| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08250788B2 |
Linen processing apparatus including a device for controlling the water flow supplied to a steam generator
Appliance for the treatment of fabric articles comprising a water tank, a steam generator for diffusing steam in the direction of the fabric article and a water supply circuit of the steam generator comprising an electric pump, characterized in that said supply circuit comprises a flexible tube (12) and a device (13) for adjusting the flow of water sent to the steam generator comprising means (133) for compressing the flexible tube (12) so as to modify its cross-section of flow. |
| US08250787B1 |
Method for post removal including concrete footing removal
One embodiment of an improved method for removing a post from the ground, the method including inserting a spike tool into the ground around the perimeter of the base of the post, reducing the lifting force required by creating a layer of reduced friction mud surrounding the base of the post, supplying of pressurized fluid through the spike tool to the base of the post within the ground, and neutralizing the suction force created when the post is lifted from the ground. |
| US08250780B1 |
Sandal system with interchangeable straps
A sandal system kit comprising a base, wherein a slot is disposed in the base at a front edge and a track is disposed along edges of the base; a plurality of S-clips each having a first end configured to snugly hook into the track and a second end extending outwardly from the base; and a plurality of straps, wherein each strap can be secured to the base via the S-clips, via the slot, and via a first attachment means, wherein each strap can be secured in a variety of patterns according to the user's wishes; wherein a user can construct a variety of different sandals by interchanging the straps and attaching the straps to the base in various patterns. |
| US08250778B2 |
Clothes driver air intake system
A clothes dryer air intake system including a conduit having an outlet opening for connection to a clothes dryer and being positioned remote from the attic of a building. The conduit also has an inlet opening positioned within the attic of a building. A heater is connected to the conduit between the outlet opening and the inlet opening for warming air passing through the conduit. A thermostat detects the temperature of the air flowing through the conduit and energizes the heater in the event that the detected temperature is lower than a preset minimum. |
| US08250776B2 |
Method of managing operation of laundry room machine and dryer therefor
A method of operating and managing a laundry room machine that performs a washing operation and a drying operation according to a payment made by customers is provided. The method includes setting information of payments and operating conditions and setting operating conditions according to a payment additionally inserted while a drying operation is performed, receiving information of a payment insertion from the payment device and operating a predetermined operation according to the set operating conditions, and receiving information of an additional payment insertion from the payment device while a drying operation is performed and performing an additional drying operation according to the information of the additional payment insertion based on the setting operating conditions according to the payment additionally inserted while the drying operation is performed. |
| US08250775B2 |
Automatic system of storage, dehumidification and reuptake of petcoke in a covered yard
The present invention discloses an automatic plant and a method of stockage in a covered yard of petcoke fuel with high humidity-contents, natural dehumidification up to set humidity values and subsequent reuptake for conveyance to the silos feeding a thermal unit. |
| US08250773B1 |
Adjustable device alignment tool
A device for aligning an electrical device including a body having a front surface and a device through hole complimentary shaped to an electrical device perimeter and wherein the device through hole comprises at least two screw holes aligned with screws on the electrical device and the electrical device moves with the through hole to align the electrical device. |
| US08250770B2 |
Pulley alignment system
A pulley alignment apparatus including an elongated body having a mounting surface, two elongated legs extending outward from the mounting surface, each of the legs terminating at a tip, a laser supported by the body, wherein the laser is configured to project a planar beam, a power supply for supplying electrical power to the laser, a normally-open switch configured to detect contact between the body and a pulley, wherein the switch electrically couples the laser with the power supply when the contact is detected, and a magnet supported by the body proximate the mounting surface. |
| US08250769B2 |
Archery bow sight distance indicator
A distance indicating mechanism can be used in combination with a bow sight to quickly determine distances to targets from an elevated position. The distance indicating mechanism has a generally circular, fluid-filled tubular device with one or more adjustable indicators located thereon. The indicators are positionable to correspond with the fluid level in the tubular device to indicate the orientation of the mechanism when aiming at a known distance. Each indicator generally corresponds to a sight pin of a bow site that indicates a corresponding linear distance for which an arrow will be at a desired vertical position when shot by a bow operator. |
| US08250764B2 |
Adjustable utility knife
A knife includes a handle enclosing one or more of a blade, a blade shuttle, a transmission, and a trigger, where the handle includes a blade aperture. The blade shuttle is longitudinally moveable relative to the handle from a rest position to a first extended position and the blade shuttle is moveable longitudinally from the first extended position to a cutting position when the blade is engaged in a workpiece. The blade shuttle is automatically retracted from the cutting position to the rest position when the blade is disengaged from the workpiece. The blade is detachably secured within the blade shuttle and protrudes a first distance through the blade aperture at the first extended position. The blade is extended from the first distance a substantially fixed length when engaged in the workpiece. The blade is adapted to automatically retract within the handle when disengaged from the workpiece. |
| US08250762B2 |
Method of manufacturing metal member with plurality of projections
Projections of a bevel gear or a vibrating body are formed by bending a metal-made plate member having a plurality of projections so as to direct them in the same direction and make their projecting direction include a component of out-of-plane direction and subsequently applying a load to the bent plate member to crush the projections so as to reduce the height thereof and increase the plate thickness. |
| US08250761B2 |
Methods of manufacturing rotor blades for a wind turbine
A method of manufacturing a rotor blade for a wind turbine and a rotor blade manufactured in accordance with such method are disclosed. The method generally comprises providing a blade blank formed at least partially from a filler material, shaping the blade blank to form a profile of the rotor blade and positioning a skin around an outer perimeter of the shaped blade blank. |
| US08250760B2 |
Center housing of a turbine for a turbocharger and method of manufacturing the same
A turbine of a turbocharger comprises a floating insert which defines a nozzle for passing a fluid and which is supported axially slidable with respect to a housing by a sliding support means. Said floating insert is axially supported by said guiding means formed by a portion of a center housing. |
| US08250759B2 |
Rotor hub maintenance system
A rotor hub maintenance system and method is disclosed. The system includes at least a rotor hub, a plurality of appendages that are operatively connectable to the hub, and a plurality of support members. The preferred embodiment provides that the support members simultaneously secure the hub and appendages a predetermined height above a reference surface and provide the only support for the hub and appendages. |
| US08250755B2 |
Process for fabricating a medical lead
In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: providing a plurality of wires; increasing an exterior surface area of each wire of the plurality of wires; arranging the plurality of wires angularly around a longitudinal axis; extruding polymer material of the plurality of wires; forming a lead body with a proximal end and a distal end after performing the extruding; and forming a plurality of terminals at a proximal end of the lead body; forming a plurality of segmented electrodes at a distal end of the lead body. |
| US08250753B2 |
Method for manufacturing an active fixation electrode
In a method for manufacturing active fixation helices for the stimulation and/or sensing of organs, an elongated helix precursor body is produced that has one or more electrical conductors surrounded by an insulating material. This helix precursor body is then shaped into a helix, material removed in predetermined places in order to expose the areas of the conductors which will be used as electrodes in the final product. The body is coated with an electrically conducting biocompatible coating which is subsequently partly removed in continuous loops from around the electrodes in order to electrically insulate them from each other and to ensure that the electrically active areas of the electrodes are of the correct dimensions. |
| US08250746B2 |
Method for making electronic device having metallic connecting structure
An exemplary method for making an electronic device includes: providing a hot press machine having a press head; placing a bonding film on an inner surface of a metallic housing; turning on the hot press machine and heating the press head to a first predetermined temperature; after heated to the first predetermined temperature, driving the press head to press the bonding film to the metallic housing for about two minutes, thereby attaching the bonding film on the metallic housing; placing the metallic element according to the corresponding bonding film of the metallic housing; heating the press head to a second predetermined temperature; and after heated to the second predetermined temperature, driving the press head to press the at least one metallic element to the metallic housing for at least two minutes, thereby attaching the at least one metallic element on the corresponding bonding film. |
| US08250744B2 |
Method of manufacturing a solar cell lead wire
A solar cell lead wire includes a conductive material, and a solder plated layer on a periphery of the conductive material. The solder plated layer is formed flat by rolling. A method of manufacturing a solar cell lead wire includes feeding an elongate conductive material from a feed reel, the elongate conductive material including a rectangular conductor or a round conductor, soaking the conductive material in a molten solder in a molten solder plating bath, cooling the conductive material to have a plated wire with a solder plated layer formed on the conductive material, and winding the plated wire on a winding reel. The plated wire is formed flat by rolling after the solder plated layer of the plated wire is solidified by the cooling. |
| US08250738B2 |
Method of manufacturing a field coil member having first and second edgewise coils
A method of manufacturing a field coil member having first and second edgewise coils to be respectively fitted on first and second pole cores mounted on a circumferential surface of a yoke. Each of the first and second pole cores has an outer periphery, the outer periphery having at least one rounded corner. The method includes providing a rectangular wire strap having a pair of opposing major sides and a thickness therebetween substantially less than a width of the major sides and providing first and second coil forms, the first coil form having an outer periphery identical in shape to the outer periphery of the first pole core, the second coil form having an outer periphery identical in shape to the outer periphery of the second pole core. |
| US08250735B2 |
Motor adopting improved mechanism
A motor adopting an improved mechanism is composed of a stator having a shaft and a rotor provided with a sleeve and a hub, wherein the shaft is inserted into the hub and the hub is fixed on an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve. The outer circumferential surface of the sleeve is provided with a first outer circumferential surface, a second outer circumferential surface and a receiving surface that links between the first and second outer circumferential surfaces. The hub is provided with a base section, a through hole and a first protruded section protruding downward from the base section. A tip end portion of the first protruded section is provided with a hitting surface that contacts with the receiving surface of the sleeve and a second protruded section that links to the contacting surface and protrudes downward from the contacting surface. |
| US08250731B2 |
Electrical device manufacturing method
An exemplary electrical device manufacturing method includes the following steps. First, a first electronic module is provided. Second, one or more functions of the electronic module are verified. Third, a support module is provided. Fourth, one or more functions of the support module are verified. Fifth, the first electronic module is attached to the support module so as to form a first integrated module. Sixth, one or more functions of the first integrated module are verified. |
| US08250730B2 |
Method and apparatus for disassembling display device
In the disassembling method of a display device of the present invention, the display device has a display panel, and metal plate unit having a panel member formed of a chassis member disposed on the back surface of the display panel and a circuit board as an electric circuit member attached to the chassis member through an attaching member. The disassembling method has a mounting step of mounting metal plate unit on stage whose tilt angle can be adjusted by mechanism section and a cutting step of cutting the attaching member in parallel with the surface of stage with saw blade that abuts on the attaching member by the own weight of metal plate unit based on the tilt angle of stage. |
| US08250729B2 |
3D fabrication of needle tip geometry and knife blade
The present invention provides a method for creating a beveled needle or a blade. The method employs a side wall surface of an angled post as a base to control beveled tip geometry. The invention provides needles, microneedle arrays, blades and microblade arrays with sufficient sharpness and toughness. |
| US08250726B2 |
Pipe, method for production thereof and corresponding tool
A pipe includes a base body (8) of metal, defining an outer surface (10) of the base body and an inner surface (12) of the base body, and an inner coating (14) which is applied to the inner surface (12) of the base body. The inner coating (14) includes a thermoplastic material or a polyamide. The pipe may be used in the transport of drinking water. |
| US08250723B2 |
System and method for mounting lens in cells
This system and method for mounting lenses in lens cells a lens with an annular groove around its peripheral edge and a polygonal mounting clip formed from spring wire with at least two contiguous apexes and a non-contiguous apex such that it is biased towards closure. The mounting clip is nested in the annular groove, forcing the non-contiguous apex open. The lens is firmly held by the mounting clip and transversely extending mounting extensions at each apex are inserted into properly spaced wells in a face of a lens cell body to hold the lens in position over an aperture. An alignment chuck with a lens rest positionable with respect to a lens cell body rest is used to position the lens at the proper height above the lens cell body. The alignment chuck is then spun to align the lens optical axis with the alignment axis of the cell body. After this, the wells serve as reservoirs for a cement or other bonding materials to firmly affix the lens in its clip in perfect position with respect to the lens cell body. |
| US08250721B2 |
Roof panel seaming apparatus with leading guide finger
A roof panel seamer which is self-propelled and bidirectional for forming a standing seam joining two adjacent metal roof panels. Two seamers are disclosed, one for forming a 90° seam and the other for forming a 180° seam. Friction wheels, rather than gears, are used to transfer power from the main support body to the auxiliary support body of the seamer. The seamer includes five roll forming stations, the leading three of which are effective for each direction of travel. One of the roll forming stations for each direction of travel in the 90° seamer imparts a curve to the leg being bent. In the 90° seamer, a guide finger is mounted to both ends of one of the main and auxiliary support bodys, with the guide finger being effective to contact the underside of the male portion of the seam and maintain a minimum clearance between the male and female portions as the male and female portions enter the seamer. |
| US08250719B2 |
Multiple layer absorbent substrate and method of formation
The present invention is directed to a method for making a multiple layer substrate comprising the steps of: (1) forming a carrier substrate; (2) depositing an air laid layer comprising natural fibers on top of the carrier substrate; (3) wetting the air laid layer with a source of low pressure water; (4) hydroentangling the air laid layer with the carrier substrate to form an integrated substrate. Another aspect of the present invention is the creation of a low-density cleaning substrate with a basis weight of less than 100 gsm, which comprises at least one layer of a carrier web and at least one layer comprising an air laid cellulosic material which are hydroentangled together to form an integrated substrate. The substrate may be a pre-loaded wipe, which is either moistened by a consumer prior to use or moistened prior to packaging. The composition loaded onto the substrate may contain dry and/or liquid compositions preferably for cleaning hard or soft surfaces. |
| US08250715B2 |
Tool system with replaceable heads and offset handle
A tool system is disclosed having a body including a handle extending therefrom, a detachable head including a working tool, and a multi-part connector for detachable connecting the head to the body, the connector including opposed, flexible members positioned on the body towards an end of the body and means on the head for connecting with the opposed flexible members, the opposed flexible members and the means for connecting with the flexible members working in concert to detachably secure the head to the body. The handle of the tool system can be offset with respect to the axis of the body and the detachable head. |
| US08250711B1 |
Space-saving slide cover lifting structure
A space-saving slide cover lifting structure consisting of a pair hinges, a pair of sliding rail holders, a pair of plastic slide guides, a pair of sliding rails, a pair of gears and a pair of gear racks is disclosed. The gear racks are respectively accommodated in the sliding rails to reduce space occupation, minimizing the width of the assembly of the gear rack and the respective sliding rail. The arrangement of the plastic slide guides prohibits direction contact between the metal sliding rails and the sliding rail holders, avoiding friction noise. |
| US08250705B2 |
Hinge cup with position adjustment function
A cup embedded type hinge device with position adjustment function comprising a position adjustment mechanism between a cup member and an arm member of a hinge body including a U-shaped position adjustment holder superposed on a recess of the cup member through a gap and a cam member provided between the position adjustment holder and the flange of the cup member to set the position of the cup member relative to the position adjustment holder and having a cam disk engaged into a circular hole in the position adjustment holder and an eccentric pin engaged into an elongated hole in the flange of the cup member whereby the position of the cup member is set by rotation of the cam disk. |
| US08250703B2 |
Utility vacuum
A utility vacuum that may be configured to employ a disposable bag or removable and reusable container for the collection of dirt and debris that are drawn into the utility vacuum. The utility vacuum may employ one or more movable legs that are movable between an extended position, which provides relatively stable operation of the utility vacuum, and a retracted position, which reduces the footprint of the utility vacuum so that it is easier to store. |
| US08250692B2 |
Article of footwear with an intermediate sized outsole and method of making
A method of assembling the article of footwear may include assembling an upper with a first size and an outsole with a second size that is different from the first size. The method may also include assembling the article of footwear with a midsole that may be configured with an upper portion that fits the first size of the upper and a lower portion that fits the second size of the outsole. |
| US08250690B2 |
Machine for washing and/or drying laundry
A machine for laundry has a drum shaft rotatably mounted by a bearing for driving a laundry drum and having a device for determining loading-relevant characteristic variables or an unbalance of the laundry drum or of the drum shaft. The device for determining loading-relevant characteristic variables or an unbalance includes a magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetized region on the drum shaft or the laundry drum. |
| US08250689B2 |
Channel-cut cushion supports
The support characteristics within a foam mattress body may be varied by inserting reinforcements into channels cut or otherwise formed within the foam. |
| US08250688B2 |
Bedding straightening mechanism
A bedding straightening system attached to a base of an ordinary bed, including a blanket air distributor, bottom sheet side air distributors, connectors, bottom sheet, top blanket and sheet. A series of ducts or hoses which carry the air expelled from the air compressor or air expelling turbine towards different outlet points are located around the perimeter of the bed and connected to the bedding by a blanket air distributor and bottom sheet side air distributors. The bedding includes at least one bottom sheet and one bedspread. The bottom sheet when inflated produces tension on the sheet structure causing the straightening thereof. Air outlets protrude outwardly from the base of the bed through hoses disposed beneath the bottom sheet in order to lift and ventilate the bottom sheet. |
| US08250683B2 |
Baby bath sink insert
A baby bathing apparatus comprising an easily stored, relatively planar expanse of material configurable into a relatively concave configuration for deployment at least partially within a basin, and a method of forming the same. A material and configuration of a deployed bathing apparatus comfortably and securely retain a baby during bathing. One or more fastening means can be employed to securely yet detachably retain the expanse in a deployed configuration, while also allowing the bathing apparatus to resume a non-deployed, relatively planar configuration. |
| US08250682B2 |
Directional water flow extender
A pool and spa plumbing adapter to relocate existing directional water flow plumbing fittings to new positions to accommodate new surfacing overlaid on the existing pool or spa surface. The adapter provides for a threaded engagement with existing plumbing and has a shoulder portion providing a visual cue for proper rotational translation of the adapter into the existing plumbing fitting to accommodate the new surface layer. A sealing ring can be provided extending above the shoulder portion to prevent fluid passage between the new surface and the adapter and to prevent rotation of the adapter. |
| US08250681B2 |
Variable buoyancy setting flapper
A flush valve is provided for discharging fluid from a tank. The flush valve includes a flapper. The flapper includes a frame portion and a hollow float portion rotatably connected to the frame portion. A relative rotational position between the frame portion and the float portion adjusts at least one opening formed between the frame portion and the float portion, and controls an amount of fluid discharged from the tank by variably adjusting buoyancy of the flapper. |
| US08250678B2 |
Swim goggle
A protective eyewear includes a bridge unit, two lens rims, and two sealing gaskets as the major functional components which are made of different silicone materials with different degrees of hardness, and are integrally bonded together to form an integrated goggle frame. The functional components are made of different types of silicone materials as long as they are soft and flexible. Each functional component has a preset hardness determined by the type of silicone material being used, to achieve the different purposes of use for different activities, such as competition or general swimming activity. The functional components are also made into different color to provide aesthetic effect. In additional, the manufacture method not only provides manufacturing different functional components for enabling mix and match design but also facilitates the goggle frame for mass production. |
| US08250677B2 |
Penis covering
Device to cover a penis for aesthetic purposes, for visual enhancement, and for various other reasons. The device has a hood that fits over the glans penis and a covering for wrapping about the penis shaft. The device is secured in place by tucking a free end of the covering between layers of wrapped material, or by looping a testicle ring around the base of the testicles. |
| US08250675B2 |
Leg garment
A leg garment comprising a garment insert having a first material, a front portion, an inseam portion, and a seat portion adapted to cover at least a portion of a wearer's right hip and a portion of a wearer's left hip. Included in the garment insert is a fastening system coupling the garment insert to a garment's leg section. The leg section comprises a second material and may have at least one hip extension and a waistband. |
| US08256018B2 |
Array and cantilever array leveling
Faster and better methods for leveling arrays including software and user interface for instruments. A method comprising: (i) providing at least one array of cantilevers supported by at least one support structure, (ii) providing at least one substrate, (iii) providing at least one instrument to control the position of the array with respect to the substrate, (iv) leveling the array with respect to the substrate, wherein the leveling is performed via a user interface on the instrument which is adapted to have the user input positional information from the motors and piezoelectric extender when at least one cantilever deflects from the substrate. Uniform z-displacements can be achieved. |
| US08256014B2 |
Content processing device, server device, communication method, and storage medium containing computer program
When a PC 10 connects to a PD 20, the PC 10 decides whether or not the PD 20 holds a group ID and if the PC 10 decides PD 20 holds the group ID, PC 10 decides whether or not the group ID held in the PC 10 and the group ID held in the PD 20 coincide with each other. If the both IDs are not decided that they don't coincide with each other, the PC 10 acquires a device ID corresponding to PD 20 from PD 20 and transfers the device ID and a terminal ID of the PC 10 to a server apparatus 32. Then the PC 10 receives, from the server apparatus 32, a user link completion information representative that an association between first user ID corresponding to the terminal ID and second user ID corresponding to the device ID is completed. |
| US08256007B2 |
Data security management system and methods
A system is provided for managing security rights of protected data having a plurality of security groups. The system comprises a client configured to generate the protected data, wherein a user of the client is a member of a subset of the plurality of security groups. The client comprising a key generator configured to generate a plurality of security group keys, wherein each membership key is associated with a security group selected by the user of the client and a combination key generator configured to generate a combination key based on the plurality of security group keys, wherein the client is configured to encrypt the protected data with the combination key. |
| US08255993B2 |
Methods and systems for determining file classifications
A computer-implemented method for determining file classifications. The method may include determining identification information of a first file stored on a first computing system. The method may also include querying a second computing system for classification information by sending the identification information of the first file to the second computing system. The first computing system may receive, in response to the query, identification information of a second file. The first computing system may also receive the classification information. The classification information may indicate that the first file and second file are trusted. The first computing system may use the identification information of the second file to determine that the second file is stored on the first computing system. The first computing system may also apply the classification information to the first and second files by excluding the first and second files from a security scan. |
| US08255992B2 |
Method and system for detecting dependent pestware objects on a computer
A system and method for detecting dependent pestware objects on a computer is described. One illustrative embodiment detects a primary pestware process in an executable memory of the computer, the primary pestware process including an associated check value by which the primary pestware process can be identified; locates, at a predetermined offset in the executable memory relative to the check value, a pointer to a string, the string comprising an address of a secondary pestware object stored on the computer; and follows the pointer to the string to ascertain the address of the secondary pestware object. |
| US08255991B1 |
Computer application pre-permissioning
A computer-implemented method of pre-permissioning a computer application is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user to install a software application, identifying one or more computing services required for operation of the software application, presenting the one or more computing services to the user for review, determining whether the user approves installation of the computer application, and installing the application on a computing device assigned to the user if the user approves installation of the computer application. |
| US08255983B2 |
Method and apparatus for email communication
A method of operating a user terminal connected to the Internet comprises: prior to sending an email from the user terminal to a recipient, sending an identifier of the email content and a telephone number to a server; receiving a verification code from the server via the Internet; receiving an authentication string from the server via the Internet; including the authentication string and the telephone number in the email; and sending the email to the recipient. |
| US08255980B2 |
Router configuration device derivation using multiple configuration devices
Systems and methods for managing router configuration devices in a secure data communication network are described herein. An illustrative system includes a plurality of programmed external configuration devices and a configuration device programmer. Each programmed external configuration device contains at least a portion of a definition of a secure data path between a first router and a second router. Each programmed external configuration device can be detachably coupled to a first router to create a secure data path between the first router and a second router. The configuration device programmer writes a secure data path definition into a selected external configuration device if a predetermined number of programmed external configuration devices are coupled to the configuration device programmer. |
| US08255978B2 |
Verified personal information database
The present invention is directed to a method for creating a database of verified personal information. Information regarding individuals is gathered from one or more sources and stored. Authorized individuals request to view the information over a wide area computer network. The authorized individuals are allowed to review selected portions of the gathered information which is presented over the wide area computer network. Commentary from the authorized users on the accuracy of said the information is solicited and included in the database with information. Third parties do not have access to the database of verified personal information but can verify information outside of the database. |
| US08255977B2 |
Trusted network connect method based on tri-element peer authentication
A trusted network connect (TNC) method based on tri-element peer authentication is provided, which includes the following steps. Platform integrity information is prepared in advance. An integrity verification requirement is predefined. A network access requestor initiates an access request to a network access controller. The network access controller starts a mutual user authentication process, and performs a tri-element peer authentication protocol with a user authentication serving unit. After the mutual user authentication is successful, a TNC client, a TNC server, and a platform evaluation serving unit implement platform integrity evaluation by using a tri-element peer authentication method. The network access requestor and the network access controller control ports according to recommendations received respectively, so as to implement mutual access control between the access requestor and the access controller. Thus, the technical problems in the prior art of poor extensibility, complex key agreement process, low security, and that platform integrity evaluation is not peer-to-peer are solved by the present invention. Through the method of the present invention, key management and integrity verification mechanisms of the TNC are simplified, and the range of applicability of the TNC is expanded. |
| US08255976B2 |
Prevention of a bidding-down attack in a communication system
A communication system includes at least a mobile station, a base station, a gateway and a server, with the base station being configured for wireless communication with the mobile station, and the gateway being configured for connection between the base station and the server. The server stores information indicative of at least one established security capability of the mobile station, and sends at least a portion of that information to the gateway, possibly in conjunction with an authentication process for the mobile station. The gateway uses the information received from the server to verify that one or more security capabilities negotiated between the mobile station and the base station are consistent with the established security capability or capabilities of the mobile station. This can advantageously allow the gateway to prevent a bidding-down attack in which an attacker impersonates the mobile station to negotiate an inferior security capability with the base station. |
| US08255971B1 |
Authentication system and method
Aspects of the invention relate to a customer authentication system for authenticating a customer making a request related to a customer account. The customer authentication system may include multiple application level data receiving and processing mechanisms for receiving customer requests and collecting customer data. The customer authentication system may additionally include a central authentication system for receiving the customer requests and customer data from the multiple application level data receiving and processing mechanisms, the central authentication system determining, based on authentication policy, whether the collected customer data is sufficient to authenticate each customer in order to fulfill the customer request. The central authentication system may return its conclusions and instructions to the multiple application level data receiving and processing mechanisms. The customer authentication system may additionally include a fraud policy system for centrally managing authentication policy implemented by the central authentication system. |
| US08255970B2 |
Personal information distribution management system, personal information distribution management method, personal information service program, and personal information utilization program
A personal information generation apparatus 1 encapsulates personal information together with a transmission policy to generate a personal information capsule which is transmitted to personal information utilization apparatus 2. Personal information utilization apparatus 2 receives and holds the personal information capsule for utilization. In this event, personal information generation apparatus 1 transmits a transmission policy defined by the personal information producer. Personal information utilization apparatus 2 in turn transmits a reception policy defined by a personal information user. Then, personal information generation apparatus 1 and personal information utilization apparatus 2 determine a contractual coverage in regard to personal information to be distributed, and generate contract information. Eventually, the personal information is distributed from personal information generation apparatus 1 to personal information utilization apparatus 2 based on the generated contract information. |
| US08255968B2 |
System and method for adaptively controlling the recording of program material using a program guide
A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide (“EPG”), the EPG allowing for the controlling of recording functionality of an appliance and/or playing of media. The displayable EPG includes a listing of playable media from which the user may select a program of interest for recording or playing. The EPG may also include a display of prior recorded media for playing. Options may be presented to allow for a selection of a rendering device on which selected media is to be played. |
| US08255961B2 |
Systems and methods for caching data in media-on-demand systems
Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network. |
| US08255960B2 |
Method and system for providing VOD services in a digital cable TV network
A method and system for providing video-on-demand services are provided. The method of providing video-on-demand (VOD) services comprises transmitting service information to a set-top box via an out-of-band channel, receiving location and identification information of the set top box via the out-of-band channel, receiving a VOD service request from the set-top box via the out-of-band channel, and providing the set-top box with the requested content via an in-band channel with reference to the location and identification information of the set-top box. |
| US08255958B2 |
Automobile entertainment system linking multiple video systems for coordinated sharing of video content
An automobile entertainment system includes a plurality of video systems, each video system mounted within an automobile headrest. The headrest includes a headrest body and a first downwardly extending extension arm having a passage extending therethrough. The entertainment system also includes a central switching assembly linking the plurality of video systems. At least one of the video systems includes an output transmitting signals to the central switching assembly to transfer to the remaining video systems. Each video system also includes an input transmitting signals from the central switching assembly to the respective video systems. |
| US08255956B2 |
System and method for delivery of short-time duration video segments
A system and method for efficient delivery of video segments. One embodiment relates to the delivery of short-time duration video segments. The video segments may be delivered as part of a media-rich interactive program guide (IPG) or for some other application. The system and method provides a viewer with access to a video segment starting at its beginning (or any other selectable point within the video segment). Such access may be provided using a server-centric interactive technique. The server-centric technique may involve use of a demand-cast system and method. Demand-cast messaging may occur between a session manager, transport stream generator, and terminal. For example, a video object on a screen may be activated by a viewer using a remote control for a terminal. Activation of the object may cause transmission of a request from the terminal to a session manager for a video segment corresponding to the object. In response to the request, the session manager may initiate a process to accomplish delivery of the video segment from a transport stream generator to the terminal. |
| US08255955B1 |
Dynamic item highlighting system
A method and apparatus for highlighting a program listing in a set of program listings based on selection criteria. The selection criteria may indicate that the a broadcaster has agreed to pay a service provider in return for the service provider ensuring that a program listing, corresponding to the program of the broadcaster, is highlighted in a program page that displays a set of program listings, such as television program listings. If there are multiple program listings, listed in a program page, that are to be highlighted, then details of the respective contracts may be used to determine which program listing to highlight. Such details may include the total contract value, a ratio of contract value-to-page view, and/or the time of contract formation. |
| US08255953B1 |
Arrangement of content within a custom television channel
Techniques for content arrangement with a custom television (TV) channel in a custom TV system for providing a viewer with custom channels of content based on viewer preferences is described. Various examples of channel content ordering criteria upon which arrangement of content selections within a custom TV channel is based are also described. The custom TV system is suitable for execution on a digital video recorder. |
| US08255952B2 |
Interactive television system with programming-related links
An interactive television system with programming-related links is provided. The system may include user television equipment on which interactive program guide and non-program-guide applications may be implemented. Information that is displayed in a display screen for a non-program-guide application may be related to programming. A display screen or overlay for programming that is related to the information may be displayed when a user selects the displayed information. The display or overlay for the programming may include advertisements, video, graphics, options, or programming descriptions. The display screen or overlay may have been displayed by the program guide application. |
| US08255950B1 |
Dynamic identification of other viewers of a television program to an online viewer
Informing a viewer of a television program of the identity of other online identities that represent users concurrently viewing that same television program includes determining dynamically a first television program to which a television viewing device associated with a viewer is tuned and identifying one or more other viewers associated with television viewing devices that are presently tuned to the first television program. Trait information related to the viewer or to the other viewers is stored in a data store related to the first television program. A subset of the other viewers that have similar traits is determined based on the stored trait information. The viewer is graphically informed of the subset of other viewers. |
| US08255948B1 |
Demographic classifiers from media content
Methods, systems and computer program products for classifying incoming data and identifying relevant demographic information from the incoming data. The incoming data may include media content, and the media content may be classified to determine demographic information such as the audience of the media content associated with the media content related to a topic. A content item presented in another medium on the same topic also may be identified. Subsequently, appropriate advertising based on the demographic information to be associated with the content item may be provided. |
| US08255944B2 |
Broadcast area authentication
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for authenticating local and remote devices associated with a broadcast area. In one embodiment, an authentication server can transmit a unique broadcast identifier to a broadcast system and a local device. The broadcast system can then transmit a broadcast that includes the unique broadcast identifier. Once the local device receives the unique broadcast identifier from the broadcast and the authentication server, it can be authenticated as being in the broadcast area. |
| US08255941B2 |
Broadcast area authentication
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for authenticating local and remote devices associated with a broadcast area. For example, in one embodiment, a broadcast station can broadcast a first over-the-air broadcast that includes a token. A local device can scan for and identify the token in the first over-the-air broadcast it receives. The local device can then transmit the received token and user registration to an authentication server. The authentication server can use the token and user registration information to create a unique broadcast identifier. The authentication server can then transmit the unique broadcast identifier to the broadcast station and the local device. The broadcast station then broadcasts a second over-the-air broadcast that includes a unique broadcast identifier. Once the local device receives the unique broadcast identifier from the second over-the-air broadcast and the authentication server, it can be authenticated as being in the broadcast area. |
| US08255938B2 |
Signature-based program identification apparatus and methods for use with digital broadcast systems
Signature-based program identification apparatus and methods for use with digital audio and/or video systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods develop signatures of digital audio and/or video content from a digital data stream at two or more sites and compare the signatures to one another to identify the content. |
| US08255935B2 |
Slot-in type disk apparatus in which a disk is directly operated by a lever
It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot-in type disk apparatus which can be reduced in thickness by precisely guiding a moving position of a disk when the disk is inserted and discharged. The slot-in type disk apparatus in which a base body 10 and a lid constitute a chassis sheath, a disk-insertion opening 11 into which a disk is directly inserted is formed in a front surface of the chassis sheath, a traverse base 30 is disposed on the side of a front surface of the base body 10, a spindle motor held by the traverse base 30 is disposed at a central portion of the base body 10, the traverse base 30 is provided with a traverse base cover 30A, a discharge lever 100 can move in a portion on the traverse base cover 30A, and a movable-side end of the discharge lever 100 is provided with a guide which holds a disk, and a height of the discharge lever 100 with respect to the traverse base cover 30A is set by contact between the discharge lever 100 and the turntable 31B. |
| US08255930B2 |
Method and system for dynamically switching between different device configurations
A method for dynamically switching between different device configurations to improve the utilization of the device and save the cost. The method comprises the steps of obtaining the current configuration information of a device connected to a host; and if the current configuration of the device does not meet the requirements of the host, switching the current configuration of the device to a suitable one for the host. A system for the same is also provided to improve the utilization of the device and save the cost. |
| US08255928B2 |
Automated termination of selected software applications in response system events
