最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08260812B2 System management by component usage switches
Systems and methods for managing multiple systems in an enterprise resource planning system are provided. In an embodiment, data identifying modules and entities using modules or systems may be collected from each system in enterprise resource planning system. The collected data may then be organized to show a usage landscape of entire enterprise resource planning system. In an embodiment, the collected data may also be merged with other organizational data, such as organizational chart data, to present the usage landscape in an intuitive manner using the organizational structure data from the organizational chart. The collected data may also be used to identify potential data inconsistencies across different systems or may be used to limit connectivity to only authorized systems or modules. In some embodiments, attributes such as attributes identifying modules and entities may be inputted into a system which then distributes the attributes to other systems.
US08260810B2 Case image registration apparatus, method and recording medium, and case image search apparatus, method, recording medium and system
Case images are registered so as not to cause bias (or partiality or imbalance) in amounts of feature of the case images included in a database of a similar image search system for image diagnosis. Since registration of the case images to the database is controlled according to degrees of similarity of the amounts of feature, it is possible to prevent a lot of similar case images from being included in the search result. Thus, it is possible to reduce possibility of representing a similar search result which may interfere with an accurate diagnosis by a diagnostician.
US08260808B2 One stop shopping system and method
A system and method are disclosed for one-stop shopping for health-care services and related needs. The one-stop shopping system and method provide objective information for the system enrollee to assess and decide on health-care insurance and services. The system and method provide this objective information in a way that is easily accessible by system enrollees in an economical and rapid manner.
US08260801B2 Method and system for parallel flow-awared pattern matching
A system for parallel flow-awared pattern matching and a method thereof for performing distributed detection for incoming flows are provided. The system includes a pattern-set-partitioner for partitioning a pattern set for pattern matching into a number of pattern subsets in advance, a plurality of pattern matching engines, and a scheduler. The pattern matching engines each perform pattern matching for the incoming flows. The scheduler selects a number of pattern matching engines equal to the number of the partitioned pattern subsets from all the pattern matching engines and allocates pattern matching tasks, each performing flow matching against one pattern subset, to the selected pattern matching engines. With the system and method of the present invention, distributed detection can be performed by partitioning rules/pattern set to realize load-balancing parallel flow-awared pattern matching.
US08260798B2 Method and system for partial shadow migration
A method for migrating files including receiving, from a client, a first FS operation request for a target FS, making a first determination that migration for a source FS is not complete and making a second determination that the first FS operation request specifies a directory and that a directory level attribute for the directory on the target FS specifies that the directory on the target FS is un-migrated. In response to the first and second determination obtaining, from the source FS, meta-data for content in the directory and creating, using the meta-data, a directory entry for a file in the directory on the target FS. The method further includes creating an on-disk space map for the file, creating an in-memory space map for the file, and servicing, after creating the on-disk space map and in-memory space map, the first FS operation request using the target FS.
US08260794B2 Creating playback definitions indicating segments of media content from multiple content files to render
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for creating playback definitions indicating segments of media content from multiple content files to render. User input is received indicating a plurality of segments of media content from a plurality of media files and an ordering of the segments. The media content comprises at least one of audio and video content. A playback definition is generated in a computer readable medium indicating the plurality of segments in the user input and the ordering of the segments. The playback definition is processed to render the media content of the indicated segments in the indicated ordering.
US08260793B2 Method and system for data class update
A method for updating data includes, in a processor, receiving a data field update associated with an existing data object of a data class, modifying a data field of an updater data object of the data class based upon the data field update, traversing the updater data object to identify the modified data field, and modifying a data field of the existing data object based upon the identified data field of the updater data object.
US08260792B1 System and method for committing data objects to be immutable
Techniques for committing data objects to be immutable are described herein. According to one embodiment, in response to a request received through an interface of a storage system, the request being associated with a data object stored in the storage system, it is determined whether the data object should be committed to be immutable. The data object is committed to be immutable if it is determined that the data object should be committed to be immutable. Thereafter, an action associated with the request is performed, where the action is performed dependent upon whether the data object is immutable. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08260791B1 Heterogeneous array system
In an embodiment, a computer-implemented technique for accessing heterogeneous objects in an array is discussed. The method determines a greatest common base class hierarchically common to elements populating a heterogeneous array. A common subset of methods that is available for use with the elements is identified. The common subset of methods belongs to the greatest common base class. A method supported by the common subset of methods is called with the array as a parameter. The method operates on the array as an array consisting of greatest common base class objects.
US08260786B2 Method and apparatus for categorizing and presenting documents of a distributed database
A method for providing search results to a user is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first set of information associated with a plurality of web pages. A second set of information associated with a user preference, determining a commercial score for each web page is also received. A subset of the first set of information is determined based on the second set of information. A visual indicator for the subset of the first set of information is generated in accordance with a commercial score, and the subset and the visual indicator are displayed on a display.
US08260785B2 Automatic object reference identification and linking in a browseable fact repository
Links between facts associated with objects are automatically created and maintained in a fact repository. Names of objects are automatically identified in the facts, and collected into a list of names. The facts are then processed to identifying such names in the facts. Identified names are used as anchor text for search links. A search link includes a search query for a service engine which search the fact repository for facts associated with objects having the same name.
US08260784B2 Indexing and searching JSON objects
Disclosed is a method of encoding JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) documents in an inverted index, wherein a tree representation of a JSON document is first generated, and, next, the JSON document is shredded into a list of tuples for each atom node, n, in the tree, where value is a label associated with n, path is a concatenation of node labels associated with ancestors of n, type is a description of a type of value, and jdewey of n is a partial Dewey code of its closest ancestor array node, if one exists, or empty, otherwise. Lastly, an inverted index is built using as index term, and jdewey as payload. A method is also described to search the inverted index.
US08260781B2 Representative document selection for sets of duplicate documents in a web crawler system
Duplicate documents are detected in a web crawler system. Upon receiving a newly crawled document, a set of documents, if any, sharing the same content as the newly crawled document is identified. Information identifying the newly crawled document and the selected set of documents is merged into information identifying a new set of documents. Duplicate documents are included and excluded from the new set of documents based on a query independent metric for each such document. A single representative document for the new set of documents is identified in accordance with a set of predefined conditions.
US08260779B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for automated mapping and integrated workflow of a controlled medical vocabulary
Systems, methods, and apparatus provide clinical terminology services including a controlled medical vocabulary supplemented by local clinical content. An example method includes accessing an initial controlled medical vocabulary including at least one external terminology via a vocabulary management server; processing local clinical content including unstructured local clinical content provided via an importer framework; analyzing and extracting the unstructured local clinical content using a text analyzer and extraction tool to generate one or more proposed terms; identifying one or more synonyms for the one or more proposed terms and placing the one or more synonyms into a queue to be added to the controlled medical vocabulary; reviewing the one or more synonyms; and adding one or more synonyms to the controlled medical vocabulary with placement and relationship based on analyzing unstructured local clinical content to automatically map between the at least one external terminology and the local clinical content.
US08260776B2 Method, system and apparatus for dynamic registry of books and for modeling real-time market demand for books within academic sectors
A system provides a connection between education administration, particularly as such administration assigns or selects books, and the marketing and use of those books. Such marketing and use of those books and information related to those books can include, without limitation, consumer product information, the publishing industry and specifically book publishing, and market analysis, analysis of data, markets, demand and supply chain and inventory management.
US08260773B2 Method for extracting signature from problem records through unstructured and structured text mapping, classification and ranking
The structure attributes and unstructured attributes of a ticket are used to generate a problem signature. For structured attributes, correlation between field values is determined and fields with the highest weight are identified. For unstructured attributes, data mining techniques are applied to generate a plurality of keywords with a ranking for each ticket by identifying keywords, and commonly used acronyms and corpus variances. The set of structured attributes and the plurality of keywords from unstructured attributes form the signature of a given problem ticket.
US08260772B2 Apparatus and method for displaying documents relevant to the content of a website
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to identify a user of a website, retrieve one or more keywords describing content on the website, and search for reports corresponding to the one or more keywords. The reports are filtered based on data access permissions associated with the user. A highly ranked report is displayed on the website.
US08260770B2 Systems and methods for an extensible business application framework
Method and systems for editing data from a query result include requesting a query result using a unique collection identifier for a collection of individual files and a unique identifier for a configuration file that specifies a data structure for the query result. A query result is generated that contains a plurality of fields as specified by the configuration file, by combining each of the individual files associated with a unique identifier for a collection of individual files. The query result data is displayed with a plurality of labels as specified in the configuration file. Edits can be performed by querying a collection of individual files using the configuration file, editing a portion of the query result, and transmitting only the edited information for storage back into a data repository.
US08260769B1 Coordinating different search queries using a translated query cursor
A search server system having one or more processors and memory receives, from a client, a current search query including a query cursor corresponding to a prior search query. The query cursor corresponds to a location in a first set of index portions used to perform the prior search query. In response to the current search query, the server decomposes the query cursor into a plurality of components and generates a translated query cursor corresponding to the received search query using one or more of the components. The server subsequently identifies a location in a second set of index portions to start performing the current search query based the translated query cursor. The server generates a set of search results corresponding to the current search query by searching in the second set of index portions starting at the identified location and sends search results to the client.
US08260767B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic data buffer
A dynamic data buffer method, includes providing a system for accessing a database having a plurality of fields of data potentially used by applications, analyzing an application's structure to identify at least one field of data from the plurality of fields of data in the database used by the application, performing a field-wise select for selecting only the identified at least one field of data and creating a dynamic data buffer for storing only the identified at least one field of data.
US08260761B2 Detecting performance degrading design and algorithm issues in database applications
Systems, methods and computer program products for detecting potential architecture and interfacing issues in database applications are described herein. In an embodiment, the invention operates by accessing trace information. The trace information includes database-related information pertaining to interactions of a database application with a production database. The invention detects potential architecture and interfacing issues in the database application by analyzing the trace information. Such architecture and interfacing issues include, but are not limited to, multiple connections simultaneously blocking on the same row of a table, and client-side joins.
US08260760B2 Content providing apparatus, content providing system, web site changing apparatus, web site changing system, content providing method, and web site changing method
Apparatus in which, with respect to a vague search request, content, such as a musical piece matching a user's mood at that time, can easily be searched for with a simple operation. A content providing apparatus includes a content storage section in which a plurality of pieces of content are grouped and stored. In a state in which content read from the content storage section is provided to the user, when a user input detection device detects a specific input by the user, desired content other than the provided content among the content belonging to the same group as the content being provided belongs or the content belonging to a group differing from the group to which the content being provided belongs is selected from a plurality of pieces of content stored in the content storage section, and the content is provided to the user.
US08260759B2 Method for maintaining a production installation
In a method for maintaining a production installation having a plurality of field devices F1, F2, F3 connected partly, or completely, over a data bus D with a control system L, the field devices F1, F2, F3 are registered in a manufacturer data base HG-DB with a manufacturer-specific identification and manufacturer-specific information relevant for maintenance, and in a customer database IB-DB with a customer-specific identification and customer-specific information. An electronic database query on the basis of maintenance criteria is performed in both of the databases HG-DB and IB-DB. In this way, both manufacturer information and customer information can be considered in the maintenance process.
US08260753B2 Backup information management
In one embodiment, a method for information management comprises monitoring output from an application, wherein the output is monitored substantially continuously; determining if the output is associated with a predetermined type of version; and saving data associated with the output if the output is associated with the predetermined type of version.
US08260751B2 Log file time sequence stamping
In certain embodiments, a method for log file time sequence stamping is provided. The method includes connecting to a console port of one or more data sources and receiving data from the data sources. The data may be logged with both an independent time stamp and a sequence indicator. The independent time stamp provides a consistent time stamp of when the data was received at the system and the time sequence indicator represents an order in which the data was received at the system.
US08260750B1 Intelligent backup escalation system
This disclosure describes systems and methods for programmatically determining whether to perform full or partial backups. In some implementations, functionality is provided for intelligently escalating to a full backup based on one or more user-supplied escalation parameters. The escalation parameters can include a threshold of data change between backup files, which if exceeded, can result in escalation to a full backup. The escalation parameters can also include time parameters, computing resource consumption parameters, and other features that can govern full backup escalation. Additional features of the systems and methods described herein can include automatic adjustment of escalation parameters, multi-leveled backup set validation, and intelligent backup file cleanup.
US08260746B2 Computer system for hierarchically managing a journal and method therefor
A computer system having a first storage system which includes a first logical volume and a second logical volume, wherein the second logical volume stores a first differential data item representing a differential between data that was stored in the first logical volume at a first time instant and data that was stored in the first logical volume at a second time instant being later than the first time instant, and a second storage system which includes a third logical volume. The first storage system transmits the first differential data item to the second storage system, the second storage system stores the first differential data item into the third logical volume, the first storage system deletes the first differential data item from the second logical volume, and the computer system retains management information set for associating the first logical volume with the third logical volume storing therein the first differential data item.
US08260745B2 Method and system for managing multiple instance subscriber records in unified messaging systems
A method and system for automatically managing changes to organizational data in a unified messaging (UM) platform are disclosed. A database snapshot is retrieved from a client human resources database. Added user information associated with a user is detected in the database snapshot, and an existing mailbox associated with the user in the UM platform is detected. Organizational data in the UM platform is automatically modified to combine the added user information and the existing mailbox in the UM platform. When the existing mailbox is detected in the UM platform for the user, it is possible for the UM platform to automatically compose and send a message to at least one user associated with the added user information including potential modifications of the organization data. The organizational data in the UM platform can then be modified in response to receiving approval of the potential modifications of the organizational data from at least one user associated with the added user information.
US08260743B2 Method for the delivery of area related messages in a mobile communication system
The invention relates to a method for the delivery of messages to a specified geographical area in a communication system. In the method is specified for an application server a geographical area and a message for delivery. The geographical area is translated to a first set comprising at least one cell set. Each the cell set comprising at least one cell. A search is performed in the database server using at least the first set as search criterion. A search request is sent specifying a second set comprising at least one cell set to at least one serving node. A search is performed in a database comprised in the at least one serving node with the second set as a criterion. From the at least one serving node is provided in response a list comprising information on the subscribers in the area of the second set. Finally, the message is sent from the application server to the subscribers.
US08260742B2 Data synchronization and consistency across distributed repositories
Data associated with the services in a service oriented architecture are stored in a primary repository and replicated across secondary repositories. Functionality can be implemented to efficiently synchronize data across the primary repository and the secondary repositories. Data synchronization can comprise calculating and comparing hash values of one or more nodes, based in part on concatenated hash values of child nodes and data that comprise the one or more nodes, of a tree structure representing data stored in the repositories.
US08260739B1 Method and apparatus for layering software agents in a distributed computing system
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for layering agents in a distributed computing system. In one embodiment, a system for monitoring and controlling a distributed computer network including a plurality of components (e.g., devices) includes a plurality of cells, each of the cells being deployed to directly monitor and control one of the components of the network. The system also includes at least one federation, where the federation is made up of cells that cooperate to solve common problems, and at least one supercell, where the supercell provides supplemental decision making capabilities to the cells and federations. In this manner, problems detected by a cell that cannot be resolved by the cell may be forwarded to the cell's associated federations or supercells for resolution.
US08260737B2 Dynamic service selections using enhanced ontologies
Embodiments may include a system for generating an enhancement of an ontology. The system may have a memory unit and a processing unit. The memory unit may be configured to provide the ontology and to store the ontology with the enhancement. The processing unit may be configured to identify a service specification, such as a service product or a contract, that may be represented by a class of the ontology. The service specification may describe a capability of a service. The processing unit may be further configured to compute a set of instances that are specified by the service specification and by a requirement specification and to enhance the ontology with a generated class representing the set of instances in case that the set of instances has one or more instances.
US08260733B2 Neural network system and method for controlling information output based on user feedback
A system and method for controlling information output based on user feedback about the information is provided. At least one neural network module selects one or more of a plurality of objects to receive information from a plurality of information sources based at least in part on a plurality of inputs and a plurality of weight values during an epoch. The information sources may include electronic mail providers, chat participants, or page links. Recipients of the objects provide feedback about the information during an epoch. At the conclusion of an epoch, the neural network takes the feedback and generates a rating value for each of the plurality of objects. Based on the rating value and the selections made, the neural network redetermines the weight values within the network. The neural network then selects the objects to receive information during a subsequent epoch using the redetermined weight values and the inputs for that subsequent epoch.
US08260731B2 Information classification system, information processing apparatus, information classification method and program
An information classification system includes a server that includes a knowledge base that receives classification information to be classified, conducts language analysis of the classification information to acquire a plurality of keywords and classify the plurality of keywords into elements made up of a classification target word and a related word that modifies the classification target word, and conduct a search with the related word being for a judgment condition for decision of the classification while separating the classification target word from the related word, so as to assign a classification identification value to the information; a classification candidate extraction section that extracts the classification identification value that the knowledge base assigns to generate an automatic classification result; and a classification update section that receives the automatic classification result, displays a GUI for classification confirmation allowing confirmation of correctness of the automatic classification result, and corrects registered items in the knowledge base with a correction value received through the GUI for classification confirmation while referring to log data that is a processing history about automatic classification for the language analysis and the element classification.
US08260725B2 Method of conducting operations for a social network application including notification list generation with offer hyperlinks according to notification rules
In one embodiment, a method of conducting operations for a social network application, comprises: generating a notification list of recent activities of users of the social network application, wherein the notification list includes (1) at least one activity within the social network application of a first user and (2) at least one hyperlink to an offer involving an activity that is directly related to at least one activity of the first user, wherein an account of the first user defines at least one notification rule for controlling visibility of the at least one activity to other users of the social network application; and providing the notification list to a second user, that is a friend of the first user within the social network application, according to the at least one notification rule of the first user.
US08260717B2 System and method for authenticating an end user
A method for authenticating an end user. The method starts by generating a first pattern in response to receiving an authentication request from the end user. Next, the method continues by generating a second pattern in response to receiving confirmation that the end user received the first pattern; the second pattern comprising multiple colored nodes. Then the method determines the authenticity status of the end user by comparing data sent by the end user with the second pattern. The end user having generated the data by overlaying a transparent credit card on top of the second pattern and selecting at least one node which displays a color other than black. Finally, the method sends the determined authenticity status to the end user via an output device.
US08260716B2 System and method for processing tokenless biometric electronic transmissions using an electronic rule module clearinghouse
Herein is described a tokenless biometric method for processing electronic transmissions, using at least one user biometric sample, an electronic identicator and an electronic rule module clearinghouse. The steps for processing of the electronic transmissions comprise of a user registration step, wherein a user registers with an electronic identicator at least one registration biometric sample taken directly from the person of the user. A formation of a rule module customized to the user in a rule module clearinghouse, wherein at least one pattern data of a user is associated with at least one execution command of the user. A user identification step, wherein the electronic identicator compares a bid biometric sample taken directly from the person of the user with at least one previously registered biometric sample for producing either a successful or failed identification of the user. In a command execution step, upon successful identification of the user, at least one previously designated rule module of the user is invoked to execute at least one electronic transmission. The above-mentioned steps are conducted in a manner wherein a biometrically authorized electronic transmission is conducted without the user presenting any personalized man-made memory tokens such as smartcards, or magnetic swipe cards.
US08260714B2 Terminal apparatus and system thereof
A terminal apparatus is provided which guarantees operation of a use condition bytecode while securing a degree of freedom for a service provider generating the use condition bytecode. A terminal apparatus (300), in which a license (1200) includes a use condition determining logic code (1204) and a version number (1202), includes a license obtainment unit (304) obtaining the license (1200), a use condition verification unit (302) determining, based on the version number (1202), whether or not an operation of the use condition determining logic code (1204) has been confirmed, a use condition bytecode execution unit (303) executing the use condition determining logic code (1204) when the operation of the use condition determining logic code (1204) has been determined to have been confirmed, and a content playback unit (306) playing back content based on the use condition determining logic code (1204).
US08260712B2 Multimedia-type contents reproduction device and reproduction method, and recording medium having stored thereon data used for the same
Providing a data structure appropriate for performing rights management for multimedia-type contents, and further providing a recording medium containing data with the data structure, and a reproduction device and a reproduction method for reproducing the data. The present invention is a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon license data for permitting a computer to use contents data comprising a plurality of resources, the license data including a resource-based use condition configuration structure, in which a use condition is set for the computer with respect to each of resources.
US08260706B2 System and method for syndicated transactions
A Web server hosted by a first enterprise has a first mechanism receiving a request for information or services to be provided to an end user, and a second mechanism determining whether the request comes directly from the end user, or from a server hosted by a second enterprise. If the request is determined by the second mechanism to come from the server hosted by the second enterprise, any information or service provided to the end user by the first enterprise is identified as coming from the second enterprise.
US08260700B2 Pass through liquidity in a multi-tiered trading system and method
The present invention generally relates to brokerage systems and methods, and more particularly, to a multi-tiered trading system and corresponding methods which allow multiple customers and multiple dealers to transact on a single platform while maintaining the distinction of an inter-dealer system and a dealer-customer relationship.
US08260699B2 Method and system for managing spending through account allocation
A method and apparatus are disclosed that provide for automated financial resource allocation and accountability among various groups of budgeted accounts, which are overlaid on at least one actual account. The method provides for the user to establish the accounts to be budgeted. The user then establishes a preset spending allocation amount for each account. Each time the user makes a spending allocation for that particular account, the account reflects the amount spent and notifies the user of the remaining amount allocated for that account during a given period. Thus, the user has a more accurate accounting of an established budget with respect to the established accounts, the resources allocated to each account, and the funds actually spent from each account.
US08260697B1 Systems and methods for money fund banking with flexible interest allocation
This invention provides system and methods for managing accounts of clients at customer financial entities so that deposits of up to $100,000 or greater are insured, so that interest income earned on a portion of all of the account balances may be flexibly allocated according to customer instructions, and so that withdrawals are not limited. These objects are satisfied by holding client funds at interest-earning money market deposit accounts at one or more banks or savings institutions. More particularly, this invention provides methods for receiving client transaction information, determining a net transfer of funds into or out of each client account from transaction information, causing transfer of funds from the insured, interest-bearing deposit accounts to match the net transfer of funds into or out of each client account, and allocating interest earned by the deposit accounts to clients according to customer instructions. This invention also provides systems and software products implementing these methods.
US08260696B1 Method and system for providing aggregation of trading on multiple alternative trading systems
A method for performing financial trading amongst a plurality of alternative trading systems using a common financial computer platform. The method including the steps of receiving at the common financial computer platform a buy-order for a prescribed number shares at a prescribed price. Electronic communication is then established between the common financial computer platform and each of the plurality of alternative trading systems. At least a portion of the buy-order is then submitted from the common financial computer platform to each of the plurality of alternative trading systems. The common financial common platform then monitors each of the plurality of alternative trading systems to determine if at least a portion of the buy-order was executed by one of the plurality of alternative trading systems. And if yes, then that indicated execution for one of the plurality of alternative trading systems is automatically accepted and automatically canceled are the remaining buy orders that were submitted to the other alternative trading system which were not yet executed.
US08260693B2 Visual cues for identifying financial accounts
Visual cues for identifying financial accounts. A distinctive visual cue, such as a specific color, is applied to an account from among a plurality of accounts, such as associated joint and individual checking accounts. The designation can be applied to statements, and optionally also checks, check/ATM cards, and other materials can be identified at a glance. Additionally confidential flag can be applied to an account as part of the designation, to provide extra notice to both personnel and various systems that an individual account is confidential within the associated accounts. A system for assigning distinctive visual cues to accounts can include a customer or account information database for storing plurality of possible distinctive visual cues, and one or more fulfillment subsystems for providing bank statements, checks, deposit slips, check cards, and the like.
US08260691B2 Method for determining optimal inventory lot sizes
A novel method of optimizing an inventory lot size at least includes: a) determining fixed and variable costs associated with a given lot size; b) determining a sale price associated with the given lot size; c) determining a profit margin (PM) based on the results in a) and b); d) determining an average inventory level (AIL); e) determining a cost of carrying inventory (CCI) associated with the given lot size; f) determining a net present value (NPV) based on a predetermined mathematical relationship between the determined PM, AIL and CCI; g) determining NPV changes (ΔNPV) with incremental changes in lot size; and h) determining an optimal lot size based on the results in g).
US08260690B2 System and method for capturing test subject feedback
Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus used to present a participant with a virtual reality simulation of a shopping environment. For example, the system of the present invention may be used to simulate the environment of a retail store where consumer goods are purchased. In one embodiment, a virtual reality station may include a number of functional systems that collectively provide an apparatus for capturing test subject feedback. The systems may include a participant interface and/or simulation control system, a support structure interconnection system, and a computer system configured to generate and present an immersive virtual reality environment on one or more display screens connected to the support structure.
US08260688B2 Method and system for facilitating placement of an order using an ordering application via a cellular serving node
A purchasing capability is provided for supporting purchasing by a customer from an establishment, which may include functions such as placement of orders, processing of orders, and like functions. An order is placed from a mobile node (MN) of the customer to an application server (AS) of the establishment to which the order is placed. The AS may process the order for determining whether or not to accept the order and, where accepted, for completing the order. A payment commitment verification process may be used for verifying the commitment of the customer to pay for the order. The placement and processing of the order may be performed using an ordering application supported by the MN and the AS. The communication in support of the purchasing capability may be facilitated using a cellular serving node (CSN) configured for communicating with both the MN and the AS wirelessly. The communication between the MS and AS for the purchasing capability may be via an always-on connection established between the MN and the AS.
US08260686B2 Method and system for creating a customer specific custom catalog on a website
A method and system for creating and ordering from a Custom Catalog via an Internet catalog website is disclosed. A customer who is interested in only certain products included in a company's Internet product catalog can create a Custom Catalog that includes information about only those products in which the customer is interested. The customer provides certain identifying information, including the customer's e-mail address and a password that is linked to the e-mail address. Once the Custom Catalog is created, the customer can browse the company products displayed at the website and add them to his Custom Catalog. The purchaser can select products in the Custom Catalog and view detailed images of the selected products that include pricing and purchasing information for the products. The customer can also delete from his Custom Catalog those products no longer of interest.
US08260684B2 System and method for coordinating and evaluating apparel
A computer implemented method and system for coordinating and evaluating apparel/accessory items. The system comprises a processor based client device and a processor based server. The client device receives information about an apparel/accessory item for coordination from a user. The server receives the information about the apparel/accessory item from the client device over a communications network. The server calculates a coordination score of the apparel/accessory item by applying a plurality of predetermined rules to determine if the apparel/accessory item coordinates with one or more apparel/accessory items in the virtual wardrobe. The server transmits a recommendation of one or more apparel/accessory items in said virtual wardrobe based on the coordination score. The virtual wardrobe can be user's apparels/accessories or a retailer's stock of apparels/accessories for sale.
US08260682B2 Systems and methods for online selection of service providers and management of service accounts
An interchange party computer system (IPCS) having means for presenting user interfaces to consumer computer systems and capturing data input through the user interfaces, the IPCS being associated with at least one database holding data representing a plurality of consumer profiles, the profiles including consumer profiles expressing service selection attributes for a plurality of service sectors, and at least one database holding data for a plurality of service programs under a plurality of service sectors, each sector being represented by service programs from a plurality of service providers, the IPCS including (a) a Service Comparison/Selection; (b) a Automatic Bill Payment Module; (c) an Automated Services Monitoring Module; (d) an Automated Best Services Selection Module; (e) a Services Search Module; (f) an Incentive Program Module; (g) a Data Mining Module; and/or (h) a Pooling Module.
US08260678B2 Machine, methods, and program product for electronic order entry
Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network. An electronic order card configured to interface with a conventional point-of-sale terminal can be used to facilitate the electronic ordering over the existing financial services electronic payment network when presented to the point-of-sale terminal with a product order code identifying a selected product.
US08260677B1 System and method for pre-approving, regulating, and executing secure transactions
A system and method for regulating a proposed transaction between a first party and a seller is provided. The method includes providing a transaction intermediary machine (TIM) on a network that is associated with a transactional limitations database storing in relation to each of a plurality of unique identifiers at least one criterion that has been established by a second party, and concerning one or more transactional limitations imposed by the second party on the first party. A request for approval (RFA) is received from the seller at the TIM having a unique identifier provided by the first party and details concerning the proposed transaction between the first party and the seller. Then, the RFA is compared with the criteria, completion of the proposed transaction is approved and a payment to the seller is also approved, and personal identification information is provided from the TIM to the seller.
US08260672B2 Multi-party, multi-tier system for managing paper purchase and distribution
A system, including apparatuses and methods, for paper production and distribution in a communication network environment with multi-party and multi-level production and distribution relationships. The system receives, from one or more communicatively connected paper purchaser computers, parameters representative of the total surface area and physical characteristics of paper products required for printing tasks. The system determines an estimated quantity of the paper products to order based at least in part on the received parameters. Then, the system displays the estimated quantity of the paper to order and communicates orders to production facilities for obtaining such quantity.
US08260671B2 Financial transaction approval system and method
A method of sale including processing a plurality of purchases to be sold to a consumer, identifying a consumer financial account held by a financial institution, receiving authorization from the financial institution to enable payment for the plurality of purchases from the consumer financial account, and providing the consumer with an option to approve the payment from the consumer financial account. The option is provided during processing of the plurality of purchases. Transaction approval systems provide additional advantages.
US08260664B2 Semantic advertising selection from lateral concepts and topics
Advertisements are selected for presentation on search result pages and web pages based on phrases generated from lateral concepts and topics identified for the search result pages and web pages. A search query or an indication of a web page is received for which advertisements are to be provided. Lateral concepts and topics are identified based on the search query or content of the web page. The lateral concepts and topics are used as phrases for selecting advertisements from an advertisement inventory. Selected advertisements are provided for presentation on a search results page in response to a search query or on a web page initially identified.
