit for use in an HVAC system is described. In some instances, an HVAC remote control unit may be provided that wirelessly communicates with two or more HVAC controllers and/or other HVAC devices in a zoned HVAC system. When so provided, the remote control unit may be configured to allow a user to select between two or more zones of the zoned HVAC system, and to load one or more of the parameters and/or settings associated with a selected zone via the wireless interface. The remote control unit may be further configured to display at least one of the received parameters and/or settings on a display of the remote control unit, and a user may be allowed to change one or more of the parameters and/or settings that are displayed on the display for a selected zone. The zoned HVAC system may subsequently operate in accordance with the one or more changed parameters and/or settings in the selected zone. In some cases, it is contemplated that the remote control unit may be configured to dynamically change its behavior based on whether a zoned or non-zoned HVAC system is detected. In some instances, most or all functionality of the HVAC remote control unit may be accessible from a single menu level without having to access a sub-menu, but this is not required in all embodiments. |
| US08224490B2 |
System for controlling the heating and housing units in a building
The present invention is a system for controlling the heating of a plurality of individual housing units in a building. The system includes at least one heating unit contained in each individual housing unit for heating said individual housing unit and a control unit coupled to each of the heating units for controlling the heat output of the control units. At least one outside temperature sensor is coupled to the control unit for providing the control unit with the measured temperature of the air outside the building. The control unit has an algorithm which is configured to decrease the heat output of the heating units when the temperature of the air outside the building increases beyond a predefined minimum outside temperature. |
| US08224487B2 |
Robot cleaner, docking station, robot cleaner system including robot cleaner and docking station, and method of controlling robot cleaner
A robot cleaner system is described including a docking station to form a docking area within a predetermined angle range of a front side thereof, to form docking guide areas which do not overlap each other on the left and right sides of the docking area, and to transmit a docking guide signal such that the docking guide areas are distinguished as a first docking guide area and a second docking guide area according to an arrival distance of the docking guide signal. The robot cleaner system also includes a robot cleaner to move to the docking area along a boundary between the first docking guide area and the second docking guide area when the docking guide signal is sensed and to move along the docking area so as to perform docking when reaching the docking area. |
| US08224486B2 |
Method of evaluating and correcting robot program and device for evaluating and correcting robot program
There is provided a device for evaluating and correcting a robot operation program for evaluating an appropriateness for the robot operation program and correcting the robot operation program, comprising a computer including a simulation function for confirming a robot operation. The computer includes a load calculation section for calculating a load given to a motor for driving an operating portion of the robot by a simulation conducted by a computer; and an evaluation section for evaluating, by an evaluation function, whether or not the load exceeds a predetermined allowed value. |
| US08224485B2 |
Snaking robotic arm with movable shapers
Presented is a method and apparatus comprising one or more robotic members which are curvaceous or snake-like; having movable shapers through which may pass an articulable column having successive joints formed of alternating ball and socket members. The shapers can be directed up and down the articulable column, to create virtually any radius of curvature, in any direction. The robotic member may also include discrete microelectronic mechanical devices (MEMS) shapers with embedded addressable controllers. Thus the device, with computerized control is capable of negotiating a tortuous path to access the site of a given operation and to retreat along the same path, without injury to the body in which the arm is directed. Once at the work site, the articulating columns, or parts of them, may be put in compression, causing them to become rigid. |
| US08224484B2 |
Methods of user interface with alternate tool mode for robotic surgical tools
In one implementation, a method is disclosed in which a lock sensing mode is entered for a robotic surgical instrument. In the lock sensing mode, the degrees of freedom of movement in the robotic surgical instrument are switchably reduced. Further in the lock sensing mode, one or more end effectors of the robotic surgical instrument are switchably clamped together in the robotic surgical instrument. An increased level of torque may also be applied to the end effectors to increase a gripping force applied by the one or more end effectors in response to the reduced degrees of freedom of movement in the robotic surgical instrument. |
| US08224482B2 |
Automated pill dispensing systems configured for detecting bottles in output chutes and related methods of operation
An automated pill dispensing system includes an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute. A controller is coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to receive the detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection. Related methods of operation are also discussed. |
| US08224477B2 |
Work machining apparatus control program and work machining apparatus control device for executing the control program
A control system is provided for each pair of a work fixing part and a work machining part. In each control system, a work receiving program block, a work machining program block and a work discharge program block are provided, and the work machining program block starts on the condition that the work receiving program block ends and the work discharge block program starts on the condition that the work machining program block ends. The work receiving program block is associated with the work supply program of the work supply apparatus, or the work discharge program block is associated with a work transfer program of a work transfer apparatus so that a command is issued to the work receiving program block or the work discharge program block, and a command to perform a cue of the head of the program of each control system is provided at the last part of the control system. |
| US08224474B2 |
Method of controlling operation of a processing system
In a method of controlling operation of a processing system, a host computer, a process tool and a component of an evacuation system, for example an abatement tool, are connected to a system bus. The abatement tool monitors signals transmitted on the system bus between the host computer and the process tool, and signals received directly from the process tool. The abatement tool uses information contained within the monitored signals to generate a signal for the process tool regarding an operating characteristic of the abatement tool. This signal is transmitted either directly or over the system bus to the process tool, which uses the generated signal to control an operating state of the process tool. |
| US08224472B1 |
Enhanced project management tool
A system for managing a project that includes multiple tasks and a plurality of workers. Input information includes characterizations based upon a human model, a team model and a product model. Periodic reports, such as one or more of a monthly report, a task plan report, a schedule report, a budget report and a risk management report, are generated and made available for display or further analysis or collection into a customized report template. An extensible database allows searching for information based upon context and upon content. Seven different types of project risks are addressed, including non-availability of required skill mix of workers. The system can be configured to exchange data and results with corresponding portions of similar project analyses, and to provide user-specific access to specified information. |
| US08224469B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling audio volume in the processor of a high definition audio codec
Systems and methods for controlling the audio volume of an audio signal in an HDA codec having a programmable processor such as a DSP, wherein the codec receives digital audio signals and audio volume control verbs over an HDA bus, and the audio volume levels associated with the audio volume control verbs are used by the processor in the generation pulse width modulated (PWM) output signals, thereby controlling the audio volume levels of the output signals. The processor may be configured to adjust non-volume parameters such as PWM deadtime, in addition to adjusting audio volume, based on the audio volume levels. The codec may be implemented in a PC or other system that implements an HDA system that includes the HDA bus and HDA codec. |
| US08224468B2 |
Calibration certificate for virtual sensor network (VSN)
A method is used for providing sensing data to a control system of a machine. The method may include providing a plurality of virtual sensors, each of which may have a model type, at least one input parameter, and at least one output parameter. The method may also include integrating the plurality of virtual sensors into a virtual sensor network; determining interdependencies among the plurality of virtual sensors; and obtaining operational information of the plurality of virtual sensors. Further, the method may include recording measurement data and performance information of the virtual sensor network and the plurality of virtual sensors; and generating one or more calibration certificate of the virtual sensor network based on the operational information, the measurement data, and the performance information. |
| US08224467B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling periperal device in response to connection thereto
An information processing apparatus in which its function can be improved by installing an additional module to an existing module in a module configuration system.A video information processing apparatus 100, which is an existing module, has the function of reading, from a network module 150 as an additional module, software held in the network module 150. The software held in the network module 150 includes control software for the network module and software for making the control software available to the existing video information processing apparatus 100. The software held in the network module 150 is added to the video information processing apparatus 100, and the network module 150 is operated by the video information processing apparatus 100. |
| US08224464B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating pelvic pain
A method and apparatus for treating self treating internal muscle and trigger point related pelvic pain in women and men. The apparatus includes a rod having a handle attached to a straight portion at a first end of the rod and a pressure applicator attached to a second end of the rod, where a first curved portion is disposed between the straight portion of the rod and the second end of the rod. A microcurrent electrical stimulation unit electrically connected to the pressure applicator for supplying an electrical current to the pressure applicator. In the method of the present invention, a trigger point is located in the patient's pelvic floor, the patient inserts the apparatus either vaginally or rectally to allow contact of the pressure applicator of the apparatus with the pelvic floor, pressure is applied to the trigger point using the apparatus, and microcurrent electrical stimulation is applied to the trigger point using a microcurrent electrical stimulation unit that is electrically connected to the pressure applicator. |
| US08224459B1 |
Insertion tool for paddle-style electrode
The present disclosure describes various embodiments of an insertion tool that affords steerability of the paddle-style electrode during implantation without causing damage to the insulation and/or the contacts of the paddle-style electrode. One embodiment is described as having a “pin fork” configuration; another a “shovel” configuration; and yet another has tabs or a lumen on the paddle-style electrode for facilitating the insertion of a stylet. The various embodiments for the insertion tool allow for adjustments of the paddle-style electrode in both the medial/lateral and inferior/superior directions allowing the surgeon to steer the paddle-style electrode to the desired stimulation site within the epidural space of the spinal column. |
| US08224454B2 |
Downloadable filters for a visual prosthesis
The present invention is a method of neural stimulation and more specifically an improved method of providing flexible video/image possessing in a visual prosthesis by providing downloadable video filters. In a visual prosthesis, the input video image will, for the foreseeable future, be higher resolution than the output stimulation of the retina, optic nerve or visual cortex. This is due to limits of electrode array technology and the rapid advancement of video camera technology. It is therefore, advantageous to apply video processing algorithms (filters) to help provide the most useful information to the lower resolution electrode array. Different filters are more effective in different environments and for different subjects. Furthermore, filters will continue to improve over time. Examples of situation dependent filters include reverse image, contrast increasing, edge detection, segmentation using chromatic information and motion detection. Filters loaded in the video processing unit may be selected dynamically to suit the situation or the user's preference. It is therefore advantageous to provide flexibility in applying filters. However, it is also important to maintain the security necessary for a medical device. The present invention provides for an external (not implanted) video processing unit with downloadable video filters. |
| US08224451B2 |
Methods and systems for facilitating stimulation of one or more stimulation sites
Methods of facilitating stimulation of a stimulation site within a patient include implanting a distal portion of a first stimulating member such that the distal portion of the first stimulating member is in communication with a first stimulation site located within a patient, securing the distal portion of the first stimulating member at a first securing site with a first securing device positioned proximal to the first stimulation site, forming a first loop of at least 360 degrees with a portion of the first stimulating member proximal to the first securing device, securing the first loop with a second securing device at a second securing site having a position that is greater than or equal to substantially 180 degrees but less than or equal to substantially 315 degrees along the first loop from the first securing site, and positioning the second securing device and a stimulator to be coupled to a proximal end of the first stimulating member to maintain a curve in the first stimulating member of at least 45 degrees between the second securing device and the stimulator. |
| US08224441B2 |
Automatic external defibrillator with active status indicator
An AED includes defibrillation circuitry housed within an enclosure, a first processor programmed to periodically test the operability of the defibrillation circuitry and a second processor in communication with the first processor. The AED further includes a visual indicator, such as a red/green LED, positioned at the exterior of the enclosure that is operatively connected to the second processor. The second processor is programmed to control the visual indicator in response to the periodic test results provided to it by the first processor. |
| US08224440B2 |
Electrically isolating electrical components in a medical electrical lead with an active fixation electrode
A lead body adapted for in-vivo implantation in a living subject includes a proximal end configured for electrical and mechanical connection to a therapy or a monitoring device, and a distal end. A collar is disposed at the distal end of the lead body, and a casing is disposed within the collar and is translatable along a central longitudinal axis of the collar. At least one electrical conductor extends substantially the length of the lead body, and an electronic component is disposed within the casing and conductively coupled to the electrical conductor. An electrode is mechanically connected to the casing and conductively coupled to the electronic component. A seal is disposed between the casing assembly and the collar to prevent passage of ionic fluid into the lead body through its distal end. |
| US08224439B2 |
Batteries and methods of manufacture and use
An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface. |
| US08224437B2 |
Baroreflex activation for sedation and sleep
Systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to treat or reduce pain and/or to cause or enhance sedation or sleep. Methods involve activating the baroreflex system to provide pain reduction, sedation, improved sleep or some combination thereof. Systems include at least one baroreflex activation device, at least one sensor for sensing physiological activity of the patient, and a processor coupled with the baroreflex activation device(s) and the sensor(s) for processing sensed data received from the sensor and for activating the baroreflex activation device. In some embodiments, the system is fully implantable within a patient, such as in an intravascular, extravascular or intramural location. |
| US08224433B2 |
Electroencephalography based systems and methods for selecting therapies and predicting outcomes
A method and system for utilizing neurophysiologic information obtained by techniques such as quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), electrode recordings, MRI in appropriately matching patients with therapeutic entities is disclosed. The present invention enables utilization of neurophysiologic information, notwithstanding its weak correlation with extant diagnostic schemes for mental disorders, for safer and expeditious treatment for mental disorders, discovering new applications for therapeutic entities, improved testing of candidate therapeutic entities, inferring the presence or absence of a desirable response to a treatment, and deducing the mode of action of one or more therapeutic entities. In particular, methods for effectively comparing neurophysiologic information relative to a reference set are disclosed along with database-based tools for deducing therapeutic entity actions on particular patients such that these tools are readily accessible to remote users. |
| US08224422B2 |
Esophageal mapping catheter
An esophageal mapping catheter enables a physician to map the location of the esophagus so as to avoid damaging the esophagus during radio frequency (RF) ablation procedures. Information from the esophageal mapping catheter is communicated to a patient information unit, communications unit and/or electroanatomic mapping system. The electroanatomic mapping system uses the information from the esophageal mapping catheter to develop a three-dimensional map of the esophagus and to monitor the temperature within the esophagus in order to prevent the creation of esophageal fistula. |
| US08224421B2 |
Implantable cardiac stimulator, device and system for monitoring the status of a cardiac lead
A cardiac stimulator has an implantable cardiac lead that carries a temperature sensitive element with a surface thereof in contact with biological matter. The temperature sensitive element emits a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of biological matter, such as blood, in contact with the surface of the temperature sensitive element. Processing circuitry receives the temperature signal and determines a variability thereof within a selected time interval. A status signal is emitted dependent on this variability. |
| US08224419B2 |
Medical visualization method, combined display/input device, and computer program product
In a medical visualization method, wherein: a series of organ slice images are acquired at different points in time by an imaging modality; the acquired organ slice images are stored in an image data memory with information about the series and/or the point in time of the acquisition. A data connection between an input/output device and the image data memory is established and the available series are determined. Series that are specific to the organ are symbolically represented with a display of the availability thereof. The organ slice images associated with a selected series are displayed. An input/output device as well as a computer program product operates according to the method. |
| US08224417B2 |
Guide tube for an implantable device system
The implantable device system of the preferred embodiments includes a guide tube, a first electrical subsystem, and a second electrical subsystem. The first electrical subsystem is connected to the second electrical subsystem. The guide tube functions to facilitate the insertion of at least one first electrical subsystem and is adapted to allow the first electrical subsystem(s) to move freely with the tissue, allowing the placement of the first electrical subsystem without disconnecting the second electrical subsystem. The implantable device system may be implanted into the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location. The guide tube of the system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason. |
| US08224413B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor. |
| US08224408B2 |
Cradle for mobile phones
The invention relates to a cradle for a mobile phone, comprising a rear bearing surface; left and right side walls; two guide rails being located on the front side of said left and right side walls and protruding laterally from said side walls; a bottom part comprising a connector element for mechanically and electrically engaging a bottom connector of said mobile phone, said rear bearing surface, said side walls and said guide rails define left and right slots extending parallel to said side walls for receiving left and right side sections of a mobile phone; guiding a phone being inserted into said cradle to said bottom part; and retaining a mobile phone received in said cradle against forces acting in a direction substantially perpendicular to said slots; and said connector element comprises means for locking onto a bottom connector of a mobile phone received in said cradle for retaining said mobile phone inside said cradle. |
| US08224404B2 |
Accessory strap securing mechanism
An accessory strap securing mechanism positioned on a portable electronic device to assemble an accessory strap thereon, the accessory strap securing mechanism includes an assembling portion and a securing member. The assembling portion is formed in the portable electronic device. The securing member includes a holding portion. The holding portion is received in the assembling portion. The holding portion includes a hook and a projection. The securing member is rotatable to allow the accessory strap to be coiled around the holding portion and a distal end of the accessory strap attached to the projection. |
| US08224403B2 |
Method of performing actions related to handover by a mobile station that is in power saving mode in a wireless mobile communication system
A method of performing actions related to handover by a mobile station (MS) in a wireless mobile communication system is disclosed. More specifically, the MS receives information from a base station (BS), wherein the information includes at least one action for performing handover and at least one condition corresponding to the at least one action. Furthermore, the MS transmits a request message to perform the at least one action based on the received information from the BS and receives a response message in response to the request message. Lastly, the MS performs the at least one action according to the received response message. |
| US08224400B2 |
Systems and techniques for reducing power consumption in a mobile computing device
Various embodiments are directed to systems and techniques for reducing power consumption in a mobile computing device. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may be arranged to determine a user environment based on detected antenna impedance or detected current. After the user environment is determined, the mobile computing device may confirm that total radiation power (TRP) for the mobile computing device at an initial conducted power level exceeds the minimum TRP threshold required by the network carrier to receive acceptable quality of service (QoS). Based on the excess TRP for the particular user environment, the mobile computing device may determine a reduced conducted power level to be input to an antenna system. Accordingly, significant power savings may be achieved. To save additional power, the mobile computing device may automatically adjust and/or improve antenna impedance matching based on user environment allowing a further reduction in conducted power. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08224395B2 |
Auditory spacing of sound sources based on geographic locations of the sound sources or user placement
A method may include connecting to another user device, identifying a geographic location of the other user device, identifying a geographic location of the user device, mapping a sound source associated with the other user device, based on the geographic location of the other user device with respect to the geographic location of the user device, to a location of an auditory space associated with a user of the user device, placing the sound source in the location of the auditory space, and emitting, based on the placing, the sound source so that the sound source is capable of being perceived by the user in the location of the auditory space. |
| US08224394B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices
A device for programming user-defined information into an electronic device is provided. The programmer allows a user to program customized information, such as user-selected audio, video, or Internet access information into his or her programmable device. Such electronic devices include wireless telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. The programmer allows a user to, among other things, customize the device to suit his or her particular taste. |
| US08224391B2 |
Mobile terminal having an LED backlight unit
A mobile terminal having a display unit provided with an LED backlight and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes a housing, a display unit including a liquid crystal display provided to one side of the housing and a backlight unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes for a backlight provided to a backside of the liquid crystal display and a control unit controlling the backlight unit to selectively adjust brightness of the light emitting diodes in part. Accordingly, a mobile terminal according to at least one of embodiments of the present invention controls light emission of an LED backlight locally, thereby providing more various display visual effects. And, a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is able to use at least one portion of the light emitted from an LED BLU of a display unit as an illumination of a main body without using a separate light source for external illumination. Moreover, the illumination of the main body is able to play a role as a transmitter in a visible light communication. |
| US08224385B2 |
Wireless base station and control method thereof
For processing an uplink signal from a mobile station without desiring a high AFC capability in any state, in a wireless base station including a plurality of antennas, reception signals from a mobile station are taken in to perform a signal transmission and reception with the mobile station by a first antenna providing a higher reception signal level, in which a switchover from a signal transmission to the mobile station by the first antenna to that by a second antenna is performed when a frequency variation characteristic measured for an allocated frequency of the reception signal from the first antenna indicates that the mobile station is moving away from the first antenna. |
| US08224382B2 |
Wireless communications interface
A wireless communications interface couples wireless service to conventional wireline phone appliances. In one embodiment, the wireless communications interface is connected to the phone appliances through existing phone jacks. This allows a user to place and receive calls over a wireless network using the existing wireline infrastructure in a building. By using the invention, users can consolidate their portable and fixed phone service with one of the multiple wireless service providers and bypass the wireline service provider entirely, if so desired. In a second embodiment, the wireless communications interface is directly connected to the phone appliances, bypassing the installed wireline infrastructure. In a third embodiment, both wireline and wireless service are operative, and the wireless communications interface may include logic arbitration to route multiple calls to multiple phone appliances. |
| US08224380B2 |
Structure of an apparatus for sharing video input/output modules among handheld devices
A structure of an apparatus for sharing video input/output modules among handheld devices is provided, including a sharing slot, with a top golden finger part and a bus cable to form a first signal path from the video input module of a handheld device, and a bottom golden finger part and a bus cable and a connector to from a second signal path to a video input processor of the handheld device. The present invention may further include a bypass element for shorting the two signal paths by connecting the top golden finger part and the bottom golden finger part of the sharing slot. With the present invention, a second handheld device having extending signal paths can be inserted into the sharing slot of the first handheld to use the video input/output module of the first handheld device to accomplish the sharing of video input/output modules among handheld devices. |
| US08224378B2 |
Protecting uplink transmissions in coexisting wireless networks
A system and method for protecting a wireless device including co-located network transceivers from uplink starvation are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver respectively configured for communication via a first wireless network and a second wireless network. The wireless device further includes logic that determines which of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The logic determines a duration of a pending transmission via the first transceiver, and determines a predicted start time of a predicted transmission via the second transceiver. Based on the duration and the predicted start time, the logic transmits a notification signal indicating that a receiving device should refrain from transmitting on the first network for a reserved time ending after the pending transmission starts. The pending transmission starts following completion of the predicted transmission. |
| US08224374B2 |
Wireless terminal device
A first switching circuit (21) outputs a first radio signal representing a plurality of time-division multiplexed programs and a second radio signal other than the first radio signal, one at a time according to a switching signal. A voltage control oscillator (27) outputs a local signal at a frequency suitable for whichever signal outputted. Using the local signal generated, a frequency converter (24) frequency converts the first and second radio signals to first and second baseband signals, respectively. Via a second switching circuit (31), a first baseband unit (40) and a second baseband unit (50) are supplied with the first and second baseband signals, respectively, and demodulate them to first and second data signals. A switching unit (60) supplies the switching signal indicating periods during which the first radio signal represents a user-selected program, to a tuner unit (20) where the first and second radio signals are processed by time-sharing. |
| US08224369B2 |
Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method
A disclosed radio communication apparatus includes a precoding unit, a optimum transmit power calculation unit and a transmission unit. The optimum transmit power calculation unit receives the transmit weight related information from the precoding unit and calculates a transmit power level to optimize an objective function in accordance with an interior point method. The objective function results from addition of a barrier function adjusted with a barrier parameter to an original objective function associated with a constrained optimization problem. The original objective function includes a function of respective channel capacities for individual users derived from the transmit weight related information. The optimum transmit power calculation unit adaptively updates a logarithm of the barrier parameter and uses a gradient obtained through a high-order derivative with the logarithm of the barrier parameter to calculate the transmit power level to optimize the resulting objective function. |
| US08224367B2 |
Method and system for estimating station numbers in wireless communications
Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, a method for evaluating the number of mobile stations in a target group uses a processor to execute instructions to perform the method. The method may initiate a counting event using the processor. In response to the counting event, a counting request message may be transmitted over a first communication channel. The counting request message may comprise a code set. The code set may comprise a plurality of orthogonal codes. In response to the counting request message transmitted, receipt of a first counting response message over a second communication channel may be confirmed. The counting response message may comprise a first code. The first code, consistent with some embodiments, may comprise content corresponding to a portion of the code set. Based in part on confirmation of receipt of the counting response message, the number of mobile stations in the target group may be determined independent of a connection status of each mobile station. |
| US08224364B2 |
Method for quieting and sensing in a secondary communications system
A method of retaining channel use by a secondary system is described. A secondary channel used during periods of normal communication between a secondary transmitter and receiver is split into sub-bands for use during a quiet period containing quiet phases. During the quiet period, while the transmitter communicates with the receiver on one sub-band, the receiver simultaneously senses for incumbent devices on another sub-band, as well as vice-versa. Transmission and sensing do not occur simultaneously on the same sub-band and transmission is limited to only one of the sub-bands. Transmission and sensing are performed by both the transmitter and the receiver on every sub-band over the course of the quiet period. The locations of secondary receivers are determined and employed during scheduling such that devices sufficiently separated from each other transmit during different quiet phases and transmit and sense in sub-bands separated by another sub-band. |
| US08224360B2 |
System and method for handling special number calls using text message format
A system for handling special number calls placed from a calling instrument using a text messaging format includes: a plurality of message handling units configured in at least one communication network accessible by the calling instrument. At least one selected message handling unit of the plurality of message handling units operates to recognize an extant call placed from the calling instrument using a special number and expressed in the text messaging call format. The plurality of message handling units cooperates to effect querying the calling instrument to ascertain a substantially pinpoint geographic location of the calling instrument substantially contemporaneously with the extant call. The plurality of message handling units cooperates to use the geographic location for routing the extant call to at least one selected special number answering station coupled with the at least one communication network and situated generally proximate with the geographic location. |
| US08224359B2 |
Provisioning my status information to others in my social network
A device, system, and method are directed towards sending a status of a user in a social network to a recipient. In one embodiment, a status of the user is received over a channel. The channel may include an application protocol. The recipient is selected based on a membership in the social network, a preference of the recipient, or a media format of the status. Another channel is selected based on information about a mode of communication between the recipient and the user and/or another member related to the user in the social network. The status may be modified based on social network information, preferences of a recipient, receiving device information, channel information, or the like. The status is forwarded to the recipient over the other channel. Forwarding may comprise unicasting, multicasting, and/or delaying sending the status until the other channel is available. |
| US08224357B2 |
Method for paging a mobile unit based on previous network interactions
To address the need for new techniques that can improve paging efficiency, a network may employ a method such as that depicted in flow diagram 100 of FIG. 1. The network combines (110) at least one active set associated with each of N previous interactions of a mobile unit to produce a last location set, where N is a number of previous interactions of the mobile unit with the network. The network then initiates (120) paging of the mobile unit in each coverage area represented in this last location set. This method may be further optimized by determining the value of N such that a desired probability of locating the mobile unit in a coverage area represented in the last location set is at least minimally achieved. |
| US08224355B2 |
System and method for improved communication bandwidth utilization when monitoring location information