A process registers a system management event in an application configuration database. Responsive to detecting the registered system management event during execution of one application of the set of applications, the process identifies applications of the set of applications associated with the registered system management event that are executing. The process then terminates the applications of the set of applications associated with the registered system management event that are executing. Responsive to terminating the applications of the set of applications associated with the registered system managing event that are executing, the process then executes a handler that processes the registered system management event. |
| US08255927B2 |
Event processor
An event control section 210 receives an event notification from an input operation control section 212. If the received event is a user ordered event based on an operation by a user 215, the event control section 210 gives the received event to a GUI content reproduction section 209. On the other hand, if the received event is a logic ordered event based on an order from a logic 201, notification of future generated user ordered events are temporarily stopped and the logic ordered event is notified to GUI content reproduction section 209. The temporary stop of notification of the user ordered event is released after completion of the logic ordered event at the GUI content reproduction section 209. |
| US08255924B2 |
System and method for providing an application to a device
The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for providing at least one electronic application to at least one device. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring device information that relates to the device and determining whether the device supports the at least one application based on the device information. The method may further include generating an electronic message for the device wherein the message contains at least one link for acquiring the at least one application when the device supports the application. |
| US08255923B2 |
Shared persistent communication thread
A computer-implemented method and system organizes communications by combining and integrating distinct communication events conducted through diverse communication modes into to a single conversation. Notification of an occurrence of an event is received and, in response to the notification, a conversation object representing a conversation is generated. A plurality of participants is associated with the conversation. A communication entry is associated with the conversation object. The communication entry has a message for at least one of the participants. The conversation object and the communication entry are stored in persistent memory. Shared access to the conversation object stored in persistent memory is limited to the plurality of participants associated with the conversation. |
| US08255922B1 |
Mechanism for enabling multiple processes to share physical memory
A mechanism is disclosed for enabling multiple processes to share the same portion of physical memory. The first time an instance of a process is executed, a list of common components is compiled. The compiled code is then written into a newly created mappable data structure, which is stored into persistent storage. The next time an instance of that process is executed, the mappable data structure is mapped into a portion of the process instance's virtual memory space. This enables the process instance to invoke the compiled code for the common components. Multiple instances of the process may have their virtual memory spaces mapped to the same mappable data structure in this way. Thereafter, it is up to the operating system to load the contents of the mappable data structure into a portion of physical memory, and to ensure that all of the process instances share that physical memory portion. |
| US08255921B2 |
Method and apparatus that enables a web-based client-server application to be used offline
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates using a web-based client-server application offline. During operation, the system receives a function call at an object within a browser that is executing on a client, wherein the function call is generated by the web-based client-server application and is directed to a communication layer on the client. Next, the system determines an intended resource for the function call. The system also determines if the function call should be redirected to an alternate resource. If so, the system redirects the function call to the alternate resource. If not, the system forwards the function call to the intended resource. Note that in some embodiments of the present invention, the entire system operates within the context of the browser. |
| US08255918B2 |
Namespace merger
In a virtualization environment, there is often a need for an application to access different resources (e.g., files, configuration settings, etc.) on a computer by name. The needed resources can potentially come from any one of a plurality of discrete namespaces or containers of resources on the computer. A resource name can identify one resource in one namespace and another resource in another namespace, and the namespaces may have different precedence relative to one another. The resources needed by the application can be accessed by enumerating names in a logical merger of the namespaces such that as new names in the logical merger are needed they are dynamically chosen from among the namespaces. When two resources in different namespaces have a same name, the resource in the higher precedence namespace can be chosen. |
| US08255916B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for allocating processing amongst data centers
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating optimization of data center performance. An optimization decision engine is provided with information regarding energy credentials of the power generative facilities that power the respective data centers. The energy credential, or other energy indicia, information is used in an optimization decision. Responsive to the optimization decision, processing allocation is made. |
| US08255915B1 |
Workload management for computer system with container hierarchy and workload-group policies
A computer system characterized by a container hierarchy uses a workload manager to allocate computing resources to workloads. The workload manager can allocate resources as a function of aggregate characteristics of a group of workloads, even where the group does not conform to the container hierarchy. |
| US08255914B1 |
Information retrieval techniques involving the use of prioritized object requests
A technique retrieves information from an electronic object source. The technique involves receiving a user command from a user. The user command requires data from the electronic object source. The technique further involves generating object requests in response to the user command. The object requests have (i) respective task identifiers and (ii) respective priority identifiers. The task identifiers identify tasks to be performed by the electronic object source. The priority identifiers identify priorities of the object requests. The technique further involves processing the object requests based on the priority identifiers of the object requests to obtain objects from the electronic object source, the objects including the data required by the user command, and the data resulting from the electronic object source performing the tasks identified by the task identifiers of the object requests. Such a technique is well-suited for data storage system applications, among other things. |
| US08255907B2 |
Managing virtual machines based on business priority
According to one embodiment, a method for managing one or more virtual machines includes generating a request for at least one performance characteristic for at least one virtual machine, the at least one virtual machine being associated with a processing group, the processing group including one or more processing modules; receiving a response to the generated request for at least one performance characteristic for the at least one virtual machine; automatically determining whether an increase in the number of processing modules included in the processing group is required, by analyzing the received response to the generated request; and, in response to a determination that an increase in the number of processing modules included in the processing group is required, automatically adding at least one processing module to the processing group. |
| US08255906B2 |
Modeling overhead for a plurality of virtualization technologies in a computer system
An interactive virtualization management system provides an assessment of proposed or existing virtualization schemes. A Virtual Technology Overhead Profile (VTOP) is created for each of a variety of configurations of host computer systems and virtualization technologies by measuring the overhead experienced under a variety of conditions. The multi-variate overhead profile corresponding to each target configuration being evaluated is used by the virtualization management system to determine the overhead that is to be expected on the target system, based on the particular set of conditions at the target system. Based on these overhead estimates, and the parameters of the jobs assigned to each virtual machine on each target system, the resultant overall performance of the target system for meeting the performance criteria of each of the jobs in each virtual machine is determined, and over-committed virtual machines and computer systems are identified. |
| US08255905B2 |
Multi-threaded processes for opening and saving documents
Tools and techniques are described for multi-threaded processing for opening and saving documents. These tools may provide load processes for reading documents from storage devices, and for loading the documents into applications. These tools may spawn a load process thread for executing a given load process on a first processing unit, and an application thread may execute a given application on a second processing unit. A first pipeline may be created for executing the load process thread, with the first pipeline performing tasks associated with loading the document into the application. A second pipeline may be created for executing the application process thread, with the second pipeline performing tasks associated with operating on the documents. The tasks in the first pipeline are configured to pass tokens as input to the tasks in the second pipeline. |
| US08255903B2 |
Data processing system and method
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a data processing system comprising a receiver to receive a first entity comprising first meta-data, expressed using a semantic web language, defining at least one relationship between first software and at least one associated patch for the first software; means to receive a second entity comprising second meta-data, expressed using the semantic web language, defining at least one relationship between installed software and at least one installed patch for the installed software; and a semantic web query language engine for subjecting the one or more of the first meta-data, second meta-data and an ontology, expressing concepts and relationships between software and at least one patch for said software, to an analysis; and means to output data representing the result of the analysis; the result providing data relating to at least one of the first meta-data and the second meta-data. |
| US08255902B1 |
Systems and methods for determining and quantifying the impact of an application on the health of a system
A computer-implemented method for determining whether an application impacts the health of a system may comprise detecting an application, performing a first system-health evaluation, allowing the application to install on the system, performing a second system-health evaluation after the application is installed on the system, and comparing the second system-health evaluation with the first system-health evaluation to determine whether the application impacted the health of the system. Exemplary methods for determining the potential impact of an application on the health of a system and for calculating a system-health-impact score for an application based on information gathered from a plurality of systems are also disclosed. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08255890B2 |
Media for performing parallel processing of distributed arrays
One or more computer-readable media store executable instructions that, when executed by processing logic, perform parallel processing. The media store one or more instructions for initiating a single programming language, and identifying, via the single programming language, one or more data distribution schemes for executing a program. The media also store one or more instructions for transforming, via the single programming language, the program into a parallel program with an optimum data distribution scheme selected from the one or more identified data distribution schemes, and allocating the parallel program to two or more labs for parallel execution. The media further store one or more instructions for receiving one or more results associated with the parallel execution of the parallel program from the two or more labs, and providing the one or more results to the program. |
| US08255886B2 |
Methods and apparatus for analyzing SIMD code
A method for analyzing and presenting in a graphical manner single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) instructions involves disassembling a stream of machine instructions into a stream of assembly language instructions. Instruction objects “M” and “N” are created to represent SIMD instructions “M” and “N” from the stream of instructions. Instruction objects “M” and “N” include multiple data objects corresponding to the multiple data items of the respective SIMD instruction. Different colors are assigned to at least two of the multiple data objects of instruction object “M.” If a data item of SIMD instruction “N” is based on a data item of SIMD instruction “M,” the color from the source object is automatically assigned to the target object. Dependencies between data items of instruction “M” and “N” are annotated by arrows between corresponding data objects. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08255884B2 |
Optimized scalar promotion with load and splat SIMD instructions
Mechanisms for optimizing scalar code executed on a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) engine are provided. Placement of vector operation-splat operations may be determined based on an identification of scalar and SIMD operations in an original code representation. The original code representation may be modified to insert the vector operation-splat operations based on the determined placement of vector operation-splat operations to generate a first modified code representation. Placement of separate splat operations may be determined based on identification of scalar and SIMD operations in the first modified code representation. The first modified code representation may be modified to insert or delete separate splat operations based on the determined placement of the separate splat operations to generate a second modified code representation. SIMD code may be output based on the second modified code representation for execution by the SIMD engine. |
| US08255883B2 |
Translating late bound LINQ expressions into database queries
There is alteration of a late-bound expression produced by a compiler into an early-bound structure. Alteration of the late-bound expression can occur at runtime and a visitor pattern can be used to create the alteration. In one instance, a conversion from late-bound to early-bound takes place through replacing a late-bound property with a statically typed call. The early-bound structure can translate into an expression tree to enable an implementation of a store specific query operated upon storage. |
| US08255881B2 |
System and method for calculating software certification risks
A method for calculating a composite risk is disclosed. The method may include receiving information associated with a plurality of risk factors. The information may include a timeline for each risk factor, and the timeline may include a plurality of discrete time points. The method may further include determining risk values indicative of risk levels of each risk factor associated with the plurality of discrete time points. The method may also include calculating the composite risk using the determined risk values and a relationship between the composite risk and the plurality of risk factors. The composite risk may include a plurality of composite risk values associated with the plurality of discrete time points. |
| US08255879B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving a software product
Methods and apparatuses for improving a software product are provided. A method for improving a software product includes collecting tracking data through tracking markers inserted at respective functional points of the software product, storing the collected tracking data in a repository, and retrieving the tracking data from the repository and analyzing the tracking data to determine changes for improving the software product. |
| US08255875B2 |
Application builder for industrial automation
A control system development platform is provided. The platform includes a shell component adapted to support development of a control systems application. An abstract model is associated with the shell component to facilitate development of the control systems applications. |
| US08255871B1 |
Computer implemented system and method for the generation of data access applications
A method and architecture is described that discovers software application metadata and generates data access applications based on the discovered software application metadata. The discovered metadata along with handcrafted metadata goes through a discovery process and is converted into common, generic abstract metadata objects. The abstract metadata objects then go through an instantiation process to be translated into concrete metadata objects that represent the unique configuration, context and terminology of the source software application. The concrete metadata objects can be generated into numerous forms for the purposes of data access and information sharing. The system also has upgrade protection. |
| US08255866B2 |
Computing device and method for checking distances between transmission lines and anti-pads arranged on printed circuit board
A computing device and a method involves selection of one or more transmission lines from a printed circuit board (PCB) layout file, reading a transmission line from the one or more selected transmission lines, and determining neighboring anti-pads of the read transmission line in the PCB layout file. The computing device and method further determine an actual distance between the read transmission line and a neighboring anti-pad. If the actual distance is less than a preset standard distance, the computing device and method determine that the read transmission line and the neighboring anti-pad do not satisfy design requirements, and highlight the read transmission line and the neighboring anti-pad, to prompt a user to amend design of the read transmission line and the neighboring anti-pad. |
| US08255861B2 |
Efficient replaying of autograded coverage regressions and performance verification with directed testcases
An approach is provided that receives a correlation data structure from a memory. The correlation data structure indicates a number of expected test event triggers that correspond to a test case that includes a number of test events. The test case is executed by a computer processor, the execution resulting in one or more resultant data structures stored in the memory. The resultant data structures indicate one or more actual test event triggers that occurred during the execution. The expected test event triggers are compared to the actual test event triggers. If the comparison reveals one or more mismatches, a trigger mismatch notification is provided to a user of the computer. |
| US08255860B1 |
Exploiting independent portions of logic designs for timing optimization
Slacks or timing weights are determined during implementation of an electronic design to improve design optimization. Multiple failings paths are optimized simultaneously by generalizing the notion of constraint relaxation used when computing slacks and timing weights to apply to portions of the design that can be independently optimized, rather than strictly adhering to clock domains and other coupled timing constraints used by conventional relaxation-based approaches. Improved calculation of slacks or timing weights better guides optimization algorithms. |
| US08255857B2 |
Routing methods for integrated circuit designs
Routing methods for an integrated circuit design layout are disclosed. The layout can include design netlists and library cells. A multiple-level global routing can generate topological wire for each net. An area oriented graph-based detail routing on the design can be performed. A post route optimization after the detail routing can be performed to further improve the routing quality. Some methods can be single threaded all or some of the time, and/or multi-threaded some or all of the time. |
| US08255851B1 |
Method and system for timing design
Aspects of the disclosure provide a hold violation correction method that can save design time. The method can be integrated into early stages of electric circuit design instead of correcting hold violations during the final stages of circuit design prior to tape-out. The method can include constructing block-level input/output (IO) timing models for a plurality of circuit blocks that are interconnected, detecting one or more paths between the circuit blocks, adding one or more delay elements on the paths to cause that delays on the paths are within a predetermined delay target range. |
| US08255850B2 |
Fabricating IC with NBTI path delay within timing constraints
According to an aspect of the present invention, statistical timing analysis is applied with respect to a stress degradation that occurs in fabricated integrated circuits (IC) when used for a long duration. The circuit design may be suitably modified to account for the degradations (e.g., those caused by NBTI and CHC for transistors, those caused due to electromigration in case of interconnects). As a result, the fabricated ICs may be less susceptible to such degradations. The features are extended to model complex circuit blocks and also account for different degrees of stress that different circuit blocks are subjected to, in a same age of operation. |
| US08255847B1 |
Method and apparatus for automatic hierarchical design partitioning
A method for designing a system on a target device is disclosed. The system is synthesized. The system is partitioned into a plurality of logical sections utilizing information derived from synthesizing the system and prior to performing placement of the system on the target device. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08255843B2 |
Method of manufacturing strained-silicon semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a strained-silicon semiconductor device to ameliorate undesirable variation in selectively grown epitaxial film thickness. The layout or component configuration for the proposed semiconductor device is evaluated to determine areas of relatively light or dense population in order to determine whether local-loading-effect defects are likely to occur. If a possibility of such defects occurring exists, a dummy pattern of epitaxial structures may be indicated. If so, the dummy pattern appropriate to the proposed layout is created, incorporated into the mask design, and then implemented on the substrate along with the originally-proposed component configuration. |
| US08255841B2 |
Performing OPC on hardware or software platforms with GPU
Optical proximity correction techniques performed on one or more graphics processors improve the masks used for the printing of microelectronic circuit designs. Execution of OPC techniques on hardware or software platforms utilizing graphics processing units. GPUs may share the computation load with the system CPUs to efficiently and effectively execute the OPC method steps. |
| US08255838B2 |
Etch-aware OPC model calibration by using an etch bias filter
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system that constructs and calibrates an etch-aware photolithography model. During operation, the system constructs an etch bias model which models a critical dimension (CD) difference between a measured CD value of a feature after the photolithography process and a measured CD value of the feature after the etch process. The system then fits the photolithography process model based at least on the post-lithography measured CD data and the etch bias model, thereby causing the photolithography process model to be aware of etch effects. The present techniques facilitate bridging the gap between the photolithography and the etch process in the OPC modeling flow. In particular, these techniques can be used to modify conventional staged OPC model or to construct a model based rule table for correcting a retarget model. |
| US08255833B2 |
Electronic equipment having plural function keys assignable at an arbitrary hierarchical level in a hierarchical menu
Electronic equipment capable of registering and changing shortcut functions. When a menu is displayed on an LCD of electronic equipment, a list of shortcuts assigned to respective function keys on a home screen is displayed in the form of a split screen as a result of operation of any of the function keys. When a user selects a function to be assigned from the menu and selects a function key to be assigned, a selected function is assigned to the newly-selected function key. |
| US08255831B2 |
File management system, file management apparatus, and place map generating method
When registration operation for a new place is performed, the client terminal sends registration information along with a user ID to the file management server. The file management server extracts the number of layers and the number of places from the place map information. The file management server computes a layer close to the center of the place map information from the extracted number of layers. Next, the file management server retrieves a place of which the place name is not registered. Moreover, the file management server computes and acquires the distance of the retrieved place, and registers the registration information for the new place in the place having the shortest distance. |
| US08255827B2 |
Dynamic feature presentation based on vision detection
Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and graphical user interfaces (GUI's) for interactively presenting features within the panes of a display area rendered in a GUI workspace are provided. Initially, a computing device memory is inspected to discover a profile that accommodates a user-visual pattern. When the profile is not discovered, a default page layout is retrieved and communicated to the display device for presentation within the display area. If the profile is discovered, commonly viewed screen locations, based upon a frequency of eye fixation upon each of the screen locations, are ordered. Contextually relevant features are selected for presentation within the display area. The selected features are ranked based on predetermined criteria and each associated with the commonly viewed screen locations by comparing the ranking with the ordering. A page layout is constructed by spatially placing the features in proximity to the screen locations associated therewith, and is rendered within the display area. |
| US08255823B2 |
Flexible rendering of user interface elements
A content processing device is in selective communication with a remote server. A graphical user interface is provided. A rendering application is included within the content processing device. The rendering application is configured to: retrieve a set of presentation elements from the remote server, the set of presentation elements including a graphical element; represent the graphical element as a bitmap; determine each of a location, an orientation, and a size for the graphical element within a graphical user interface; expand the graphical element according to the size; and include the graphical element within the graphical user interface. |
| US08255822B2 |
Incorporated handwriting input experience for textboxes
Textboxes are provided to support both standard textbox operations and handwriting input. A textbox may be displayed as a standard textbox, receive input from a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse), and/or a handheld writing device (e.g., an electronic pen or stylus), and interpret the input to perform standard textbox operations. Based on various user actions, the textbox is displayed as an enlarged textbox that provides a writing surface for receiving input from the handheld writing device that is interpreted as handwriting input. Text is recognized from the handwriting input, and the text from the enlarged textbox is synchronized with the textbox. |
| US08255821B2 |
Method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
An apparatus and method for processing an audio signal are discussed. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a receiving unit receiving a downmix signal including plural objects, a bitstream including object information and level guide information; and a display screen displaying a graphical user interface including at least one level fader for receiving a user input for controlling level for at least one object among the plural objects. The graphical user interface displays a representation corresponding to the level guide information in association with the level fader. |
| US08255819B2 |
Web notebook tools
A computer-implemented method of providing information for a web notebook is disclosed. The method can include displaying a web document in a content area of a browser window, receiving a user selection of content from the document initiated by a first user mouse click, and displaying a selection icon in the content area upon completion of the user selection, wherein the selection icon is displayed without the need for a second user mouse click. |
| US08255818B2 |
System and method for providing drag and drop functionality in a communities framework
A community accessible via a portal can be provided for maintaining user membership in a collaborative computing environment. Collaboration resources can be displayed on the portal page. Drag and drop functionality can be provided, which enables a community member to drag drop some resource into a target area, thereby causing a computer to execute an action upon the drop. A drag and drop tag library can be provided for allowing a developer to add this functionality to selected resources. For example, a draggable resource tag can be used by the developer to specify the resource displayed on the portal page, that is to be selected and dragged by a user. A resource drop zone tag can specify a particular area on the portal page into which the draggable resource will be dropped. The action can be a Javascript function call, a form or a page flow action initiated upon the drop. |
| US08255817B2 |
3-D display for time-based information
A computer-implemented method of displaying information about first and second pluralities of time-based events, the method involving: displaying perspective representations of each of a plurality of timelines including a first timeline and a second timeline, wherein the perspective representation of the first timeline is made up of perspective images of representations of the events of the first plurality of events arrayed along the first timeline at locations in time corresponding to those events and the perspective representation of the second timeline is made up of perspective images of representations of the events of the second plurality of events arrayed along the second timeline at locations in time corresponding to those events; enabling a user to select a current time; and in response to the user selecting the current time, displaying perspective representations of a portion of each of the first and second timelines as determined by the user selected current time. |
| US08255813B2 |
Declarative task-based user interfaces
A method for building wizard-style user interfaces (UIs) for a business task is disclosed. The method includes receiving metadata at a computer system, where the metadata comprises information regarding the business task, generating an analysis by analyzing the metadata, generating user guidance information, and executing flow and business logic of the business task. The user guidance information is with regard to the business task, and the user guidance information is based on the analysis. |
| US08255808B2 |
Controlling data transfer between devices
An example apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a display, a processor configured to control the display. The display may be controlled to present a first ordered list of graphical icons in a first portion of the display and a second ordered list of graphical icons in a second portion of the display. The display may also be controlled to present a user input configured to control transfer of a data type from a first storage device by changing the visual configuration of the graphical icons in the first ordered list of graphical icons that represent and indicate a particular data type and configured to control transfer of a data type by a second storage device by changing the visual configuration of the graphical icons in the second ordered list of graphical icons that represents and indicates that data type. Example methods are also provided. |
| US08255807B2 |
Item customization and website customization
Customized item that is usable on both a website as an item in a virtual world, and outside the website as a tangible item in the real world is provided and described. One single customization is used to create both items. The item can be the same in the virtual world as it is in the virtual world, or can be different in the virtual world. |
| US08255805B2 |
System and method for permitting a software routine having restricted local access to utilize remote resources to generate locally usable data structure
A Java applet program loaded initially from a remote server is configured to receive additional user annotations for data displayed in an already opened applet window located at the user's client system. To increase the usefulness and flexibility of such program, the user is permitted to preserve/capture, during an interactive session, the modified applet window containing any such input or modifications to the applet window data. Because the updated applet window data cannot be written to the user's client system, however, (due to security restrictions), the present invention instead causes such modified window data to be converted to a standard compressed graphics file format (such as GIF for an image file for example), and then uploaded to the remote server. From there the applet can then open another applet window within a browser program pointing to the location of such file on the remote server. At that point, the user can then perform any desired operation on the file (i.e., such as printing or saving to a local file system) since the browser has access to the local system resources. |
| US08255803B1 |
Facilitating storage pool provisioning
A method is used in facilitating storage pool provisioning. A sequence of user interface screens is provided for configuring one or more physical devices of a data storage system for use in connection with provisioning a storage pool. By the sequence, a provisioning specification describing a RAID type and capacity is received. Best practices information describing one or more sets of data storage system best practices is received. By the sequence, a proposal is presented for performing configuration processing in connection with initialization of the data storage system to configure a first portion of the one or more physical devices for use with the storage pool. The best practices information is used in producing the proposal. |
| US08255802B2 |
Method for enabling efficient navigation of video
A method of facilitating navigation of a sequence of source images the method using tokens representing each source image which are scaled versions of each source image and which are arranged adjacently on a display device in a continuous band of token images so that a pointer device can point to a token and the identity of the corresponding image is available for further processing. |
| US08255799B2 |
Dynamic action recorder
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture obtain user input during a playback of a macro. A series of user actions are recorded in the form of a macro. A representation of the user actions is displayed. The representation provides nodes that each represent the user actions. One of the nodes is selected and configured by the user to request additional user input relating to a parameter of the selected node during playback of the macro. The macro is played back and automatically pauses at the selected node. User input is obtained and the macro automatically continues execution utilizing the user input for the parameter of the selected node. Additionally, one or the user actions includes a selection of objects. As part of the recorded macro, references to the selected objects are stored in a non-graphical manner. During playback, objects are selected based on the stored references. |
| US08255798B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for electronic document translation on a touch-screen display
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a device with a touch screen display is disclosed. In the method, a movement of an object on or near the touch screen display is detected. In response to detecting the movement, an electronic document displayed on the touch screen display is translated in a first direction. If an edge of the electronic document is reached while translating the electronic document in the first direction while the object is still detected on or near the touch screen display, an area beyond the edge of the document is displayed. In response to detecting that the object is no longer on or near the touch screen display, the document is translated in a second direction until the area beyond the edge of the document is no longer displayed. |
| US08255796B1 |
Efficient creation of documents
Some embodiments provide a method that efficiently designs a document. The method initially provides the user with a selection of templates, each with a default configuration for content. After the user selects a template, the method provides the user with a selection of page designs to add to the selected template. When the user selects one of the page designs, the method adds the page design to a document that it presents to the user based on the selected template. Some embodiments provide methods for modifying default content of template documents that have several default text fields. When a user selects a default text field, the method of some embodiments selects the entire default text field for immediate editing by the user. In some embodiments, the method highlights a text field selected by the user. Also, in some embodiments, the method deletes the entire default content of the text field when the user provides new content for the selected field. In some embodiments, the new content can be text, image, or other type of content. |
| US08255793B2 |
Automatic visual segmentation of webpages
To provide valuable information regarding a webpage, the webpage must be divided into distinct semantically coherent segments for analysis. A set of heuristics allow a segmentation algorithm to identify an optimal number of segments for a given webpage or any portion thereof more accurately. A first heuristic estimates the optimal number of segments for any given webpage or portion thereof. A second heuristic coalesces segments where the number of segments identified far exceeds the optimal number recommended. A third heuristic coalesces segments corresponding to a portion of a webpage with much unused whitespace and little content. A fourth heuristic coalesces segments of nodes that have a recommended number of segments below a certain threshold into segments of other nodes. A fifth heuristic recursively analyzes and splits segments that correspond to webpage portions surpassing a certain threshold portion size. |
| US08255791B2 |
Collaborative, flexible, interactive real-time displays
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing information in an easily customizable, interactive and collaborative format. The invention can be looked at as the combination of one or more functional components in one aspect, the invention features aggregating raw data on at least one DataServer connected to a communication network; performing analysis of that data using at least one AnalyticalServer that is connected to the network; maintaining a cache of the most recent data and analysis of that data from the AnalyticalServers on at least one ViewServer connected to the network; maintaining communications with the network for accessibility by users over the network; and maintaining an ApplicationServer on the network that, based either on requests of the user through the web server, or through an automatic refresh, generates display data using, for example, the cached information on the ViewServer. Various manipulations of the data, including, for example, flexibly sorting, movement, aggregation, filtering, charting/graphing, etc. of rows and columns of a display can be effected. The system can also provide redundancy and views of the data can be shared among plural sites. |
| US08255786B1 |
Including hyperlinks in a document
Techniques for including a hyperlink in a document is disclosed. A document is received via a communications interface. An entity pair is determined by a processor. The entity pair includes a concept included in a concept taxonomy and a textual representation included in the document. As output, a hyperlink is provided. |
| US08255784B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, computer readable medium storing control program, information processing method, and image processing apparatus
An aspect of the present invention provides an information processing apparatus including a transmission setting accepting unit that accepts transmission setting for an electronic document to be transmitted; a transmitting unit that transmits the electronic document; a setting unit that sets information to be concealed in information used in the transmission; and a log creation unit that creates a transmission log in which the information set by the setting unit is concealed. |
| US08255776B2 |
Digital broadcast transmission and reception apparatuses and methods thereof
A digital broadcast transmission apparatus includes a Reed-Solomon (RS) encoder to perform RS encoding of data to obtain RS-encoded data formatted in data packets each including a predetermined number of bytes; a sync byte inserter to insert sync bytes indicating a start point of one of the data packets in a predetermined location of the RS-encoded data; an interleaver to interleave the RS-encoded data after the sync bytes have been inserted in the RS-encoded data to obtain interleaved data; and a data stuffer to sequentially insert complete packets of the interleaved data each including the predetermined number of bytes in a field, and insert an initial portion of a final packet of the interleaved data beginning in the field in residual bytes of the field that are less than the predetermined number of bytes. |
| US08255771B2 |
Memory device repair apparatus, systems, and methods
Operations within a memory device to replace one or more selected failing memory cells with one or more repair memory cells and to correct data digits read from other failing memory cells in the memory device. |
| US08255768B2 |
Interlaced iterative system design for 1K-byte block with 512-byte LDPC codewords
To allow a single LDPC decoder to operate on both 512 B blocks and 4 KB blocks with comparable error correction performance, 512 KB blocks are interlaced to form a 1 KB data sequence, and four sequential 1 KB data sequences are concatenated to form a 4 KB sector. A de-interlacer between the detector and decoder forms multiple data sequence from a single data sequence output by the detector. The multiple data sequences are separately processed by a de-interleaver between the de-interlacer and the LDPC decoder, by the LDPC decoder, and by an interleaver at the output of the LDPD decoder. An interlacer recombines the multiple data sequences into a single output. Diversity may be improved by feeding interleaver seeds for respective codewords into the de-interleaver and interleaver during processing. |
| US08255767B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for transmission of bit sensitive information
A method for communication between a geologic downhole measurement device and a receiver is provided. The method includes: receiving a bit sensitive data stream representing at least one property of at least one of a geologic formation and a borehole; grouping the data stream into at least one data block; and coding the data block with a forward error correction code. A system and computer program product for communication between a geologic downhole measurement device and a receiver are also provided. |
| US08255766B2 |
Receiving apparatus and method for interference cancellation in a wireless communication system
A receiving apparatus and a receiving method for interference cancellation in a wireless communication system are provided. The receiving apparatus includes a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) detector for estimating a desired signal and an interference signal based on received signals in accordance with a MIMO detection scheme; a first decoder for iteratively decoding the interference signal output from the detector; a second decoder for iteratively decoding the desired signal output from the decoder; and an LLR updater for updating an interval LLR value of the second decoder using an interval LLR value of the first decoder. |
| US08255763B1 |
Error correction system using an iterative product code
An error correction system includes an iterative code that employs an interleaved component code and an embedded parity component code. On the transmission side, input signals received at an input node are encoded based on the interleaved code, which encodes an interleaved version of the input data to produce a first set of codewords. A portion of the first set of codewords is divided into a plurality of symbols which are encoded based on the embedded parity code. On the receiving side, received data are detected to produce detected information and soft outputs. The detected information is decoded based on the embedded parity code to obtain decoded information. The decoded information is used with other soft information by an interleaved decoder to generate reliability metrics for biasing a subsequent decoding iteration. |
| US08255761B1 |
Methods and apparatus to compute CRC for multiple code blocks
A method and a circuit for generating cyclic redundancy checks. The method calculates a plurality of cyclic redundancy checks for a transport block with a plurality of information bits. At least one cyclic redundancy check among the plurality of cyclic redundancy checks is calculated based on a subset of information bits, and at least one information bit among the plurality of information bits is not within said subset of the information bits. In addition, a transport block cyclic redundancy check may be calculated based on all the information bits. |
| US08255760B2 |
Header encoding for single carrier (SC) and/or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) using shortening, puncturing, and/or repetition
Header encoding for SC and/or OFDM signaling using shortening, puncturing, and/or repetition in accordance with encoding header information within a frame to be transmitted via a communication channel employs different respective puncturing patterns as applied to different portions thereof. For example, a first puncturing pattern is applied to a first portion of the frame, and a second puncturing pattern is applied to a second portion of the frame (the second portion may be a repeated version of the first portion). Shortening (e.g., by padding 0-valued bits thereto) may be made to header information bits before they undergo encoding (e.g., in an LDPC encoder). One or both of the information bits and parity/redundancy bits output from the encoder undergo selective puncturing. Moreover, one or both of the information bits and parity/redundancy bits output from the encoder may be repeated/spread before undergoing selective puncturing to generate a header. |
| US08255759B2 |