US08260663B1 Method, algorithm, and computer program for targeting messages including advertisements in an interactive measurable medium
Method, procedure, algorithm, system, and computer program and computer program product for improving and optimizing or attempting to optimize performance of messaging campaigns, particularly to marketing campaigns in which advertisements or other messages are distributed over an interactive measurable medium such as the Internet. When message is an advertisement, campaign involves a list of ad alternatives and a target customer population. Goal of message manager or marketing manager is to allocate ad alternatives to customer population to optimize business objectives such as maximizing the number of positive responses received. This is achieved at least in part by segmenting customer population into segments and then finding best allocation of ad alternatives for each segment. The number of segments and grouping of a customer population changes at different stages of the campaign. When the message is other than an advertisement, goal is to allocate messages to optimize analogous business or campaign objectives, typically measured by the number of successes or successful responses.
US08260659B1 Workload management for printing and inserting mail
A system provides workload management for printing and inserting mail. A management component receives data that identifies available machines at multiple sites, identifies a work capacity for each machine, identifies available staff to operate the machines, and identifies an amount of pieces of mail for each cycle in a month. The management component estimates a work completion time for printing and inserting the pieces of mail into enclosures for each cycle based on the data, and compares the work completion time for each cycle to a service level agreement. The management component allocates the pieces of mail for each cycle to the machines and the staff based on the comparison, schedules downtime for the machines and the staff based on the allocation, and outputs the allocation and the downtime to a user interface to enable a management team to take a management action based on the allocation and/or the scheduled downtime.
US08260658B2 Method for visual presentation of key performance indicators of a business utilizing a squarified tree map
Data representing key performance indicators of a business enterprise are displayed by computer as a squarified tree map having major nodes each of which represents a profit center of the enterprise and minor nodes each of which represents a project associated with a particular profit center. Size, color and position of each of the minor nodes within a major node and size and position of each the major nodes within the squarified tree map is specified so as to produce a visual display which is highly appealing to the visually perceptive/intuitive processes of the human mind therefore enables rapid managerial response to visually perceived, intuitively sensed deviations from selected performance criteria.
US08260657B1 Dynamic pricing of electronic content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for dynamically pricing electronic content. In one aspect, a method includes determining a likelihood that a group of users will repurchase an item of electronic content, determining that a particular user is more or less likely to repurchase the item of electronic content than the users of the group, in response to determining that the particular user is more or less likely to repurchase the item of electronic content than the users of the group, adjusting a base price associated with repurchasing the item of electronic content, and providing the particular user with an offer to repurchase the item of electronic content at the adjusted price.
US08260652B1 Method and apparatus for determining and utilizing a time-expanded decision network
A method, apparatus and computer program for determining and utilizing a time-expanded decision network is presented. A set of potential system configurations is defined. Next, switching costs are quantified to create a “static network” that captures the difficulty of switching among these configurations. A time-expanded decision network is provided by expanding the static network in time, including chance and decision nodes. Minimum cost paths through the network are evaluated under plausible operating scenarios. The set of initial design configurations are iteratively modified to exploit high-leverage switches and the process is repeated to convergence. Time-expanded decision networks are applicable, but not limited to, the design of systems, products, services and contracts.
US08260650B2 Transportation scheduling system
Methods for scheduling a transportation operation such as the operation of an airline. The method desirably selects a demand (100) for transportation specifying an origin, destination, and time of arrival or departure, and selects resources from a database of available resources such as aircraft (508), crew, and departure gates. The resource selection desirably is conducted so as to optimize a result function such as contribution to margin or other financial result from the particular operation specified in the demand. Upon developing a schedule fragment (108), the specified resources are committed, and the database of available resources is modified (110) to indicate that the resources are no longer available at the relevant times. The system then treats another demand and repeats the process so as to develop a full schedule. The system can develop a feasible schedule, even for a complex transportation operation in a brief time, typically in minutes or less. Schedules can be developed using alternative strategies and assumptions, and tested against one another.
US08260649B2 Resource planning to handle contact volume across a plurality of contact channels
Various embodiments of a system and method for determining staffing requirements or other resource requirements for a plurality of contact channels are disclosed. A contact volume forecast may be performed at a beginning of a season. The contact volume forecast may predict variability in contact volume over a plurality of time periods in the season for each of the contact channels. A resource plan may be determined based on the contact volume forecast. The resource plan may indicate an amount of resources required for each contact channel for each of the plurality of time periods in the season. For at least one time period, the resource plan may specify that resources are to be shifted into a first contact channel from one or more other contact channels.
US08260647B2 Delivery operations information system and methods of use
The present invention provides a system for managing information related to a delivery service provider and systems of using such a system. The system and systems provided herein allow a delivery service provider to coordinate with efficiency the volume of mail or packages to be delivered with the carrier resources available to deliver them. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the delivery operation information system tracks quantities of articles, schedules their distribution, and schedules and tracks the work force that distributes the articles.
US08260644B2 Automated rotation tool
Various embodiments provide a scheduling system structured for generating at least one posting to fill a vacant post on a schedule. In an embodiment, the scheduling system includes a scheduling database and an automated rotation tool. The scheduling database includes a personnel roster and a schedule. The schedule includes a vacant post. The scheduling database transmits the schedule and the personnel roster to the automated rotation tool. The automated rotation tool includes a computer system, and receives the personnel roster and the vacant post beginning within the vacancy window from the scheduling database, and also receives a rule, a parameter, and a vacancy window. The automated rotation tool generates a posting assigning a person from the personnel roster to the vacant post according to the rule and the parameter, and transmits the posting to the scheduling database.
US08260640B2 Systems and methods for providing context-based movie information
Systems and methods are provided for generating context-based movie information. For example, a movie application on an electronic device can obtain show times of a movie from multiple movie theaters. In some embodiments, the movie application can combine one or more show times into a single time slot in order to condense the number of show times that are displayed. Furthermore, the movie application can provide slot labels corresponding to each time slot based on one or more context-sensitive factors (e.g., current time of day, current location, one or more upcoming calendar events, and the like). As a result, the movie application can provide a user with a condensed view of the most accessible show times based on current context.
US08260636B2 Method and system for prioritizing communication of a health risk
System and methods are provided for prioritizing communication of a health risk. The method may include obtaining health information for individuals and determining, based on the health information, a risk of each individual contracting each of plurality of diseases. The method may also include calculating, based on the risks, an average risk of each individual contracting the diseases and selecting a subset of the individuals based on the average risks. Further, the method may include calculating an improved risk by making lifestyle changes for the subset of the individuals and communicating the health risks and the lifestyle changes to individuals in the subset based on the amount of improved risk.
US08260632B2 System and software of enhanced pharmaceutical operations in long-term care facilities and related methods
A system, software and related methods of enhanced pharmaceutical operations in long term care facilities are provided. An embodiment of a system includes a long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, long-term care facility pharmacy management software associated with the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server to manage pharmacological operations in a plurality of long-term care facilities, a plurality of pharmaceutical storage and electronic dispensing carts each positioned in a long-term care facility remote from the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server and in communication therewith, a remote pharmacy group server in communication with the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, and a plurality of pharmaceutical prescription document processors each positioned in a long-term care facility and in communication with the remote pharmacy group server or the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server.
US08260623B2 Systems and methods for selecting flour
Flour may be treated to denature the proteins and modify starches. The invention includes methods and systems for determining whether to use treated flour or untreated flour. The invention also includes methods and systems for determining whether to treat flour or not.
US08260618B2 Method and apparatus for remote control of devices through a wireless headset using voice activation
Methods and systems for remotely controlling a device through a wireless headset of a cellular phone are provided. In one implementation, the method includes storing a lookup table in a memory, in which the lookup table includes a digitized voice input and a corresponding control signal for the device. The method further includes receiving a voice input through a microphone, converting the voice input into a corresponding digital signal using an analog-to-digital converter, a voice recognition circuit recognizing the digital signal including matching the digital signal to the digitized voice input stored in the memory, and responsive to the digital signal matching the digitized voice input stored in the memory, a processor transmitting the corresponding control signal through the transceiver to the device.
US08260612B2 Robust noise estimation
An enhancement system improves the estimate of noise from a received signal. The system includes a spectrum monitor that divides a portion of the signal at more than one frequency resolution. Adaptation logic derives a noise adaptation factor of the received signal. A plurality of devices tracks the characteristics of an estimated noise in the received signal and modifies multiple noise adaptation rates. Weighting logic applies the modified noise adaptation rates derived from the signal divided at a first frequency resolution to the signal divided at a second frequency resolution.
US08260611B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for highband excitation generation
In one embodiment, a method of generating a highband excitation signal includes harmonically extending the spectrum of a signal that is based on a lowband excitation signal; calculating a time-domain envelope of a signal that is based on the lowband excitation signal; and modulating a noise signal according to the time-domain envelope. The method also includes combining (A) a harmonically extended signal based on a result of the harmonically extending and (B) a modulated noise signal based on a result of the modulating. In this method, the highband excitation signal is based on a result of the combining.
US08260605B2 Word sense disambiguation
A machine-readable storage medium includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive as input a target sentence comprising a target word and retrieve a gloss of the target word. The processor is further caused to parse the target sentence and the gloss. The processor is further caused to assign a score to the gloss based on the gloss's coherence to the target sentence.
US08260603B2 Scaling a prediction model of resource usage of an application in a virtual environment
Described herein is a method for scaling a prediction model of resource usage of an application in a virtual environment, comprising: providing a predetermined set of benchmarks, wherein the predetermined set of benchmarks includes at least one of: a computation-intensive workload, a network-intensive workload, and a disk-intensive workload; executing the predetermined set of benchmarks in a first native hardware system in which the application natively resides; executing the predetermined set of benchmarks in the virtual environment; generating at least one first prediction model that predicts a resource usage of the application running in the virtual environment based on the executions of the predetermined set of benchmarks in the first native hardware system and the virtual environment; determining a resource usage of the application running in a second native hardware system in which the application also natively resides; generating at least one second prediction model based on a scaling of the at least one first prediction model by a predetermined constant; and predicting a resource usage of the application running in the virtual environment based on the resource usage of the application running in the second native hardware system and the at least one second prediction model.
US08260601B2 Generating and delaying function calls in a discrete event modeling environment
A mechanism to dynamically vary the amount of delay for an event-generated function call is discussed. The event causing the generation of the function call may be a signal-based event, function call event or some other type of event. A function call generating delay component is inserted into a DES model and dynamically adjusts the amount of delay to apply prior to generating and transmitting the function call to an intended target component. The function call generating component reads a value from an input port in determining the amount of delay. The identified value at the input port may be a signal value or an attribute associated with an event entity received at the port.
US08260600B1 Circuit simulator
Method and system are disclosed for simulating a circuit. The method includes representing a circuit using a matrix that represents a set of linear equations to be solved, identifying a delta matrix, which is a subset of the matrix that changed states from a previous time step to a current time step, computing an update of the delta matrix using a matrix decomposition approach, generating a current state of the matrix using a previous state of the matrix and the update of the delta matrix, and storing the current state of the matrix in a memory device.
US08260599B1 Method of assembling overlapping functions with optimized properties and use in design/construction/simulation of structures
A method for constructing relatively independent overlapping functions that optimize a desired property is disclosed. This method allows the production of groups of functions, each group on a region. These regions may overlap. This allows the production of sources that have optimized properties, especially when those properties are enhanced by smoothness and/or by a larger size. A possible optimization method is also disclosed. These sources have many uses in numerical simulations of physical devices, such as valves, pipes, antennas, electronic circuits, and vehicles (air borne, land, and water). These simulations are useful in the design and construction of such devices. They are also useful in the testing of device properties, as they may provide an adjunct to testing physical mock ups of proposed designs.
US08260598B2 Size vector sharing in code generated for variable-sized signals
A method and apparatus to generate code to represent a graphical model formed of multiple graphical modeling components and at least one variable-sized signal is presented. Each variable-sized signal is represented using a size-vector in the generated code. The generated code is optimized by representing multiple variable-sized signals with the same size-vector such that at least two variable-sized signals share a size-vector in the generated code. The size of the variable-sized signal is capable of changing during the execution of the graphical model. The method and apparatus also identifies the owners of the variable-sized signals.
US08260595B2 Intelligent completion design for a reservoir
The invention relates to a method of performing intelligent completion design for a reservoir within a field having at least one wellsite with a steam injection well penetrating a subterranean formation of the field for extracting fluid from the reservoir therein. The method involves obtaining measurement data of the subterranean formation associated with the steam injection well, generating, using a processor of a computer, a reservoir model based on the measurement data, determining, using the processor, a geological profile adjacent to the steam injection well using the reservoir model, identifying, using the processor, a location along the steam injection well based on the geological profile according to a pre-determined criteria, and defining and storing, using the processor, a steam injection configuration based on the location.
US08260594B2 Method and system for predicting the apparent flow conductivity of a heterogeneous medium
The invention concerns a method and a system for predicting the apparent flow conductivity of a heterogeneous medium. According to the invention, the following steps are implemented:—choosing a flow conductivity element type with a given set of characteristic parameters;—determining equations for said flow in said element type;—determining a network statistics for said given set of characteristic parameters; and—performing a stochastic homogenisation of said equations, for said network statistics. The invention applies more particularly to the predicting of the apparent viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids in a heterogeneous porous medium.
US08260591B2 Dynamically specifying a view
Systems and methods to provide a UI includes providing a program with a dynamic content to specify a view; and rendering the view based on the dynamic content.
US08260586B2 Method of and a system for adapting a geometric model using multiple partial transformations
The invention relates to a method (100) of adapting a geometric model to an image data comprising determining a first partial transformation for mapping a first part of the geometric model into the image data and a second partial transformation for mapping a second part of the geometric model into the image data. By determining the first partial transformation of the first part of the geometric model and the second partial transformation of the second part of the geometric model, the geometric model can assume more shapes and therefore can be more accurately adapted to an object comprised in the image data.
US08260585B2 Computer-implemented land planning system and method designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem
A computer-implemented land planning system is designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem. The system electronically creates at least one candidate solution to the land development problem. The candidate solution incorporates a number of engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site. A fitness function quantitatively evaluates the candidate solution based on its fitness. A heuristic problem-solving strategy manipulates the engineering measurements of the candidate solution to achieve a more quantitatively fit solution to the land development problem. A computer output device outputs to a user documentation illustrating the fit solution to the land development problem.
US08260584B2 Identification of 3D surface points using context-based hypothesis testing
A computer model of a physical structure (or object) can be generated using context-based hypothesis testing. For a set of point data, a user selects a context specifying a geometric category corresponding to the structure shape. The user specifies at least one seed point from the set that lies on a surface of the structure of interest. Using the context and point data, the system loads points in a region near the seed point(s), and determines the dimensions and orientation of an initial surface component in the context that corresponds to those points. If the selected component is supported by the points, that component can be added to a computer model of the surface. The system can repeatedly find points near a possible extension of the surface model, using the context and current surface component(s) to generate hypotheses for extending the surface model to these points. Well-supported components can be added to the surface model until the surface of the structure of interest has been modeled as far as is well-supported by the point data.
US08260572B2 Apparatus for evaluating signal transmission system, method of evaluating signal transmission system, and storage medium storing program for evaluating signal transmission system
A signal transmission system evaluation apparatus acquires statistics about a variation in a characteristic value and a limit value of the characteristic value corresponding to a given range of variation, with respect to each of the characteristic values which represent characteristics of the components. The apparatus calculates a probability distribution with respect to each of the characteristic values, based on the statistic acquired, calculates an eye-opening of the signal transmission system in case that the characteristic value is the limit value, makes an adjustment of the limit value. The apparatus calculates a yield rate of the signal transmission system based on the probability distribution and the limit value.
US08260568B2 Moving direction detector
Provided is an apparatus for detecting a moving direction that can accurately detect the position, regardless of the moving direction. The moving direction detector includes groups of sensor elements that face a moving body to output detection signals in accordance with travel of the moving body. The detector includes signal processing units that convert output signals of the groups of sensor elements into rectangular waves and a moving direction detection unit that outputs a signal corresponding to a moving direction of the moving body based on the detection signals from the groups of sensor elements. The moving direction detection unit includes a delay function of generating an output signal at a time instant that is delayed by a predetermined time from a time instant when a moving direction of the moving body is changed.
US08260556B2 Calibration surface method for determination on of analyte ratios
The ratio of analytes is determined directly from the responses of the analytes using a conversion method. Individual analyte responses are obtained by using a selected measuring technique, and these individual responses are used as the independent variables in a conversion method. The dependent variable of conversion method is the desired analyte ratio. The resulting conversion method is then used to directly calculate the desired ratio of analytes as a function of the measured responses. No intermediate conversions, such as using a calibration curve to convert individual measured analyte responses to concentration values, are needed to obtain the desired ratio.
US08260555B2 Updating information regarding sections of a streamer that are in a body of water
To perform a marine survey, a streamer is deployed into a body of water, where the streamer has plural first sensors to perform a subterranean survey. Indications are received from second sensors in corresponding sections of the streamer, where the indications are regarding which sections are in the body of water. Information is updated regarding which sections of the streamer are in the body of water in response to the received indications.
US08260547B2 Navigation device interface
A music configuration menu shortcut is provided in a PND by software which interacts within a music menu display device. In one embodiment, A PND having a display, memory, processing capability, one or more speakers, and at least one signal reception device by which the PND can determine its approximate position globally by way of software installed on the device is disclosed. The PND performs one or more primary navigation and/or route calculation functions, as well as one or more secondary functions including the audible reproduction of digital content stored in the memory. The software also causes the display of changing graphical map information during route navigation and is capable of being caused to display one or more configuration menus to enable a user to configure various primary or secondary device operation options. In at least one embodiment, the software further provides an option for the on-screen display of a user-selectable graphical indicator during route navigation in conjunction with the changing graphical map information, selection of the indicator during navigation causing the software to display a configuration menu specific to the reproduction of digital music. In an alternative embodiment, the music menu display device includes a physical button by which one or more of the music reproduction and/or configuration menus can be caused to be displayed.
US08260541B2 Power supply control apparatus of navigation system
A power supply control apparatus of a navigation system includes a power switch for a user to turn a display screen of the navigation system on or off; a navigation power switching unit to turn an internal function of the navigation system on or off by a power supply connection; a navigation information unnecessary state detecting unit to detect a navigation information unnecessary state where a user does not need navigation information; and a power supply control unit to turn the navigation power switching unit off when the navigation information unnecessary state detecting unit detects the navigation information unnecessary state.
US08260539B2 Object and vehicle detection and tracking using 3-D laser rangefinder
A method and system for detecting and tracking objects near a vehicle using a three dimensional laser rangefinder. The method receives points from the laser rangefinder, where the points represent locations in space where the rangefinder senses that some object exists. An algorithm first estimates the location of a ground plane, based on a previous ground plane location, data from onboard sensors, and an eigenvector calculation applied to the point data. Next, a plan view occupancy map and elevation map are computed for stationary objects, based on point data in relation to the ground plane. Finally, dynamic objects are detected and tracked, sensing objects which are moving, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and animals. The output of the method is a set of stationary and dynamic objects, including their shape, range, and velocity. This output can be used by downstream applications, such as collision avoidance or semi-autonomous driving systems.
US08260538B2 Vehicle-use collision mitigation apparatus
The vehicle-use collision mitigation apparatus includes a function of calculating a TTC indicative of a time remaining before collision with a forward obstacle on the basis of the distance to this obstacle and the reference speed therebetween, a function of alarming a driver of the vehicle of presence of a risk of collision with the obstacle if the TTC is shorter than a predetermined first time, a function of increasing a braking force generated by a braking operation performed by the driver if the TTC is shorter than a predetermined second time not longer than the predetermined first time, and a function of automatically generating a braking force if the TTC is shorter than a predetermined third time shorter than the predetermined first time. The alarming function is configured to make an alarm for a driver of a following vehicle that the preceding vehicle may decelerate abruptly.
US08260537B2 Method for modifying an existing vehicle on a retrofit basis to integrate the vehicle into an information exchange system
Method for modifying an existing vehicle on a retrofit basis to integrate the vehicle into an information exchange system in which the vehicle includes a processor arranged to receive information and use the information in the operation of the vehicle. A communications device is coupled to the processor and can be used to establish communications with other vehicles or infrastructure to receive information from the other vehicles and infrastructure and/or provide information generated by the vehicle to the other vehicles or infrastructure. The received information may be displayed to an occupant of the vehicle on an existing display.
US08260530B2 Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods and systems are provided for mitigating engine pre-ignition based on a feed-forward likelihood of pre-ignition and feedback from a pre-ignition event. In response to an indication of pre-ignition, a cylinder may be enriched while an engine load is limited. The enrichment may be followed by an enleanment to restore exhaust catalyst feed-gas oxygen levels. The mitigating steps may be adjusted based on engine operating conditions, a pre-ignition count, as well as the nature of the pre-ignition.
US08260525B2 Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine
A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine are described, the fuel being injectable directly into a combustion chamber in particular via at least one first injector and also being injectable into an intake manifold in particular via at least one second injector. For injection of fuel in a full-load operating state of the internal combustion engine, a first selection is made from the at least one first injector and the at least one second injector having a first metering range, including a full-load injection quantity required for the full-load operating state. For injection of fuel in a partial-load operating state of the internal combustion engine, a second selection is made from the at least one first injector and the at least one second injector having a second metering range, including the adjustment of a minimum fuel injection quantity required for operating the internal combustion engine. The first selection and the second selection are made differently, in such a way that only the metering range of the first selection includes the full-load injection quantity and/or that only the metering range of the second selection covers the minimum fuel injection quantity required for operating the internal combustion engine.
US08260524B2 Sensor system
A sensor system includes a plurality of sensor units which transmit any one of a pressure detection signal and a temperature detection signal as a detection signal, a processing unit which transmits a switching command signal to the sensor unit and receives a detection signal from the sensor unit, communication lines through which the switching command signal is transmitted from the processing unit to each of the sensor units, and signal lines through which the detection signal is transmitted in a form of analog signal from the sensor unit to the processing unit. The sensor units are grouped into a first group and a second group. A plurality of communication lines of the first group are branched from one first base line connected to a first communication port of the processing unit.
US08260523B2 Method for detecting gas turbine engine flashback
A method for monitoring and controlling a gas turbine, comprises predicting frequencies of combustion dynamics in a combustor using operating conditions of a gas turbine, receiving a signal from a sensor that is indicative of combustion dynamics in the combustor, and detecting a flashback if a frequency of the received signal does not correspond to the predicted frequencies.
US08260518B2 Trailer sway control with reverse sensors
Reverse proximity sensors are used to determine an angle between a towed trailer and the towing vehicle. The trailer sway control determines a trailer angle of sway based upon proximity sensor readings from the reverse proximity sensors and from a sensor reading of an angle of turn of a steering wheel of the towing vehicle. Provided the determined trailer angle of sway exceeds a range that can be tolerated, a controller sends instructions to apply necessary braking to the vehicle or trailer to mitigate the trailer sway.
US08260516B2 Good checking for vehicle brake light switch
A mechanism for determining whether a malfunctioning sensor has returned to a normal or acceptable operating range. The mechanism includes controllers and methods that perform a “good check” on the sensor to determine whether the sensor has returned to normal or acceptable operation after a malfunction has been detected. When a previously-malfunctioning sensor passes the “good check,” warning lights (or tell-tale) indicators are shut off and systems that relied upon information from the malfunctioning sensor return to normal operation.
US08260515B2 Adaptive vehicle control system with driving style recognition
An adaptive vehicle control system that classifies a driver's driving style based on characteristic curve-handling maneuvers and road and traffic conditions. The system includes a plurality of vehicle sensors that detect various vehicle parameters. A maneuver identification processor receives the sensor signals to identify a characteristic maneuver of the vehicle and provides a maneuver identifier signal of the maneuver. The system also includes a traffic and road condition recognition processor that receives the sensor signals, and provides traffic condition signals identifying traffic conditions and road condition signals identifying road conditions. A style characterization processor receives the maneuver identifier signals, sensor signals from the vehicle sensors and the traffic and road condition signals, and classifies driving style based on the signals to classify the style of the driver driving the vehicle.
US08260514B2 Method for supporting a brake system in case of reduced effectiveness
Disclosed is a method for increasing the braking effect in a motor vehicle with a hydraulic brake system. In the method, in case of a reduced effectiveness of the brake system, a brake pressure in at least one wheel brake is increased by switching on an energy supply unit. A check is made whether a brake pressure (pTMC) in a master brake cylinder (3) reaches a predetermined threshold value (pT), and that the energy supply unit (9, 10) is disabled upon expiry of a predetermined length of time (Δt), which begins the instant it is detected that the brake pressure (pTMC) has reached the predetermined threshold value (pT). Also disclosed is a device that is appropriate to implement the method.
US08260511B2 Method for stabilization of mode and fixed gear for a hybrid powertrain system
A powertrain system includes an engine mechanically coupled to an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative in one of a plurality of transmission operating range states and one of a plurality of engine states. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a current transmission operating range state and a current engine state, determining at least one potential transmission operating range state and engine state, determining preferability factors associated with the current and potential transmission operating range state and the engine state, preferentially weighting the preferability factors for the current transmission operating range state and engine state, and selectively commanding changing the present transmission operating range state and engine state based upon the preferability factors.
US08260507B2 Managing application of agrochemicals to plants
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product apply agrochemicals to plants. A set of user defineable agrochemical application parameters are wirelessly received from a user. A set of data is received from a multiplicity of plant sensors. The set of data includes at least positional data associated with a multiplicity of plants with respect to a set of agrochemical applicators. At least speed data associated with a vehicle coupled to the set of agrochemical applicators is received. The set of agrochemical applicators is instructed to apply one or more agrochemicals to at least one plant in the multiplicity of plants based at least on the set of user defineable agrochemical application parameters that has been wirelessly received, the set of data from a multiplicity of plant sensors, and the speed data. The set of agrochemical applicators apply the one or more agrochemicals to at least one plant.
US08260506B2 Method for adjusting a passenger seat in a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for adjusting a passenger seat (2) in a motor vehicle, in particular in an open two-seater. The method includes verifying whether the passenger seat (2) is occupied and adjusting the passenger seat, according to one or more settings of the driver seat (1) selected by the driver of the motor vehicle if a verification result determines that the passenger seat is not occupied.
US08260504B2 Saddle riding type vehicle
A saddle riding type vehicle includes a balancer beam rotatably mounted on a vehicle body to cause a right wheel and a left wheel to move up and down in opposite directions, and is capable of making turns by leaning the vehicle body. The saddle riding type vehicle also includes a headlight, a drive mechanism arranged to rotate the headlight, a front detector arranged to detect a rotation angle of the balancer beam relative to the vehicle body, and a controller programmed to control the drive mechanism based on a result of detection by the front detector. The rotation angle detected by the front detector corresponds to an angle of the vehicle body leaning sideways relative to a traveling surface (relative lean angle). The controller controls the drive mechanism based on such result of detection by the front detector. The headlight can therefore illuminate directions of movement properly.
US08260502B2 Occupant detection and imaging system
An active safety system for a machine and a process for operating the active safety system are disclosed. The active safety system an active ultrasonic array having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers can propagate a plurality of sound waves, receive a plurality of echo waves and transform the plurality of echo waves into a plurality of electrical pulses. The plurality of electrical pulses can be transmitted to and received by a three-dimensional imaging circuit. The three-dimensional imaging circuit can generate a 3D image from the plurality of electrical pulses and an electrical control unit can determine a location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image. The electronic control unit can also provide an occupant safety parameter as a function of the location, size and geometric orientation of the 3D image and transmit the occupant safety parameter or an instruction related to the occupant safety parameter to an occupant safety system and/or an occupant warning system.
US08260501B2 Awake state estimation device
An awake state estimation portion calculates an average steering angle, an average steering angular speed and a corrective steering angle on the basis of the steering angle acquired from a steering angle detection portion. The awake state estimation portion acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle from a vehicle speed detection portion. The awake state estimation portion corrects the calculated corrective steering angle by a correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, and estimates the degree of the awake state of the driver on the basis of the post-correction corrective steering angle. Besides, the awake state estimation portion specifically determines the correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, on the basis of at least one of the steering angle, the average steering angular speed and the traveling speed.
US08260498B2 Function decomposition and control architecture for complex vehicle control system
A vehicle control architecture designed based on a top-down approach with abstraction and modularity. The control architecture includes a vehicle/environment sensing and perception processor that processes sensor signals, and motion planning processors that provide lane center trajectory planning and tracking command, lane change trajectory planning and tracking command, and forward and backward speed and target tracking command. The architecture also includes a driver command interpreter that interprets driver commands and a command integration processor that provides reference dynamics for vehicle lateral, roll and longitudinal dynamics. The architecture also includes a control integration and supervisory controller that provides control integration and outputs integrated longitudinal force command signals, integrated lateral force command signals, integrated yaw moment command signals and steering torque command signals that are used by a vehicle longitudinal controller and a vehicle lateral controller.
US08260489B2 Methods, apparatus, and systems for acquiring and analyzing vehicle data and generating an electronic representation of vehicle operations
Geo-referenced and/or time-referenced electronic drawings may be generated based on electronic vehicle information to facilitate documentation of a vehicle-related event. A symbols library, a collection of geo-referenced images, and any data acquired from one or more vehicles may be stored in memory for use in connection with generation of such drawings, and a drawing tool graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided for electronically processing vehicle data and geo-referenced images. Processed geo-referenced images may be saved as event-specific images, which may be integrated into, for example, an electronic vehicle accident report for accurately depicting a vehicle accident.
US08260485B1 Adaptive multi-vehicle area coverage optimization system and method
A system and method for dividing a predefined search region into a map of a plurality of subregions to be searched by a plurality of mobile platforms, taking into account the capabilities of the mobile platforms and varying environmental conditions within the subregions, while minimizing the time needed to search each of the subregions. The system and method updates the map of the subregions as needed, in real time, to account for changing environmental conditions and changes in the capabilities of the mobile platforms being used. The subregions may also be determined using a desired level of probability for detecting targets within the subregions in a desired number of passes through the subregion. The system optimizes coverage time while insuring a desired probability of coverage (i.e., observability) for heterogeneous mobile platforms.