A personalized format webpage is generated to monitor location information. A graphical mapping module is disclosed to provide mapping tiles from multiple mapping service providers in response to user request for location information of a tracking device associated with an object or an individual. A wizard menu enables the user to reorient an initial request for mapping tiles in a different layout or view format without requiring additional access to a mapping service provider website. Alert messages associated with the tracking device are generated in accordance with selected alert zones. Dashboard management tools may be included or associated with a software file readily accessible and functionally equipped to interpret user requests for mapping reorientation and zoom capabilities. |
| US08224353B2 |
Disseminating targeted location-based content to mobile device users
A trusted third party information arbiter for facilitating third party information sources, such as advertisers or data processing services, to accurately target communications to mobile device users. Illustratively, the mobile device users can control target communications through the utilization of discretion requests/permissions processed by the third party information arbiter. Furthermore, the mobile device users may further interact with the trusted third party information arbiter to provide/release additional personal information. For example, a mobile device user may be provided an increasingly rich rewards or payments that may be provisioned by discount, coupons or offers associated with existing or new product advertisements or promotional information messages. |
| US08224349B2 |
Timed fingerprint locating in wireless networks
Systems and techniques for determining the location of user equipment (UE) in a wireless network are disclosed. These techniques leverage geometric calculations for an overlaid bin grid framework mapping the wireless network area to store differential values for each frame of the bin grid framework for each pair of relevant NodeBs. A timing offset can be determined, such that when a time value from a target UE is accessed, the location can be quickly determined with minimal real time computation. In an aspect, the target UE time value can be search for in the pre-computed differential value data set indexed by a relevant NodeB site pair to return a set of frames (forming a hyperbola between the site pair) that can be intersected with a second set of frames for a second NodeB site pair for the same UE. The intersecting frames can represent the location of the UE in the wireless network. Further, the data can be leveraged to correct timing in the network. |
| US08224346B2 |
System and method for matching users in a wireless communication system
A system for matching users in a wireless communication system based on proximity of the users and user-defined profiles includes at least two mobile units. The mobile units include a requesting unit and at least one target unit, and each mobile unit is capable of operating as both a requesting unit and a target unit. The system also includes profile means for storing a user profile on each of the mobile units and search means for searching for at least one target user by a requesting user. The search means compares the user profiles of each target user with the user profile of the requesting user. The search means can also indicate a match when a target unit is within a predetermined distance of the requesting unit. |
| US08224344B2 |
Parameter collecting method, wireless base station and relay station
A parameter collecting method used for distributing radio resources, collecting a total number (M) of terminals for directly performing radio communication with a radio base station without a relay station or radio quality between each of terminals for directly performing radio communication with the radio base station without the relay station as a parameter, and collecting a total number (N) of terminals performing communication with the radio base station through the relay station or aggregated information on radio quality between the respective terminals performing communication with the radio base station through the relay station and the relay station as the parameter. |
| US08224340B2 |
Method and apparatus to estimate relative base station and subscriber terminal locations and using it to increase frequency reuse
Method for estimating position information of base stations as well as terminals for three dimensional centralized real-time spectrum management to achieve high spectral efficiency. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises i) understanding the position information of plurality of base stations, wherein the plurality of terminals and the base stations form a wireless network, ii) determining, at the central controller, position of a terminal via plurality of communication wirelessly between the base stations and a terminal and between the base station and the central controller, iii) applying network wide real time knowledge at the central controller to electronically steerable antennas to use a resource in a different direction then where it is used by other base stations to achieve frequency reuse of one. |
| US08224338B2 |
Method and apparatus for joint optimization of dedicated and radio access networks
A computerized method and system for integrated access network business planning for a telecommunications carrier. The invention enables a user to input a set of network business planning parameters that are utilized by a linear programming model to jointly optimize a carrier's dedicated and radio access network by executing a plurality of network optimization models and determine network configuration changes for the dedicated and radio access networks as a constrained optimization based on the set of business planning parameters. |
| US08224335B2 |
Method and system for supporting distributed IMS charging
The present invention relates to communication technology, and in particular, to a method, apparatus and system for supporting distributed IMS charging. The system for supporting distributed IMS charging, comprises: a plurality of nodes, and a index server (101) interconnecting the plurality of nodes, in a network; wherein, a first node (102) sends a charging request to the index server (101), the index server (101) routes the charging request to a second node (103) adapted to charge based on the charging request or returns an address of the second node (103) to the first node (102) and then the first (102) node sends the charging request to the second node (103) with the address from the index server (101); and the second node (103) charges based on the charging request. This invention enables an operator to manage the subscriber's charging location information for distributed charging services in a centralized index server, instead of provisioning the charging locations in each separated IMS charging system. This invention greatly saves the operator's management cost of charging. |
| US08224333B2 |
LAN-based UMA network controller with aggregated transport
A method for managing UMA communications within a local area network and a network controller are disclosed. The method includes establishing a first connection between a first UMA device and a LAN-based UMA network controller (LAN-UNC) and establishing a second connection between a second UMA device and the LAN-UNC. The first and second connections are carried over the local area network. The first and second UMA devices are connected to the same local area network. The method provides establishing a third connection between the LAN-UNC and a UMA network controller (UNC). The UNC is connected to an external network and the third connection extends over the external network. The method includes transporting packets received using the first and second connections to the UNC using the third connection. Packets received using the third connection are transported to the first UMA device using the first connection and to the second UMA device using the second connection. |
| US08224330B2 |
Method and system for interworking between two different networks
Systems and methods for interworking between two different networks are presented. In one embodiment, a method for wireless communication includes requesting a network access from an access point of a first network, and transmitting an EAP authentication request from the access point to a user end. An EAP authentication request response is sent from the user end to the access point. The EAP authentication request response includes an attach type indicator that indicates to a gateway associated with the access point whether the attach request is an initial attachment or a handover from a second network. |
| US08224326B1 |
GSM rescue handover utilizing adaptive multirate half-rate
Call handover in a cellular telecommunication system is improved by adjusting a rate-based parameter, such as that controlled by an adaptive multi-rate (AMR) codec in a time-division multiple access (TDMA) network, to increase call handling capacity when handover is indicated but the candidate handover cell does not have sufficient capacity to handle another call. |
| US08224324B2 |
Method of cell re-selection in multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) system after MBMS session stop
Cell re-selection for a mobile terminal in a single frequency layer includes determining termination of a multicast broadcast multimedia service (MBMS) session in that frequency layer and checking for availability of stored information relating to a previously used frequency. If this information is available, then a check of the validity of stored information is made. If this information is not available or is not valid, then the mobile station selects a frequency from the SIB 11/12 list and attempts cell selection on a suitable cell on the selected frequency. If the cell selection attempt is not successful, then initial cell selection procedures are carried out to determine to which cell the terminal should move. |
| US08224321B2 |
Cell access control method and user equipment
A cell access control method and a user terminal are provided, the method includes: obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), cell access information through a pilot channel and/or a synchronization channel; determining a current cell is a macro base station cell or an HNB cell according to the cell access information; determining, when the current cell is an HNB cell, whether the UE is allowed to access the HNB cell according to HNB information of the cell access information, if the UE is allowed to access the HNB cell, performing the access processing, if the UE is not allowed to access the HNB, abandoning the access. A UE is provided accordingly. |
| US08224320B1 |
Using RF conditions and handoff state to dynamically adjust a search window size
Methods and apparatus are provided for dynamically adjusting a search-window size. An active-call state is entered into, and a mobile station is responsively initially operated according to a default-search-window mode. The preferred-signal strength as received at the mobile station, the preferred-signal fading of the mobile station, and the number of sectors in an active set for the mobile station are monitored to: compare the preferred-signal strength to a signal-strength threshold, compare the preferred-signal fading to at least one of a lower-fading threshold and an upper-fading threshold, and determine whether the number of sectors in the active set is exactly one sector or more than one sector. The mobile station is selectively operated in one of the default-search-window mode, a reduced-search-window mode, and an increased-search-window mode in response to the monitored preferred-signal strength, preferred-signal fading, and number of sectors in the active set. |
| US08224319B2 |
Mobile wireless terminal apparatus and base station search method
A terminal control unit controls a 1x reception signal process unit, searches for a base station which supports a 1x method, and starts wait for occurrence of signal reception. Then, the terminal control unit periodically executes a nearby base station measuring process, controls the 1x reception signal process unit, and searches for a nearby base station which supports the 1x method. On the other hand, as regards a base station which supports an LTE method, an LTE reception signal process unit is activated to execute a search only in the case where a base station supporting the 1x method, which is used for signal reception wait, does not support the LTE method. |
| US08224316B2 |
Control device for shielding a room
A control device that shields a room from incoming signals includes an interference device which is adapted for querying an interference signal for rendering a signal that enters a room unrecognizable by superposition with the interference signal. |
| US08224315B2 |
Controlling the use of access points in a telecommunication system
A mobile telecommunications network includes a radio access network with base stations and one or more additional access points. An access point is connected to a network core by an IP transport broadband connection. The access point is configured to appear to a mobile terminal as a conventional base station—that is, for example, it communicates with the mobile terminal using GSM or UMTS transport protocols and does not require any modification to a standard GSM or UMTS mobile terminal. Arrangements are disclosed which monitor the quality of the broadband connection between the access point and the network core and which cause the mobile terminal to handover to a neighboring base station in the event that the quality of the broadband connection becomes too poor for the class of communication between the mobile terminals registered with the access point to be performed satisfactorily. |
| US08224313B2 |
System and method for controlling vehicle systems from a cell phone
A system and method for controlling systems of a vehicle with a cell phone. The cell phone is associated with the vehicle through a user interface. User preferences are received through the user interface for sending commands from the cell phone to the vehicle for controlling the systems of the vehicle. A wireless connection is established between the vehicle and the cell phone. A distance is determined between the cell phone and the vehicle. One or more commands are sent to the vehicle to control the systems based on the user preferences. |
| US08224296B2 |
Visual voicemail detection and management system
A visual voicemail message may be generated and/or rendered and provided to a mobile device in a format determined based on a characteristic. For example, an identifier of a mobile device may be received. Upon receipt of the mobile device identifier, a characteristic such as a type, a brand, a model, a firmware version, or the like that may indicate a particular format and/or message type capable of being received and/or displayed by the mobile device may be determined. A visual voicemail message may then be generated and/or rendered in the particular format and provided to the mobile device. |
| US08224294B2 |
System and method for delivering information to a transmitting and receiving device
Systems and methods for delivering information to a transmitting and receiving device. The device receives a notification alerting a user of the device that information is available to be obtained and, in some embodiments, providing a short description of the information. After receiving the notification at the device, the user can then use the device to obtain or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. |
| US08224292B2 |
Apparatus for sensing smart-card in dual mode portable terminal and method thereof
An apparatus and method for sensing a smart card in a dual mode portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of smart card modules including identification information for receiving a specific wireless communications protocol, and at least two communications modules for performing wireless communications according to a connected smart card module among the plurality of smart card modules, wherein any one of the at least two communications modules connected to a smart card module having preset identification information is set as a master device. |
| US08224291B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for mobile-to-mobile calls within femtocell network
A system, method, and computer readable medium for terminating calls in a network system is provided. The communication system features an IP-based femtocell system for provisioning communication services to a user equipment. The femtocell system is provisioned with a list of electronic serial numbers of user equipments that are authorized to access the femtocell system. When a call is received by the femtocell system, the femtocell system determines a directory number of a user equipment to which the call is directed. If the destination user equipment is authorized to access the femtocell system and is currently within the service area of the femtocell system, the call setup may be completed by the femtocell system without any call setup signaling being transmitted to a core telecommunication network. |
| US08224290B2 |
Apparatus and method of ciphering in wireless communications user equipment operative with a plurality of radio access networks
A method in a wireless telecommunications device operative with a plurality of radio access networks, the method comprising: when operating with a first radio access network reading at least one ciphering variable applicable in the second radio access network (e.g. in UMTS reading the value of a variable START from the USIM of the device). When at least one ciphering variable applicable in the second radio access network renders ciphering in the second radio access network infeasible without further authentication (e.g. in UMTS when the value of START in USIM is equal to a value THRESHOLD), using a substitute value for the ciphering parameter (e.g. START) when establishing a connection with the second radio access network. |
| US08224287B2 |
Broadcast information notification method and network node
A broadcast information notification method according to the present invention includes: starting to repeatedly transmit, at a network node, a broadcast message irrespective of transmission timing of a paging message, when the network node is instructed to notify a mobile station of the broadcast information; receiving, at the mobile station, a broadcast message reception parameter by using a parameter specified by the paging message transmitted by the network node at a predetermined timing; receiving, at the mobile station, a receivable broadcast message by using the received broadcast message reception parameter; and performing, at the mobile station, processing corresponding to the broadcast information. |
| US08224285B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying a geographical area in a commercial mobile alert service message
Geographical locations can be encoded in alert messages and the encoded geographical locations can be processed are disclosed. Emergency alerts can be received from an emergency provider or governmental agency comprising a geographical code. The code can be evaluated to determine a geographical location by determining a primary location, such as a state or region, and a secondary location such as a county. This information can be used to determine the devices within a wireless network that should receive the alert message. |
| US08224283B2 |
FM band availability based on GPS
Methods and apparatus for determining an available FM frequency channel for interfacing with FM modulated output signals from a wireless device are described herein. A SPS receiver, such as a GPS receiver, can determine its position based on conventional techniques. The SPS receiver can determine one or more available FM channels over which audio output may be transmitted. The SPS receiver can use the determined position to access a local data base of available channels. Alternatively, the SPS receiver can use the determined position to access a local database of allocated channels in order to determine one or more available channels. The SPS receiver may display a prompt or message that indicates an FM channel over which output audio is modulated. |
| US08224274B2 |
Scalable architecture for satellite channel switch
A frequency translation module for a broadband multi-channel communication system may include an analog signal converter, a digital channel selection device, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. The analog signal converter is configured to receive a plurality of analog signals, to select analog signals residing in a predefined frequency band, and to convert each of the selected analog signals into a digital signal. The digital channel selection device is configured to process digital signals corresponding to the selected analog signals and to generate a composite output of digital signals representative of the selected analog signals. The D/A converter is configured to translate the composite output to an analog signal output decodable by a receiver. Further, the frequency translation module may include a mixer configured to upconvert the analog signal output to a frequency decodable by the receiver. |
| US08224271B2 |
Electronic device with an improved antenna arrangement
An electronic device (200,300) comprising an antenna arrangement with first and second antenna groups with first (122, 142) and a second (124, 144) radiation elements. The first and second radiation elements in each group have first and second respective polarizations and gain, and said groups also comprise a beam forming network (126, 146) connected to the radiation elements of the group and to an output selector (150). The beam forming network (126, 146) of each antenna group uses the radiation elements (122, 124; 142, 144) in the group to create a radiation pattern (127, 147) with a polarization which is a composite of the first and second polarizations of the elements in the group, so that a first (127) and a second (147) radiation pattern of composite polarization is created. The output selector (150) selects or combines signals received by the two antenna groups as its output. |
| US08224267B2 |
Radio frequency-based communication terminal having two exchangeable transmitting paths
A radio frequency (RF)-based communication terminal includes a first switching chip, a second switching chip, a comparison module, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a first filter, a power amplifier (PA), a second filter, and a control module. The comparison module compares the power of a radio signal Rx received from a base station with a pre-stored signal and to output a control signal according to the comparison result. The control module controls conductive modes of the first and the second switching chips according to the control signal. In the first conductive mode, a radio signal Tx is sent out from the PA and the second filter. In the second conductive mode, the radio signal Tx is exchanged to send out from the LNA and first filter. |
| US08224266B2 |
Power amplifier predistortion methods and apparatus using envelope and phase detector
An embodiment of the invention is a predistortion approach to linearize a power amplifier without frequency conversion of the RF signals by using envelope and phase detectors to detect the error to be corrected, and then one or more analog multiplier(s) and a DSP-based processor. For the analog embodiment, the inherent nature of the analog circuitries allows digital predistortion processing structured directly at the RF band, and enables a single power amplifier to support multi-modulation schemes, multi-carriers and multi-channels. As a result, the predistortion architecture is particularly suitable for wireless transmission systems, such as base-stations, repeaters, and indoor signal coverage systems. The wireless system performance can be improved and upgraded just by using the new PA module rather than change or rebuild new subsystem in existing base station. The analog embodiment can also mix and match its analog multipliers with other analog components such as phase splitters, phase shifters, attenuators, filters, couplers, mixers, low-noise amplifiers, buffers, envelope detectors, and etc., to provide additional features. |
| US08224265B1 |
Method for optimizing AM/AM and AM/PM predistortion in a mobile terminal
A method is provided for optimizing Amplitude Modulation to Amplitude Modulation (AM/AM) and Amplitude Modulation to Phase Modulation (AM/PM) predistortion of a polar modulated transmit signal in a mobile terminal in order to optimize an Output Radio Frequency Spectrum (OFRS) of the mobile terminal. The AM/AM and AM/PM predistortion of the polar modulated transmit signal compensates for AM/AM and AM/PM distortion of a power amplifier in the transmit chain of the mobile terminal. However, the AM/AM and AM/PM distortion of the power amplifier cannot be easily measured or computed. Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and method for optimizing coefficients for polynomials defining the AM/AM and AM/PM predistortion of the polar modulated transmit signal based on optimizing the OFRS of the mobile terminal. |
| US08224263B2 |
Transmitter for communications system
An rf signal transmitter for transmitting rf signals through a plurality of antennas is described, which comprises: a transmit section adapted to selectively set, with respect to an input signal, the initial phase of an output to at least one of said antennas depending on a time or frequency region used for communication and to provide delay to the output on an antenna-by-antenna basis and on the basis of a transmission timing or a transmission frequency; and a quality information receive section for receiving quality information from destination station, i.e., a wireless terminal unit, said quality information concerning the rf signal transmitted from said transmit section and received at said destination station. |
| US08224257B2 |
Collaborative spectrum sensing in radio environment
A system for configuring wireless communication in apparatuses based on sensed spectrum information. Apparatuses interacting via a shared information space may exchange configuration information that may, for example, comprise communication transport information. The configuration information may then be utilized in formulating spectrum sensing parameters that are distributed to one or more of the apparatuses via the shared information space. The spectrum sensing parameters may be used by the apparatuses for performing signals sensing operations in their respective environments, the results of which may be shared via the shared information space. The spectrum sensing results may then be utilized to configure and/or manage communications in one or more of the apparatuses. |
| US08224256B2 |
Wireless field maintenance adapter
A wireless field maintenance adapter includes a power source, a controller, a low-power radio-frequency communication module, and a wireless process communication protocol module. The controller is coupled to the power source. The low-power radio-frequency communication module is also coupled to the controller. The wireless process communication protocol module is coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to communicate through the wireless process communication protocol module based on information received from the low-power radio-frequency communication module. |
| US08224255B2 |
System and method for managing radio frequency windows
A system for managing radio frequency windows including a wireless router in communication with the wireless device for transmitting and receiving RF signals between the wireless router and the wireless device, the wireless router configured to determine network performance information of the wireless network; concatenate the network performance information into data packets; a packet network switch in communication with the wireless router for communicating the data packets between the wireless router and the packet network switch; and a network management device in communication with the packet network switch for instructing wireless router to adjust RF modulation between the wireless router and the wireless device based on the network performance information to optimize the network performance to the wireless device. A method for managing radio frequency windows is also included. |
| US08224254B2 |
Operating environment analysis techniques for wireless communication systems
Methods and systems of analyzing an operating environment of wireless communication equipment in a wireless communication system are provided. A stimulus in the operating environment at a location of the wireless communication equipment is sensed and linearly expanded in Slepian sequences using a multitaper spectral estimation procedure. A singular value decomposition is performed on the linearly expanded stimulus, and a singular value of the linearly expanded stimulus provides an estimate of interference at the location of the wireless communication equipment. |
| US08224251B2 |
Data communication apparatus and control method for prevention of audio noise signals due to transmitted data
A data communication apparatus includes a band-elimination filter configured to perform a process of reducing a specific frequency component included in transmission data, a packet producer configured to produce packet data including therein data outputted from the band-elimination filter, and an antenna configured to output the packet data produced by the packet producer, and further, the band-elimination filter is configured to reduce a frequency component corresponding to the reciprocal of a packet transmission cycle inherent in the packet data. |
| US08224245B2 |
Data communication device
The IC card is mounted on the read and write device and the first electrostatic induction electrode and second electrostatic induction electrode are formed facing each other. The data signal is outputted from the first transmission and reception circuit to the first electrostatic induction electrode when the data signal is transmitted from the IC card to the read and write device. Then the first electrostatic induction electrode is charged based on the data signal and the electrostatic induction signal of the opposite polarity is induced at the second electrostatic induction electrode. The inverted data signal appears at the second electrostatic induction electrode. The second transmission and reception circuit of the read and write device receives and amplifies the inverted data signal, leading to the non-contact data communication with lower energy consumption and the lower cost. |
| US08224243B2 |
Communication system, communication method, and data processing apparatus
A communication system performs, by first and second data processing apparatuses, an electromagnetic-induction communication using a carrier having a single frequency. A transfer rate for use between the first and second data processing apparatuses is changeable in one transaction. The first data processing apparatus determines whether a transfer rate can be changed based on data transmitted from the second data processing apparatus. When the first data processing apparatus determines that the transfer rate can be changed, the first data processing apparatus transmits to the second data processing apparatus a request to change the transfer rate to one of a plurality of transfer rates. |
| US08224239B2 |
Antenna selector and communication device
A transmitting/receiving circuit holds a communication at a frequency f1 by using an antenna or an antenna, and a transmitting/receiving circuit holds a communication at a frequency f2 by using an antenna. In response to a receiving signal intensity, a switching circuit connects any one of the antennas to the transmitting/receiving circuit as a selected antenna for use in communication, and connects the other antenna to a terminating circuit as a non-selected antenna. The terminating circuit connected to the non-selected antenna has an impedance that satisfies a predetermined phase condition at the frequencies f1, f2 respectively, suppresses an inter-antenna coupling between the non-selected antenna and the selected antenna and the antenna, and suppresses degradation in antenna characteristic caused due to the inter-antenna coupling between the selected antenna and the antenna. |
| US08224238B2 |
Radio communication method, relay station device, and radio receiver device
Provided is a radio communication method or the like for making compatible an improvement in error rate characteristics and a reduction in delay. The radio communication method is used in a mobile communication system including a mobile station, a relay station and a base station. A transmitted signal containing a signal addressed to the base station is transmitted at first from the mobile station to the relay station. A non-reproduced relay signal obtained in the relay station from the transmitted signal is transmitted from the relay station to the base station. On the basis of the reception result of the non-reproduced relay signal at the base station, a re-transmission request of the transmitted signal is transmitted from the base station. A reproduced relay signal, as obtained from the transmitted signal in the relay station, is transmitted from the relay station to the base station in accordance with the re-transmission request transmitted from the base station. |
| US08224231B2 |
Printing system and method
A finishing unit includes a first compiling module and a second compiling module operatively connected in parallel with the first compiling module. Each compiling module includes a finishing head adapted to perform a finishing operation upon a plurality of sheets of media. A printing system includes a sheet media source, a finishing unit operatively spaced from the sheet media source and a marking unit operatively disposed therebetween. A method of performing a print job using such first and second compiling modules is also included. |
| US08224226B2 |
Method for increasing duplex reproduction apparatus productivity by adjusting sheet travel time difference
A method of increasing productivity in a reproduction apparatus wherein a first print engine and a second print engine are coupled by an inverter and synchronized. Each sheet of a plurality of receiver sheets is selectively printed in an invert mode or a non-invert mode. A difference of a travel time of a first receiver sheet in an invert path through the inverter in the invert mode as compared to a travel time of a second receiver sheet in a non-invert path through the inverter in the non-invert mode is adjusted so that the difference is an integral multiple of a period between the receiver sheets. Frames on a dielectric support member in the appropriate print engine are skipped when switching between invert mode and non-invert mode. |
| US08224221B2 |
Endless belt including a metal layer having low residual strain, fixing device and image forming apparatus
The endless belt is provided with: a metal layer that includes at least one layer, that is cylindrically formed, and that has not more than 10 degrees as a half width of a diffraction peak in X-ray diffraction; and a release layer that is stacked on the metal layer. |
| US08224220B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus capable of adjusting amount of oil applied for fixing
A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member, a motor, and an oil applier. The pressing member contacts the fixing member. The oil applier includes an application roller and an oil supply mechanism. The application roller applies oil to one of the fixing member and the pressing member. The oil supply mechanism supplies oil to the application roller. The motor is provided independent of other drivers, and supplies a driving force to the application roller to rotate the application roller at an arbitrary speed. |
| US08224219B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus, heat fixing member for fixing device, cylindrical rotating member and medium transporting device
A cylindrical rotating member rotatably supported in a device in state where it is configured to contact a medium and that is heated in state where it is supported in the device, including: an elastically deformable base body that is a metal cylinder extending in a width direction of the medium, the width direction intersecting a transport direction of the medium, the base body being configured such that: when the base body is rotated and a portion of the base body reaches a contact-portion at which the base body contacts the medium, the portion of the base body elastically deforms, applies pressure to the medium, increases the size of a contact-area with the medium and applies heat to the medium; and after the base body is further rotated and the portion of the base body has passed the contact-portion, the base body elastically recovers its original shape is provided. |
| US08224218B2 |
Redistributing unit, developing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A developing device includes a photosensitive member having a surface on which a visible image is formed and a developing member to feed a developer to the photosensitive member, and an image forming apparatus having the developing device. The photosensitive member includes a developing region, to which the developer is transmitted by the developing member, and a transfer region, from which the developer of the photosensitive member is transmitted to a recording medium. A redistributing unit is disposed between the developing region and the transfer region, to redistribute the developer present on the photosensitive member. When developing a solid image and a halftone image in sequence is desired, even if a portion of the developer for use in development of the halftone image is prematurely transmitted to the photosensitive member, the redistributing unit can redistribute the transmitted developer so as to use the transmitted developer to develop the halftone image, resulting in a reduction in likelihood of image defects. |
| US08224217B2 |
Developing unit and image forming apparatus employing the same
A developing unit to develop an image on an image support body and an image forming apparatus employing the same. The developing unit includes a housing to contain a developer having a toner and a carrier, a magnetic cylinder including a catch pole to pick up the developer in the housing and a main pole arranged to face the image support body and to hold the carrier of the developer, a sleeve installed to rotate on the magnetic cylinder and on which a developer layer is formed, a thickness regulating member to regulate a thickness of the developer layer, and a width regulating member to regulate a width of the developer layer on the sleeve. |
| US08224213B2 |