APP (a priori probability) storage design for LTE turbo decoder with quadratic permutation polynomial interleaver
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate ensuring contention and/or collision free memory within a turbo decoder. A Posteriori Probability (APP) Random Access Memory (RAM) can be segmented or partitioned into two or more files with an interleaving sub-group within each file. This enables parallel operation in a turbo decoder and allows a turbo decoder to access multiple files simultaneously without memory access contention. |
| US08255758B2 |
Decoding of error correction code using partial bit inversion
A method includes receiving an Error Correction Code (ECC) code word, which includes multiple encoded bits that represent data and have a bit order. Multiple subsets of the encoded bits are selected using a selection criterion that does not sequentially follow the bit order. For each subset in at least some of the multiple subsets, the bits in the subset are inverted and the code word having the inverted bits is decoded, so as to reconstruct the data. |
| US08255755B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for retransmitting broadcast packets based on comparing a number of received broadcast packets having cyclic continuity counter values consecutive to each other to a predetermined threshold
A retransmission apparatus retransmits TS (Transport Stream) packets based on a received broadcast wave to a plurality of receiving apparatuses through a network. The retransmission apparatus has a TS packet determination unit for making a determination as to whether a number of received TS packets which include therein cyclic continuity counter values consecutive to each other is equal to or larger than a first predetermined threshold value N, and further configured to retransmit the received TS packets to the plurality of receiving apparatuses when the determination is true, and to drop the received TS packets when the determination is false. |
| US08255753B2 |
Encoding/decoding technique for rebroadcasting lost packets
When retransmitting lost packets of data to multiple devices in a wireless network, the original sequence of packets containing all the lost packets may be encoded into a smaller number of packets for the retransmission. These encoded packets may be collectively addressed to all the intended receiving devices through broadcast or multicast addressing. These encoded packets may then be selectively decoded by the receiving devices, using the successfully received previous packets as part of the decoding process. Repetitive exclusive OR algorithms may be used for encoding and decoding. |
| US08255748B2 |
Soft error and transient error detection device and methods therefor
A clock signal is received at a clock node of a latch module, and a data signal is received at a data node of the latch module. The data signal including information to be latched at a first latch of the latch module and at a second latch of the latch module. A first representation of the data signal to a first data node of the first latch is delayed relative to a second representation of the data signal to a corresponding first data node of the second latch to obtain a first timing requirement between the data signal and the clock signal relative to the first latch that is substantially different than a second timing requirement. An error signal is generated in response to different data being latched at the first latch than at the second latch. |
| US08255740B2 |
Multi-level DIMM error reduction
Embodiments of the present invention include computer-implemented methods for selectively applying remedial actions, according to a predefined order, for reducing the error rate in a computer memory system. In one embodiment, an ordered set of remedial actions are sequentially invoked in response to a single-bit error (SBE) in a DIMM reaching successive error thresholds. For example, in an air-cooled system, the remedial actions may include dynamically increasing a DIMM refresh rate, dynamically increasing a rate of airflow used to cool the DIMMs, and dynamically throttling the DIMMs. The remedial actions may be layered as they are successively invoked, to provide a cumulative remedial effect. At least two of the remedial actions may be simultaneously invoked in response to a multi-bit error rate reaching an associated threshold. |
| US08255739B1 |
Achieving data consistency in a node failover with a degraded RAID array
Technologies are described herein for achieving data consistency during a failover from a primary node to a secondary node in a storage cluster with a shared RAID array in a degraded mode. When the primary storage node receives a write I/O operation, a volume module on the primary node reads the missing data strip data from the failed disk belonging to the stripe targeted by the write I.O operation. The primary storage node communicates the missing data strip to the secondary storage node, which writes the missing strip data to an outstanding strip log. Upon the failure of the primary node, the secondary storage node reads the missing data strip from the outstanding strip log and writes the missing data strip to the shared RAID array, thus restoring data consistency to the stripe of the RAID array containing the missing data strip. |
| US08255734B2 |
Multi-drop signaling system and method employing source termination
A signaling system employs parallel termination for a timing reference signal and series termination for information signals that may be sampled using the timing reference signal. In this way, the system may provide desired levels of signal performance and power consumption. In addition, the system may be configured such that the initial wavefronts of these signals may travel in opposite directions along complementary signaling paths. For example, a timing reference signal that travels from a driving device (e.g., a memory controller) to several destination devices (e.g., memory devices) in a multi-drop/fly-by fashion may arrive at the destination devices in a given order. In contrast, associated information signals may travel from the driving device to the destination devices such that they arrive at the destination devices in the opposite order. |
| US08255732B2 |
Self-stabilizing byzantine-fault-tolerant clock synchronization system and method
Systems and methods for rapid Byzantine-fault-tolerant self-stabilizing clock synchronization are provided. The systems and methods are based on a protocol comprising a state machine and a set of monitors that execute once every local oscillator tick. The protocol is independent of specific application specific requirements. The faults are assumed to be arbitrary and/or malicious. All timing measures of variables are based on the node's local clock and thus no central clock or externally generated pulse is used. Instances of the protocol are shown to tolerate bursts of transient failures and deterministically converge with a linear convergence time with respect to the synchronization period as predicted. |
| US08255729B2 |
Time sequence control circuit
A time sequence control circuit is provided to control time sequence of a motherboard of a computer. A first voltage received by a power supply receiving terminal is greater than a preset voltage before a signal control terminal on the motherboard receives a second voltage during turning on the computer. During shutting off the computer, the first voltage at the power supply receiving terminal drops and is less than the preset voltage, and the second voltage supplied to the signal control terminal on the motherboard is shut off. |
| US08255728B2 |
System comprising a plurality of power supply circuits each with a different turn-on delay for providing a plurality of voltages to a respective peripheral device interface
A computer motherboard includes a number of peripheral device interfaces, first and second voltage output terminals, and a number of power supply circuits corresponding to the S peripheral device interfaces. Each peripheral device interface includes a first power pin and a second power pin. Each power supply circuit includes a delay circuit, and first to third electronic switches. The delay circuit controls the first electronic switch to be turned on after a delay time. The delay times of the power supply circuits are different. The second and third electronic switches are turned on in response to the first electronic switch being turned on. The first voltage output terminal is connected to the first power pin through the second electronic switch. The second voltage output terminal is connected to the second power pin through the third electronic switch. |
| US08255726B2 |
Zero indication forwarding for floating point unit power reduction
A method, system and computer program product for reducing power consumption when processing mathematical operations. Power may be reduced in processor hardware devices that receive one or more operands from an execution unit that executes instructions. A circuit detects when at least one operand of multiple operands is a zero operand, prior to the operand being forwarded to an execution component for completing a mathematical operation. When at least one operand is a zero operand or at least one operand is “unordered”, a flag is set that triggers a gating of a clock signal. The gating of the clock signal disables one or more processing stages and/or devices, which perform the mathematical operation. Disabling the stages and/or devices enables computing the correct result of the mathematical operation on a reduced data path. When a device(s) is disabled, the device may be powered off until the device is again required by subsequent operations. |
| US08255720B1 |
Delayed execution of operations
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing power management. A computer process that requires, to be performed, substantial portions of battery storage on the mobile computing device is identified. Execution of the identified process can be deferred while the mobile computing device is not connected to a power source that is for charging the battery storage and that is external to the mobile computing device. Connection of the mobile computing device to the power source is sensed. Performance of the process is triggered in response to sensing that the mobile computing device has been connected to the power source. |
| US08255717B2 |
Electronic device and power management method for audio control system thereof
An audio control system and method of an electronic device receives audio streams, but does not play the audio streams when one or more applications are in a mute mode. The system and method mixes the one or more of the audio streams if the volume of the one or more audio streams is not zero, and transmits the mixed audio streams to an audio processor of the electronic device. |
| US08255709B2 |
Power budgeting for a group of computer systems using utilization feedback for manageable components
Power consumption of a group of computer systems is managed based on a maximum power consumption for the group. A power budget is determined from the power consumption of each computer system and the maximum power consumption for the group. The power budget identifies a power cap for each computer system in the group. The power caps in the power budget are distributed to the computer systems in the group. |
| US08255708B1 |
Apparatuses and methods for power saving in USB devices
Circuits, architectures, systems, methods, algorithms and software for reducing power consumption of a universal serial bus (USB) device. Exemplary circuits and/or systems include a bus clock synchronization module configured to measure a bus clock period, and a power control module. The power control module is generally configured to determine an application power save period, determine a bus power save period based on the application power save period and the bus clock period, send a power save request, and enter a power saving mode of operation in response to a reply to the power save request. The present embodiments advantageously provide for reduced power consumption of a USB device and faster response during periodic states of activity and inactivity. |
| US08255705B2 |
Encryption moniker in medium auxiliary memory
A tape cartridge is described including tape storage medium maintaining stored encrypted data that can be unencrypted via an encryption key. The tape cartridge also contains a medium auxiliary memory possessing a moniker wherein the moniker identifies the encryption key. The tape cartridge further includes a threshold parameter stored in the medium auxiliary memory wherein the threshold parameter influences a moniker state control, the moniker state control comprises an on state and an off state wherein the off state disables the moniker from identifying the encryption key. |
| US08255699B2 |
Portable data storage medium for biometric user identification
A portable data carrier (1) comprises an executable training module (8) which provides in a memory (4, 5) of the data carrier (1) a reference model (10; M) for the biometric recognition of a user of the data carrier (1) by a recognition module (9), whereby a biometric comparison vector (16) which lies within the acceptance range (A) of the reference model (10; M) is accepted by the recognition module (9) as coming from the user. In so doing, the training module (8) defines the reference model (10; M) by model nodes (P, P0-P4) which are formed from biometric reference vectors (17; N) in each case coming from the user, whereby a new model node (P, P0-P4) is added to the reference model (10; M) when the associated reference vector (17; N) lies outside the acceptance range (A) of the reference model (10; M). |
| US08255695B2 |
User-defined passwords having associated unique version data to assist user recall of the password
An electronic device includes password protected functionality using a password that can be changed by the user. A user-specified password is stored in association with unique version data that is subsequently provided to help user recall of the password associated therewith. |
| US08255694B2 |
System and method using information based indicia for securing and authenticating transactions
A method, system, and apparatus for authenticating transactions and records is disclosed. An information-based indicium includes an article bearing a first identifier, wherein the first identifier substantially prevents a single user from accumulating multiple articles bearing the same first identifier, and a first digital certificate that is derived in part by encoding the first identifier, wherein the first digital certificate and the article may be presented together to authenticate the indicium by comparing the first digital certificate and the first identifier. |
| US08255693B2 |
Methods and devices responsive to ambient audio
A portable device uses a microphone to listen to ambient audio, derives data from captured audio signals, and uses the derived data to request delivery of the audio or related information to the user's home or other location. The device is desirably pocket-sized, or suitable for carrying on a key-ring. The device may also detect a watermark signal that is present in the user's environment (e.g., played through a public address speaker system) to aid the user in recalling the context from which the audio was requested. |
| US08255691B2 |
Apparatus for batch verification and method using the same
A batch verification apparatus and method wherein, the method includes: generating a plurality of secret keys, a plurality of public keys corresponding to the plurality of secret keys, and a plurality of verification values corresponding to the plurality of public keys; calculating a first batch verification value based on the plurality of verification values; calculating a second batch verification value based on the plurality of secret keys and the plurality of verification values; comparing the first batch verification value and the second batch verification value; and determining that a batch of the received plurality of verification values is verified when the first batch verification value is equal to the second batch verification value. |
| US08255690B2 |
Apparatus and method for group session key and establishment using a certified migration key
A method and apparatus for group session key and establishment using a certified migration key are described. In one embodiment, the method includes exporting of a protected certified migration key (CMK) to a target platform. In one embodiment, exporting of the protected CMK requires that the target platform is authorized for participation in a group and has a storage key, including attributes that comply with the group security policy. Once the protected CMK is exported, in one embodiment, a group master key is encrypted with a public portion of the CMK to form a protected group master key. Subsequently, the protected group master key is transmitted to the target platform. In one embodiment, possession of the group master key enables the target platform to participate in a secure group communication session. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08255689B2 |
Method and system for performing distributed verification with respect to measurement data in sensor network
A method and system for performing a distributed verification with respect to measurement data in a sensor network. The method of performing the distributed verification with respect to measurement data in a sensor network includes: verifying, by an aggregator, the measurement data received from each of a plurality of sensors; generating, by the aggregator, verification request data by using the verified measurement data; transmitting the verification request data to a verifier; and verifying, by the verifier, the aggregator via a predetermined number of sensors of the plurality of sensors and the verification request data. The method of performing a distributed verification with respect to measurement data in a sensor network further includes transmitting, by the aggregator, an aggregation result with respect to the measurement data to a base station when the aggregator is verified; and verifying, by the base station, the aggregation result. |
| US08255686B1 |
Securing sensed data communication over a network
A method for securely communicating sensed data over a network that includes receiving sensed data from a sensor, dynamically switching through a plurality of multi-cast group addresses as destinations for sending the received sensed data to a client device based on time measurements, encryption keys, or pseudorandom numbers, and transmitting the sensed data to each of the plurality of multi-cast group addresses through the dynamic switching of the plurality of multi-cast group addresses for receipt by the client device. |
| US08255684B2 |
Method and system for encryption of messages in land mobile radio systems
A method and system for authentication of a plurality of sites in a land mobile radio (LMR) system and for encryption of messages exchanged by the sites. The plurality of sites are connected by a data network (e.g., IP network). The method includes transmitting by a first site its certificate. The certificate is created by a trusted authority by applying a selected function to the public key, the ID and other relevant information of the first site with the trusted authority's private key to generate a reduced representation and then encrypting the reduced representation with the trusted authority's private key. The method further includes receiving, by the other sites in the LMR system, the certificate transmitted by the first site. The method further includes decrypting, by the other sites, the certificate transmitted by the first site and authenticating the first site, wherein the certificate is decrypted using the trusted authority's public key. The method further includes generating a session key, encrypting the session key with the public key of the first site, and transmitting the encrypted session key to the first site. The method further includes decrypting, by the first site, the encrypted session key with the first site's private key, and transmitting, by the first site, a message encrypted with the shared session key. The method further includes multicasting the encrypted message over the data network. The method further includes receiving, by the other sites in the LMR system, the encrypted message transmitted by the first site, and decrypting the message with the session key. |
| US08255679B2 |
Receiver and receiving method
By deciding procedures for downloading content data and downloading key information, a safe service is provided for a content distributor and a method which can start playback before completion of the downloading of the content data is provided, thereby providing a technique easy for a user. A receiver has: an interface unit being adapted to download encoded content data and key information for decoding the content data from a communication line; a storage unit being adapted to store the downloaded content data and key information from the interface unit; and a control unit which decodes the content data outputted from the storage unit using the key information. The control unit downloads the key information after the content data is downloaded entirely. |
| US08255678B2 |
Method of booting a processing device
A method for booting a processing device, the processing device comprising a first and a second processing unit, the method comprising: detecting by the first processing unit, whether at least one boot configuration parameter is accessible from a non-volatile storage medium of the processing device, the at least one configuration parameter being indicative of a boot interface; if said at least one configuration parameter is available, forwarding at least a part of the detected at least one configuration parameter by the first processing unit to the second processing unit; otherwise detecting by at least one of the first and second processing units whether a boot interface is available to the processing device; booting at least the second processing unit from the indicated or detected boot interface. |
| US08255675B1 |
System and method for storage management of file system configuration data
Configuration data, such as options a file system accessed by a host system, may be stored on the storage device storing the file system. File system configuration data may be stored in a file of the file system or in a private storage area configured for storing file system configuration data. A host may access the file system configuration data and subsequently may access the file system according to the file system configuration data. Additionally, different versions of file system configuration data may be stored and different hosts accessing the file system may read and use different versions of the file system configuration data based upon the type or context of the host accessing the file system. Storing file system configuration data with the file system data, or on the same storage device, may allow context dependent options to be provided to various hosts accessing the file system data. |
| US08255673B2 |
Monitoring transactions in a data processing apparatus
Apparatus for processing data is provided comprising processing circuitry and monitoring circuitry for monitoring write transactions and performing transaction authorizations of certain transactions in dependence upon associated memory addresses. The processing circuitry is configured to enable execution of a write instruction corresponding to a write transaction to be monitored to continue to completion while the monitoring circuitry is performing monitoring of the write transactions and the monitoring circuitry is arranged to cause storage of write transaction data in an intermediate storage element for those transactions for which an authorization is required. Storage of write transaction data in an intermediate storage element enables the write transaction to be reissued in dependence upon the result of the transaction authorization although the corresponding write instruction has already completed. |
| US08255669B2 |
Method and apparatus for thread priority control in a multi-threaded processor based upon branch issue information including branch confidence information
An information handling system employs a processor that includes a thread priority controller. An issue unit in the processor sends branch issue information to the thread priority controller when a branch instruction of an instruction thread issues. In one embodiment, if the branch issue information indicates low confidence in a branch prediction for the branch instruction, the thread priority controller speculatively increases or boosts the priority of the instruction thread containing this low confidence branch instruction. In the manner, should a branch redirect actually occur due to a mispredict, a fetcher is ready to access a redirect address in a memory array sooner than would otherwise be possible. |
| US08255668B2 |
Interface, memory system, and access control method
An interface includes a controller that divides a burst access command into a plurality of command cycles and supplies the plurality of command cycles to a storage device including a plurality of blocks, and a block address converter that outputs an address at a first command cycle of the plurality of command cycles. The address is obtained by shifting at least one bit of an external block address input in response to the burst access command. The address is supplied to the storage device at the first command cycle, and the external block address is supplied to the storage device at a command cycle other than the first command cycle. |
| US08255663B2 |
System and method for processing read request
A system for processing a read request for maximizing host read performance in a flash memory-based storage device is provided. The system for processing the read request solves a bottleneck phenomenon caused by a processor by adding an independent automatic read request processor, different from a conventional system in which a processor of a storage device processes the read request. Also, when processing the read request, a storage device using a write buffer may control a process of merging data of the write buffer and a flash memory and transmitting the data to a host based on a descriptor array, thereby minimizing processor overhead. |
| US08255661B2 |
Data storage system comprising a mapping bridge for aligning host block size with physical block size of a data storage device
A data storage system is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory and a first interface operable to receive a write command from a host, the write command comprising a host write data block having a host logical block size. A block mapping bridge divides the host write data block into a plurality of transfer data blocks, wherein each transfer data block having a device logical block size smaller than the host logical block size. The transfer data blocks are transmitted through a second interface to control circuitry that accumulates the transfer data blocks into a physical data block having a device physical block size equal to a first integer multiple of the device logical block size, wherein the host logical block size is a second integer multiple of the device physical block size. The physical data block is then written to the non-volatile memory. |
| US08255659B1 |
Method and system for accessing storage
Method and system is provided for accessing storage. A first logical data structure is created without receiving a client request from a computing system. A first identifier for identifying the first logical data structure is assigned to the first logical data structure. Upon receiving a client request, a second logical data structure associated with a storage device is generated and the first identifier is assigned to the second logical data structure. The second logical data structure identified by the first identifier is then used by the computing system. |
| US08255654B1 |
Method for backup storage device selection
A method and system for backing up computer data uses a network device to select a storage device in a manner that enhances at least one parameter associated with the backup process. |
| US08255647B2 |
Journal volume backup to a storage device
A computer system includes a first volume that is read and written from a first computer and in which write data is written, a second volume that stores journal data in the first volume with the journal data delimited at each predetermined point, a third volume as a virtual volume, a virtual-volume creating unit that creates, when a backup instruction for the first volume at a predetermined point is received, the third volume from which a second computer can read the journal data and in which the second computer can write the journal data, a mapping unit that maps the journal data to the third volume, and a backup unit that transfers the write data to a storage device via the second computer or transfers, through the third volume to which the journal data is mapped by the mapping unit, the journal data to the storage device via the second computer and backs up the write data and the journal data. |
| US08255639B2 |
Partition transparent correctable error handling in a logically partitioned computer system
A method and apparatus for transparently handling recurring correctable errors to prevent costly system shutdowns for correctable memory errors or system failures from uncorrectable memory errors. When a high number of correctable errors are detected for a given memory location, the hypervisor moves the data associated with the memory location to an alternate physical memory location transparently to the partition such that the partition has no knowledge that the physical memory actualizing the memory location has been changed. Similarly, the hypervisor can move direct memory access (DMA) memory locations using an I/O translation table. |
| US08255638B2 |
Snoop filter for filtering snoop requests
A method and apparatus for supporting cache coherency in a multiprocessor computing environment having multiple processing units, each processing unit having one or more local cache memories associated and operatively connected therewith. The method comprises providing a snoop filter device associated with each processing unit, each snoop filter device having a plurality of dedicated input ports for receiving snoop requests from dedicated memory writing sources in the multiprocessor computing environment. Each snoop filter device includes a plurality of parallel operating port snoop filters in correspondence with the plurality of dedicated input ports, each port snoop filter implementing one or more parallel operating sub-filter elements that are adapted to concurrently filter snoop requests received from respective dedicated memory writing sources and forward a subset of those requests to its associated processing unit. |
| US08255637B2 |
Mass storage system and method of operating using consistency checkpoints and destaging
A mass storage system and method incorporates a cache memory or a cache management module which handles dirty data using an access-based promotion replacement process through consistency checkpoints. The consistency checkpoints are associated with a global number of snapshots generated in the storage system. The consistency checkpoints are organized within the sequence of dirty data in an invariable order corresponding to storage volumes with the generated snapshots, such that, responsive to destaging a consistency checkpoint the global number of generated snapshots are recorded and then read during recovery of the failed storage system. |
| US08255633B2 |
List based prefetch
A list prefetch engine improves a performance of a parallel computing system. The list prefetch engine receives a current cache miss address. The list prefetch engine evaluates whether the current cache miss address is valid. If the current cache miss address is valid, the list prefetch engine compares the current cache miss address and a list address. A list address represents an address in a list. A list describes an arbitrary sequence of prior cache miss addresses. The prefetch engine prefetches data according to the list, if there is a match between the current cache miss address and the list address. |
| US08255627B2 |
Secondary cache for write accumulation and coalescing
A method for efficiently using a large secondary cache is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method may include accumulating, in a secondary cache, a plurality of data tracks. These data tracks may include modified data and/or unmodified data. The method may determine if a subset of the plurality of data tracks makes up a full stride. In the event the subset makes up a full stride, the method may destage the subset from the secondary cache. By destaging full strides, the method reduces the number of disk operations that are required to destage data from the secondary cache. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed and claimed herein. |
| US08255622B2 |
Memory controller and data processing system
A memory controller and data processor have their operation mode switched from the page-on mode for high-speed access to a same page to the page-off mode in response to consecutive events of access to different pages, so that the memory access is performed at a high speed and low power consumption. |
| US08255616B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method therefor
A method of storing information at a non-volatile memory includes storing a first status bit at a sector header of the memory prior to erasing a sector at the memory. A second status bit is stored after erasing of the sector. Because the erasure of the sector is interleaved with the storage of the status bits, a brownout or other corrupting event during erasure of the record will likely result in a failure to store the second status bit. Therefore, the first and second status bits can be compared to determine if the data was properly erased at the non-volatile memory. Further, multiple status bits can be employed to indicate the status of other memory sectors, so that a difference in the status bits for a particular sector can indicate a brownout or other corrupting event. |
| US08255615B1 |
Flexible sequence design architecture for solid state memory controller
Methods, systems and computer program products for sending one or more commands to one or more flash memory devices using a solid state controller and receiving information associated with the commands from the flash memory devices are described. In some implementations, the solid state controller includes a sequencer to forward the commands to the flash memory devices on behalf of the firmware. |
| US08255614B2 |
Information processing device that accesses memory, processor and memory management method
An information processing device of an example of the invention comprises an address generation section that generates a write address indicating a write position in a nonvolatile memory so that the write position is shifted in order to suppress each number of times of overlapped writing for each position of the nonvolatile memory when a write operation to the nonvolatile memory from a processor is performed, an order generation section that generates order information indicating a generation order of the writing operation, and a write control section that stores write information to the write address, and stores the order information to the nonvolatile memory so that the order information is related to at least one of the stored write information and the write address. |
| US08255612B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for reverting FAT cluster number to file ID and offset of non-FAT flash file system
A device includes a processor connected to a memory. The device further includes a module having a process. The module is integrated in a memory file manager (MFM). The process operates to allow an external computer access to MFM volumes in the memory. A method includes reverting a file allocating table (FAT) cluster number to a file ID and file offset of a non-FAT flash memory file system. |
| US08255611B1 |
Methods and apparatus for accessing content
One embodiment of the invention relates to the transfer of content between a host computer that issues OAS access requests and a block I/O storage system. Specifically, a host computer may issue an access request for a content unit that identifies the content unit is an object identifier. The request may be received by a second server, which may determine the block address(es) on the block I/O storage system at which the content unit is stored. A request may then be sent to the block I/O storage system to retrieve the content stored at the requested block address(es) and the block I/O storage system may return the content. |
| US08255608B2 |
Motherboard used in server computer
An exemplary motherboard includes a substrate, a first CPU socket provided on the substrate for receiving a first CPU, a second CPU socket provided on the substrate for receiving a second CPU, a switching circuit connected to the first CPU and the second CPU, at least one quick path interconnect (QPI) bus connecting the first CPU to the second CPU, a number of first peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-e) interfaces connected to the first CPU via a number of first wires, a number of second PCI-e interfaces connected to the second CPU via a number of second wires, and a activating chip connected to the first CPU and the second CPU via the switching circuit and configured for starting a peripheral device connected to the first PCI-e interfaces or the second PCI-e interfaces. |
| US08255604B2 |
Interrupt vector piggybacking
A hypervisor receives an interrupt that includes a target address and, in turn, branches to an administrating interrupt vector. Next, the administrating interrupt vector determines whether to branch to a piggyback interrupt handler corresponding to a piggyback interrupt vector. Based upon the determination, the hypervisor either branches to the piggyback interrupt handler or to an administrating interrupt handler that corresponds to the administrating interrupt vector. |
| US08255591B2 |
Method and system for managing cache injection in a multiprocessor system
A method and apparatus for managing cache injection in a multiprocessor system reduces processing time associated with direct memory access transfers in a symmetrical multiprocessor (SMP) or a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) multiprocessor environment. The method and apparatus either detect the target processor for DMA completion or direct processing of DMA completion to a particular processor, thereby enabling cache injection to a cache that is coupled with processor that executes the DMA completion routine processing the data injected into the cache. The target processor may be identified by determining the processor handling the interrupt that occurs on completion of the DMA transfer. Alternatively or in conjunction with target processor identification, an interrupt handler may queue a deferred procedure call to the target processor to process the transferred data. In NUMA multiprocessor systems, the completing processor/target memory is chosen for accessibility of the target memory to the processor and associated cache. |
| US08255589B2 |
Recognizing telegram boundaries
A measuring apparatus comprises a receiving device, a processing device and a sending device. The receiving device is adapted to receive at least one telegram fragment, and the receiving device is adapted to determine a destination of the at least one telegram fragment, and depending on the destination of the at least one telegram fragment to set an operating state of the processing device. The receiving device is furthermore adapted, from the at least one telegram fragment, to prepare a telegram block, wherein the processing device is adapted, in a first operating state, to determine a telegram boundary of the telegram block, and to determine a type of the telegram block. The processing device is equipped, in a second operating state, to determine a telegram boundary of the telegram block, and to control the sending device such that the sending device sends a telegram subsequent to the telegram boundary. |
| US08255587B2 |
Protocol adapter for passing diagnostic messages between a host computer and vehicle networks operating in J1939 or J1708 protocol
A protocol adapter for transferring diagnostic messages between networks within a vehicle and a host computer. The protocol adapter operates as a voltage translator to support J1708 software. The protocol adapter also recognizes when the protocol adapter is connected to a host computer running the J1939 and/or J1708 protocols and automatically switches to that protocol. |
| US08255582B2 |
Optical communication module, universal serial bus cable with the same and processing method of data transfer thereof
The present invention discloses an optical communication module comprising a second mode supporting a data transfer of USB 3.0 standard and a third mode supporting a data transfer of USB 2.0 standard, and the second mode comprises A mode and B mode with a different power consumption and supported data rate, and a detect unit operative to detect idle state of the data traffic on the data path of USB 3.0 standard to determine to stay on the A mode or enter to the B mode automatically during operation in the second mode. The control circuitry can work in different modes to support different status of devices attachment and removal, different data rate of USB 2.0 and 3.0 standards; and it can real time monitor the data traffic to switch different modes to save power consumption. The present invention also discloses a USB cable and a processing method of data transfer for an optical communication module. |
| US08255580B2 |
Image display device and method of changing first EDID with second EDID wherein the second EDID information is compatible with image display device
An image display device and method of changing extended display identification data (EDID) information includes a first storage unit which stores extended display identification data (EDID) information to be provided to the source providing device, a second storage unit which stores at least one version of the EDID information which is different from the EDID information stored in the first storage unit, and a control unit which replaces the EDID information stored in the first storage unit with the different version of the EDID information stored in the second storage unit if an EDID information change request signal is input. Accordingly, compatibility of the EDID information between the source providing device and the image display device can be maintained. |
| US08255577B2 |
I/O forwarding technique for multi-interrupt capable devices
The method, apparatus and system of an I/O forwarding technique for multi-interrupt capable I/O devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of transferring an I/O request in a cache-coherent non-uniform memory access (ccNUMA) computer system including multiple cells (e.g., each cell may include multiple processors) that are connected via a system interconnect, includes receiving an I/O request from one of the multiple processors associated with one of the multiple cells in the ccNUMA computer system, associating a processor, corresponding to a multi-interrupt capable I/O interface that is servicing the I/O request, located in the one of the multiple cells as a lead processor, and executing an I/O initiation path and a completion path associated with the received I/O request on the lead processor upon associating the lead processor corresponding to the multi-interrupt capable I/O interface. |
| US08255572B1 |
Method and system to detect and prevent e-mail scams
A method and apparatus for identifying 419 messages in a live message stream whereby an incoming message in a live message stream is subjected to an anti-spam pipeline made up of multiple anti-spam stages or filters including a whitelist filter stage, a dynamic feedback-based heuristic filter stage, a 419 text-based heuristic filter stage, one or more metadata creating heuristic filter stages, and a metadata analysis stage. A message is removed from the live analysis of the anti-spam pipeline at any stage where the message is identified as either a potential 419 message or a potential legitimate message. Consequently, processing costs are minimized since no resources are used on messages that have already been classified as either a potential 419 message or a potential legitimate message. In addition, even when a given message is processed by the entire anti-spam pipeline, and the costs are incurred, the information obtained by the application of the entire anti-spam pipeline is used to supplement or update the dynamic feedback-based heuristic filter stage. Consequently, the cost of applying the entire anti-spam pipeline to a message is potentially offset by the valuable feedback results that are used to improve future processing speed and accuracy. |
| US08255570B2 |
Systems and methods of compression history expiration and synchronization
Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices. |
| US08255569B1 |
Methods and systems for compressing data packets
Systems and methods for providing network access, e.g. Internet access, are described. An architecture includes a host organization network through which network access is provided. The host organization network can be advantageously deployed in public areas such as airports and shopping malls. An authentication/negotiation component is provided for authenticating various users and negotiating for services with service providers on behalf of the system users. The authentication/negotiation component can include one or more specialized servers and a policy manager that contains policies that govern user access to the Internet. An authentication database is provided and authenticates various users of the system. An access module is provided through which individual client computing devices can access the Internet. In one embodiment, the access module comprises individual wireless access points that permit the client computing devices to wirelessly communicate data packets that are intended for the Internet. In one aspect, users are given a variety of choices of different service levels that they can use for accessing the Internet. The service levels can vary in such things as bandwidth allocation and security measures. The various service levels can be purchased by the users using their computing devices. |
| US08255568B2 |
System and method for managing information retrievals for integrated digital and analog archives on a global basis
A system and method for managing information retrievals from all of an enterprises' archives across all operating locations. The archives include both digital and analog archives. A single “virtual archive” is provided which links all of the archives of the enterprise, regardless of the location or configuration of the archive. The virtual archive allows for data aggregation (regardless of location) so the a user can have data from multiple physical locations on a single screen in a single view. A single, consistent and user friendly interface is provided through which users are able to access multiple applications through a single sign-on and password. Logical tables that are used to direct information retrieval requests to the physical archives. The retrieved information is reformatted and repackaging to resolve any incompatibility between the format of the stored information and the distribution media. |
| US08255567B2 |
Efficient IP datagram reassembly
A method for processing a datagram, including receiving an initial fragment of the datagram over a communication link and classifying in an initial classification the initial fragment as a first fragment, a middle fragment, or a last fragment of the datagram. The method further includes receiving one or more subsequent fragments over the communication link, following the initial fragment, and classifying each of the one or more subsequent fragments in respective subsequent classifications so as to find among the subsequent fragments at least one of the first fragment, the middle fragment, and the last fragment of the datagram.Responsive to the initial and the one or more subsequent classifications, a determination is made whether the datagram is completely constituted by the initial fragment and no more than two of the subsequent fragments. The datagram is reassembled responsive to the determination. |
| US08255564B2 |
Personal video network
The invention is a personal wireless network that generally comprises at least a lightweight wireless client to send and receive audio and video from another system component. The personal wireless network also provides a wireless-enabled routing component, which stands alone to route traffic within the personal wireless network. Also provided is a transmitter component that connects to a computing device, such as a server and sends and receives data Furthermore, a software algorithm provides a method for supporting a personal wireless network. |