US08260483B2 Guidance, navigation, and control system for a vehicle
The present invention provides a guidance, navigation, and control method and system for an underground mining vehicle that allow said vehicle to be taught a route by a human operator and then have it automatically drive the route with no human intervention. The method works in three steps: teaching, route profiling, and playback. In the teaching step the vehicle is manually driven by a operator along a route which can consist of an arbitrary sequence of maneuvers including tramming forwards, switching directions, tramming backwards, turning, or pausing movement. During this phase raw data from vehicle-mounted sensors including odometric sensors and rangefinders are logged to a file throughout teaching for later processing. During the (offline) route profiling step, the raw data in the log file are processed into a route profile, and a profile of desired speed as a function of distance along the path.
US08260479B2 Modular software architecture for an unmanned aerial vehicle
A method for developing software as a layered, segmented system having diverse functionalities, based on a software architecture and an aerial vehicle utilizing the software architecture are provided. The software architecture for the aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes an electrical segment, a propulsion segment, a flight management segment, a navigation segment, a data link segment, and perhaps a payload segment. Each segment includes a number of software modules and objects, and each segment interfaces with or controls one or more devices. The software architecture also includes a number of layers, including an executive layer for managing execution rates of the segments, a vehicle controller layer for coordinating activities across segments, and various layers providing utilities, common services, and computing support including operating system support. Rules of engagement guiding interaction between software entities within the software architecture are specified.
US08260475B2 Constant low-flow air source control system and method
A constant low-flow air source control system and method is used to operate a pump to inflate an inflatable support structure used to support a person.
US08260473B1 Managing the operation of a semiconductor device under varying load conditions
A system for managing the operation of a semiconductor device in accordance with varying load conditions that affect the power being dissipated by the semiconductor device, includes a sensor for measuring a temperature related to the junction temperature of an operating semiconductor device; electronic components for measuring the real-time operating load conditions of the operating semiconductor device; and a computer that is adapted by computer executable program instructions to perform the steps of: (a) determining the power being dissipated by the operating semiconductor device in accordance with the measured real-time operating load conditions of the semiconductor device; (b) determining a dynamic temperature cutback threshold for the operating semiconductor device in accordance with the determination of the power being dissipated; and (c) managing the operation of the semiconductor device in accordance with the measured temperature and the dynamic temperature cutback threshold.
US08260462B2 Touch sensitive robot
A touch sensitive robot includes a body having a control panel, a touch sensor, a driver, and a controller. The touch sensor includes a first conductive belt, a second conductive belt, a power source, and a current sensor. The first conductive belt is wrapped on the body. The second conductive belt is wrapped around but spaced away from the first conductive belt. The power source and the current sensor are connected in series between the first conductive belt and the second conductive belt to form a closed circuit when a point of the second conductive belt is touched to contact the first conductive belt. The current sensor is for measuring the flow of the electrical current of the close loop. The controller is for controlling the driver to turn the body based upon the measurement of the current sensor to orient the control panel to the touch point.
US08260459B2 Robotic vehicle system
Robotic vehicle systems and methods regarding such systems, such as, e.g., methods of movement for such robotic vehicle systems (e.g., movement across varying terrain including steps).
US08260457B2 Robot, control method of robot and control program of robot
A robot or the like able to precisely grip an object by flexibly changing an operation in accordance with various environments.When it is judged that a robot is in a “first state”, the action of the robot is controlled in accordance with a “first action mode”. Thus, the robot does not move and moves an arm or the like on the spot so that a first object W1 can be gripped by a hand. On the other hand, when the judging result is denial, the robot acts in an action mode different from the first action mode so that a relative position or the like of the first object W1 with the robot as a reference is changed. As a result, the robot can be changed from a non-first state to the first state.
US08260455B2 Address label re-work station
An address label rework station according to the invention includes a conveyor which can simultaneously transport a series of spaced parcels along a conveyor path in a substantially horizontal stream. The station includes a camera, A work space, a microphone is usable by an operator in the work space, a targeting device directing a human operator in the work space. Station also includes a sensor system, a labeler and a printer to print shipping information. The station also includes a computer configured to receive and recognize image and voice data, generate a label with a recognized shipping address, and control the conveyer to apply a new label to the parcel by the labeler at the position selected using the targeting device.
US08260453B2 Numerical controller for controlling five-axis machining apparatus
A numerical controller for controlling a five-axis machining apparatus, in which a tool orientation command is corrected to thereby attain a smooth machined surface and a shortened machining time. The numerical controller includes command reading device that successively reads a tool orientation command, tool orientation command correcting device that corrects the tool orientation command so that a ratio between each rotary axis motion amount and a linear axis motion amount is constant in each block, interpolation device that determines respective axis positions at every interpolation period based on the tool orientation command corrected by the tool orientation command correcting device, a motion path command, and a relative motion velocity command such that a tool end point moves along a commanded motion path at a commanded relative motion velocity, and device that drives respective axis motors such that respective axis positions determined by the interpolation device are reached.
US08260452B2 System for reliable collaborative assembly and maintenance of complex systems
A system and method of tracking location and orientation of power tools utilized in the assembly and maintenance of complex systems is disclosed. The system can facilitate collaboration between maintenance and alert maintenance personnel to complete complex system activities.
US08260448B2 System for imaging items produced by rapid prototyping
A system for imaging one or more items produced by rapid prototyping may include, but is not limited to: control electronics including a memory containing a plurality of data sets representing design items; a user interface coupled to the control electronics and operative to select one or more of the data sets representing design items and operative to receive user view selections; a rapid prototyping device coupled to the control electronics and responsive to the selected one or more data sets representing design items to produce physical items; a positioning mechanism operable to accept the produced physical items from the rapid prototyping device and to position the produced physical items in a field; and an image capture device responsive to the received user view selections electronics to selectively image at least a portion of the field corresponding to the received user view selection.
US08260445B2 Signal processing system, signal transmission apparatus, signal receiving apparatus, and program
A signal processing system is provided, which includes a first converter for converting first information in to second information, a superimposer for superimposing on the second information control information corresponding to any missing information lost from the first information due to its conversion by the first converter. Furthermore, the signal processing system includes a transmitter for transmitting the second information, a receiver for receiving the second information transmitted from the transmitter, and an extractor for extracting the control information from the second information. The signal processing system also includes a second converter for converting the second information in to third information based on the control information extracted by the extractor, and an output portion for outputting the third information.
US08260444B2 Auxiliary controller of a HVAC system
The disclosure provides an auxiliary controller of a HVAC system, a method of manufacturing a HVAC system, a method of starting a HVAC system and a HVAC system. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: (1) a main system controller having a main non-volatile memory and configured to direct operation of the HVAC system and store main controller application information associated therewith on the main non-volatile memory (2) an auxiliary controller having (2A) an interface coupled to the main system controller and configured to communicate therewith, (2B) a processor, coupled to the interface and configured to direct the operation of a component of the HVAC system and (2C) an auxiliary non-volatile memory configured to receive a copy of the main controller application information via the interface and store the main controller application information thereon.
US08260442B2 Control system for a transducer array
A control system is provided for controlling a transducer array. The control system includes a plurality of sparse filters and integrators. The control system can be used to separate signals from a plurality of sources or to generate complex signal patterns that combine and map to different spatial regions.
US08260441B2 Method for computer-supported control and/or regulation of a technical system
A method for computer-supported control and/or regulation of a technical system is provided. In the method a reinforcing learning method and an artificial neuronal network are used. In a preferred embodiment, parallel feed-forward networks are connected together such that the global architecture meets an optimal criterion. The network thus approximates the observed benefits as predictor for the expected benefits. In this manner, actual observations are used in an optimal manner to determine a quality function. The quality function obtained intrinsically from the network provides the optimal action selection rule for the given control problem. The method may be applied to any technical system for regulation or control. A preferred field of application is the regulation or control of turbines, in particular a gas turbine.
US08260439B2 Nerve stimulation patches and methods for stimulating selected nerves
A selective nerve stimulation patch includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, integrated components overlying the top surface of the substrate and being electrically interconnected with one another for generating at least one nerve stimulating signal, electrodes integrated into the substrate and exposed at the bottom surface thereof for applying the at least one nerve stimulating signal to a target nerve, a waterproof, breathable cover overlying the substrate and the integrated components, and a support flange surrounding the substrate and coupling the cover and the substrate together. The support flange has a top surface that slopes downwardly toward an outer perimeter thereof, and at least a portion of the cover conforms to the sloping top surface of the support flange. In one embodiment, the patch generates a high frequency waveform with properties such as amplitude, frequency and the like chosen so as to overcome tissue impedance and the stimulation threshold of the target nerve. The modulated waveform is the waveform obtained by modulating the carrier waveform by a pulse envelope.
US08260438B2 Electrode pad packaging systems and methods
An electrode pad packaging system including an electrode pouch, an electrode pad (e.g., a defibrillation electrode pad), a wire and a shell is disclosed. The electrode pad is disposed at least partially within the electrode pouch. The wire extends from the electrode pad and, in a disclosed embodiment, at least a portion of the wire is attached to the shell. The shell is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the electrode pouch (e.g., the shell is secured to a portion of the electrode pouch). The shell includes a valve thereon that is configured to allow air to exit the electrode pouch. The valve may be configured to prevent air from entering the electrode pouch. A method of packaging an electrode pad is also disclosed. The method includes providing an electrode pouch, an electrode pad, a wire and a shell. A valve on the shell allows air to exit the electrode pouch.
US08260430B2 Stimulation channel selection for a stimulating medical device
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining the stimulation channels for application of stimulation by a medical device, such as a cochlear implant or an auditory brain stimulator. In embodiments, the medical device filters a received signal to obtain a plurality of band-pass filtered signals, each corresponding to one or more stimulation channels. The medical device then selects a stimulation channel for application of stimulation based on the amplitudes of the band-pass filtered signals. The medical device determines whether to apply stimulation on the adjacent stimulation channels by determining if the amplitude of the corresponding adjacent stimulation channel exceeds an information limit. If the amplitudes for either adjacent channel fall below the information limit, the corresponding adjacent stimulation channel is eliminated from consideration. The medical device further may determine the amplitudes for application of stimulation on the adjacent stimulation channels, if selected, using a pitch steering function. This pitch steering function may specify a current level difference between the selected stimulation channel and the adjacent stimulation channel to use in applying the stimulation.
US08260428B2 Method and system for training a visual prosthesis
A method for training a visual prosthesis includes presenting a non-visual reference stimulus corresponding to a reference image to a visual prosthesis patient. Training data sets are generated by presenting a series of stimulation patterns to the patient through the visual prosthesis. Each stimulation pattern in the series is determined at least in part on a received user perception input and a fitness function optimization algorithm. The presented stimulation patterns and the user perception inputs are stored and presented to a neural network off-line to determine a vision solution.
US08260427B2 Garment to facilitate needle electrode placement for intraoperative monitoring
A garment is provided with a tube that may be used to facilitate placement of needle electrodes into a patient to facilitate intraoperative monitoring during surgical procedures.
US08260426B2 Method, apparatus and system for bipolar charge utilization during stimulation by an implantable medical device
We disclose a method, apparatus, and system of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device. A first electrode is coupled to a first portion of a cranial nerve of the patient. A second electrode is coupled to a second portion of the cranial nerve of the patient. A first electrical signal is provided to the first and second electrodes. The first electrical signal is provided in a first polarity configuration in which the first electrode functions as an anode and the second electrode functions as a cathode. Upon termination of the first electrical signal, the anode and cathode each comprise a first accumulated energy. A second electrical signal is provided to the first and second electrodes, in which the second electrical signal includes at least a portion of the first accumulated energy.
US08260421B2 Method for reducing phrenic nerve stimulation
Methods and devices for reducing phrenic nerve stimulation of cardiac pacing systems involve delivering a pacing pulse to a ventricle of a heart. A transthoracic impedance signal is sensed, and a deviation in the signal resulting from the pacing pulse may be used to determine phrenic nerve stimulation. Methods may further involve detecting the phrenic nerve stimulation from the pacing pulse by delivering two or more pacing pulse to the ventricle of the heart, and determining a temporal relationship. A pacing vector may be selected from the two or more vectors that effects cardiac capture and reduces the phrenic nerve stimulation. A pacing voltage and/or pulse width may be selected that provides cardiac capture and reduces the phrenic nerve stimulation. In other embodiments, a pacing pulse width and a pacing voltage may be selected from a patient's strength-duration curve that effects cardiac capture and reduces the phrenic nerve stimulation.
US08260419B2 Non-sustained tachyarrhythmia analysis to identify lead related condition
Techniques for determining whether a lead related condition exists based on analysis of a cardiac electrical signal associated with a non-sustained tachyarrhythmia (NST) are described. In some examples, the techniques include determining the duration of intervals between consecutive cardiac events, e.g., R-R intervals, during an NST. The techniques may further include determining one or more metrics based on the durations of the intervals during the NST. Examples of metrics include an average, a minimum, a maximum, a range, a median, a mode, or a mean. A lead related condition is identified based on the values of the one or more metrics, e.g., by comparison to respective thresholds. In some examples, an alert is provided or a therapy modification is suggested if a lead related condition is identified.
US08260418B2 System for waveform stimulation compensating electrode polarization
Upon delivery of a pacing pulse to a heart by an electrode of an implantable medical device (IMD), a deleterious pace polarization artifact is generally created at the electrode-tissue interface and subsequently stored by the electrode. Such polarization artifact is generally minimized through the use of passive recharge circuitry. Such passive recharge circuitry functions in creating a recharge pulse at the electrode which in essence, minimizes the polarization artifact on the electrode. In order to produce further artifact minimization from a subsequent pacing pulse, following termination of the recharge pulse, any remaining polarization artifact is sampled and analyzed by the IMD and IMD software optionally compensates the next recharge pulse to further minimize the polarization artifact generated by a next pacing pulse. This sampling and optional compensation is repeated for subsequent pacing pulses so that polarization artifacts are effectively analyzed and if necessary, minimized.
US08260414B2 Method and apparatus for defrosting a defibrillation electrode
A device and method for defrosting a defibrillation electrode are provided. This includes an automated external defibrillator that is capable of defrosting one or more frozen electrodes. The device is includes a portable housing containing a battery powered energy source and a controller as well as at least a pair of electrodes which are operably coupled to the housing. The electrodes are designed for attachment to the chest of a patient in need of resuscitation and contain a conductive interface medium that has temperature dependent properties. A controller is configured to selectively heat the conductive interface medium by applying limited electrical impulses and raise the electrode temperature to a desired temperature range.
US08260411B1 Conductive injection and aspiration device and method
A medical device having incorporated electrodes that can be used for delivering drugs or other therapeutic fluids at a uniform rate over an extended area to an internal anatomical location of a patient's body. The device can also be used for aspirating excess fluid from an internal anatomical location of a patient's body.
US08260406B2 System and method for analyzing complex curvature of ECG curves
A system and a method for analysis of ECG curvature, which system involves a mathematical analysis comprising the following features where a number of different parameters are isolated and stored in a computer, where a first number of parameters are selected from at least one main group, where the selected parameters are combined in at least a first mathematical analysis. It is the object of the invention to improve mathematical analysis of ECG curvature particular for complex parts of the curvature such as notches or concavities. This can be achieved by selecting parameters from groups of symmetry, flatness, duration and/or complexity, using the parameters as input to an algorithm, where concavity intervals are evaluated on subsegments of the ECG segment and form the basis of up and downwards concavity quantification, where the system based on an algorithm detects and quantifies concavity on ECG curvatures.
US08260398B2 Position detection system, medical-device guidance system, and position detection method
There is provided a position detection system (1) including a first marker (4) that produces a first alternating magnetic field having a first position-calculating frequency by means of an external power supply; a second marker (3) including a magnetic induction coil (5) having a resonance frequency equal to the position-calculating frequency; a magnetic-field detection section (13) that is disposed outside a working region of the second marker (3) and that detects a magnetic field at the first position-calculating frequency; an extracting section (24) that extracts, from the detected magnetic field, a first detection-magnetic-field component having the first position-calculating frequency and having the same phase as the phase of the first alternating magnetic field; and a position/orientation analyzing section (22) that calculates at least one of the position and the orientation of the first marker (4) based on the intensity of the extracted first detection-magnetic-field component.
US08260396B2 Extreme speed-up of acquisition of perfusion time series by cycled arterial spin labeling MRI
Quantitative assessment of haemodynamics by cycled arterial spin labeling (CACL) that distinguishes between blood magnetization tagged by a specific labeling pulse, using a time series acquisition in which all measured data sets are used for reconstruction of each single time step, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining signal-to-noise ration compared to conventional ASL.
US08260395B2 Method and apparatus for mapping a structure
An area of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of an area or volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of an imaging device. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.
US08260394B2 Modular catheter
A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.
US08260389B2 Bladder function monitoring methods, apparatuses, media and signals
Bladder function monitoring methods, apparatuses, media and signals are disclosed. A method includes receiving signals from an electromagnetic radiation detector, the signals representing electromagnetic radiation detected from the bladder during irradiance of the bladder with electromagnetic radiation, and further includes storing data indicative of bladder function, in response to the signals. The received signals may represent near infrared (NIR) detected from the bladder during NIR irradiance of the bladder.
US08260387B2 Superconducting articles and methods of fabrication thereof with reduced AC magnetic field losses
A superconducting article is provided which includes a superconducting tape assembly. The superconducting tape assembly includes a superconducting tape layer, having one or more superconducting tapes, and a high-permeability magnetic material layer coupled to the superconducting tape layer. The high-permeability magnetic material layer includes a high-permeability magnetic material which remains magnetically soft at a critical temperature Tc of the superconducting tape, and with presence of an ac magnetic field acting on the superconducting tape assembly, re-magnetizes to divert at least a portion of a normal component of the ac magnetic field therethrough, which reduces ac loss in the superconducting tape layer by modifying the ac magnetic field distribution within the superconducting tape of the superconducting tape layer.
US08260386B2 Armored superconducting winding and method for its production
The superconducting winding (2) is configured such that it has a band-shaped HTS conductor (4) of the Röbel-conductor type, made of band-shaped HTS individual conductors that are transposed among each other. An armoring band (5) is to be wound to the prefabricated HTS conductor (4), the band not being metallurgically connected to the HTS conductor (4) and being subject to a comparatively larger winding tension (WZ2). The armoring band (5) is wound at a winding tension (WZ2) that is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 3 times as large as the winding tension (WZ1) of the HTS conductor (4).
US08260382B2 Portable sliding wireless communication terminal
A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication includes a first slide member, a second slide member, and a shielded cable. The first slide member includes a first surface having a display module and a second surface having a circuitry for controlling the mobile terminal, and opposite side edges configured to operate as slide guides. The first slide member is substantially covered with a front case. The second slide member includes opposite facing slide rails to slidably engage the opposite side edges of the first slide member. The first and second slide members are operatively coupled using an elastic module to bias the first and second slide members to one of open and closed positions. The shielded cable electronically couples a battery disposed in the second slide member to the circuitry disposed in the first slide member.
US08260381B2 Apparatus and method for detecting physical state and holster presence
A mobile device has a first housing and a second housing movably coupled to the first housing such that the mobile device can be manipulated between an open state and a closed state. The mobile device can also be placed in a holster. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile device has a sensor configured to generate a sensor output indicative of (i) whether the mobile device is in the open state or closed state and (ii) whether the mobile device is in the holster.
US08260379B2 Mobile electronic device
A mobile electronic device includes: a main body to which a reading device of a storage medium is detachably coupled; an accommodation chamber formed in the main body to accommodate the reading device when the reading device is coupled to the main body; and a communication module configured to transmit and receive a radio signal, inserted into the accommodation chamber in a state in which the reading device is separated, and electrically connected with the main body.
US08260374B2 Power saving operation of user equipment in a cellular communication system
Mobile User Equipment (UE) is operated in a first mode in which radio functions are enabled. In response to a predetermined condition, the UE is operated in a power saving mode involving disabling all radio functionality for a first period of time during which no connection is maintained with a cellular communication system serving node. After the first period of time, the UE ascertains whether any attempts were made to contact it during the first period of time and if so whether any of the attempted contacts is characterized by an attribute that matches a predefined attribute. If any of the attempted contacts is characterized by the attribute that matches the predefined attribute, then a user alarm is activated. If the response to the user alarm has been made, then the UE is again operated in the first mode; otherwise, the UE is again operated in the power saving mode.
US08260369B2 Vehicle hands-free communication apparatus and vehicle hands-free communication method
A vehicle hands-free communication apparatus includes an identifier receiver, a storage, a compatibility information receiver, a renewing device, a determination device, a connecting device, and an informing device. The identifier receiver receives a phone identifier from a mobile phone. The storage stores compatibility information. The compatibility information receiver receives renewed compatibility information. The renewing device replaces the compatibility information stored in the storage with the renewed compatibility information. The determination device determines whether the mobile phone is compatible with the hands-free communication apparatus by comparing the phone identifier and the stored compatibility information. The connecting device establishes a communication between the apparatus and the mobile phone when the determination device determines that the mobile phone is compatible with the apparatus. The informing device informs that the mobile phone is not compatible with the apparatus when the determination device determines that the mobile phone is not compatible with the apparatus.
US08260368B2 Mobile phone and method for automatically switching between incoming call alert modes of mobile phone
A mobile phone and a method for automatically switching between incoming call alert modes of the mobile phone are provided. The mobile phone comprises a body, a control unit, a receiver and a sensor. The control unit disposed in the body includes an incoming call alert control module providing several incoming call alert modes. The receiver and the sensor are electrically connected to the control unit. The receiver suitable for receiving an incoming call signal transmits the incoming call signal to the control unit. The sensor suitable for sensing an included angle between a lengthwise axis of the mobile phone and a level transmits a signal comprising the data of the included angle to the control unit. When the control unit receives the signal of the detected included angle, the incoming call alert control module enters one of the incoming call alert modes according to the detected included angle.
US08260364B2 Mobile communication terminal and screen scrolling method thereof for projecting display information
A method of controlling a mobile communication terminal, and which includes projecting display information via a projector module onto an external surface; detecting, via a sensor included in the terminal, a motion of the mobile communication terminal; calculating, via a controller, an amount of the detected motion of the mobile communication terminal; and moving, via the controller controlling the projector module, the display information projected onto the external surface based on the calculated amount of the detected motion.
US08260357B2 Method for 4G node frequency selection
A method for 4G node frequency selection describes a mechanism for automatically selecting the frequency of a newly installed base station, thereby optimizing the throughput per area unit of the newly installed base station in its predefined vicinity area. The method is based on an iterative calculation approach which combines real-world network and base station measurements information with the nominal specifications of the newly installed base station (antenna diagram, output power) and the location and direction thereof.
US08260353B2 SIM messaging client
The invention relates to a portable device (in particular a SIM card), a communication device (in particular a cellular phone) and a system comprising a portable device and a communication device. The portable device of the invention comprises processing means, external communication means, message storage means, and a web server. It has no messaging user interface. The portable device further comprises a messaging client comprising web communication means for communicating with the web server, and comprising message management means for managing messages including at least one message stored in the portable device. The communication device of the invention may comprise a message proxy.
US08260352B1 Communication device
The communication device which includes a voice communicating implementer, a downloaded video game implementer, an auto time adjusting implementer, a moving picture replaying implementer, a calculating implementer, a bold font displaying implementer, a stereo audio data output implementer, a photo quality setting implementer, a multiple language implementer, and a caller's information displaying implementer.
US08260351B2 System and method for selective storage of mobile code and resolved content therefrom
A method is provided for storing mobile code-related data on a mobile device. The method includes a mobile code reader processing a mobile code, wherein storage-related data derived from the mobile code specifies whether at least a portion of the mobile code-related data is allowed to be stored. The method further includes the mobile device selectively storing the at least a portion of the mobile code-related data based on the storage-related data.
US08260350B2 Embedded biometrics in telecommunication devices for feature extraction and context identification
A method, a system and a computer program product for determining one or more characteristics of a caller, such as the mood, gender, age, and urgency of the caller, utilizing the biometric characteristics of the caller. One or more biometric characteristics are detected when a request to place an outgoing call to one or more destinations is received at a first telecommunication device. When the request to place an outgoing call is a verbal request, one or more biometric voice samples are obtained. The biometric voice samples comprise the biometric characteristics of the caller. The biometric characteristics are extracted from the biometric voice samples, encoded into a datagram, and transmitted from the first telecommunication device to the outgoing call destination (i.e. a second telecommunication device). When the biometric characteristics are analyzed at the second telecommunication device, a display is generated depicting the mood, gender, age, urgency or other characteristics of the caller associated with the incoming call.
US08260348B2 Wireless communicator for laptop computers
A communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network, and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with the wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer, respectively. A method is also described and claimed.
US08260347B2 Radio frequency communication devices and methods
One embodiment relates to a circuit for efficient wireless communication. The circuit includes a communication port adapted to be coupled to an antenna feed. Multiple communication paths stem from the communication port, where different communication paths are associated with different frequency bands. Multiple phase shift selection circuits are respectively associated with the multiple communication paths. The phase shift selection circuits have different respective impedances relative to the communication port and the respective impedances vary for the different frequency bands. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08260344B2 Electronic device and control program thereof
In a mobile phone device 1 including a three-axial direction vibration sensor 16 for detecting the walking of a user carrying the mobile phone device 1 and counting the number of walking steps, when an incoming call is received, vibrations due to a notification operation by a vibrator 14 or a speaker 15 are transmitted to the three-axial direction vibration sensor 16. As a result, the three-axial direction vibration sensor 16 inevitably detects unintended vibrations in addition to vibrations from walking, causing the number of walking steps to be miscounted. To prevent this and perform the accurate detection of walking, in the present invention, the detection of walking is performed without using, among vibrations in three directions detected by the three-axial direction vibration sensor 16, vibrations in the same direction as the direction of vibrations caused by a notification operation by the vibrator 14 or the speaker 15.
US08260343B2 Electronic devices including vertically mounted loudspeakers and related assemblies and methods
An electronic device may include a printed circuit board and a speaker box defining an acoustic volume between spaced apart first and second speaker box walls with the first speaker box wall being between the second speaker box wall and the printed circuit board. A loudspeaker may be coupled to the first speaker box wall, and the loudspeaker may include an acoustic actuator that is configured to generate displacements in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. The loudspeaker may further include a speaker membrane that is mechanically coupled to the acoustic actuator and that is configured to deflect in directions toward and away from the second speaker box wall responsive to displacements of the acoustic actuator. Related assemblies and methods are also discussed.
US08260338B2 Method and system for providing interoperable communications with dynamic event area allocation
A method for providing interoperable communications with dynamic event area allocation includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups, each virtual talk group including a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication protocol. The method includes receiving notice of an event comprising an event location and creating an event area based on the event location. The method also includes associating an event virtual talk group with the event for communications regarding the event. The method also includes modifying the event area based on at least one location parameter associated with the event.
US08260337B2 System and method for peer-to-peer communication in cellular systems
Systems and methods are provided for delivering both PMP communications, for example standard cellular communications via a base station, and also delivering P2P communications, for example, communications between two mobile stations, using the same spectral resources for both types of communication.
US08260335B2 Method of constructing a QuickConfig message in a 1xEvolution Data Only (1xEV-DO) communication network and method of reducing call and handoff failure rates in the 1xEV-DO network without introducing additional call setup latencies
In a method of constructing a QuickConfig message in a 1x Evolution (1XEV) data only (EV-DO) communication network for broadcast by a base station of the network to a plurality of users served thereby, a Forward Traffic Valid (FTValid) bit in a field of the QuickConfig message is set to a default value of a logic high state for all users. No delay occurs for a call setup between a given user and the base station even if the user requests the call setup after the QuickConfig message has been constructed by the base station.
US08260334B2 MMS brew message delivery hybridization architecture
Techniques and equipment are provided to allow Multimedia Message Service (MMS) communication between applications on a platform on a mobile station and third party websites or web servers by using a hybridized architectural design of MMS and BREW services. The following communications are provided: communication from a BREW application on a first mobile station to a BREW application on a second mobile station, communication from a BREW application on a mobile station to an application server or website, and communication from an application server or website to a BREW application on a mobile station.
US08260331B2 System and method for incorporating multimedia content into a message handled by a mobile device
Multimedia content can be incorporated into a message handled by a mobile device with minimum invasiveness by utilizing linking mechanisms that are visually identifiable with certain content and can reveal the multimedia content, e.g. an advertisement, upon selection. This may be done by examining content in the message handled by a mobile device and matching portions of the message with predetermined criteria such as keywords or phrases. Upon finding matches, corresponding multimedia content is associated with a respective portion of the message content and access to the multimedia content is enabled through selection of a linking mechanism that is visually identifiable with the respective portion of the message. The message is modified to include such linking mechanisms such that upon viewing the modified message, a user may reveal the multimedia content by selecting the linking mechanism.
US08260329B2 Mobile-originated to HTTP communications
A mobile device-to-HTTP protocol gateway (MHG, or “MO Gateway”) which translates between Wireless Mobile Originated commands from an SMSC, and an application server on the Internet (i.e., a “web IP Server”). A wireless Internet gateway establishes communications with one or more relevant SMSCs using standard format SMPP commands, and the MHG utilizes HTTP protocol POST messages to post short messages originated at the mobile device to a particular URL. Return results are received by the MHG via HTTP protocol messages, translated to SMPP messages, and forwarded back to the SMSC for delivery to the mobile device. The wireless Internet Gateway communicates with the MHG using RMI protocol commands. An MHG in accordance with the principles of the present invention enables a developer to create mobile applications using standard web development tools, e.g., Java Servlets. The MHG allows standard format command messages to be used throughout the pathway between a mobile device and an application program on a web IP server at a particular URL.