Toner transferring mechanism, developing apparatus and image forming apparatus therewith
A toner transferring mechanism is provided with: an agitating and transferring member disposed in a housing accommodating toner, and having a blade portion thereof formed in a spiral shape on a circumferential portion of a rotatable shaft portion; and a plurality of scraping members making contact with the agitating and transferring member, and then scraping toner adhering to the agitating and transferring member, the scraping members being arranged in an axial direction of the agitating and transferring member, wherein the scraping members are arranged so that the scraping members adjacent to each other form an interval which is approximate to a spiral pitch of the blade portion of the agitating and transferring member. |
| US08224211B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus and developer conveying method using the same
To provide a developing device, which includes: a first conveying passage through which a developer including a toner and a magnetic carrier is conveyed; a first conveying member disposed in the first conveying passage for conveying the developer in a predetermined whilst agitating; a toner supply port for supplying toner into the first conveying passage; and a multiple number of electromagnets arranged in the upper part of the first conveying passage and on the downstream side of the toner supply port with respect to the developer's direction of conveyance for creating magnetic fields inside the first conveying passage along the developer's direction of conveyance, and which can improve agitation performance and conveying performance of the developer without extremely increasing stress acting on the developer, as well as providing an image forming apparatus and developer conveying method using the device. |
| US08224210B2 |
Image developer for presenting ink to a photoconductor
In one embodiment, an image developer includes a developer roller rotatable along a photoconductor for presenting a layer of ink to the photoconductor and a cleaner for cleaning ink from the developer roller. The cleaner includes a first cleaning roller rotatable along the developer roller for removing ink from the developer roller and a second cleaning roller rotatable against the first cleaning roller for mechanically removing ink from the first cleaning roller. In one embodiment, the second cleaning roller deforms against the first cleaning roller such that the cross-sectional length of contact between the first and second cleaning rollers is in the range of 20% to 38% of the circumference of the first cleaning roller. In one embodiment, the second cleaning roller has a density in the range of 90 kg/m3 to 150 kg/m3. |
| US08224207B2 |
Light irradiation element, image forming structure, and image forming apparatus
A light irradiation element includes a cavity through which light passes and a translucent light conduit bordering the cavity, allowing light to pass therethrough and transmitting the light passed through the cavity, the light irradiation element being disposed along a longitudinal direction of an image bearing body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and directing the light passed through the light conduit to irradiate the image bearing body. |
| US08224204B2 |
Device and method for sealing a shaft to prevent the penetration of a toner mixture
In a device or method for sealing a shaft against penetration of a two-component toner mixture comprising magnetic carrier particles and toner particles, an annular, stationary sealing device is arranged radially at a distance of an annular gap around the shaft. The annular gap is charged with a magnetic field. The annular gap is filled with a mixture of a semi-fluid, highly viscous barrier medium and magnetic carrier particles, and wherein the mixture in the annular gap contains 40 to 85 percent by weight or 15 to 60 percent by volume of the magnetic carrier particles. |
| US08224201B2 |
Image heating apparatus for controlling a voltage applied to a heater
An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt configured to heat a toner image on a recording material, a heater configured to heat the endless belt, a voltage supplier configured to supply an alternating voltage to the heater, a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the heater, a controller configured to control a ratio of a time during which the voltage is supplied to the heater to a period at which the voltage is supplied to the heater according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector, and a regulator configured to regulate a maximum value of the ratio according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector by varying the voltage supplied to the heater at a predetermined period. |
| US08224190B2 |
Channel assignment method and apparatus for wavelength-division-multiplexed transmission system
Provided is a channel assignment method in a wavelength-division-multiplexed transmission system. The channel assignment method includes obtaining information about signal modulation schemes from a plurality of optical transmitters, and assigning channels to the respective optical transmitters in consideration of the obtained information about the signal modulation schemes. Accordingly, in transmission of channels of different modulation formats, cross phase modulation is minimized, thereby reducing inter-channel interference. |
| US08224189B1 |
Retro-directive target for free-space optical communication and method of producing the same
An apparatus for retro-reflecting electromagnetic energy and a method for producing the same are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of corner mirrors disposed in said substrate. The plurality of corner mirrors may have respective angles of acceptance with respect to the substrate to be operable to retro-reflect the electromagnetic energy within the respective angles of acceptance. The plurality of corner mirrors are arranged to provide a combined angle of acceptance that is greater than any one of the respective angles of acceptance. The apparatus may also include at least one modulator disposed over at least a portion of said plurality of corner mirrors. The modulator is operable to modulate any of said electromagnetic energy received and retro-reflected. |
| US08224185B2 |
USB compatible apparatus for connecting between optical USB device and electrical USB device
A USB compatible apparatus for connecting an optical universal serial bus (USB) (or an optical serial bus; OSB) device and an electrical USB device, and a structure of the apparatus are provided. More particularly, a USB compatible apparatus for guaranteeing a connection between an optical USB device for inputting/outputting an optical signal and an electrical USB device for inputting/outputting an electrical signal, for example, signal transmission and reception between an electrical USB device (e.g., an electrical USB memory) and an optical USB device (e.g., a computer) having an optical USB port, and a structure of the USB compatible apparatus (a first exemplary embodiment), and a USB compatible apparatus for guaranteeing signal transmission and reception between an optical USB device (e.g., an optical USB memory) and an electrical USB device (e.g., a portable telephone) having an electrical USB port, and a structure of the USB compatible apparatus (a second exemplary embodiment) are provided. |
| US08224180B2 |
Method and system for protection switching
A method is provided for protection switching in an optical network. The method may include: (i) establishing a baseline power level for a channel and a threshold value for the channel approximately equal to a predetermined threshold value; (ii) receiving a signal associated with the channel via each of a first path of the optical network and a second path of the optical network; (iii) monitoring a power intensity of the signal received via the first path; (iv) determining an average power intensity of the signal received via the first path based on the monitored power intensity; (v) modifying at least one of the baseline power level and the threshold value in response to a determination that the average power intensity exceeds the baseline power level; and (vi) protection switching from the signal received via the first path to the signal received via the second path in response to a determination that the baseline power level exceeds the power intensity of the signal received via the first path by the threshold. |
| US08224176B1 |
Combined ambient and flash exposure for improved image quality
A method for capturing an improved archival image using an electronic image capture device having a flash, comprising: capturing at least two preview images of a scene at different capture times using the image capture device; determining a scene brightness; using a processor to analyze the captured preview images to determine a motion velocity for the scene; determining a flash exposure setting and an ambient exposure setting responsive to a ratio between the determined scene brightness and the determined motion velocity; and capturing an archival image using the determined flash exposure setting and the determined ambient exposure setting. |
| US08224174B2 |
Methods for providing diffuse light
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis. |
| US08224172B2 |
Autofocus system
An autofocus system includes: a focus operating device which performs focusing in a shooting screen of a camera; a best focus range detecting device which detects a range of a best focus state from the shooting screen representing the result of the focusing performed by the focus operating device; a face detecting device which detects a range of a human face from the shooting screen; an AF frame automatic setting device by which, when a human face exists in the range being in the best focus state in the shooting screen, the position of an AF frame representing the range of an AF area that is the range to be focused by autofocus in the shooting screen, is automatically set to a face frame representing the range of the human face; and an AF frame automatic tracking device which automatically tracks a subject in the set AF frame. |
| US08224167B2 |
Dioptric adjustment device for underwater viewfinder
An adjustment device including an enhanced underwater viewfinder having, in use, a substantially watertight body and including a plurality of prisms within the body, at least one of the prisms being moveable by element of a control mechanism operable from a position exterior of the body. |
| US08224166B2 |
Liquid warming bag and bag warmer
A liquid heating bag 50 is proposed, in particular, a blood heating bag, with a flow volume 1 that is formed from at least two flexible plastic foils connected to each other by welding at four delimiting edges 3,4,5,6, has a flat, substantially trapezoidal basic shape that is limited by the delimiting edges 3,4,5,6, and an inlet line opening 10 and an outlet line opening 11 for a liquid to be heated that are disposed at an upper delimiting edge 3 of the delimiting edges 3,4,5,6 to be disposed at the top during liquid heating, wherein the upper delimiting edge 3 extends sufficiently obliquely with respect to its adjacent delimiting edges 4,6 that a gas reception volume 8 is formed in the region of an acute angle of the flow volume 1 subtended between the upper delimiting edge 3 and a delimiting edge 6 adjacent thereto, and a liquid flow guiding seam 13 that is formed by connecting the plastic foils in the region of the flow volume 1 and divides the upper delimiting edge 3 into a lower inlet line opening region and an upper outlet line opening region on the gas reception volume side. A degassing opening 23 is disposed at the upper delimiting edge 3 in the region of the gas reception volume 8 between the outlet line opening 11 and the delimiting edge 6 adjacent to the outlet line opening region. |
| US08224164B2 |
Insulated conductor temperature limited heaters
A heater may include an electrical conductor. Applying alternating current to the electrical conductor may resistively heat the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may at least partially surround a non-ferromagnetic material. The heater may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. An electrical insulator may at least partially surround the electrical conductor. A sheath may at least partially surround the electrical insulator. |
| US08224162B2 |
Information recording medium, and apparatus and method for recording information to information recording medium
An information recording medium achieves high speed conversion of a signal input externally from MPEG-TS to MPEG-PS complying with the DVD standard. An apparatus and a method are used to record information to the information recording medium. A constrained format which enables conversion from a first stream (for example, MPEG transport stream) to a second stream (for example, MPEG program stream) is provided. The constrained format defines that a presentation order of the video information of continuous complete data blocks starts at a top field and ends at a bottom field. The continuous complete data blocks are included in a reference time of continuous presentation of video information and audio information with the reference time including at least one data block. |
| US08224161B2 |
After-recording apparatus
An audio signal is compressively encoded into encoding-resultant audio data. A video signal is compressively encoded into encoding-resultant video data. An audio time stamp for audio-vide synchronous reproduction is added to every unit of the encoding-resultant audio data. A video time stamp for audio-video synchronous reproduction is added to every unit of the encoding-resultant video data. The time-stamp-added audio data and the time-stamp-added video data are multiplexed into main data. To a plurality of first after-recording-purpose data for at least one of (1) the encoding-resultant audio data and (2) the encoding-resultant video data which form the main data, time stamps for reproduction synchronous with a portion of the main data and identification information for identifying the plurality of first after-recording-purpose data are added to convert the first after-recording-purpose data into second after-recording-purpose data. The second after-recording-purpose data are made into bit streams without being multiplexed with the main data. |
| US08224159B2 |
Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method for reproducing and editing video clips
A data accessing and reproducing apparatus and method that permits a user to selected desired video clips and perform editing on the clips such that the time needed to display a thumbnail representation is minimized. In an edit mode, thumbnail pictures are arranged and displayed in the order of which edit results are reproduced. These thumbnails may be, for example, a lower resolution, proxy representation of the audio or video data. When data of thumbnail pictures are read from a disc, the data are read in the order of which they have been recorded. The order of which thumbnail pictures are displayed on the screen is different from the order of which they are arranged on the screen, and thus, the seek time for the disc becomes the shortest. Thus, the thumbnail pictures can be displayed at high speed. |
| US08224155B2 |
Techniques for preventing skipping playback of content
The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, playback method, a storage apparatus, a storage method, a program, a storage medium, a data structure, and a method of producing a storage medium, capable of controlling non-normal playback operations. In a state in which PlayItem_random_access_flag is set to 0 for PlayItem(1) and PlayItem(3) and an Entry Mark is defined in PLayItem(2) for which PlayItem_random_access_flag is set to 1, if a user operation occurs to request a jump to the Entry Mark in PlayItem(2) when a Clip AV stream pointed to by PlayItem(1) is being played back, the playback position jumps not to the Entry Mark in PlayItem(2) but to the beginning of a Clip AV stream pointed to by PlayItem(2). The present invention is applicable to a playback apparatus and a storage apparatus. |
| US08224152B2 |
Apparatus and method for reproducing text file in digital video device
Apparatus and method for reproducing texts in a digital video device, are discussed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes automatically selecting a text conversion table for the digital video device, and reproducing text data stored on a recording medium using the selected text conversion table. |
| US08224150B2 |
Method and apparatus for recording/reproduction
The present invention provides a recording/reproduction apparatus which can record AV data at a variable rate as well as so as to enable trick plays. This recording/reproduction apparatus reads data from an HDD 8 and carries out a recording/reproduction process for the read data, and it comprises a reproduction means 10 for reading first MPEG data from the HDD 8, an analysis means 30 for obtaining positional information indicating positions of previous and subsequent GOPs of a GOP in the first MPEG data on the basis of the read first MPEG data, a navigation information addition means 6 for adding the positional information in a determined position of the first MPEG data to generate second MPEG data, and a recording means 7 for recording the second MPEG data on an optical disk 9. |
| US08224146B2 |
Block-out device for fiber optic adapter
The present invention is directed to a device that protects a fiber optic adapter from contamination, damage or misuse. The fiber optic adapter includes latches that extend from inner sides of the adapter. The device includes a front, a back and sides. The sides extend from the front to the back. Each side includes a slot molded along the sides of the device. The slots receive the latches of the fiber optic adapter when the device is installed in the fiber optic adapter. Once the latches are installed in the slots, the device is secured to the fiber optic adapter. |
| US08224131B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a user interface for setting an instruction from a user and is capable of switching a language used in a display screen of the user interface. The image processing apparatus creates text data by determining the language used in the display screen of the user interface and by performing character recognition suitable for recognizing a document of the determined language on read image data. The image processing apparatus also creates a file in which the text data and the image data are associated with each other. Therefore, character recognition is properly performed in the image processing apparatus by automatically selecting the type of the language. |
| US08224124B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method, and program
An image processing device includes: a rescaling unit configured to obtain an image subjected to scaling, and subject the image to rescaling with the scaling rate of the image; a block border information detecting unit configured to detect a block size and block border position from the image after rescaling; and a detected information correcting unit configured to correct the block size and the block border position detected by the block border information detecting unit based on the scaling rate. |
| US08224122B2 |
Dynamic viewing of wide angle images
A dynamic wide angle image viewing technique is presented which provides a way to view a wide-angle image while zooming between a wide angle view and a narrower angle view that employs both perspective and non-perspective projection models. In general, this involves first establishing the field of view for a view of the wide angle image that is to be displayed. The view is then rendered and displayed based on the established field of view, such that the projection transitions between a perspective projection associated with narrower angle views and a non-perspective projection (e.g., cylindrical, spherical or some other parameterization) associated with wider-angle views. |
| US08224114B2 |
Method and apparatus for despeckling an image
A method, computer readable medium, and device for reducing speckle in an image by detecting the edges of the image to create an edge detected image, binarizing the edge detected image to create a binary edge image for processing, creating a list, L, of connected components in the binary edge image, creating a list, C, of connected components in list L that are smaller than a predetermined number of pixels, determining noise candidate pixels from the edge detected image that are covered by the connected components in list C, computing a histogram he of the noise candidate pixels, calculating a threshold from the total number of noise candidate pixels, and marking the pixels in the connected components in list C having a pixel intensity smaller than the threshold as noise. The pixels marked as noise may then be removed by setting the pixels marked as noise to a background color of the image. Optionally, a number of connected components M in list C and a number of connected components N in list L are counted and a percentage p of noise candidates M to the number of connected components N is calculated as p=M/N. The processing only removes the speckle if p is more than a predetermined percentage and stops processing of the image if p is less than the predetermined percentage. |
| US08224113B2 |
System and method for generating an image enhanced product
A system for generating an image enhanced output product and method for operating the same are provided. An image enhanceable product is identified having a tangible surface and a printing map is defined that defines a plurality of window areas in which images are to be printed on the tangible surface. A desired visual impact characteristic is determined based upon the appearance of the image enhanceable product and the printing map and a selection of a plurality of digital images are received. An image processing method is selected method based upon the determined visual impact characteristic and at least one of the digital images is automatically processed in accordance with the selected image processing method. At least some of the digital images, including the automatically processed image, are provided on the tangible surface according to the printing map. |
| US08224111B2 |
Method of restoring degraded image, apparatus for restoring degraded image, and computer program product
A degraded-image restoration method includes inputting a degraded image degraded by a predetermined degradation process; reading from a storage unit a filter coefficient in a filtering process of restoring the degraded image, in which an iteration formula for minimizing a square error between the degraded image and an image obtained by degrading a restored image by the degradation process is expanded corresponding to a predetermined number of iterations; and performing the filtering process using the filter coefficient with respect to the degraded image to obtain a restored image of the degraded image. Accordingly, a throughput in an apparatus that restores the degraded image can be reduced, thereby obtaining a preferable restored image. |
| US08224104B2 |
System and method for predicting the file size of images subject to transformation by scaling and a change of quality-controlling parameters
A system and method for predicting a file size of an image subject to transformation by scaling and a change about at least one quality-controlling parameter, in which an input receives (a) the file size of the image before transformation, (b) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter of the image before transformation, (c) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter for application to the image during transformation, and (d) a scaling factor for application to the image during transformation. A relative size prediction is calculated on the basis of the received quality-controlling parameters information and scaling factor. The file size of the image after transformation is finally calculated as a function of the file size of the image before transformation and the calculated relative size prediction. |
| US08224102B2 |
Method for encoding a picture, computer program product and encoder
A Method for encoding a picture with a first region and a second region is described wherein the first region is encoded according to a first encoding scheme, the second region is encoded according to a second encoding scheme and the second encoding scheme is carried out taking a parameter representing the visual perception of the second region into account. |
| US08224095B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
A document matching process section retrieves a similar image on a basis of the result of a first comparison process for comparing features of a matching key image of first resolution that are stored in a features storage section with features of a matching reference image and the result of a second comparison process for extracting features from a matching key image of second resolution that is stored in an image data storage section and comparing the extracted features with features of the matching reference image that are stored in the features storage section. This allows accurately retrieving a matching reference image similar to the matching key image, even when the matching key image is a zoomed image, an N-up image, or an image of low resolution. |
| US08224090B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing and determining correlation of information in a document
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an apparatus for analyzing and determining correlation of information contained in a given form containing blocks, at least one of the blocks containing data indicative of a header, the rest of the blocks containing data in association with header information, comprising: a memory for storing templates having nodes, character data associated with said nodes respectively, and relative position information between said nodes; and a processor for analyzing and determining correlation of the information according to a process comprising: obtaining data contained in said blocks in the given form, determining relative position of said blocks to produce relative position information, analyzing the data obtained from the blocks and the relative position information of the blocks in comparison with the character data and the relative position information of said nodes of said templates, and determining correlation of the data contained in said blocks. |
| US08224084B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and color image generating system
When a monochrome image is converted into a color image, following criteria are applied. a) Black, white, and a color having lightness according to a pixel value are assigned to minimum and maximum pixel values, and a pixel value therebetween, respectively. b) For the pixel value near but excluding the minimum value, a color in a blue color region is assigned. c) For the pixel value near but excluding the maximum value, a color in a yellow color region is assigned. For the pixel value in a range above those near the minimum value but below near the maximum value, a color in a range of hue from the blue color region to the yellow color region by way of a red color region or a color in the range of hue from the blue color region to the yellow color region by way of a green color region is assigned. |
| US08224081B2 |
Image processor
In a first input step from outside to an image processor, a signal input unit inputs to a pre-filter a first part of first luminance signals inputted from outside, which is a part to be processed by the pre-filter in the first input step, and stores a remaining second part of the first luminance signals in the memory unit. In a second input step following the first input step, the signal input unit inputs to the pre-filter the second part of the first luminance signals read from the memory unit and a first part of second luminance signals inputted from outside, which is a part to be processed by the pre-filter in the second input step, and stores a remaining second part of the second luminance signals in the memory unit. |
| US08224075B2 |
Image selection techniques
Tools disclosed herein comprise progressive, paint stroke based region recognition and selection tools. Using these tools, a user may partially paint a region of interest directly on an image (by using a paint brush or other similar tool). Unlike conventional selection tools, a user is not required to paint the entire region pixel-by-pixel. Rather the desired region is automatically and intelligently recognized based on the partial selection. This is accomplished via a progressive selection algorithm. In addition, these tools provide the ability to quickly execute such region selections on multi-megapixel images. |
| US08224074B2 |
Image-processing device, image-forming device, and storing medium
An image-processing device includes: a memory that stores a red range occurring within a color space; an acquisition unit that acquires image data representing a document image that includes characters; and a production unit that produces image data representing an overall image that includes: the document image represented by the image data that is acquired by the acquisition unit, a differentiation image that is positioned within the document image and that allows the user to differentiate an image of red characters residing in the range from an image formed of colors other than red, and an information image representing information for acquiring the document image in a state in which the differentiation image is not positioned. |
| US08224070B2 |
Three-dimensional measuring device
A three-dimensional measuring device includes an irradiation device configured to irradiate and switch among a multiplicity of light patterns having different periods and having a striped light intensity distribution on at least a measurement object, a camera having an imaging element capable of imaging reflected light from the measurement object irradiated by the light pattern, a rack configured to cause relative change in positional relationship between the imaging element and the measurement object, and a control device configured to perform three-dimensional measurements based on image data imaged by the camera. The control device performs the three-dimensional measurements by performing a phase shift method calculation of height data as a first height data for each pixel unit of image data based on a multiply phase-shifted image data obtained by irradiating on a first position a multiply phase-shifted first light pattern having a first period. |
| US08224069B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image matching method, and computer-readable recording medium
When a feature point extractor sets feature points on one of the images acquired by a first and second image acquirer, a template setting unit sets a base template containing a feature point onto an edge-extracted image of the acquired image. If the image within the base template is segmented by an edge, the template setting unit sets a transformed template, wherein a segmented sub-region that does not contain the feature point is deleted from the base template, and a region equal in area to the deleted region is added to the sub-region that does contain the feature point. A distance computing unit conducts template matching with respect to the one or more other images using either the base template or the transformed template, and computes the shooting distance to the matching feature point. |
| US08224068B2 |
Lock and hold structured light illumination
A method, system, and associated program code, for 3-dimensional image acquisition, using structured light illumination, of a surface-of-interest under observation by at least one camera. One aspect includes: illuminating the surface-of-interest, while static/at rest, with structured light to obtain initial depth map data therefor; while projecting a hold pattern comprised of a plurality of snake-stripes at the static surface-of-interest, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of each of the snake-stripes of the hold pattern; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame each of the snake-stripes. Another aspect includes: projecting a hold pattern comprised of a plurality of snake-stripes; as the surface-of-interest moves into a region under observation by at least one camera that also comprises the projected hold pattern, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of each snake-stripe as it sequentially illuminates the surface-of-interest; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame, each snake-stripe while it passes through the region. Yet another aspect includes: projecting, in sequence at the surface-of-interest positioned within a region under observation by at least one camera, a plurality of snake-stripes of a hold pattern by opening/moving a shutter cover; as each of the snake-stripes sequentially illuminates the surface-of-interest, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of that snake-stripe; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame, each of the snake-stripes once it has illuminated the surface-of-interest and entered the region. |
| US08224065B2 |
Reconstruction of shapes of objects from images
The present disclosure describes a system and method for transforming a two-dimensional image of an object into a three-dimensional representation, or model, that recreates the three-dimensional contour of the object. In one example, three pairs of symmetric points establish an initial relationship between the original image and a virtual image, then additional pairs of symmetric points in the original image are reconstructed. In each pair, a visible point and an occluded point are mapped into 3-space with a single free variable characterizing the mapping for all pairs. A value for the free variable is then selected to maximize compactness of the model, where compactness is defined as a function of the model's volume and its surface area. “Noise” correction derives from enforcing symmetry and selecting best-fitting polyhedra for the model. Alternative embodiments extend this to additional polyhedra, add image segmentation, use perspective, and generalize to asymmetric polyhedra and non-polyhedral objects. |
| US08224064B1 |
System and method for 3D imaging using structured light illumination
A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. The biometrics system includes an enclosure with a scan volume for placement of the hand. A reference plane with a backdrop pattern forms one side of the scan volume. The backdrop pattern is preferably a random noise pattern and the coordinates of the backdrop pattern are predetermined at system provisioning. The biometrics system further includes at least one projection unit for projecting a structured light pattern onto a hand positioned in the scan volume on or in front of the backdrop pattern and at least two cameras for capturing a plurality of images of the hand, wherein each of the plurality of images includes at least a portion of the hand and the backdrop pattern. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images using the predetermined coordinates of the backdrop pattern to align the plurality of images and mapping the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. The processing unit can also adjust calibration parameters for each hand scan from calculating coordinates of the portion of backdrop pattern in the at least one image and comparing with the predetermined coordinates of the backdrop pattern. |
| US08224063B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method
An inspection apparatus and method for precisely detect an amount of misalignment of a component mounted on a panel through an adhesive which contains conductive particles. The inspection apparatus detects an amount of misalignment, from a predetermined mounting position, of a component mounted on a surface of a panel through an ACF, and includes: a visible light camera which captures an image of a panel recognition mark formed on the panel and a component recognition mark formed on the component; an obtaining unit which obtains, from the image captured by the camera, positions of feature points of the respective recognition marks; and a calculation unit which calculates an amount of misalignment of the feature point of the component recognition mark in the image captured by the camera from a predetermined position that is determined using the position of the feature point of the panel recognition mark as a reference. |
| US08224056B2 |
Method for computed tomography motion estimation and compensation
A method and system for motion estimation and compensation are disclosed. Initially, a set of one or more initial images is reconstructed using acquired imaging data. Further, one or more regions of interest are identified in this set of reconstructed initial images. At least a set of filters is applied to the identified regions of interest to generate a sequence of filtered images. Particularly, each of the filtered images in the generated sequence of filtered images includes data acquired near a different reference point. Subsequently, a motion path corresponding to each region of interest is determined based on one or more correspondences in the sequence of filtered images. |
| US08224046B2 |
Visual enhancement of interval changes using rigid and non-rigid transformations
An image point in a displayed reference image R is selected and a non-rigid transformation resulting in a transformation field g(rR) mapping every location rR to a corresponding location rF in a floating image F is applied, next a rigid body transformation is applied to floating image F such that rF coincides with the selected image point and the transformed floating image is displayed. |
| US08224040B2 |
Face recognition apparatus based on even light source
The present invention relates to a face recognition apparatus based on even light source, which includes a data processor (1), an imaging device (2) used to capture a face image and transport the face image to said data processor (1) for image processing, and an optical device (3) used to form an image of human face onto said imaging device (2). The optical device (3) further includes a camera lens (4) and an even light source device (5) located near or surrounding said camera lens (4). The even light source device (5) includes a light emitter (6) and an even light source generation device (7) which is used to generate indirect even light source by means of refraction, diffraction or reflection of light emitted by said light emitter (6). Light radiated onto the human face is evener due to the even light source, thus a better image effect is achieved to facilitate improving recognition quality and processing speed. Further, the apparatus may not bring irritation to human eyes, and may enhance comfortability during the recognition process. |