| US08255560B2 |
System for transmitting and receiving packets
A system has a transmitter for transmitting a sequence of packets, the transmitter has a first counter for storing a first sequence number, a first generating unit for generating an error check code for checking an error in each of the packets on the basis of the header and the data in each of the packets and the first sequence number, and a transmitting unit for transmitting each of the packet together with each of the error check code and a receiver has a second counter for storing a second sequence number, a second generating unit for generating an error check code for checking an error in each of the packets on the basis of the header and the data in each of the packets received from the transmitter and the second sequence number and an error check unit for checking an error in the sequence of the packet. |
| US08255557B2 |
Partial object distribution in content delivery network
Techniques for the distribution of content objects in a content delivery network (CDN) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CDN distribution server detects the availability of a content object and determines whether the content object is a candidate for distribution. The distribution server may detect the availability of the content object in response to a provider making new or updated content available at a content site or a location within the CDN. The distribution server obtains identifying information for a candidate content object and determines a select portion of the content object to be distributed within the CDN. The select portion can be a predetermined number of bytes located at a predetermined position in the content object, the size and location of which may be determined according to content-specific mapping data. The distribution server may push the select portion of the content object to one or more groups of CDN edge servers absent an end-user request. |
| US08255556B2 |
Multicast and synchronization emulation for content transformed streams
Embodiments of the present disclosure emulate multicast by generating and synchronizing multiple unicasts of a single content in different encoding formats to multiple devices on a shared network. In one embodiment, a method for multicast emulation includes receiving a request to join an active stream containing a media content. The method also includes identifying a position of the active stream from which to start a new unicast stream of the same media content. The method further includes providing the new unicast stream starting from the identified position, where the new unicast stream is in a format independent from the format of the active stream and the new unicast stream is synchronized to the active stream. |
| US08255553B2 |
Multimedia client/server system with remote control signalling and methods for use therewith
A client module includes a client transceiver module that receives and demodulates a link signal from a multimedia server module over the communications link to produce a received encoded signal, the link signal including a multimedia signal from a multimedia device. A decoder module decodes the received encoded signal into a decoded output signal that is formatted for the at least one client device. A remote receiver module receives remote control signals from a remote control device wherein the remote control signals are formatted for reception by the multimedia device. A remote control signal encoder module encodes the remote control signals into encoded control signals for transmission to the multimedia server module by the client transceiver module. |
| US08255552B2 |
Interactive video collaboration framework
A system for providing interactive collaboration between a plurality of users. The system includes a profile respository for storing a priority level for each of said plurality of users and providing addresses for accessing each of said plurality of users. A media content server indexes audio and video data within the system. A data server stores the audio and video data at locations identified by indexing data located at the media content server. An acquisition processor provides audio and video data streams to requesting ones of the plurality of users. Audio and video data streams are located based on indexing data within the media content server and accessed according to a priority level for each requesting user. A communication processor controls bidirectional communication between requesting users according to the priority level for each requesting user. |
| US08255550B1 |
Multi-protocol global namespace mechanism for network attached storage
The present invention provides a system and method for abstracting multiple network attached storage (“NAS”) locations, providing a single global namespace and a single mount point that is protocol and location-independent. As a result, rather than identifying each NAS and file server by location, access is provided through a single transparent mechanism. In order to maintain transparency, the present invention provides a way to reconcile the different naming practices for different file server protocols. |
| US08255548B2 |
Offline web services API to mirror online web services API
Methods and systems for simulating an online session between the client and a remote server when the client is offline including simulating a web services API to access information when the client is offline. The client includes a local interface that can communicate with the remote server. During an online session, the data and the functional logic that is invoked to manipulate the data reside on the remote server. As such, the user transmits instructions to view, create, update, delete, or otherwise modify portions of data through the local interface and subsequently through the underlying network. These instructions are ultimately received at the remote server, which then invokes the proper functional logic to perform the instructions in order to manipulate the data. An API is provided that is substantially identical to the web services API that is typically accessed over the internet, but which simulates online functionality when offline. The client program talks to a single API, and in certain aspects that API determines whether to direct requests to a local database (which can later be synchronized with the online system) if the client is offline, or directly against the online system (e.g., if the client is connected via the Internet). |
| US08255545B1 |
Dual-phase content synchronization
Metadata is synchronized between a mobile device and a remote node over a first network, where the metadata specifies media content to be synchronized between the mobile device and the remote node. Subsequently a network connection is established with the remote node over a second network. The media content is bi-directionally synchronized between the mobile device and the remote node over the second network based on the metadata that was synchronized over the first network. |
| US08255542B2 |
Method and system for for reconstructing a session by integrating metadata and data of a session
A system and method for reconstructing a session. A method may include receiving audio and metadata packets related to a session. Audio data may be recorded and metadata information may be extracted from the metadata packets and stored in association with the audio data. A session may be reconstructed by simultaneously replaying the audio data and presenting a visual representation of the metadata. |
| US08255541B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing user feedback to improve signifier mapping
An apparatus for finding resources on a network comprises a finder server having access to: (a) a database including: (i) an index of resources available on network of interconnected computers on which a plurality of resources reside; and (ii) information regarding user feedback gathered from previous operations of the apparatus by a user and plural previous users; and (b) a learning system operable to access and learn from information contained on the database. The finder server is operable to locate, in response to entry by the user of a resource identity signifier, a single intended target resource intended by the user to uniquely correspond to the resource identity signifier, from among a plurality of resources located on the network, by: receiving a resource identity signifier from the user; accessing the database to determine, based on the information in the database, which, if any, of the indexed resources is likely to be the intended target resource; and directing a computer of the user so as to cause that computer to connect the user to the address of the resource, if any, determined as likely to be the intended target resource. |
| US08255540B2 |
IP routing optimization in an access network
In an access network which supports a mobile IP protocol, a mobile station may perform several handovers between access nodes during a long session which may cause inefficient mobile IP routing. In the present invention, an access node, which is the target of a handover during an IP session, is arranged to check the preferred mobility agent in respect of the optimal routing on the mobile IP level, and if a more preferred mobility agent is available and not the same as a current mobility agent, the connection to the current mobility agent is closed, and a new connection to the preferred mobility agent of the respective access node is opened. In merit of the new connection established by the access node to the preferred mobility agent, the agent advertisement messages sent by the new mobility agent can be received by the mobile node, and thereby the mobile node is able to detect the change of the attachment point (i.e. mobility agent) and to initiate standard mobile IP registration. |
| US08255538B1 |
Systems and methods for intercepting data relating to storage volume access
A target world wide port name of a target port of a storage system is identified, by a device located in a path between a switch port of a switch and the target port of the storage system. A first port of the device is registered with the switch based on the target world wide port name, in a first registration procedure. Registration information relating to an initiator port of a server that is associated with the target port is received, in a second registration procedure. An initiator world wide port name of the initiator port of the server is determined, based on the registration information. A storage volume in the storage system that is associated with the initiator port is identified, based on the initiator world wide port name of the initiator port. |
| US08255533B2 |
Wireless communication system, communication terminal, management terminal, communication method, and integrated circuit
A beacon is transmitted and received among a plurality of terminals STA. A terminal STA which transmits the beacon is assigned as a representative terminal MSTA which manages a group, and a terminal STA which receives the beacon is assigned as a belonging terminal SSTA of the group. The representative terminal MSTA obtains identification information from the belonging terminal SSTA and stores the identification information. Then, when receiving an AP beacon from a management terminal AP, the representative terminal MSTA collectively transmits, to the management terminal AP, the identification information of the representative terminal MSTA and the belonging terminal SSTA. The management terminal AP performs an authentication procedure, by using the collectively transmitted identification information, for each of all of the communication terminals which form the group. |
| US08255528B2 |
Systems and methods for GSLB spillover
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for global server load balancing spillover. An intermediary device providing global server load balancing (GSLB) identifies a spillover threshold for a first GSLB virtual server of the intermediary device. The first GSLB virtual server resolving DNS requests to a remote site of a plurality of remote sites. The intermediary device monitors spillover related statistics of each of a plurality of services at the plurality of remote sites, establishes a first spillover aggregate statistic for the plurality of services, determines that the first spillover aggregate statistic exceeds the spillover threshold for the first GSLB virtual server, and receives a DNS request and directing the DNS request to a second GSLB virtual server of the intermediary device responsive to the determination. |
| US08255521B1 |
Predictive publishing of RSS articles
A rich set of data can be acquired by suitable technology, integrated with RSS reader implementations, to better understand the web feed consuming audience. In turn, that data can be applied to help publishers better understand their readership. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to capturing user data, generate predictions on how an article would be received by the readership (preferably before it is published), and automatically create recommendations for use by an author or web publisher on how the article might be edited or “fine tuned” to achieve greater impact. This conserves precious time for publishers by giving predictions and thus helps generate more relevant content for the readership. In one embodiment, we build a profile for each author/publisher over her entire set of published articles. So when a new article is written, it is matched against this author profile and recommendations are made. The rollups are done on all articles published by a single author. |
| US08255518B2 |
Computer system and method for monitoring performance of the computer system
Provided is a computer system including a host computer, a storage system connected to the host computer via a network, and a management computer connected to the host computer and the storage system. The management computer obtains performance information indicating performance of resources contained in at least one of the host computer, the storage system, and the network, and obtains pieces of performance information of the resources in a sequence set based on already obtained performance information. This permits solving a problem of the computer system that, when the amount of performance information to be obtained is large. A long time is necessary for detecting a performance problem based on the performance information and investigating its causes. |
| US08255514B2 |
Internet use monitoring system and method
A system for monitoring Internet use of a selected computer user includes a remote server and a computer having a monitoring program voluntarily installed thereon by the user communicatively connected to the remote server. The monitoring program is configured to monitor various Internet access activity of the computer user and record the Internet access activity on the remote server. The Internet access activity includes access of at least one Internet protocol from the group consisting of newsgroups, file sharing programs, file transfer programs, chat rooms, peer to peer chats, and electronic mail activity. A method of using a monitoring system includes the steps of a computer user voluntarily installing a monitoring program on a selected computer, recording the Internet access activity, and providing the recorded information to a third party recipient. A report may be provided that includes a variety of information and may include a plurality of portions. |
| US08255513B2 |
Topology information system for a managed world
A topology information system, comprising a topology collection sub-system, a topology database, a topology query sub-system and a topology correlation sub-system. The topology collection sub-system includes at least one topology discovery agent. The topology collection sub-system automatically collects topology information from at least one topology layer of at least one managed world. The topology database is adapted to store the topology information collected by the topology collection sub-system. The topology query sub-system is adapted to query the topology information stored in the topology database using a topology pattern query created by a user. The topology correlation sub-system operates in parallel to the topology query sub-system, constantly monitoring the managed world for events and updating the Information Base accordingly. |
| US08255510B2 |
Switch management system and method
Methods and systems for managing a service provider switch are provided. According to one embodiment, a network operating system (NOS) is provided on each processor element (PE) of the switch. The NOS includes an object manager (OM) responsible for managing global software object groups, managing software object configurations, managing local software objects and groups and routing control information between address spaces based on locations of software objects. The OM performs management plane communications among software objects by way of system calls. The OM performs data plane communications among software objects by way of object-to-object channels. The switch is provisioned with a network-based managed IP service for a particular customer of the service provider by pushing the service onto an object-to-object channel that has been established between a first software object and a second software object of the software objects. |
| US08255508B2 |
Administration of virtual machine affinity in a data center
Administration of virtual machine affinity in a data center, where the data center includes a plurality of virtual machines (‘VMs’), each VM being a module of automated computing machinery installed upon a computer in the data center and characterized by a Universally Unique Identifier (‘UUID’), at least two of the VMs having an affinity requirement to be installed on separate computers, the data center further including a data center administration server operably coupled to the VMs, including communicating, by at least one of the VMs having an affinity requirement to the data center administration server, the UUIDs of the VMs having an affinity requirement; and moving by the data center administration server the VMs having an affinity requirement to separate computers in the data center. |
| US08255507B2 |
Active directory object management methods and systems
An exemplary method includes providing, by a web server subsystem, a web-based interface for display on a client device within a domain associated with the web server subsystem, receiving, by the web server subsystem, a request via the web-based interface from an end-user to perform a management activity associated with an active directory object, acquiring, by the web server subsystem, authorization from an object security subsystem to perform the management activity associated with the active directory object, transmitting, by the web server subsystem, the request to a web services subsystem that is independent of the domain associated with the web server subsystem, performing, by the web services subsystem, the management activity associated with the active directory object, and updating in real-time, by the web services subsystem, an active directory maintained by a domain controller subsystem in accordance with the performed management activity. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08255506B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing networks
Provided is a method and apparatus for managing networks. The method includes defining a set of managed objects of each of the networks to be managed, sending a request for information about the set of managed objects to an agent of the networks to be managed, and recognizing manageable managed objects based on information representing the managed objects, which is transmitted from the agent in response to the request. A network manager requests, receives, and obtains information about managed objects of each of sensor networks, especially heterogeneous sensor networks, thereby managing the heterogeneous sensor networks in an integrated way. |
| US08255500B2 |
Remotely configurable user device with physical user resources and interface
A user device for interfacing predetermined external services provided by third party service providers to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system, a plurality of physical system resources associated with the remotely configurable user device, physical system resource interfaces for interfacing the operating system with the available physical system resources, a data store for storing ones of multiple configuration information associated with and identifying the external services that are available to a user with the user device and one or more of the available physical system resources required for ones of the external services and a communication resource for interfacing with the operating system to allow communication of the operating system with a central office for downloading of configuration information to remotely enable a selected one or ones of the predetermined external services provided by third party service providers. |
| US08255498B2 |
Router and method for avoiding IP address conflicts
A method for avoiding the IP address conflict includes the following steps. First, once the router obtains an IP address as its WAN IP address, the network bits of the WAN IP address and the network bits of an IP pool of the router are retrieved. Then, it follows to determine whether the network bits of the WAN IP address is identical to that of the IP pool, and if yes, modify the network bits of the IP pool together with a LAN IP address of the router to be different from that of the WAN IP address. After that, an instruction is transmitted to the client terminals associated with the router. Upon reception of the instruction, the client terminals replace the old IP addresses with the new IP addresses assigned from the router in accordance with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. |
| US08255492B2 |
Dynamic content play control
Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described for dynamic content play control. In some embodiments, a client device (11) may receive a mark associated with a content piece from a remote system (10) connecting with the client device (11) through a network. The client device (11) may determine whether to play the content piece by checking the mark with a policy table comprising a plurality of marks. The policy table may indicate whether each of a plurality of content pieces associated with each of the plurality of marks is acceptable for play. |
| US08255491B1 |
Determining a particular type of wireless device to be emulated
A request is received at an emulation system configured to communicate over a wireless network. The request indicates content to be retrieved from over the wireless network. A content request for the content to be retrieved over the wireless network is generated at the emulation system. The content request emulates a content request from a particular wireless device. The generated content request is sent from the emulation system over the wireless network to a server that is configured to retrieve the content and return the content to the emulation system. The content is received at the emulation system from the wireless network, and stored in storage system. The stored content is accessed, and the content is analyzed to identify advertising content within the content. Information related to the identified advertising content is determined and a table that includes the determined information related to the identified advertising content is produced. |
| US08255487B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating in a lighting network
Systems and methods for communication between devices using a duty cycle of a signal while a device maintains operation responsive to the duty cycle are disclosed. A device receives a signal comprising a duty cycle within a time interval, the duty cycle comprising a plurality of portions and each of the plurality of portions comprising a duration of the duty cycle within the time interval. The device performs an operation responsive to the duty cycle and, in response to a detection of an instruction identified by at least one portion of the duty cycle, performs a function based on the instruction while maintaining the operation responsive to the duty cycle. The device performs operations responsive to duty cycles within time intervals of succeeding signals and performs functions based on instructions from the succeeding signals while maintaining the operation responsive to the duty cycles. |
| US08255485B2 |
Web services-based computing resource lifecycle management
Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating life-cycle management and utilization of network resources. In one embodiment, instancing, virtualization and dynamic provisioning functionality facilitating management and utilization of web services is provided. The instancing functionality supports a web services network platform allowing for registration and use of multiple instances or versions of a given web service or other network-accessible computing resource. In one embodiment, the present invention combines the virtualization and dynamic provisioning functionality to facilitate the development of client application code in routed web services network architectures. In one embodiment, a set of management functions that may be applied to management of computing resources in any IP-based network. |
| US08255482B2 |
Method and system for specifying, applying and extending application related aspects through policies, rules and/or triggers
A method and system for the creation of aspects from a service or application, the method defining related service aspects; inserting or encapsulating service aspects as named aspects into an abstraction layer in an execution environment; and associating the named aspects with logic in the abstraction layer to support application or service function points. |
| US08255480B2 |
Substitute uniform resource locator (URL) generation
Methods of generating a substitute URL are disclosed. In one implementation, a form is presented by a web server on a web site home page for the submission of a first URL for which a user wishes to generate an alias URL. A second URL is then generated for the URL that is entered in the form. The second URL contains some indication of the web site that hosts the first URL. In a second implementation the substitute URL generation is offered through a link or button on a web page other than the web site home page. The substitute URL is generated for the URL for the web page that hosts the link. In a third implementation, a web site automatically generates substitute URLs. |
| US08255478B2 |
Aggregation of reduced-sized images
A method includes receiving, from a first user, first location data identifying a first storage location at which a first image is stored, The first image is retrieved from the first storage location identified by the first location. A first reduced-size image is generated using the first image. The first reduced-size image is aggregated with a second reduced-size image for presentation at a remote site, the second reduced-size image being generated using a second image retrieved from a second storage location identified by second location data received from a second user. |
| US08255474B2 |
Pruning method
In a messaging system, pruning messages from a data store according to similarity of topics and the number of requests for the individual messages and the time intervals between requests of messages of similar topic. |
| US08255473B2 |
Caching message fragments during real-time messaging conversations
Creating and managing an editable cache of unsent message fragments during conversations using real-time messaging systems (such as instant messaging, text messaging, chat sessions, and so forth). Using this cache, a user participating in a real-time messaging conversation can cache at least one message fragment, and can then recall selected fragments for review and/or editing (as desired by the particular user) before sending to other conversation participants. Preferably, any unsent message fragment from the cache can be sent, upon request of the user, through a mouse click or keystroke. |
| US08255468B2 |
Email management based on user behavior
Methods for assisting email users manage email messages received in an email account. An event is triggered by an action performed by an email user with respect to an email message in an email account. The event identifies an entity associated with the email message (e.g., sender address, domain, keyword, etc.). A determination is made whether to assist the user manage their email based on a heuristic. The heuristic assigns weights based on prior events associated with the same entity to determine whether the user is interested in receiving emails from the sender. Based on the heuristics, the method may add the sender to the user's block-list or unsubscribe the user from a mailing list. |
| US08255463B2 |
System and method for providing multi-media services to communication devices over a communications network
A method of processing multi-media service requests received at a multi-media services provider computer system, including a processor coupled to a media gateway controller and to a media server. The method includes receiving a message from a SIP INVITE-enabled communication device at the media gateway controller. The message is processed at the media gateway controller and at the processor for generating an instruction message with unique indicators, which is communicated to the media server in a SIP INVITE format. The media server processes the instruction message to provide media services and collect user-information from the communication device. The media server processes the user-information and generates a first message in an HTTP form POST format with unique indicators, which includes the user-information and which can be processed at the processor. In this manner, the multi-media services provider computer system is compatible with the SIP INVITE-enabled device. |
| US08255462B2 |
Information processing system and information processing apparatus
An information processing system and apparatus which have a plurality of actuators, a plurality of sensors, a signal processing unit, a control unit, and an integrating unit. Various types of signals are exchanged as necessary via a network. Actuators and sensors share processing through collaboration so that individual functionality is raised. The present invention can be achieved through a SHARN system (Sensor, Human, Actuator, Real world, and Network) which can be applied to surgery, Personal Digital Assistant design, and the like, for example. |
| US08255457B2 |
Adaptive content load balancing
Adaptive content load balancing is described. In an embodiment, client requests for media content are received and service node(s) are determined that can provide the requested media content to a client. Each client request is registered to correlate client sessions with requested media content provided from a service node, and a determination is made as to whether to replicate the requested media content for each received client request to optimize session capacity over the service node(s). |
| US08255456B2 |
System and method for performing flash caching of dynamically generated objects in a data communication network
The present invention is directed towards a method and system for providing a technique referred to as flash caching to respond to requests for an object, such as a dynamically generated object, from multiple clients. This technique of the present invention uses a dynamically generated object stored in a buffer for transmission to a client, for example in response to a request from the client, to also respond to additional requests for the dynamically generated object from other clients while the object is stored in the buffer. Using this technique, the present invention is able to increase cache hit rates for extremely fast changing dynamically generated objects that may not otherwise be cacheable. |
| US08255450B2 |
Display of end-to-end physical layer signal flow
A device may include a client. The client may be configured to send a request for a physical view about network devices that connect two end points of a network path. In addition, the client may be configured to receive information about the network devices of the network path in response to the request, the information including a complete list of physical devices in the network path in accordance with the request for the physical view. Further, the client may be configured to display the complete list of the physical devices in order the physical devices connect the two end points. |
| US08255449B2 |
High-speed continuous-time fir filter
A high-speed continuous-time FIR (finite impulse response) filter comprises a plurality of processing cells configured in a cascade topology. Each processing cell receives a first signal and a second signal from a preceding circuit and a succeeding circuit, respectively, and outputs a third signal and a fourth signal to the succeeding circuit and the preceding circuit, respectively. Each processing cell further comprises a delay cell and a summing cell. Each of the delay cell and the summing cell performs a high speed signal processing using a combination of a feedback loop and a feedforward path. |
| US08255448B1 |
Implementing division in a programmable integrated circuit device
Division can be performed in a programmable integrated circuit device by computing a relatively small number of bits of the inverse of the divisor, and then programming multipliers in a specialized processing block of the device to perform multiplication of the dividend and the inverted divisor. The specialized processing block is constructed to be able to be programmed to support such asymmetric multiplication by providing programmable shifting of partial products, so that the partial products can be shifted one number of bits for symmetric multiplication and a different number of bits for asymmetric multiplication. The process is performed recursively, by chaining a plurality of the specialized processing blocks, so that the result converges notwithstanding the relatively low precision of the inverted divisor. |
| US08255445B2 |
Processes and apparatus for deriving order-16 integer transforms
Apparatus, systems and techniques based on an integer transform for encoding and decoding video or image signals, including apparatus, systems and techniques for deriving an order-16 integer transform from an order-8 integer transform in image and video coding. In some implementations, eight additions and eight subtractions are used to assign the data elements to be transformed to an intermediate matrix; and then two fast algorithms for the computation of the order-8 transform may be applied to the first 8 vectors of the intermediate matrix, and the last 8 vectors of the intermediate matrix, respectively. The derived order-16 integer transform tends to produce small magnitude and high frequency transformed coefficients, and thus achieve high compressibility. |
| US08255441B2 |
Figure data verification apparatus and method therefor
A figure data verification apparatus includes an operation part configured to input design data and writing data converted from the design data and perform an exclusive OR operation between data of a figure included in the design data and data of a figure included in the writing data, a sorting part configured to sort figures produced as a result of the exclusive OR operation to at least one arbitrary-angle figure having at least one angle not being an integral multiple of 45 degrees and to at least one non-arbitrary-angle figure all angles of which are integral multiples of 45 degrees, a first removal part configured to remove a figure of a size smaller than a first allowable error value from the arbitrary-angle figure, and a second removal part configured to remove a figure of a size smaller than a second allowable error value from the non-arbitrary-angle figure. |
| US08255438B2 |
Storage control device
The storage control device includes: a control unit that stores a data file that includes main data and file information in a write-once type storage medium having a data information area containing a plurality of clusters having a predetermined size; an acquisition unit that acquire size information of the clusters from the storage medium; a calculation unit that calculates a number of clusters required for storing file information corresponding to each data file in data storing area using the number of data files to be stored in the storage medium, the size of file information, and the size information of the clusters; and a setting unit that sets a data information area corresponding to the number of clusters calculated by the calculation unit as a storage area for file information. |
| US08255435B2 |
Detecting memory management anti-patterns
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for detecting memory management anti-patterns. The method comprises: periodically generating census data for at least one object type in a heap; collecting the periodically generated census data for each object type into a time series; analyzing each time series; and classifying each time series into one of a plurality of different categories based on the analysis. |
| US08255426B1 |
Efficient storage of non-searchable attributes
Storing data is disclosed. An attribute is included in a combined set of attributes. The combined set of attributes is stored in one or more database locations not specific to any one attribute in the combined set. |
| US08255425B1 |
System and method for event notification using an event routing table
A system and method efficiently conveys event notification using an event routing table. An event is detected and forwarded to an event management system (EMS) that determines if any thresholds have been exceeded. If a threshold has been exceeded, one or more destination names from a routing table are expanded using a destination table and appropriate event notifications are sent. |
| US08255424B2 |
System and method for structuring data in a storage device
A system, storage medium, and method for structuring data are provided. The system connects to a storage device that stores original data. The method obtains the original data from the storage device, and stores the original data in the form of character strings into a buffer memory according to end of file-line (EOF) tags. The method further constructs data arrays to store the character strings, and arranges each of the data arrays into a data matrix. In addition, the method classifies each of the data arrays in the data matrix according to properties of the character strings, arranges the classified data arrays into a data file, and stores the data file into the buffer memory. |
| US08255422B2 |
Highly reliable and scalable architecture for data centers
The present invention provides a highly reliable and scalable architecture for data centers. Work to be performed is divided into discrete work units. The work units are maintained in a pool of work units that may be processed by any number of different servers. A server may extract an eligible work unit and attempt to process it. If the processing of the work unit succeeds, the work unit is tagged as executed and becomes ineligible for other servers. If the server fails to execute the work unit for some reason, the work unit becomes eligible again and another server may extract and execute it. A server extracts and executes work units when they have available resources. This leads to the automatic load balancing of the data center. |
| US08255421B2 |
Communication assistance device, communication assistance method, and communication assistance program
A communication assistance device (100) enables smooth and active communication between users, and includes a topic node generation unit (103) that calculates a topic appropriateness value based on the number of pieces of content from which meta information has been extracted or the number of times each piece of content including the meta information has been viewed, and generates a first topic node including the meta information and the topic appropriateness value, an integrated topic node generation unit (104) that obtains first topic nodes for a plurality of users, and generates, for every item of meta information, an integrated topic node storing the topic appropriateness value corresponding to each user, a topic node expansion unit (105) that generates an expanded topic node as a new topic node based on the item of meta information for the integrated topic node, a common-topic-candidate extraction unit (107) that extracts a common topic candidate between the users from the integrated topic node or the expanded topic node, a display unit (108) that displays the common topic candidate, and an input unit (110) that receives input of at least one of the displayed common topic candidates. |
| US08255417B2 |
System and method for providing definitions
A system and method for providing definitions is described. A phrase to be defined is received. One or more documents, which each contain at least one definition, are determined. The phrase is matched to at least one of the definitions. One or more definitions for the phrase are presented. |
| US08255410B2 |
Translating queries to representational state transfer (REST)
Query expressions, such as LINQ (language integrated queries) queries, are enabled to be translated to URIs (uniform resource indicators) that may be used to query data sources at REST (representational state transfer) interfaces. A compiler is configured to convert a query into an expression tree. An expression tree normalizer is configured to normalize the expression tree into a normalized expression tree. A resource bound expression tree generator is configured to transform the normalized expression tree into a resource bound expression tree. A URI generator is configured to translate the resource bound expression tree into a URI. |
| US08255404B2 |
Method for classifying web pages and organising corresponding contents
A method for classifying Web pages and organising their contents comprises a recording step of a plurality of Internet addresses, comprising executions of a plurality of automatic recording processes of the plurality of Internet addresses, and a selection step, for setting a corresponding pertinence value to said plurality of Internet addresses. The selection step sets the corresponding pertinence value to a pertinence value proportional to a hit thereof in the plurality of Internet addresses and selects the Internet addresses with pertinence value greater than a predetermined threshold value; the method further comprises a reduction step, which, starting from the Internet addresses with pertinence value greater than the threshold value, reduces the Internet addresses to the Internet addresses meeting one or more essentiality criteria, and a validation step for validating a subset of the Internet addresses meeting the essentiality criteria; the validation step comprises a human action. |
| US08255396B2 |
Electronic profile development, storage, use, and systems therefor
Examples of the present invention include profiling systems that store, manage, and utilize profile information to take predictive or deterministic action. Embodiments of the invention allow the profiling system to be used as a trusted intermediary where the profile owning entity controls access to their profile information across their network of devices and services. |
| US08255395B2 |
Multimedia data recording method and apparatus for automatically generating/updating metadata
Provided is a multimedia data recording method including: receiving one or more search object items for searching for scenes including the same kind of information from media data; selecting one or more scenes that contain each of the search object items during the input of the media data; generating metadata including one or more pieces of scene information from among an index or reproduction time of the selected scenes; and recording the metadata onto a header region and recording the media data onto a payload region. |
| US08255393B1 |
User location reputation system
A computer-implemented method and system of building a user reputation database for use in a user location data system. The method and system receive user location information containing personally identifiable data of a user and user position data. The user position data may or may not represent one or more actual geographic positions of the user. The user location information is temporarily stored and analyzed to provide a spam score associated with the user position data indicative of whether the user position data represents the actual geographic positions of the user. Data indicative of the spam score is also provided to user reputation database to store a user reputation score associated with the user. |
| US08255392B2 |
Real time data collection system and method
A computer implemented method for real time demographic or population data collection is provided. The invention accesses various social networks, mine and consolidate the data from theses sources into a common usable format. The data is sorted and aggregated for a geographic location. The data is then weighted from the first, second and third data sets based on the age of the data. A customer is provided with the real time interactive report including demographic data within the specified geographic location. The demographic data includes a confidence interval indicating the degree of likelihood that the demographic data is correct. |
| US08255391B2 |
System and method for generating an approximation of a search engine ranking algorithm
A system and method for determining a ranking function for a search engine. A training data processor receives training data, the training data including at least a first page, a first label, a second page and a second label. A feature extraction processor receives the first page, identifies first features in the first page and calculates first values relating to the first features. The feature extraction processor receives the second page and identifies second features and calculates second values relating to the second features. A machine learning processor receives the first features, the first values, the first label, the second features, the second values, and the second label. The machine learning processor generates a ranking function based on first features, the first values, the first label, the second features, the second values, and the second label. |
| US08255387B2 |
Systems and methods for modeling partitioned tables as logical indexes
Technologies for forming logical indexes and utilizing such indexes so as to abstract many of the complexities resulting from referencing partitioned database tables. Included are technologies for making use of order-preserving properties of table metadata, for adding a partition equality predicate to an explicit predicate in merge-join processing on partitioned tables, and for selecting execution of a logical skip scan on a partitioned table when a query predicate does not reference a specific partition. Such technologies generally abstract from the query writer and processing systems explicit referencing of table partitions. |
| US08255384B2 |
Client-tier validation of dynamic web applications
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing and crawling a dynamic web application that comprises a client tier. In one embodiment, the crawling includes one or more instances of guided crawling that each initiate when a preceding instance of automatic crawling reaches a state in the dynamic web application that meets one or more predetermined criteria for the instance of guided crawling and, when initiated, perform one or more predetermined actions with respect to the dynamic web application. The method further includes generating, based on the crawling, a screen transition model of the dynamic web application. In a particular embodiment, the screen transition model includes a hierarchical finite state machine (FSM). In one embodiment, after the generation of the screen transition model has completed, the method further includes performing model checking on the screen transition model to validate the client tier of the dynamic web application. |
| US08255383B2 |
Method and system for qualifying keywords in query strings
A method and system for qualifying keyword(s) or phrase(s) to formulate a query string for submitting a search request when the query string contains one or more keywords that may have multiple meanings associated therewith. Database information containing keywords and associated meanings or forms of the keywords is maintained and a requester is prompted to identify one or more of the meanings of a keyword when building the query string. One or more advertisements pertaining to the associated meanings or forms of the keywords in the query string is presented to the requester submitting a search request. |