US08260327B2 System and method for locating mobile terminals in mobile communication networks
In one of many possible embodiments, a method of locating a mobile terminal within a location area of a mobile communication network is provided. In the method, a threshold is set by calculating a sum of all location probabilities in the location area and dividing the sum by a maximum number of polling cycles allowed before the mobile terminal is located. Cells in the location area are arranged in non-ascending order according to their location probabilities. Multiple paging areas are formed one at a time by starting with a first cell not used in a previous paging area, grouping cells in order, and stopping when the total of location probabilities reaches the threshold or when no more ungrouped cells exist within the location area.
US08260315B2 Determining mobile content for a social network based on location and time
A device, system, and method are directed towards updating location information for a social network. A request for the location information associated with a GPS coordinate is received from a client device associated with a member of the social network. In response to the request, a location name associated with another member of the social network is provided to the client device based on the GPS coordinate. Another location name may be received from the client device. The other location name may be associated with the GPS coordinate and with the member in the social network. Thus, the GPS coordinate and/or member may be associated with a plurality of location names. A location description may also be received and associated with the location name and with the member in the social network.
US08260311B2 Binding cache support in a load balanced sysplex
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for Mobile IPv6 binding cache support for a load balanced sysplex. In one embodiment of the invention, a load balancing sysplex can be configured for mobile device binding cache support. The sysplex can include a distributor coupled to different targets in a load balancing arrangement, where each of the targets can support a correspondent node enabled to communicate with a mobile device. A master binding cache can be coupled to the distributor and a binding cache manager can be coupled to the distributor. Notably, the binding cache manager can perform return routability with the mobile device and can provide a corresponding entry in the master binding cache for use by a target supporting a correspondent node for the mobile device. In one aspect of the embodiment, a replica of the master binding cache can be provided in each of the targets for use by supported correspondent nodes in communicating with different mobile devices associated with binding cache entries in the replica.
US08260310B2 Dynamic bandwidth allocation to transmit a wireless protocol across a code division multiple access (CDMA) radio link
A technique for transmission of wireless signals across CDMA radio links. Bandwidth is allocated dynamically within a session to specific CDMA subscriber unit based upon data rate determinations. Specifically, a dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithm operates from limits calculated based upon available ports per subscriber, expected user bandwidth, and parallel user bandwidth versus throughput. Provisions for priority service, unbalanced forward and reverse spectrum utilization, voice prioritization, and band switching are also made.
US08260308B2 Method of optimizing data format selection procedure for up link communication
The present invention relates to a method of optimizing a data format selection procedure (E-TFC) for up link communication between a terminal and a base station on a cellular communication network in which the base station transmits to the terminal a signal including at least one piece of update information of at least one predetermined parameter intervening the data format selection. The method in accordance with the present invention further includes the step of optimizing a period of time required to detect the signal transmitted from the base station.
US08260307B2 Method for communicating in an ad-hoc radio communication system
Radio stations in a radio communication system send messages from one radio station to another either directly or via one or several radio stations forwarding the messages by using radio resources. The radio resources are allocated in a decentralized manner to radio stations to send the message. At least one radio station sends information about first radio resources used for sending at least one message to the at least one radio station, the information about the first radio resources being sent by using second radio resources that are allocated to the at least one radio station.
US08260302B2 Measurement control method, user equipment and network-side device
A measurement control method, a UE, and a network-side device are provided to solve the problem in the prior art that no measurement control solution can ensure the UE to perform a measurement and obtain a measurement result in time, as well as reduce the impact of the measurement on the performance of the UE. The method includes the following steps. The UE receives measurement indication information provided by the network side; and the UE performs a measurement after determining that the UE needs to perform the measurement according to the measurement indication information, which ensures that the UE may not perform the measurement frequently but pertinently, and reduces the impact of the measurement on the performance of the UE to the utmost extent.
US08260298B2 Method of preventing call drop and apparatus for performing the same
A method of preventing call drop in a mobile terminal when a serving radio network subsystem SRNS relocation to a target RNC from a source RNC is performed includes (a) receiving a control message in accordance with start of the SRNS relocation from the target RNC, (b) performing a RLC configuration procedure, (c) transmitting a complete message in accordance with the RLC configuration procedure to the target RNC, and (d) retransmitting the complete message to the target RNC in case that RLC reset is performed after the complete message is transmitted. As a result, call drop by exceptional case while the SRNS relocation is performed may be prevented.
US08260297B2 Method and apparatus for performing uplink timing synchronization procedure upon handover in a mobile communication system
An efficient uplink timing synchronization procedure performed with a target cell upon handover of a User Equipment (UE) in active mode in a mobile communication system is provided, in which a cell transmitter signals to the UE that the uplink timing synchronization procedure is not required in the target cell, and the UE carries out uplink transmission to the target cell at an uplink timing used in a source cell without the uplink timing synchronization procedure.
US08260295B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for permitting communication system transition based upon signal threshold determination
A method and apparatus of optimizing transitioning between EVDO and CDMA 1X systems in a hybrid access terminal, the method having the steps of: preventing a reconnect data call from being sent from the hybrid access terminal. The preventing step including checking whether a transition between an EVDO and a CDMA 1X system is successful; and if not blocking the data call, and/or checking whether an EVDO received signal strength indication is greater than or equal to a receiver sensitivity on the hybrid access terminal; and if yes, allowing the hybrid access terminal to connect to the EVDO system, and/or delaying a connection timer for connecting to the EVDO system and/or applying fast dormancy to the hybrid access terminal in an EVDO state.
US08260293B2 Devices and methods for placing a call on a selected communication line
Devices and methods for placing a call from a mobile device on one of a plurality of communication lines accessible at the mobile device are disclosed herein.
US08260287B2 Mobile communication method and system
In the method for wireless communication between a terminal and a base station supporting a real time packet transfer service mode and reliable packet transfer service mode according to the present invention, one of the real time packet transfer service mode and reliable packet transfer service mode is selected and a communication channel between the terminal and the base station is established, and the packet data are bidirectionally exchanged between the terminal and the base station over the communication channel in real time.
US08260286B2 Method, apparatus and system for testing user equipment functionality
Aspects of the present invention include methods, apparatuses and systems that may be used for radio frequency and performance testing of communication equipment in a telecommunications network. According to one aspect of the invention, received data may be discarded during a test whenever a device being testing is unable to store the data, for example in a buffer. According to another aspect of the invention, the device being tested will provide data for transmission processing whenever there is an opportunity during the testing to transmit data, thus allowing the device to be aggressive in its data transmission.
US08260284B2 Communication system radio communication terminal, and radio base station
In a wireless communication system configured from a wireless base station and a wireless communication terminal, wherein a wireless communication line is set between the wireless base station and the wireless communication terminal, the wireless base station includes a wireless base station transmission rate broadcast section that notifies the wireless communication terminal of a transmission rate that enables to be supported by the wireless base station on the wireless communication line from the wireless communication terminal to the wireless base station, and the wireless communication terminal includes a storage section that stores a transmission rate required by the wireless communication terminal on the wireless communication line from the wireless communication terminal to the wireless base station; a transmission rate comparison section that compares the transmission rate notified from the wireless base station with the transmission rate stored in the storage section; and a transmission rate determination section that determines a transmission rate on the wireless communication line from the wireless communication terminal to the wireless base station based on a comparison result of the transmission rate comparison section.
US08260277B2 Control of call delivery and call forwarding of telecommunication connections, especially in multi-device configurations
The invention relates to a method and a system for controlling an arrangement of a configuration comprising two or more user devices (multi-device configuration) of telecommunication user devices in a public telecommunication network. According to the invention, the supplementary services of the public telecommunication network associated with the first user device or with an identification chip connected to the first user device are activated in such a manner that changes of the supplementary services are effective in the other user devices or the identification chip connected to the respective additional user device of the multi-device configuration at the same time or with a temporal delay. In this manner, when one or more parallel calls are switched to one or more user devices of the multi-device configuration, before delivery of the call, the kind of the call request resulting in a reservation of resources required for completing the call, the system states of the user devices to be called or of or of the identification chips connected to the user devices and the exchange devices involved therein are determined using an intelligent call control and the call can be delivered in a resource-saving manner.
US08260274B2 Extraction of information from e-mails and delivery to mobile phones, system and method
Information or items that otherwise might be carried in a person's wallet or purse may be managed and stored on a mobile phone. Embodiments include a software application loaded on a mobile phone and an Internet website through which certain information can be transmitted to the phone by the user, third parties, or both. A user may be alerted to certain information or changes in information that meet certain criteria. The website may provide secure storage for information, filter information, and send encrypted and compressed nuggets or fractions of information to the phone for storage based on topic. E-mails may be searched for information, information may be sent to different parties, and signals may be sent locally to exchange information. Personal information may include account information, credit information or credit related information, financial information, or travel information, for example.
US08260273B2 Method and system for establishing a service relationship between a mobile communication device and a mobile data server for connecting to a wireless network
A method and system for establishing a service relationship between a mobile communication device and a mobile data server for connecting to a wireless network are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, an Internet browser receives a request to establish a service relationship between a mobile communication device and a mobile data server. A device identifier and device capability data is received from the mobile communication device. Service data for the mobile communication device is received from a mobile data administration server in accordance with the device identifier and device capability data, which is then stored in a memory of the mobile communication device.
US08260268B2 Method for transmitting and receiving data in mobile terminal and mobile terminal using the same
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, the method including displaying, via a display on the mobile terminal, a list of contacts included on the mobile terminal, selecting, via an input unit on the mobile terminal, a first contact included in the list of contacts, accessing, via a wireless communication unit, a web site corresponding to the first contact, displaying, on the display, a list of contacts of the first contact included on the web site corresponding to the first contact without displaying personal contact information for the list of contacts of the first contact, selecting, via the input unit, a second contact from the list of contacts of the first contact, displaying, via the display, a plurality of options for communicating with the second contact without displaying personal contact information of the second contact that is used for communicating with the second contact, selecting, via the input unit, one of the plurality of options for communicating with the second contact, and communicating, via the wireless communication unit, with the second contact via the selected communication option without displaying the personal contact information that is used for communicating with the second contact.
US08260265B1 Instant messaging through secondary wireless communication device
A secondary wireless communication device may send and receive instant messages by causing a primary wireless communication device to send and receive the messages on behalf of the secondary wireless mobile communication device through a cellular communication system. To accomplish this, the primary and secondary devices may wirelessly communicate with one another through a connection other than the cellular communication system. Synchronization of instant messages between the primary and secondary devices may be maintained whenever the devices are in communication.
US08260259B2 Mutual authentication with modified message authentication code
Methods and devices for instructing a subscriber identity module in a cellular communications network to process non-standard authentication information in a standard manner are disclosed. One embodiment of a method comprises receiving a first message authentication code (MAC) and an authentication management field (AMF) at a subscriber identity module as part of an authentication protocol, calculating a second MAC and determining whether the second MAC is equivalent to the first MAC. If the first and second MAC are not equivalent, the SIM calculates a third MAC and determines whether the first MAC is equivalent to the third MAC, and if so, the subscriber identity module processes the AMF in a predefined or standard manner.
US08260258B1 Method of target provisioning for lawful intercept in IP multi-media service networks
Provisioning of target related information into an IP Multi-media Subsystem (IMS) communications network, to provide lawful intercept, utilizes an interface between a lawful intercept server (LIS) and one or more of the Home Subscriber Servers (HSSs) of the network. The LIS provisions an HSS with target information for LI, with respect to a subset of the overall list of LI targets, that is to say with respect to those of targets homed on the respective HSS. The HSS provisions the target list for its subset down to Call Session Control Function elements (CSCFs) logically attached to that HSS, to enable each CSCF to intercept signaling messages relating to communication for identified target user equipment (UE) devices. The intercepted signaling enables the LIS to identify a location of a target UE device in an access network and instruct a network control point to intercept content of communications for that UE device.
US08260255B2 Method of configuring an adaptive module for an offline charging system
In an example method of configuring an adaptive module for an offline charging system, a selection is received which selects one of a plurality of charging functions. In an example, the selection is received in response to a user prompt. In another example, the plurality of charging functions includes a charging data function (CDF), a charging gateway function (CGF), an integrated CDF/CGF without Ga interface support and an integrated CDF/CGF with Ga interface support. An adaptive module is configured to conform with the selected charging function. The adaptive module has the capacity to conform to any one of the plurality of charging functions. For example, the adaptive module includes a number of program modules and the configuring step selects which of the program modules are enabled and an order in which the enabled program modules are to be executed. The configured adaptive module is executed at a physical entity (e.g., a CDF, a CGF, etc.) within the offline charging system.
US08260253B2 Device agent
Device agents and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises monitoring, at an access device, at least a subset of device activity. The method further comprises detecting an activity satisfies at least one condition specified by a policy and executing at least one action in the policy associated with the satisfied condition.
US08260252B2 Method and apparatus for collecting information about portable device usage
Methods and portable devices for collecting information about portable device usage are disclosed. Embodiments provide convenient, efficient, and cost-effective methods of monitoring and collecting information about on-portal/off-portal usage, on-network/off-network data usage, interactive (e.g., streaming media, interactive gaming, mobile conferencing, etc.) usage, and wireless IP usage, where the portable device usage is monitored by the portable device itself.
US08260251B2 In-vehicle emergency call apparatus
An in-vehicle emergency call apparatus takes in positioning data from a GPS receiver instead of from a navigation system. If the positioning data from the GPS receiver changes when the input of the ignition signal is off, the in-vehicle emergency call apparatus determines that the ignition signal breaks down, and failure of the ignition signal is reported to the user.
US08260249B2 Method and apparatus of power control for a public warning system
A method for broadcasting messages in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes employing a paging channel to receive a broadcast event on a wireless device and utilizing the broadcast event to trigger a warning message on the device. For example, the broadcast event can be detected from a natural disaster such as a primary earthquake warning or tsunami.
US08260247B2 Portable electronic device and method of operation
A method and portable electronic device for hands-free operation in a motor vehicle are described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: detecting when a portable electronic device is within a threshold distance of a motor vehicle; and inhibiting the portable electronic device from transmitting communications when the portable electronic device is within the threshold distance of a motor vehicle.
US08260245B2 Monolithically integrated circuit
A monolithically integrated circuit, particularly an integrated circuit for radio frequency power applications, may include a transistor and a spiral inductor. The spiral inductor is arranged above the transistor. An electromagnetic coupling is created between the transistor and the inductor. The transistor may have a finger type layout to prevent any significant eddy currents caused by the electromagnetic coupling from occurring. The chip area needed for the circuit may be reduced by such arrangement.
US08260236B2 Reducing power dissipation using process corner information
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for determining process corner information of an integrated circuit (IC) and controlling at least one analog current for at least one analog circuit of the IC based on the process corner information. More specifically, if the process corner information is indicative of a fast corner IC, the analog current may be scaled down. At the same time that the analog current is scaled down, a current consumption level of digital circuitry of the IC may increase. In this way, overall power consumption of the IC may be reduced to the extent that the analog current(s) are scaled.
US08260234B2 Apparatus and method for calibration in multi-antenna system
Apparatus and method for calibration in a multi-antenna system are provided. The method includes setting at least two transmission paths connected to antennas, respectively, as reference transmission paths, when receiving compensation signals transmitted in the reference transmission paths in at least two reception paths connected to the antennas, respectively, determining a phase difference of the reception paths using the received compensation signals, and calibrating the reception paths using the phase difference of the reception paths.
US08260233B2 FM receiver
The IFBPF (80) can variably set a passband width (WF) and an attenuation slope (KF). The bandwidth control circuit (102), which is constituted in hardware, controls the WF in accordance with the receiving state, which is composed of a combination of the receiving electric field intensity, the modulation degree, and the intensity of the adjacent-channel interference. A microcomputer (54) controls the KF on the basis of a program stored in a nonvolatile memory (60) and finely adjusts the effective passband width. Control of the WF contradictory for prevention of audio distortion and control of adjacent-channel interference is required when high modulation and adjacent-channel interference exist in a weak electric field state, and the setting becomes difficult. In this particular case, a configuration in which the KF can be modified by a program allows an advantageous receiving state to be readily obtained.
US08260231B2 Method and apparatus for multiple radio receive chains in wireless communication systems
The present invention provides architectures and methods which use multiple radio receive chains in mobile devices to boost performance of the mobile devices. While a first set of the receive chains are assigned to a serving base station, another set of receive chains are dynamically allocated to neighbor base stations and/or to the serving base station depending upon present or expected system conditions and timing. A first synthesizer is configured to provide signals to the first and second set of receive chains. Other synthesizers are also configured to provide signals to the second set of receive chains. Thus, depending on the mode of operation, the second set of receive chains utilizes signals from a given synthesizer as needed. A priori data may be used to allocate specific receive chains to the serving base station, neighboring base stations or both. Unused synthesizers may be turned off to conserve power.
US08260229B2 I-Q mismatch compensation
Techniques for compensating for I-Q mismatch in a communications receiver. In an exemplary embodiment, incoming I and Q samples are adjusted by multiplying with certain compensation coefficients to generate mismatch-compensated I and Q samples. The compensation coefficients may themselves be calculated and iteratively refined from the mismatch-compensated I and Q samples. Further techniques for partitioning the adjustment and estimation functions among computational hardware are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, estimation may be restricted to only those segments of the incoming I and Q samples that fulfill certain conditions, e.g., segments of the incoming I and Q samples known to be statistically uncorrelated and/or to have equal average energy.
US08260228B2 Radio transmitting apparatus and radio transmission method
A radio transmitting apparatus that has a plurality of antennas and changes the number of modulated signals transmitted simultaneously according to the propagation environment and so forth. A transmission power changing section 12 of a radio transmitting apparatus of the present invention adjusts the pilot symbol signal level so as to match the data symbol composite signal level according to the number of transmit modulated signals set by a modulated signal number setting section 11. By this means, the operating range of received pilot, symbols and the operating range of received data symbols become approximately the same on the receiving side, enabling pilot symbol quantization error to be reduced. As a result, the precision of radio wave propagation environment estimation, time synchronization, and frequency offset estimation using pilot symbols improves, and consequently data reception quality improves.
US08260227B2 Direct conversion receiver and DC offset concellation method
A direct conversion receiver and a DC offset cancellation method are provided. An RF module receives a transmission signal to generate an RF signal. A mixer converts the RF signal to a mixer output comprising baseband and imaginary parts. A filter module filters out the imaginary part of the mixer output and adjusts gain of the baseband part to generate a baseband signal. A calibrator performs a calibration to determine a mismatch value of the mixer. A static DC offset canceller provides a constant offset compensation according to the mismatch value; wherein the mismatch value is used to minimize component mismatching effects of the mixer.
US08260219B2 Network communication device and method for detecting abnormal load
A network communication device includes a processor, an amplifier circuit, a matching circuit including a transmitting route and a coupling route, a storage module, and a detection and control module. The network communication device generate electronic signals, and outputs the electronic signals to a load via the transmitting route after the electronic signals being amplified and matched. Then the network communication device detects output signals and reflection signals of the coupling route to calculate a safety parameter accordingly, compares the calculated safety parameter with one or more safety parameter thresholds, and generates control signals to control the amplifier circuit. The network communication device determines if the load is abnormal according to the control signals and generates load abnormal signals if the load is abnormal.
US08260216B2 Apparatus with RFID transceiver and wireless communication module
An apparatus includes an RFID transceiver, a processing module, and a wireless communication module. The RFID transceiver receives an RFID signal from a device and obtains communication information from the RFID signal. The processing module is operable to: determine a wireless communication protocol and device identification information from the communication information; receive an outbound data request; and generate outbound data in accordance with the outbound data request, wherein the outbound data includes at least a portion of the identification information. The wireless communication module converts outbound data into an outbound wireless signal in accordance with the wireless communication protocol.
US08260213B2 Method and apparatus to adjust a tunable reactive element
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method involving a step to tune a plurality of tunable reactive elements by measuring a drift in reactance of at least one of the plurality of tunable reactive elements away from a desired reactance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08260212B2 Method and system for a reconfigurable filter that is utilized by a RF transmitter and a RF receiver which are integrated on a single substrate
An RF receiver and an RF transmitter, which are integrated in a single substrate, are operable to share a single reconfigurable filter to perform RF receiver filtering and RF transmitter filtering. The reconfigurable filter is configured to operate as a bandpass filter such as an image rejection bandpass filter for receiving RF signals by the RF receiver. The reconfigurable filter operates as a low pass filter for transmitting RF signals by the RF transmitter. The reconfigurable filter is configured to operate in a RF receiver filtering mode or a RF transmitter filtering mode, respectively. The reconfigurable filter is enabled to share configurable circuit components of the radio transceiver in both the radio frequency receiver filtering mode and the radio frequency transmitter filtering mode. The reconfigurable filter transitions between the radio frequency receiver filtering mode and the radio frequency transmitter filtering mode via reconfiguring the shared configurable circuit components.
US08260202B2 Method for determining a path in a local radio communication
In a case where an access point lies outside the direct radio transmission range of a first radio station of a radio communications system, and a routing runs between the first radio station and the access point that includes at least one additional radio station is known to the first radio station and the access point, information can be transmitted from the first radio station to the access point and from the latter to the first radio station via the routing. When the access point receives information relating to an interruption in the known routing from a radio station in the routing, the first radio station downstream of the access point is informed of the interruption in the known routing and subsequently initiates a process for determining a new routing between the first radio station and the access point.
US08260200B2 Non-contact wireless communication apparatus, method of adjusting resonance frequency of non-contact wireless communication antenna, and mobile terminal apparatus
A non-contact wireless communication apparatus and a mobile terminal apparatus are provided. The non-contact wireless communication apparatus includes a non-contact wireless communication antenna, a resonance capacitor, connected in parallel with the non-contact wireless communication antenna, for obtaining a predetermined resonance frequency with the non-contact wireless communication antenna, a resonance frequency adjustment unit for changing a resonance capacitance of the resonance capacitor to adjust the resonance frequency, a capacitance change amount control unit for controlling a change in resonance capacitance of the resonance capacitor in the resonance frequency adjustment unit, a resonance frequency shift unit for shifting the resonance frequency of the non-contact wireless communication antenna, and on/off control unit for performing on/off control of the resonance frequency shift unit in accordance with the amount of change in resonance capacitance of the resonance capacitor by the capacitance variation control unit.
US08260199B2 NFC module, in particular for mobile phone
One embodiment of the invention comprises a functional module for storing and exchanging data, comprising a common portable support, at least one passive contactless integrated circuit in the form of a first semi-conductor chip, a contactless integrated circuit reader in the form of a second semi-conductor chip, the contactless integrated circuit and the reader being gathered on or in the common portable support, an antenna coil of the contactless integrated circuit, connected to the contactless integrated circuit, an antenna coil of the reader, connected to the reader, the antenna coil of the contactless integrated circuit being coupled to the antenna coil of the reader.
US08260198B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system performs data transmission using spatially multiplexed streams from a first terminal including N antennas to a second terminal including M antennas (N and M are integers larger than or equal to 2 and N>H).
US08260196B2 Assembly of a low-noise block converter and a filter for a satellite antenna system, and connecting component thereof
An assembly of a low-noise block converter and a filter for a satellite antenna includes a low-noise block converter, a filter, and a connecting component. The low-noise block converter includes an output circuit, and the filter includes a filtering circuit. The connecting component includes a sleeve part for engaging threadedly the low-noise block converter and the filter, and a core extending through the sleeve part and interconnecting electrically the output circuit and the filtering circuit. By virtue of the sleeve part of the connecting component, connection between the low-noise block converter and the filter can be reinforced to reduce interference. The sleeve part can also serve as a ground circuit between the low-noise block converter and the filter so as to shorten a ground path, thereby reducing signal loss.
US08260194B2 Information communication method, information communication system, information reception apparatus, and information transmission apparatus
An information communication method includes transmitting a millimeter-band radio wave from a reception side, reflecting the transmitted radio wave at a transmission side while vibrating the transmitted radio wave corresponding to first information transmitted by the transmission side, and receiving the reflected radio wave at the reception side and reconstructing the first information based on a phase difference between the transmitted radio wave and the received radio wave.
US08260193B2 Modified playlists
A modified playlist can be generated by identifying gaps in a playlist, and modifying other content in the playlist to fill the gap. The gap can represent previously unfilled time, or time created by removing part or all of an item already in the playlist. One or more items of content in the playlist can be modified by lengthening or shortening one of the content items in various ways, including changing a rate of playback of some or all of the items of content in the playlist. In some instances the gap can be filled or partially filled by inserting content from another server at the time of broadcast.
US08260191B2 Wireless telecommunications signal inhibition
Wireless telecommunications is inhibited within a limited region by generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunications and broadcasting the noise signal into the limited region. A system for inhibiting wireless communications includes a radio frequency noise generator generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunication. At least one antenna broadcasts the noise signal into the region. Control logic initiates or suspends broadcasting of the noise signal based on at least one control input.
US08260188B2 Image erasing apparatus and image erasing method
An image erasing apparatus includes a stacking tray stacking the recording medium, a heater heating the recording medium to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which developer on the recording medium is erased, a detector disposed downstream in a recording medium carrying direction from the heater to detect an image on the recording medium, a recording medium carrying mechanism picking up the recording medium, from the stacking tray sheet by sheet and carrying the picked-up recording medium, a storage box storing the image-erased recording medium by size, a lateral aligning mechanism disposed in the storage box so as to align the recording medium in the lateral direction, and a controller controlling the alignment operation of the lateral aligning mechanism.
US08260185B2 Laser fixing apparatus including a condenser for increasing light usage efficiency
A laser fixing apparatus includes a laser light generator that generates laser light to be projected onto a recording medium; and a first condenser that reflects and condenses light reflected at an irradiation position of the laser light, such that the reflected light reenters at the irradiation position or near the irradiation position. The first condenser has a concave cylindrical surface and is arranged such that a center axis position of the cylindrical surface is located at the irradiation position of the laser light or near the irradiation position, and a reflecting surface of the first condenser is covered by a light transmitting body.
US08260179B2 Image forming apparatus including first and second image forming devices and first and second belt units
An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer device that primarily transfers a first image from a first image bearer onto a first belt unit at a primary transfer position, a secondary transfer device that secondarily transfers the first image from the first belt unit onto a printing medium at a secondary transfer position, and a direct transfer device that directly transfers a second image from a second image bearer onto the printing medium at a direct transfer position. A second belt unit is rotatably suspended by plural second rollers and carries and conveys the printing medium through the direct transfer position and the secondary transfer position. An interval between the direct transfer position and the secondary transfer position is prescribed natural number times of a circumference of one of the plural second rollers, which fluctuates a velocity of the second belt unit.
US08260177B2 Conveyance member, developer cartridge, and image-forming apparatus
A conveyance member includes: a rotating shaft; a plurality of support members that extend from the rotating shaft in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rotating shaft; and a plurality of arcuate members each having one end supported respectively by one of the support members, and having another end extending in a direction other than the axial direction so as to form an arc, wherein: when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, there are a plurality of overlapping areas in which adjacent arcuate members overlap in the axial direction; and a length of at least one of the plurality of overlapping areas close to one end of the rotating shaft is greater than a length of each of the overlapping areas in the axial direction toward another end of the rotating shaft.
US08260175B2 Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus using same
A developing apparatus for an image forming apparatus. In order to suppress toner scattering that may occur after a development operation has been halted for a long time, the developer is transferred to a developer storage unit on the exterior of the developing machine when the development operation ends. A range in which an angle of a restricting member upstream side central angle α, which is a central angle of the surface of a developing roller on the upstream side of a restricting member opposing position opposing a developer amount restricting member in a surface motion direction of the developing roller, is not less than 0° and not more than 60° is set as a low magnetic flux density area γ in which the maximum value of a normal direction magnetic flux density on the surface of the developing roller is not more than 30 mT.
US08260167B2 High-voltage power supply
Provided is a high-voltage power supply including a board having at least one bent portion separating a first region of the board from a second region of the board, the first region not being coplanar with the second region of the board; a first circuit, on the first region of the board, generating a second voltage according to a first voltage; and a second circuit, on the second region of the board, amplifying the second voltage and then rectifying the amplified second voltage.
US08260162B2 Image forming apparatus and control method for the same
When image forming is to be successively performed on recording sheets having different sizes, an image forming apparatus suitably executes adjustment processing on a fixing apparatus or the like used in the image forming, and maintains image quality as well as suppresses a drop in productivity. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus specifies the size of a printing material onto which an image is to be performed, and with use of the specified printing material size and the size of printing materials on which images have been formed immediately previously, determines whether it is necessary to execute adjustment processing for maintaining image quality. Specifically, adjustment processing is executed only if the size of the printing material on which an image is to be formed is greater than the size of the printing materials on which images were formed immediately previously.
US08260160B2 Color image forming apparatus
A color image forming apparatus having photosensitive members; developing devices for developing electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive members into toner images with developers comprising toner and carriers; toner concentration sensors for detecting toner concentrations of the developers in the respective developing devices; a toner image bearing member for bearing the toner images temporarily; a toner adherence amount sensor for detecting toner adherence amounts of the toner images held on the image bearing member; and a controller for calculating, with respect to the developing devices, individual optimal developing bias voltage ranges within which a target toner adherence amount can be achieved while the toner concentrations of the developers are within a predetermined toner concentration range from a lower limit to an upper limit, so as to specify a common optimal developing bias voltage range that are commonly suitable for all the developing devices to achieve the target toner adherence amount while the toner concentrations of the developers in the developing devices are within the predetermined toner concentration range, and for calculating target toner concentrations of the developers in the respective developing devices to achieve the target toner adherence amount while a voltage within the common optimal developing bias voltage range is applied between each of the photosensitive members and each of the developing devices.