| US08224039B2 |
Separating a directional lighting variability in statistical face modelling based on texture space decomposition
A technique for determining a characteristic of a face or certain other object within a scene captured in a digital image including acquiring an image and applying a linear texture model that is constructed based on a training data set and that includes a class of objects including a first subset of model components that exhibit a dependency on directional lighting variations and a second subset of model components which are independent of directional lighting variations. A fit of the model to the face or certain other object is obtained including adjusting one or more individual values of one or more of the model components of the linear texture model. Based on the obtained fit of the model to the face or certain other object in the scene, a characteristic of the face or certain other object is determined. |
| US08224037B2 |
Methods involving face model fitting
A method for face model fitting comprising, receiving a first observed image, receiving a second observed image, and fitting an active appearance model of a third image to the second observed image and the first observed image with an algorithm that includes a first function of a mean-square-error between a warped image of the second observed image and a synthesis of the active appearance model and a second function of a mean-square-error between the warped image of the second observed image and an appearance data of the first observed image. |
| US08224030B2 |
Position measuring method and position measuring instrument
The present invention provides a position measuring instrument, comprising a GPS position detecting device 7, an image pickup device 9 for continuously taking a digital image, a laser distance measuring device 8, and a measuring instrument main unit 2, wherein the GPS position detecting device measures positional data at a first point and a second point, the image pickup device continuously takes digital images on sceneries in surroundings during a process where the image pickup device moves from the first point, which is a known point, via the second point to a third point, which is an unknown point, the laser distance measuring device measures a distance to the object of image pickup in parallel to the image pickup by the image pickup device, and the measuring instrument main unit generates tracking point from the image obtained at the first point, sequentially identifies the tracking points from the tracing of points generated on the images to be acquired continuously, calculates three-dimensional positional data of the tracking points of the images acquired at the first point and the images acquired at the second point from the positional data at the first point and the second point, compares the result of calculation with the result of distance measurement by the laser distance measuring device, adopts the result of calculation within a predetermined limit of errors with respect to the measurement results as positional data of the tracking point, and calculates positional data of the third point from the positional data of the tracking point. |
| US08224029B2 |
Object matching for tracking, indexing, and search
A camera system comprises an image capturing device, object detection module, object tracking module, and match classifier. The object detection module receives image data and detects objects appearing in one or more of the images. The object tracking module temporally associates instances of a first object detected in a first group of the images. The first object has a first signature representing features of the first object. The match classifier matches object instances by analyzing data derived from the first signature of the first object and a second signature of a second object detected in a second image. The second signature represents features of the second object derived from the second image. The match classifier determine whether the second signature matches the first signature. A training process automatically configures the match classifier using a set of possible object features. |
| US08224022B2 |
Connected audio and other media objects
Various signal processing methods and apparatus are provided. One claim recites a method of linking media to a network resource. The method includes: computing, with an electronic processor on a handheld device, attributes of media used to identify the media; providing, from the handheld device, computed attributes of the media to a network resource, wherein the network resource uses the computed attributes of the media to identify the media or metadata associated with the media; receiving, at the handheld device, metadata associated with the identified media in the network resource. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided as well. |
| US08224018B2 |
Sensing data from physical objects
Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article. A variety of other features are also detailed. |
| US08224013B2 |
Headset systems and methods
A digital audio player device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form an intraoral MP3 player. In another embodiment, the device provides an electronic and transducer device that can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a DAP. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure. |
| US08224008B2 |
Hearing apparatus with a moveable charging contact
A hearing apparatus includes a charging contact being movable relative to an accumulator and being electrically conductively connected to the accumulator in a first position and less effectively conductively connected thereto in a second position. A spring-elastic element engages with the charging contact in order to push the charging contact into the second position with a predetermined force, so that the charging contact can only be pushed into the first position by overcoming the predetermined force. As a result, the charging contact configuration obtains a switching function, so that electro-corrosion on the charging contacts can be prevented. Therefore, charging an accumulator of a hearing apparatus and in particular of a hearing device using a direct conductive contact is possible, with zero potential of the charging contacts which are accessible from the outside being ensured during normal operation of the hearing apparatus. |
| US08224005B2 |
Hearing aid extension
Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the performance of hearing aids and the like. For example, an extension for a hearing aid can include a stem having one or more flanges formed thereon. The flanges can be configured to enhance the fit of the hearing aid in the ear canal. The extension can cushion sensitive tissues of the ear canal from contact with the hard plastic inner end of the hearing aid. The extension also inhibits undesirable leakage of sound around the hearing aid. Thus, both comfort and effectiveness of a hearing aid or the like are enhanced. |
| US08223998B2 |
Electrostatic speaker
An electrostatic speaker is constituted of a vibrator, conductive cloths, and elastic members, which are laminated together and woven together using strings. Since all the constituent elements are restrained in positioning by strings, the overall structure thereof is not substantially changed even when the electrostatic speaker is deformed in shape by bending or curving, wherein it is possible to secure the prescribed positional relationship between the constituent elements, which are not deviated in positioning. It is possible to introduce a sheet composed of a thermoplastic resin, which holds the vibrator and elastic members therein. The conductive cloths can be replaced with film electrodes, each of which is formed such that a conductive polymer layer is formed on a base film composed of a thermoplastic resin. |
| US08223989B2 |
Signal processing system and method for calibrating channel signals supplied from an array of sensors having different operating characteristics
In a signal processing system, a set of channel signals from an array of sensors of different operating characteristics are processed in calibration circuitry that calculates individual average values of the channel signals and calculates an average of the individual average values of channel signals as a reference value. Reciprocal calculators calculate reciprocal values of the individual average values of the channel signals. Scaling circuitry scales the reciprocal values by the reference value to produce a set of amplitude calibration signals and scales the channel signals by the calibration signals respectively. As a result, the channel signals are normalized by their own average values and scaled by the reference value to produce a set of calibrated channel signals. |
| US08223985B2 |
Masking of pure tones within sound from a noise generating source
A method and system for masking pure tones within sound generated from a noise generating source. The method includes detecting one or more pure tones within sound being generated from the noise generating source, and generating one or more masking sounds capable of masking only the one or more pure tones detected within the sound. |
| US08223978B2 |
Target sound analysis apparatus, target sound analysis method and target sound analysis program
A target sound analysis apparatus capable of distinguishing between a sound having the same fundamental period as a target sound but which differs therefrom and the target sound and analyzing whether or not the target sound is contained in an evaluation sound is an target sound analysis apparatus that analyzes whether or not a target sound is included in an evaluation sound, and includes: a target sound preparation unit that prepares a target sound that is an analysis waveform to be used for analyzing a fundamental period; an evaluation sound preparation unit that prepares an evaluation sound that is an analyzed waveform in which its fundamental period will be analyzed; and an analysis unit that temporally shifts the target sound with respect to the evaluation sound to sequentially calculate differential values of the evaluation sound and the target sound at corresponding points in time, calculate an iterative interval between the points in time where the differential value is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, and judge whether or not the target sound exists in the evaluation sound based on a period of the iterative interval and the fundamental period of the target sound. |
| US08223977B2 |
Sound receiver
Sound waves having a proper phase difference are received by microphones fixed in a mesh-formed casing, while other sound waves pass through the casing, and reach a front surface of a diffuse reflection member. The randomly uneven front surface of the diffuse reflection member diffusely reflects the sound waves, thereby preventing the reflected sound waves from reaching the microphones at the proper phase difference. Any reflected sound waves that do reach the microphones are received at a phase difference that is different from the proper phase difference and are determined to be noise by a sound-source determining circuit, thereby enabling a sound receiver to receive only sound waves having the proper phase difference, and hence, improving directivity thereof. |
| US08223973B2 |
Mix-net system
Each participant apparatus (103) encrypts a plaintext by using a secret key of secret key cryptography, encrypts the encryption key by a public key, and sends the plaintext and public key to a substitution/decryption apparatus (112). With this processing, the limitation on the length of a ciphertext to be processed can be eliminated. In this invention, a verifiable proof text using a public key by each substitution/decryption apparatus is verified by a verification apparatus (109) by using the public key. If one of a plurality of organizations to decrypt and shuffle ciphertexts has not correctly executed the operation, a third party can specify it and prove that the specified organization is unauthorized. |
| US08223972B2 |
Method and device for speeding up key use in key management software with tree structure
In the key management software having a key database with a tree structure, a high-speed data encryption/decryption process is achieved by changing the tree structure without reducing the security strength when deleting or adding a key from/to the tree structure. The key management software having the key database with the tree structure, when deleting or adding a key from/to the tree structure, refers to the encryption strength comparison table and the process time comparison table to change the tree structure without reducing the security strength. This reduces the number of times an encrypted key is loaded onto the encryption/decryption processing device during the data encryption/decryption process, thus achieving a high-speed data encryption/decryption. |
| US08223971B2 |
Apparatus and method for encrypting security key in mobile communication terminal
Provided is an apparatus and method for storing a security key in a mobile communication terminal. In the method, the security key is generated randomly. The generated security key is encrypted in a predetermined encryption scheme. The encrypted security key is stored in the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, even if the stored security keys are read by hacking or memory dump, it is impossible to detect the accurate security keys. |
| US08223969B2 |
Methods and systems for secure distribution of subscription-based game software
A method for secure communications. At least one encryption key can be generated based on a pass-phrase that associates a unique identifier of a client system with a customer. Customer data encrypted with the at least one encryption key can be received such that the customer data is uniquely associated with both the client system and with the customer. The client system cannot decrypt the customer data if the unique identifier of the client system is changed. The client system cannot decrypt the customer data if the customer is changed. |
| US08223968B2 |
Image data verification program recorded on a recording medium, image data verification method, and image data verification system
An image data verification system for verifying image data using a computer and method are provided. The method includes registering image data of an original and extracting information regarding a part of information forming the original image data. The method also includes generating a feature value of the partial information and generating signature information. |
| US08223963B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a signature for a message and method and apparatus for verifying such a signature
A method of generating a signature σ for a message m, the method enabling online/offline signatures. Two random primes p and q are generated, with N=pq; two random quadratic residues g and x are chosen in Z*N, and, for an integer z, h=g−z mod N is calculated. This gives the public key {g, h, x, N} and the private key {p, q, z}. Then, an integer t and a prime e are chosen. The offline signature part y may then be calculated as y=(xg−t)1/eb mod N where b is an integer bigger than 0, predetermined in the signature scheme. The online part k of the signature on message m is then calculated as k=t+mz and the signature σ on message m is generated as σ=(k, y, e) and returned. To verify the signature, it is checked that 1) e is an odd IE-bit integer, 2) k is an IK-bit integer, and 3) yebgkhm≡x(mod N). An advantage of the method is that it may be performed without hashing. Also provided are a signing device, a verification device, and computer program supports. |
| US08223960B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing an echo signal in a signal transmission/reception apparatus of a communication system
A method and apparatus for removing an echo signal in a signal transmission/reception apparatus of a communication system are provided. A signal transmission/reception apparatus determines an echo channel impulse response using a reception signal, generates an echo signal removing coefficient using the echo channel impulse response, removes an echo signal from the reception signal using the echo signal removing coefficient, and transmits a signal in which the echo signal is removed. |
| US08223958B2 |
Determining an active line
Embodiments for connecting and disconnecting a first pair of conductors of a jack from a second pair of conductors of the jack, the first pair of conductors configured to connect to a first line and the second pair of conductors configured to connect to a secondary line, detecting a voltage or a current on the secondary line while the second pair of conductors is disconnected from the first pair of conductors, and notifying a user in response to detecting the voltage or the current on the secondary line while the second pair of conductors is disconnected from the first pair of conductors are disclosed. |
| US08223956B2 |
System and method for managing, directing, and queuing communication events
A queue interface system and method for queuing voice calls for use with a communication system having queues includes a queue selector allowing a user to select a queue from a list of queues on a display. In an embodiment, one or more of the queues on the list of queues is a service agent queue. Further, the queue interface system includes an expected wait time component for displaying an expected wait time for a customer for the selected queue. The system also includes a call options selector providing a hold option and a call option. The hold option places a call in the selected queue and the call option causes a call to occur. In an embodiment, the call option further includes assigning a placeholder for a customer in the selected queue and causing a call to the customer to occur after the expected wait time. |
| US08223955B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering and tracking click/call information for PSTN and digital telephone networks
A method and apparatus turns a typical home telephone system into a platform for delivery of web based content and services. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a broadband enabled telephone system for the home and a series of web servers that collect, package, and deliver personalized content and services to all of the telephone handsets throughout the home. With this end-to-end solution, any information or services available via the web can be delivered through a broadband enabled telephone system. Through the web, each member of a family can build a profile which defines what information and services they want available through the handset. In addition, each handset can be dynamically personalized for any family member. The color screens on the handsets become windows through which an individual can view and interact with a broad range of content and services. The audio channels thus become an extension of the voice based services, such as messaging and voice chat. |
| US08223940B2 |
Selecting communication mode of communications apparatus
A communications device capable of communicating via any one of a number of communication modes comprises a mode comparator configured to determine which of the available modes is likely to be most appropriate for selection when initiating communication with a destination call party based at least in part on availability status data representative of a state of availability of the destination call party. The device displays the mode as a suggestion for selection by the user together with an ordered list of available communication modes for use in contacting a particular party, the list being ordered according to the likelihood of communication being successful. The call history for each mode in reaching the party is analyzed and a score calculated for each mode, the scores being relatively weighted according to a set of weighting factors arrived at from considering the current state of availability of the party, for example using presence information, and the inherent intrusiveness of each communication mode from the point of view of the called party. |
| US08223938B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing caller identification services
A method, system, and computer program product for providing caller identification services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device are provided. The method includes receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number, mapping a called party number to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, and sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number. |
| US08223937B2 |
Method of and switching device for handling a telephone call initiated from a calling terminal in a circuit switched telecommunications network
The invention relates to a method of handling a telephone call initiated from a calling terminal in a circuit switched telecommunications network by providing called party identification data of a called party to said network. In the method proposed said call is set up by obtaining answering party identification data from a service control point associated with said called party based on said provided called party identification data. Communication is provided through said network between said calling terminal and an answering terminal identified using said answering party identification data. Said answering party identification data is made available to at least one service control point in said network for identifying services associated with said answering terminal. The invention further relates to a switching device for use with said method. |
| US08223930B2 |
Method and system for workgroup voicemail message
A method, system, and medium related to workgroup voicemail. The method may include receiving a workgroup voicemail for a call placed to a callable workgroup; providing a workgroup message waiting signal to a communication device associated with a member of the callable workgroup; and displaying a workgroup message waiting indication at the communication device associated with the callable workgroup member in response to the workgroup message waiting signal, the workgroup message waiting indication being distinct from a personal message waiting indication associated with the callable workgroup member. |
| US08223929B2 |
Interactive web interface for interactive voice response
Described are a system and method for establishing a communication session between an end user and a communication destination of an interactive voice response (IVR) system. A click-to-call server transmits a web page over a network for display in a browser window at a client system. The web page presents a web menu corresponding to an IVR audio menu of the IVR system and has a link by which the end user of the client system can submit a click-to-call request. The click-to-call server receives a click-to-call request from the client system over the network in response to activation of the link in the web page. The click-to-call server sets up a communication session between a communication device identified by the end user and a communication destination of the IVR system in response to receiving the click-to-call request. |
| US08223924B2 |
Grating with a large aspect ratio, in particular to be used as an X-ray optical grating in a CT system, produced by a lithography method
A grating with a large aspect ratio is disclosed, in particular to be used as an X-ray optical grating in a CT system and in particular produced by a lithography method. In at least one embodiment, the grating includes a multiplicity of recurring alternating grating webs and grating gaps with a height, and a multiplicity of filler beams, respectively arranged in the grating gaps with a spacing from one another in the direction of the gaps, which beams connect respectively adjacent grating webs over their height. In at least one embodiment, the grating webs and the grating gaps run from a first to a second side of the grating, and a filler beam has a width in the direction of the gaps and this width is at most 10% of the spacing between two adjacent filler beams. In at least one embodiment, the spacings between respective adjacent filler beams in a grating gap do not vary by more than 10% in the entire grating. At least one embodiment of the invention furthermore relates to a CT system containing at least one grating according to at least one embodiment of the invention. |
| US08223923B2 |
X-ray source with metal wire cathode
An X-ray source with a cathode (2) that includes a first wire (4) having optionally thermal loops (12, 14) between an emission loop (10) and first and second ends (6, 8). A spiral second wire (30) is wound around the wire (4) and a low work function coating (32) is provided on both wires. The first and second wires may be of refractory material, such as tungsten, and the low work function coating may include barium oxide. |
| US08223922B2 |
Radiation detection device, radiation image acquiring system, radiation inspection system, and radiation detection method
A radiation image acquiring system that improves the detection accuracy of a foreign substance etc., in a subject is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system 1 irradiates X-rays to a subject S from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays in a plurality of energy ranges transmitted through the subject S. The X-ray image acquiring system 1 includes a low-energy detector 32 for detecting X-rays in a low-energy range that is transmitted through the subject S to generate low-energy image data, a high-energy detector 42 arranged in parallel to the low-energy detector 32 with a dead zone region 82 sandwiched therebetween, for detecting X-rays in a high-energy range that is transmitted through the subject S to generate high-energy image data, and a timing control section 50 for controlling detection timing of the high-energy detector 42 based on a dead zone width NW of the dead zone region 82 so that low-energy image data to be generated by the low-energy detector 32 and high-energy image data to be generated by the high-energy detector 42 mutually correspond. |
| US08223920B2 |
Patient positioning imaging device and method
The present invention is related to a patient positioning imaging device for positioning a patient in a hadron therapy device provided with a rotatable gantry (20). The patient positioning imaging device comprises a rotatable structure (10) provided with an extensible arm or foldable pivoting arm (12) arranged for connecting an imaging beam source (121) and an extensible structure or foldable pivoting structure (14) arranged for carrying an imaging beam receiver (141). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for taking CBCT shots of the patient while the patient is located in an offset position with respect to an isocentre of the hadron therapy device, said offset position being in the direction of a rotational axis of the rotatable gantry (20). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for being rotated while the rotatable gantry (20) remains fixed, and while the extensible or pivoting arm (12) and the extensible or pivoting structure (14) are in extended or unfolded position. |
| US08223918B2 |
Radiation scanning and disabling of hazardous targets in containers
In one example, a method of examining a container is disclosed comprising detecting a potential threat within contents of a container using radiation scanning and disabling the potential threat with radiation. In another example, a method of examining a container is disclosed comprising scanning at least a portion of the container with a first radiation beam, detecting radiation interacting with contents of the container, identifying a potential threat contained based, at least in part, on the detected radiation, and disabling the potential threat with a dose of radiation from a second radiation beam. The potential threat may be a nuclear, chemical, and/or biological weapon, for example. Chemical and/or biological detectors may also be provided. The threat and/or electronics associated with the threat, may be disabled. Systems are also disclosed. |
| US08223915B2 |
Method and apparatus for radiographic imaging
A radiographic X-ray apparatus is equipped with multiple devices for the acquisition of anatomical data, in particular cameras. These devices are used to facilitate and automate the imaging process, providing: before exposure the automated identification of the specific anatomical features of the patient and the optimized presetting of the exposure technique factors and projection geometry, tailored on the actual anatomy of the patient; during exposure the optimized X-ray dose modulation, either automatically or selected by the operator, in order to correctly expose the various regions of interest, and accordingly impart reduced dose to other body parts, according to the actual anatomy of the patient and imaging requirements; after exposure the possibility to complement the radiographic image with additional information about the internal and external anatomy, providing valuable tools for the medical analysis and diagnosis. |
| US08223914B2 |
Spent fuel storage rack
A spent fuel storage rack 1 according to the present invention is installed in a fuel storage pool of a nuclear facility, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape forming a plurality of lattice-like cells 2a that are configured to separately accommodate a plurality of fuel assemblies in a matrix of rows and columns. As shown in FIG. 1, the spent fuel storage rack 1 includes: a base 17 configured to support lower parts of fuel assemblies, the base 17 forming a bottom surface of the spent fuel storage rack 1; an outer frame 3 located above the base 17, the outer frame 3 forming an outermost periphery of the spent fuel storage rack 1; and a lattice body 2 disposed inside the outer frame 3, the lattice body 2 forming the lattice-like cells 2a. The lattice body 2 includes: a main lattice 4 having a height equivalent to an active length of the fuel assembly; an upper lattice 5 disposed above the main lattice 4 so as to be fitted to an upper end of the main lattice 4; and a lower lattice 6 disposed between the base 17 and the main lattice 4 so as to be fitted to a lower end of the main lattice 4. Thus, the main lattice 4 can be formed without welding, whereby the main lattice 4 can be made of a boron-added stainless steel to which a sufficient amount of boron is added to absorb neutrons. |
| US08223912B2 |
Transfer apparatus, and jitter control method of transmission signal
A transfer apparatus includes a receiver to receive an input signal and to extract a clock signal from the input signal, an input signal interruption detector to detect whether an input signal is input, an oscillator, and a frequency setter to set an oscillation frequency of the oscillator such that a difference between the oscillation frequency of the oscillator and a frequency of a frequency division signal into which a clock signal extracted from the input signal is frequency-divided falls out of a passband width of a filter when the input signal interruption detector detects the input of the input signal. |
| US08223910B2 |
Method and device for frame synchronization
A device and a method for frame synchronization, the method includes providing a high frequency clock signal over a clock line during a transmission of information over a data line connected to a media access controller and to at least one component; defining a short synchronization period; processing at least one signal conveyed over the data line during the short synchronization period to determine a presence of a synchronization error; and maintaining at least the clock line in a low power mode when the data line is substantially idle. |
| US08223906B2 |
Interpolation IIR filter for OFDM baseband processing
A transmit filter for a stream of OFDM symbols has a remapper, Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter and a controller, the transmit filter operating on a stream of OFDM symbols. The transmit filter accepts symbols to be transmitted, the re-mapper re-orders them, the IIR filters the re-ordered stream, and a controller provides an output by rearranging the filtered symbols. The incoming symbol stream contains a series of symbols, each followed by a guard interval, where each guard interval has a first Tg symbol interval, and a second Tg symbol interval, the remapper generating a re-ordered stream having a first Tg symbol interval, a second Tg symbol interval and the symbol, the output of the IIR filter thereby generating a filtered first Tg symbol, a filtered second Tg symbol, and a filtered symbol, and the controller forms the transmit output by discarding the filtered first Tg symbol and outputting, in sequence, the filtered second Tg symbol, the filtered symbol, and a copy of the filtered second Tg symbol. The filtered second Tg symbol may be saved into a local buffer at the time it is initially output for use following the current symbol. |
| US08223905B2 |
Predictive signal cancellation for extracting 1 Mb/s MIL-STD-1553 component from composite high performance 1553 signal
Method and apparatus for maximizing the usable bandwidth for High Performance 1553 terminals operating concurrently on the same physical bus with legacy 1 Mb/s MIL-STD-1553 terminals. More specifically, the method and apparatus provides implementation for predictive cancellation by synthesizing an estimate of the 1 Mb/s MIL-STD-1553 component of a composite 1 Mb/s plus High Performance 1553 input signal using either of two different techniques: (1) a combination of digital and analog techniques; and (2) an all digital technique. The synthesized signal is then subtracted from the composite signal. Both techniques employ an algorithm for minimizing the effects of clock skew between 1 Mb/s 1553 transmitting clocks and the local High Performance 1553 sampling clock. Both techniques also incorporate an adaptation algorithm for developing and maintaining digital models of 1 Mb/s 1553 signals received from multiple 1 Mb/s 1553 terminals on a bus. |
| US08223900B2 |
Receiver with mixed-mode automatic gain control
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a receiver with automatic gain includes a receiver stage, an AGC stage, and a digital processor which collectively define an AGC loop. Preferably, the AGC stage has a control circuit and a feedback circuit with matched transfer characteristics. A digital processor is operative to develop a gain control signal to set a desired gain level of the receiver stage to an optimal level based upon a waveform analysis derived from the gain feedback signal. |
| US08223897B2 |
Compact pulse shaping for QM-MSK and PAM/QAM reception
Compact pulse shape partial response (CPS PR) signaling is developed for trellis based signals like QM-MSK, and for PAM/QAM type signals to improve the performance to bandwidth tradeoff. Compact pulse shaped signals are partial response signals that employ a very short pulse shaping filter and use Viterbi decoding to optimally detect the CPS signal in presence of its inherent inter-symbol interference. The CPS filters considered herein have much shorter impulse response than the well-known raised cosine (RC) filter. There is no need to equalize the received signal to eliminate ISI or to allow a fixed amount of ISI between received signal samples as sampled at the symbol rate as is common in partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) systems. Numerical results indicate that CPS QM-MSK and CPS QAM provides between several dB of gain, depending on constellation size, over PR-CPM and RC QAM, when compared at a given value of bandwidth, i.e., B99Tb. |
| US08223895B2 |
Signal separating device and signal separating method
Provided is a signal separating device capable of reducing the calculation amount and improving the communication quality. The signal separating device performs signal separation by the MLD method using the QR decomposition. The signal separating device includes: a nearest-neighbor signal point candidate detecting unit (120) which detects a nearest-neighbor signal point which is a signal point on a constellation used on the last stage and at the minimum distance from each of signal points obtained when fixing all the remaining combinations of the signal point candidates decided up to the last stage but one in the MLD; a signal point candidate selecting unit (130) which selects m (m is a natural number not greater than the modulation multi-value number of the reception signal) signal points (in each of the signal points, each target bit of the nearest-neighbor signal point is reversed) on the constellation corresponding to the respective nearest-neighbor signal points; and a distance calculation unit (140) which calculates an amount indicating an Euclid distance from each of the nearest-neighbor signal points and the selected signal points to the reception signal points after subjected to the unitary transform associated with the last stage. |
| US08223894B2 |
Wireless reception apparatus and reception method therein
A wireless transmission device enabled to improve an error rate performance at a receiver, by acquiring at least one of frequency diversity effect and a time diversity effect while keeping the interference resistance which is acquired by diffusion. In this transmission device, a modulation unit (101) modulates data to create a modulation symbol having in-phase components and quadrature components. An IQ individual spreading unit (102) arranges the diffusion chips, which are obtained by spreading the modulation symbol, of the in-phase components and the quadrature components, in areas extending in diffusion domains set individually for the in-phase components and the quadrature components. An IQ combining unit (103) combines the arranged spreading chips of the in-phase components and the quadrature components. |
| US08223893B1 |
Compensation for residual frequency offset, phase noise and sampling phase offset in wireless networks
A method and apparatus for processing a data packet at a receiver. The method includes receiving a data packet having been previously transmitted by a transmitter over a channel, in which the data packet includes (i) a preamble portion having a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) training symbols, wherein each OFDM training symbol comprises a plurality of subcarriers, and (ii) a data portion. The method further includes, for each subcarrier, determining an estimate of the channel based on the plurality of OFDM training symbols in the preamble portion; compensating each estimate of the channel with a compensation factor having a first term and a second term, wherein (i) the first term varies linearly with respect to an index of the plurality of subcarriers and (ii) the second term is a constant term; and processing the data portion based on the compensated estimates of the channel. |