| US08255381B2 |
Expanded text excerpts
A system provides a list of search results, where one of the search results in the list of search results includes a snippet from a corresponding search result document. The system receives selection of the snippet and provides an expanded snippet based on the selection of the snippet. The expanded snippet includes the snippet and other text from a subset of the search result document. |
| US08255371B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for data protection
Methods and apparatuses for data protection against corrupted write operations. In one embodiment, a technique of crash protection uses an atomically updated global transaction indicator to switch a set of data structures from one set of versions to another set. In one embodiment, the storage space for multiple versions of a data structure is allocated at the time the data structure is created on the storage device so that the multiple versions of the data structure can be kept close by. Between two consistent points, some data structures are modified to create new versions without changing the corresponding previous versions; and unmodified data structures are not copied. At a consistent point, the global transaction indicator is updated to indicate a set of consistent versions of the data structures, such as metadata of a file system. |
| US08255370B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting policy violations in a data repository having an arbitrary data schema
A method and apparatus for scanning structured data from a data repository having an arbitrary data schema and for applying a policy to the data of the data repository are described. In one embodiment, the structured data is converted to unstructured text data to allow a schema-independent policy to be applied to the text data in order to detect a policy violation in the data repository regardless of the data schema used by the data repository. |
| US08255369B2 |
Automatic failover configuration with lightweight observer
Techniques used in an automatic failover configuration having a primary database system, a standby database system, and an observer for preventing divergence among the primary and standby database systems while increasing the availability of the primary database system. In the automatic failover configuration, the primary database system remains available even in the absence of both the standby and the observer as long as the standby and the observer become absent sequentially. The failover configuration further permits automatic failover only when the observer is present and the standby and the primary are synchronized and inhibits state changes during failover. The database systems and the observer have copies of failover configuration state and the techniques include techniques for propagating the most recent version of the state among the databases and the observer and techniques for using carefully-ordered writes to ensure that state changes are propagated in a fashion which prevents divergence. |
| US08255362B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for provisioning software using local changesets that represent differences between software on a repository and a local system
Software is provisioned by providing a repository that contains a software trove. A local changeset is generated that represents differences between a version of the software trove on the repository and a corresponding version of the software trove on a local system. |
| US08255358B2 |
System and method for providing asset management information to a customer
A system and method for providing asset management information to a customer is disclosed. The method receives information from a first reporting source about an asset. In addition, information from a second reporting source about an asset is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source such that information from the first reporting source and information from the second reporting source can be collected from the database. An asset information report is then provided to a customer application from the database. |
| US08255357B1 |
Systems and methods of configuration management for enterprise software
Systems and methods of configuration management for enterprise software are disclosed. Some method embodiments comprise: storing updated configuration information for a software tool in a configuration database; periodically accessing the configuration database to retrieve updated configuration information; and when an updated configuration is found, replacing a configuration file for the software tool with an updated configuration file that incorporates the updated configuration information. In some embodiments, an API of the software tool may be automatically invoked to provide the software tool with updated configuration information. Using a separate configuration database in this manner enables a flexible web-based interface for many individuals to configure a shared tool without requiring downtime. Where needed, database access may be limited to authorized users. The configuration information may include user roles, listbox values, menu items, and other parameters affecting the user interface of the software tool. |
| US08255355B2 |
Adaptive method and system with automatic scanner installation
A self-adaptive resource management method (200) is proposed. The system is based on an authority (105) that publishes multiple rules into a corresponding repository (115). Each rule defines a desired target configuration for a category of subjects (110); each category is specified by one or more attributes that are evaluated by corresponding scanners (233-239). Whenever new rules are published, a dedicated module (120) creates and publishes further rules for selectively installing the scanners that are required for evaluating the attributes included in the categories of the new rules. These further rules are defined according to an algorithm that attempts to minimize the cost involved by the installation of the scanners. |
| US08255351B2 |
System and method for fault prediction in home network
A system for fault prediction in a home network includes: a context generator for generating context information based on status data collected in real time about components of the home network; a specification interpreter for generating knowledge rules for fault detection by using specifications of the components of the home network; a context analyzer for analyzing if the context information meet the knowledge rules to classify the context information into normal situation contexts and abnormal situation contexts; a context pattern learner for generating new knowledge rules based on the abnormal situation contexts and fault rules corresponding to the abnormal situation contexts; a knowledge rule database for storing and managing the knowledge rules and the new knowledge rules; and a fault predictor for analyzing a correlation between the knowledge rules or the new knowledge rules and the generated context information, thereby predicting faults to be generated. |
| US08255347B2 |
Method and system for classifying documents
The invention provides a method and system for classifying insurance files for identification, sorting and efficient collection of subrogation claims. The invention determines whether an insurance claim has merit to warrant claim recovery efforts utilizing software code for partially describing a set of documents having unstructured and structured file data containing terms and phrases having contextual bases, code for transforming the terms and phrases, code for iterating a classification process to determine rules that best classify the set of documents based upon context, code for incorporating the rules into an induction and knowledge representation, thesauri taxonomies and text summarization to classify subrogation claims; code for calculating a base score and a concept vector to identify the selected claims that demonstrate a given probability of subrogation recovery. |
| US08255346B2 |
Methods and systems for variable group selection and temporal causal modeling
A “variable group selection” system and method in which constructs are based upon a training data set, a regression modeling module that takes into account information on groups of related predictor variables given as input and outputs a regression model with selected variable groups. Optionally, the method can be employed as a component in methods of temporal causal modeling, which are applied on a time series training data set, and output a model of causal relationships between the multiple times series in the data. |
| US08255344B2 |
Systems and methods for parallel processing optimization for an evolutionary algorithm
The systems and methods may include receiving an initial population of parent chromosome data structures, where each parent chromosome data structure provides a plurality of genes; selecting pairs of parent chromosome data structures; applying at least one evolutionary operator to the genes of the selected pairs to generate a plurality of child chromosome data structures; allocating, the generated plurality of child chromosome structures to a plurality slave processors, where each slave processor evaluates one or more of the plurality of child chromosome data structures and generates respective objective function values; receiving objective function values for a portion of the plurality of allocated child chromosome data structures; merging the parent chromosome data structures with the received portion of the child chromosome data structures for which objective function values have been received; and identifying a portion of the merged set of chromosome data structures as an elite set of chromosome data structures. |
| US08255336B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing transactions
A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information. |
| US08255334B2 |
Method for providing postal items with postal prepayment impressions
The invention relates to a method for providing postal items with postal prepayment impressions, characterized in that data are generated in the customer system that are encrypted in such a manner that the value transfer center is able to decrypt them. To this end, the data are transmitted from the customer system to the value transfer center. The value transfer center then decrypts the data and re-encrypts them with a code not known to the customer system and transmits the encrypted data to the customer system. |
| US08255332B1 |
Utilization and distribution of stochastic data
A certified distribution stored on a computer-readable medium for use in a stochastic information system includes stochastic data providing a series of trials for at least one uncertain variable such that the series of trials maintains the relationship between the trials of each of the at least one uncertain variable, and a digital imprimatur associated with the stochastic data to certify the stochastic data. A distribution database includes a database stored on a computer-readable medium and a communications interface operable to receive a database query, to determine a result set of the at least one stochastic models satisfying the database query, and to respond to the database query. The database includes at least one stochastic model providing a series of trials for at least one uncertain variable such that the series of trials maintains the relationship between the trials of each of the at least one uncertain variable. |
| US08255330B2 |
Overdraft protection and forgiveness
Various aspects relate to systems, methods or devices for processing overdrafts made by customers. A particular embodiment is directed towards, a system that is configured to receive transaction data from customer-oriented terminals. The transaction data includes requests for monetary transfers on behalf of customers that hold a checking or savings account at a financial institution. In response to receiving the transaction data, the system accesses customer account information, which can include the amount of funds in the checking or savings accounts. The system determines whether sufficient funds exist in the accounts to cover the financial transactions. In response to a potential overdraft of one or more customer accounts, stored customer information is accessed to determine and authorize overdraft deferment eligibility of the customer based upon the stored customer information. The system defers an overdraft fee by providing a grace period during which funds can be transferred to cover the overdraft. |
| US08255328B1 |
System, method, and computer readable medium for settling micropayment transactions to a pre-paid instrument
The invention provides a system, method, and computer readable medium for conducting micropayment transactions between consumers and merchants. A merchant offers micropayment transactions to a consumer. The micropayment transaction is authorized, and the micropayment transaction is executed between the merchant and the consumer. A value parameter associated with a prepaid instrument, such as a prepaid calling card, is decremented by an amount corresponding to the value provided by the merchant. A payment is transferred to the merchant to settle the micropayment transaction. In a system of the invention, at least one prepaid calling card is issued to a consumer in exchange for a payment from the consumer. A merchant site conducts micropayment transactions and accepts the prepaid calling card as payment. A clearinghouse receives data associated with the prepaid calling card from the merchant site and processes the data to settle the micropayment transaction. |
| US08255325B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating online payment transactions in a network-based transaction facility using multiple payment instruments
A method and apparatus for facilitating online payment transactions between participants in a network-based transaction facility are described. In one embodiment, user interface information is communicated to a first participant via a communications network. The user interface information identifies various payment instruments available for processing online payment transactions in the network-based transaction facility. Further, payment option information is received from the first participant via the communications network. The payment option information indicates the willingness of the first participant to accept a payment from a second participant via one or more of the various payment instruments. This payment option information is passed to the second participant via the communications network. Afterwards, personal billing information is accepted from the second participant via the communications network to facilitate an online payment transaction between the first participant and the second participant. The personal billing information concerns a payment instrument selected by the second participant from the payment instruments specified by the first participant. |
| US08255324B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating financial transactions over a network with a gateway adapter
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for facilitating financial transactions over a network includes a first component adapted to communicate with a merchant via a merchant device over the network and a second component adapted to receive a merchant transaction request from the merchant via the merchant device over the network, determine a format of the merchant transaction request, translate the format into a recognizable format, and process the merchant transaction request based on information passed with the merchant transaction request. In one aspect, the merchant transaction request includes information related to a financial transaction between the merchant and a customer purchasing an item from the merchant. In another aspect, format translation provides the capability to easily switch transaction service providers without incurring important integration costs. |
| US08255323B1 |
Motion based payment confirmation
Methods and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a graphical user interface (GUI) with one or more graphical elements that may be moved by a user to confirm or decline a payment transaction using a selected payment instrument. For example, a user may drag the graphical element to a confirmation position via a touch screen of the electronic device. In another example, a motion sensing device, such as an accelerometer, may sense movement of the electronic device and move the graphical element in response to the motion. Upon confirmation, payment information for the payment transaction may be transmitted to a merchant or payment recipient. Various additional methods, machine-readable media, and devices for confirming payment transactions are provided. |
| US08255321B2 |
Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution of trading executions
The present invention relates to electronic trading of securities. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution of trading executions in an investor's accounts. Pursuant to some embodiments, an integer allocation algorithm is provided. |
| US08255320B1 |
Systems and methods of a mortgage pricing service
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for creating and using a common, generic, data/object model to represent information grids or lookup tables, such as a mortgage asset pricing information grid, mortgage asset re-pricing grid, and credit risk pricing grid. The common model allows a common software representation for logically different attributes. |
| US08255318B2 |
Applicant authentication
A method of authenticating an applicant. A history is obtained of transactions performed on an account held by the applicant and for which the applicant has been previously authenticated. The transaction history includes information about each transaction. The applicant is asked one or more questions relating to the information in the history. Answers to the one or more questions are received from the applicant, and a decision is made based on the received answers and the transaction history whether the applicant is authenticated. The applicant may be applying for enrollment in a service, and enrollment may be accepted or declined based on whether the applicant is authenticated. The account may relate to a payment instrument, and the authentication may be performed by an entity other than the issuer of the payment instrument. |
| US08255317B2 |
Vocalisation of trading data in trading systems
A trading system such as an anonymous trading system for trading financial and other instruments can vocalize trading data to trader workstations as well as display it on a screen. Where a trader selects to receive vocal announcements, a trading floor identifier unique to his trading floor is also announced at random intervals. |
| US08255315B1 |
User interfaces for efficient trade entry and management
A plurality of user interfaces for facilitating efficient order management and post-trade processing in an electronic trading system are disclosed. A first user interface comprises a plurality of client buttons and a broker button. Selection of a client button shifts the user interface to a client-perspective mode in which all actions and views are from the selected client's point of view. Selection of the broker button shifts the user interface to a client-neutral mode in which the broker may enter orders in the market without specifying any particular client. An analogous user interface for use by a trader is also described. A second user interface, referred to as a blotter, is also provided that comprises four distinct views for displaying “pending,” “completed,” “all,” and “annulled” trades. Preferred embodiments for utilizing the disclosed user interfaces to process different classes of pending trades are also described. |
| US08255311B2 |
Methods and systems for risk evaluation
Methods, systems and computer products are provided for risk evaluation. A computer may assign a risk to an object which has an object estimation-value. The computer may also receive a risk estimation-value for the risk. The computer may re-calculate the object estimation-value based on the risk estimation-value. |
| US08255310B2 |
Method and system for simulating implied volatility surface for basket option pricing
A method and system for simulating changes in volatility for a price of a particular option on an underlying financial instrument is disclosed. A volatility surface model having at least one surface parameter is provided along with a set of volatilities for a plurality of options on the underlying financial instrument. The set of volatilities is analyzed to determine an initial value for each surface parameter which, when used in the surface model, defines a surface approximating the set of volatilities. The values of the surface parameters are then evolved using an appropriate evolution function. A volatility value for a particular option is extracted from the volatility surface defined by the evolved surface parameter values. The extracted volatility value can then be used in an option pricing model to provide a price of the particular option. |
| US08255309B2 |
Valuating intellectual assets
To valuate intellectual assets in a portfolio, a corresponding group of parameters is associated with each of the intellectual assets. Weights are associated with the parameters of each of the groups. Based on a predetermined value of a single one of the intellectual assets or of a collection of the intellectual assets, corresponding values of the intellectual assets are computed using the weights associated with the parameters of the corresponding groups. |
| US08255307B1 |
System and method for measuring and utilizing pooling analytics
A system and method for quantifying the working capital benefit of pooling a number of separate cash accounts. The average (mean) cash balance of the pooled account is determined to be the sum of the means of each of the individual accounts. Similarly, the standard deviation of the pooled account is determined to be the square root of the sum of the squares of the standard deviations of the individual accounts. Accordingly, the minimum cash level of the pooled account is 2.3 times the square root of the sum of the squares of the standard deviations of the individual accounts. In order to determine the benefit of pooling, the present invention determines the difference between the minimum aggregate cash required by the separate companies and the minimum cash required in the pooled account. If pooling is to be beneficial, from a working capital perspective, the minimum cash required in the pooled account will be significantly less than the aggregate cash required by the separate companies. |
| US08255304B1 |
Systems and methods for audit confirmation and other confirmation services
Systems and methods for audit confirmation and other confirmation services by a financial institution are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated confirmation services may comprise: receiving, by a financial institution and from a requestor, a confirmation request submitted in one or more standardized forms; parsing the standardized forms to identify: (a) an identity of the requestor, (b) an identity of an account holder whose financial data are sought, and (c) financial data fields sought by the confirmation request; determining whether the financial institution is authorized to respond to the confirmation request; retrieving the financial data from an account database based on the identified financial data fields; populating a response form with the retrieved financial data; affixing a proof mechanism to the response form for the financial institution to attest to the accuracy of the financial data; and making the response form available to the requestor. |
| US08255300B2 |
System and method for independently authorizing auxiliary communication services
Systems and methods which determines the likelihood that a calling (or in some cases the called) user will pay for a particular auxiliary service are described. A system of an embodiment considers the user's credit risk and his/her propensity to pay, when deciding if the user is eligible for a particular auxiliary service. A methodology used for determining propensity to pay for an auxiliary service according to embodiments is independent from a determination of propensity to pay for a basic calling service. Thus, the criteria used, and the weight given to each criteria, for determining eligibility for auxiliary services can be different from the criteria and criteria weight used for basic communication connections. |
| US08255299B2 |
Visual remote control and tactile interaction system
A system has been disclosed which allows improved sexual interaction between two individuals who are in separate locations or between one user and computer game software. One component of the system measures the displacement of a fluid that occurs when an object is inserted into an orifice to create digital data, which data can be transmitted to a remote location or used in software on the local computer. Another component of the system responds to a data signal that is received from a remote location or generated on the local computer and generates thrusting movement of a phallic object which movement is related to said data signal. |
| US08255296B2 |
System for implementing a security issuer rights management process over a distributed communications network, deployed in a financial marketplace
A computer network-implemented system recognizes that (i) the security issuer retains (i.e. withholds) the right to lend a debt or equity security prior to security issuance, and (ii) the system allows security borrowers to request from the security issuers, through the system, the right to borrow the non-borrowable equity security from the security issuer, according to borrowing/lending rates and time periods set by the security issuer with the system, so that (iii) security borrowers can then acquire the right to lend the non-borrowable security from the security issuer, and thereafter, (iv) security borrowers can sell the non-borrowable security short in the financial marketplace and profit from a short sale, without adversely effecting the security issuer. |
| US08255291B1 |
System, method and apparatus for interactive and comparative shopping
A method and system allows a user to aggregate product information or compare multiple products by a single query. A sales representative or end consumer is provided quick access to accurate detailed product information and comparison information, which can make shopping less confusing. The method involves generating a comparison report of two or more products, including detailed product information. |
| US08255281B2 |
Service management system that enables subscriber-driven changes to service plans
A service management system that enables a subscriber of a mobile telecommunication system to modify aspects of his or her service plan and have the modification to the service plan take effect immediately. The subscriber enters a modification request to an aspect of a service plan. The modification request is verified against a set of rules that defines acceptable changes to the service plan. If the proposed modification to the service plan is a valid change, the change to the service plan is immediately propagated to a billing system and to other systems that implement the service plan. The subscriber is notified when the modification to the service plan is complete, and the subscriber is billed on a going-forward basis in accordance with the rate structure applicable to the plan. |
| US08255277B1 |
System and method for generating multimedia accompaniments to broadcast data
A method and system is presented for coordinating the transmission of supplemental digital data to accompany broadcast data, and in particular, analog radio broadcasts, among a plurality of broadcasters. The supplemental digital data may provide information about the particular broadcast data being transmitted (i.e. cut data) or may be supplemental to such data (i.e. news, weather and traffic data). The supplemental digital data to be presented is sorted based on particular algorithms which may take into account broadcaster-specified criteria such as target audience, time of day, type of broadcast data presented, and the like. The supplemental digital data may be audio data, visual data, or audio-visual data for presentation with the broadcast data. The supplemental digital data may further be advertisement data. The advertisement data may be sold by the broadcasters or the party coordinating the IBOC transmission of the supplemental digital data. The supplemental digital data may play simultaneously with muted broadcast data or at a user-specified time. |
| US08255275B2 |
Incentivized adoption of time-dependent insurance benefits
System(s) and method(s) to incentivize adoption of time-dependent customized insurance benefit(s) are provided. A provider of insurance benefit(s) incentivizes adoption of the insurance benefit(s) in exchange for knowledge of operation characteristics of an insured entity. Knowledge is cumulative and collected from the insured entity and environment in which the entity operates. Incentivation is accomplished at least in part through generation of incentive offer(s) based on available knowledge, which is associated with an operator of the insured entity rather than with the entity itself. The operator can regulate the scope of exchanged knowledge, and received incentive offer(s) and related content. Incentive offer(s) can be directed to provision of insurance benefit coverage that is adequate to current or nearly current operation condition(s); discounted real-time or nearly real-time insurance benefits; or subsidized service(s). Offered incentives can be afforded at least in part through monetization of available knowledge via commercialization thereof or targeted advertisement. |
| US08255269B1 |
Data processing method for maximization of present and future supply and/or demand objectives
A processor-implemented system and method for optimizing a transaction between one or more users of a good or service and one or more suppliers of the good or service is disclosed herein. Information is received from a user indicative of conditions upon which the user intends to obtain the good or service within a given period of time. Information is received from a supplier indicative of conditions upon which the supplier intends to supply the good or service within a given period of time. The probability of the user obtaining the good or service within the given period of time is determined, and committed and non-committed users are aggregated into groups having common characteristics. An optimal transaction and a maximum transaction are determined based on information received from the users and suppliers. The optimal transaction is compared to the maximum transaction to determine the difference between the optimal transaction and maximum transaction, and the transaction is completed when the difference between the optimal transaction and maximum transaction is below a predefined threshold. |
| US08255268B2 |
System and method for matching merchants based on consumer spend behavior
The present invention improves upon existing systems and methods by providing a passive profile creation method. The data accessible to a financial processor, such as spend level data, is leveraged using sophisticated data clustering and/or data appending techniques. Associations are established among entities (e.g., consumers), among merchants, and between entities and merchants. In one embodiment, a system and method for passively collecting spend level data for a transaction of a first entity, aggregating the collected spend level data for a plurality of entities; and clustering the first entity with a subset of the plurality of entities, based on aggregated spend level data of the first entity is provided. |
| US08255265B2 |
System and method of model forecasting based on supply and demand
A computer-implemented method transforms transactional data and supply data into a forecast of demand for controlling a commerce system. Goods move between members of a commerce system. Transactional data related to movement of goods between the members of the commerce system is recorded. The transactional data includes customer store, product, time, price, promotion, and merchandizing. Supply data related to movement of goods between the members of the commerce system is recorded. The supply data includes inventory, product, store, and merchandising readily available for purchase. Model parameters are estimated based on the transactional data and supply data using a model to generate a forecast of demand for the goods. The forecast of demand for the goods is provided to a member of the commerce system to control the movement of goods in the commerce system. The forecasts of demand takes into account an out-of-stock condition, price promotion, and promotional lift of the product. |
| US08255263B2 |
Bayesian product recommendation engine
The invention provides a method of generating a recommendation for a product type. A plurality of product attributes associated with the product type is provided. A sampled set of consumer values is received. At least one user preference corresponding to the product attributes is received. A plurality of consumer values based on the at least one user preference and the sample set of consumer values is calculated, and at least one product recommendation is determined based on the calculated consumer values. |
| US08255254B2 |
Program management systems and method thereof
A framework for managing a lifecycle of a program in an organization is provided. The framework includes a process module, a guiding module, a program lifecycle mapping module, and a matrix module. The process module provides a plurality of process guidelines for the one or more stages of the project management lifecycle. Further, the process module includes a strategic planning module, a financial management module, a risk management module, an organization change management module, a stake holder management module, a knowledge management module, a contractual compliance module, a governance module and a program setup module. The guiding module integrates a plurality of organizational attributes with the process guidelines of the process module. The program lifecycle mapping module maps the plurality of process guidelines with the one or more stages of the life cycle. The matrix module provides assignment of program management roles to one or more participants. |
| US08255252B2 |
System and method for facilitating strategic contract audit, resolution and recovery
A system and method for facilitating consistent management of a repeatable contract audit, resolution and recovery process is disclosed. A methodology that tightly defines the contract audit, resolution and recovery events enables an audit team to evaluate supplier performance against a contract, ascertain the existing health of a contract, and identify opportunities to improve and/or re-engineer a contracting process. The method begins with a meeting with a client, followed by a meeting with the supplier, and progresses to a process review, data collection, and a data analysis, which results in recommendations that are presented to the supplier based on the findings of the audit team. The audit team then works with the supplier to resolve any issues identified by the data analysis. |
| US08255245B2 |
Determining a value for an indicator
Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for determining a value for an indicator includes identifying an indicator for which a value is to be determined. The method includes identifying parameters to be used in determining a specific time interval for determining the value, the identified parameters including at least: (i) a first offset parameter; (ii) a second offset parameter; and (iii) a third offset parameter. The method includes determining the specific time interval using at least the identified parameters and the reference time point. The method includes determining the value for the indicator using at least the determined specific time interval. The method includes recording the determined value. |
| US08255242B2 |
System and process for dispensing value in response to an authorization over an electric data network
An insurance payment distribution system is disclosed for distributing data representative of money from a central station to selected individuals to be used at selected locations. The system includes a plurality of distribution payment cards and a remote card processing unit. The distribution payment cards are useable at the selected locations. Each payment card is capable of receiving information representative of a certain amount of money, and is capable of receiving information representative of permitted locations at which the each card may be used. The remote card processing unit is in communication with a computer network including a central computer system. The remote card processing unit is for modifying the information receivable on the cards responsive to information received via the computer network. |
| US08255241B2 |
Iconic graphical method for displaying complex information
The present invention is directed to a method of providing information regarding a patient's use of medications, the method including the step of providing a graphical icon relating to the medication, the graphical icon including at least one indicator relating to the patient's use of the medication. The least one indicator preferably provides information such as dosage information, duration information, compliance information, and impression information. |
| US08255240B2 |
Method and apparatus for online health monitoring
Presented are apparatus and methods for providing online health monitoring and accumulating data from patients applicable in both diagnosing and prescribing preventive medical treatment. Methods and devices include using a sensitive acoustic device to analyze a patient's health function from a location such as a public computer kiosk, a doctor's office or a patient's computer. The data may be downloaded to a central database, for example, via the Internet. The data may be retrieved by the patient, or accessed by doctors for purposes of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. The data may include demographic data that can be stored while maintaining patient anonymity. The data may be accessible to researchers providing medical statistics on a wide variety of patients from various age groups, ethnic backgrounds, medical histories and the like. |
| US08255237B2 |
Source user based provision of one or more templates
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: receiving one or more requests for one or more particular templates that are associated with one or more source users, the one or more particular templates designed to facilitate one or more end users to achieve one or more target outcomes when one or more emulatable aspects included in the one or more particular templates are emulated; and providing from a plurality of templates the one or more particular templates, the providing being based at least on the association of the one or more particular templates with the one or more source users, the one or more particular templates developed based on one or more reported aspects associated with the one or more source users In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08255234B2 |
Quantization and inverse quantization for audio
An audio encoder and decoder use architectures and techniques that improve the efficiency of quantization (e.g., weighting) and inverse quantization (e.g., inverse weighting) in audio coding and decoding. The described strategies include various techniques and tools, which can be used in combination or independently. For example, an audio encoder quantizes audio data in multiple channels, applying multiple channel-specific quantizer step modifiers, which give the encoder more control over balancing reconstruction quality between channels. The encoder also applies multiple quantization matrices and varies the resolution of the quantization matrices, which allows the encoder to use more resolution if overall quality is good and use less resolution if overall quality is poor. Finally, the encoder compresses one or more quantization matrices using temporal prediction to reduce the bitrate associated with the quantization matrices. An audio decoder performs corresponding inverse processing and decoding. |
| US08255232B2 |
Audio encoding method with function of accelerating a quantization iterative loop process
An audio encoding method previously estimates better initial iterative values of global-gain and scalefactor for avoiding heavy calculation. The estimating process of the encoding method includes calculating the bit allocation of one frequency sample based on a sampling rate, a bit rate, and the number of audio channels according to an input frame, and the psychoacoustic model, searching one frequency sample having the greatest sample energy in each of a plurality of scalefactor bands, quantizing the frequency sample to comply with the bit allocation and to generate a corresponding scalefactor, searching a maximum scalefactor of all scalefactor bands corresponding to the input frame, and setting initial values of scalefactors and an initial value of global-gain for the quantization iterative loop process according to the corresponding scalefactor and the maximum scalefactor. |
| US08255231B2 |
Encoding and decoding of audio signals using complex-valued filter banks
An encoder (109) comprises a receiver (201) which receives a time domain audio signal. A filter bank (203) generates a first subband signal from the time domain audio signal where the first subband signal corresponds to a non-critically sampled complex subband domain representation of the time domain signal. A conversion processor (205) generates a second subband signal from the first subband signal by subband processing. The second subband signal corresponds to a critically sampled complex subband domain representation of the time domain audio signals. An encode processor (207) then generates a waveform encoded data stream by encoding data values of the second subband signal. The conversion processor (205) generates the second subband signal by direct subband conversion without converting back to the time domain. The invention allows an oversampled subband signal typically generated in parametric encoding to be waveform encoded with reduced complexity. A decoder performs the inverse operation. |
| US08255230B2 |
Multi-channel audio encoding and decoding
An audio encoder and decoder use architectures and techniques that improve the efficiency of multi-channel audio coding and decoding. The described strategies include various techniques and tools, which can be used in combination or independently. For example, an audio encoder performs a pre-processing multi-channel transform on multi-channel audio data, varying the transform so as to control quality. The encoder groups multiple windows from different channels into one or more tiles and outputs tile configuration information, which allows the encoder to isolate transients that appear in a particular channel with small windows, but use large windows in other channels. Using a variety of techniques, the encoder performs flexible multi-channel transforms that effectively take advantage of inter-channel correlation. An audio decoder performs corresponding processing and decoding. In addition, the decoder performs a post-processing multi-channel transform for any of multiple different purposes. |
| US08255228B2 |
Efficient use of phase information in audio encoding and decoding
An efficient encoded representation of a first and a second input audio signal can be derived using correlation information indicating a correlation between the first and the second input audio signals, when a signal characterization information, indicating at least a first or a second, different characteristic of the input audio signal is additionally considered. Phase information indicating a phase relation between the first and the second input audio signals is derived, when the input audio signals have the first characteristic. The phase information and a correlation measure are included into the encoded representation when the input audio signals have the first characteristic, and only the correlation information is included into the encoded representation when the input audio signals have the second characteristic. |
| US08255225B2 |
Voice assistant system
Methods and apparatuses to assist a user in the performance of a plurality of tasks are provided. The method may comprise storing at least one care plan in a voice assistant, the care plan defining a plurality of tasks to be performed, capturing speech input from the user, determining, from the speech input, a selected interaction with a care plan, and in response to the selected interaction, providing a speech dialog with the user reflective of the care plan. Alternatively, the method may comprise capturing speech input from a user, determining from the speech input, a first weight associated with a resident, associating the first weight with a care plan in turn associated with the resident, comparing the first weight to a second weight associated with the resident and the care plan, and providing a speech dialog regarding reweighting the resident based on the comparison. |
| US08255223B2 |
User authentication by combining speaker verification and reverse turing test
Methods and system for authenticating a user are disclosed. The present invention includes accessing a collection of personal information related to the user. The present invention also includes performing an authentication operation that is based on the collection of personal information. The authentication operation incorporates at least one dynamic component and prompts the user to give an audible utterance. The audible utterance is compared to a stored voiceprint. |
| US08255221B2 |
Generating a web podcast interview by selecting interview voices through text-to-speech synthesis
Disclosed is a system and method for generating a web podcast interview that allows a single user to create his own multi-voices interview from his computer. The method allows the user to enter a set of questions from a text file using a text editor. (Answers may also be entered from a text file although this is not the more preferred embodiment.) For each question, the user may select one particular interviewer voice among a plurality of predefined interviewer voices, and by using a text-to-speech module in a text-to-speech server, each question is converted into an audio question having the selected interviewer voice. Then, the user preferably records answers to each audio question using a telephone. And a questions/answers sequence in a podcast compliant format is generated. |
| US08255217B2 |
Systems and methods for creating and using geo-centric language models
Systems and methods for creating and using geo-centric language models are provided herein. An exemplary method includes assigning each of a plurality of listings to a local service area, determining a geographic center for the local service area, computing a listing density for the local service area, and selecting a desired number of listings for a geo-centric listing set. The geo-centric listing set includes a subset of the plurality of listings. The exemplary method further includes dividing the local service area into regions based upon the listing density and the number of listings in the geo-centric listing set, and building a language model for the geo-centric listing set. |
| US08255215B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating speech keyword and speech recognition system
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for locating a keyword of a speech and a speech recognition system. The method includes the steps of: by extracting feature parameters from frames constituting the recognition target speech, forming a feature parameter vector sequence that represents the recognition target speech; by normalizing of the feature parameter vector sequence with use of a codebook containing a plurality of codebook vectors, obtaining a feature trace of the recognition target speech in a vector space; and specifying the position of a keyword by matching prestored keyword template traces with the feature trace. According to the present invention, a keyword template trace and a feature space trace of a recognition target speech are drawn in accordance with an identical codebook. This causes resampling to be unnecessary in performing linear movement matching of speech wave frames having similar phonological feature structures. This makes it possible to improve the speed of location and recognition while ensuring the precision of recognition. |