US08260159B2 Image forming apparatus with reduced deterioration of image quality
In an image forming apparatus, it is determined whether a shortage amount of toner in a developing device is greater than a threshold value of 4 g or not, when the power is turned on to start operation. As a result, if the shortage amount of toner in the developing device is greater than 4 g, an agitating operation is executed to agitate toner in the developing device prior to a printing operation. If the shortage amount is smaller than 4 g, the agitating operation is not executed. Then, a printing command is received, and if the agitating operation is not performed, control of an operation of supplying toner is started with a delay of at least for the time required for the agitating operation, after the printing operation is started.
US08260155B2 Carrier detection circuit, method for controlling carrier detection circuit, and infrared signal processing circuit having the carrier detection circuit
An infrared remote control receiver 20a includes a carrier detection circuit 12a. The carrier detection circuit 12a includes: a comparator 6a for comparing an output signal from a BPF 5 with a threshold voltage Vth1 which is a noise detection level; a comparator 6c for comparing the output signal from the BPF 5 with a threshold voltage Vth3 larger than the threshold voltage Vth1, the threshold voltage Vth3 being a first carrier detection level; and a logic circuit 8 for (i) controlling, based on the output signal D1 from the comparator 6a, the gain of an amplifier 4 so that an output signal D1 from the comparator 6a is not output. An output signal D3 from the comparator 6c is output as a carrier. Thus, it is possible to restrain malfunctions attributed to disturbance light noise.
US08260153B2 Method and apparatus for polarization-division-multiplexed optical coherent receivers
The singularity problem of the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) equalizer may be overcome by implementing the CMA equalizer as a two-stage equalizer, with the first stage being a modified version of a CMA equalizer and the second stage being a conventional CMA equalizer. The first stage may be made up of four sub-equalizers, of which only two of the sub-equalizers are independent, i.e., uncorrelated to each other. This first stage equalizer may compensate for PMD. The second stage equalizer is a conventional CMA equalizer made up of four sub-equalizers that are adjusted independently. This second stage equalizer may compensate for polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and any residual CD that is not fully compensated for by a CD compensator before the two-stage equalizer. Advantageously, as the determinant of the first stage never approaches zero, the singularity problem of a conventional CMA single-stage-only equalizer is avoided by the two-stage equalizer.
US08260146B2 Free-space optical transceiver using multimode fiber to couple single mode input optical signal
An optical circulator couples optical fibers of dissimilar modes. In one embodiment, an optical circulator couples a single mode first fiber to a multimode second fiber, which is used as an optical input to a telescope. The multimode fiber does not significantly degrade the mode structure of the light form the single mode fiber. In the reverse direction, light received by the telescope is coupled into the multimode second fiber, which the circulator couples to a multimode third fiber.
US08260144B2 Digital radio frequency tranceiver system and method
A transceiver architecture for wireless base stations wherein a broadband radio frequency signal is carried between at least one tower-mounted unit and a ground-based unit via optical fibers, or other non-distortive media, in either digital or analog format. Each tower-mounted unit (for both reception and transmission) has an antenna, analog amplifier and an electro-optical converter. The ground unit has ultrafast data converters and digital frequency translators, as well as signal linearizers, to compensate for nonlinear distortion in the amplifiers and optical links in both directions. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the digital data converters, frequency translators, and linearizers includes superconducting elements mounted on a cryocooler.
US08260143B2 Digital radio frequency tranceiver system and method
A transceiver architecture for wireless base stations wherein a broadband radio frequency signal is carried between at least one tower-mounted unit and a ground-based unit via optical fibers, or other non-distortive media, in either digital or analog format. Each tower-mounted unit (for both reception and transmission) has an antenna, analog amplifier and an electro-optical converter. The ground unit has ultrafast data converters and digital frequency translators, as well as signal linearizers, to compensate for nonlinear distortion in the amplifiers and optical links in both directions. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the digital data converters, frequency translators, and linearizers includes superconducting elements mounted on a cryocooler.
US08260139B2 Dispersion compensator
Conventional dispersion compensators were not sufficient to satisfy a demand to set a different dispersion value for each WDM wavelength in a ring-mesh type network that utilizes wavelength selective switches or the like. The devices were insufficiently reduced in size and power consumption and used with difficulty to change dispersion characteristics for each wavelength flexibly in a simple manner. A dispersion compensator of the present invention uses general-purpose optical components including a spatial light modulator for providing discrete phases to set appropriately the relationship between the focusing beam radius and the spatial light modulator pixel, thereby providing various dispersion compensation characteristics. Attention is focused on the correspondence between multiple pixels on the spatial light modulator providing discrete phases and a communication channel band, thereby allowing for changing the flexible dispersion characteristics and realizing the setting of an independent dispersion value for each WDM wavelength.
US08260138B2 Wavelength distribution for optical transport
An optical communication system includes logic to communicate using optical channels set outside a fiber zero dispersion zone, and having channel spacing that decreases with increasing distance from the fiber zero dispersion zone.
US08260136B2 Polarization beam splitter
Consistent with the present disclosure, a polarization multiplexed optical signal having optical signals with both TE and TM polarizations is supplied to an input of a polarization beam splitter (PBS). The PBS includes a first output that supplies TE polarized optical signals and a second output supplies TM polarized optical signals. A first polarizer is coupled to the second output of the PBS to pass the TM polarized optical signals, while rejecting light having other polarizations, such as the TE polarization. A rotator then rotates the light output from the first polarizer, so that such light has a TE polarization. A second polarizer is coupled to the rotator to filter light having a polarization other than the TE polarization. In addition, a third polarizer is coupled to the first output of the PBS in order to filter or block any TM light, for example, that may be output from the PBS with the TE polarized signal. Accordingly, the optical signals in the polarization multiplexed optical signal are effectively filtered, and some are rotated so that each has the same, e.g., TE polarization. Moreover, each optical signal is substantially free from light having extraneous polarizations and may be supplied to an optical hybrid circuit. Data carried by such optical signals may thus be reliably recovered.
US08260133B2 Standby restoration signaling for optical networks
Systems and methods are described that provide a distributed restoration signaling protocol for shared mesh restoration with standbys for transparent optical networks.
US08260129B2 Optical device for high quality and compact camera module
An optical device for a lens assembly of a camera module is disclosed. The optical device includes a liquid lens having at least one fixed lens and a transparent window, facing each other and delimiting, at least in part, an internal volume containing two immiscible liquids having different optical indices, and a first and a second electrode. The liquids form an interface moveable by application of a voltage between said electrodes. The optical device also includes a liquid lens holder, wherein the liquid lens holder has at least one electrical contact for contacting one electrode of the liquid lens, and at least one Z reference datum for aligning the fixed lens of the liquid lens with other optical elements of the lens assembly.
US08260125B2 Recording apparatus
A method for an apparatus including an acquisition unit for acquiring moving image data, and a recording unit for recording the acquired moving image data in a loaded recording medium, includes determining whether the recording medium is a recordable and non-erasable recording medium, and if the recording medium is a recordable and non-erasable recording medium, controlling the recording unit so as to automatically stop recording of the moving image data according to the fact that a predetermined time has elapsed from the recording start of the moving image data, and if the recording medium is not a recordable and non-erasable recording medium, controlling the recording unit so as not to automatically stop recording of the moving image data, even if the predetermined time has elapsed from the recording start of the moving image data.
US08260121B2 Systems and methods for writing data to an optical disc
Systems and methods are disclosed for writing data to an optical disc. In one example, a method includes the steps of receiving data to be written to an optical disc, determining the size of the data to be written to the optical disc, generating a file system image for the optical disc, writing the file system image to the optical disc and writing the data to the optical disc at a space beginning at a LBA located at a distance equal to about the size of the data from the last available LBA and terminating at about the last available LBA of the optical disc.
US08260116B2 Receiver, program recording controller, program recording control method and program recording system
An embodiment of the receiver of the invention includes an output unit to output program data to a recording appliance so as to record a copyright-protected service, a first copyright protective mechanism and a second copyright protective mechanism to protect copyright. The receiver further includes a system manager to detect whether or not a copyright protective mechanism of a recording appliance connected to the output unit is present and switch over between the first and second copyright protective mechanisms in accordance with the detection result to output the program data to the output unit.
US08260113B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding information in broadcast or recorded segment signals are described. In certain embodiments, an audience monitoring system encodes identification information in the audio signal portion of a broadcast or recorded segment using spread spectrum encoding. A personal monitoring device receives an acoustically reproduced version of the broadcast or recorded signal via a microphone, decodes the identification information from the audio signal portion despite significant ambient noise, and stores this information, automatically providing a diary for the audience member which is later uploaded to a centralized facility. A separate monitoring device decodes additional information from the broadcast signal, which is matched with the audience diary information at the central facility. This monitor may simultaneously send data to the centralized facility using a dial-up telephone line, and receive data from the centralized facility through a signal encoded using a spread spectrum technique and modulated with a broadcast signal from a third-party.
US08260105B2 Enclosure for housing splice trays
An enclosure for housing splice trays, including a bracket adapted to couple one or more splice trays to the enclosure, wherein the bracket is adapted to rotate the splice trays about an axis.
US08260104B2 Multiple-core planar optical waveguides and methods of fabrication and use thereof
A multiple-core optical waveguide comprises: a substrate; lower and upper waveguide core layers; a waveguide core between the upper and lower waveguide core layers; upper and lower cladding; and middle cladding between the upper and lower waveguide core layers substantially surrounding the waveguide core. Each of the lower, middle, and upper claddings has a refractive index less than refractive indices of the lower waveguide core layer, the upper waveguide core layer, and the waveguide core. Along at least a given portion of the optical waveguide, the upper and lower waveguide core layers extend bilaterally substantially beyond the lateral extent of a propagating optical mode supported by the optical waveguide, the lateral extent of the supported optical mode being determined at least in part by the width of the waveguide core along the given portion of the optical waveguide.
US08260102B2 2-to-1 optical coupler that utilizes D-shaped plastic optical fibers (POFs), a bi-directional optical communications link that employs the 2-to-1 POF optical coupler, and a method
D-shaped POFs are used to form a 2-to-1 optical coupler. The D-shaped POFs are produced via an extrusion process that is relatively inexpensive to perform and that can be performed with relatively high manufacturing throughput. The D-shaped POFs are bonded together to form a coupler end face having a generally circular cross-sectional area. The coupler end face is interfaced with an end face of a main POF that is generally circular in cross-sectional shape. The resulting D-shaped 2-to-1 optical POF couplers have relatively low insertion loss and relatively high optical coupling efficiency.
US08260099B2 Reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer
Disclosed is an add-drop multiplexer that receives an optical signal having a plurality of channels. The multiplexer spatially separates the channels, and a spatial light modulator within the multiplexer, which in some embodiments is a switched blazed grating, routes the channels along first or second paths according to whether the particular channels are to be sent along as a part of an output communication signal or “dropped” into a dropped-channel optical communications signal. The add-drop multiplexer is also operable to receive optical channels to be added to an optical signal and to use a spatial light modulator to add those optical signals to that optical signal.
US08260098B1 Optocoupler circuit
An optocoupler device facilitates on-chip galvanic isolation. In accordance with various example embodiments, an optocoupler circuit includes a silicon-on-insulator substrate having a silicon layer on a buried insulator layer, a silicon-based light-emitting diode (LED) having a silicon p-n junction in the silicon layer, and a silicon-based photodetector in the silicon layer. The LED and photodetector are respectively connected to galvanically isolated circuits in the silicon layer. A local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) isolation material and the buried insulator layer galvanically isolate the first circuit from the second circuit to prevent charge carriers from moving between the first and second circuits. The LED and photodetector communicate optically to pass signals between the galvanically isolated circuits.
US08260095B2 Optical device, optical system, and method of manufacturing optical device
An optical device to be connected to an optical fiber and an optical system in which the optical fiber is fixed to the optical device are provided, which optical device and optical system can restrict variations in a distance between inclined surfaces for supporting the optical fiber, and can enhance a productivity of the optical device and system. The optical system according to the present invention is, for example an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer having an optical device according to the present invention, which device has a substrate (2) with a crystal axis, and a groove (10a) for supporting an optical fiber (6a). The groove (10a) has a pair of opposing inclined surfaces (24) for supporting the optical fiber (6a), and a recess (26) formed between the pair of opposing inclined surfaces (24).
US08260094B2 Photonic integrated circuit employing optical devices on different crystal directions
Consistent with the present disclosure, various optical components are preferably arranged on the surface of a semiconductor substrate such that light propagates in certain components at a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of propagation in other components in order to improve performance and component density.
US08260091B2 Apparatus and method for searching for erroneous data
An apparatus and method for searching for erroneous data is provided. The method of searching for erroneous data includes checking received data using an error-checking field included in the received data, and compensating for erroneous data of the checked data.
US08260089B2 Orientation adapted aliasing cancellation
A method (700) of determining an image value at a sample position of an output image, is disclosed. The method (700) comprises the steps of determining orientation of an isophote (e.g., 1010) passing through the output sample position and determining a period of intensity variation along the isophote (1010). The method (700) determines the image value at the sample position of the output image based on the period of intensity variation and outputs the determined image value at the sample position of the output image.
US08260086B2 System and method for fusion of image pairs utilizing atmospheric and solar illumination modeling
A method for processing imagery includes receiving data for a first image associated with a first spectral band and second images associated with second spectral bands. The method also includes obtaining first reflectance functions for pixels in the second images, generating a second reflectance function for pixels in the first image based on the first reflectance functions, and obtaining a third reflectance function for pixels in the first image based on the second reflectance function, the imagery data for the first image, and at least one facet orientation constraint. The method further includes modifying the first reflectance functions to generate fourth reflectance functions for pixels in the second images based on a difference between the second and the third reflectance functions, and computing imagery data defining third images associated with the second spectral bands and having the first spatial resolution based on the fourth reflectance functions.
US08260085B2 Fusion of image block adjustments for the generation of a ground control network
A method for fusion of image block adjustments for the generation of a ground control network constituting a Metric Information Network (MIN). Utilizing the subject. fusion algorithm it is possible to duplicate the results of an extremely large simultaneous image block adjustment by sequentially performing smaller image block adjustments on small overlapping areas of interest and taking the results to update a metric information network. Note, intermediate results for less than all the imagery provide usable updates to the metric information network. The result of the infusion of sequential image block adjustments into the metric information network is that one can obtain the accuracy provided by an extremely large single image block adjustment, and do so in manageable chunks or segments involving conventional computer resources.
US08260083B2 Image processing method and apparatus, and digital photographing apparatus using the same
An image processing method is provided. The method includes detecting a predetermined face area from an input image; converting the input image into Lab coordinates; determining whether coordinate areas having angles corresponding to an angle of the detected face area exist on a Lab color system and searching the input image for the coordinate areas according to a result of the determining; and blurring the detected face area and the found coordinate areas. An image processing apparatus and digital photographing apparatus using the method and apparatus are also provided. Accordingly, reduction of the resolution of a whole image may be prevented by processing only a face area, instead of the whole image, to result in a soft face area image quality. A deterioration in quality of portions which are not supposed to be blurred may be prevented by blurring only a skin color area of the face area.
US08260072B2 Image encoding apparatus and method of controlling the same
This invention provides a technique of easily encoding image data to generate encoded data having high image quality within a target code amount using a small memory capacity by image encoding processing of performing frequency transform and quantization of each pixel block. A frequency transform unit separates image data into low frequency band data and high frequency band data. A coefficient quantizing unit, coefficient encoder, and code amount controller operate to encode the high frequency band data within a predetermined amount. When the encoding processing of the high frequency band data has ended, the quantization parameter of the low frequency band data is set based on the generated code amount of the high frequency band data. A coefficient quantizing unit, coefficient encoder, code amount detector, and quantization parameter updating unit operate to encode the low frequency band data into codes within a low frequency band target code amount.
US08260069B2 Color image encoding and decoding method and apparatus using a correlation between chrominance components
A color image encoding and decoding method and apparatus use a correlation between chrominance components in order to improve coding efficiency. The color image decoding method includes: transforming chrominance components of a color image in each of two or more inter-prediction modes, calculating costs for the conversion values in each of the two or more inter-prediction modes using a predetermined cost function, selecting one of the two or more inter-prediction modes based on the calculation result, and outputting conversion values of the selected inter-prediction mode; entropy encoding the output conversion values.
US08260065B2 Data hiding with wavelet transform histogram shifting
Embodiments related to data hiding using wavelet transforms and histogram shifting are disclosed.
US08260064B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, computer-readable medium and computer data signal
An image processing method includes receiving an image including a writing, detecting a position of the writing in the received image, detecting a position of a character image in the received image, performing character recognition on the detected character image, comparing the position of the detected writing with the position of the detected character image to associate the writing with a result of the character recognition, translating the result of the character recognition so as to be recognizable as a translation of the result of the character recognition associated with the writing, generating an image of the translation result associated with the writing, so as to be output in a format different from a format of an image of a translation result that is not associated with the writing, and outputting the image of the translation result associated with the writing.
US08260063B2 Feature quantity selection method, feature quantity selection apparatus, image classification method, image classification apparatus, computer program, and recording medium
A control unit (41) included in an image classification apparatus of the present invention performs a step of clustering a plurality of training images for each of a plurality of combination patterns of a plurality of feature quantities that an image has, and a step of selecting, from among the plurality of combination patterns, a classification-use combination pattern to be used in image classification, based on a result of the clustering. The clustering is performed based on degrees of similarity between the training images that have been calculated with use of the feature quantities constituting the combination patterns.
US08260060B2 Comparison method, comparison system, computer, and program
A comparison apparatus 2 designates first registration information RT1 inherent to a first parameter obtained by applying generalized Hough transform processing to a registered image AIM based on the set first parameter as the registration information RT1 used for the comparison and, designating second registration information RT1 obtained by applying generalized Hough transform processing to the registered image AIM based on a second parameter different from the first parameter as the registration information RT1 used for the comparison when receiving an instruction for change of the registration information RT1 after the designation, whereby security can be improved.
US08260058B2 Template matching device, camera with template matching device, and program for allowing computer to carry out template matching
A template-matching apparatus includes a first calculating unit calculating a first characteristic amount from the image information of a template image, and extracting unit extracting a partial image, a second calculating unit calculating for image information of the partial image a second characteristic amount, a third calculating unit calculating a residual amount from the image information of the template image and the partial image, a first computing unit finding a first degree of similarity, a second computing unit that finds a second degree of similarity based on the residual amount, a third computing unit finding a third degree of similarity based on the first and second degree of similarity, and a specifying unit specifying a matching position, thereby specifying the matching position with good accuracy even if the input image is observed with some geometrical change.
US08260055B2 Methods and apparatus for identifying primary media content in a post-production media content presentation
Methods and apparatus for identifying primary media content in a post-production media content presentation are disclosed. An example computer-implemented method to detect primary media content included in a secondary media content presentation disclosed herein comprises determining a first image corresponding to the secondary media content presentation, the first image comprising a plurality of image subregions, each image subregion representative of an inter-frame variation associated with a corresponding subregion of the secondary media content presentation, selecting a region of the first image comprising a plurality of connected image subregions of the first image together exhibiting a first type of inter-frame variation, and when a shape of the selected region of the first image corresponds to a predefined shape, processing a region of the first captured image corresponding to the selected region of the first synthetic image to identify the primary media content.
US08260052B1 Object identification via data fusion
The technology described herein includes a system and/or a method for identifying an object. The technology includes determining an alpha parameter that is associated with a fusion function. The technology includes determining a beta parameter that is associated with a degree of expected independence of a received set of data and the received set of data including information associated with a classification of the object. The technology includes fusing the received set of data based on the alpha parameter and the beta parameter. The technology includes generating a probability of identification of the classification of the object based on the fused data.
US08260050B2 Test bed for optimizing an image segregation
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a test bed for optimizing an image segregation is provided. According to a feature of the present invention, the test bed comprises a memory storing an image file containing an image, a set of operations, a set of constraint software modules and a set of parameters relevant to the image, a transform module for performing a preselected one of the set of operations, defined by a preselected one of the set of constraint software modules, on the image, as a function of preselected ones of the set of parameters, to provide an output image, a test module utilizing the transform module output image, an analysis module for analyzing test module performance, and a feedback loop for varying selected ones of the operations, constraint software modules and parameters, for input to the transform module, to provide a new output image for input to the test module.
US08260045B2 Color correction coefficient generator, color correction coefficient generation method and computer readable medium
The color correction coefficient generator includes: a first color value acquiring unit that acquires correction-intended color values in a first color space configured of color components including a particular color component; a second color value acquiring unit that acquires correction color values being color values in a second color space configured of color components including the particular color component, and the correction color values being color values used to correct the correction-intended color values; a weight coefficient acquiring unit that acquires weight coefficients for the correction-intended color values; and a generating unit that generates a color correction coefficient on the basis of the correction color values for correcting the correction-intended color values having the particular color component at a density of a particular density value and on the basis of the weight coefficients for the correction-intended color values, the color correction coefficient used to correct the particular density value.
US08260040B2 Generation of a disparity result with low latency
A powerful, scaleable, and reconfigurable image processing system and method of processing data therein is described. This general purpose, reconfigurable engine with toroidal topology, distributed memory, and wide bandwidth I/O are capable of solving real applications at real-time speeds. The reconfigurable image processing system can be optimized to efficiently perform specialized computations, such as real-time video and audio processing. This reconfigurable image processing system provides high performance via high computational density, high memory bandwidth, and high I/O bandwidth. Generally, the reconfigurable image processing system and its control structure include a homogeneous array of 16 field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and 16 static random access memories (SRAM) arranged in a partial torus configuration. The reconfigurable image processing system also includes a PCI bus interface chip, a clock control chip, and a datapath chip. It can be implemented in a single board. It receives data from its external environment, computes correspondence, and uses the results of the correspondence computations for various post-processing industrial applications. The reconfigurable image processing system determines correspondence by using non-parametric local transforms followed by correlation. These non-parametric local transforms include the census and rank transforms. Other embodiments involve a combination of correspondence, rectification, a left-right consistency check, and the application of an interest operator.
US08260038B2 Subdivision weighting for robust object model fitting
Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for forming generative models, for utilizing those models, or both. In embodiments, an object model fitting system can be developed comprising a 3D active appearance model (AAM) model. The 3D AAM comprises an appearance model comprising a set of subcomponent appearance models that is constrained by a 3D shape model. In embodiments, the 3D AAM may be generated using a balanced set of training images. The object model fitting system may further comprise one or more manifold constraints, one or more weighting factors, or both. Applications of the present invention include, but are not limited to, modeling and/or fitting face images, although the teachings of the present invention can be applied to modeling/fitting other objects.
US08260033B2 Method and apparatus for determining the relative overlay shift of stacked layers
A method is provided for determining the relative overlay shift of stacked layers, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a reference image including a reference pattern that comprises first and second pattern elements; b) providing a measurement image of a measurement pattern, which comprises a first pattern element formed by a first one of the layers and a second pattern element formed by a second one of the layers; c) weighting the reference or measurement image such that a weighted first image is generated, in which the first pattern element is emphasized relative to the second pattern element; d) determining the relative shift of the first pattern element on the basis of the weighted first image and of the measurement or reference image not weighted in step c); e) weighting the reference or measurement image such that a weighted second image is generated, in which the second pattern element is emphasized relative to the first pattern element; f) determining the relative shift of the second pattern element on the basis of the weighted second image and of the measurement or reference image not weighted in step e); g) determining the relative overlay shift on the basis of the relative shifts determined in steps d) and f).
US08260027B2 Bank note authenticating method and bank note authenticating device
A method and apparatus authenticating a bill. The method irradiates infrared light having a predetermined wavelength onto a print area of a genuine bill from a light emitting unit, stores transmitted light data of light transmitted through the genuine bill as reference data, irradiates infrared light having the predetermined wavelength onto a print area of the bill to be authenticated from the light emitting unit, and compares transmitted light data of infrared light transmitted through the bill with the reference data. The method further determines in advance a region different in visibility under visible light and under infrared light as a specific region in a print area of the bill, applies a predetermined weighting to the transmitted light data of light in the specific regions of the bill to be authenticated and the genuine bill, and compares the weighted data with each other. Based on comparison results the bill is authenticated.
US08260026B2 Counting biological agents on biological growth plates
The invention is directed to counting techniques for counting biological agents on a biological growth plate or similar medium. In order to automate the counting of biological agents, a biological growth plate is inserted into a biological scanning unit. Upon insertion of the biological growth plate, the biological scanning unit generates an image of the plate. Then, the amount of biological agents that appear in the image, such as a number of bacteria colonies, can be counted or otherwise determined using image processing and analysis routines performed either by the scanning unit or an external computing device, such as a desktop computer, workstation or the like. A variety of counting rules are described herein that can be used to improve the accuracy of automated counts of biological agents on a biological growth plate.
US08260025B2 Methods and apparatus for generating and archiving x-ray fluoroscopy images
Methods and apparatus for generating and archiving x-ray fluoroscopy images are provided. The method includes obtaining x-ray fluoroscopy data comprising a plurality of image frames and performing image enhancement, including motion correction, based on a subset of the acquired plurality of x-ray fluoroscopy image frames to generate a single enhanced x-ray image.
US08260022B2 Automatic cardiac band detection of breast MRI
The invention relates to a method of processing temporally acquired image data with an obtaining step for obtaining the temporally acquired image data, a computing step for computing a time-variability map on the basis of the temporally acquired image data, a classifying step for classifying locations of the temporally acquired image data on the basis of the time-variability map, and a determining step for determining an artifact region and a non-artifact region in the temporally acquired image data on the basis of the classified locations. After determining the artifact region and the non-artifact region, detecting an object in a detecting step is limited to the non-artifact region. This advantageously reduces the risk of falsely identifying the detected object as an object of interest.
US08260019B2 Methods and apparatus for data communication across a slip ring
A method for reducing bandwidth required for transmission of data in a device having two portions rotating with respect to one another. The first portion includes a data acquisition system (DAS) having a charge-to-digital converter and a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to receive and compress digital data from the charge-to-digital processor. The second portion includes a computer configured to receive data from the DAS. The DAS and computer are communicatively coupled via a slip ring having a finite transmission bandwidth. The computer is configured to reconstruct and display an image using compressed data. The method includes using the DAS to compress scan data to a predetermined number of mantissa bits and a predetermined number of exponent bits, transmitting the compressed data from the first portion to the second portion across the slip ring, and using the transmitted compressed data to reconstruct and display an image of an object.
US08260010B2 Systems and methods for analyzing skin conditions of people using digital images
Systems and methods are provided for analyzing skin conditions using digital images. The method comprises acquiring a white-light image and an ultraviolet (“UV”) image of at least a portion of a body surface, such as a person's face, each of the white-light and UV images including a plurality of pixels and each pixel in the UV image corresponding to a respective pixel in the white-light image. The method further comprises identifying skin-pixels in the white-light and UV images, and obtaining results associated with at least one skin condition using information in the skin pixels in the first white light and UV images.
US08260007B1 Systems and methods for generating a depth tile
Systems and methods for generating a depth tile are provided. In some aspects, a system includes an alignment module configured to map each pixel of a depthmap to a corresponding pixel of a map tile. Each pixel of the depthmap includes a depth value, and each pixel of the map tile is associated with a terrain elevation value. The system also includes a transform module configured to adjust the depth value of each pixel of the depthmap based on a corresponding terrain elevation value. The system also includes a depth tile module configured to generate the depth tile. Each pixel of the depth tile includes a corresponding adjusted depth value.
US08260000B2 Action estimating apparatus, method for updating estimation model, and program
A storage unit stores a model defining a position or a locus of a feature point of an occupant in each specific action. An action estimation unit compares the feature point with each of the models to detect an estimated action. A detecting unit detects that a specific action is being performed as a definite action. A first generating unit generates a new definite model corresponding to the definite action by modifying a position or a locus of the feature point according to an in-action feature point when the definite action is being performed. A second generating unit generates a new non-definite model using the in-action feature point according to a correspondence between the feature point in the definite action and the feature point of a non-definite model other than the definite model. An update unit updates the definite action model and the non-definite action model.
US08259997B2 Real-time tracking system
There is provided a real-time tracking system and a method associated therewith for identifying and tracking objects moving in a physical region, typically for producing a physical effect, in real-time, in response to the movement of each object. The system scans a plane, which intersects a physical space, in order to collect reflection-distance data as a function of position along the plane. The reflection-distance data is then processed by a shape-analysis subsystem in order to locate among the reflection-distance data, a plurality of discontinuities, which are in turn associated to one or more detected objects. Each detected object is identified and stored in an identified-object structure. The scanning and processing is repeated for a number of iterations, wherein each detected object is identified with respect to the previously scanned objects, through matching with the identified-object structures, in order to follow the course of each particular object.
US08259996B2 Tracking bimanual movements
Hands may be tracked before, during, and after occlusion, and a gesture may be recognized. Movement of two occluded hands may be tracked as a unit during an occlusion period. A type of synchronization characterizing the two occluded hands during the occlusion period may be determined based on the tracked movement of the occluded hands. Based on the determined type of synchronization, it may be determined whether directions of travel for each of the two occluded hands change during the occlusion period. Implementations may determine that a first hand and a second hand are occluded during an occlusion period, the first hand having come from a first direction and the second hand having come from a second direction. The first hand may be distinguished from the second hand after the occlusion period based on a determined type of synchronization characterizing the two hands, and a behavior of the two hands.
US08259993B2 Building shape change detecting method, and building shape change detecting system
There is provided a system for detecting a shape change of a building based upon an aerial photograph taken by an airplane. The system can process the aerial photograph without waiting for the airplane to land. On the airplane, edges are extracted directly from a central projected photographed image to be transmitted wirelessly to a ground station. This ground station extracts segments from the edges to thereby determine a shape of the building in the photographed image. On the other hand, the ground station generates a projected image of the building, which is obtained by central projecting existing three-dimensional data from a flying position of the airplane, and matches the projected image and the shape of the building obtained from the photographed image. According to a similarity between the two through the matching, it is decided whether or not the shape of the building has changed from the time of registration of the existing three-dimensional data.