| US08223889B2 |
Opportunistic radio frequency communications
Systems and methods for opportunistic radio frequency communications are provided which include the use of multiple antennas. Signal data from the antennas can be used to determine directions of incoming signals. Signal power in the direction of strongest signals can then be reduced by adjusting relative gains and phases of received signals. Reducing signal power of strong signals reduces the dynamic range of received signals and facilitates discovery of unused communication frequencies. Any unused frequencies can then be used or allocated as desired. |
| US08223886B2 |
Transmission circuit for bias control of power amplifier
A transmission circuit switches a bias circuit without allowing a power amplifier to enter a non-bias state. A first bias circuit supplies a first bias signal to a power amplifier, and a second bias circuit supplies a second bias signal to the power amplifier. A first delay circuit delays the switching of an operation of the first bias circuit using a first delay time, and a second delay circuit delays the switching of an operation of the second bias circuit using a second delay time. The first bias circuit and the second bias circuit are both simultaneously operated for a predefined time period, in order to prevent a transistor for amplification from entering a non-bias state when switching an operation mode of the power amplifier. |
| US08223883B2 |
Transmission circuit, method for determining delay time used in the transmission circuit, and communication apparatus using the transmission circuit
An amplitude signal and a frequency signal are generated through processing of data. The frequency signal is angle modulated. The amplitude signal is adjusted based on a delay time and is amplitude amplified. The resultant signal from the angle modulation is amplitude modulated based on the resultant signal from the amplitude amplification to obtain a modulated signal. The modulated signal is used to calculate a delay between the amplitude signal and the frequency signal, which is used for feedback control of the delay time by which the amplitude signal is adjusted until no delay exists only in a test period. Through the signal generating, a sinusoidal signal is outputted as each of the amplitude signal and the frequency signal during the test period. |
| US08223882B2 |
Joint constellation multiple access
A method for communication includes defining N respective symbol constellations in a signal space for N transmitters (24), N(2, subject to a predetermined power constraint, so as to produce a joint constellation including superpositions of symbols selected from the N symbol constellations. Data is transferred from the N transmitters by simultaneously transmitting from the N transmitters N respective symbols selected respectively from the N symbol constellations. A composite symbol including a superposition of the N transmitted symbols is received. The received composite symbol is demodulated using the joint constellation so as to reconstruct the data transferred from the N transmitters. |
| US08223880B2 |
System and method for power line communication
A communication system for a power line is described. A transmission system of the communication system divides the time axis into a number of time slots synchronized such that one time slot can start about a zero crossing of the power line signal. These time slots may be referred to as channels. Data may initially be modulated into at least one of these time slots over a first transmission period according to a modulation scheme. The time slots and/or modulation scheme used in subsequent transmission periods may be adjusted depending on transmission feedback relating to prior modulated data. |
| US08223879B2 |
Method and apparatus for range extension of low-power wireless communication links
A method and system for improving a level of service between wireless devices. Handheld devices implementing the Bluetooth specification typically have relatively limited transmission ranges. As a result, and since they are typically portable, such devices easily experience abrupt communication interruptions, either between themselves and other handheld devices, or between themselves and fixed devices. The effective range of the devices can be extended by providing additional error-correcting coding. Although this modification also results in an extended transmission time, users are provided with an increased transmission range, and are given warning that service may soon be interrupted. Users may then, if they wish, take such steps as finishing their communication or moving into their devices' normal transmission range. Additionally, the handheld devices may use the extra transmission time and range to search for a forwarding path to a recipient device, thus minimizing or preventing any service interruption. |
| US08223876B2 |
Apparatus for receiving signals in OFDM communication system having multiple antennas and method thereof
Provided are an apparatus for receiving signals in an OFDM communication system using multiple transmission/reception antennas and a method thereof. The method includes modulating a predetermined part of a data stream based on a multi-dimensional reception procedure to generate a first modulated data stream; regenerating a symbol corresponding to the modulated data stream; eliminating the regenerated symbol from a remained data stream; modulating the eliminated data stream to generate a second modulated data stream; and outputting an output signal obtained by serializing the first modulated data stream and the second modulated data stream. |
| US08223873B2 |
System and method for acquiring beamforming vectors using training sequences with adaptive spreading gains
A method and system for acquiring beamforming vectors using multiple spreading sequence spreading gains is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention allows time and power to be saved by spreading a training sequence with spreading sequences of different gains in different iterations of an iterative beamforming acquisition procedure. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises modulating, at a first station, a first training sequence with a first source beamforming vector, wherein the first training sequence has a first spreading gain, transmitting the modulated first training sequence to a second station, receiving a first response signal from the second station, obtaining a second source beamforming vector based on the first response signal, modulating, at the first station, a second training sequence with the second source beamforming vector, wherein the second training signal has a second spreading gain which is different from the first spreading gain, transmitting the modulated second training sequence to the second station, receiving a second response signal from the second station, obtaining a third source beamforming vector based on the second response signal, and determining whether to use the third source beamforming vector to modulate a data signal to be transmitted to the second station. |
| US08223867B2 |
Wireless communications with efficient channel coding
A data encoding algorithm can be used (120) to generate overhead bits from original data bits, and the original data bits and overhead bits can be transmitted in respectively separate transmissions (121, 123), if the overhead bits are needed. At the receiver, the original data bits can be determined (125) from the received overhead bits, or the received data bits and the received overhead bits can be combined and decoded together (126) to produce the original data bits. |
| US08223859B2 |
Method and apparatus for a multi-tone modem
A multi-tone modem with shared and discrete components forming a transmit path and a receive path configured to couple to a wired communication medium to communicate at least one multi-tone modulated communication channel thereon. The modem includes a multi-tone modulator component and a configurable frequency up converter component. The multi-tone modulator component is configured for multi-tone modulation and demodulation of a transmitted and received communication channel at a base band frequency range. The configurable frequency up converter component is coupled to the multi-tone modulator to selectably up convert the frequency range of the transmitted base band signal from the multi-tone modulator to that of a selected communication band and down convert received signals from the selected communication band to the base band for demodulation by the multi-tone modulator. |
| US08223854B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmission of uplink control signaling and user data in a single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
A user equipment (UE) operating in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system transmits Layer 1 and Layer 2 user data non-associated and user data associated control signaling on an uplink by puncturing user data information with the user data non-associated and user data associated control signaling to produce a data stream wherein the control signaling and user data information are multiplexed. The UE then conveys the punctured data stream to a radio access network via an air interface. The communication system further provides for a selection of a coding and modulation for the control signaling based on a modulation and coding scheme of the user data and a transmission scheme that is applied for transmission of the user data information over the air-interface. |
| US08223853B2 |
Method and apparatus for decoding data in a layered modulation system
A decoder for a layered modulation system can be configured to independently and concurrently decode each of a base and enhancement layer. The base layer decoder and enhancement layer decoder can be configured substantially in parallel and can each operate concurrently on the same received layered modulation symbol. Each of the base and enhancement layer decoders can be configured with a bit metric module that is configured to determine a signal quality metric based on the received symbol. In systems having turbo encoded data, the bit metric module can be configured to determine a log likelihood ratio. The ratio is based in part on a channel estimate and an energy ratio used in the layered modulation constellation. |
| US08223852B2 |
Multicarrier modulation
Signals are transmitted on sub-channels at different but mutually overlapping frequencies. A receiver separates the sub-channels into component signals Z0 . . . C254 Prior to decoding (7), interference estimates C0 . . . C254 are subtracted from the components. These estimates are deduced from the signals received on the idle sub-channels (or on sub-channels from which a known or estimated signal is subtracted), for example by calculating (10) parameters defining a model of the interference and using these (11) to generate the interference estimates. |
| US08223851B2 |
Method and an apparatus for embedding data in a media stream
A method for enhancing a media file. The method comprises encoding a media file for a real time exchange of communications between a plurality of terminals, embedding a non-media communication of the real time exchange into the media file, and forwarding the embedded media file to at least one of the plurality of terminals. |
| US08223847B2 |
Editing device, editing method, splicing device, splicing method, encoding device, and encoding method
A plurality of bit streams are seamlessly spliced. Separate decoders decode each bit stream. A controller selects the decoded pictures according to a re-encoding range in the vicinity of a splicing point of the bit streams. Pictures presenting a reordering of the streams are excluded in the selection of the decoded pictures. An encoder re-encodes the pictures within the re-encoding range-When it is determined that crossover motion compensation exists between pictures of different streams, the controller changes the motion prediction direction of the problematic picture. The controller changes a motion prediction picture type of a picture which is improperly motion predicted with reference to another stream. A quantization characteristic or motion vectors for the new picture type are generated by the controller. The controller effects the encoding in accordance with a target amount of bits to prevent a breakdown of a buffer and a discontinuation of an amount of data occupancy thereof. A multiplexer multiplexes the original streams with the re-encoded stream to produce a seamless bit stream. |
| US08223830B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining equalization coefficients
A system for filtering a data signal includes an input configured to receive the data signal through a transmission medium and a filter configured to remove distortion from the received data signal using equalization coefficients. The system further includes a processing unit configured to determine dynamically the equalization coefficients of the filter without using a predetermined training pattern in the received data signal. |
| US08223828B2 |
Methods and systems for adaptive receiver equalization
Methods and systems for minimizing distortions in an analog data signal include equalizing the analog data signal at a receive end. In an embodiment, the invention adapts equalization parameters to a signal path associated with the analog data signal. Adaptive control logic is implemented with analog and/or digital components. In an embodiment, the invention equalizes a discrete-time analog representation of an analog data signal. In an embodiment, the invention digitally controls equalization parameters. In an embodiment, a resultant equalized analog data signal is digitized. In an example implementation, an analog data signal is sampled, a quality of the samples is measured, and one or more equalization parameters are adjusted with digital controls as needed to minimize distortion of the samples. The equalized samples are then digitized. The present invention is suitable for lower rate analog data signals and multi-gigabit data rate analog signals. |
| US08223827B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating filter tap weights and biases for signal dependent branch metric computation
A method and apparatus are provided for determining a plurality of filter tap weights or biases (or both) for a noise predictive filter used to generate one or more signal dependent branch metrics. A filter tap weight or filter bias (or both) are adaptively accumulated for each possible data condition. The data conditions may comprise, for example, each possible data pattern for a given data dependency length. The appropriate accumulated filter tap weight or bias to update can be selected based on a data condition associated with the current received data. The filter tap weights associated with a delay 0 tap can be adapted for each filter condition except for a single normalizing condition, whose corresponding delay 0 tap remains fixed. |
| US08223826B2 |
Measuring noise power at wireless receivers using pilot symbol information
Embodiments are directed to a wireless receiver system that utilizes a special structure of pilot symbols used for synchronization and channel estimation in transmission packets to measure noise power at the receiver. The periodicity of the pilot signal sequences is used to extract the noise power from the received signal. Such extraction is achieved by subtracting the received signals from two pilot slots which are separated by the known periodicity of the training sequence. This method relies on the fact that desired signal and system interference signals will cancel out after the subtraction process. Measuring the power of the residual signal after subtraction represents the estimate of the noise power. Several consecutive such residual signals can be first summed up before measuring the power to improve the estimate of the noise power at the receiver. To further improve the performance, estimates of the desired signal produced by a channel estimation block can be first subtracted from each of the received signals on two pilot slots which are then to be subtracted and are separated by the known periodicity of the pilot sequence. |
| US08223824B2 |
Cable modem and method of performing channel bonding using digital upconverter
A cable modem is provided. The cable modem may include: a plurality of modulators to generate a plurality of pieces of digital data corresponding to a plurality of independent channels; a plurality of digital upconverters to up-convert a frequency of each of the plurality of pieces of digital data into a predetermined frequency; and a Radio Frequency (RF) processor to channel-bond outputs of the plurality of digital upconverters into at least one channel, and generate an analog output signal, the outputs having the predetermined frequency. |
| US08223819B2 |
Spectrally shaped pseudo-random noise sequence generator and method thereof
Systems and methods for generating spectrally shaped pseudo random noise sequences are described, which may include generating an L-level PN sequence, where L is an integer greater than 1; up-sampling the PN sequence by a factor of M, where M is an integer greater than 1; and filtering the up-sampled PN sequence using a finite impulse response (FIR) filter of length M, where the coefficients of the FIR filter are chosen from a set of pre-determined values. |
| US08223818B2 |
Integrated circuit for response signal spreading
A wireless communication apparatus capable of minimizing the degradation of the separation characteristic of response signals to be code-multiplexed. In the apparatus, a control part (209) controls both a ZC sequence to be used for the primary spread in a spreading part (214) and a Walsh sequence to be used for the secondary spread in a spreading part (217) according to the associations between sequences and CCEs established in accordance with the probability of using response signal physical-resources corresponding to CCE numbers. The spreading part (214) performs the primary spread of the response signal by use of the ZC sequence established by the control part (209). The spreading part (217) performs the secondary spread of the response signal, to which CP has been added, by use of the Walsh sequence established by the control part (209). |
| US08223817B2 |
Method and arrangement for frequency hopping in wireless communication systems with carriers of varying bandwidth
The present invention relates to frequency hopping in wireless communication systems utilizing single-carriers with varying bandwidth. Frequency hopping is made possible by dividing the available bandwidth, associated to the available frequency spectrum, in a leveled structure, a bandwidth tree. By the use of a frequency hopping tree, which has the same structure as the bandwidth tree and wherein each leaf represent a hopping sequence, a frequency hopping scheme is determined. Orthogonality in-between the frequency hopping schemes for different users is ensured by letting a users hopping sequence value at a level n, be dependent on the hopping sequence value associated to the same branch structure on the adjacent level closer to the root of the tree, n−1, and an input sequence associated with the level n. |
| US08223815B2 |
Multiple discharge CO2 laser with improved repetition rate
A CO2 gas flow laser with multiple discharge modules places acoustic baffles between the discharge modules to suppress shock waves and ions passing between the discharge modules such as may disrupt the optical path of the laser. A catalyst may be placed in a center of a toroidal recirculation chamber of the laser and may have integrated filters to prevent catalyst particulates from coating the chamber optical windows. |
| US08223808B2 |
Data and control multiplexing in PUSCH in wireless networks
Transmission of information in a wireless network is performed by allocating a channel from a transmitter to a receiver. The channel has at least one time slot with each time slot having a plurality of symbols. Each slot contains at least one reference symbol (RS). As information becomes available for transmission, it is classified as prioritized information (PI) and other information. One or more priority symbols are generated using the digital samples of the priority information. Other symbols are generated using the other data. Priority symbols are transmitted on the channel in a manner that separation of priority symbol(s) and a reference symbol does not exceed a time duration of one symbol. For example, Rank Indicator (RI) is transmitted using symbol k, ACKNAK is transmitted using symbol k+1; and the reference signal (RS) is transmitted using symbol k+2, wherein symbols k, k+1, and k+2 are consecutive in time. The other symbols are transmitted in available locations. |
| US08223805B2 |
Method and device for automatically compensating a phase shift on a synchronisation signal received by an item of remote equipment
The present invention relates to the domain of video equipment. In particular, the invention relates to a device able to receive packets in a network. The device comprises: means for receiving packets containing samples realized at a period, means for regenerating a ramp by means of a loop that delivers a clock, means for initializing, at every zero-crossing of the ramp, a counter whose rhythm is determined by the clock, means for generating image cues at every zero-crossing of the counter, and means for reconstituting a synchronization signal from said image cues, means for transmitting the synchronization signal to an item of remote equipment to be synchronized. According to the invention, the device comprises: means for receiving a return synchronization signal identical to the synchronization signal received by the equipment, means for extracting return image cues from the return synchronization signal, means for transmitting, to the loop, a sum between a sample and a sample of a signal delivered by the image counter, the samples having been realized at a rate set by the return image cues. |
| US08223803B2 |
Programmable time division multiplexed switching
A network device may include a set of switches. Each of the switches may include a set of ingress links and a set of egress links. One of the switches may store mapping information that identifies a first timeslot and one of the egress links for data received, during a second timeslot, on one of the ingress links. The one of the switches may receive data, associated with the second timeslot, on the one of the ingress links, identify the first timeslot and the one of the egress links, associated with the second timeslot and the one of the ingress links, based on the mapping information, and output the data, during the first timeslot, on the one of the egress links. |
| US08223801B2 |
Communications switching architecture
Presently described is a system and method for switching multimedia data communications, including but not limited to Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony, cable TV, digital audio and video. The system utilizes a single, integrated device to provide all PacketCable-compliant functionality, including enhanced user privacy, compliance with CALEA, E911 and other mandated services not available in conventional distributed PacketCable systems. High speed and efficient, low cost operation are provided by means of an optimized data unit encapsulation scheme for internal switching and routing. A proprietary fiber optic backplane and removable optical connectors are used to enable lightspeed internal communications hot-swapping of components. Furthermore, the present system is extensible to all forms of digital data switching and is secure, resistant to Denial of Service attacks, and fault-resilient. |
| US08223799B2 |
Method and system for a digital diary system
A wireless communication device may generate an interactive digital diary for one or more users. The device may handle location information, multimedia data, transactions and/or secure communications via a plurality of technologies. Digital diary information may be stored internally or externally, it may be searchable and/or may comprise moving images, still images, audio, text, geographic location, entity information, time, date, transactions, financial information, consumer information, security information, user input, communications, user contacts, software applications, user profiles, scheduled events, prompts and/or reminders. The digital diary may comprise an interactive user interface which may have mapping capability and may provide link access to digital diary information and/or associated entities. User input methods may comprise screen touch, pressure sensor, key entry and/or voice. Information may be captured via a camera, microphone, geo-location data receiver, transaction write/reader, digital clock, digital calendar, key entry and/or tactile sensor. |
| US08223795B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting LAN signals over a transport system
A computer system and method for transmitting LAN signals over transport systems. LAN signals are generated in any client LAN compliant interface. A transceiver receives the client LAN signal in the LAN format. The client LAN signals are not converted to a SONET transmission format at any time before reaching the transceiver. The transceiver then converts the client LAN signal to an internal electrical LAN signal before re-clocking the internal electrical LAN signal. The re-clocked internal electrical LAN signal is then re-modulated into a second LAN signal. The second LAN signal is then transmitted to a transport system. |
| US08223789B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus
To prevent a collision from occurring at the time of random access in cases such as handover, response to paging and the like where a mobile station apparatus performs random access in response to directions from a base station apparatus. In a mobile communication system in which a mobile station apparatus 200 uses a signature of a beforehand determined signature group at the time of random access with a base station apparatus 100, the signature group is comprised of a signature group managed by the base station apparatus 100 and another signature group managed by the mobile station apparatus 200. The signature group managed by the base station apparatus 100 includes signatures associated with particular random access reasons to be selected by the base station apparatus 100. |
| US08223788B1 |
Method and system for queuing descriptors
A system including: (a) a processor, adapted to generate first type descriptors, second type descriptors and second type descriptor pointers; wherein the first type descriptors and the second type descriptors describe data entities received by the system, and wherein a size of a second type descriptor pointer equals a size of a first type descriptor; and (b) a memory unit, connected to the processor, adapted to maintain a queue that stores at least one first type descriptor and at least one second type descriptor pointer. |
| US08223785B2 |
Message processing and content based searching for message locations in an asynchronous network
Systems, methods, and computer program products for processing messages and searching for locating messages in an asynchronous messaging network by using content based message tracking. The message descriptor of each message is extended by a content key generated by the message generating application. The content key provides search information derived from application data contained in the message body. Each message queuing system is extend by a message trace component that administers a message trace queue and adds entries in the message trace queue for each operation of a message, and by a message search component that provides the functionality to search for the current location of a specified message as well as to retrieve a trace of the movement of the message. |
| US08223783B2 |
Using battery-powered nodes in a mesh network
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for associating a first node in a mesh network with a communication type; activating the first node at a predefined interval to detect the presence of a message of the communication type in a transmission from a second node in the mesh network; continuing to activate the first node at the predefined interval if the transmission from the second node does not conform to the associated communication type of the first node; activating the first node beyond the predefined interval if the associated communication type is detected in the transmission from the second node; and receiving a message at the first node from the second node following detection of the associated communication type. |
| US08223779B2 |
Systems and methods for parallel multi-core control plane processing
The present invention provides systems and methods for parallel multi-core control plane processing with optical networks. This enables optical switches utilizing control planes, such as G.ASON, to meet scalability and performance requirements of evolving networks. The multi-core processing is configured to handle call control for sub-network connections (SNCs) (e.g., requests for creates, failures, restores, routing). Additional control plane functions, such as signaling and related interfaces, routing connection admission control (CAC), naming and addressing, and the like, can also be processed in parallel. |
| US08223778B2 |
Routing table architecture
A system and method for routing a packet between ports for use in a router having a plurality of ports, including a first and a second port, wherein each port includes a plurality of look-up tables (LUTs) and a look-up table select connected to the LUTs. Routing information is loaded into each of the plurality of LUTs while LUT selection information is loaded in the look-up table select. A packet having a plurality of destination bits is received at the first port and a destination port selected within the router to receive the packet. The destination port is selected by applying two or more of the destination bits to the plurality of LUTs in the first port and selecting an output of the plurality of LUTs as a function of one or more of the destination bits, wherein the selected output indicates the port selected to receive the packet. The packet is then routed to the output of the selected port. |
| US08223776B2 |
Interaction of VoIP calls and cellular networks
A communication system includes a switching network and a wireless network. The switching network includes a first gateway for receiving a communication from a caller, a second gateway for establishing an external connection through which the communication can be routed, and a command center that allows the first and second gateways to make an internal connection. The wireless network includes a visited mobile switch center and a home location register. The visited mobile switch center generates routing information, receives the communication from the external connection of the switching network, and routes the communication to a wireless network subscriber. The home location register locates the visited mobile switch center, and passes the routing information from the visited mobile switch center to the command center of the switching network. The command center causes the external connection to be established based on the routing information. |
| US08223769B2 |
Method and circuitry for processing data
The invention provides circuitry for processing and routing data and comprises an input configured to receive data, one or more summing units configured to sum at least some of the data and a plurality of outputs configured to output the summed data. The one or more summing units are configured to route the summed data to one or more of the outputs. |
| US08223767B2 |
Driven multicast traffic distribution on link-aggregate-group
A method and apparatus of dynamically distributing multicast stream to different hosts on a link-aggregation-group is described. A network element receives, on a link-aggregation-group, multicast requests and determines the bandwidth for that request by the information stored in the request. The network element further allocates bandwidth requirement on the least utilized link in link-aggregation-group. The network element additionally updates a forwarding table to indicate that the multicast stream in that request is to be forward out the allocated link. |
| US08223764B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and data processing method thereof
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method thereof are provided. An apparatus for generating a transport stream includes a packet generator for generating a plurality of packets by compressing video and audio signals; a counter for counting the number of the generated packets and outputting the count result; and an information controller for determining whether the count result of counting reaches a predetermined number of packets, inserting packet start information into the packets according to the count result, and transmitting the packets with the packet start information inserted therein. The packet start information is added to a packet to be transmitted in a transmitter, and the packet start information is extracted from the received packet in a receiver, so that the waste of frequency resources can be reduced. |
| US08223754B2 |
Auto-configured voice over internet protocol
In one embodiment, an apparatus may receive a call over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) from a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) adapter. The VoIP adapter may be one or more devices that may create and accept VoIP connections over a network, such as the Internet, and that may transmit a call over the PSTN. The apparatus may store a call detail of the received call in a registry service, where the call detail is associated with a node identifier of the apparatus in the registry service. The apparatus may further determine a dial sequence at which the apparatus may be reached over the PSTN based on corresponding call details also stored in the registry service. |
| US08223751B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling unsolicited messaging
Sensor nodes (or addresses therefore), acting as real-time message decoys, are distributed across a real-time communications network to attract unsolicited real-time messages. Filtering rules are derived from the message characteristics (such as the source address) and messaging content of the traffic encountered at the sensor nodes. The filtering rules are distributed to filtering agents positioned in the communications network in such a way that they can filter traffic for legitimate users. The filtering agents may identify and control the disposition of real-time messaging traffic that is part of a mass communication campaign on behalf of legitimate users of the real-time messaging communication system. Disposition may include suppressing, diverting, or labeling. |
| US08223750B2 |
Methods, apparatus and computer program products for associating local telephone numbers with emergency phone calls in a packet switched telephone system
A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber. |
| US08223744B2 |
Communication protocol for low-power network applications and a network of sensors using the same
A network sensor system is provided that is capable of extremely low-power operation. The network sensor system implements a communication protocol that allows the sensors to operate at most times in a sleep mode, where only a low-power time is active. In this way, each sensor's receiver, transmitter, and support circuitry are operated only when strictly necessary. The network has a defined network time frame, and each device maintains and adjusts its own clock and relationship with the network time. In this way, each sensor is aware about when it may be sent a message, and opens a short listen window only when such a message is expected. If no message is received, or if the message is addressed to another sensor, the sensor goes back to sleep. The sensor's transmitter is only activated in the case where the message 1) is received during the listen period, 2) is addressed to the sensor, and 3) requires a transmission action. Otherwise, the transmitter remains deactivated. |
| US08223743B2 |
Methods for over-the-air blind synchronization of two OFDMA-based networks that minimizes interference and by using an extended correlation window length
Synchronization of a macrocell network with one of its sub networks (e.g., a femtocell network, a microcell network) is important for reducing the level of inter-carrier interference (ICI) that exists between the uplink users of a macrocell network and the sub-network. Even though blind synchronization techniques based on single-user signal conditions are known, the signal models are ineffective in multiuser scenarios and do not provide for reducing ICI effects. A blind synchronization method is disclosed which reduces ICI for sub network communications. Additionally, a method is disclosed which accurately and blindly synchronizes to the first user using an extended correlation window. |
| US08223742B2 |
Multicarrier transmitting apparatus
A multicarrier transmitting apparatus capable of providing a fast cell search. A base station apparatus (100), which serves as a multicarrier transmitting apparatus for transmitting frames each including, as synchronization channel sequences, first synchronization sequences (P-SCH sequence) used for timing determinations and second synchronization sequences (S-SCH sequence) different from the first synchronization sequences, comprises a frame forming part (130) that forms frames each including the first synchronization sequence (P-SCH sequence) disposed in each of subcarriers symmetrical with respect to a DC component subcarrier (DC subcarrier) in the frequency direction; and an RF transmitting part (160) that transmits the frames. In this way, a frame receiving end can use a filter having a polarly symmetrical pass-band and needs no frequency shifting process, with the result that the processing amount at the receiving end can be reduced and hence a fast cell search can be achieved. |
| US08223736B2 |
Apparatus for managing frequency use