| US08255208B2 |
Codebook segment merging
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for merging entropy codebook application ranges within an audio signal. According to one embodiment, an audio signal is obtained, the audio signal including quantization indexes, identification of segments of said quantization indexes, and indexes of entropy codebooks that have been assigned to such segments, with a single entropy codebook index having been assigned to each said segment; potential merging operations in which specified segments potentially would be merged with each other are identified; bit penalties are estimated for the potential merging operations; then, the potential merging operation having the lowest estimated the penalty is performed. |
| US08255198B2 |
Method and structure to develop a test program for semiconductor integrated circuits
Test program development for a semiconductor test system, such as automated test equipment (ATE), using object-oriented constructs is described. The invention provides a method for describing test system resources, test system configuration, module configuration, test sequence, test plan, test condition, test pattern, and timing information in general-purpose object-oriented constructs, e.g., C++ objects and classes. In particular, the modularity of program development is suitable for developing test programs for an open architecture semiconductor test system. |
| US08255197B2 |
Simulation of tuning effects for a servo driven mechatronic system
A servo driven mechatronic system simulator and analyzer utilizing preconfigured motion equipment profile databases to predict the behavior of a motion system based on a user selected configuration. The user can adjust the parameters and rerun the simulation and analysis many times in an efficient manner until the optimum operating conditions of the desired system are reached. The user can then archive the system design and implement the system with a greater level of confidence in the ability of the design to meet the requirements of the application. |
| US08255188B2 |
Fast low frequency jitter rejection methodology
Disclosed is a system and related methodology for providing fast low frequency jitter rejection in the measurement of signals under test. A signal under test may be sampled alternately with a reference signal under similar conditions. The resulting sampled signal blocks may then be processed to subtract the known calibrated value of the reference signal from the average signal under test. |
| US08255187B2 |
Remote monitoring diagnostic system
Disclosed is a remote monitoring diagnostic system in which a center and monitoring diagnostic units of a number of objects to be monitored are connected by a network. The center includes an algorithm forming unit for forming algorithms for monitoring, diagnosing, and operating each object to be monitored, a program group formation unit for forming monitoring, diagnostic, and operational programs from these algorithms, a transmitter for transmitting the programs in response to a request from the monitoring diagnostic unit, and a unit for forming information concerning prevention/maintenance form a diagnostic result and monitoring data from the monitoring diagnostic unit of each object to be monitored. The monitoring diagnostic unit of each object to be monitored includes a mobile program execution processor for executing the corresponding object to be monitored, and a transmitter for transmitting monitoring data to the center. |
| US08255181B2 |
Correcting tilt-induced cyclic variations in signals from radially arrayed spectrophotometer sensors
A correction algorithm may be applied for correcting misalignment of a radially-aligned array of sensors. Due to the tilt, signals from sensors that are further away from the media, may become slightly attenuated, while signals from sensors that are closer to the media are slightly increased. The error appears periodic and largely sinusoidal in nature around the array given the circular nature of the array of sensor elements. The algorithm determines the magnitude and phase of a sinusoidal function that best fits the wavelength data. In one embodiment, a discrete Fourier transform may be performed at the ‘frequency’ equivalent to one period around the array to determine the magnitude and phase estimate thereof. Then, a sinusoidal correction function may be generated using the magnitude and the phase in order to correct the reflectance data. |
| US08255179B2 |
Time qualified frequency mask trigger
A time qualified frequency mask trigger triggers on signals that violate a frequency mask for at least a specified time duration. A frame of digital data representing an input signal is transformed into a frequency spectrum having at least one frequency bin, with each frequency bin having a power amplitude value. A trigger signal is generated when any of the power amplitude values violates an associated reference power level for at least a specified time duration. |
| US08255178B2 |
Method for detecting statuses of components of semiconductor equipment and associated apparatus
An apparatus for detecting an operational status of a semiconductor equipment includes an audio frequency signal receiving unit and an analysis and determination unit. The audio frequency signal receiving unit is used for receiving an audio frequency signal from the semiconductor equipment while the semiconductor equipment is working. The analysis and determination unit is used for analyzing the audio frequency signal to determine statuses of components of the semiconductor equipment. |
| US08255177B2 |
System and method for calibrating oscillograph channels
A system and method for calibrating oscillograph channels assigns the same value to a drawing parameter of each channel. Each channel receives a signal sent by a signal generator. The oscillograph calculates a voltage difference between a standard signal voltage of a standard channel defined by a user and a signal voltage of each of the other channels. A sequence relationship between each of the other channels and the standard channel is determined. The oscillograph adjusts a deskew value of each of the other channels until each voltage difference is in an allowable range according to the sequence relationship. |
| US08255176B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring deterioration of a rechargeable battery
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the deterioration of a rechargeable battery. A battery monitoring system may be used to store charging information, discharge information and storage information for a rechargeable battery to a data store. The charging information may include a number of charge cycles incurred by the rechargeable battery. The discharge information may include a number discharge cycles incurred by the rechargeable battery. The storage information may include information relating to periods when the rechargeable battery is not being actively charged or discharged. The battery monitoring system may be further used to determine an amount of deterioration of a battery performance characteristic based on the stored charging information, discharge information and storage information. |
| US08255171B2 |
Method and systems for estimating remaining service life of a component subject to stress
A method for determining when a ceramic component on a platform should be replaced. The method includes determining parameters for the ceramic component, the parameters include empirically determined a critical stress intensity factor, and a geometry factor for the ceramic component. The method also includes determining a relationship between platform operational parameters to the generation of stress at the surface of interest of the ceramic component, determining an initial crack size of a crack within the ceramic component at installation, tracking operational parameters of the platform throughout a course of usage of the ceramic component, calculating the corresponding stress at the crack location due to the tracked operational parameters, and calculating a numerical solution that illustrates a crack growth rate velocity and tracks a size of the crack over time. The ceramic component is replaced based on the crack growth rate velocity and the size of the crack. |
| US08255169B2 |
Binning and tomography for high spatial resolution temperature and species concentration measurements
A method of absorption spectroscopy including obtaining absorption data at multiple wavelengths along more than one line-of-sight path through a quantity of gas of interest. The method further includes identifying more than one temperature and gas species concentration bin along the multiple line-of-sight paths and creating a map of temperature and gas species concentration. The map thus created will have at least two-dimensional information derived from select temperature and gas species concentration bins identified along more than one line-of-sight path. Apparatus for implementing the above method is also disclosed. |
| US08255161B2 |
System and method of auto-calibration of inertial sensors
A system comprises at least one inertial sensor operable to provide inertial sensor data during a trip; a processing unit coupled to the at least one inertial sensor, the processing unit operable to calculate navigation data based on the inertial sensor data and to estimate error in the inertial sensor data, wherein the processing unit is further operable to adjust subsequent inertial sensor data received during the trip from the at least one inertial sensor in order to compensate for the estimated error; and a memory coupled to the navigation unit and operable to store data between power cycles; wherein the processing unit is further operable to calculate a current trip error estimate from a plurality of error estimates during the trip and to estimate a repeatability error component based on the current trip error estimate and previous trip error estimates stored in the memory; wherein the repeatability error component is stored in the memory, the processing unit being further operable to update inertial sensor data during a subsequent trip based on the repeatability error component. |
| US08255160B2 |
Integrated mobile terminal navigation
A navigation system is described which includes a mobile terminal 100 which has a transmission source receiver 204 for receiving the signals from one or more unsynchronised terrestrial transmission sources 102-105 and a satellite positioning receiver 200 for receiving signals from the satellite or satellites 107-110 of a satellite positioning system. The terminal also has a clock 208. A processor 209 is arranged to acquire a measurement vector having a list of values, each value representing a measurement made by a receiver 200,204, and the terminal clock's bias. It computes a state vector representing the current state of the system, using a previously-determined state vector, the measurement vector, and a dynamic model in order to derive a dynamic navigation solution. The elements of the state vector include (a) in one or more dimensions at least position information of the terminal 100; (b) representations of the bias of the clocks associated with the unsynchronised terrestrial transmission sources 102-105 relative to a given time; (c) the bias of the terminal clock 208; (d) quality indicators indicating the error associated with elements of (a) to (c); and (e) linking indicators indicating the dependency of elements in (a) to (c) on others of those elements. |
| US08255159B1 |
Transit payment and handset navigation integration
A mobile electronic device is disclosed. The mobile electronic device comprises a near-field-communications receiver and an application. The near-field-communication transceiver receives identification information from at least one of a transit vehicle and a transit platform. The application, when executed on the mobile electronic device, receives a transit destination as entered into the mobile electronic device. Based on the identification information and a transit system route map, the application presents a notification on the mobile electronic device that the identification information does not agree with the transit destination. |
| US08255157B2 |
Navigation device and method of controlling navigation device
A navigation device that can easily select information matched with user's favorite or intention from information on many stores and facilities is provided. In a car navigation device 1 for performing a route guidance of a moving object, plural symbols featured by individualities are displayed on a display panel 2, and when any one of the plural displayed symbols is selected, sightseeing information relevant to the individuality of the selected symbol is selected from the sightseeing facilities data base 31, and the selected sightseeing information is displayed on the display panel 2. |
| US08255153B2 |
Automatic alerting method and system for aerial vehicle target tracking
This invention provides a system and method for automatically inferring when a target that is being tracked by an aerial vehicle is doing something significant (e.g. stopping suddenly, changing direction quickly or getting out of track view), and consequently alerting an operator. The alerting system also provides a classification of what the target is doing. It frees the operator from continuously monitoring the imagery stream so the operator can perform other tasks. |
| US08255151B2 |
Method and system for providing environmentally-optimized navigation routes
A method (500) and navigation system (100) are provided that generate a navigation route that is environmentally optimized between an origin and destination. Upon receiving an origination location and destination from a user or other source, such as a GPS satellite (104), a route determination module (302) determines multiple routes between the origination location and destination. An environmental analysis module (301) then processes each route to determine an environmental impact value. An evaluation module (303) then can selects a proposed route for presentation to the user via a presentation module (304). Alternatively, the evaluation module (303) may select two or more routes, which the presentation module (304) may present with corresponding environmental impact data such that the user may select a particular route. Additionally, a green coach module (306) may provide instructions to the user for more environmentally beneficial operation of a vehicle (102). |
| US08255149B2 |
System and method for dual-mode location determination
A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal, forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal needs only to gather a few milliseconds of observation data, and to relay this observation data to the processor. In one embodiment, the observation data is communicated to the processor using either a satellite communication network or through a mobile telephone network. |
| US08255148B2 |
Method and device for optimizing the flight of an aircraft
The invention relates to a method for optimizing the flight of an aircraft comprising a flight management system, the said flight management system using a first cost index (CI1) and calculating a first speed setpoint (V1) on the basis of the first cost index (CI1), the said flight management system calculating (11), furthermore, a first prediction of remaining flight time (T1) and a first prediction of fuel consumption (EFOB1) on the basis of the first speed, the said method being characterized in that it comprises, furthermore, the following steps: the selection of a second cost index (CI2), the calculation (12) by the flight management system of a second speed setpoint (V2) on the basis of the second cost index (CI2), of a second prediction of remaining flight time (T2) and of a second prediction of consumption (EFOB2) on the basis of the second speed (V2), the calculation (13) of a discrepancy (ΔV) between the first and the second speed, of a discrepancy (ΔT) between the first prediction of remaining flight time and the second prediction of remaining flight time and of a discrepancy (ΔEFOB) between the first and the second prediction of consumption, the displaying (14) of the discrepancies (ΔV,ΔT,ΔEFOB) calculated in the previous step. The invention allows vice versa the calculation and the consideration of a CI on the basis of the speed entered. |
| US08255147B2 |
Air traffic control
An air traffic control system includes a trajectory prediction module for calculating a trajectory for each aircraft, for inputting aircraft detected position data, and for recalculating the trajectories based on said position data, and a conflict detector for detecting, based on the trajectories, future circumstances under which pairs of aircraft violate predetermined proximity tests, and for causing a display on the display device indicating said circumstances. The systems uses a first proximity test and a second, more restrictive, proximity test; and displays a symbol representing pairs of aircraft which violate the second test in a first mode, and those which violate the first set but not the second set in a second mode. |
| US08255145B2 |
Travel time calculation server, a travel time calculating apparatus used for a vehicle and a travel time calculation system
A travel time calculation server is provided which comprises: a probe data reception part 31 configured to receive travel time data of an intersection node 6 through which a vehicle 3 passes as well as a traffic event of each of links 1-4 connecting to the intersection node; and a right and left turn cost generating part 33 configured to store a table, which stores the travel time data of the intersection node 6 associated with combinations of traffic events of the links 1-4, in storage means 35. |
| US08255143B2 |
Diagnostic systems and methods for sensors in homogenous charge compression ignition engine systems
An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes an airflow determination module and a sensor diagnostic module. The airflow determination module generates a first plurality of estimates of airflow into the HCCI engine when the HCCI engine is operating in a first combustion mode, wherein the first plurality of estimates are based on an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), a mass air flow (MAF) rate, and a camshaft position. The sensor diagnostic module determines a state of at least one of a first plurality of sensors based on a predetermined threshold and differences between one of the first plurality of estimates and others of the first plurality of estimates, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes a MAP sensor, a MAF sensor, and a camshaft sensor. |
| US08255140B2 |
Thermal-protection based engine performance enhancement
An engine control module includes a power module and a turbine temperature module. The power module controls engine power output based on a turbine temperature. The turbine temperature module determines the turbine temperature based on a turbine inlet temperature. The power module decreases the engine power output when the turbine temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold temperature. |
| US08255139B2 |
Method to include fast torque actuators in the driver pedal scaling for conventional powertrains
An engine control system comprises a pedal torque determination module, a driver interpretation module, and an actuation module. The pedal torque determination module determines a zero pedal torque based on a desired engine torque at a zero accelerator pedal position and a minimum torque limit for an engine system. The driver interpretation module determines a driver pedal torque based on the zero pedal torque and an accelerator pedal position. The actuation module controls at least one of a throttle area, spark timing, and a fuel command based on the driver pedal torque. |
| US08255138B2 |
Method for starting a motor vehicle on an inclined route
A method for starting a motor vehicle, which is held at a standstill on an inclined route by a brake force which is maintained independently of the driver, after a predetermined holding time has elapsed gradually reduces the brake force which is generated independently of the driver, to put the motor vehicle into motion, and then controls the movement of the motor vehicle, corresponding to a preset course. |
| US08255136B2 |
Method and arrangement for running in and calibrating an electromechanical parking brake system
A method and arrangement for running in and calibrating an electromechanical parking brake system (EPB) has at least one brake mechanism unit (BME) and at least one control device (SG), the actuation of the brake mechanism unit (BME) being controlled by a control routine (SR) provided in the control device (SG). The electromechanical parking brake system (EPB) is advantageously run in by at least one running-in routine (EFR) and/or calibrated by at least one calibration routine (KRR), the running-in routine (EFR) and/or the calibration routine (KRR) checking for the existence of at least one safety-critical condition (SB) and/or the existence of at least one system error (SF) before and/or during the running-in operation and/or calibration operation and in dependence thereon the running-in operation and/or calibration operation is continued or terminated. |
| US08255134B2 |
Adaptive cruise control downshift request systems for manual transmission vehicles
An adaptive cruise control system for a vehicle includes a deceleration module, a downshift trigger module, and a shift module. The deceleration module determines a deceleration rate based on a speed of at least one of the vehicle and an engine of the vehicle. The downshift trigger module generates a threshold signal based on the deceleration rate. The shift module generates a downshift signal when the speed is less than the threshold signal and while the vehicle is operating in a manual transmission mode. |
| US08255133B2 |
Shift timing indicator system for vehicular manual transmission
An improper gear shift timing indicator system for a manual transmission vehicle. The system includes a gear position detector for detecting gear position information and a control unit in communication with the gear position detector. The control unit is configured to detect a gear shift event based on a change in the gear position information. The control unit measures elapsed time during the gear shift event and compares the elapsed time with a threshold value, which is based on various vehicle operating parameters and the given gear shift event. A signal system is in communication with the control unit and the control unit causes the signal system to provide a signal to a driver of the vehicle when the elapsed time of the gear shift event is less than the threshold value. |
| US08255125B2 |
Control unit for earth moving equipment and the similar
Earth moving equipment and other heavy machinery for environmentally harsh conditions are controlled by a control panel supplied with a lock, and such panels are frequently removable to prevent theft or unauthorized operation. The interface is in the form of a plug-and-socket, the parts of which have to be sealed against dust and humidity when not interfacing. In order to prevent wear and to assure reliable control, according to the invention, no part of the connection between the control panel and a receptable is galvanic, the power supply for the control panel is wireless, such as inductive or optical, while communications may occur by means of a two-way radio protocol or by optical means. |
| US08255123B2 |
Apparatus and method for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device
An apparatus and method are disclosed for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a speech sensor for receiving speech input provided by a user of the device, and a force sensor for measuring a force input provided by the device user. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the speech sensor, the force sensor, and the motor actuated vehicle accessory, where the controller is operable to position the movable component in accordance with the received speech input and the measured force input. Exemplary embodiments are presented where the principles of the disclosure are applied to adjust the positioning of movable components of an adjustable pedal assembly and a vehicle power seat. |
| US08255117B2 |
Vehicle control system with advanced tire monitoring
A control system (11) for a vehicle (10) includes vehicle dynamics sensors (35-47) providing a vehicle dynamics signal. Tire monitoring system sensors (20) in each wheel generate tire signals including temperature, pressure and acceleration data. A controller (26) communicates with the tire monitoring system sensors (20) and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, and generates a suspension value as a function of the multi-axis acceleration data of the tire signals. The suspension value is transmitted to a suspension control system (33) to adjust the vehicle suspension characteristics in response to the suspension value. |
| US08255114B2 |
Method and measuring system for determining a wheel load
A method and a measuring system determine a wheel load. These involve measuring a deformation of a tire and using a set of equations and equation parameters to calculate from the deformation the wheel load acting on the tire. In addition, a wheel load or a variable dependent on the load, which is used to calculate the wheel load, is received from an external system. Finally, the two wheel loads determined in different ways are compared, and the equations and/or equation parameters are adapted on the basis of the comparison. |
| US08255107B2 |
Traveling control method, medium, and apparatus for autonomous navigation
A traveling control method, medium, and apparatus for autonomous navigation. The traveling control method of controlling an autonomous navigation machine, having at least on the right and left sides thereof at least first and second receivers that receive a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter disposed at a specific position in a traveling area, the method includes allowing at least one of the first and second receivers to receive the radio signal, recognizing a command included in the received radio signal, acquiring data indicating a size of a recognizable area reached by the radio signal and a position of the transmitter while the autonomous navigation machine moves along the border of the recognizable area, and executing the recognized command in the recognizable area. |
| US08255102B2 |
Steering unit for a steer-by-wire ship's control system and method for operating the steering unit
A steering unit (1), for a steer-by-wire ship control system, comprises a steering wheel (3), a controller (11) that is connected to the electronic controller of the ship control system (ECU) via a CAN bus, a sensor (10) for detecting an angular position of the steering wheel (3), and a unit for generating mechanical resistance in the steering wheel (3), in which the unit for generating mechanical resistance in the steering wheel (3) is an electric motor (8) and the shaft (2) of the steering wheel (3), that is rotationally fixed to the steering wheel (3), is rotationally fixed to the rotor (7) of the electric motor (6), and the stator (8) of the electric motor (6) is rotationally fixed to the housing (5) of the electric motor (6). |
| US08255100B2 |
Data-driven anomaly detection to anticipate flight deck effects
A method for data-driven anomaly detection may include monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with a plurality of subsystems of a system. The method may also include collecting data corresponding to each of the plurality of parameters from the plurality of subsystems and generating monitoring quantities based on the data. The method may also include determining if any quantities in the monitoring quantities exceed a predetermined limit. A contribution plot may be generated corresponding to each of the parameters in response to any of the quantities exceeding the predetermined limit. The method may further include determining which parameter is likely to cause an effect based on the contribution plot. |
| US08255097B1 |
System and method for managing maintenance activities
A system and method for managing maintenance activities such as, for example, aircraft maintenance activities, according to which, in several exemplary embodiments, aircraft maintenance requirements are monitored and/or aircraft maintenance resources are assigned. |
| US08255093B2 |
Kit to adapt an automotive vehicle for remote operation, automotive remote control conversion pedestal, and system
Embodiments of a kit, automotive control pedestal and system to adapt an automotive vehicle for remote operation are disclosed. The pedestal mounts in place of a driver's seat of the vehicle to allow both human and remote operation of the vehicle. The kit includes the pedestal with a steering servo, a hydraulic brake servo, a throttle control servo, and a gear-selection linear actuator mounted thereon. The kit may also include a control system and a video transmission system for remote operation. |
| US08255091B2 |
Temperature control circuit
A temperature control circuit includes a microprocessor, a temperature detecting module, and a heating module. The temperature detecting module includes a thermistor and a first switch. The thermistor is operable to sense a temperature to turn on or off the first switch for outputting a detection signal to the microprocessor. The heating module includes a heater and a second switch. The microprocessor controls the second switch to turn on or off for making the heater works or stop working according to the detection signal. |
| US08255089B2 |
Multiple volatile material dispensing device and operating methodologies therefore
A dispensing device includes a controller and first and second actuators coupled to the controller and adapted to actuate first and second containers, respectively, to dispense volatile material therefrom. The device further includes a sensor coupled to the controller for detecting an environmental condition. The controller is configured to operate in a first period during which the first and second actuators are inactive, in a second period during which the first actuator is controlled to periodically actuate the first container at a first frequency to dispense volatile material therefrom, and in a third period during which the second actuator is controlled to periodically actuate the second container at a second frequency to dispense volatile material therefrom. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the controller is configured to control the first and/or second actuators to periodically actuate the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency different than the first and second frequencies to dispense volatile material therefrom. |
| US08255082B2 |
Method for teaching carrier means, storage medium and substrate processing apparatus
The present invention is intended to achieve more accurate and facilitated positioning of a carrier onto a table, in a substrate processing apparatus configured for placing the carrier storing multiple sheets of wafers therein, on the table, by using a carrier arm. Before the carrier is actually carried by the carrier arm, a carrier jig having the same shape as the carrier is held by a holding part provided to the carrier arm. The carrier jig is provided with a camera, such that a central position of a region of an image taken by the camera will be coincident with a central position of an opening formed in the table, if the carrier jig is accurately located in an ideal position above the table. First, the carrier arm is actuated to move the holding part of the carrier arm to a preset lowering start position. Then, the image of the region including the opening is taken by the camera. Thereafter, a distance between the central position of the opening and the central position of the region of the image taken by the camera is calculated, so as to obtain an amount of a positional shift, in a horizontal direction, between the preset lowering start position and the ideal position. Consequently, the lowering start position of the holding part is corrected, by using the so-obtained amount of the positional shift as a correction value. Finally, the carrier is placed on the table, based on the so-corrected lowering start position. |
| US08255081B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating position of robot
Provided are an apparatus and method of calculating the position of a robot, which determine the position of a robot and create a map of the surroundings of the robot which account for the travel state of the robot. The apparatus includes a state variable calculation module which calculates a plurality of state variables regarding a travel state of the robot by using a plurality of Kalman filters; a travel state determination module which determines the travel state of the robot based on the results of the calculation performed by the state variable calculation module; and a state variable update module which updates the state variables according to the result of the determination performed by the travel state determination module. |
| US08255076B2 |
CAM system and method
To provide a CAM system and method which can facilitate change of a machining posture and a machining procedure, and can aid an operation of forming an optimum machining path. Machining features capable of being integrated into one are obtained and a machining procedure for the integrated machining feature is obtained. Based on the machining procedure, design data is converted to manufacturing data. The manufacturing data capable of machining the integrated machining feature together can be therefore obtained in contrast with the case of separately machining the individual machining features which constitute the integrated machining feature. |
| US08255074B2 |
Adaptation of a controller in a rolling mill based on the variation of an actual value of a rolling product
During operation of a rolling mill, a rolling product running through the mill is machined by a machining device which is controlled by a controller, to which a target and an actual value of the roll product are fed after machining. The controller determines based on the target and the actual value, in conjunction with controller characteristic, a controlled variable for the machining device and outputs the controlled variable to the machining device which machines the roll product according to the output controlled variable. A detection device receives the actual value after machining and a corresponding actual value of the mill product before machining. Based on the temporal profiles of the actual values, the device dynamically determines the controller characteristic such that the variance of the actual value at least tends to be minimized after machining. The device also parameterizes the controller according to the determined control characteristic. |
| US08255071B2 |
Method and system for forming a dental prosthesis
A system and method for use in constructing a prosthesis/complete restoration that obtains a digital dentition model, such as a 3D geometric surface model or a 3D volumetric image model, processes the digital dentition model to form a virtual model, forms a virtual mold including a digital prosthesis and/or complete restoration, and uses the virtual model to construct the prosthesis/complete restoration. Processing circuitry, such as a programmed server, can be used to obtain the digital dentition model and form the virtual mold. A rapid manufacturing device can be used to construct the prosthesis/complete restoration. |
| US08255069B2 |
Digital audio processor
A digital audio processor is described, wherein a graphical user interface is presented on the monitor of the processor to display user actionable control elements in a scene of a real world environment for creating and processing music; the graphical user interface is adapted to activate pre-set functions for generating and processing digital audio data in the digital audio processor for each of the user actionable control elements. |
| US08255065B2 |
Mobile function block for a PLC based distributed control system
Methods and architectures are described that provide function block mobility between PLCs. Each PLC configured with Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs) may forward and execute MFBs from each other. To enable MFB mobility over a communication bus, each PLC having one or more configured MFBs requires a Communication Function Block (CFB) and an MFB directory data block. Each PLC maintains an MFB directory data block to store its MFB directory which is used when other PLCs send requests to check the availability of MFBs they need to run new tasks. |
| US08255063B2 |
Intracardial electrode line and cardiac stimulator
The invention relates to an intracardial implantable electrode line for connection to an implantable medical device, in particular a cardiac pacemaker or cardioverter/defibrillator or the like, which has an acceleration sensor in the area of its distal end, which is implemented to record and differentiate acceleration values in at least two different directions. The invention additionally relates to a cardiac stimulation configuration which also has a cardiac stimulator in addition to such an electrode line. |
| US08255062B2 |
Left chamber pressure sensor lead delivery system
An apparatus for and method of measuring pressure through a septum in a patient's heart. A lead inserted into the right side of a heart is routed through the septum to gain access to the left side of the heart. The lead includes a mounting mechanism that secures the lead to one or both sides of the septal walls. The lead also includes one or more sensors for measuring cardiac pressure on the left side of the heart and, as necessary, the right side of the heart. |
| US08255053B2 |
Method and apparatus for question-based programming of cardiac rhythm management devices
A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes a programming device that identifies the device type of an implantable medical device, selects a predetermined questioning sequence based on the device type, and interacts with a user through a user interface screen by conducting a question-and-answer session according to the predetermined questioning sequence. After displaying a question and receiving an answer to the question, the programming device sets one or more programmable parameter values and/or displays a follow-up question in response to the answer. The programming device also allows the user to enter one or more programmable parameter values directly during or after the question-and-answer session. The implantable medical device is programmed to operate in one or more operational modes based on at least the answers received from the user during the question-and-answer session and the parameter values entered by the user, if any. |
| US08255050B2 |
Catheter to assist the performance of a heart
In a catheter (2) to assist the performance of a heart (1) with at least one pump (7), the pump is formed as a rotary pump at the distal end of the catheter (2), the rotor (6) lying distally on the outer side being coupled via a magneto coupling with a drive wheel (21), formed as a hydraulically or pneumatically operated paddle wheel, arranged inside the catheter (2). The driving fluid is supplied to the paddle wheel via a lumen (22) of the catheter (2) and is carried off via a further lumen (23) of the catheter. |
| US08255049B2 |
Method and device for providing anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy
Various system embodiments comprise at least one sensor input adapted to receive at least one sensed signal associated with a tachyarrhythmia, a feature set extractor adapted to extract at least two features from the at least one sensed signal associated with the tachyarrhythmia, a feature set generator adapted to form a feature set using the at least two features extracted by the feature set extractor, at least one generator adapted for use to selectively apply an anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy and a neural stimulation (NS) therapy, and a controller adapted to respond to the feature set. The controller is adapted to initiate the NS therapy when the feature set corresponds to criteria for applying the NS therapy to modify the tachyarrhythmia, and initiate the ATP therapy to terminate the modified tachyarrhythmia. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08255048B2 |
Circuit for controlled commutation of multiplexed electrodes for an active implantable medical device
A circuit for controlled commutation of multiplexed electrodes, for an active implantable medical device. This circuit is located in a lead equipped with multiplexed sensing/pacing electrodes. This circuit decodes a signal generated by a generator, commanding a series of switches, which ensures selective coupling of the various electrodes to the proximal and distal terminals of the generator. This signal is a modulated signal comprising a coded series of logic pulses defining a particular configuration for coupling the lead electrodes to the proximal or distal terminal of the generator. The signal comprises a micropulse, that precedes the coded series of logic pulses and has an amplitude and duration lower than the amplitude and duration of each of the logic pulses. The detection of this micropulse activates, in response, all the circuit switches to an open position over a duration (PHASE 1) at least equal to the duration of reception of the coded series of logic pulses. |
| US08255047B1 |
Cardiac pacing system with improved physiological event classification and heart monitoring based on DSP
There is provided an implantable cardiac pacing system or other cardiac monitoring system having an enhanced capability to classify intracardiac signals through a combination of DSP techniques and software algorithms. The implantable device has one or more DSP channels corresponding to different signals which are being monitored. Each DSP channel most preferably amplifies the incoming signal, converts the signal from analog to digital form, digitally filters the converted signals to provide a filtered signal, operates on the filtered signal to provide a slope signal, determines from the filtered and slope signals when an intracardiac event has been detected, signal processes the filtered and slope signals for a predetermined analysis interval after threshold crossing, and generates a plurality of wave parameters corresponding to the signal. The generated wave parameters are further operated on by a programmable algorithm to classify the detected event based upon DSP-generated parameters, and then monitor or detect the onset, development or presence of an undesired heart condition in a patient. The system may further provide for the delivery of treatment, storage of intracardiac data, or provision of a warning to a patient or physician in response to the detection of such a heart condition. |
| US08255045B2 |
Neurophysiologic monitoring system
The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments involving the use of neurophysiology. |
| US08255044B2 |
System and methods for performing dynamic pedicle integrity assessments
The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing dynamic pedicle integrity assessments involving the use of neurophysiology. |
| US08255043B2 |
Methods and systems for analyzing T-wave alternans
Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therein, that can detect T-wave alternans and analyze the detected alternans to provide information regarding cardiac instabilities and predict impending arrhythmias. |
| US08255031B2 |
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. |
| US08255029B2 |
Method of analyzing and processing signals
A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyse the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system can be used as a general monitor, or more specifically, to for infant or adult apnea, and to guard against sudden infant death syndrome. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analogue to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyser component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyser component. |
| US08255028B2 |
Physiological monitor
A patient monitor has multiple sensors adapted to attach to tissue sites of a living subject. The sensors generate sensor signals that are responsive to at least two wavelengths of optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood within the tissue sites. A patient monitor uses the plurality of signals to reduce the effects of noise. |
| US08255025B2 |
Bronchial or tracheal tissular water content sensor and system
The disclosure provides a sensor system for detecting bronchial tissular water content including at least a sensor, a connector, and a monitor. The sensor generates a signal, which may be carried by the connector to the monitor, which generates an output corresponding to the signal. The disclosure additionally provides a sensor for detecting bronchial or tracheal tissular water content including at least a signal generator. The sensor may also include at least a segment of a connector. The disclosure also provides a method of measuring bronchial or tracheal tissular water content by inserting a sensor into an airway of a subject, such as a human, until it becomes lodged in a bronchus or the trachea, then measuring bronchial or tracheal tissular water content using the sensor. |
| US08255023B2 |
Cryostat having a magnet coil system, which comprises an LTS section and an encapsulated HTS section
A cryostat (1) with a magnet coil system including superconductors for the production of a magnet field B0 in a measuring volume (3) has a plurality of radially nested solenoid-shaped coil sections (4, 5, 6) and which are electrically connected in series, at least one of which being an LTS section (5, 6) with a conventional low temperature superconductor (LTS) and at least one of which being an HTS section (4) including a high temperature superconductor (HTS), wherein the magnet coil system is located in a helium tank (9) of the cryostat (1) along with liquid helium at a helium temperature TL. The apparatus is characterized in that a chamber (11) is provided within which the HTS sections (4) are held having an internal portion with a sufficiently low pressure such that helium located therein at a temperature of TL is gaseous. The cryostat in accordance with the invention can be utilized to maintain HTS coil sections over a long period of time in a reliable fashion. |
| US08255020B2 |
Rotatable cell phone
A rotatable cell phone includes a display unit, a main unit, a connecting unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The display unit includes a top housing defining a top recess. The main unit includes a bottom housing defining a bottom recess. The connecting unit includes a top assembly module detachably mounted in the top recess, a bottom assembly module detachably mounted in the bottom recess, and a pivot shaft rotatably connecting the top assembly module to the bottom assembly module. The pivot shaft defines an axial hole. The signal transmitting unit is received in the axial hole of the pivot shaft, and is configured for transmitting signals from the main unit to the display unit. |
| US08255019B2 |
Slidable portable electronic device
A slidable portable electronic device comprising a first cabinet and a second cabinet slidably coupled on a surface of the first cabinet, the first cabinet comprising at least one of an operating unit and a display unit provided on a surface of the first cabinet to be exposed when the second cabinet is slidingly moved in the opening direction, a through-hole formed extending to an inner space from a surface of the first cabinet that remains unexposed when the second cabinet is slidingly moved in the opening direction, a microphone having a sound collecting face and provided on the inner space side of the first cabinet, with the sound collecting face facing the through-hole, and a gap formed between the first cabinet and the second cabinet and communicating with the through-hole. |
| US08255013B1 |
Audio receiver design for a mobile computing device
Various embodiments of an audio receiver design for a mobile computing device are described. The mobile computing device may comprise an audio receiver structured and arranged to port to the rear of the mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device may be implemented as a dual-mode Global System for Mobile Communications/Universal Mobile Telephone System (GSM/UMTS) quad-band device. The mobile computing device also may comprise a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna for providing positioning determination capabilities and location-based services. In various implementations, the audio receiver may be ported to an in-vehicle system, such as an onboard entertainment system, navigation system, and/or communications system. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08255012B2 |