US08259985B2 Speaker set for portable electronic device
A speaker set configured for a portable electronic device includes a hollow shell, a back cover, and a loudspeaker sandwiched between the shell of the back cover. The shell includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber and a fourth chamber. The second and third chambers are positioned at opposite sides of the first chamber, and communicate with a surrounding environment at opposite sides of the shell. The loudspeaker is accommodated in the first chamber, and divides the first chamber into a front sub-chamber and a rear sub-chamber. The front sub-chamber communicates with the second and the third chambers thereby forming a front resonance chamber. The rear sub-chamber communicates with the fourth chamber thereby forming a rear resonance chamber. Sound waves generated from the loudspeaker are transmitted to and resonate in the front and rear resonance chambers and then transmitted to the surrounding environment in opposite directions.
US08259983B2 Anti-vibration in-ceiling speaker system
Disclosed is a speaker system for installation within a ceiling, wall, or other structure. The speaker system includes at least one pair of woofers housed by a woofer housing. The two woofers of each pair are oppositely arranged relative to one another so that the vibrations generated by each during operation are essentially neutralized or eliminated. Attached to the woofer housing is a mounting frame to which is attached a driver, such as a tweeter, a combination tweeter and midrange, or another woofer. This driver is perpendicularly arranged to a woofer pair. When installed, the woofers are positioned within the ceiling or other structure in which the system is installed.
US08259981B2 Horn-loaded acoustic line source
A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound enclosure defines a soundwave path having a first end, a second open end and at least one bend therebetween. At least one driver is provided at the first end for producing a driver soundwave that is confined by the sound enclosure for travel along the soundwave path. At least one baffle member is situated in the soundwave path, defining a reflective surface of preselected shape that reflects and constricts the soundwave therethrough.
US08259974B2 Configuration and method for detecting feedback in hearing devices
A configuration and associated methods are used for detecting acoustic feedback in a hearing device. One embodiment contains a first feedback detection unit, which determines the probability of feedback, a second feedback detection unit, which determines a weighting factor, and an arithmetic unit, which multiplies the feedback probability by the weighting factor. As an alternative to determining the weighting factor, a threshold value may also be controlled. This offers the advantage of improved acoustic feedback detection by a combination of two different feedback detection methods.
US08259972B2 Hearing aid adapted to a specific type of voice in an acoustical environment, a method and use
A hearing aid having a microphone for converting an ambient sound signal to an electric sound signal, a voice detector adapted to determine if a voice is present in said electric sound signal and a frequency analyzer to determine a fundamental frequency of a voice present in said electric sound signal, a signal processor adapted to process said electric sound signal, or an electric signal derived from it, independent of adjustable processing parameters, a memory having corresponding sets of processing parameters and fundamental voice frequencies, a decision unit to select and forward from the memory to the signal processor a set of processing parameters in accordance with a fundamental frequency determined by the frequency analyzer. Further, a method of adapting a hearing aid and to the use of such hearing aid.
US08259971B2 Hearing apparatus with controlled programming socket
A Hearing apparatuses is provided. The hearing apparatus includes a programming socket that features at least a first connection and a second connection, with a signal processing system that is connected to the second connection, and with a control system. The control system taps the potential of the first connection. The control system furthermore engages the signal processing system in a first function when the first connection reaches the predetermined potential and in a second function when the potential of the first connection deviates from the predetermined potential. This enables multiple usages for example of the input of a programming interface of a signal processing IC.
US08259965B2 Loudspeaker device with sound enhancing structure
A loudspeaker device comprising: a loudspeaker and a reflecting member positioned opposite to the loudspeaker, the loudspeaker comprising an electromagnet actuator, a dish-like frame and a vibrating drum, the electromagnetic actuator being attached on one side of the frame, the vibrating drum adhered to an inner side of the dish-like frame, the electromagnetic actuator being configured for driving the vibrating drum to vibrate, the vibrating drum being configured for generating sound of different frequencies and intensities; and the reflecting member shaped in a bowl configuration, comprising a concave shaped reflecting surface opposite to the vibrating drum; wherein the area of the reflecting surface is larger than an area of the vibrating drum.
US08259963B2 Microphone assembly with P-type preamplifier input stage
A microphone assembly is provided that includes a condenser transducer element having a displaceable diaphragm and a back-plate. The displaceable diaphragm and the back-plate are arranged to form a capacitor in combination. A preamplifier circuit has an input stage, the input stage comprising a P-type field effect transistor. The displaceable diaphragm and the back-plate are operatively connected between a source input and a gate input of the P-type field effect transistor.
US08259957B2 Communication devices
The disclosure relates to communication devices which monitor an audio environment at a remote location and convey to a user a representation of that audio environment. The “representation” may be an abstraction of the audio environment at the remote location or may be a measure of decibels or some other quality or parameter of the audio environment. In some embodiments, the communication devices are two-way devices which allow users at remote locations to share an audio environment. In some embodiments, the communication devices are one way devices. In some embodiments, the communication devices may have the form of a window and be arranged to present sound in a manner that mimics sound received through a window. In such embodiments, the more open the window is, the more sound is relayed by the communication device.
US08259954B2 Enhancing comprehension of phone conversation while in a noisy environment
In one embodiment, one or more users may be participating in a conversation. In one example, a first user may be speaking into a speaker end device and a second user may be listening at a listener end device. The second user may be in an environment where noise may be present. Particular embodiments determine characteristics of the noise at the listener end device. Characteristics of a voice signature for a user speaking with the speaker end device are also determined. Comprehension enhancement of voice signals received from speaker end device is then performed based on characteristics of the noise at the listener end device and characteristics of the voice signature. For example, the signature of the voice signals may be altered to lessen the overlap with the noise.
US08259950B2 Method for secure key management using multi-threshold secret sharing
A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing components of a secret key according to a secret sharing scheme. The disclosed secret sharing scheme divides a secret value, R, into n secret components (R1, R2, . . . , Rn) and one super component, S, in such a way that R can be computed from (i) any k or more R1 components (k
US08259949B2 Methods and apparatus for protecting digital content
A processing system to serve as a source device for protected digital content comprises a processor and control logic. When used by the processor, the control logic causes the processing system to receive a digital certificate from a presentation device. The processing system then uses public key infrastructure (PKI) to determine whether the presentation device has been authorized by a certificate authority (CA) to receive protected content. The processing system may also generate a session key and use the session key to encrypt data. The processing system may transmit the encrypted data to the presentation device only if the presentation device has been authorized by the CA to receive protected content. Presentation devices and repeaters may perform corresponding operations, thereby allowing content to be transmitted and presented in a protected manner. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08259947B2 Recreating a cryptographic key in a replacement device
Embodiments describe a method and/or system whereby a secret key in a cryptographic system may be replaced without revealing the secret key. One embodiment comprises creating a first private key and corresponding first public key. A second private key associated with the first private key and a second public key corresponding to the second private key are also created. The second private key is output once such that it can be re-created and the second public key is output when outputting the first public key. The first private key is used for authentication. The method further comprises re-creating the second private key; and using the second private key for authentication. Another embodiment comprises creating a private key and corresponding public key with associated system parameter; outputting the system parameter when outputting the public key; and using the private key for authentication. The method may further comprise creating a new private key using the previous key and the system parameter.
US08259946B2 Communication apparatus, reader/writer, communication system, and communication method
There is provided a communication apparatus including a non-contact communication unit for performing a non-contact communication with a reader/writer; a storage unit for storing data for every logic system corresponding to at least one encryption method, and retransmission interval information of each communication command transmitted from the reader/writer for every encryption method; and a selection unit for selecting the retransmission interval information of each communication command in the encryption method to which the logic system specified by the reader/writer corresponds from the storage unit. The retransmission interval information selected by the selection unit is transmitted from the non-contact communication unit to the reader/writer.
US08259945B2 Communication system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording medium and program
A portable server has an antenna and radio communicating portion having a receivable distance of several m to several tens of m and an authentication antenna and authentication radio communicating portion having a receivable distance of several mm to several cm, which is extremely shorter than the receivable distance of the radio communicating portion. When an authentication button is operated by a user and when another apparatus is arranged within a range of the receivable distance of the authentication radio communicating portion, the authentication radio communicating portion performs authentication processing with the other apparatus through the authentication antenna and registers authentication data resulting from the authentication with a memory. The radio communicating portion connects to the authenticated other apparatus through an antenna based on the authentication data and performs data communication. The invention is applicable to a radio communication system including a mobile terminal.
US08259944B2 System and method for pathological pattern protection
In a frame synchronous scrambled communications network, communications are protected from pathological bit patterns that may lead to loss of receiver lock by detecting a pathological bit pattern in an incoming traffic stream using a pathological pattern detector. When a pathological bit pattern, such as a transition-less bit pattern, is detected, a corrective bit pattern is generated and inserted or substituted into the incoming traffic stream before transmission to the receiver. The receiver can be configured to revert the modified traffic stream back to the original traffic stream.
US08259943B2 Method for decrypting serial transmission signal
A method for decrypting a serial transmission signal includes the following steps. First, the serial transmission signal including a serial data signal and a serial clock signal is received. Then, m bits are sequentially read from the serial data signal according to the serial clock signal. Next, values corresponding to the m bits are generated. Thereafter, each value is added to a content value of a register by an addition operation to obtain an addition result, and then the addition result replaces the content value and is stored in the register.
US08259942B2 Arranging data ciphering in a wireless telecommunication system
Arranging data ciphering in a telecommunication system comprising at least one wireless terminal, a wireless local area network and a public land mobile network. At least one first ciphering key according to the mobile network is calculated in the mobile network and in the terminal for a terminal identifier using a specific secret key for the identifier. Data transmission between the mobile network and the terminal is carried out through the wireless local area network. A second ciphering key is calculated in the terminal and in the mobile network using said at least one first ciphering key. The second ciphering key is sent from the mobile network to the wireless local area network. The data between the terminal and the network is ciphered using said second ciphering key.
US08259941B2 Image processor, image processing method, and computer program product for storing images and related code information
In an MFP, an image on an original is read and the image is stored as a document (input image) in an HDD. A marking-information generation module generates marking information (two-dimensional code information) expressing at least one of information relating to storage of the document and an output parameters of the document. A document-relevance-information management module relates the marking information to the stored image, and an encryption/decryption module encrypts the marking information. A marking generation module generates a marking image from the encrypted marking information, and the marking image is printed out.
US08259938B2 Efficient and secure forensic marking in compressed
Methods, devices, and computer program products enable the embedding of forensic marks in a host content that is in compressed domain. These and other features are achieved by preprocessing of a host content to provide a plurality of host content versions with different embedded watermarks that are subsequently compressed. A host content may then be efficiently marked with forensic marks in response to a request for such content. The marking process is conducted in compressed domain, thus reducing the computational burden of decompressing and re-compressing the content, and avoiding further perceptual degradation of the host content. In addition, methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed that obstruct differential analysis of such forensically marked content.
US08259936B2 Generating a traffic encryption key
Apparatus and method for generating a traffic encryption key includes generating a traffic encryption key for encrypting data transmitted as part of a service, the traffic encryption key having a validity equal to a traffic encryption key validity time period; checking whether a period for the service is longer than the traffic encryption key validity time period; and if the period of the service is longer than the traffic encryption key validity time period, ascertaining a residual period which indicates by what period the service is longer than the traffic encryption key validity time period of the traffic encryption key; generating a residual traffic encryption key which is used for encrypting data transmitted as part of a service; ascertaining a residual traffic encryption key validity time period which indicates for how long the residual traffic encryption key is valid; and associating the residual traffic encryption key validity time period with the residual traffic encryption key.
US08259933B2 Secure open-air communication system utilizing multi-channel decoyed transmission
A secure, open-air communication system utilizes a plurality of “decoy” data signals to hide one or more true data signals. The true data signal(s) are channel hopped with the plurality of decoy data signals to form a multi-channel “scrambled” output signal that is thereafter transmitted in an open-air communication system. The greater the number of decoy signals, the greater the security provided to the open-air system. Further security may be provided by encrypting both the true and decoy signals prior to scrambling and/or by utilizing a spatially diverse set of transmitters and receivers. Without the knowledge of the channel assignment(s) for the true signal(s), an eavesdropper may be able to intercept (and, with time, perhaps descramble) the open-air transmitted signals, will not be able to distinguish the true data from the decoys without also knowing the channel assignment(s).
US08259931B2 Sliding mechanism and electronic device having the same
A sliding mechanism comprises a sliding plate, a main plate, a first slide enabling member and a biasing member. The sliding plate has two angled portions. The main plate has two side walls. The first slide enabling member is coupling the angled portions of the sliding plate to the side walls of the main plate such that the sliding plate is slid relative to the main plate from a closed position or to retract from an open position. The first slide enabling member comprises a set of first roller assembly and a set of first tracks that engage the first roller assembly, when the sliding plate slide relative to the main plate, the first roller assembly are rotated and slid relative to the first tracks. The biasing member biases the sliding plate to slide to the open position when the sliding plate crosses an intermediate position.
US08259928B2 Method and apparatus for reducing timestamp noise in audio echo cancellation
A communication end device of a two-way communication system is shown. The device includes an audio signal capture device for capturing local audio to be transmitted to another end device, an audio signal rendering device for playing remote audio received from the other end device, and buffers for buffering the captured and rendered audio signals. The device also includes an audio echo canceller operating to predict echo from the rendered audio signal at a calculated relative offset in the captured audio signal based on an adaptive filter, and subtract the predicted echo from the signal transmitted to the other end device The calculated relative offset that is used by the audio echo canceller for a current signal sample is adjusted if a difference between it and an adjusted relative offset of a preceding sample exceeds a threshold value.
US08259927B2 Method and arrangement for the adaptive filtering of signals
The invention relates to a method for adaptive filtering in which a level of a reference signal necessary for the adaptive filtering is determined in the context of an adaptation by estimation, using a quantity equivalent to the reference signal, wherein the filtering is dependent on the electrical power of at least one signal extracted from a transmission channel to be filtered, and the equivalent quantity is determined by means of a mathematical function based on the electrical power of at least the extracted signal. The invention further relates to an arrangement with means for carrying out the method.
US08259917B2 System and method for generating one-way speech signal samples
A system and method for generating one-way speech signal samples may include, in a telecommunications network, establishing a call connection between a far-end telephone and a near-end telephone. A resistance component may be selectively configured in parallel with the far-end telephone, where the resistance component has a value representative of resistance produced by the far-end telephone being off hook. A speech signal being communicated from the near-end telephone may be recorded.
US08259908B2 Method and apparatus for metallic line testing of a subscriber line
A method for performing metallic line testing on a communication system is provided. The communication system includes an isolation transformer disposed between a provider circuit operable to provide a digital subscriber line signal and a subscriber circuit. The isolation transformer has a center tap. A test signal is injected at the center tap. A response of the subscriber circuit to the test signal is sensed.
US08259906B2 System and method for testing a DSL and POTS connection
A handset test adapter includes a telephone jack operable to receive a cord for testing a communications connection. The communications connection being POTS or DSL service. The handset test adapter includes a switch in communication with the telephone jack and a telephone plug in communication with the switch. The telephone plug is operable to communicate with a handset tester for testing the DSL service. The handset test adapter includes electrical plugs in communication with the switch. The electrical plugs are operable to communicate with the handset tester for testing the POTS. The switch is operable to receive a user selection of POTS or DSL service. The switch connects the telephone jack to the telephone plug in response to the user selection indicating DSL service, and the switch connects the telephone jack to the electrical plugs in response to the user selection indicating POTS.
US08259902B2 Raman analysis of tissue and/or calcifications
Non invasive in-vivo measurement of composition of a tissue within a part of a human or animal subject is carried out by detecting a Raman spectral characteristic in light scattered through the part using a transmission, rather than a backscattering geometry. The technique is applied to the detection of calcifications in human breast tissues.
US08259899B2 Multi-modality tomography apparatus
The invention relates to a multi-modality tomography apparatus (11) including a first tomograph (13) and a second tomograph or imaging system (14) using different tomography techniques, such as X-ray CT tomography and PET or SPECT tomography, or a tomographic or planar optical imaging system, which are located on the same face of a support means (12) which can rotate in both directions of rotation around an axial support shaft (12), such that a subject undergoing examination and placed on a subject support does not have to be moved during a tomographic examination with any of the two tomographs (13, 14) installed on the same face of the support (12).
US08259898B2 Method for predicting specific cycle phases of a beating heart in a patient within the scope of a CT examination and CT system
A method and a CT system are disclosed for predicting specific cardiac cycle phases within the scope of a CT examination, wherein signal profiles of the heart are continuously recorded during the examination over a plurality of cardiac cycles, wherein times of successive cycle positions with the same characteristics are determined with the aid of the signal profiles and the successive cycle lengths of the cardiac cycles are determined with the aid of the determined times, wherein typical patterns in successive cycle lengths over a first number of past and successive cardiac cycles are sought after and a current or future cycle length is determined by recording cycle patterns in a second, smaller number of cycle lengths including their typical successive cycle length within the first number of current past cycle lengths, and predicting, using probabilistic methods, the cycle length that follows the last determined cycle pattern on the basis of the cycle patterns currently determined during the CT examination.
US08259894B2 Method of suppressing deposition of radioactive isotope
A formic acid aqueous solution that contains Fe (II) ions is produced by dissolving metal iron in a formic acid aqueous solution. Nitrogen is supplied from a nitrogen supply device to a chemical liquid tank and then discharged from a discharge line to reduce the dissolved oxygen concentration in the aqueous solution. The chemical liquid tank is filled with the formic acid aqueous solution sealed with nitrogen, and transferred from a factory to a nuclear reactor building designated as radiation-controlled areas. Inside the nuclear reactor building, the chemical liquid tank is installed in a film deposition apparatus connected to a reactor water recirculation pipeline. The formic acid aqueous is supplied from the chemical liquid tank to the inside of the reactor water recirculation pipeline, and then a ferrite film is formed on the inner surface of the reactor water recirculation pipeline.
US08259893B2 Device for cleaning and/or securing a safe containment defined in a device for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials
A method for underwater packaging of radioactive materials includes creating a vacuum in a cavity of a cleaning device to automatically cause a portion of the cleaning device to move upward to actuate the cleaning device from an open position to a closed position; mounting the cleaning device inside a safe containment area of a transportation and/or storage device; placing the transportation and/or storage device in a pool after filling the safe containment area with water; loading a radioactive material into the safe containment area; closing the transportation and/or storage device using at least one cover; extracting the transportation and/or storage device from the pool; draining the water inside the safe containment area; and creating a pressure differential in the safe containment area to dry the safe containment area, wherein the pressure differential causes the cleaning device to automatically actuate from the closed position to the open position.
US08259891B2 Adaptable phase lock loop transfer function for digital video interface
A digital video interface receiver adjusts a transfer function of a phase-locked loop circuit having a programmable charge pump, a programmable phase-locked loop filter, or a programmable gain voltage controlled oscillator. The digital video interface receiver monitors and detects errors in a data stream associated with the phase-locked loop circuit. Moreover, the digital video interface receiver changes the transfer function of the phase-locked loop circuit, in response to the detected errors, by changing parameters associated with the programmable charge pump, the programmable phase-locked loop filter, or the programmable gain voltage controlled oscillator of the phase-locked loop circuit so as to change the transfer function of the phase-locked loop circuit.
US08259889B2 Apparatus and method for frequency synthesis using delay locked loop
An apparatus and method for frequency synthesis using a Delay Locked Loop (DLL) are provided. The apparatus includes the DLL, an edge pulse generator, and an inductive-capacitive (LC) tank switch. If phases of a reference frequency signal and a feedback signal are the same and thus are locked, the DLL delays the reference frequency signal. The edge pulse generator generates a plurality of pulse signals representing phase delay amounts of signals. The LC tank switch combines the plurality of pulse signals and generates frequency.
US08259885B2 Mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, communication method and communication system
In the case that periodical transmission of transmission signal number-of-sequence quality indicative signal cannot be performed, the number of transmission signal sequences is clarified in association with reception quality information that is generated immediately after the case, and the base station apparatus performs appropriate communication resource allocation. A mobile station apparatus has a feedback information control section 65 that generates feedback information including reception quality information, transmission signal preprocessing information and transmission signal number-of-sequence information, and a radio transmission section 51 that periodically transmits the generated feedback information to the base station apparatus, where when the radio transmission section 51 does not transmit the transmission signal number-of-sequence information with communication resources periodically allocated from the base station apparatus so as to transmit the transmission signal number-of-sequence information, the radio transmission section 51 transmits the transmission signal number-of-sequence information to the base station apparatus with communication resources enabling transmission of the feedback information allocated from the base station apparatus subsequently to the communication resources.
US08259877B2 Method and device for automatic gain control with limited jitter
The invention concerns controlling automatic gain control for a digital signal receiver. The method includes receiving a digital feedback signal for controlling an amplifier and processing the digital feedback signal to deliver a driving signal to an analog amplifier. Processing the digital feedback signal comprises regulating the evolution of the driving signal so that it is maintained constant during a predetermined period of time after every change.
US08259875B2 Technique for determining a frequency offset
A technique for determining a frequency offset between components of a communication network based on a Constant Amplitude Zero Auto-Correlation (CAZAC) sequence is described. A method implementation of this technique comprises a provision of a set of correlation signals at different frequencies, with each correlation signal being indicative of a specific frequency offset hypothesis and comprising the CAZAC sequence. Once a synchronization signal comprising the CAZAC sequence is received, this synchronization signal is correlated with each of the correlation signals to obtain a correlation result for each frequency offset hypothesis. In a next step, at least one of the frequency offset hypotheses is selected based on a comparison of the correlation results. The frequency offset may then be determined based on the at least one selected frequency offset hypothesis.
US08259873B2 Method and apparatus for correlating two data sections
Watermarking of audio signals intends to manipulate the audio signal in a way that the changes in the audio content cannot be recognized by the human auditory system. The watermark data are decoded from the received watermarked audio signal by correlation with corresponding candidate reference sequences. One or more of the sync symbols are embedded twice in the watermark data frame in the encoder. Thereafter a circular correlation is calculated instead of a standard correlation.
US08259871B2 Reception device, transmission device, and adaptive transmission rate control method
In a receiver, a channel estimation unit estimates channel characteristics of each channel, and a weight generation unit generates a weight matrix used in equalization processing by an equalizer in accordance with the estimated values of channel characteristics for each channel as estimated by the channel estimation unit. Furthermore, a likelihood calculation unit calculates a likelihood indicating a degree of certainty for each transmission stream using the weight matrix generated by the weight generation unit, and an adaptive control unit determines a transmission rate appropriate for transmission of a signal from a transmitter to the receiver in accordance with the likelihood of each transmission stream calculated by the likelihood calculation unit, notifying the transmitter of the determined transmission rate.
US08259865B2 Methods and apparatus for adapting channel estimation in a communication system
Methods and apparatus for adapting a channel estimation scheme in a transceiver in a communication system are disclosed to adapt channel estimation to the transceiver environment, particularly for high Doppler environments. The disclosed methods and apparatus effect determination of an estimate of a power delay profile of a channel or a time correlation of the channel, or both. A channel estimation scheme is then determined based on at least one of the determined power delay profile and time correlation of the channel. By basing determination of a channel estimation scheme on the power delay profile and/or the time correlation of the channel, the channel estimation scheme is adapted to the particular environment of the transceiver by accounting for the delay spread of the channel and/or the speed of the transceiver.
US08259863B2 Method for transmitting and decoding signals considering repeatedly transmitted information
Signal transmitting and decoding methods considering repeatedly transmitted information in transmitting informations in various types are disclosed. Both a first type information varying with a long period and a second type information varying with a short period are simultaneously transmitted by a same period. A receiving side receiving these informations is able to perform fast decoding by unmasking the corresponding information prior to decoding of a next received signal after obtaining the first type information in a manner of considering a fact that the first type information is repeatedly transmitted for a prescribed period of time.
US08259857B2 Methods and systems for increased communication throughput
Systems and methods for increasing communication throughput by superimposing multiple signal components in the same bandwidth are disclosed. Cochannel interference is reduced by using signal separation algorithms. The signal separation algorithms may use both a priori information about the superimposed signals and measured channel parameters. In addition, error correction encoding and interleaving may be used to reduce signal power and obviate the need for ideal signal separation.
US08259846B2 Apparatus and method for generating a multicarrier communication signal having a reduced crest factor
An apparatus for generating a multicarrier communication signal having a reduced crest factor enables efficient power amplifier operation. The apparatus includes a plurality of shaping filters (205-n) for outputting a plurality of shaped baseband transmission signals. A plurality of mixers (210-n) then multiplies each signal by one of a plurality of complex carrier signals. A window function generator (235) generates a clipping window signal based on power levels of the unshaped baseband transmission signals. A plurality of window output units (245-n) outputs a plurality of subtraction-based clipping window signals. At least one summing unit (260) then generates the multicarrier communication signal having the reduced crest factor from the plurality of subtraction-based clipping window signals and the plurality of shaped baseband transmission signals.
US08259845B2 Method and apparatus for communicating with root-nyquist, self-transform pulse shapes
A communication system (20) comprises a transmitter (22) and a receiver (24). The transmitter (22) comprises a source of information symbols (30); a pulse shaping wave function generator (32); and a combiner (34) configured to express the information symbols received from the source as signals which are shaped in time and frequency domains by the wave function. The pulse shaping wave function generator (32) is configured to provide a wave function which has the Nyquist property and has a same shape as its own Fourier transform. The combiner (34) is configured to combine the wave function with a stream of digital data symbols to produce a filtered stream for transmission by the transmitter.
US08259843B2 Dynamic digital pre-distortion system
A Dynamic Digital Pre-Distortion (DDPD) system is disclosed to rapidly correct power amplifier (PA) non-linearity and memory effects. To perform pre-distortion, a DDPD engine predistorts an input signal in order to cancel PA nonlinearities as the signal is amplified by the PA. The DDPD engine is implemented as a composite of one linear filter and N−1 high order term linear filters. The bank of linear filters have programmable complex coefficients. To compute the coefficients, samples from the transmit path and a feedback path are captured, and covariance matrices A and B are computed using optimized hardware. After the covariance matrices are computed, Gaussian elimination processing may be employed to compute the coefficients. Mathematical and hardware optimizations may be employed to simplify and reduce the number of multiplication operands and other operations, which can enable the DDPD system to fit within a single chip.
US08259841B2 Digital transmitter
An equalizer provided in a digital transmitter compensates for attenuation in a signal channel to a digital receiver. The equalizer generates signal levels as a logical function of bit history to emphasize transition signal levels relative to repeated signal levels. The preferred equalizer includes an FIR transition filter using a look-up table. Parallel circuits including FIR filters and digital-to-analog converters provide a high speed equalizer with lower speed circuitry. The equalizer is particularly suited to in-cabinet and local area network transmissions where feedback circuitry facilitates adaptive training of the equalizer.
US08259840B2 Data communication via a voice channel of a wireless communication network using discontinuities
A system and method for data communication over a cellular communications network that allows the transmission of digital data over a voice channel using a vocoder that operates in different modes depending upon characteristics of the inputted signal it receives. To prepare the digital data for transmission, one or more carrier signals are encoded with the digital data using one of a number of modulation schemes that utilize differential phase shift keying to give the modulated carrier signal certain periodicity and energy characteristics that allow it to be transmitted by the vocoder at full rate. The modulation schemes include DPSK using either a single or multiple frequency carriers, combined FSK-DPSK modulation, combined ASK-DPSK, PSK with a phase tracker in the demodulator, as well as continuous signal modulation (ASK or FSK) with inserted discontinuities that can be independent of the digital data.
US08259839B2 Method for avoiding interference radiation of AM transmitters used in digital transmission
A method for avoiding spurious emissions in an AM transmitter for digital transmission includes converting a digital modulation for controlling the AM transmitter into an amplitude signal for an amplitude branch, and a phase-modulated RF signal for a RF branch. Non-linear distortions in an amplitude response and a delay-time characteristic of an amplitude branch are compensated for using a pre-equalization with inverse shapes by measuring and storing the amplitude response and the delay-time characteristic of the RF branch. An inverse transfer function is determined using respective shapes of the measured amplitude response and delay-time characteristic by an inverse Fourier transform. An equalizing network is dimensioned for the determined inverse transfer function. The equalizing network is connected in series upstream of the RF branch. The amplitude and RF branches are combined downstream of the amplitude and RF branches.
US08259836B2 Method and system for generating candidate beamforming coefficients for transmission of data over a wireless medium
A method and system for generating a number of candidate beamforming vectors for transmission of data over a wireless medium, is provided. One implementation involves determining the number (N) of transmitter antennas; determining the number (n) of candidate beamforming vectors to be constructed as an algebraic function of N; providing a Fourier transform matrix W comprising (n+1) rows and (n+1) columns; selecting N rows from the Fourier transform matrix W; and generating an abridged matrix using the selected N rows, wherein each column of the abridged matrix is configured to be used as a candidate beamforming vector for transmission of a data signal, such that the abridged matrix comprises a N×n sub-matrix of the Fourier transform matrix W.
US08259828B2 Sub-carrier alignment mechanism for OFDM multi-carrier systems
A method of aligning sub-carriers of radio signals of two adjacent frequency channels and devices therefor are described. The method comprises aligning a first plurality of sub-carriers of a first radio signal and a second plurality of sub-carriers of a second radio signal within an overlapped frequency region in-between the two adjacent frequency channels by shifting a center frequency of the first radio signal with a frequency offset. The first radio signal and the second radio signal are adapted for transmission over the two adjacent frequency channels and the first frequency channel is one of the two adjacent frequency channels.
US08259826B2 Receiving apparatus, communication system, receiving method and program
A receiving apparatus according to the present invention has a plurality of synchronizing circuits which is provided corresponding to different preamble signals of a reception signal and operate simultaneously at the time of receiving the preamble signals so as to output synchronous signals, a correlation value comparing section which compares correlation values of the synchronous signals output from the plurality of synchronizing circuits, and a synchronizing section which determines whether the received signal is for the subject apparatus based on a comparison result from the correlation value comparing section.