A device includes a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs). An IC includes a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver and a controller. The controller is operably coupled to the MMW transceiver and to: identify one or more other devices that have an intra-device MMW communication coverage area that overlaps with the intra-device MMW communication coverage area of the device. The controller also determines a first frequency range for use by the one or more other devices and the device for controlled radiation pattern intra-device MMW communications. The controller also coordinates allocation of a frequency use pattern to the one or more other devices and to the device for use for non-controlled radiation pattern intra-device MMW communications. |
| US08223735B2 |
Multi-carrier code division multiple access beamforming
Techniques are provided to performing beamforming on a wireless communication link that employs multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) signal formatting techniques. At a first wireless communication device, a waveform is received at each of a plurality of antennas, where the waveform comprises a multi-carrier code division multiple access ranging transmission from each of one or more of a plurality of second wireless communication devices such that MC-CDMA ranging transmissions from two or more second wireless communication devices overlap in time and frequency. All codes in a set of possible codes that may be used by the second wireless communication devices are searched to determine whether which codes in the set are present in the one or more MC-CDMA ranging transmissions contained in the received waveform. For each of the one or more codes that are determined to be present in the received waveform, estimated channel path responses are computed at each of the plurality of antennas of the first wireless communication device. A downlink beamforming weight vector is computed from the estimated channel path responses computed for a corresponding code. |
| US08223727B2 |
Association method, relay apparatus, communication management apparatus and bandwidth allocation management apparatus
An association method for associating a communication management apparatus, a bandwidth allocation management apparatus, a relay apparatus and a wireless terminal with each other is disclosed. In the method, the wireless terminal sends a request for terminal registration including a communication management apparatus identifier to the relay apparatus; the relay apparatus sends a first request for terminal registration to the communication management apparatus specified by the communication management apparatus identifier; the communication management apparatus sends a bandwidth allocation management apparatus identifier to the relay apparatus; the relay apparatus sends a second request for terminal registration of the wireless terminal to the bandwidth allocation management apparatus specified by the bandwidth allocation management apparatus identifier; and the bandwidth allocation management apparatus stores association between the wireless terminal and the relay apparatus. |
| US08223726B2 |
Metropolitan wide area network
A wide area communication network includes at least two hub sites which are interconnected by a communication backbone Each hub site provides wireless coverage in at least one sector. At least two remote sites reside in each sectors and are coupled to a corresponding hub site via a point to multi point broadband wireless system. The network preferably includes at least one service node which is accessible to the remote sites via the hub sites and backbone. |
| US08223720B1 |
Systems and methods for handoff of a mobile telephone call in a VOIP environment
When a mobile telephony device is conducting a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone call via a data network, and the mobile telephone device transitions from a first wireless data connection to a second wireless data connection, signaling between the mobile telephone device and a media relay inform the media relay how to address data packets bearing the media of the call after the transition has occurred. In some embodiments, the mobile telephone device establishes multiple simultaneous wireless data connections, and the mobile telephony device switches the media of the call between the wireless data connections depending on the quality of the wireless data connections. |
| US08223719B2 |
Apparatus for controlling handover between heterogeneous networks, method of performing handover between heterogeneous networks, and mobile router
Provided are an apparatus for controlling handover between heterogeneous networks, a method of performing handover between heterogeneous networks in a mobile router, and a mobile router. The method includes determining whether a handover to a network employing a different method from a network to which the mobile router belongs is required based on information prestored in the mobile router, the network to which the mobile router belongs determined by current location information of the mobile router and performing the handover according to the result of the determination. Mobility detection time can be reduced by applying the handover technique between wireless/satellite networks based on link trigger and location to a mobile router moving at high speed. Thus, service interruption can be prevented regardless of movement speed, even in a satellite shadow region such as a station. |
| US08223716B2 |
Assisted proactive IP address acquisition
The present invention relates to reducing the time required to provide an IP address to a mobile node by pro-actively obtaining IP addresses, through the use of PANA-assisted pro-active IP address acquisition, IKEv2-assisted proactive IP address acquisition, or by pro-active IP address acquisition using DHCP only. |
| US08223715B2 |
Handoff method in a wireless LAN in the presence of a radar signal
A wireless local area communications network that includes one or more access points each of which may have associated wireless communications devices in communication with it over a plurality of channels, some of which may be shared with a radar signal. The wireless communications devices are able to roam from one access point to another access point, in the presence of the channels shared with radar, in a seamless manner or in a manner in which the current communications session is not interrupted or delayed due to the requirement that any device in the network not transmit on those channels being shared with radar signals until the device can confirm that the channel is radar free. Furthermore, it is possible to guarantee that the communications session will not be disrupted during such roaming by configuring the wireless communications device to scan the wireless medium for only a minimum period of time necessary to detect a regularly occurring signal. |
| US08223713B2 |
Method for transmitting response information in mobile communications system
A method for transmitting radio resources in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a random access channel (RACH) preamble from a plurality of UEs and transmitting response information associated with the received preambles over a common channel wherein the plurality UEs can access the common channel and receive corresponding information. If a HARQ scheme is used when a UE transmits data to the eNode-B using uplink radio resources allocated over the RACH, the eNode-B does not pre-allocate uplink radio resources required for re-transmission and performs allocation of radio resources for a first transmission of HARQ. If the re-transmission is required, the eNode-B allocates the radio resources required for the re-transmission with the NACK signal. If re-transmission is not required, the present invention can reduce an amount of wasted radio resources. |
| US08223705B2 |
Method for optimizing performance in multi-cell OFDMA networks
A method optimizes a performance of a multi-cell orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) network that includes a set of base stations (BSs) located in a cell, and each BS transmits data on downlink channels to a set of mobile stations (MSs) in the cell. Each BS acquires channel state information (CSI) and inter-cell interference information (ICI) for each downlink channel to each MS in the cell. Each BS selects a power level and a modulation coding scheme level (MCS) for transmitting the data to each MS on the downlink channels based on the CSI and ICI, such that a bit rate is maximized and the ICI is minimized. Then, time and frequency resource are allocated for transmitting the data on the downlink channels to the set of MSs, such that the allocated resources are minimized to optimize the performance of the network. |
| US08223701B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, and method and program for judging reservation acceptance
A communication apparatus of the present invention is a communication apparatus which accepts a resource reservation, and includes at least a resource reservation acceptance judging portion for accepting a resource reservation request from a communication apparatus which performs a resource reservation. The resource reservation acceptance judging portion performs acceptance of a reservation based on a resource use probability obtained from a resource reservation state and a resource use state of an own communication apparatus of at least one of the communication apparatuses which perform resource reservations. |
| US08223700B2 |
Filtering and guard band for non-synchronized transmission
A wireless terminal capable of communicating with a wireless communication system comprised of a plurality of wireless terminals and a plurality of base stations. The wireless terminal selects a sequence from a group of certain sequences for random access. At least one sub-carriers on an uplink channel including at least one data channel is allocated for at least one random access channel. Each data channel includes a continuous set of data sub-carriers. The wireless terminal then filters the at least one random access channel by applying a Raised Cosine filter, maps the selected sequence to the at least one random access channel to generate a random access channel signal, and transmits the random access channel signal to a base station. |
| US08223694B2 |
Enhanced information services using devices in short-range wireless networks
A method is implemented by an access terminal associated with a wireless network. The method includes identifying content stored within a paired device in a short-range wireless network, initiating a voice session, over a wireless carrier network, with an information services provider, and initiating a data session, over the wireless carrier network, with a mobile user content server associated with the information services provider. The method also includes uploading a portion of the content stored within the paired device to the mobile user content server based on the initiated voice connection. |
| US08223690B2 |
Method and system for providing streaming service
A streaming service method and system of the present invention is provided for improving service quality and reliability by transmitting data through an optimal wireless link selected among multiple wireless links available between a server and a client. A streaming service method for a system including a server and at least one client that can establish more than two wireless links with each other includes sending a link selection request message containing a content identifier from the client to the server; selecting, at the server, one of the wireless links for transmitting a content indicated by the content identifier; sending a link selection response message containing a link identifier of the selected wireless link from the server to the client; and receiving, at the client, the content transmitted by the server through the wireless link established with reference to the link identifier. |
| US08223684B2 |
Mobile communication system, gateway, concentrator, and handover control method
According to this invention, there is provided a method applicable to the system which comprises a plurality of base stations each forming radio zones and storing a mobile terminal, and a gateway being connected to a packet communication network and relaying packet communication between the packet communication network and the mobile terminal. The method comprises buffering packets transmitted by a downlink to the mobile terminal in a packet buffer, requiring retransmission of unarrived packets in handover accompanied by movement among the radio zones, reading the packet required from the mobile terminal to retransmit the packet to the mobile terminal that is a request source, and assigning serial identification numbers to packets at least in a start to an end of the handover. When the identification numbers of the reached packets are discontinuous, the mobile terminal requires retransmission of packets needed to eliminate the discontinuity. |
| US08223683B2 |
Automatic provisioning of femtocell
Automatic provisioning of an access point base station or femtocell. The method may include the femtocell transmitting first information (e.g., location information, signal measurement information, capability information, etc.) to a service provider (e.g., over an IP network). The femtocell may receive second information from the service provider, where the second information includes one or more operational parameters. The operational parameters may include hand-off parameters, admission policy information, PN or scrambling codes, power parameters, and/or other parameters. The femtocell may operate according to the received parameters to provide access for a plurality of access terminals in a local area. |
| US08223674B2 |
Signal relay device
The invention is to provide a relay signal system or a device which enables the use of signal related services such as IP phone services even if a supply of power from a commercial AC power source is stopped, for instance, due to a power outage. The signal relay device comprises: a power reception terminal that is coupled to an AC power source, a plurality of connectors containing a plurality of terminal pins for receiving and transmitting signals such as packet signals in which the terminal pins are coupled to each other by wire, and a power charging unit, which is coupled to the power reception terminal by wire and stores a backup power charged by an AC power provided from the power reception terminal by wire and supplies the backup power to wires coupled to a part or all of the plurality of connectors. |
| US08223672B2 |
Method and apparatus for assigning and provisioning VOIP services
A method, system, and computer usable program product for assigning and provisioning VOIP services are provided. A data processing system receives an order for the VOIP service and information about virtual inventory. The data processing system may create a provisioning command including provisioning information for provisioning a telecommunication line according to the order and send the provisioning command to a provisioning system, create a porting command including porting information for porting the phone number in the order if porting a phone number and send the porting command to a porting system, create a registration command including user information for registering a user and send the registration command to a web portal, create a setup command including the user information for creating an account for the user and send the setup command to a customer management system. The data processing system may then complete the order for the VOIP service. |
| US08223670B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing the signalling bandwidth load by reporting measurements in differential manner in a multicast message
A signalling method for reducing the bandwidth needed for communicating measurement values from at least a first source base station (11, 12, 13, 14) to at least a 5 first target base station (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) connected through a core base station (10) comprising the steps of—reporting at least a first measurement value from the at least first source base station (11, 12, 13, 14) to the core base station (10), —preferably sorting the measurement values in descending order, 10—including, in the core base station (10) value information about the at least first measurement value in a multicast message, —transmitting the multicast message to the at least first target base station (21, 22, 23, 24, 25), characterized in that the value information is determined as a first difference between a maximum value and the first measurement value. |
| US08223660B2 |
Failure notification in a network having serially connected nodes
Multicast capabilities of a link state protocol controlled network are used to accelerate the flooding advertisement of topology change notifications within portions of the network. This flooding mechanism may be particularly efficient in a network with a large number of two-connected nodes such as a ring network architecture. A control plane specific multicast group address is used when flooding topology change notifications, and a process such as reverse path forwarding check is used as an additional control on forwarding of the notification to prevent looping of control plane packets. Two-connected nodes insert a forwarding entry into their FIB to enable frames containing the control message to be forwarded via the data plane on to the downstream node so that propagation of the control message along a chain of two-connected nodes may occur at data plane speeds. |
| US08223655B2 |
System and method for provisioning resources of a packet network based on collected network performance information
A system and method for provisioning resources of a packet network, including monitoring at least one network performance information parameter associated with communications of data packets. The at least one network performance information parameter(s) may be compared with at least one respective threshold value indicative of degradation of communications of the data packets. A determination may be made that the network performance information parameter(s) crosses the respective threshold value(s). In response to determining that the network performance information parameter(s) crosses the respective threshold value(s), a network resource may be provisioned to compensate for the degradation of communications of the data packets. |
| US08223653B2 |
Broadcast capable file system
A broadcast capable file system is disclosed. In a method, a server may receive a file request from a requesting client and prepare a broadcast response to the file request. The broadcast response may be directed to a group of clients of which the requesting client is a member. In another method, at least one of the clients of the group of clients may submit a file request to the server. Each of the clients of the group may receive a broadcast response to the file request. The broadcast capable file system may be implemented between a server computing device and multiple client computing devices. The server computing device and multiple client computing devices may be included in a network testing system. |
| US08223648B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing time in a passive optical network
A method and apparatus for synchronizing time in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) in which an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) sends a downstream frame including a Physical Control Block downstream (PCBd) field and a payload field to an Optical Network Unit (ONU); the OLT determines a time value associated with a certain bit in the PCBd field of the downstream frame; and the OLT sends an Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) message defined by a GPON protocol carrying the time value to the ONU, wherein the ONU uses the time value to adjust a local time of the ONU. |
| US08223647B2 |
System and method for increasing data throughout using a block acknowledgement
Systems and methods are provided to increase data throughput by aggregating block acknowledgements. Embodiments of these systems and methods provide a single block acknowledgement for multiple traffic identifiers in data communication with a communication station. One method includes providing a multiple start sequence number corresponding to each traffic identifier of a plurality of traffic identifiers and providing a bit map corresponding to each multiple start sequence number. The bit map indicates a block acknowledgement of packets corresponding to one traffic identifier of the plurality of traffic identifiers. |
| US08223646B2 |
Transport block size signaling for semi-persistent scheduling
A method is provided for improving reliability in semi-persistent scheduling activation/reactivation is provided. The method includes a user agent receiving a first data element from an access device specifying at least one first transport block size. The method further includes the user agent deriving a second transport block size based on a second data element received from the access device. The method further includes the user agent comparing the first transport block size with the second transport block size. The method further includes, when the first transport block size differs from the second transport block size, the user agent ignoring the received semi-persistent scheduling activation/reactivation data. |
| US08223645B2 |
Communication control apparatus, communication control method, and communication control program
Disclosed herein is a communication control apparatus including: a bandwidth measuring section configured to measure a physical bandwidth of data communication via a communication channel; and a rate control section configured to set a threshold that does not exceed the physical bandwidth measured by the bandwidth measuring section, cause a rate of the data communication to increase exponentially up to the threshold, and cause the rate to decrease when the rate has reached or exceeded the threshold but not reached the physical bandwidth. |
| US08223644B2 |
Radio apparatus and communication system
A control unit generates packet signals while controlling an interface (IF) unit, a modulation unit and a baseband processing unit. While dividing each packet signal into a plurality of partial periods, the control unit assigns data to at least part of each of the plurality of partial periods and sets the rate of data, for a partial period placed anterior to each packet signal, higher than that for a partial period placed posterior to the each packet signal. The IF unit, the modulation unit and the baseband processing unit transmit the packet signals thus generated. |
| US08223641B2 |
Dynamic setting of optimal buffer sizes in IP networks
A communications system provides a dynamic setting of optimal buffer sizes in IP networks. A method for dynamically adjusting buffer capacities of a router may include steps of monitoring a number of incoming packets to the router, determining a packet arrival rate, and determining the buffer capacities based at least partially on the packet arrival rate. Router buffers are controlled to exhibit the determined buffer capacities, e.g. during writing packets into and reading packets from each of the buffers as part of a packet routing performed by the router. In the disclosed examples, buffer size may be based on the mean arrival rate and one or more of mean packet size and mean waiting time. |
| US08223637B2 |
Quality-of-service and call admission control
An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling quality-of-service and call admission control for wireless telecommunications terminals without first submitting a traffic specification. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is particularly advantageous for IEEE 802.11e networks because the 802.11e standard, which in its currently-drafted form contains provisions for terminals to submit traffic specifications, might not require 802.11e terminals to submit traffic specifications in the finalized 802.11e standard. Proper call admission control and, consequently, quality-of-service for wireless applications therefore might not be universally available to future 802.11e-compliant terminals unless one or more embodiments of the present invention are deployed. |
| US08223633B2 |
Port trunking at a fabric boundary
F_PORTs of an edge switch are logically trunking with N_PORTs of a node device outside the fabric via a trunked group of communications links. The trunked N_PORTs of the node device and the trunked F_PORTs of the edge switch are configured to send and receive frames of a particular stream across the multiple trunked links for in-order communication with the other device. The node device outside the fabric initially negotiates with the edge switch using a sequence of fabric login requests and fabric login acceptances to establish the trunked connection between the devices (and their respective ports). |
| US08223630B2 |
System for monitoring operations of an ENUM system
A system for monitoring operations of a Telephone Number Mapping (ENUM) system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an ENUM system having a controller element to monitor queries received from one or more network elements, detect one or more faults in the queries submitted by at least one among the one or more network elements, and prevent the at least one of the one or more network elements from submitting subsequent queries to the ENUM system. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08223628B2 |
Data transmission method, transmitter, receiver, transceiver and transmission system
A method of transmitting data includes generating interleaved data. The method also includes converting the interleaved data into a modulated signal, and transmitting the modulated signal. The interleaved data is also stored, for example, in a buffer. The method further includes determining whether a retransmission of the modulated signal is required, and retransmitting the interleaved data based on a result of that determination. |
| US08223619B2 |
Optical recording medium, reproduction apparatus, and tracking servo method
A reproduction apparatus for an optical recording medium that has a convex pit recording layer, in which pits are formed in a convex shape viewed from a laser incidence side, and a concave pit recording layer, in which pits are formed in a concave shape viewed from the laser incidence side, as recording layers in which data is recorded by pit strings, the pits being formed with a depth that is set in a range of λ/4.5 to λ/6 with respect to a laser wavelength λ, including: an optical head section that irradiates laser beams on the recording layers and detects reflected light information to read out information recorded in the recording layers; a tracking error signal generating section that generates a tracking signal; a polarity switching section that switches a polarity of the tracking error signal; and a tracking servo section that performs a tracking servo operation. |
| US08223618B2 |
Optical information recording medium capable of changing the light absorption amount
An optical information recording medium includes a recording layer that includes a mark layer in which recording marks formed in accordance with condensed recording light are aligned and has a recording light absorption amount of 20.8% or less with respect to an innermost depth as a depth of the mark layer from a side thereof that the recording light enters to a side thereof that is most distant from the side that the recording light enters, and a change amount of a light absorption amount with respect to measurement light having a wavelength 10 nm shorter than that of the recording light at a time a light absorption amount with respect to measurement light having the same wavelength as the recording light is used as a reference, of 8.0% or more per 0.30 mm. |
| US08223616B2 |
Reproducing system for use with optical devices
A reproducing system reproduces data recorded on an optical record carrier. The system includes a light source driver unit that modulates and controls a light output by a light source, such as a laser, in order to read data from an optical record carrier. The system is configured to operate in two modes: a reading mode and a light source lifetime extension mode. During the reading mode, the light source generates a continuous light output while data is read from the optical record carrier. During the light source lifetime extension mode, the light source generates a pulsed light output which may provide continued tracking and focus of the light on the optical record carrier, even when no data is being read from it. |
| US08223615B2 |
Compatible near field optical recording/reproducing apparatus
A compatible near field optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes a solid immersion lens unit including a first lens, which has an aspherical surface in which light incident from the first light source is condensed, and a second lens, which realizes a high numerical aperture via a near field effect by light condensed by the first lens and has an aspherical surface. An effective beam size-controlling device controls an effective size of a light beam transmitted to the solid immersion lens unit such that either near field light or far field light is transmitted to an information storage medium by the solid immersion lens unit and a focal point adjusting optical system adjusts a focal position of light transmitted to the information storage medium according to the type of the information storage medium. |
| US08223614B2 |
Method of manufacturing synthetic resin lens, method of manufacturing reformed synthetic resin material and optical pickup apparatus
A method of manufacturing a synthetic resin lens, comprising: adjusting a degree of change in transmittance of a lens member made of synthetic resin for a blue violet laser beam with accumulated application of the blue violet laser beam, by applying to the lens member an electromagnetic wave shorter in wavelength than the blue violet laser beam. |
| US08223611B2 |
Near-field light generating element and method for forming the element
Provided is a method for forming a near-field light generating element, which is capable of sufficiently suppressing the unevenness of a waveguide surface and the distortion within the waveguide. The forming method comprises the steps of: forming a first etching stopper layer on a lower waveguide layer; forming a second etching stopper layer; forming, on the second etching stopper layer, a plasmon antenna material layer; performing etching with the second etching stopper layer used as a stopper, to form a first side surface of plasmon antenna; forming a side-surface protecting mask so as to cover the first side surface; and performing etching with the first and second etching stopper layers used as stoppers, to form the second side surface. By providing the first and second etching stopper layer, over-etching can be prevented even when each etching process takes enough etch time, which allows easy management of etching endpoints. |
| US08223609B2 |
Optical disk recording device, method for recording data on optical disk, and optical disk
According to a method of the present invention for recording data on an optical disk, a recording pulse corresponding to a long mark includes a combination of a leading pulse and a subsequent intermediate pulse. Further, a level of the leading pulse indicates a first recording power, and a level of the intermediate pulse indicates a second recording power. When an optical disk includes a plurality of recording layers, a ratio of the second recording power to the first recording power is determined for each recording layer. When the recording speed is variable, the ratio of the second recording power to the first recording power is determined for each recording speed. |
| US08223603B2 |
Frequency detection apparatus and method for generation of a clock signal for optical disc
A frequency detection apparatus and method for generating a stable clock signal synchronized with an input signal and a signal boost filter used in the frequency detection apparatus and method, the frequency detection apparatus includes a signal boost filter filtering out the high frequency component of an input signal and boosting the high frequency component, and a frequency detector receiving an input signal with the boosted high frequency component and a clock signal, detecting a frequency difference between the input signal and the clock signal, and producing a control voltage corresponding to the frequency difference. Accordingly, even when there is a big difference between the frequency of the input signal and an oscillating frequency, a frequency error can be stably detected. Thus, a stable clock signal can be obtained. |
| US08223600B2 |
Network-attachable, file-accessible storage drive
Storage drive logic and a standalone tape file structure are described. File transfer logic transfers file data to and from a network according to a first protocol. Media access logic accesses a sequential-access storage medium associated with the drive according to a second protocol. Media management logic translates file-based commands received from the network according to the first protocol into sequential-access device commands according to the second protocol. The device commands control accessing of data by the drive. The storage medium may be a magnetic tape including a data region for storing data in a file format, and a table of contents (TOC) region for storing a table of contents that indexes the locations of files within the data region. |
| US08223599B2 |
Information recording/reproduction apparatus, information recording method and information recording medium
Provided is a recording/reproduction apparatus capable of securing a backup area for management information on a recording medium without affecting the capacity of a user data area. Before a hard disk drive or a disc medium (recording medium) is finalized, metadata is recorded in a metadata area and when the hard disk drive or the disc medium are finalized, a user data area portion corresponding to the volume of metadata required for the finalizing is set as a metadata mirror area and then the metadata recorded in the metadata area is copied to the metadata mirror area. |
| US08223596B2 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head with plane-emission type light source
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a surface-emitting type light source for emitting substantially collimated beam, a first diffraction optical element for focusing the substantially collimated beam emitted from the surface-emitting type light source, a second diffraction optical element for collimating the light beam focused by the first diffraction optical element, a waveguide integrally formed with the second diffraction optical element and made of the material as that of second diffraction optical element, the light beam collimated by the second diffraction optical element being incident to the waveguide, an optical-path direction conversion element for converting a direction of an optical path of the incident light beam to a propagation direction of the waveguide, the propagation direction being toward an opposed-to-medium surface, and a magnetic pole for generating write field from its end face on the opposed-to-medium surface side. |
| US08223592B2 |
Omni-directional acoustic radiator with radial waveguides for submersible multi-transducer array
An acoustic radiator for underwater application is provided by opposing boundaries mutually spaced and centered on a common axis, a plurality of radial barriers located perpendicular to and connected between the top and bottom boundaries to define a plurality of adjacent radial waveguides, and a plurality of transducers disposed in each radial waveguide, and with one group of transducers being located radially outwardly from another group, the groups being defined in part by all members of the group being the same distance from the apex of the radial waveguide. |
| US08223590B2 |
Airborne laser-acoustic mine detection system
A system and method is provided for using acoustical pulses generated from an airborne laser source to locate objects under water. An array of acoustic sensors, such as passive sonobuoys at the ocean surface, is deployed in known or determinable locations by aircraft. Each area surrounded by acoustic sensors comprises a search cell, within which sonar scattering data can be used to locate objects. Following sonobuoy deployment, the aircraft uses the laser to rapidly generate many laser-acoustic pulse sources within each search cell, which in turn generate spherical acoustic pulses traveling through the water. The acoustic sensors receive the acoustic pulses, either on a direct path or on a scattered path after the pulse strikes an underwater object. The sensors record the acoustic signatures of the received pulses and transmit data of the recorded acoustic pulses to a processor such as processor on a nearby ship. The processor transforms the data of the acoustic signatures, together with data of the known locations of the acoustic sensors and the locations of the laser-acoustic pulse sources, into data of a location of the underwater objects. |
| US08223587B2 |
Full wavefield inversion using time varying filters
An improved method for reducing the accuracy requirements on the starting model when performing multi-scale inversion of seismic data (65) by local objective function optimization (64). The different scales of inversion are brought about by incorporating a low-pass filter into the objective function (61), and then decreasing the amount of high-frequency data that is filtered out from one scale to the next. Moreover, the filter is designed to be time varying, wherein the filter's low-pass cutoff frequency decreases with increasing traveltime of the seismic data being filtered (62). The filter may be designed using Pratt's criterion for eliminating local minima, and performing averages (or other statistical measure) of the period and the traveltime error only with respect to source and receiver location but not traveltime (63). |
| US08223586B2 |
Method and system to determine the geo-stresses regime factor Q from borehole sonic measurement modeling
Methods and systems for analyzing subterranean formations in-situ stress are disclosed. A method for extracting geological horizon on-demand from a 3D seismic data set, comprises receiving sonic log data; computing the anisotropic shear moduli C44, C55 and C66; determining in-situ stress type and selecting an in-situ stress expression corresponding to the in-situ stress type; computing stress regime factor Q of the formation interval; and computing and outputting the maximum stress σH by using the stress regime factor Q, Vertical stress σv and Minimum horizontal stress σh. |
| US08223585B2 |
Method and system for controlling streamers