Mobile phone and status control method thereof
A mobile phone and a status control method adapted for the mobile phone are provided. The mobile phone communicates with a wireless network, such as GPRS. The mobile phone includes a data reception unit, a processing unit, and a storage unit. The processing unit records a start time and a stop time of each event which defines the running of an application program when data reception unit transfers data packet of the application program, and calculates an average interval time of the application program, and stores the average interval time. When a waiting time reaches the average interval time of the application program in the ready state, the mobile phone enters the standby state in advance, and thus the mobile phone does not need send updated location information to the SGSN and saves a lot of power. |
| US08255011B2 |
Mobile communication device and communication method
A mobile communication device includes a processor; a data acquisition device for acquiring data and providing it to the processor; a transceiver for transmitting at least some of the acquired data to an external device; and a low-power clock. The low-power clock counts down a random delay time period and temporarily shifts the processor and the transceiver from low-power sleep modes to active wake modes so that the processor and transceiver can transmit at least some of the acquired data to the external device while in their active wake modes. |
| US08255009B2 |
Radio frequency communications circuitry with power supply voltage and gain control
Portable electronic devices are provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include one or more sets of radio-frequency power amplifiers. The radio-frequency power amplifiers are used to amplify radio-frequency signals that are transmitted by the portable electronic devices. Each power amplifier may have multiple gain mode settings. Gain stages within the power amplifiers may be selectively enabled in accordance with the gain mode settings. When a higher level of gain is required, all of the gain stages may be enabled. When a lower level of gain is required, some of the gain stages may be disabled to conserve power. An adjustable power supply may be used to provide an adjustable power supply voltage to the power amplifiers. The adjustable power supply voltage can be reduced when it is desired to minimize power consumption at a particular gain mode setting. Gain mode and power supply settings may be adjusted simultaneously. |
| US08255007B2 |
In-vehicle handsfree apparatus
An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus connects a handsfree profile (HFP) with a cellular phone, and then connects a service discovery profile (SDF) with the cellular phone to thereby designate a compliance state of the cellular phone with respect to a phone book access profile (PBAP) as a PBAP compliance flag. Then, when a user performs an operation to require an all item transfer to transfer all items of phone book data registered in the cellular phone, the handsfree apparatus refers to the PBAP compliance flag to thereby select and connect either the PBAP or an object push profile (OPP) with the cellular phone. |
| US08255004B2 |
Methods and systems for communicating using variable temperature control
Information can be communicated by a temperature change of a communication device equipped with one or more temperature modifying elements. A processor configured by software determines when a temperature change should be generated and accomplishes such a change by controlling the application of power to the temperature modifying element(s). The temperature modifying elements may be electric resistance heating elements, thermoelectric elements, or other elements. Users perceive the temperature change produced by the temperature modifying element(s) when they touch the device. Depending on user settings, the temperature change may communicate specific information to the user. For example, a temperature change may convey information regarding the importance of an incoming telephone call, e-mail message or SMS message, or the importance of an impending calendar event. Using temperature as a communication medium allows the communication device to convey information to a user being notice by others. |
| US08255003B2 |
Missed telephone call management for a portable multifunction device
In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object. |
| US08255001B2 |
Expedited communication key system and method
A method of performing expedited communication functions on a mobile device includes monitoring the duration-of key press on a keyboard of the mobile device and determining if the monitored duration of the key press is greater than a threshold duration. If the monitored duration of the key press is determined to be less than a threshold duration, then a primary key function associated with the pressed key is activated. If the monitored duration of the key press is determined to be greater than a threshold duration, then an expedited communication function associated with the pressed key is activated. |
| US08255000B2 |
Process for computing a frequency offset for a UMTS communication system based on the CPICH pilot signals
Process for computing an estimation of the frequency offset in a receiver for a UMTS communication network said receiver receives the signal transmitted by two antennas and including two Common Pilot CHannels (CPICH), said process involving the steps of separating the two signals by means of computation and computing the frequency offset on the base of the two separated signals |
| US08254999B2 |
Space-time precoding and associated feedback generation methods in multiple antenna systems
A quantized multi-rank beamforming scheme for multiple-antenna systems such as a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless downlink. User equipment (UE) estimates downlink channel and transmit power and determines rank and power allocations. A quantized beamforming matrix is then determined by the UE using successive beamforming. The UE also determines channel quality indices (CQI) which it feeds-back to the wireless downlink base station along with the index of the quantized beamforming matrix. The base station uses the CQI information to select a UE for scheduling of downlink transmission and the quantized beamforming matrix index received from the selected UE to beamform the downlink transmission to the UE. Base station overhead and is minimized while providing near-optimal performance given the constraints of a limited feed-back channel and computational complexity of the UE. |
| US08254997B2 |
Apparatus and method for 4-beamforming using radio units having two paths in wireless communication system
A base station is capable of performing 4-beamforming using Radio Units (RU), each having two paths in a wireless communication system. The base station includes a Digital Unit (DU), a first RU, and a second RU. The DU performs a mutual conversion function between an information bit line and a digital signal, calculates beamforming coefficients for 4-beamforming, and performs the 4-beamforming using the beamforming coefficients. The first RU has two Radio Frequency (RF) paths, extracts a clock signal from a digital signal from the DU, and provides the clock signal to the second RU. The second RU has two RF paths and operates according to the clock signal provided from the first RU. |
| US08254990B2 |
Hearing aid compatibility in a wireless communications device
A wireless communications device and method for providing an output signal. The device includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; a selection element connected to the control unit and configured to allow selection of several modes of output coupling for generating the output signal of the device; and, a processor connected to the control unit for processing a received signal with parameters selected according to a selected mode of output coupling. The several modes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearing aid. |
| US08254984B2 |
Speaker activation for mobile communication device
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a mobile communication device configured for operation in a first operating mode wherein a speaker function is off and a second operating mode wherein a speaker function is on. The mobile communication device includes a position sensor for detecting placement of the mobile communication device in a specified position and a controller for switching the mobile communication device between the first and second operating modes based on input from the position sensor. A method for speaker activation at a mobile communication device is also disclosed. |
| US08254981B2 |
Identifying radio access technology characteristics to mobile stations system and method
A method for granting a mobile station permission to attempt to identify a cell of a first radio access technology (RAT) while being served by a cell of a second RAT. The mobile station receives a list of neighbor cells of the second RAT. The list contains at least one identifying characteristic associated with at least one cell of the first RAT. The mobile station identifies at least one cell of the first RAT associated with the at least one identifying characteristic. |
| US08254978B2 |
Methods and systems for fast power control(FPC) message broadcasting in WiMAX systems
Methods and systems or broadcasting the fast power control message in wireless communications systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems can include receiving Carrier to Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (CINR) values from multiple mobile stations, determining a power adjustment value for each mobile station based on the CINR values, grouping the mobile stations based at least on the CINR values, and transmitting a fast power control message for each group with a different number of repetitions. |
| US08254976B2 |
Ranging collision elimination for group calls in a communication network
A network entity and method for eliminating ranging collisions for a group call in a communication network includes a step 300 of provisioning a pre-established rule for all members of a group, the rule including a common random number generator seed. A next step 302 includes initiating a group communication to subscriber units belonging to a group. A next step 304 includes generating a list of unique ranging codes for the members of the group using the common seed. A next step 306 includes each member of the group transmitting on its unique ranging code. |
| US08254971B1 |
System and method for determining an SMS message retransmission schedule
A system and method for determining an SMS retransmission schedule is provided. When a special error code is received by an SMSC, the SMSC can calculate the response time. The response time is the time that lapsed between forwarding the SMS message for delivery and receiving an error code. If the response time exceeds a response time threshold, the error code can be considered as falsely generated. A special retransmission schedule can be assigned to the SMS message. If the response time does not exceed a response time threshold, a different retransmission schedule can be assigned to the SMS message. |
| US08254967B1 |
Method and apparatus for differentiated paging channel selection
Disclosed is a method and apparatus to manage selection of a paging channel in a wireless communication system. When a mobile station powers on in a coverage area having multiple paging channels, the mobile station may apply a hashing algorithm keyed to the mobile station's identifier, to select a paging channel on which to idle. On the other hand, when the mobile station moves from a coverage area having a number of paging channels into a neighboring coverage area having a different number of paging channels, the mobile station may by rote idle on a default paging channel in the neighboring coverage area. In this way, the mobile station can help to avoid an access handoff failure that may arise from the mobile station being busy hashing onto a paging channel when the network transmits an access response message to the mobile station. |
| US08254966B2 |
System and method to modify wireless network calibration data
A system and method to re-calibrate an area of a wireless communications network that has been exposed to one or more network configuration changes is disclosed. When one or more attributes of the wireless network undergo a change which impairs the geo-location capability to locate a mobile station, it can be detrimental to the safety and well being of the network users. Geo-location calculations rely on accurate and updated calibration data to correctly locate a mobile station. In some instances, it may be necessary to update the calibration data for areas of the network that have been exposed to network configuration changes. Modifying previously collected calibration data to account for changes that have occurred in the network may increase the accuracy of mobile station location estimation. |
| US08254964B2 |
Method and arrangement relating to location based services for a communication device
A system and method may include receiving information about a movement of a device from a motion detector of the device, receiving information about ambient sound of the device from a sound receiving portion of the device, receiving information about position of the device, corresponding the movement to a particular type of movement that is distinguished from any and/or all other types of possible movements, corresponding the ambient sound to a specific sound, relating the specific movement and the specific sound to a particular event, and providing a location of the event to a user. |
| US08254958B2 |
Audible key locator system
A locating system for locating objects, such as, but not limited to, keys is disclosed. The locating system may include a mobile communication device having at least one audible tone generator in communication with a control module, wherein the control module is configured to send a signal to the audible tone generator to emit an audible tone. The locating system may also include a locator device physically detached from the mobile communication device. The locator device may include a receiver configured to receive the audible signal from the audible tone generator and to generate a signal. In alternative configurations, the locating system may send an audible sound that is incapable of being heard by an unaided human ear. In another configuration, the locating system may send a sequence of audible tones to activate the audible tone generator, thereby enabling a set of keys on a key ring to be located. |
| US08254956B2 |
Method, device arrangement, terminal and computer software product for distributing telematic data of moving object
A positioning method, a tracker's terminal (13), a positioning arrangement and a computer software product for tracking an object (11a), such as a dog. The method uses GPS positioning. The GPS position information of the object (11a) is transmitted through either a circuit switched digital radio network (10b) or an analogue radio link to the tracker's terminal (13). The tracker's terminal includes a software application via which the received position information can, when desired, be transmitted though a packet switched network (10a) to at least one other tracker's terminal (22, 23). |
| US08254953B2 |
System and method for providing location-based data on a wireless portable device
There is provided a wireless portable device for providing location-based data to a user in a defined geographical area including a plurality of points of interest, the wireless portable device comprising a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and an expansion bay with an attached expansion cartridge. The wireless transmitter can transmit location information to a wireless server over a wireless network. The wireless receiver can receive location-based data relating to a point of interest from the wireless server periodically and automatically, based on the location of the wireless portable device. The expansion cartridge can receive location-based data while the wireless portable device is in a low power sleep state. There is also provided a method for a wireless server to provide location-based data to a wireless portable device after a pre-determined period of time, including an interactive game relating to a point of interest. |
| US08254952B2 |
Method and system for emitting in a destination area of a moving conveyance, signals emitted by a telecommunication device in an area located in the moving conveyance
A wireless telecommunication system includes a telecommunication device emitting signals in an area located in a moving conveyance while the moving conveyance is moving. Information is obtained representative of a destination area of the moving conveyance in which the signals emitted by the telecommunication device in the area located in a moving conveyance are not received. The signals emitted by the telecommunication device are obtained in the area located in a moving conveyance. The obtained signals are emitted in the destination area of the moving conveyance prior to the arrival of the moving conveyance in the destination area. |
| US08254950B2 |
Method and network controller for switching between network sharing architectures
In RAN sharing scenarios wherein radio spectrum allocated to multiple mobile network operators is split into at least one carrier, the steps for switching the configurations of carriers for RAN sharing are proposed here, defining: a pooled configuration by which all the operators share at least one carrier; and a dedicated configuration by which each operator has at least one carrier assigned for allocation of its traffic. The start point for switching is single carrier in the pooled configuration. Traffic load in the shared single carrier is constantly measured to compare it with a threshold, so that, when the measured load exceeds the threshold and if spectrum pre-emption is possible to create additional carriers, the switching from the single carrier in the pooled configuration to the plurality of carriers is performed, selecting the configuration for each carrier from three possible options: pooled, dedicated or a combination of both. |
| US08254949B2 |
Active set modification to release backhaul capacity
System(s), method(s), and device(s) that enable release of backhaul capacity associated with base stations are presented. During soft handover, a communication device can have its connection maintained with more than one base station. A link controller component can identify a radio link having the highest quality and can determine the relative backhaul load of each base station communicating with the communication device. The link controller component determines whether the base station having the highest radio link quality is experiencing the heaviest backhaul load relative to the other base stations. If the base station with the highest link quality does not also have the heaviest backhaul load, the link controller component identifies the base station having the heaviest backhaul load and the identified base station can have its status modified with respect to the communication device for a desired period of time, in accordance with predefined status modification criteria. |
| US08254943B1 |
Method for backhaul transport recovery
In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for backhaul transport recovery. In an embodiment, a method for backhaul transport recovery is provided. The method includes broadcasting a backhaul recovery request, and receiving backhaul recovery responses from at least one wireless device. The method also includes selecting at least one wireless recovery device from the at least one wireless device based upon the backhaul recovery responses, and establishing at least one backhaul recovery channel through the at least one wireless recovery device. |
| US08254941B2 |
Apparatus and method for renewal-based resource allocation in a broadband wireless access communication system
An apparatus and method for renewal-based resource allocation in a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) system are provided. A Base Station (BS) allocates resources to a Mobile Station (MS) by resource allocation information. It is determined whether the MS requires continuous resource allocation or whether the MS does not have transmission data temporarily, when a resource allocation duration for downlink resources allocated to the MS has expired. One of resource allocation termination, resource allocation renewal, and temporary resource lending to another MS is performed according to the determination. Information for updating the resource allocation information is transmitted to the MS. |
| US08254940B2 |
Handling of services for a called subscriber
A method and control node and computer program are disclosed for handling Intelligent Network services associated with a call to a subscriber of a mobile telecommunications network, the network comprising said control node, a HLR and one or more SCPs. Said control node a) sends to said HLR one or more requests for routing information associated with said call; b) receives from said HLR service trigger elements associated with said services; c) uses said trigger elements for invoking said services in said one ore more SCPs; and d) receives from said one or more SCPs information related to said services associated with said trigger elements. |
| US08254937B2 |
Radio network environment, reducing interference among overlapping cells
Disclosed is a method for a femtocell to reduce interference with an overlapping macrocell. The femtocell determines soft-frequency-reuse (“SFR”) information of the macrocell. From that information, the femtocell determines which frequency sub-channels are assigned by the macrocell for its cell-center users and which frequency sub-channels are assigned for cell-edge users. (Cell-edge users are given a higher transmission power profile in order to overcome potential interference with neighboring macrocells.) Then, the femtocell selects from the cell-center user frequency sub-channels for transmission to the femtocell's users. By transmitting on the cell-center user frequency sub-channels, the femtocell reduces interference with the overlapping macrocell. The femtocell continues to update its knowledge of the macrocell's SFR information and re-assigns frequency sub-channels as the SFR changes. If the macrocell detects that one of its cell-center users is “close enough” to the femtocell, then the macrocell re-assigns the cell-center user as a cell-edge user to overcome interference. |
| US08254934B2 |
Paging method and apparatus thereof in broadband wireless communication system
Provided are a paging method and an apparatus thereof for User Equipment (UE) in a broadband wireless communication system. In the method, a paging message is received from a macro base station. Whether there exists an accessible femto base station inside a service area of the macro base station is determined. When there does not exist the accessible femto base station inside the service area of the macro base station, the UE responds to the paging message of the macro base station. When there exists the accessible femto base station inside the service area of the macro base station, the UE waits for a paging message to be received from the femto base station. |
| US08254933B2 |
Apparatus and method for handover between a heterogeneous communication system and a broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for handover between a broadband wireless communication system and a heterogeneous communication system are provided. An operating method of a base station for the handover between a broadband wireless communication system and a and a heterogeneous communication system includes when a terminal enters a border cell, sending a message requesting to measure a signal level of a downlink, to the terminal, when a signal level measured by the terminal falls below a preset threshold, requesting a handover, to a corresponding heterogeneous communication system, over a core network, receiving a message, including channel allocation information for the handover, from the corresponding heterogeneous communication system, and forwarding the message, including the channel allocation information, to the terminal. Hence, when the terminal gets out of the service coverage area of the broadband wireless communication system, it can be handed over to the heterogeneous communication system seamlessly. |
| US08254932B2 |
Method of handling mobility in multimedia broadcast multicast service single frequency network in a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method of handling mobility in multimedia broadcast multicast service single frequency network (MBSFN) for a user equipment of a wireless communication system includes when the user equipment proceeds with an MBMS service and performs handover from a source cell to a target cell, checking whether a target MBSFN area which the target cell belongs to is the same as a source MBSFN area which the source cell belongs to, when the target MBSFN area is different from the source MBSFN area, receiving a multicast control channel (MCCH) corresponding to the target MBSFN area, checking whether the MBMS service is provided in the target MBSFN area, and when the MBMS service is provided in the target MBSFN area, sending a service join request to a target network of the wireless communication system, for continuing to receive the MBMS service. |
| US08254927B2 |
SFN and signaling mechanisms for softer handoff groups
Softer handoff groups are provided utilizing fractional frequency reuse set, which can be managed by a single master sector that is part of the group. The group can based on handoff rules that can include a group indication by an access point or a group request by an access terminal. A terminal is provided functionality to select a softer handoff group, which can be indicated by an active set update. An access point can discontinue serving terminals by groups by reducing an active set size to one. Diversity can be provided such that if a transmission from one sector fades, the other sector can provide the transmission, mitigating loss of data. Thus, robustness against inadequate channel conditions can be obtained. |
| US08254926B2 |
Mobile switchboard, mobile unit, mobile communication system, and position-registration extending method
A mobile unit transmits a request for position registration to a network when moving from a first area to a second area. When the number of incoming calls does not exceed a threshold and the number of movements between the first area and the second area exceeds a threshold, a mobile switchboard combines the first area and the second area into an extended area, and informs the mobile unit of the extended area. |
| US08254922B2 |
Zero delay frequency switching with dynamic frequency hopping for cognitive radio based dynamic spectrum access network systems
This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and in particular to a method of addressing zero-delay frequency switching for cognitive dynamic frequency hopping. The method combines regular (periodic) channel maintenance with dynamic frequency hopping over a cluster of vacated channels that are initially setup such that the switching delays for channel setup and channel availability check are eliminated. |
| US08254920B1 |
Reducing the usage of non-preferred wireless coverage areas
Methods and systems for reducing the usage of non-preferred wireless coverage areas are presented. In particular, a RAN may determine that a WCD is likely to begin roaming. The WCD may be served by a preferred wireless coverage area and may be likely to roam to a non-preferred wireless coverage area. In an effort to avoid drawbacks associated with letting the WCD roam, the RAN may grant the WCD one or more forms of increased service quality. Doing so may prevent the WCD from roaming. |
| US08254912B2 |
System and method for speeding call originations to a variety of devices using intelligent predictive techniques for half-call routing
A mobile application gateway configured to interconnect mobile communication devices on a cellular network with an enterprise network is provided. The mobile application gateway includes a voice and data signaling gateway configured to provide routing functionalities, service functionalities and admission control. A gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) is configured to establish a secure data session between one or more of the mobile communication devices and the enterprise network by establishing a GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel between a carrier-hosted serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and the GGSN. |
| US08254911B1 |
Estimation of direct channel and interference channel
A mobile station (MS) includes an input, and a channel estimation module. The input receives signals from N base stations (BSs), where N is an integer greater than 1. The N BSs include a serving BS of the MS and (N−1) neighboring BSs. Each of the N BSs uses at least N pilot values to transmit the signals. One of the signals having a direct channel gain (direct channel) is transmitted by the serving BS. Others of the signals having (N−1) interference channel gains (interference channels) are transmitted by the (N−1) neighboring BSs. The channel estimation module generates channel estimates of the direct channel and the (N−1) interference channels based on the N pilot values when the MS is associated with the serving BS. |
| US08254909B1 |
Computational syndrome detector
Methods and apparatus provide for analysis of wireless signal session data records in order to detect a selectively defined relationship. The relationship involves one or more wireless signal performance metrics and a geographical area. The relationships can be correlated with at least one syndrome of real-world circumstances. Detection of one or more relationships can be reported and leveraged to improve wireless signal service within an area or throughout a wireless system or infrastructure. Such detection and syndrome reporting can also be used to provide valuable and time-saving information to wireless system users. |
| US08254908B2 |
Server and method for remotely testing electronic devices
An agent server for remotely testing an electronic device is connected to the electronic device via a control interface. The control interface includes a direct power supply and a keyboard test device. The agent server receives test requirements sent from a client via a network, supplies power to a dummy of the electronic device using the direct power supply, so as to start up the electronic device. Furthermore, the agent server operates a keyboard of the electronic device according to the test requirements using the keyboard test device, so as to establish a communication between the electronic device and another electronic device. A video camera captures video and audio information of the electronic device during the communication, and transmits the video and audio information to the client. The client analyzes the video and audio information to determine a test result of the electronic device. |
| US08254907B2 |
Method for activating a trace session in a wireless communication system
A method (200) of activating or deactivating a trace session using an international mobile subscriber identifier in a long term evolution communication networks (100). The method includes receiving a trace session activation or deactivation request with an IMSI identifier by the eNodeB (104) to activate or deactivate a trace session for subscriber and forwarding the trace session activation or deactivation request and IMSI identifier to a wireless communication network entity (108). The trace session activation request including IMSI (204) and trace session activation request (304) can be forwarded over an S1 interface between network entities. |
| US08254906B2 |
Mobile radio communication system
A mobile radio communication system having a mobile radio communication network and a mobile radio subscriber appliance, wherein a unit in the network layer of the core network of the mobile radio communication network is configured to transmit to the mobile radio subscriber appliance a first message, based on an occurrence of a predetermined event, with a request for a statement which describes at least one radio characteristic of the mobile radio subscriber appliance. |
| US08254905B2 |
Service monitoring and disconnection notification in a wireless gateway device
A gateway apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate with and provide a service to a wireless client device includes a wireless access point module, a network interface and a controller. The wireless access point module is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless client device. The network interface module is configured to interface with a network in order to provide the service for the wireless client device. The controller is responsive to detecting degradation in the service or to receiving a command to generate a signal, for transmission to the wireless client device by the wireless access point module. The signal notifies the wireless client device to disconnect from the gateway apparatus. |
| US08254904B1 |
Method for disabling the audible and visual notifications that are played and displayed upon receiving an incoming message
Upon receiving a message, a recipient communication-device usually plays an audible notification (ringtone), which may disturb the receiving user. The purpose of the method is to prevent, by the sender of the message, the possible disturb. The method enables the sender of the message to disable the notification that is played by the recipient communication-device. The method comprises embedding, by the sending user, a predetermined code in a predetermined location in the message and/or in the number of the recipient communication-device (‘predetermined locations’), before sending the message to the recipient communication-device. Then, while delivering the message or upon receiving the message, checking whether the message and/or the number contain the ‘predetermined code’ in the ‘predetermined locations’. In response to finding a presence of the ‘predetermined codes’ in the ‘predetermined locations’, disabling the audible notification. |
| US08254903B2 |
System and method for remotely operating a wireless device using a server and client architecture
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for remotely operating one or more peripheral devices of a wireless device using a server and client architecture. In one aspect, the system may comprise a wireless device that includes a processor, a memory, a peripheral device, and a server adapted to communicate with the peripheral device; and a removable media device that includes a memory, a processor, and a client adapted to communicate with the server of the wireless device. In another aspect, the method may comprise the steps of emulating a hardware interface on a removable media device; mapping a peripheral device of a wireless device to the interface; mapping a processor of the media device to the peripheral device; wrapping and sending hardware commands from a client of the media device to a server of the wireless device; and executing the commands on the peripheral device. |
| US08254901B2 |
Remote control system
A method includes the steps of selecting an appliance to be controlled from a list of appliances stored in the cellular device, selecting an instruction to be communicated to the selected appliance from a list of instructions stored in the cellular device, and transmitting the instruction to a cellular interface associated with the selected appliance via a public cellular telephone infrastructure by dialing a telephone number stored in the cellular device. |
| US08254900B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus, cellular phone device, and method for controlling communication therebetween
A communication unit communicates with a cellular phone device simultaneously using a handsfree communication protocol for handsfree communication and a mail transfer protocol for mail transfer. The cellular phone device is selectively in one of: i) a handsfree communication state where voice is transmitted via voice units of the in-vehicle apparatus when opening a voice path with the in-vehicle apparatus using the handsfree communication protocol; and ii) a handset communication state where voice is transmitted via voice units of the cellular phone when closing the voice path. The control unit notifies an incoming mail in a normal manner when the cellular phone device is in the handsfree communication state. Alternatively, the control unit notifies an incoming mail such that an occupant other than a user hardly notices an incoming mail when the cellular phone device is in the handset communication state. |
| US08254899B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing call and message-related events in a wireless terminal
A character agent function is added to a wireless terminal and an avatar user interface (UI) for generating and processing an event is expressed when an event occurs in the wireless terminal, such that call and message-related events occurring in the wireless terminal can be expressed through the character agent function. |
| US08254898B2 |
Message handling based on the state of a telecommunications terminal
A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable: (i) applications that are external to a telecommunications terminal, rather than the user, to initiate the delivery of content to the terminal, and (ii) the terminal to determine, based on the state of the terminal, whether or not to provide the content to a user. The “state” of the terminal is determined by one or more of (i) user-driven states, (ii) data states, and (iii) call states. When the terminal's state is considered, as in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the readiness of the user and terminal to accept and process the content are accounted for, and as a result the content does not interfere. |
| US08254892B2 |
Methods and apparatus for anonymous user identification and content personalization in wireless communication
Methods and apparatus for providing personalized content to a user of a wireless network include establishing an anonymous user identifier and delivering the user identifier to a content provider. Based on the user identifier, communication with a predetermined data source is established or predetermined data content is selected. In some embodiments, a device identifier is provided in addition to the user identifier and device specific, personalized content is delivered to the user. In one example, a device identifier and a user identifier are based on a mobile station serial number and a subscriber identity module, respectively, and are used in an HTTP header. The anonymous user identifier can be based on a subscriber identity module (SIM) serial number, or a hash of the SIM serial number so that user information such as a user phone numbers is not available to content providers. |
| US08254890B2 |
System and method for managing items in a list shared by a group of mobile devices
A method and system are provided for sharing data amongst a group of a plurality of mobile devices without requiring a database or server to centrally store the shared data. The shared data is instead stored by each group member individually while controlling the manner in which the shared data is updated. The shared data can be used to manage tasks in a group project. To manage updates, the shared data is atomized such that individual databases in the shared data are separated or otherwise delineated into one or more records, each record having associated therewith, a value. To maintain a common copy of the shared data at each device, any update is sent to all group members using an intermediate message exchange service that is capable of transmitting a sent message to more than one recipient if necessary. In this way, the updates are multicast to the group. To manage the content of the shared data, each update comprises one or more changes to a current copy of a corresponding record. |
| US08254889B2 |
Mobile device panic function with recordability
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to recording a conversation on a portable communications device. This allows the user to press a panic button or a series of buttons on their portable communications device to begin recording the conversation. This conversation may be stored on a memory of the portable communications device or in a network in communication with the portable communications device. With the conversation recorded, there is a record of what was said during the call. This record may later be used if necessary. |
| US08254884B2 |
System and method for application program operation on a wireless device
Embodiments described herein address mobile devices with non-secure operating systems that do not provide a sufficient security framework. More particularly, the embodiments described herein provide a set of applications to the device for providing security features to the non-secure operating system. |
| US08254883B2 |
Confidential information management by mobile terminal
To provide a communication system including a mobile terminal which can prevent leak of information even if the mobile terminal is lost and reproduce previously accumulated confidential data without losing newly created and updated confidential data. A mobile terminal includes connection state judging device which detects a line connection state with a server. When the line connection state is a broadband connection, the data is read directly from and written directly into a data storing device of the server. When the line connection state is a narrowband connection, the data is temporarily read out and written into a data storing device of the terminal. When the operation of the mobile terminal is completed or a security operation starting instruction is issued by a user, the updated confidential data is written into the data storing device of the server and then the confidential data is erased from the mobile terminal. |
| US08254882B2 |
Intrusion prevention system for wireless networks
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving security context information relevant to a connection between a wireless network infrastructure component and a wireless client, wherein the security context information comprises at least, an identification of the wireless client, and wherein the security context information identifies any security protocols associated with the connection; validating the connection based on the security context information; and transmitting the security context information to one or more detector wireless access points. |
| US08254879B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in processing disconnected emergency calls and other communications involving mobile communication devices and the remote monitoring thereof
A communication device receives an incoming call message for an incoming call. The incoming call message has data indications indicating whether the incoming call is an emergency call from a public safety answering point entity. If the data indications do not indicate that the incoming call is an emergency call from the public safety answering point, then the communication device performs non-emergency call processing for the incoming call. On the other hand, if the data indications indicate that the incoming call is an emergency call, then the communication device causes the emergency call to be answered automatically. |
| US08254878B2 |
Methods for use in conjunction with a handheld wireless communication device having an adjunct device coupled thereto
A method includes executing a homing application of the handheld wireless communication device for finding at least one personal object coupled to at least one remote wireless device. The homing application includes generating data to present for display on the handheld wireless communication device a graphical user interface that receives an indication of a user to locate the at least one personal object and that generates a location signal in response thereto. The location signal is communicated to an adjunct device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to cause the adjunct device to transmit an RF paging signal to at least one remote wireless device via a short-range wireless transceiver of the adjunct device. |
| US08254876B1 |
Systems and methods for supporting dispatch communications
Systems and methods for a wireless communication network to support dispatch communications with a dispatch communication client located outside of the wireless communication network are provided. The dispatch communication network includes one or more application services gateways (ASGs) for supporting dispatch communication clients located outside of the wireless communication network. Systems and methods for registering, and tracking the location of, dispatch communication clients, located outside of a wireless communication network, with the wireless communication network are provided. Additionally, systems and methods for selecting a dispatch communication gateway, and for allowing a dispatch communication client, located in a private network, to perform voice dispatch communication with a wireless communication network are also provided. |
| US08254875B2 |
Vehicle emergency call system for transmitting additional or modified data
An emergency call device, system and method for a vehicle is specified in which, on occurrence of a certain event, a data record is generated which thereupon is transmitted during an emergency call. The event may be an external request by an operator or a trigger signal inside a vehicle. In this way, the operator may obtain the most recent information at any time during the emergency call. |
| US08254874B1 |
Variable persistence delay for mobile stations receiving concatenated pages
A method and system is disclosed for variable persistence delay in access terminals receiving a concatenate page message. When an access terminal (e.g., a mobile station or wireless communication device) receives a page message that it determines is part of a concatenated page message, the access terminal will compute a backoff delay and a persistence delay according to delay parameters selected based upon the determination. According to an example embodiment, the access terminal will use the place-order of the received page record in the concatenation of page records in the page message to select values of the delay parameters. Other access terminals receiving the same concatenated page message will similarly select delay parameters. By associating the delay parameter values with place-order in the concatenated page message, each access terminal may used different values, and thereby compute different delays. |
| US08254873B2 |
Mobile communication system, mobile communication method, radio network controller, radio base station and mobile station
In a mobile communication system, the radio device RNC, Node B includes: a creation unit 11 configured to create, on the basis of the notification information received from the distribution server, simplified information indicating content of the notification information, and detailed information indicating content of the notification information with a greater amount of information than that of the simplified information; a simplified information transmitter unit 12, 34 configured to transmit the simplified information to the mobile station by use of a control channel for starting the broadcast communication; and a detailed information transmitter unit 15, 35 configured to transmit the detailed information to the mobile station by use of a traffic channel for broadcast communication, and the mobile station UE includes: a display unit 55, 58 configured to display the received detailed information, after displaying the received simplified information. |
| US08254871B2 |
Method and system for playing ring back tone, home location register and mobile switching center
A ring back tone playing method and system, a home location register and a mobile switching center, the method comprises the calling side mobile switching center transmitting a route request message to the called side home location register when the calling side mobile switching center has received the call request transmitted from the calling terminal to the called terminal; the calling side mobile switching center receiving the ring back tone service identifier returned from the called side home location register which instructs that the called side home location register has got the called terminal's absence response message and the called terminal has customized a ring back tone service; the calling side mobile switching center instructing the playing device to play the ring back tone to the calling terminal according to the ring back tone service identifier. |