US08259825B2 Mapping and signaling of common reference symbols for multiple antennas
A method, a network base station, and a user communication device for transmitting data on an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing carrier are disclosed. An antenna array may transmit a signal decodable by a legacy user communication device designed for compatibility with a legacy set of transmission antennas. A processor 210 may encode a subframe of the signal with a legacy set of common reference symbols and a supplemental set of common reference symbols referring to the antenna array.
US08259824B2 Nested precoding codebook structures for MIMO systems
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmitter, a receiver and methods of operating a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter is for use with NT transmit antennas and includes a precoder unit configured to precode data for transmission using a preceding matrix selected from a nested codebook, wherein the nested codebook provides codebooks corresponding to different transmission layers that are derived from column subsets of multiple NT×NT preceding matrices. The transmitter also includes a transmit unit configured to transmit the precoded data. In another embodiment, the receiver includes a receive unit configured to receive preceded data. The receiver also includes a precoder selection unit configured to select a preceding matrix from a nested codebook for the preceded data, wherein the nested codebook provides codebooks corresponding to different transmission layers that are derived from column subsets of multiple NT×NT preceding matrices.
US08259822B1 Polar and quadrature modulated cellular, WiFi, WiLAN, satellite, mobile, communication and position finder systems
Polar and quadrature modulator for receiving a baseband processed voice signal and for processing, modulating and transmitting voice signal. Voice signal processor and modulator for processing voice signal into Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal. A location finding signal receiver, demodulator and processor for receiving, demodulating and processing a location finder signal into demodulated processed location finder signal. Location finder signal receiver receiving signal from two or more satellite and two or more ground based transmitters. Diversity receivers for signal reception from cellular and from Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Filtered polar modulated signal used in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system including Global Mobile System (GSM). Receiver for receiving transmitted signal has a radio frequency (RF) unit which is located at a remote location from demodulator.
US08259815B2 Encoding and decoding traffic information using encoding fields
A method for identifying traffic information includes receiving traffic data including a first identifier, information that is encoded, and information corresponding to a field indicative of an encoding scheme. The first identifier enables a determination of a type of information that is included within the received traffic data. The method also includes determining a type of information included within the received traffic data based on the first identifier and determining encoding information based on the field indicative of an encoding scheme included in the received traffic data only if the first identifier enables a determination that the received traffic data includes a field indicative of an encoding scheme. The method further includes identifying the information that is encoded based on the determined encoding information.
US08259811B2 Method for determining a number of items of encoded data that can be stored in a memory, and method for controlling sizes of items of encoded image data to be stored in a memory
Methods are provided for an apparatus which encodes items of data by variable-length coding and which stores the encoded items of data in a memory, wherein a size of one of the items of encoded data is variable by varying a value of a control parameter of the variable-length coding. One method includes: determining an amount of available memory space in the memory; determining a value of the control parameter for the variable-length coding of the items of data; and determining a number of items of encoded data that can be stored in the available memory space, based on an upper limit of the size of one of the items of encoded data at the determined value of the control parameter.
US08259808B2 Low complexity video decoder
A low complexity video decoder includes: a fast variable length decoding (VLD) and inverse quantization module arranged to perform fast VLD and inverse quantization on an input bit stream to generate inverse quantization results; an inverse transform unit arranged to perform inverse transform on the inverse quantization results to generate inverse transform results; a motion compensation module arranged to perform motion compensation according to the input bit stream and generate associated prediction outputs, wherein the motion compensation module includes a temporal/spatial prediction unit arranged to perform temporal/spatial prediction to generate at least a portion of the prediction outputs; an arithmetic unit arranged to sum up the inverse transform results and the prediction outputs to generate compensated outputs; a reconstructed frame output unit arranged to generate reconstructed frames according to the compensated outputs; and a frame storage arranged to store some reconstructed frames.
US08259806B2 Extracting features of video and audio signal content to provide reliable identification of the signals
Signatures that can be used to identify video and audio content are generated from the content by generating measures of dissimilarity between features of corresponding groups of pixels in frames of video content and by generating low-resolution time-frequency representations of audio segments. The signatures are generated by applying a hash function to intermediate values derived from the measures of dissimilarity and to the low-resolution time-frequency representations. The generated signatures may be used in a variety of applications such as restoring synchronization between video and audio content streams and identifying copies of original video and audio content. The generated signatures can provide reliable identifications despite intentional and unintentional modifications to the content.
US08259802B2 Reference pictures for inter-frame differential video coding
A video encoder using inter-frame differential coding has a store (3) for containing a plurality of reference pictures. For each incoming picture it chooses one (or more) of the stored reference pictures to use. Control means (10) select which locally decoded pictures are to be entered into, and removed from, so that the store always contains at least one relatively older picture that lies within a defined time window and at least one relatively younger picture that is more recent than the time window. When it receives an error message from a receiver, it switches the coder from its normal a state (in which it is allowed to choose any picture as predictor) into a state in which it is permitted to choose only a said relatively older picture for prediction. The beginning of the time window is preferably set according to the estimated (or observed) round trip time between the encoder and decoder such that at least one of the relatively older pictures always predated the error message.
US08259801B2 Methods for coding digital media data with prediction information and prediction error information being respectively carried by different bit stream sections
A method for encoding digital media data includes deriving a portion of prediction information and a portion of prediction error information of the digital media data, and encoding the digital media data into a bit stream. The bit stream comprises a first bit stream section and a second bit stream section that respectively carry the portion of prediction information and the portion of prediction error information. In addition, within the bit stream, the portion of prediction information and the portion of prediction error information are not carried in the same macroblock (MB) or the same sub-unit of an MB. A method for decoding encoded digital media data and a method for coding digital media data and a method for processing bit stream of digital media data are also provided.
US08259798B2 Distributed video encoder and decoder and distributed video decoding method
A distributed video encoder and decoder and a distributed video decoding method using adaptive quantization are provided. Adaptive quantization is performed at the time of encoding and decoding so that limited resources and information can be efficiently used, and a predetermined bit which is previously defined is included in a position of a bit which does not need to be transmitted for channel coding, thereby improving a bit rate-distortion performance as a whole.
US08259796B2 Image coding apparatus and image coding method
An image coding apparatus calculates an image change rate with respect to input image data, predicts an average activity appropriate for a coding target picture that is included in the input image data based on the image change rate, and normalizes an activity using the predicted value of the average activity. Based on the normalized activity, the image coding apparatus performs a quantization of the image data.
US08259793B2 System and method of fast MPEG-4/AVC quantization
A system and method for coding moving pictures according to MPEG-4/AVC is described which performs rapid quantization of the transformed residue signal is described. The system and method may employ a number of techniques, which may be considered separately or in combination, including: extreme macroblock (MB) analysis, pre-execution table generation, conditional skipping, and picture level scaling. For example, MBs are detected wherein the quantization scale is adapted prior to quantization processing. The quantization process can be skipped for DCT coefficients which do not meet a threshold criterion. Weighted quantization can be readily performed in response to generating sets of scaled quantization tables in the beginning of encoding each picture, wherein the quantization scale of the DCT coefficients need not be scaled in response to position.
US08259782B2 Method and device for estimating a gaussian white noise power in a channel, and receiver
A method and device for estimating a Gaussian white noise power in a channel and a receiver are provided. The method includes performing a multi-path search on a received signal to find out paths of the signal; performing a noise estimation on one of the paths to acquire a total noise power of the path; performing an inter-path interference noise estimation on N paths spaced apart from the path by an integral number of chips to obtain an inter-path interference noise power of a single path of the signal, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and subtracting the inter-path interference noise power from the total noise power to obtain the Gaussian white noise power. Through the technical solution of the disclosure, the Gaussian white noise power in a channel is obtained with a higher accuracy, so that the performance of equalization is enhanced.
US08259780B2 Downlink communication
A method for conserving bandwidth in a communication system includes spreading a data frame and a broadcast frame. A complex data stream having a first component and a second component is generated. The data frame is assigned to the first component and the broadcast frame is assigned to the second component. The complex data stream is transmitted to a tag.
US08259779B2 Method and apparatus with notched transmit frequency bins
A wireless network (20) with at least a first radio communication unit (24) and a second radio communication unit (26) transmits and receives signals with minimal interference from the surrounding environment of the first unit (24) and second unit (26). The first radio communication unit (24) determines frequencies (54) having power level above a threshold (52), and creates a list of these frequencies (50) to be transmitted to the second radio communication unit (26). The second radio communication unit (26) places notches (140) in its transmission band (88) based on frequencies (54) in the list (50), reserved frequencies (132), and local frequencies (92) having signal energy above a threshold (90). When transmitting a signal (42), the second radio communication unit (26) avoids transmitting in frequencies that have notches (140).
US08259777B2 Systems and methods for rapid uplink air interface synchronization
Rapid uplink synchronization is enabled by reducing a 2D search problem to two 1D search problems, which can generally be performed in less time. Advantage is taken of fact that a mobile device sends a ranging code on multiple sub-carriers. Using the assumption that adjacent sub-carriers will have approximately equivalent channel characteristics, phase ambiguity can be removed by differentially combining pairs of adjacent sub-carriers. Once the phase ambiguity is removed, the code, timing, and power level may be determined relatively quickly. In one embodiment, the values of correlations between received signals and possible codes are compared with a threshold.
US08259772B2 Fabrication of lasing microcavities consisting of highly luminescent colloidal nanocrystals
A method of producing a lasing microsource of colloidal nanocrystals. The method includes the steps of preparing a nanocrystal solution in a solvent; depositing at least a drop of the nanocrystals solution with a drop volume below 1 nl on a flat substrate; and evaporating the solvent to dryness thereby to obtain at the edge of the evaporated drop a single annular stripe including a domain wherein the nanocrystals are arranged in an ordered array, wherein the ordered nanocrystals in the domain constitute an active region capable of lasing and the radially inner and outer edges of the stripe define a resonant cavity in which the active region is inserted.
US08259771B1 Initiating laser-sustained plasma
A laser-sustained plasma light source with a bulb for enclosing a relatively cool gas environment, and an electrode disposed at least partially within the gas environment. A power supply applies a potential to the electrode, where the power supply is sufficient to create a corona discharge at the electrode within the gas environment, and the power supply is not sufficient to produce an arc discharge within the gas environment. The corona discharge thereby produces a relatively heated gas environment. A pump laser source focuses a laser beam within the gas environment, where the laser beam is sufficient to ignite a plasma in the relatively heated gas environment, but is not sufficient to ignite a plasma in the relatively cool gas environment.
US08259770B2 Laser array
Electrophotographic print system, comprising a photosensitive medium, and a laser array being provided with a plurality of laser diodes arranged to emit light onto the photosensitive medium for varying an electrical potential on a surface of the photosensitive medium, and a plurality of heat dissipation diodes, each heat dissipation diode being arranged in proximity to a corresponding laser diode, wherein each laser diode and the corresponding heat dissipation diode are coupled to a common drive circuit and are arranged in opposite current flow directions with respect to each other, so that in use the current flows either through the laser diode or through the heat dissipation diode depending on the current flow direction in the drive circuit.
US08259768B2 Optical fiber component and optical module using the same
An optical fiber component comprises an optical fiber that transmits light; and a coreless fiber that is connected to the end surface of the optical fiber and prevents foreign matter from adhering to the end surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber and the coreless fiber are connected by fusing one end surface of the coreless fiber to the end surface of the optical fiber. The core section on the end surface of the optical fiber is no longer exposed to the air. Moreover, the power density of light that is input at the core of the optical fiber is greatly reduced more than when there is no coreless fiber, so it is possible to prevent compounds of C, H and O from adhering to the core of the optical fiber.
US08259767B2 High-power quantum cascade lasers with active-photonic-crystal structure
Semiconductor laser array devices capable of emitting mid- to long-wavelength infrared (i.e., 4-12 μm) radiation are provided. The devices include a quantum cascade laser (QCL) structure comprising one or more active cores; an optical confinement structure; a cladding structure; and a plurality of laterally-spaced trench regions extending transversely through the optical confinement and cladding structures, and partially into the QCL structure. The trench regions, each of which comprises a lower trench layer comprising a semi-insulating material and an upper trench layer comprising a material having a refractive index that is higher than that of the semi-insulating material, define a plurality of laterally-spaced interelement regions separated by element regions in the laser array device.
US08259766B2 Laser diode drive circuit, electronic circuit, method for controlling laser diode drive circuit, and method for controlling duty
A laser diode drive circuit includes: a duty control amplifier (23) that controls the duty ratio of a main signal for laser control in accordance with a duty control signal; and an AND gate (22) that outputs the duty control signal to the duty control amplifier (23), and outputs a duty control signal that controls the duty ratio of the main signal to be 0% in the duty control amplifier in accordance with a shutdown signal of a laser diode. With this structure, there is no need to input the main signal having the duty ratio controlled to a logic circuit that becomes unstable. Thus, outputs from a semiconductor laser can be shut down, and the output duty can be controlled in a stable manner.
US08259765B2 Passive phase control in an external cavity laser
An external-cavity laser module includes a package defining an enclosure, the package including a base having a surface internal to the enclosure, a thermoelectric cooler within the enclosure, the thermoelectric cooler including an upper carrier plate and a lower carrier plate, the lower carrier plate being placed on the internal surface of the base and the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) being configured to stabilize the temperature of the upper carrier plate at a substantially constant temperature. The laser module further includes a laser assembly housed within the enclosure, including a gain medium for emitting an optical beam into the external cavity and an end mirror. Variations of the environmental temperature with respect to the thermally stabilized temperature cause mechanical deformations of the TEC upper carrier plate that is in thermal coupling with the laser assembly. The mechanical deformations in turn induce variations in the optical path length of the laser cavity. Thermal bridge of the gain medium to the environmental temperature is achieved by the use of a thermal bridge element for conducting heat either from or to the gain medium.
US08259761B2 Method and system for managing multimedia traffic over ethernet
Aspects of a method and system for managing multimedia traffic over Ethernet are provided. In this regard, multimedia traffic comprising one or more Ethernet frames may be identified via one or more headers comprising the frames and processed according to the identification. In this regard, general Ethernet traffic may be multiplexed into egress frames based on the identification. Similarly, ingress Ethernet frames may be demultiplexed into multimedia traffic and general traffic based on the identification. Headers utilized to identify and/or route multimedia traffic and general traffic may comprise Ethertype and/or subtype fields. Headers utilized to identify and/or route multimedia traffic and general traffic may comprise a connection identifier field. Similarly, Headers utilized to identify and/or route multimedia traffic and general traffic may comprise a data type field.
US08259760B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and recovering multi-lane encoded data streams using a reduced number of lanes
A method includes receiving first encoded data associated with one or more first lanes and decoding the first encoded data to produce decoded data. The method also includes encoding the decoded data to produce second encoded data associated with one or more second lanes and transmitting the second encoded data. In some embodiments, the method may further include multiplexing a plurality of code group sequences (the second encoded data) into the one or more second lanes, and the number of first lanes may be greater than the number of second lanes. In other embodiments, the method may also include demultiplexing a plurality of code group sequences from the one or more first lanes into a plurality of the second lanes, and the number of first lanes may be less than the number of second lanes.
US08259755B2 Alignment and deskew for multiple lanes of serial interconnect
Methods and apparatus are provided for data communication between a transmitter and receiver over a plurality of serial links, which cause the transmitter to send serialized groups of bits down each lane, in such a way that the first bit of each group (each lane) is guaranteed to arrive in the correct order at the receiving end. Various embodiments of the present invention include declaring a budget for the maximum skew between lanes. In such embodiments, subsequent to determining the skew budget between lanes, the data to be transmitted is divided into groups of N bits, where N is any convenient number larger than M times S, with M being the number of lanes and S being the budgeted skew, in bit times.
US08259753B2 Systems and methods for short range RF communication
A method transmitting a message over at least one of a plurality of channels of a communications network is provided. The method comprises the steps of detecting a presence of jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of channels. The characteristics of the jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of channels is determined wherein the determined characteristics define at least interstices between the jamming pulses. The message is transmitted over the at least one of the plurality of channels wherein the message is transmitted within the interstices of the jamming pulse determined from the step of determining characteristics of the jamming pulses.
US08259752B2 Medium access control layer architecture for supporting enhanced uplink
A medium access control (MAC) layer architecture and functionality for supporting enhanced uplink (EU). A MAC entity for EU, (i.e., a MAC-e entity), is incorporated into a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a Node-B and a radio network controller (RNC). The WTRU MAC-e handles hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) transmissions and retransmissions, priority handling, MAC-e multiplexing, and transport format combination (TFC) selection. The Node-B MAC-e entity handles H-ARQ transmissions and retransmissions, E-DCH scheduling and MAC-e de-multiplexing. The RNC MAC-e entity provides in-sequence delivery and handles combining of data from different Node-Bs.
US08259751B2 Bandwidth-allocating device and method
In the bandwidth-allocating method of the present invention for PON (: Passive Optical Network), a bandwidth is allocated from an optical line terminal to each optical network unit. The optical line terminal stores a bandwidth contract table for indicating a correspondence relationship between communication flow IDs and service quality parameters, each communication flow ID identifying each communication flow between the optical line terminal and each optical network unit. The bandwidth-allocating method includes a step of transmitting a service-quality request message including the communication flow IDs and the service quality parameters from each optical network unit to the optical line terminal, and a step of the optical line terminal's updating the bandwidth contract table based on the service quality parameters, and performing the bandwidth allocation to a communication flow specified by the corresponding communication flow ID based on the bandwidth contract table.
US08259750B2 Method and device for mapping ethernet code blocks to OTN for transmission
A method and a device for mapping Ethernet code blocks to an optical transport network (OTN) for transmission are provided. In the method, 10G Ethernet code blocks are mapped to an OTN frame corresponding to an optical channel payload unit 2 (OPU2) as a bit stream within a justification range according to an asynchronous bit-stream mapping manner, an identifier for indicating the asynchronous bit-stream mapping manner is set at an overhead (OH) portion of the OTN frame, an offset of a certain code block in the bit stream relative to a certain position of the OTN frame is recorded, and an indicator for indicating the offset position is set. Thus, specific solutions for mapping 10G Ethernet code blocks having an encoding rate lower than a minimum payload bandwidth of the OPU2 to the OTN for transmission is provided without changing the mature OTN architecture.
US08259748B2 Multiple channels and flow control over a 10 Gigabit/second interface
A transmitter transmits a data frame as an uninterrupted stream of codeblocks of predefined size on a first 10 Gigabit/second data path between a MAC and PHY. It inserts a first idle block of predefined size within the data frame if there is insufficient data. A receiver receives a second idle block on a second data path, the second idle block including a request to slow down the transmission on the first data path. The receiver causes the transmitter to insert a third idle block in response to receiving the second idle block. The transmitter may further send a stream identifier including an identifier for a data stream and a bandwidth factor. The transmitter may send one codeblock chosen from data blocks for the data stream and idle blocks, and then send the bandwidth factor number of codeblocks chosen from data blocks for other data streams and idle blocks.
US08259736B2 Selecting a path through a network
In a method for selecting a path through a network of nodes from a source device to a destination device, per hop behaviors (PHB) of the nodes is identified and a path entropy for a plurality of candidate paths through the network between the source device and the destination device are derived based upon the PHBs of the nodes. In addition, one of the plurality of candidate paths is selected to communicate data from the source device to the destination device based on the path entropies of the plurality of candidate paths.
US08259733B2 Systems and methods for rapid optical transport network circuit provisioning
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for rapid circuit provisioning in Optical Transport Networks (OTN) using signaling and routing protocols thereby enabling fast mesh restoration. The present invention utilizes a shim layer between OTN messaging (e.g., GCC or High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC)) and the associated signaling and routing protocol (e.g., OSRP, GMPLS, etc.). If an ODUk Connection CTP or TTP needs to be created, the shim layer runs a fast “OTN Setup” protocol, while buffering out going OTN messages. Incoming messages are still processed and do not require additional buffering. The purpose of the OTN Setup protocol is to allow the OTUk to re-frame on its client ODUk, while buffering out-going messages. When re-framing completes, buffers are released and the OTN messaging resumes without dropping any of the signaling frames.
US08259730B2 MPLS virtual private network using dual network cores
A multi-protocol label switching system using multiple cores. In establishing a virtual private network in a MPLS system, more than one core is available. Paths are established over each core separately and weights are assigned to the two routes. Thus, the route which is preferred by manually configuring in advance will be chosen.
US08259715B2 System and method for traffic load balancing to multiple processors
A method for load balancing selects one of a set of distribution formulas to associate packets of each of multiple communications sessions traversing a link to one of a plurality of output links and assigns the associated packets of at least one of the communications sessions to a different output link.
US08259714B2 Packet transferring node
In the case of a “distributed” integrated network node (architecture), a specific judgment process cannot be executed in any routing and transferring unit. The routing and transferring unit has been required to share such judgment process related information with an enhanced processing unit or with other routing and transferring units. Thus the manufacturing cost has increased when using an enhanced processing unit and the processing speed has been lowered unavoidably when cooperation is required among routing and transferring units. Those have been conventional problems. Furthermore, if any flow is disposed during a transfer from a packet transferring unit provided in a routing and transferring unit to a processing unit, the packet is disposed regardless of the packet priority. This has also been another conventional problem. According to the present invention, however, it is ruled that a packet related to a specific judgment process is always transmitted to a specific routing and transferring unit from a line interface unit. And if a flow is inputted and it is over the transferring capacity between a line interface unit and a routing and transferring unit, the line interface unit analyzes the packet header and determines the type, transport priority, and disposal priority of the packet.
US08259711B2 Method and apparatus for quality assurance in a multimedia communications environment
The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring and evaluating multimedia telephonic and computer-communication interactions. The multimedia quality monitoring system may include an event manager, which may receive a notification associated with a VoIP communication between an agent and a customer and recording servers, which record data associated with the VoIP communication.
US08259710B1 Packet handler for high speed data networks
An improved packet handler for VoIP cable modems and other high-speed digital devices includes a direct communication link via hardware among internal processing components. Incoming and outgoing digital information packets are filtered into MAC packets, voice PDU packets, and non-voice PDU packets, such that priority can be given to relaying voice packets and minimizing potential voice delay within the cable network. Hardware components, including specialized logic circuitry, modify voice packets to an appropriate signal form for subsequent signal processing or signal transmission. Proprietary bus communication protocols can also be provided to facilitate relay of packets between a central processing unit (CPU) and a digital signal processor (DSP) within a VoIP cable modem. Line cards including subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) and subscriber line audio processing circuit (SLAC) components provide analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion functionality.
US08259709B2 Method and arrangement for controlling a multimedia communication session
A method and arrangement for controlling a multimedia communication session between a first terminal and a second terminal, the session being divided into a circuit-switched part and a packet-switched part. A notification on an event occurring in one of said circuit-switched and packet-switched parts is received in a common session server. The session server then reports to the other part of the communication session about said event, such that said other part can be controlled in response to said event.
US08259708B2 Wireless access point network system supported through existing transmission lines
A system for establishing a universal or overlapping wireless broadband network composed of a plurality of Access Points (AP). These APs, or nodes, may be coupled to existing copper transmission lines, and may work alone or in groups to provide wireless network access. Different types of APs may be utilized to perform various communication-functions, and these nodes may obtain power and/or communication resources from the existing copper transmission lines, and communication resources from either the existing copper transmission lines or from fiber optic transmission lines. Further, peripheral devices may be coupled to nodes to provide ancillary functionality to the system.
US08259706B2 Multistage prioritization of packets within a session over internet protocol (SOIP) network
A method includes receiving, at a first endpoint, session data associated with a first Internet Protocol (IP) packet. The IP packet is associated with a session within a Session over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network and the session is associated with a call. An instruction, based on the session data, is sent from the first endpoint to a second endpoint. The instruction is configured to trigger the second endpoint to modify a priority indicator associated with at least one of the first IP packet or a second IP packet associated with the call.
US08259705B2 System and method for proxy signaling manipulation in an IP telephony network
A call services manager and methods for improving the quality and efficiency of voice of Internet Protocol (“VOIP”) calls are provided. In an embodiment a method to improve communication link utilization on a call requiring the use of a central service platform is provided. An additional method is provided to validate caller identification information exchanged between originating and terminating communication devices in an IP voice network. In a further aspect of the invention, a method using a call services manager is provided to dynamically switch from one call route to another based on quality of service considerations. A call services manager is also provided. The call services manager is a software proxy that can reside at any type of network element. The call services manager includes software modules to implement the above methods for improving VOIP quality, and can include other call service and quality improvement modules.
US08259704B2 System and method for load sharing among a plurality of resources
A media gateway includes a non-packet switching matrix operable to switch non-packetized data, a packet switching matrix operable to switch packetized data, a plurality of processing resources coupled to the non-packet and packet switching matrices, each processing resource processing a substantially equal load of multimedia sessions processed by the media gateway without inactive protecting resources.
US08259702B2 Efficient over the air address methods and apparatus
Addressing methods and apparatus which use airlink resources in an efficient manner are described. In order to use airlink resources efficiently, a variety of address types are supported. The number of bits in the address may vary depending on the type. In order to support a variety of different address types, of different lengths, in one embodiment, an address used for communications over an airlink is constructed by including in the address an address type field used to communicate an address type indicator and, optionally, an address field used to communicate an address value. The address field is variable in length and may be null, requiring the communication of no bits in this field, for certain types of addresses. Four types of addresses which may be supported include: i) an Access Terminal assisted address, ii) a Network assisted address, 3) a Pilot PN based address; and 4) a reserved address.
US08259700B2 Method for transmitting a sounding reference signal in a LTE TDD system
A method for transmitting an uplink Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) by a Long Term Evolution (LTE) User Equipment (UE). The UE receives information indicating an SRS transmission, generates an SRS, and transmits the SRS in two OFDM symbol in a half-frame or frame, if the information indicates that a period of SRS transmission is 2 ms.
US08259698B2 Method of transmitting channel information in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting channel information in a wireless communication system includes generating a channel quality indicator (CQI) including a channel variation indicating temporal changes in downlink channel condition, and transmitting the CQI through an uplink physical channel. Since a modulation and coding scheme is determined by considering changes in channel environment, reception performance of a user equipment can be improved and reliable service can be provided.
US08259695B2 Method and apparatus for packet wireless telecommunications
In a wireless telecommunications network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme is applied to data to encode it. The encoded data transmitted in the uplink using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) frame structure including a cyclic prefix (CP). The CDMA encoded data may be time multiplexed with Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) transmissions. The CDMA transmissions may be used for relatively small payloads, such as those associated with voice traffic and control signals, and the SC-FDMA transmissions used for higher date rate transmissions. This enables autonomous transmission, without scheduling, for smaller payloads. A transmitter includes a selector 3 for performing time multiplexing in the uplink, the required mode being indicated by the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) ID. A first branch 1 carries SC-FDMA data and a second branch 2 carries data to be transmitted as a CDMA scheme. A CAZAC code may be used in encoding the CDMA data.
US08259694B2 Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for registration of multi-mode communications devices
A method of registering a multi mode communications device for service can include registering a multi-mode communications device by receiving and transmitting registration information over separate communications networks.
US08259691B2 System and method for identifying an access point
An apparatus and method are disclosed to communicate, from a first device to a wireless device, information by which the wireless device may identify an access point as a potential network device. The information is encoded in a packet stream by the first device, and wirelessly communicated from the access point to the wireless device. The information may be encoded by varying a packet characteristic, such as packet length, that is preserved even if the packets are encoded by the access point. The information may include a beacon, a SSID and/or a key.
US08259690B2 System and method for pausing an ongoing transmission in a communication system
A system and method for pausing communications from a transmitting radio for a certain period of time in order to allow transmission of other messages. When a first radio determines that a message needs to be transmitted either to a second radio or the transmitting radio, the first radio determines whether there are any available forward channels to transmit the call. If no forward channel is available, the first radio determines a period of time required to transmit the message and sends, on a reverse channel, a “request to pause” signal to the transmitting radio identifying that period of time. Upon receiving the “request to pause” signal, the transmitting radio ceases transmission on the forward channel for the specified period of time, during which time the first radio transmits the message.
US08259689B2 Method and apparatus for improving a mobile station cell change operation in the general packet radio system (GPRS)
A mobile station executed method, wherein upon changing from a current cell to a new cell in a wireless packet data network the mobile station enters the new cell; generates a cell change packet data unit (PDU) message for informing the network of the location of the mobile station in the new cell; buffers the cell change PDU message into a PDU transmit queue before any buffered PDUs that were present before the mobile station entered the new cell; and transmits the buffered cell change PDU before any of the buffered PDUs that were present before the mobile station entered the new cell. In accordance with another method for informing the wireless network of the MS cell change, the following steps are executed: (i) in response to the MS making access in a new cell, sending a Channel Request that indicates a Cell Update operation; (ii) establishing an uplink (UL) Temporary Block Flow (TBF) for transferring Logical Link Control (LLC) Packet Data Units (PDUs) from the MS to the network; (iii) in response to the network receiving an unknown Temporary Logical Link Identifier (TLLI) from the MS, sending a message to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and (iv) based on the message, determining with the SGSN the new cell location of the MS.
US08259688B2 Pre-allocated random access identifiers
Systems and methods of pre-allocating identifiers to wireless devices for use in requesting resources over a random access channel are described. A wireless communication system includes a random access channel over which wireless devices can anonymously send requests for resources. The base stations receiving and processing the anonymous requests reduces the probability of random access channel collisions and conserves the resources needed to support the anonymous requests by pre-allocating one or more codes to select wireless devices. The wireless devices having the pre-allocated codes can transmit a particular code over the random access channel as a request for resources that uniquely identifies the requester.