A method and system for controlling the shape and separation of an arrangement of streamers towed behind a survey vessel. Each streamer is steered laterally by lateral steering devices positioned along its length at specific nodes. Each streamer is driven by its lateral steering devices to achieve a specified separation from a neighboring streamer. One of these actual streamers, used as a reference by the other actual streamers, is steered to achieve a specified separation from an imaginary, or ghost, streamer virtually towed with the actual streamers. |
| US08223582B2 |
Pseudo-inverter circuit on SeOI
A circuit made on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The circuit includes a first transistor having a first channel, a second transistor having a second channel, with the transistors provided in serial association between first and second terminals for applying a power supply potential, each of the transistors comprising a drain region and a source region in the thin layer, a channel extending between the source region and the drain region, and a front control gate located above the channel. Each transistor has a back control gate formed in the base substrate below the channel of the transistor and capable of being biased in order to modulate the threshold voltage of the transistor. At least one of the transistors is configured for operating in a depletion mode under the action of a back gate signal which will sufficiently modulate its threshold voltage. |
| US08223575B2 |
Multi-level electrical fuse using one programming device
A multi-level electrical fuse system comprises at least one fuse box having at least one electrical fuse, a programming device serially coupled to the electrical fuse, and a variable power supply coupled to the fuse box and configured to generate two or more voltage levels. |
| US08223573B2 |
Method and device for controlling a memory access and correspondingly configured semiconductor memory
Method and device for controlling a memory access and correspondingly configured semiconductor memoryA method and a device for controlling a memory access of a memory comprising memory cells are described. A completion of the memory access is determined by means of at least one dummy bit line. The at least one dummy bit line is connected to a plurality of memory cells of the memory cells of the memory such that a content of the at least one memory cell can be read out via the at least one dummy bit line. The at least one memory cell can be set to a predetermined potential. Each of said plurality of memory cells is connected to the at least one dummy bit line and to at least one dummy word line such that each of said plurality of memory cells can be set to the predetermined potential by means of the at least one dummy bit line and by means of the at least one dummy word line. |
| US08223572B2 |
Efficient word lines, bit line and precharge tracking in self-timed memory device
A memory device for efficient word line, bit line and precharge tracking is provided. The memory device includes a memory array, one or more address decoders, a word line driver, a plurality of sense amplifiers, a reference word line column, a reference bit line column, and a control circuit. The control circuit generates a control signal to perform read and write operations on the memory device. The address decoder selects a bit line and a word line. The selected word line is activated by the word line driver. While the reference word line column is used for vertical tracking of the word line, the reference bit line column is used for vertical tracking of the bit line. The sense amplifiers are activated to read the bit line. |
| US08223570B2 |
Semiconductor storage device with bit line pre-charge circuit
In one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell, a sense amplifier, a bit line, a pre-charge circuit, and a power-supply-voltage switching circuit. The memory cell is configured to store data. The sense amplifier is configured to amplify a signal from the memory cell. The bit line is configured to transmit the signal from the memory cell to the sense amplifier. The pre-charge circuit is configured to pre-charge the bit line. The power-supply-voltage switching circuit is configured to switch a voltage of a power supply and to actuate the sense amplifier after the bit line is pre-charged by the pre-charge circuit, wherein the power-supply-voltage switching circuit is configured to switch the voltage of the power supply to be larger than a voltage during the pre-charge by the pre-charge circuit. |
| US08223564B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A memory cell (100) includes a read circuit (30) whose output wiring is a read bit line (RBIT) and which has a switching transistor (31), a reset transistor (32), and an output wiring driving transistor (33). The switching transistor (31) connects a data holding node (MD) of a storage circuit (10) and a control line (DR) in accordance with a control signal on a read word line (/RWL0). The reset transistor (32) resets the control line (DR) in accordance with a reset control signal (RST). The output wiring driving transistor (33) has a gate connected to the control line (DR), a drain connected to the read bit line (RBIT), and a source connected to a ground power supply. |
| US08223563B2 |
Nonvolatile memory
For a nonvolatile memory permitting electrical writing and erasing of information to be stored, such as a flash memory, the load on the system developer is to be reduced, and it is to be made possible to avoid, even if such important data for the system as management and address translation information are damaged, an abnormal state in which the system becomes unable to operate. The nonvolatile memory is provided with a replacing function to replace a group of memory cells including defective memory cells which are incapable of normal writing or erasion with a group of memory cells including no defective memory cell, a numbers of rewrites averaging function to grasp the number of data rewrites in each group of memory cells and to so perform replacement of memory cell groups that there may arise no substantial difference in the number of rewrites among a plurality of memory cell groups, and an error correcting function to detect and correct any error in data stored in the memory array, wherein first address translation information deriving from the replacing function and second address translation information deriving from the numbers of rewrites averaging function are stored in respectively prescribed areas in the memory array, and the first address translation information and second address translation information concerning the same memory cell group are stored in a plurality of sets in a time series. |
| US08223561B2 |
Data line management in a memory device
Methods for programming a memory device, memory devices configured to perform the disclosed programming methods, and memory systems having a memory device configured to perform the disclosed programming methods are provided. According to at least one such method, multiple pages of memory cells are inhibited during a programming operation such that memory cells enabled for programming are separated by two or more inhibited memory cells of the same row of memory cells regardless of the intended pattern of data states to be programmed into that row of memory cells. |
| US08223560B2 |
Magnetic floating gate memory
An apparatus includes at least one memory device including a floating gate element and a magnetic field generator that operably applies a magnetic field to the memory device. The magnetic field directs electrons in the memory device into the floating gate element. |
| US08223557B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and data write method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a control circuit. The control circuit executes control to perform a verify operation with respect to only a lowest threshold voltage level of a memory cell at a time of a data write operation, and to skip the verify operation with respect to the other threshold voltage levels. The control circuit determines whether a verify pass bit number of the lowest threshold voltage level, which is counted by a bit scan circuit, is a prescribed bit number or more, and the control circuit further executes control, if the verify pass bit number is the prescribed bit number or more, to perform the verify operation with respect to only the lowest threshold voltage level and a threshold voltage level that is higher than the lowest threshold voltage level, and to skip the verify operation with respect to the other threshold voltage levels. |
| US08223555B2 |
Multiple level program verify in a memory device
Methods for multiple level program verify, memory devices, and memory systems are provided. In one such method, a series of programming pulses are applied to a memory cell to be programmed. A program verify pulse, at an initial program verify voltage, is applied to the memory cell after each programming pulse. The initial program verify voltage is a verify voltage that has been increased by a quick charge loss voltage. The quick charge loss voltage is subtracted from the initial program verify voltage after either a programming pulse has reached a certain reference voltage or a quantity of programming pulses has reached a pulse count threshold. |
| US08223554B2 |
Programming non-volatile memory with high resolution variable initial programming pulse
Each of the programming processes operate to program at least a subset of the non-volatile storage elements to a respective set of target conditions using program pulses. At least a subset of the programming processes include identifying a program pulse associated with achieving a particular result for a respective programming process and performing one or more sensing operations at one or more alternative results for the non-volatile storage elements. Subsequent programming process are adjusted based on a first alternative result and the identification of the program pulse if the one or more sensing operations determined that greater than a predetermined number of non-volatile storage elements achieved the first alternative result. Subsequent programming process are adjusted based on the identification of the program pulse if the one or more sensing operations determined that less than a required number of non-volatile storage elements achieved any of the alternative results. |
| US08223552B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for driving the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell and a driving unit. The a memory cell has a semiconductor layer having, a channel, and a source region and a drain region provided on both sides of the channel; a first insulating film provided on the channel; a charge retention layer provided on the first insulating film; and a gate electrode provided on the charge retention layer. The driving unit applies a burst signal having a constant amplitude and a constant frequency between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer and performs at least one of operations of programming and erasing charge on the charge retention layer. |
| US08223551B2 |
Soft landing for desired program threshold voltage
Methods of programming memory cells are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, programming is accomplished by applying a first set of programming pulses to program to an initial threshold voltage, and applying a second set of programming pulses to program to a final threshold voltage. |
| US08223550B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus comprising charge accumulation layer and control gate
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus includes memory cell strings, first and second bit lines, a first buffer, a second buffer, and a controlling unit. The memory cell strings each include memory cells. The first and second bit lines connected to the memory cell strings. The first buffer connects to the first bit line and holds first data. The second buffer connects to the second bit line and holds second data. The controlling unit includes first and second latches and controls timing to output the first and second data according to an internal terminal, a second signal, and a third signal, and transfers a control signal synchronized with the timing of the first and second data to the external terminal. The controlling unit allows the first latch to hold the first and second data, and transfers the first data, and thereafter transfers the second data. |
| US08223548B2 |
Memory device with reduced programming voltage method of reduction of programming voltage and method of reading such memory device
A memory device (1) includes at least a first semiconductor region (100) having a length, a first surface, and a cross section surrounded by the first surface, a memory means (300) provided on the first surface, and a gate (400) provided on the memory means (300), and an equivalent sectional radius of the cross section of the first semiconductor region (100) is set to be equal to or smaller than an equivalent silicon oxide film thickness of the memory means (300) to realize low program voltage. The equivalent sectional radius r of the cross section is set to be 10 nm or less and the gate length is set to be 20 nm or less so that multi-level interval converted to gate voltage becomes a specific value which can be identified under the room temperature. |
| US08223543B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A memory includes first and second select gate transistors, memory cells, a source line, a bit line, a selected word line which is connected to a selected memory cell as a target of a verify reading, a non-selected word line which is connected to a non-selected memory cell except the selected memory cell, a potential generating circuit for generating a selected read potential which is supplied to the selected word line, and generating a non-selected read potential larger than the selected read potential, which is supplied to the non-selected word line, and a control circuit which classifies a threshold voltage of the selected memory cell to one of three groups by verifying which area among three area which are isolated by two values does a cell current of the selected memory cell belong, when the selected read potential is a first value. |
| US08223541B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory, and the method thereof
A non-volatile semiconductor memory and a writing method thereof are provided for preventing miswriting induced by gate-induced-drain leakage (GIDL). The non-volatile semiconductor memory comprises a non-volatile memory cell array 10 for recording multiple values by setting a plurality of different thresholds to each memory cell transistor that is connected in series between selection transistors Qs1 and Qs2 on two terminals of a selected bit line; and a control circuit 11 for controlling writing of the data from the memory cell array 10. The control circuit 11 records two values for at least a plurality of first memory cell transistors Q0, Q1, Q32 and Q33 respectively adjacent to the selection transistors Qs1 and Qs2 on two terminals of the bit line, and records more than three values for a plurality of second transistors Q2˜Q31 other than the first memory cell transistors. |
| US08223540B2 |
Method and apparatus for double-sided biasing of nonvolatile memory
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for biasing the source-side and the drain-side of a nonvolatile memory to add electrons to the charge trapping structure. |
| US08223535B2 |
Phase-change memory device with discharge of leakage currents in deselected bitlines and method for discharging leakage currents in deselected bitlines of a phase-change memory device
A phase change memory device includes a bitline biasing unit; and a bitline selection unit connecting a selected bitline to the bitline biasing unit and disconnecting deselected bitlines from the bitline biasing unit in an operative condition. A bitline discharge unit is connected to the bitlines to discharge leakage currents in the bitlines. The bitline discharge unit has a voltage regulation unit and a plurality of bitline discharge switches coupled between the voltage regulation unit and a respective bitline. The bitline discharge switches are controlled to connect the deselected bitlines to the voltage regulation unit and to disconnect the selected bitline from the voltage regulation unit. The voltage regulation unit comprises a PMOS transistor coupled between a regulated voltage bus and a reference potential line. The regulated voltage bus is connected to the bitline discharge switches and the control terminal of the PMOS transistor is biased to a constant voltage. |
| US08223534B2 |
Raising programming currents of magnetic tunnel junctions using word line overdrive and high-k metal gate
A method of operating magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) cells includes providing an MRAM cell, which includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) device; and a selector comprising a source-drain path serially coupled to the MTJ device. The method further includes applying an overdrive voltage to a gate of the selector to turn on the selector. |
| US08223533B2 |
Magnetoresistive effect device and magnetic memory
A magnetic memory includes a magnetoresistive effect device comprising: a first ferromagnetic layer that has magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a film plane thereof; a first nonmagnetic layer that is provided on the first ferromagnetic layer; a first reference layer that is provided on the first nonmagnetic layer, has magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a film plane thereof, has magnetization antiparallel to a magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer, and has a film thickness that is 1/5.2 to 1/1.5 times as large as a film thickness of the first ferromagnetic layer in the direction perpendicular to the film plane; a second nonmagnetic layer that is provided on the first reference layer; and a storage layer that is provided on the second nonmagnetic layer, has magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a film plane thereof, and has a magnetization direction varied by spin-polarized electrons caused by flowing the current to the magnetoresistive effect device. |
| US08223528B2 |
Control method for memory cell
A control method for at least one memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell includes a transistor and a resistor. The resistor is connected to the transistor between a first node and a second node. In a programming mode, the memory cell is programmed. The step of programming the memory cell includes providing a first controlling voltage to a gate of the transistor, providing a first setting voltage to the first node, and providing a second setting voltage to the second node. When it is determined that the memory cell has been successfully programmed, a specific action is executed. |
| US08223525B2 |
Page register outside array and sense amplifier interface
A non-volatile storage device includes a substrate, a monolithic three-dimensional memory array of non-volatile storage elements arranged above a portion of the substrate, a plurality of sense amplifiers in communication with the non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of temporary storage devices in communication with the sense amplifiers, a page register in communication with the temporary storage devices, and one or more control circuits. The one or more control circuits are in communication with the page register, the temporary storage devices and the sense amplifiers. The sense amplifiers are arranged on the substrate underneath the monolithic three-dimensional memory array. The temporary storage devices are arranged on the substrate underneath the monolithic three-dimensional memory array. The page register is arranged on the substrate in an area that is not underneath the monolithic three-dimensional memory array. Data read from the non-volatile storage elements by the sense amplifiers is transferred to the temporary storage devices and then to the page register in response to the one or more control circuits. Data to be programmed into the non-volatile storage elements is transferred to the temporary storage devices from the page register in response to the one or more control circuits. |
| US08223523B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and chip selection method thereof
A semiconductor apparatus having a plurality of stacked chips includes: a through silicon via (TSV) configured to couple the plurality of chips together and configured to be coupled in series to a plurality of voltage drop units; a plurality of signal conversion units, each of which is configured to convert a voltage outputted from the voltage drop unit of the corresponding one of the plurality of chips to a digital code signal and provide the digital code signal as chip identification signal of the corresponding one of the plurality of chips; and a plurality of chip selection signal generating units, each of which is configured to compare the chip identification signal with a chip selection identification signal to generate a chip selection signal of the corresponding one of the plurality of chips. |
| US08223520B2 |
DC conversion apparatus
A DC conversion apparatus comprises a first transformer, a second transformer, a parallel circuit having series circuits connected in parallel, one of the series circuits including a reactor and a primary winding of the first transformer, the other series circuit including a reactor and a primary winding of the second transformer, a conversion circuit converting a DC voltage of a DC power source into an AC voltage and outputting it to the parallel circuit, a first rectifying-smoothing circuit rectifying and smoothing a first voltage generated by a first secondary windings of the first transformer into a first DC output, and a second rectifying-smoothing circuit rectifying and smoothing a second voltage generated by a first secondary windings of the second transformer into a second DC output that is different from the first voltage. The second secondary windings of the first transformer are connected in parallel with the first secondary windings of the second transformer. |
| US08223517B2 |
Power converting apparatus with main converter and sub-converter
A converter controllable in regenerative running mode, which is a power converting apparatus capable of suppressing harmonics without increasing the size of a reactor, and reducing power loss and electromagnetic noise. A power converter is configured by directly connecting AC sides of single-phase sub-converters having a DC voltage lower than a DC voltage of a 3-phase main converter to AC input lines of individual phases thereof in series. The main converter is driven by one gate pulse per half recurring cycle and a voltage produced by each sub-converter at AC terminals thereof is controlled to match a difference between an AC power supply voltage and a voltage produced by the main converter at AC terminals thereof, whereby phase voltages of the power converter are generated as the sums of phase voltages of the individual converters. |
| US08223515B2 |
Pre-charging an inverter using an auxiliary winding
A transformer module includes a main primary winding coupled to a first input power source to receive a medium voltage signal, multiple main secondary windings each to couple to a power cell of a drive system, and an auxiliary primary winding coupled to a second input power source to receive a low voltage signal. The auxiliary primary winding can be spatially separated from the main windings to increase leakage inductance. The auxiliary primary winding can be active during a pre-charge operation to pre-charge the power cells. |
| US08223514B2 |
DC-DC converter circuit, electro-optic device, and electronic device
A DC-DC converter circuit includes a boosting circuit having at least part of a DC-DC converter; a control signal circuit that controls the boosting circuit; and a power supply unit being electrically connected to both of the boosting circuit and the control signal circuit and supplying at least the control signal circuit with electric power. The DC-DC converter includes a plurality of capacitors and switching units enabling each of the plurality of capacitors to be electrically independent, and the control signal circuit transmits a signal to the switching units when the DC-DC converter is not operating in intermittent operation thereof, the signal indicating each of the plurality of capacitors being made to be electrically independent. |
| US08223508B2 |
Power supply
A power supply to provide electrical power to one or more loads. The power supply may include a resonant air core transformer to provide an adjustable and adaptable source of power to electronic devices. The power supply may include isolated primary-side circuitry and secondary-side circuitry. The primary-side circuitry may include control circuitry that, among other things, provides drive waveforms for the primary-side switching circuitry. In embodiments configured to produce AC output, the secondary-side circuitry may also include switching circuitry. The primary-side control circuitry may provide drive waveforms for the secondary-side switching circuitry. The secondary-side circuitry may include measurement circuitry that measures the current and/or voltage of the output and provides those measurements to the control circuitry through isolation circuitry. The control circuitry may adjust the drive waveforms for the primary-side and/or secondary-side switching circuitry as a function of the measured values. |
| US08223507B2 |
Electronic circuit and method for making electronic circuit
An electronic circuit having a circuit board, a shield frame and a shield cover is provided. The shield frame is provided on the circuit board along a fringe of an area of the circuit board. The shield frame is discontinuous at a portion on the fringe. The shield cover is fastened to the shield frame so as to cover the area having the fringe along which the shield frame is provided. |
| US08223504B2 |
Structure for supporting printed wiring board
A structure for supporting a printed wiring board housed in a housing of an electronic device. The supporting structure includes a first projection formed on the housing and projecting toward the printed wiring board. The electronic device includes a conductor plate, which is grounded and accommodated in the housing. A second projection is formed on the conductor plate and projects toward the printed wiring board. The printed wiring board includes a substrate and a ground layer, which is arranged on the substrate. The first projection of the housing and the second projection of the conductor plate hold and support the printed wiring board in between and thereby electrically connect the ground layer to the conductor plate. |
| US08223501B2 |
Server and locking device thereof
A server includes a substrate, a circuit board and a locking device assembling the circuit board to the substrate. The locking device includes a frame and a sliding member. The frame includes a pin having a main body and a hood wider than the main body. The sliding member defines a latching groove and a sliding groove therein. The latch groove includes a circular hole facing the sliding groove and a slit narrower than the circular hole. The sliding groove includes an opening facing the latch groove and a split. The opening is wider than the hood. The split is narrower than the hood but not narrower than the main body. The hood extends through the opening of the sliding groove. The sliding member moves relative to the frame along a first direction to cause the main body of the pin to engage in the split of the sliding groove. |
| US08223496B2 |
Arc discharge device
A power supply unit of an arc discharge device includes a semiconductor module 1 and a radiator fitted onto the semiconductor module 1. The semiconductor module 1 includes a module casing 2 and common units 3a to 3c retained by the module casing 2. Each of the common units 3a to 3c has: a ceramic substrate 50 having a circuit surface disposed with a semiconductor element 54 and a radiation surface on a side opposite to the circuit surface and a package 35 that exposes the radiation surface and seals the circuit surface with heat resistant resin. The radiator is fitted onto the module casing 2 to be thereby brought into abutting contact with all of the radiation surfaces of the common units 3a to 3c. |
| US08223495B1 |
Electronic device cooling system
Cooling systems for providing cooled air to electronic devices are described. The systems can include large storage tanks or waste treatment systems to improve the efficiency of the plant and reduce impact on the environment. |
| US08223489B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a first main body and a second main body. The first main body includes a first housing, a first magnetic member and a first elastic member. The second main body includes a second housing and a second magnetic member. The second housing is pivotally connected with the first housing. The first elastic member is disposed within the first housing. The first elastic member connecting with the first magnetic member and the first housing makes the first magnetic member floatable within the first housing. The second magnetic member is disposed within the second housing. When the second housing moves close to a surface of the first housing, the magnetic force between the first and second magnetic members is increased, so as to hold the relative position of the first and second main bodies. |
| US08223488B2 |
Locking assembly for electronic tablet and other devices
A locking assembly security apparatus engages with a tablet computer or similar device, which is securely locked to it via a plunger lock. A corner pocket engages one corner of the tablet computer, while another proximal lockable corner pocket engages the diagonally opposite corner of the tablet computer. The security apparatus includes a diagonally extending chassis bar between the opposite set of corner pockets. The base of a proximal pocket extends from the diagonally extending chassis bar to the flanges at the proximal end on the other side of the integral hinge pin housing of the proximal pocket, which flips up to permit a corner of the tablet computer to be inserted or disengaged. |
| US08223483B2 |
Dock with moveable connector for display device
Docking stations with a moveable connector that is more durable are provided. For example, when a portable electronic device, coupled with the connector, is pushed forward, the connector is designed to move (e.g. rotate), thereby reducing an impact of strain resulting from such a push. The rotatable connector may be biased to keep the portable electronic device in an upright position such that the electronic device is supported by a rear reference surface of the docking station, thereby preventing undue strain on the rotatable connector in the upright position and inhibiting movement forward. The rotatable connector may be partly below an outer shell of the docking station, and pivot at the outer shell, thereby reducing possible damage to parts below the outer shell. The rotatable connector may also retract when rotated, thereby removing a force that can break the connector at a position of full rotation forward. |
| US08223481B2 |
Computer system with frame for disk drive
A computer system includes a chassis and a frame. The chassis includes a chassis bottom wall, a first chassis sidewall connected to the chassis bottom wall, and a second chassis sidewall connected to the chassis bottom wall. The frame includes a mounting bracket and a retaining bracket. The mounting bracket is secured to at least one of the chassis bottom wall and the first and second chassis sidewalls. The mounting bracket defines a through opening configured for to have a disk drive inserted through the opening. The retaining bracket defines a holding space configured for receiving the disk drive. The through opening is in communication with the holding space. The mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket top wall. The retaining bracket includes a retaining bracket top wall. The retaining bracket top wall extends from the mounting bracket top wall. |
| US08223478B2 |
Collar style cover and housing assembly for field device
A field device assembly includes a housing body, a first circuitry subassembly mounted to the housing body and positioned at least partially within the housing body, a first cover chassis having a shoulder, mating flame path restricting structures positioned on the first cover chassis and the housing body, a first threaded collar configured to fit about the first cover chassis and to permit rotation relative to the first cover chassis, and a second circuitry subassembly secured to the first cover chassis. The first threaded collar is threadably engaged with the housing body, and includes an engagement structure engaged with the shoulder of the first cover chassis to secure the first cover chassis to the housing body. The second circuitry subassembly includes an electrical connector configured for linear insertion engagement with a mating electrical connector within the housing body to electrically connect the first and second circuitry subassemblies. |
| US08223470B2 |
Apparatus and method to improve uniformity and reduce local effect of process chamber
An apparatus includes a processing chamber having a plasma containing region, a dielectric plate secured on top of the processing chamber, a power source separated from the plasma containing region by the dielectric plate, and a chuck supported within the processing chamber. The chuck is operable and configured to move with respect to the power source. |
| US08223468B2 |
Power conditioning circuit utilizing high oersted rating inductors
A power conditioning circuit for conditioning power supplied by a power source at a nominal frequency over conductors in a polyphase system includes first and second phase conductors. First and second inductors are connected in series between the first and second phase conductors and first and second phase output lines, wherein all of the power supplied by the power source to the first and second phase output lines flows through the first and second inductors. An inductance of each of the first and second inductors increases when power at frequencies greater than the nominal frequency flows through the first and second phase conductors, thereby blocking power at frequencies greater than the nominal frequency from reaching the first and second phase output lines. |
| US08223466B2 |
Arc flash detection
An arc flash detector includes a light sensor, a light attenuating filter in communication with the light sensor, a housing disposed to support the light attenuating filter and the light sensor, and a logic circuit in communication with the light sensor. The logic circuit is disposed to receive an output of the light sensor and disposed to produce an output signal responsive to a predetermined intensity of light received by the light sensor. The light attenuating filter is disposed to reduce the intensity of light received by the light sensor. The housing is also disposed to retain the light sensor and the light attenuating filter at a fixed orientation. |
| US08223464B2 |
Differential head having a balanced output and method of manufacturing thereof
In one embodiment, a differential-type magnetic read head includes a differential-type magneto-resistive-effect film formed on a substrate, and a pair of electrodes for applying current in a direction perpendicular to a film plane of the film. The film includes a first and second stacked film, each having a pinned layer, an intermediate layer, and a free layer, with the second stacked film being formed on the first stacked film. A side face in a track width direction of the film is shaped to have an inflection point at an intermediate position in a thickness direction of the film, and the side face is shaped to be approximately vertical to the substrate in an upward direction of the substrate from the inflection point. Also, the side face is shaped to be gradually increased in track width as approaching the substrate in a downward direction of the substrate from the inflection point. |
| US08223461B2 |
Pure rotary microactuator
A pure rotary microactuator comprising a spring assembly etched within a silicon substrate is disclosed. A first piezoelectric device is coupled with a first portion of the spring assembly and a second piezoelectric device coupled with a second portion of the spring assembly. The first piezoelectric device changes shape in response to an electrical input signal, and this change in shape provides a first push force to the first portion of the spring assembly in a first direction. The second piezoelectric device also changes shape in response to the electrical input signal, and this change in shape provides a second push force to the second portion in a second direction, which is different from the first direction. The combination of the first and the second push forces rotates the spring assembly with respect to the silicon substrate. |
| US08223459B2 |
Laser on slider for a heat assisted magnetic recording head
A recording head includes a magnetic write pole having an end positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, a first waveguide having an end positioned adjacent to the air bearing surface, a laser, and a coupler for coupling light from the laser to the waveguide. The coupler can include a grating positioned in or adjacent to a lasing cavity of the laser. |
| US08223445B2 |
Lens positioning apparatus
The present invention provides an optical analyzer having illumination optics that include a light source, such as a laser or other source, adapted to emit a collimated, or approximately collimated, light beam, and a focusing lens that focuses the beam onto a focus spot within a detection region, wherein the focusing lens is mounted in a lens positioning apparatus that allows for precise positioning of the focus spot within the detection region. The lens positioning apparatus comprises a lens holder adapted to rotate through a small angle around a pivot axis parallel to the optical path, such that the lens holder rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical path, and an actuator adapted to provide an angular displacement of the lens holder around the pivot axis. The lens holder holds the focusing lens at a first distance from the pivot axis, and is coupled to the actuator at a second distance from the pivot axis, wherein the second distance is larger than the first distance. |
| US08223437B2 |
Wide-angle zoom lens system
A wide-angle zoom lens system includes a negative fist lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object.Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, each of the negative fist lens group, the positive second lens group and the positive third lens group move along the optical axis thereof while a distance between the negative fist lens group and the positive second lens group decreases, and a distance between the positive second lens group and the positive third lens group also decreases.The wide-angle zoom lens system satisfies the following condition: 2.45 |