| US08254863B2 |
Broadcast receiver and method for setting broadcast receivers
A broadcast receiver and a method for setting the broadcast receiver, comprising receiving a primary broadcast sent by a broadcast station and retrieving program associated data made available by said broadcast station. The method comprises a first channel, a primary broadcast channel BC, and a second channel, an interaction channel, for retrieving the program associated data (PAD) from the broadcast station, whereby a browser sends an HTTP or a WAP request using an Internet connection. The method comprises retrieving a uniform resource locator of the program associated data (PAD) as station associated data (SAD) from a station associated data site (SADS) the station associated data comprising program associated data relating to the primary broadcast, coverage information and frequency information of included broadcast stations and the broadcast receiver being capable of setting the browser and the broadcast receiver unit by suing this SAD information. |
| US08254862B2 |
Configurable radio front end
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a single chip radio tuner, which may be adapted within an integrated circuit (IC). The tuner may be provided with a configurable front end to receive and process a radio frequency (RF) signal via a signal path. This configurable front end may be differently controlled depending on a particular radio implementation in which the tuner is adapted. |
| US08254854B2 |
Pulsed load modulation amplifier and method
Improved power amplifiers and related methods using a pulsed load modulation technique that controls the load modulation characteristics in a digital pulsed fashion. |
| US08254853B2 |
Bio-medical unit having storage location information
A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a processing module, memory, and a transceiver. The power harvesting module converts an electromagnetic signal into a supply voltage, which powers the processing module, the memory, and the transceiver. The processing module communicates, via the transceiver, with an external device regarding a medical matter to obtain storage location information regarding the medical matter, wherein the storage location information indicates where data associated with the medical matter is at least partially stored. The processing module then aggregates the storage location information with patient data storage location information to produce updated patient data storage location information, wherein the patient data storage location information contains storage location information regarding previous medical matters associated with the host body. The memory stores the patient data storage location information and the updated patient data storage location information. |
| US08254851B2 |
Integrated orthomode transducer
A method and system for an integrated transceiver is presented. The integrated transceiver includes a transceiver housing, where a waveguide is formed inside the transceiver housing using a housing base and a sub-floor component. Neither the housing base nor the sub-floor component alone is configured to operate as a waveguide. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the waveguide is cast into the housing base and is part of the transceiver housing. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, an antenna system includes a feed horn, a polarizer, the integrated transceiver, and a transceiver circuit that communicates with the waveguide to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The integrated transceiver, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a transceiver housing base that forms a portion of an integrated waveguide assembly, and another portion of the integrated waveguide assembly aligns with the transceiver housing base to form the integrated waveguide assembly. |
| US08254850B2 |
Communication module component assemblies
A communication module is provided. The module includes at least one transceiver, a filter, a power amplifier, an enclosure, an internal interface and an external interface. The power amplifier is in communication with the at least one transceiver and filter. Moreover, the at least one transceiver, filter and power amplifier are tuned and calibrated to work with each other. The enclosure is configured to physically retain the at least one transceiver, filter and power amplifier. The internal interface is configured to interface connections between the at least one transceiver and the power amplifier and the external interface configured to provided external connections to the module. In addition, the external interface is coupled to the internal interface. |
| US08254849B2 |
FM radio frequency plan using programmable output counter
An FM radio with a wide frequency range operates in a cell phone without interfering with the VCO of the RF transceiver. The FM transceiver generates a VCO signal whose frequency varies by less than ±7% from the midpoint of a narrow first range. A synthesizer signal is generated by dividing the VCO frequency by a first divisor such that the synthesizer frequency varies over a lower frequency second range. The VCO frequency is also divided by a second divisor such that the synthesizer frequency varies over a third range. The upper limit of the second range falls at the lower limit of the third range. The lower limit of the second range is 85.5 MHz and the upper limit of the third range is 108.0 MHz. By also using a third divisor, a synthesizer signal with a range of 76-108 MHz is generated from the narrow first frequency range. |
| US08254844B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing a transmission polarization to reduce interference with a primary incumbent signal
A mobile station (104) operates in a region where an incumbent operator (110) is transmitting. The secondary station transmits at a frequency similar to that of the incumbent operator's signal. The incumbent operator transmits using a particular polarization (113). To reduce interference, the secondary station selects one of a plurality of antennas of the secondary station which has a low matching polarization with that of the incumbent signal. |
| US08254843B2 |
Method for pointing high-gain antennas to reduce interference in mobile networks
A method for reducing interference in a mobile network is provided. The method includes determining locations of a plurality of nodes in the mobile network; steering at least one antenna at a node in the plurality of nodes in the mobile network; estimating intensity of signals from the at least one antenna at each of the plurality of nodes; determining optimal direction to steer the at least one antenna to reduce interference; and steering the at least one antenna in the optimal direction. |
| US08254842B2 |
Frequency division multiple access communications within a device
A radio transceiver device includes circuitry for radiating electromagnetic signals at a very high radio frequency both through space, as well as through wave guides that are formed within a substrate material. In one embodiment, the substrate comprises a dielectric substrate formed within a board, for example, a printed circuit board. In another embodiment of the invention, the wave guide is formed within a die of an integrated circuit radio transceiver. A plurality of transceivers with different functionality is defined. Substrate transceivers are operable to transmit through the wave guides, while local transceivers are operable to produce very short range wireless transmissions through space. A third and final transceiver is a typical wireless transceiver for communication with remote (non-local to the device) transceivers. |
| US08254840B2 |
Auto configuration for a dial-up networking system
A system and method of a Dial-Up Networking (DUN) approach is disclosed. The DUN system authenticates a wireless network between a portable electronic device and a control module. The DUN system includes the portable electronic device, a transceiver, and the control module. A wireless service carrier is associated with the portable electronic device. The control module includes control logic for determining the wireless service carrier associated with the portable electronic device. The control module further includes control logic for establishing the wireless network connection between the control module and the portable electronic device. |
| US08254837B2 |
Establishing full-duplex audio over an asynchronous bluetooth link
A method to establish a full-duplex audio connection over an asynchronous Bluetooth link between an audio terminal and a wireless audio device exchanges supported service classes and codecs between the audio terminal and the wireless audio device, negotiates a service class and a codec that are common to the audio terminal and the wireless audio device, and establishes an asynchronous audio connection between the audio terminal and the wireless audio device using the common service class and the codec. The audio connection established can depend on the software application desiring the audio connection plus the available service classes and codecs at the audio terminal and wireless audio device. For non-internet protocol (non-IP) audio applications, an ACL using AVDTP may be selected; for IP audio applications, an ACL using BNEP may be selected. Both AVDTP and BNEP can use codecs that support wide bandwidth audio. |
| US08254835B2 |
Mobile terminal with NFC function
Disclosed herein is a mobile terminal with a Near Field Communication (NFC) function, the mobile terminal wirelessly connecting to a reader using NFC. An NFC controller wirelessly connects to the reader through an NFC antenna, and receives an Applet Identification (AID) signal and a function control signal used to control operational states of a plurality of functions provided to the mobile terminal from the reader. A base band unit receives the function control signal, and controls the operational states of functions selected from among the plurality of functions provided to and operated in the mobile terminal. A Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) unit connects to the NFC controller, and records information about the subscriber of the mobile terminal. A Secure Element (SE) encodes and decodes the signal, which is transmitted and received between the mobile terminal and the reader, using a security algorithm. |
| US08254832B2 |
Frequency re-use for service and gateway beams
A method is presented for communicating data in a multibeam satellite system utilizing frequency re-use. The method comprises establishing uplink service beams and downlink service beams between a satellite and a plurality of subscriber terminals. A plurality of the uplink service beams are transmitted to the satellite by re-using at least one common uplink frequency channel, and a plurality of the downlink service beams are transmitted from the satellite by re-using at least one common downlink frequency channel. The method further comprises establishing at least one uplink service beam and at least one downlink service beam between the satellite and a gateway terminal. The at least one uplink service beam is transmitted to the satellite by further re-using the at least one common uplink frequency channel, and the at least one downlink service beam is transmitted from the satellite by further re-using the at least one common downlink frequency channel. |
| US08254827B2 |
Method of multicasting
A method for multicasting data includes obtaining a set of minimum utility preferences and a utility preference for each user in a multicast group, computing a corresponding probability distπbution of different multicasting data the users are requesting, running a lottery of operating points of the set according to the corresponding probability distπbution, and multicasting the operating point determined from the lottery. For scalable layered data the method includes determining initial utility and payoff parameter for each user for a lowest data layer accommodating all group users, running a lottery for the layer using an initialized probability vector to assign the lowest layer, multicasting the lowest layer, determining new initial utility and corresponding payoff parameter for each remaining group user for a plurality of layers of data, running another lottery according to a determined mixed set probability vector to select a particular layer, and multicasting the particular layer. |
| US08254821B2 |
Cleaning apparatus, image forming apparatus including the same, and process cartridge including the same
A cleaning apparatus includes a blade to remove one or more toner particles remaining on a photosensitive body of an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus. The toner particles have a mean particle diameter D and a standard deviation σ of a particle size distribution. The blade is arranged on the photosensitive body to satisfy a following condition. μ ≤ sin θ 1 + cos θ , When an imaginary sphere having a diameter of (D−σ) contacts the photosensitive body and the blade, θ is an angle defined by a tangent line at a contact point between the sphere and the photosensitive body and a tangent line at a contact point between the sphere and the blade, sandwiching the sphere therebetween. μ is a smaller friction coefficient of a friction coefficient between the toner particle and the photosensitive body and a friction coefficient between the toner particle and the blade. |
| US08254820B2 |
Cleaning device that cleans a surface of an image bearing member by removing substances remaining on the surface of the image bearing member after a toner image is transferred onto a sheet and image forming apparatus including the same
A cleaning device may include a polishing roller, an ejection member, and a conveying member. In some embodiments, the polishing roller may be configured to remove and collect a residual substance adhering to a surface of an image bearing member while rotating in contact with the image bearing member. In an embodiment, the ejection member may be configured to eject the substance collected by the polishing roller to the outside of the cleaning device. An embodiment may include a conveying member configured to follow the rotation of the polishing roller by being in contact with the polishing roller and to convey toner in the cleaning device on a surface of the polishing roller in an axial direction of the polishing roller. When an image is not formed, the polishing roller rotates in a direction opposite a rotating direction in which the polishing roller rotates when an image is formed. |
| US08254819B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member; a belt member, contactable to the rotatable member, for forming a nip in which an image on a recording material is heated; a pressing member, disposed inside the belt member, for pressing the belt member against the rotatable member; a lubricant application member for applying a lubricant onto an inner surface of the belt member; a contact-and-separation device for moving the belt member toward and away from the rotatable member; and a switching mechanism for switching a contact pressure of the lubricant application member on the belt member, when the belt member is separated from the rotatable member, so as to be smaller than that when the belt member contacts the rotatable member. |
| US08254815B2 |
Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus for mounting the same
A toner cartridge in a bottle shape for storing toner is composed of a first cylindrical portion having a blocked bottom wall at one end and an opening at the other end and a second cylindrical portion in which one end thereof is connected to the opening, and an opening for ejecting toner is formed at the other end, and the outside diameter thereof is smaller than the first cylindrical portion. |
| US08254813B2 |
Multicolor imaging system
A multicolor imaging system includes a controller which adjusts a phase difference in rotations of photoreceptors based on information detected by a rotary position detector, and drive elements for photoreceptors which generate a velocity fluctuation in the same cycle as that of a transfer unit. The controller is configured to concurrently adjust the phases of the photoreceptors and those of the drive elements so that a registration error in four color toner image on an intermediate transfer belt is reduced to a minimum. |
| US08254811B2 |
Image forming apparatus for controlling movement of a moving member
An image-carrier driving unit drives an image carrier. An image forming unit forms an image on the image carrier. A moving-member driving unit drives a moving member that is movable towards and away from the image carrier. A detecting unit detects a position of the moving member at predetermined sampling times while the moving member is moving. A movement control unit performs a feedback control on the moving-member driving unit such that a detection result of the detecting unit follows a target value corresponding to each of the predetermined sampling times when the moving member moves while the image forming unit is forming the image on the image carrier. |
| US08254810B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, comprises an image forming section; a pair of fixing members coming in pressure contact with each other so as to form a nip portion and to fix a toner image on a sheet conveyed from the image forming section with the nip portion; an oscillating section to oscillate the fixing members in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction; an inclining section to incline the fixing members to the width direction in parallel to a conveyance surface; and a control section to control the oscillating section and the inclining section such that when a sheet is passing through the nip portion, a direction of a one-sided oscillation shift of the sheet due to the oscillation of the fixing members is made opposite to that of a one-sided inclination shift of the sheet due to the inclination of the fixing members. |
| US08254803B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a cooling device
An image forming apparatus including a target part to be cooled detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus, a cooling device including a heat receiving part provided to contact the target part to be cooled to receive heat from the target part to be cooled with a cooling medium provided within the heat receiving part, and a contact/separation mechanism to cause the heat receiving part to contact and separate from the target part to be cooled. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pressing unit to press the heat receiving part against the target part to be cooled. A reaction of a pressing force of the heat receiving part applied to the pressing unit when the heat receiving part is pressed against the target part to be cooled is directed onto a predetermined portion of the target part to be cooled. |
| US08254799B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a control section to control the application of a current
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section forming a charged toner image on an image holding body; a transfer accepting body moving circularly on a circulation path; a transfer section which includes a current supplied member arranged opposite to the image holding body with respect to the transfer accepting body and applied with a current with polarity opposite to that of the toner image, and transfers the toner image to the transfer accepting body by applying a current to the current applied member; an unevenness detection section detecting an unevenness portion where unevenness occurs on the transfer accepting body; and a current control section controlling the applied current to the current applied member such that the current is larger while the unevenness portion detected by the unevenness detection section passes through the position than a current applied while another portion except the unevenness portion passes through the position. |
| US08254796B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus controls a sheet to be conveyed to a fixing unit with a first conveyance speed in case a charged amount of a recording agent in a developing unit is larger than a predetermined charged amount, and controls the sheet to be conveyed to the fixing unit with a second conveyance speed, which is slower than the first conveyance speed, when the charged amount of the recording agent in the developing unit is smaller than the predetermined charged amount. |
| US08254795B2 |
Supply control unit and image forming apparatus
A supply control unit is configured to, in a successive image-forming operation, perform a process of successively generating a driving control pattern for a toner supply device based on image information of each page, and synthesizing an unused portion of the driving control pattern which is obtained by eliminating a portion of the driving control pattern already reflected on a driving control of the toner supply device from the driving control pattern generated based on image information of a previous page with a driving control pattern generated based on a subsequent page. |
| US08254793B2 |
Tuning select fiber optic channels for channel monitoring
A tunable element of a tuning module is receptive to optical data channels of a multiplexed optical data signal, each optical data channel having a different respective wavelength. The tunable element is responsive to different stimuli such that multiple passbands of the tunable element are defined, each passband corresponding to a respective stimulus and including no more than one wavelength of the optical data channels. An optical detector communicates with the tunable element and is receptive to no more than one optical data channel from the tunable element at any given time, an output of the optical detector is an electrical data signal that corresponds to the optical data channel received by the optical detector from the tunable element. A controller communicates with the tunable element and tunes the tunable element from one optical data channel to the other by causing application of a corresponding stimulus to the tunable element. |
| US08254792B2 |
Burst mode optical receiver
A system and computer readable medium for a burst mode optical receiver that enables an optical receiver to receive signals from a plurality of optical network units at different optical power levels. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a memory that stores a received signal strength indication, and a media access controller communicably coupled to the memory. The media access controller receives a received signal strength indication of an upcoming data stream to an optical network unit, and asserts a signal control voltage during a guard time to an optical receiver to optimize reception of incoming data streams of the optical network unit based upon the received signal strength indication received from the upcoming data stream. |
| US08254788B2 |
High speed in-service optical network testing
A method may include generating a signal at an initiating device. A channel in an optical path may be identified, with the optical path including at least two spans. Simulated polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is injected into the signal to generate a test signal. The test signal is transmitted on the channel and received at a destination device. PMD effects in the test signal are compensated, and a measurement of PMD for the test signal is determined based on the compensation, the PMD for the test signal including PMD for the channel and the injected PMD. A measurement of the PMD for the channel is determined based on the PMD for the test signal and the injected PMD. |
| US08254784B2 |
Light source distributor for use in wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network
The present disclosure is directed to a light source distributor for use in an injection-locked WDM-PON (wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network). The light source distributor receives an A band and a B band injection optical signals through a single optical terminal from an injection light source for outputting both the A band and the B band injection optical signals; transmits the A band injection optical signal to a first optical multiplexer/demultiplexer of a central office and the B band injection signal to a second optical multiplexer/demultiplexer of a remote node; transmits a wavelength-locked A band optical signal received from the first optical multiplexer/demultiplexer to the second optical multiplexer/demultiplexer; and transmits a wavelength-locked B band optical signal received from the second optical multiplexer/demultiplexer to the first optical multiplexer/demultiplexer. |
| US08254783B2 |
Point-to-multipoint optical communication system
Provided is a point-to-multipoint optical communication system capable of extending a transmission distance between a subscriber apparatus and a station apparatus without changing wavelengths of an upstream optical signal and a downstream optical signal, which are used in both of the apparatuses. The point-to-multipoint optical communication system includes, as a basic configuration thereof, an optical network for connecting one station apparatus (1) to a plurality of (n) subscriber apparatuses (4). Among m basic configurations, one station-side wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (22), one optical fiber transmission line (30), and one subscriber-side wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (12) are shared. The point-to-multipoint optical communication system further includes a station-side repeating unit (20) and a subscriber-side repeating unit (10) each including the one wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (22 or 12) and m wavelength converters (21 or 11). An optical signal having a conventionally-used wavelength is used between the station apparatus (1) and the station-side repeating unit (20) and between the subscriber apparatus (4) and the subscriber-side repeating unit (10), and an extensible optical signal, on which wavelength division multiplexing has been performed, is used between the wavelength multiplexers/demultiplexers (12 and 22) via the optical fiber transmission line (30). |
| US08254781B2 |
Testing of receivers with separate linear O/E module and host used in communication links
A receiver for a communications link includes a receiver module and a host receiver. These two components can be tested independently. In one embodiment, the receiver module is characterized with respect to noise and distortion. The noise performance can be determined by comparing input and output signals of the receiver module, to determine the relative noise of the receiver module. The distortion performance can be determined by comparing the distortion of input and output signals of the receiver module, using a reference host receiver that includes an equalizer. The host receiver can be tested by using a reference receiver module. |
| US08254779B2 |
Field-configurable optical network terminal device
Described herein are systems and methods for a field-configurable optical network terminal (ONT) device at a subscriber to provide one or more communication services to the subscriber. The field-configurable ONT device is of a modular design operable for the insertion of additional communication modules or removal of existing communication modules from the ONT device for scaling the device to increased or decreased communication capacity as desired. |
| US08254777B2 |
Image capturing device and activation method therefor
An image capturing device includes a first controller operable to control image capturing; an operation section including a switch; a detector operable to detect a change to an image capturing mode and to send a signal representing the change; a second controller operable to monitor and process the sent signal, the second controller having a power consumption less than that of the first controller; and a power supply operable to supply power to the first controller, the second controller, and a functional section of the device. When the second controller receives the signal sent from the detecting section in a power saving state in which power is supplied from the power supply to the second controller, the power saving state is changed to a power supplying state capable of image capturing by supplying power from the power supply to portions of the device including the first controller. |
| US08254773B2 |
Image tracking apparatus and tracking evaluation method
An image apparatus includes a screen, a detecting unit, a determining unit, an acquiring unit and a control unit. The screen is configured to display an image formed by an optical system and at least one detection position superimposed onto the image. The detecting unit is configured to detect information regarding focus of the optical system at the detection position. The determining unit is connected to the detecting unit and configured to determine whether the information regarding the focus is within a predetermined range. The acquiring unit is connected to the determining unit and configured to acquire first image information at the detection position when the determining unit determines that the information regarding the focus is within the predetermined range. The control unit is connected to the acquiring unit and configured to evaluate arbitrary second image information in the screen using the first image information. |
| US08254769B2 |
Anti-shake structure for auto-focus modular
An anti-shake structure for auto-focus module includes an auto-focus module for driving a lens to move forward and rearward in a light entering path, i.e. in z-axis direction, so that the lens focuses light on an image sensor; a frame for holding the auto-focus module therein; a lens suspender with a compensation lens arranged thereon being connected to a plurality of suspension wires while the latter are connected at respective another end to the top cover plate of the frame, so that the compensation lens is correspondingly suspended in the frame in the light entering path and located behind the lens; and a shake compensation driving unit for driving the lens suspender to move horizontally in x-axis or y-axis direction, so as to compensate any image shift caused by hand shaking. |
| US08254767B2 |
Method and apparatus for extended temperature pyrometry
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for rapid thermal processing of a substrate over an extended temperature range, including low temperatures. Systems and methods for using an extended temperature pyrometry system employing a transmitted radiation detector system are disclosed. Systems combining transmitted radiation detector systems and emitted radiation detector systems are also described. |
| US08254766B2 |
Method and apparatus for media playback
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory may receive digital video data containing a first I frame and a second I frame with a plurality of P frames located between the I frames. The I frames each include a first timestamp. A processor may determine a subset of the P frames to be played in a trick mode along with the first I frame and the second I frame based on the number of P frames included in the plurality of P frames and the desired playback speed. |
| US08254765B2 |
Optical disc player system and method of controlling a decoding unit in the optical disc player system to read encoded bitstream data from a buffer memory
In a method of controlling multiple decoders in an optical disc player system to read encoded bitstream data divided into multiple sectors from a buffer memory, one of the sectors stored in the buffer memory is read according to a reading pointer associated with one of the decoders that sent out a bitstream request. When a header portion of the sector that is being read from the buffer memory indicates a bitstream type corresponding to that of the bitstream request, a data portion of the sector is transferred to the decoder that sent out the bitstream request, and the reading pointer is adjusted to point to a next one of the sectors stored in the buffer memory. An optical disc player system for implementing the method and an optical disc player system capable of saving the memory bandwidth between a bitstream demultiplexer and a memory are also disclosed. |
| US08254762B2 |
Management of dynamic program changes in DVB systems
A method for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB) system, the method including detecting a dynamic program change in a DVB transmission received at a set-top box (STB), and changing a digital video recorder (DVR) recording instruction associated with the program to record the program in accordance with a parameter of the change. |
| US08254754B2 |
Reproducing device
A reproducing device for playing back data from a recording medium, including: playback circuits for playing back at least two stream data in a time division multiplexing manner from a recording medium that records: first stream data which includes first video data, first audio data, and first sub-picture data, and second stream data which includes second video data, second audio data, and second sub-picture data; and selection circuits for conducting at least one of: switching from the first video data to the second video data, switching from the first audio data to the second audio data, and switching from the first sub-picture data to the second sub-picture data; wherein data which is newly switched by the selection circuits and the data which is not switched by the selection circuits, are synchronously superimposed and outputted. |
| US08254753B2 |
Subtitle generating apparatus and method
For generation of a subtitle in a digital movie screening system, it is essential to reduce the burden of processing the subtitle when screening a movie. There is provided a subtitle generating apparatus destined for use in a digital movie screening system, the subtitle generating apparatus, which includes a storage unit having a movie subtitle file stored therein, a controller to generate an internal file on the basis of the subtitle file, and a subtitle processor to decode the internal file for generating a subtitle and combine the subtitle and a movie picture with each other, the subtitle file consisting of a main file in which there are described information identifying a file of text data representing characters to be displayed as a subtitle of a movie and a file of image data representing the content of an image displayed as the movie subtitle along with control data for displaying the subtitle, one or more font files including font data on the text data, and one or more image files including the image data, the internal file being an integration of the main, font and image files, made by combining the described content of the main file with the substantive data of the font and image files, and the controller generating the internal file from the subtitle file prior to displaying the movie. |
| US08254751B2 |
Recording medium capable of interactive reproducing and reproduction system for the same
On an optical disk, video object sets (VTST_VOBS) to be reproduced and video title set information (VTSI) serving as management information on the video object sets have been stored. In each video object set (VTST_VOBS), many data cells, each containing video, audio, and sub-picture data, are arranged. Management information on programs chains, which are combinations of programs to be reproduced one after another, has been written in a video title set PGC table (VTS_PGCIT). By referring to the program chain table (VTS_PGCIT) according to the user's input, the playback order of program chains can be changed, enabling the program chains to be reproduced one after another in various modes. |
| US08254745B2 |
Optical device, optical integrated device, and method of manufacturing the same
At least part of an optical device comprises an optical waveguide of a magneto-optical material. The magneto-optical material comprises a polycrystalline material having no lattice matching with an underlayer material. The optical waveguide exhibits no magnetic anisotropy due to an inverse magnetostriction effect caused by thermal strain. The magnetization direction of the optical waveguide is aligned with a traveling direction of light passing through the waveguide by shape magnetic anisotropy. |
| US08254742B2 |
Splice holder
A splice holder includes a base member and a plurality of high wall pairs on top of the base member each having first and second wall members spaced by a first distance, and adjacent ones of the high wall pairs are spaced by a distance less than the first distance. A first plurality of low wall pairs project from the base member on one side of the high wall pairs, and a second plurality of low wall pairs project from the base member on the other side. The first and second plurality of low wall pairs are shorter than the high wall pairs. The splice holder is configured to support a first level of splices running through the low wall pairs and high wall pairs in between and a second level of splices running through the high wall pair and supported on top of two low wall pairs. |
| US08254741B2 |
Optical cable connecting closure and optical interconnection system
[Problem] To provide an optical cable connecting closure and optical interconnection system which can easily respond to changes in required connection functions if any.[Solving Means] An optical cable connecting closure 118 has a case 121, while a plurality of connecting modules 123 are arranged (stored) so as to be erected with respect to the bottom face of a closure main body 119 along the width direction in a module storing section 122 of the case 121. The connecting module 123 has a rectangular parallelepiped board-like module main body 127, while a plurality of MT connectors 128, 129 are attached in a vertical row to one end face of the module main body 127. In the module main body 127, an optical connecting section 130 for connecting the MT connectors 128, 129 to each other is arranged. The module storing section 122 can store a different kind of connecting module having a connecting configuration (function) different from that of the connecting module 123. |
| US08254740B2 |
Methods and systems for distributing fiber optic telecommunications services to local area
A fiber optic drop terminal assembly includes a housing, a spool and a fiber optic distribution cable. The housing has a first exterior surface and an oppositely disposed second exterior surface. A plurality of ruggedized adapters is mounted on the first exterior surface of the housing. The ruggedized adapters include a first port accessible from outside the housing and a second port accessible from inside the housing. The spool is engaged with the second exterior surface and includes a drum portion. The fiber distribution cable is coiled around the drum portion. The distribution cable includes a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. The second end is disposed inside the housing. |
| US08254739B2 |
Bladeless optical fiber cleaver and method
A bladeless optical fiber cleaver is provided for cleaving an optical fiber connector in a straightforward manner. The bladeless optical fiber cleaver includes a generally planar body that includes a first body portion and a second body portion pivotably coupled to each other, where the second body portion is movable with respect to the first body portion. The fiber cleaver includes a mechanism to create a strain force in a stripped portion of the optical fiber, where the stripped portion under strain is exposed to receive contact from a flexible abrasive material, the flexible abrasive material introducing a flaw in the optical fiber where the cleave takes place. |
| US08254738B2 |
Methods and systems for efficient installation of cables in watercraft
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for efficient installation of optical and electrical cable in watercraft. A manufacturer may terminate one end of a cable in a location removed from the watercraft, allowing use of automated cable termination machines for efficiency and consistency of terminations. The single-terminated cable may then be brought to the watercraft and installed by pulling or routing the unterminated end through ductwork and pipes, watertight bulkhead throughways, and cable trays and ladders as necessary, prior to termination. Accordingly, more difficult and expensive on-site labor is reduced, and reliability is greatly increased. Furthermore, many cable tests that require termination but cannot be executed post-installation can be performed prior to installation, to ensure that at least the first termination, performed off-site, is error-free, reducing later troubleshooting and further increasing installation efficiency. |
| US08254724B2 |
Method and apparatus for making and processing aberration measurements
A method for determining a centroid coordinate of an image spot, comprising a) determining a search region having a border, b) identifying a first pixel in the search region, the pixel having a first intensity value, c) determining an upper threshold intensity value greater than the first intensity value, d) searching for a second pixel within the search region having an intensity value that is greater than the upper threshold intensity value, and e) upon finding the second pixel, designating the first pixel an integration region center. |
| US08254722B2 |
Masking tool
A system for controlling effects performed on an image includes a digital camera having a display that displays the image. Masking tools position graphical representations on the display to define a portion of the image that is altered when the effects are subsequently applied to the image. The several masking tools may be combined to form a single masking tool. |
| US08254712B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image managing apparatus, image managing method, computer program product, and image order sheet
An image processing apparatus is provided that can quickly provide an image in which a main portion has a high image quality. The image processing apparatus includes an original image acquiring section that acquires an original image; a characteristic region judging section that makes a judgment as to whether a characteristic region is present in the original image captured by the original image acquiring section; an image adjusting section that, in a case where the characteristic region judging section makes a judgment that the characteristic region is present, adjusts an image of the characteristic region in the original image acquired by the original image acquiring section based on optical characteristics of an image capturing apparatus that captured the original image; and an image output section that, in a case where the characteristic region judging section makes a judgment that the characteristic region is present, outputs an image obtained through the adjustment by the image adjusting section and, in a case where the characteristic region judging section makes a judgment that the characteristic region is not present, outputs the original image acquired by the original image acquiring section. |
| US08254711B2 |
System and method for processing digital noise in a digital image
A processing digital noise method generates a matrix according to pixel values of pixels of a digital image, and selects a sub-matrix from the matrix. The sub-matrix has the same dimensions as a digital noise sample and includes a pixel value of a pixel selected from the digital image. The digital noise sample is represented as a matrix composed of 0 and 1. The method compares the sub-matrix with the digital noise sample to determine whether or not all values in the sub-matrix and the digital noise sample are the same. If all values are the same, the method further searches 1 from the sub-matrix for locating digital noise of the digital image, and removes the digital noise of the digital image by changing the pixel values of the digital noise from 1 to 0. |
| US08254702B2 |
Image compression method and image processing apparatus
When a motion image is to be compressed, the present invention divides a high-resolution still image into image segments to perform a motion image encoding process on each image segment. In this instance, the importance of each image segment and the relativity of each image segment with another image segment are computed. The image segments are then aligned in the order of importance to determine a picture type for motion image encoding in accordance with the computed relativity. Encoding is performed in accordance with a determined encoding sequence and picture type. Further, the rate control bit allocation amount for motion image encoding is increased for highly important image segments. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to exhibit a high overall image compression efficiency while avoiding image quality deterioration in an important portion of a still image by using a motion image compression technology for still image compression. |
| US08254699B1 |
Automatic large scale video object recognition
An object recognition system performs a number of rounds of dimensionality reduction and consistency learning on visual content items such as videos and still images, resulting in a set of feature vectors that accurately predict the presence of a visual object represented by a given object name within an visual content item. The feature vectors are stored in association with the object name which they represent and with an indication of the number of rounds of dimensionality reduction and consistency learning that produced them. The feature vectors and the indication can be used for various purposes, such as quickly determining a visual content item containing a visual representation of a given object name. |
| US08254684B2 |
Method and system for managing digital photos
Methods and systems for managing digital photos are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for organizing digital photos includes receiving a set of digital photos, analyzing the set of digital photos to create tags that identify content information in the set of digital photos, tagging the set of digital photos in accordance with their corresponding content information, categorizing the set of digital photos in accordance with their corresponding tags, and displaying the digital photos and their corresponding tags with a display device. |
| US08254682B2 |
Pattern detecting method and related image processing apparatus
The present invention discloses an image processing apparatus for processing an image. The image processing apparatus includes a line-pattern detecting module and an image processing module. The line-pattern detecting module examines how a first plurality of pixels of a first pixel line change and how a second plurality of pixels of a second pixel line change so as to determine which pattern an area of the image corresponds to. The image processing module selectively performs at least one of a plurality of image processing operations according to the pattern the image area corresponds to. The first and the second pixel lines correspond to the image area. |
| US08254679B2 |
Content-based image harmonization
A harmonization system and method are disclosed which allow harmonization of a set of digital images. The images are automatically segmented into foreground and background regions and the foreground and background regions are separately harmonized. This allows region-appropriate harmonization techniques to be applied. The segmenting and harmonizing may be category dependent, allowing object-specific techniques to be applied. |
| US08254678B2 |
Image segmentation
Techniques for segmenting images are disclosed. |
| US08254677B2 |
Detection apparatus, detection method, and computer program
An apparatus for detecting a cut change based on a similarity between a first image and a second image, includes a unit for generating one of a luminance histogram and a color histogram of each of the first image and the second image, a unit for generating a spatial correlation image representing a correlation between spatial layouts of the first image and the second image, a unit for calculating a histogram similarity representing a similarity between the histogram of the first image and the histogram of the second image, a unit for calculating a spatial correlation image similarity representing a similarity between the spatial correlation image of the first image and the spatial correlation image of the second image, and a unit for determining whether a border between the first image and the second image is a cut change based on the histogram similarity and the spatial correlation image similarity. |