| US08223436B2 |
Rear attachment lens, imaging optical system and image pickup apparatus
A rear attachment lens detachably attached to a main lens system at an image side thereof to lengthen a focal length includes a negative lens disposed such that, when L is a distance between a lens surface closest to an object side and a lens surface closest to an image side in the rear attachment lens, the negative lens is within an area in which a distance from the lens surface closest to the object side to the negative lens is in the range of 0.5 L to 1.0 L. When νdn1 is an Abbe number of a material of the negative lens with respect to the d-line and θgFn1 is a partial dispersion ratio of the material of the negative lens with respect to the g-line and the F-line, the following conditions are satisfied: 10<νdn1<23 0.020<θgFn1−0.6438+0.001682*νdn1<0.100. |
| US08223435B2 |
Zoom lens for projection and projection-type display device
In a zoom lens for projection, a lens group arranged farthest to the reduction side is fixed when the magnification of the zoom lens is changed, and is composed of a negative aspheric lens made of a plastic material having at least one aspheric surface and a positive lens. At least one positive lens arranged on the reduction side of a lens having the smallest effective diameter among lenses composing the zoom lens satisfies the following formula (1): νa>80(here,(dn/dt)<0) (1), where νa: Abbe number of a material forming the at least one positive lens for d-line, and dn/dt: a change in the refractive index of the material forming the at least one positive lens for d-line when temperature changes from 20° C. |
| US08223432B2 |
Optical sheet, display apparatus and fabricating method thereof
An optical sheet suitable for linear polarized light to pass through is provided. The optical sheet includes a substrate and a retardation film. The retardation film herein is located on the substrate and has a plurality of optical axes with different extending directions. The linear polarized light after passing through the retardation film is converted into a plurality of linear polarized light with different polarization directions, wherein the retardation film substantially has a phase retardation of λ/2 at anywhere of the area where the linear polarized light passes through and λ is the wavelength of the linear polarized light. Besides, the present invention also provides a display apparatus, a fabricating method of an optical sheet and a fabricating method of a display apparatus. |
| US08223430B2 |
Accessory for attenuated total internal reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy
An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal (106) is carried on the support. A sample supporting member (60) is disposed below the location of the ATR crystal. The sample supporting member (60) has a relatively thin upper wall (64). A pressure applying mechanism (80) is located below the wall (64) and is operable to apply pressure to a sample through the wall (64) to ensure good contact between a sample and the sample contacting surface of the crystal. |
| US08223426B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a decorative surface
A decorative housing (11) for a mobile device (10) includes a first faceted cell (12) having a first angled electro-optic element (14) disposed therein. A second faceted cell (16) is adjacent the first cell (12) and has second angled electro-optic elements (18). A liquid (20) is in fluid communication with each faceted cell (12, 16) and moveable to a first position (22) in response to a first electric field (24) applied to one of the first and second electro-optic elements (14, 18) and moveable to a second position (26) in response to a second electric field (28) applied to the other of the first and second electro-optic elements (14, 18). An electronic modulator (30) is coupled to the first electro-optic element (14) and the second electro-optic element (18) to electronically modulate between the first electric field (24) and the second electric field (28). |
| US08223414B2 |
Quantum computing method and quantum computer
A quantum bit computation method includes operating a two-quantum-bit gate on quantum bits of a first physical system and a second physical system, second energy states of second physical systems except for the first physical system and the second physical system do not change, three energy states being represented by |0>, |1> and |3>, the two energy states being represented by |2> and |4>, energies of |2> and |4> being higher than energies of |0>, |1> and |3>, a transition frequency between |3> and |2> being equal to the resonance frequency, |0> and |1> representing quantum bits, flipping quantum bits of first physical systems after operating the two-quantum-bit gate, executing no operations by a time equal to a time for operating the two-quantum-bit gate, after flipping the quantum bits, and again flipping the quantum bits of the first physical systems after executing no operations. |
| US08223412B2 |
Computer-generated hologram including splice planes for reconstructing a full-color image with high resolution and its fabrication method
A recording plane of a computer-generated hologram that is capable of reconstructing a full-color image and achieving a high resolution is divided by a multiplicity of parallel sections in the horizontal direction to define a multiplicity of areas. Amplitude information and phase information corresponding to different wavelengths which vary periodically in a direction traversing the multiplicity of areas, is recorded in the recording medium. Information about the same portion of the original image is recorded in individual points belonging to the same area, and information about another corresponding portion of the original image is recorded in individual points belonging to another area. |
| US08223411B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method
An image processing system includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire image data; a first determination unit configured to create histograms of colors in the acquired image data, and determine deemed background colors with the use of the histograms; a second determination unit configured to determine a background color based on the deemed background colors; a counting unit configured to count a number of pixels corresponding to character colors in the image data, wherein colors other than the background color are the character colors; and a deciding unit configured to obtain a ratio of the number of pixels corresponding to the character colors to a total number of pixels in the image data, and perform blank page determination on the image data by determining that the image data is blank when the ratio is less than a predetermined value. |
| US08223410B2 |
Imaging device and method of processing imaging result in imaging device
The present invention relates to an imaging device and a method of processing an imaging result in an imaging device, and is applied to e.g. an electronic still camera to thereby allow the camera to correct image quality readily and flexibly with avoiding the deterioration of the image quality effectively. In the present invention, a three-dimensional look-up table is provided and an imaging result (Y2, Cb2, Cr2) is corrected by use of the three-dimensional look-up table. |
| US08223403B2 |
Inspection apparatus, inspection method and manufacturing method of mask for exposure, and mask for exposure
An inspection apparatus of a mask for exposure that has a light shielding region 3 and a half-tone region 2 on a transparent substrate 1, includes a storage unit stored with half-tone pattern area data specifying an existing area of the half-tone region 2, a pattern detection unit 22 acquiring a binary image of an area in which to scan over the surface of the transparent substrate by a relative movement with respect to the transparent substrate, and a control unit 20 making effective a detecting operation of the pattern detection unit in the area on the transparent substrate that is specified by the half-tone pattern area data, and making ineffective the detecting operation of the pattern detection unit outside the specified area. |
| US08223402B2 |
Color trapping on a halftoned bi-level bitmap
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for color trapping on halftoned bi-level bitmaps. Color edges are detected and edge pixels that need to be trapped are identified. The number of pixels qualified as edge pixels eligible for color trapping can be up to a pre-determined number of pixels away from the color edge. Estimates for the continuous-tone values are obtained for the dominant colors on each side of the two-color edge. The contone value of the dominant color on the opposing side of the two-color edge is assigned to the qualified edge pixels. Qualified edge pixels are re-halftoned using their assigned contone value so that halftones for one color are extended beyond the edge into the other color. The re-halftoned edge pixels are combined with the original bitmap to produce a new bitmap for the image. The new bitmap is then provided to an image output device. |
| US08223401B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
An information acquiring unit acquires information indicating whether a color material used at least for image formation is saved. An image-information generating unit creates, when the information acquiring unit acquires the information for saving the color material, image information using the color material of which consumption is saved. |
| US08223400B2 |
Management apparatus and management method
If different settings are performed for a user to control usage of functions provided by an image forming apparatus, a management apparatus detects whether resources relating to these settings accord with each other to confirm any conflict between these settings. A plugin management unit detects whether a resource relating to a setting by a plugin B, which is to be installed from a plugin management table, accords with a resource relating to a setting by a plugin A. |
| US08223398B2 |
Print data generating device, method to generate print data, and computer usable medium therefor
A print data generating apparatus to generate print data based on inputted image data representing an image is provided. The print data generating apparatus includes a white data generating unit to generate white data, which indicates color scale values of white being used in the image, a white outline pixel judging unit, which examines a currently marked pixel among pixels included a white area to judge as to whether the marked pixel is a white outline pixel composing an outline of the white area with reference to the white data, and an outline-removed white data generating unit to generate outline-removed white data, which includes information to indicate that the outline of the white area is removed. The outline-removed white data generating unit removes the outline of the white area by clearing the color scale values of white of the white outline pixel to zero. |
| US08223390B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing color registration errors in tandem engines
Systems and methods are provided for correcting color registration errors in a printing device comprising a plurality of print engines driven by a single pixel frequency clock. In some embodiments, the print engines can include a reference print engine and one or more non-reference print engines. An adjusted resolution may be computed for color data sent to each non-reference engine to offset color registration errors attributable to the non-reference engine. The adjusted resolution is computed using calibration information for the non-reference print engines relative to the reference engine, and resolution information for color data processed by the first reference engine. The resolution of color data processed by each non-reference print engine is adjusted according to the computed adjusted resolution for the non-reference engine and sent to the print engines for printing. |
| US08223385B2 |
Printer job visualization
A system for visualizing a print job includes a print job simulator which applies a print job model to print job image data to generate an image which simulates a rendered image of the print job if the print job were to be printed on a specific marking device. The system also includes a display in communication with the print job simulator for displaying the simulation image. The modified image data displayed on the display enables a customer to see a defect in the print job which would appear if the print job were to be rendered on the specific marking device. The print job model may be derived, at least in part, from information derived from the marking device, such as information derived from image data acquired by scanning a test image which has been rendered by the marking device. |
| US08223383B2 |
USB print
The present invention is directed to a system and user interface wherein a multifunction copier, equipped with a Universal Serial Bus port, accepts data directly from a USB-Data Storage Device (USB-DSD) for the purpose of printing, e-mailing, and faxing. The system contains a copier containing a computer-controller having at least one USB port interface. The controller has a service that can either be enabled or disabled by a system administrator. The service is capable of performing email, printing and facsimile functions. When a user inserts a USB-DSD into the USB port on the controller, the service presents the user with the three options stated above. Once the user selects the desired function, the service then invokes a document conversion utility, which scans the USB-DSD and displays the supported files found on the DSD. Each desired function will have multiple options for a user to choose. For example, when the printing option is selected, the service will present to the user on the display choices such as duplex, portrait/landscape, multipage, number of prints and the like. |
| US08223381B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a storage unit that stores therein input data, and a deleting unit that partially deletes the input data when the input data becomes unnecessary. The deleting unit deletes portions of the input data, each having a predetermined size, with predetermined or random spacing between the portions in row and column directions, or deletes only an effective portion of the input data. |
| US08223369B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a document information storage unit, a progress information identification unit and a progress information storage unit. The document information storage unit stores identification information of a paper document associated with an operation item defined for a case. The progress information identification unit obtains progress information indicating a progress of the operation item based on the paper document identified by the identification information associated with the operation item. The progress information storage unit stores the progress information obtained by the progress information identification unit associated with the operation item. |
| US08223366B2 |
Printing system including file standard determining unit
A printing system includes an image file standard determining unit, an additional information determining unit, an printing data creating unit, and a printing unit. The image file standard determining unit is configured to determine whether image data subject to printing is created in conformity with a prescribed image file standard. The additional information determining unit is configured to refer to additional information attached to the image data and determine whether the image data is created in a prescribed image data format based on the additional information. The printing data creating unit creates printing data based on the image data that is in conformity with the prescribed image file standard and the prescribed image data format. The printing unit prints an image based on the printing data created by the printing data creating unit. |
| US08223364B2 |
Printer driver, apparatus and methods for conrolling a printer from a devmode data structure
Disclosed are methods of controlling operation of a printer, apparatus and computer-readable medium. The embodiments control operation of a printer by displaying to a user a print user interface including selectable document settings and a default/saved settings control, the default/saved settings control displaying a list of at least one saved default setting and command settings, the at least one saved default setting including selected ones of the document settings, the command settings allowing the user to create additional default settings and to delete the at least one saved default setting, and controlling printing of a document to print on the printer using the saved default setting and the selected ones of the document settings. |
| US08223362B2 |
Communication apparatus and method
This invention provides a first communication apparatus, which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and can describe different contents image header information each including a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like in image data having a predetermined number of pixels upon sending the image data to a plurality of destinations, and a communication method. This invention also provides a second communication apparatus which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and has a first mode in which image header information such as a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like can be described in image data having a predetermined number of pixels and can send the image data, and a second mode in which image data having one of various resolutions and an indefinite number of pixels can be sent. |
| US08223361B2 |
Empty job detection for direct print
The embodiments of the present invention provide for empty object/file detection by classifying an object/file based on a set of classification types, and parsing a portion of the object/file to determine whether the object/file is empty. |
| US08223358B2 |
Printer output coverage estimation system
A printer output coverage estimation system permits a user of print services to obtain an accurate estimate of the amount of toner required by a print job. Providers of print services, including coverage estimations, may be identified through the Internet and selected by the user from a web interface. The estimate request may then be transmitted directly to the provider that fulfills the request using excess computing capacity. Alternatively, providers may register excess computing capacity with a broker. The broker matches job requests with a grid of providers and directs the job request to the matched provider(s). Thus, users of print services have an alternative to purchasing in-house computing resources that may remain idle much of the time. |
| US08223352B2 |
Method for scheduling transient document erase cycle
A method of handling documents which can be imaged and erased comprises entry of a scheduled time which a device such as a multipurpose imager and eraser has a low probability of being used. At the scheduled time, erasure of transient documents to be erased is initiated. A transient document to be erased is transported from a first transient document storage area to an erasure area where it is erased, then transported to a second, erased transient document storage area. Upon receipt of a user interrupt during the scheduled erasure, any partially erased transient document is returned to the first transient document storage area for later erasure. The method thus allows for more efficient use of equipment resources, for example in an office environment. |
| US08223349B2 |
Image-processing apparatus with online support function
An image processing apparatus that can provide an online support service is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a user operation data retaining section for retaining user operation data in which contents of user's operation performed by a user is recorded, an input section having a help key for instructing start of execution of an online support function, and a support data retaining section for retaining information about a support connecting destination to be connected in the online support. When recognizing pressing of the help key, the image processing apparatus refers to the user operation data so as to gain at least a part of the contents of the operation performed until a time point of the pressing, selects the support connecting destination according to the gained user operation contents with reference to the support data retaining section so as to request connection of communication with the selected support connecting destination. |
| US08223346B2 |
Optics positioning sensor system
A method and apparatus for determining the longitudinal position of a tapered displaceable element positioned between two substantially orthogonally laterally opposing displacement sensors. A change in the longitudinal position of the displaceable element causes the sensors to each measure their distance to the displaceable element which relates directly to the local thickness and thus the longitudinal position of the displaceable element. The system factors out errors in measured lateral proximity position of the displaceable element since an erroneous proximity to one sensor is equal and opposite to an erroneous proximity to the other. |
| US08223345B2 |
Surface position detecting apparatus, exposure apparatus, surface position detecting method, and device manufacturing method
A surface position detecting apparatus comprises a light-sending optical system which makes first light from a first pattern and second light from a second pattern incident at different incidence angles to a predetermined surface to project an intermediate image of the first pattern and an intermediate image of the second pattern onto the predetermined surface; a light-receiving optical system which guides the first light and the second light reflected on the predetermined surface, to a first observation surface and to a second observation surface, respectively, to form an observation image of the first pattern on the first observation surface and an observation image of the second pattern on the second observation surface; and a detecting section which detects position information of the observation image of the first pattern on the first observation surface and position information of the observation image of the second pattern on the second observation surface and which calculates a surface position of the predetermined surface, based on the position information of the observation image of the first pattern and the position information of the observation image of the second pattern. |
| US08223344B1 |
Positioning devices in a rack based on optical signals
To position electronic devices in a rack, one of the electronic devices in the rack emits an optical signal. One of a plurality of optical receivers mounted to the rack receives the optical signal. An indication from the optical receiver is provided to specify that the optical receiver has received the first optical signal. |
| US08223338B2 |
Optical path length sensor and method for optimal absorbance measurements
An apparatus is described in which an optical fiber is mounted within a fiber optic holder which includes the non-rotating shaft of a linear actuator. The fiber holder may be held captive in order to restrain the fiber holder and, consequently, the fiber mounted therein, from rotating during operation of the linear actuator, thereby resulting in linear travel with minimal rotational effects and minimal change in optical alignment of the fiber during travel. In addition, an optical path length sensor in conjunction with an optimized absorbance method of operation is utilized herein to provide micron precision of the displacement between respective receiving and transmission fibers so as to enable precise absorbance measurements from about 0.005 up to about 2.0 Absorbance Units for any given path length. |
| US08223337B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for aftertreatment control and diagnostics
A method includes providing an exhaust stream for an internal combustion engine, where the exhaust stream is fluidly coupled to an aftertreatment component. The method includes optically determining an amount of an exhaust gas constituent in the exhaust stream. The method further includes modifying a model stored on a computer readable medium in response to the amount of the exhaust gas constituent. The model is an engine NOx generation model, a catalyst NOx storage model, a catalyst NOx conversion model, a catalyst NO to NO2 conversion model, a catalyst conversion efficiency model, an engine soot generation model, and/or a urea hydrolysis model. |
| US08223334B1 |
Method of improving ellipsometric and the like data
A system and method for improving data provided by ellipsometer, polarimeter and the like systems involving diminishing the effects of undesirable noise in the intensity of a beam of electromagnetic radiation caused by, for instance, random variations in intensity of a source provided beam of electromagnetic radiation and/or periodic or non-periodic variations in beam intensity resulting from wobble/wander of a moving sample, during investigation of the sample by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. |
| US08223332B2 |
Mercury measuring apparatus for measuring mercury contained in sample composed mainly of hydrocarbon
To provide a mercury measuring apparatus of a closed system capable of performing automatically a process ranging from collection to injection of the sample composed mainly of hydrocarbon, which is effective to accomplish a highly reliable measurement. The mercury measuring apparatus 100 includes a column 1 filled with a first adsorbent 11 and a reducing agent 13, an injecting unit 3 for injecting a sample into the column 1, a first heating unit 12, a second heating unit, a mercury collecting tube 18 filled with a second adsorbent 17, a third heating unit 19, a mercury measuring unit 2, gas flow passages FP1, FP2 and FP4, flow switching valves V1 to V3, V5 and V6 for selecting one of the gas flow passages FP1, FP2 and FP4, and a control unit 4. |
| US08223327B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting defects on a wafer
Systems and methods for detecting defects on a wafer are provided. One method includes generating output for a wafer by scanning the wafer with an inspection system using first and second optical states of the inspection system. The first and second optical states are defined by different values for at least one optical parameter of the inspection system. The method also includes generating first image data for the wafer using the output generated using the first optical state and second image data for the wafer using the output generated using the second optical state. In addition, the method includes combining the first image data and the second image data corresponding to substantially the same locations on the wafer thereby creating additional image data for the wafer. The method further includes detecting defects on the wafer using the additional image data. |
| US08223325B2 |
Optical sensor assembly
The present invention provides systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a medium without exposing the medium to contamination. The systems and methods employ a novel combination of a small sensor device embedded in a Luer cap and capable of wirelessly transmitting data to a reading device. |
| US08223324B2 |
Testing device and testing method employing the same
An exemplary testing device for testing quality of indicator lights includes a light intensity tester and a control unit electrically connected to the light intensity tester. The light intensity tester includes a testing circuit, and the testing circuit is capable of generating testing parameters of corresponding indicator lights. The control unit is capable of providing electric energy to the indicator lights. The testing parameters from the testing circuit are changed according to light intensity of the indicator lights and are then transmitted to the control unit. Thus, the control unit is capable of comparing the testing parameters with predetermined parameters to detect the quality of the indicator lights. |
| US08223323B2 |
Cutoff wavelength measuring method and optical communication system
A method includes a first step of joining a multimode fiber to a first end of an optical fiber being a specimen, allowing light to propagate from the multimode fiber to the specimen, measuring an intensity of light from a second end of the specimen, and determining a first power spectrum; a second step of joining the multimode fiber to a first end of a reference fiber having bending loss higher than that of the specimen, allowing light to propagate from the multimode fiber to the reference fiber, measuring an intensity of light from a second end of the reference fiber, and determining a second power spectrum; a third step of determining a difference spectrum by subtracting the second power spectrum from the first power spectrum; and a fourth step of determining a higher-order mode cutoff wavelength of the specimen on the basis of a shape of the difference spectrum. |
| US08223314B2 |
Method for measuring wavefront aberration
A method comprises determining a first processing center position to calculate a wavefront aberration of an optical system, determining a second processing center position to calculate a wavefront aberration, correcting the first processing center position in a first direction using the second processing center position in the first direction and correcting the second processing center position in a second direction using the first processing center position in the second direction. |
| US08223311B2 |
Liquid crystal display device including airflow channel
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a protection panel arranged a predetermined distant from the liquid crystal panel, and a flow control device to impart turbulence to an air flow in a channel, which is defined between the liquid crystal panel and the protection panel. |
| US08223304B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode comprises at least optically anisotropic members (A) and (B) and a liquid crystal cell disposed between a pair of polarizers having absorption axes disposed approximately perpendicularly to each other, wherein nzA>nyA and nxB>nzB (nxA, nxB: refractive indices (n) in the direction of the in-plane slow axis; nyA, nyB: n in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the above direction; nzA, nzB: n in the direction of thickness, each at 550 nm); the in-plane slow axes of (A) and (B) are approximately parallel or perpendicular to each other; and the in-plane slow axis of (A) is approximately parallel or perpendicular to the absorption axis of a polarizer closer to (A). The antireflection property, scratch resistance and durability are excellent, the angle of field is wide, and uniform display of images with great contrast can be achieved at any angle of observation. |
| US08223303B2 |
Transflective LCD device
A transflective LCD device includes an array substrate and a color filter. The substrate includes a plurality gate lines, a plurality of common lines, and a plurality of data lines substantially crossing the gate lines to define a plurality of sub-pixel regions. Each sub-pixel region has a reflective area and a transmissive area. Two of the reflective area of two adjacent sub-pixel regions in the same column are juxtaposed to each other. The color filter has a plurality of sub-pixel regions respectively aligned with the sub-pixel regions of the array substrate. The color filter includes an insulating layer disposed on the reflective area of a respective sub-pixel region. An LC layer is disposed between the array substrate and the color filter. |
| US08223301B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic device having particular dielectric layers
An electro-optical device includes a first substrate and a translucent second substrate facing each other, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a reflective electrode that is disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, a translucent electrode that is disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer, a first dielectric layer that is disposed between the reflective electrode and the liquid crystal layer and includes a plurality of dielectric films, and a second dielectric layer that is disposed between the translucent electrode and the liquid crystal layer and includes at least one dielectric film. |
| US08223295B2 |
Optical element, liquid crystal panel, and liquid crystal display
A liquid-crystal display that can inhibit the coloring of an image when a liquid-crystal panel is viewed from an oblique direction is provided. An optical filter is disposed at the forward end of a liquid-crystal panel and has different transmittances between a light component that travels in an oblique direction and a light component that travels in a direction normal to the multilayer, where both of the light components have a predetermined wavelength range. In the case where a wide-color-gamut light source, such as LEDs, is used as a light sources of a backlight unit, when the liquid-crystal panel is viewed from an oblique direction, the entire image area tends to be reddish, and the color temperature tends to decrease. In this case, the optical filter is configured such that the intensity of a visible red light component is selectively reduced such that the intensity of a visible blue light component is increased, thereby inhibiting the reddening of an image area when viewed from an oblique direction. |
| US08223293B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of assembling liquid crystal display
A method of assembling a liquid crystal display is provided. First, a front cover, a bezel, a liquid crystal panel and a hinge are provided, wherein the front cover has an opening, and the bezel has a first hinge cap. The hinge is assembled to the liquid crystal panel. The front cover and the liquid crystal panel are assembled to the bezel, such that the hinge is partially covered by the first hinge cap, and the liquid crystal panel is exposed by the opening. A second hinge cap is provided. The second hinge cap is assembled to the first hinge cap, such that the hinge is wrapped by the first hinge cap and the second hinge cap. A back cover is provided. The back cover is assembled to the front cover. |
| US08223289B2 |
Electro-optical device and method for manufacturing the same
Using thin film transistors (TFTs), an active matrix circuit, a driver circuit for driving the active matrix circuit or the like are formed on one substrate. Circuits such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, necessary to drive an electric device, are formed using single crystalline semiconductor integrated circuit chips. After the semiconductor integrated circuit chips are adhered to the substrate, the chips are connected with wirings formed on the substrate by a chip on glass (COG) method, a wire bonding method or the like, to manufacture the electric device having a liquid crystal display (LCD) on one substrate. |
| US08223287B2 |
Electrooptic device and electronic device
An electrooptic device includes two adjacent pixel electrodes. A potential that is different from the potential of the first and second pixel electrodes is applied to an area between the adjacent pixel electrodes. |
| US08223285B2 |
Active matrix device, method for manufacturing switching element, electro-optical display device, and electronic apparatus
An active matrix device includes: a substrate; a pixel electrode formed at a side adjacent to one of surfaces of the substrate; a switching element, including: a fixed electrode formed so as to correspond to the pixel electrode and coupled with the pixel electrode; a movable electrode formed so as to be displaced toward the fixed electrode along a surface direction of the substrate to be in one of states being in contact with the fixed electrode and apart from the fixed electrode; a driving electrode formed so as to form an electrostatic gap between the movable electrode and the driving electrode, the fixed electrode, the movable electrode, and the driving electrode being disposed in different positions from each other along the surface direction of the substrate; a first wiring line coupled with the movable electrode; and a second wiring line coupled with the driving electrode. The switching element generates an electrostatic attraction between the movable electrode and the driving electrode by applying a voltage between the movable electrode and the driving electrode so as to displace the movable electrode to be in contact with the fixed electrode for obtaining electrical conduction between the first wiring line and the pixel electrode. |
| US08223284B2 |
Liquid crystal device and television receiver
A liquid crystal device 10 of the present invention includes conductive films 81a, 81b for storage capacitors, i.e., a first conductive film 81a and a second conductive film 81b, which are connected to two adjacent pixel electrodes 44a, 44b, respectively, via contact sections 70a, 70b formed through a second insulating film 62. The part of a storage capacitor 83 located below the conductive films 81a, 81b is divided into a first capacitor line 83a arranged below the first conductive film 81a and a second capacitor line 83b arranged below the second conductive film 81b. |
| US08223283B2 |
Display substrate, method of manufacturing the display substrate and display apparatus having the display substrate
A display substrate includes a base substrate, a first line, a second line, a bridge line, a thin-film transistor (TFT), a storage line, and a pixel electrode. The first line extends in a first direction on the base substrate. The second line extends in a second direction on the base substrate and is divided into two portions with respect to the first line. The bridge line makes contact with the two portions of the second line in first and second bridge contact regions. The TFT includes a source electrode making contact with one of the first and second lines in a data contact region. The storage line is formed on the one of the first and second lines. The pixel electrode is formed on the storage line and is electrically connected to the TFT. The display substrate reduces formation of parasitic capacitance between pixel electrode and data line. |