US08259673B2 System and method for providing voice service in a mobile network with multiple wireless technologies
User Equipment (UE) receiving non-voice packet switched service in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestial Radio Access Network (eUTRAN) cell undergoes handover to a circuit switched GSM/Edge Radio Access Network (GERAN)/UTRAN cell in response to a requirement for voice service. The voice service is established in the circuit switched domain of a GERAN/UTRAN cell to ensure service continuity regardless of UE mobility that would otherwise not be possible if the voice service was established in the eUTRAN cell. A Gs-like interface between a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of the CS Core Network and the Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the Evolved Packet Core provides an interface for page requests and location update procedures to be performed.
US08259669B2 On-demand reverse-link pilot transmission
Pilots are transmitted on demand on a reverse link and used for channel estimation and data transmission on a forward link. A base station selects at least one terminal for on-demand pilot transmission on the reverse link. Each selected terminal is a candidate for receiving data transmission on the forward link. The base station assigns each selected terminal with a time-frequency allocation, which may be for a wideband pilot, a narrowband pilot, or some other type of pilot. The base station receives and processes on-demand pilot transmission from each selected terminal and derives a channel estimate for the terminal based on the received pilot transmission. The base station may schedule terminals for data transmission on the forward link based on the channel estimates for all selected terminals. The base station may also process data (e.g., perform beamforming or eigensteering) for transmission to each scheduled terminal based on its channel estimate.
US08259668B2 Communication systems
A transmission method for use in a multi-hop wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and one or more intermediate apparatuses, said source apparatus being operable to transmit information in a communication direction along a series of links forming a communication path extending from the source apparatus to the destination apparatus via the or each intermediate apparatus, and the or each intermediate apparatus being operable to receive information from a previous apparatus along the path and to transmit the received information to a subsequent apparatus along the path, the system having access to a time-frequency format for use in assigning available transmission frequency bandwidth for transmission in the communication direction during a discrete transmission interval, said format defining a plurality of transmission windows within such an interval, each window occupying a different part of that interval and having a frequency bandwidth profile within said available transmission frequency bandwidth over its part of that interval, each said window being assignable for such a transmission interval to one of said apparatuses for use in transmission. The method includes transmitting reservation information for use in a particular such transmission interval from a first one of said apparatuses to a second one of said apparatuses, the second apparatus being the or one of the intermediate apparatuses, and the reservation information specifying at least one transmission window to be reserved of the particular transmission interval. The method also includes, in the second apparatus, reserving the specified window(s) of the particular transmission interval in dependence upon the received reservation information.
US08259666B2 Femto-BTS RF access mechanism
Femto cells that extend mobile network coverage into customer premises operate in a frequency band typically assigned to a macro network. To facilitate system discovery and registrations of mobile stations with femto cells, a carrier designates one the channels within the band as a primary channel for its femto cells. For example, neighbor list messages transmitted by macro network base stations can provide frequency and PN code information directing mobile stations to search the primary channel for a PN code of the femto cells. The mobile station preferred roaming list (PRL) may identify femto cells by SID/NID. The SID is that of the carrier's macro network, whereas the NID may be a NID of the macro network or one specifically assigned to femto cell operations. The PRL uses frequency acquisition information for the femto cells that is the same as or similar to that for one of the macro networks.
US08259661B2 Method for enabling interoperability between data transmission systems conforming to IEEE 802.11 and HIPERLAN standards
Mechanisms, in a transmission channel shared by 802.11 systems and HIPERLAN/2 systems are provided to prevent 802.11 terminals from transmitting during time periods allocated to HIPERLAN, so that a single channel can be shared between the two standards. In a particular embodiment, a “super frame” format is used where HIPERLAN transmissions are offered the highest level of protection possible within 802.11, which is needed within the 802.11 Contention Free Period (CFP).
US08259658B2 Method for setting subbands in multicarrier communication, and radio communication base station apparatus
A wireless communication base station apparatus wherein when a frequency scheduling transmission and a frequency diversity transmission are performed in a multicarrier communication at the same time, the adaptive control of a channel for performing the frequency scheduling transmission can be prevented from being complicated. In this apparatus, a modulating part (12) modulates an encoded Dch data to generate Dch data symbols. A modulating part (22) modulates an encoded Lch data to generate Lch data symbols. An assigning part (103) assigns the Dch and Lch data symbols to subcarriers constituting OFDM symbols and outputs them to a multiplexing part (104). At this moment, the assigning part (103) assigns a set of Dch and Lch data symbols to each subcarrier for a respective subband.
US08259657B2 Method for measuring channel quality and base station in mobile communications system
A channel quality measurement method that accomplishes efficient channel quality measurement for each mobile station is presented. In a frequency band including a plurality of frequency blocks, a base station measures the channel quality of each of a plurality of mobile stations. With respect to each mobile station, when a pilot resource for demodulation is not allocated in at least one of the frequency blocks, the base station allocates a specific pilot resource for channel quality measurement in that frequency block. The channel quality of each mobile station in the plurality of frequency blocks is measured by using one or both of the pilot resource for demodulation and the dedicated pilot resource for channel quality measurement.
US08259654B2 Wireless base station apparatus, frequency deviation detecting method, and mobile communication system
A wireless base station apparatus includes a path detecting unit configured to detect a preamble signal sent from a terminal and obtain a back-diffusion timing; a back-diffusion unit configured to execute back-diffusion processing on a message signal sent from the terminal, by using the back-diffusion timing reported from the path detecting unit; and a calculating unit configured to calculate a frequency deviation of the message signal that has been subjected to the back-diffusion processing, based on a pilot signal of the message signal that has been subjected to the back-diffusion processing. The path detecting unit includes an information detecting unit configured to detect a frequency deviation of the preamble signal when detecting the preamble signal and supply the frequency deviation of the preamble signal to the calculating unit as initial value information. The calculating unit includes an information adding unit that calculates the frequency deviation of the message signal by using the initial value information.
US08259651B2 System and method for multiplexing on an LTE uplink control channel
A wireless communication network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber stations within a coverage area of the network, wherein at least one of the plurality of base stations is capable of: determining a multiplexing scheme for multiplexing a frequency-selective channel quality information/precoding matrix index (FS CQI/PMI) feedback report with a wideband channel quality information/precoding matrix index (WB CQI/PMI) feedback report and a rank information (RI) report on a physical uplink control channel; transmitting the multiplexing scheme to a subscriber station; and receiving, from the subscriber station, an FS CQI/PMI feedback report multiplexed with a WB CQI/PMI feedback report and a RI report on the physical uplink control channel according to the multiplexing scheme.
US08259650B2 Communication device connectable to an access point based on setting information wirelessly provided from another device, a system having such communication device, and a method utilizing such communication device
A communication device is disclosed. The communication device includes a radio communication section and a switching section. The switching section switches a function between a station function and an access point function. In a state that the function of the communication device has been switched to the access point function, the communication device is connected to another communication device contained in a radio communication network through the radio communication section. The communication device receives connection setting information from the other communication device through the communication section. The connection setting information has been set to the communication section. The communication device stores the received connection setting information. After the function of the communication device has been switched from the access point function to the station function, the communication device is connected to the radio communication network containing the other communication device based on the stored connection setting information.
US08259649B2 Route optimization with location privacy support
The invention relates to a method for route optimization of packet switched data transmissions between a first mobile node and a second mobile node in a mobile communication system comprising a plurality of access networks. The method comprises the step of transmitting return routability protocol packets and data packets. The return routability protocol packets and data packets are analysed, and at least part of an address comprised in headers of the return routability protocol packets and data packets is removed.
US08259646B2 Apparatus and method for acquiring frame synchronization and frequency synchronization simultaneously in communication system
An apparatus and method for acquiring reliable frame synchronization performance and frequency synchronization simultaneously in a communication system includes a differential correlator outputting a result value obtained by performing a differential operation based on an input signal having symbol timing synchronization and a value pre-defined with a sender sending the input signal, a frequency error calculator compensating for a frequency error based on the result value of the differential correlator and a frequency compensation control signal, and a frame synchronization determiner outputting the frequency compensation control signal if the result value of the differential correlator is greater than a threshold set having at least one value. By introducing a correlation scheme, i.e. Differential Generalized Post Detection Integration (DGPDI), in which differential information corresponding to a half of a symbol duration length is used within a duration from a frame start symbol to a UW symbol duration in a TDM/TDMA transmission structure in which a low SNR and a high frequency error must be considered, a more reliable frame synchronization estimation value can be acquired in comparison to a conventional frame synchronization scheme in which differential information between single neighbor symbols is used.
US08259640B2 Broadband demodulator for modified downstream waveform
Systems, devices, processors, and methods are described for the transmission and reception of broadband signals between a gateway and subscriber terminals via satellite. In one set of embodiments, a wireless signal is generated and transmitted including a series of frames including a physical layer header and payload. A sub-channel identifier may be included in the physical layer header to identify the sub-channel for the payload, and allow for various novel filtering techniques at the subscriber terminal. The frames may be generated to be of substantially equal duration. Novel subscriber terminal configurations are described to leverage this formatting.
US08259637B2 In-band backhaul for wireless relays in wireless networks
This invention extends the coverage and improves the capacity of wireless communication networks using relay nodes. The relay nodes are wirelessly connected to the base station. The base station uses the same radio access technology for a link between the base station and user equipment and between the base station and the relay node. The relay node uses the same radio access technology for a link between the base station and the relay node and between the relay node and the user equipment. The relay node supports at least a Physical Layer (PHY), a Medium Access Control (MAC) sub-layer and a Radio Link Control (RLC) sub-layer protocol.
US08259629B2 System and method for transmitting and receiving wideband speech signals with a synthesized signal
A system for transmitting and receiving a wideband speech signal includes an A/D converter for receiving an analog speech signal to convert it into a digital speech signal, encoding a difference between a baseband speech signal and a standard baseband between a synthesized standard baseband signal, and an IP network interface for multiplexing the coded standard and additional baseband signals and enhancement residual band signal.
US08259628B2 Method and system for handling connection setup in a network
Certain embodiments of a method and system for handling connection setup in a network may comprise a network interface hardware device (NIHW) that may be operable to receive a services list and/or connection acceptance criteria from a first guest operating system running on a host system, receive a connection request from a second guest operating system running on the host system, and determine whether to allow establishment of the requested connection based on one or both of the services list and the connection acceptance criteria. The determination may be made prior to or during connection set up. The NIHW may maintain a connection state comprising information regarding set up of the requested connection. The services list may comprise one or more of a local network address, a local transport address, a network protocol, and a transport protocol. The communicated acceptance criteria may comprise packet filtering operations and/or security operations.
US08259623B2 Content capability clearing house systems and methods
A content capability clearing house that can act as a trusted and neutral mediator among network providers to manage rich content capabilities among multiple networks is provided. Content capabilities that can be brokered include, but are not limited to, quality of service and content screening. In an embodiment, a content capability clearing house includes a receiver that receives content capability request messages and other messages from network providers. A content capability request message includes a quality of service request and/or a subscriber profile request for use with content screening and subscriber specific advertisements. The present invention includes a series of methods for determining content capabilities for data transmission over a transaction between a content provider and a subscriber in which a content capability clearing house is used to efficiently broker and manage the capability among multiple network providers.
US08259615B2 Method, apparatus and system for displaying topology information of wireless sensor network
A method, apparatus and system for displaying topology information of a wireless sensor network includes a plurality of sensor nodes. The method typically includes: receiving node information collected and extracted from the sensor nodes; comparing the received node information with stored node information; computing, when the received node information is unequal to the stored node information, visualization information on a sensor node whose information is not present in the stored node information; and displaying the sensor nodes on concentric circles using the visualization information.
US08259613B2 Autonomic network connections
A method of selecting a network connection for use with a data processing system includes detecting environmental information indicative of a current environment in which the system is operating, determining whether the current environment is a known environment, and, rapidly selecting a current network connection by identifying a known environment network connection. Detecting environmental information may include detecting time information and detecting whether specified hardware (e.g., docking station, external monitor, printer, external network adapter) is present. The determining may include accessing a network connection data structure containing historical network connection information. The network connection data structure may include a plurality of records, each record identifying an environmental state and a network connection used in conjunction with the respective environmental state. The system may be a laptop system having a dial up modem connection, a wired network interface card (NIC) connection, a wireless connection, and a broadband connection.
US08259608B2 Method and apparatus for evaluating component costs in a communication network
A method and apparatus for calculating a cost index in a communication network. In one embodiment, a plurality of first cost factors associated with a first set of network elements is obtained. Subsequently, a plurality of second cost factors associated with a second set of network elements is obtained. A first cost index is then determined based on the plurality of first cost factors associated with the first set of network elements. Similarly, a second cost index is determined based on the plurality of second cost factors associated with the second set of network elements. Afterwards, the first cost index is compared to the second cost index to determine a point in time when a service provider should minimize new investment in the first set of network elements.
US08259607B2 Method and system for adjusting configuration of border object
The present disclosure relates to communication technologies and discloses a method for adjusting BO configuration and an EMS for use in a mobile communication network. The method includes: exchanging, by an Element Management System, EMS, information about BOs managed by other EMSs with each of the other EMSs; and negotiating with each of the other EMSs to adjust configuration of the BOs managed by each of the other EMSs according to the information about BOs received from the other EMSs. The embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to adjustment and optimization of a BO in a mobile communication network.
US08259606B1 Using differentiated reverse activity bits (RABs) based on mobile-station revision
Methods and systems are provided for improving reverse-link performance by using differentiated reverse activity bits (RABs) based on mobile-station revision. In an embodiment, an access node provides wireless service to first and second mutually exclusive sets of access terminals, the first operating according to IS-856, Release 0, the second according to IS-856, Revision A. The access node maintains first and second RAB thresholds, and periodically (a) measures reverse noise rise (RNR), (b) compares the RNR to the first and second thresholds, (c) transmits a first RAB to the first set of access terminals, and (d) transmits a second RAB to the second set of access terminals. The first RAB is set when the measured RNR exceeds the first threshold, and clear when it does not. The second RAB is set when the measured RNR exceeds the second RAB threshold, and clear when it does not.
US08259604B2 Return link power control
Satellite communication methods and systems are disclosed. Various embodiments employ dummy bursts to monitor the communication channel between a user terminal and a hub. In some embodiments, dynamic link adaptation can also be employed to optimize channel performance. In some embodiments, the link margin can be estimated based on the signal quality of a traffic or dummy burst that is received at the hub and compared with a threshold value. If the link margin is less than a first/low threshold then the hub can instruct the terminal to change any of various communication parameters according to a predetermined algorithm to mitigate channel fading. If the link margin is greater than a second/high threshold then the hub can instruct the terminal to change any of various communication parameters according to a predetermined algorithm to reduce overcompensation for channel fading.
US08259603B2 Cellular system, communication path quality measuring method, base station, and mobile station
A cellular system comprises a mobile station and a base station. The mobile station includes a means for transmitting a pilot signal synchronized with data transmission and a means for transmitting a pilot signal not synchronized with data transmission. The base station includes a means for measuring an interference power based on the received power of the field of the pilot signal synchronized with data transmission, a means for measuring a desired wave power based on the received power of the field of the pilot signal not synchronized with data transmission, and a means for estimating the channel quality of the mobile station based on the interference power and the desired wave power.
US08259600B1 Air interface quality
A throughput of an air interface is recorded during a plurality of intervals to produce a set of recorded throughputs. A slot utilization is also recorded during each of the plurality of intervals to produce a set of recorded slot utilizations. A slot is an allocation of time and frequency. A linear regression on the data points of the set of recorded throughputs and the set of recorded slot utilizations is performed to produce a regression line of throughput versus slot utilization. An indicator of air interface quality is calculated based on the slope of the regression line.
US08259598B2 Random access structure for optimal cell coverage
Apparatus and method for accessing a wireless telecommunications network by transmitting a random access signal. The random access signal includes a cyclic prefix signal and a guard interval. The cyclic prefix signal and the guard interval are adapted to optimize random access channel coverage in a telecommunications cell. The disclosed method for transmitting a random access signal includes transmitting a cyclic prefix signal. The duration of the cyclic prefix signal is approximately the sum of a maximum round trip delay duration of the telecommunications cell and a maximum delay spread duration. The method further includes providing a guard interval. The guard interval duration being approximately the duration of the maximum round trip delay of the telecommunications cell.
US08259597B1 System for managing IP addresses in a network gaming environment
Disclosed are systems and methods for managing Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses in a network gaming environment comprising a plurality of electronic gaming machines, having one or more in-game network devices. In particular an in-game switch is provided, which is configured to receiving an external IP address from a centrals DHCP server and to determine a scope of internal IP addresses associated with the one or more in-game network devices. Once the scope is determined, the in-game switch is configured to lease IP addresses from the address scope block to the associated in-game network devices.
US08259593B2 Apparatus and method for segmenting a communication network
A gateway is used to segment a network, such as a FAULT TOLERANT ETHERNET (FTE) network, into islands. The gateway receives traffic from a first island, forwards part of the traffic to a second island, and blocks another part of the traffic from being forwarded to the second island. The forwarded traffic could include unicast traffic. The blocked traffic could include broadcast or multicast traffic, including diagnostic messages from one or more nodes in the first island.
US08259591B2 Apparatus and method for receiving signal in a communication system
A signal reception method and apparatus for a communication system. One input unit and dc−1 delay nodes each receive one input message. A comparison unit compares magnitudes of the input messages being input to the dc−1 delay nodes, and outputs an input message having a minimum magnitude as an output message. After the comparison unit outputs the output message, a controller cyclic-shifts the input messages being input to the one input unit and the dc−1 delay nodes according to a control signal.
US08259583B2 Adaptive CQI-based HSDPA flow control method
The adaptive CQI-based HSDPA flow control method selectively eliminates flow control to greatly improve scheduler performance and increase the overall system throughput at low traffic load in a 3G High Speed Downlink Packet Access system. The method utilizes channel quality information (CQI) to predict potential handover conditions and adjusts the degree of flow control applied to classes of users to tune buffer levels accordingly. By regulating buffer levels, the adaptive HSDPA flow control method improves scheduler performance and significantly reduces handover data loss, thereby enhancing the effective Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) throughput.
US08259580B2 Method and apparatus for setting a happy bit on an E-DCH dedicated physical control channel
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) determines (1) whether the WTRU is transmitting as much scheduled data as allowed by a current Serving_Grant, (2) whether the WTRU has enough power to transmit at higher data rate, and (3) based on a same power offset as a currently selected E-DCH transport format combination (E-TFC), whether total E-DCH buffer status (TEBS) would require more than predetermined period to be transmitted with the current Serving_Grant×a ratio of active processes to a total number of processes. If criteria (1)-(3) are met, the WTRU sets the happy bit to “unhappy.” If MAC-i/is is configured, the WTRU evaluates criteria (2) by identifying an E-TFC that has a transport block size at least x bits larger than a transport block size of the currently selected E-TFC, and determining whether the identified E-TFC is supported based on a same power offset as the currently selected E-TFC.
US08259576B2 Method and apparatus for performing interrupt coalescing
In one embodiment, the invention includes a controller that interrupts a CPU based on a counter that uses a decrement step which may increase as high priority data packets are received by the controller.
US08259574B2 System and method for identifying multiple paths between network nodes
Aspects of the invention pertain to transmitting packet data across a computer network. The packets may be sent via one or more distinct routes from a source to a destination. Each route may employ multiple routers disposed along the network. Non-colliding routes are determined by transmitting pairs of probe packets along the routes. A first probe packet has a maximal length, and a second probe packet has a minimal length. Depending on the order of arrival of the probe packets, the system determines whether two transport layer ports at the destination device collide. If there is a collision, then the system searches for a set of non-colliding ports. Once the non-colliding ports are determined, application data may be sent as packets along the different routes to those ports.
US08259572B2 Communication method and transmitting apparatus utilizing the same
An IF unit to an RF unit generate a packet signal containing a control signal and a data signal and transmits the thus generated packet signal. A radio control unit performs a first retransmission control or a second retransmission control on the packet signal transmitted. The radio control unit causes the IF unit to the RF unit to have first control information for the first retransmission control contained in the control signal and have second control information for the second retransmission control contained in the data signal.
US08259570B2 Systems and methods for controlling packet transmission from a transmitter to a receiver via a channel that employs packet queuing when overloaded
The invention provides a method of controlling transmission of packets from a transmitter to a receiver via a channel, and a corresponding transmitter and receiver. The method comprises: transmitting packets from a queue, each packet having a packet size based on data in the packet; determining a transmission time for each packet, based on a transmission clock; determining a reception time of each packet, based on a reception clock; supplying to an estimation function successive sets of observations including in each set transmission time, reception time and packet size, the estimate function being arranged to provide an estimate of bandwidth for the channel using the relationship between the bandwidth, the amount of data in the queue, packet size and the delay between transmitting successive packets from the queue; and using the estimated bandwidth to control transmission of packets.
US08259568B2 System and method for controlling mobile device access to a network
The invention provides a method for managing access to a network resource on a network from a mobile device, the method including the steps of intercepting a data stream from the mobile device attempting to access the network resource, extracting information from the intercepted data stream relating to at least one of the mobile device or a user of the mobile device, accessing at least one of enterprise service based information and third party information regarding at least one of the mobile device or the user of the mobile device, determining whether the mobile device is authorized to access the network resource, preparing an access decision that specifies whether the mobile device is authorized to access the network resource, and storing the access decision in a database on the network. The method may also include the step of enforcing the access decision by granting access to the mobile device to the network resource if the mobile device is determined to be authorized and denying access to the mobile device to the network resource if the mobile device is determined not to be authorized.
US08259560B2 Communication system allocating pilot sub-carriers and related methods
A communication system may include a wireless communications device having a wireless transceiver and a controller cooperating therewith, and a wireless base station having a wireless transceiver and a controller cooperating therewith for communicating with the wireless communications device using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based upon pilot sub-carriers. The controller of the wireless base station may randomly allocate the pilot sub-carriers over time.
US08259556B2 Information recording medium, recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus and reproducing method
An information recording medium, comprising N number (N is an integer fulfilling N≧3) of information layers on which information is recordable, and allowing information to be recorded on each of the information layers and allowing information recorded on each of the information layers to be reproduced by being irradiated with laser light. The N number of information layers include an N'th information layer, an (N−1)th information layer, an (N−2)th information layer, . . . a second information layer and a first information layer sequentially located from a laser light incidence side. A reflectance of the N'th information layer is RN, and a reflectance of an M'th information layer (M refers to every integer fulfilling N>M≧1) is RM. The laser light used to irradiate the N'th information layer for reproducing information recorded on the N'th information layer has an upper limit reproduction power PrNmax, and the laser light used to irradiate the M'th information layer for reproducing information recorded on the M'th information layer has an upper limit reproduction power PrMmax. The following expressions (1) and (2) are concurrently fulfilled: RN>RM   (1) PrNmax
US08259555B2 Optical pickup and optical information processing device
A disclosed optical pickup includes an aberration correction unit with a phase shifter surface. On the phase shifter surface, rectangular or staircase-like steps are formed in a concentric manner around an optical axial center, in certain regions where a light beam passes through. The steps have different heights in the optical axial direction. A light beam having a wavelength of 405 nm is directly transmitted through the steps so that a phase difference is applied for correcting spherical aberration that occurs on a first optical recording medium. A light beam that passes through an annular region without any steps is focused on a second optical recording medium. A light beam that passes through an outside region is focused by an object lens on the second optical recording medium, and is not focused on the first optical recording medium.
US08259554B2 Optical head device, optical information device, and diffractive element
An optical head device includes a diffraction grating which diffracts a part of the light beam which is selectively emitted from a semiconductor laser having two luminous points and is divided along a tangential direction of the track of the optical disk, a relationship of arrangement of the second and third regions corresponds to a relationship of the optical axes of the first and second light beams on the diffraction grating, the second region is located at a position crossing an optical axis of the first light beam, a phase difference between phases of the first and third regions is 180°, a phase difference between phases of the third and fourth regions is 180°, and the third region has a width which is not larger than amount of a position deviation of ±first-order diffracted light of the second light beam from zeroth-order diffracted light.
US08259552B2 Optical pickup apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus comprising a first laser unit including a first laser light source and a second laser unit including second and third laser light sources, being respectively disposed on a reflection (transmitting) surface side and a transmitting (reflection) surface side of a first beam splitter, laser lights of the first, second, and third wavelengths being guided onto a common optical path through the first beam splitter and guided to the respective sorts of optical recording mediums, each of the laser lights being divided by a diffraction grating disposed on the common optical path into a main beam and sub-beams, a second beam splitter being disposed on the upstream side of the diffraction grating on a return path of each of the laser lights, the laser lights through the second beam splitter being branched from the common optical path and being received by a photodetector.
US08259550B2 Record carrier as well as an apparatus and method for applying image data as a visually detectable pattern at an optical record carrier
A method of applying image data as a visually detectable pattern with at least one embedded data element at an optical record carrier is disclosed, comprising the step of physically mapping at least one channel symbol onto the record carrier, the channel symbol being selected from a set of mutually different channel symbols, the channel symbols each comprising an area of size s1 with a relatively low value v1 for an optical property and an area with size s2 with a relatively high value v2 for said optical property, the channel symbols being distributed over a plurality of subsets each having a plurality of channel symbols wherein the plurality of channel symbols within a subset have a distance that is substantially less than the distance between channel symbols of mutually different subsets, wherein the distance between two channel symbols is defined as the absolute difference between the ratios s1/(s1+s2). wherein the step of selecting comprises the step of determining a subset on the basis of the image data to be mapped in the visually detectable pattern and selecting one symbol from that subset on the basis of the at least one data symbol to be mapped. The invention further includes an apparatus, and a record carrier.
US08259548B2 Optical disc device and disc identification method
To identify the type of a loaded disc, there is provided an optical disc device, comprising: a light source driven by a drive signal with a high frequency signal superimposed; a detector for detecting return light emitted from the light source; and a controller for controlling the amplitude of the high frequency signal to be superimposed on the drive signal, the optical disc device being configured to read data from an optical disc loaded therein by a signal outputted from the detector, wherein: the controller causes the light source to irradiate the loaded optical disc with light in a condition in which a high frequency signal different from a high frequency signal for data reading is superimposed on the drive signal; and the controller identifies a type of the loaded optical disc based on the return light from the loaded optical disc.
US08259546B2 Optical disc device, tracking control start method, and tracking control start program
The present invention can promptly start the tracking control. According to an embodiment of the present invention, after making it possible to discriminate the groove G and land L by the initial drive for the objective lens, the servo control and brake control are executed under an optimum condition when the objective lens is initially driven to the inner circumference direction to be outer eccentricity where a spot Pt is easily pulled in so as to pull in the spot Pt and start tracking control, and, in case the TR control error is raised when pulling in the spot Pt in an eccentricity speed minimum region AR1 for the first time, assuming that the eccentricity speed minimum region AR1 is inner eccentricity, the spot Pt is pulled in at the next eccentricity speed minimum region AR2 in which the eccentricity direction becomes opposite and the tracking control is started.
US08259541B2 Optical recording/reproduction method, optical recording/reproduction device, program, and optical recording medium
In optical recording and/or reproduction using an SIL optical system that performs a tilt servo using light for recording and/or reproduction, the SIL and an optical recording medium have a high probability of colliding with each other before the tilt servo is started. To prevent the collision, an optical recording/reproduction method performs a gap servo that controls a gap between a surface of an optical recording medium and a bottom surface of an SIL using reflected light that is generated from light traveling from the bottom surface of the SIL and reflecting on the optical recording medium, a focus servo that controls a distance between a focal point of the light and the bottom surface of the SIL, and a tilt servo that controls a tilt of the bottom surface of the SIL relative to the surface of the optical recording medium using the reflected light. The method includes acts which are performed sequentially: starting the gap servo with the gap being set larger than when optical recording and/or reproduction is performed, and shifting the focal point to an optical recording medium side from the bottom surface of the SIL, starting the tilt servo, and setting the gap smaller and arranging the SIL at a predetermined position.
US08259539B1 Integration of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) on an energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head
An energy-assisted magnetic recording apparatus comprises a magnetic recording head having an end surface and an interface surface perpendicular to the end surface. The apparatus further comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) bonded to the interface surface and configured to emit laser light through the interface surface and into the magnetic recording head. The magnetic recording head includes one or more light redirecting structures for redirecting the laser light towards the end surface. A method of making an energy-assisted magnetic recording apparatus comprises the steps of aligning a first wafer including a plurality of VCSELs with a second wafer including a plurality of magnetic recording heads, such that an emitting region of each of the plurality of VCSELs is disposed over a light redirecting structure of a corresponding one of the plurality of magnetic recording heads, and bonding the first wafer to the second wafer.
US08259538B2 Locking mechanism for timepiece drive module
A device for the locking and unitary incrementation of a drive module (1) for a timepiece gear train is provided. The module (1) includes an actuator (2) fitted with an active click (5) cooperating with a toothed wheel (7), and the device includes a first (8) and a second (9) finger cooperating with the toothed wheel (7). The device is characterized in that the first finger (8) entirely locks the rotation of the toothed wheel (7) when it is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7); and in that the second finger (9) is arranged between a first (10) and a second (11) stop member, wherein the space between the stop members (10, 11) limits the angular travel of the toothed wheel (7) when the second finger (9) is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7).
US08259537B2 Time base device for a watch
The time base device for a watch includes at least one electric motor coil (30), an electronic module (1) that has at least one time base oscillator circuit mounted in a case of the module, and an electric power source (8). The electric motor coil (30), the electronic module (1) with an oscillator circuit and the voltage source (8), which is preferably a battery, are connected to each other mechanically and electrically without the use of a printed circuit board to form a compact unit. The electronic module includes four connection terminals (14, 15, 16, 17) on an external surface for connecting the voltage source on one side and the wires (31, 32) of a winding of the coil (30) on the other side.
US08259536B2 Analog electronic timepiece and stepping motor driving method
An analog electronic timepiece including, a plurality of hands, a plurality of stepping motors, a maximum speed of at least one stepping motor being different from that of another stepping motor, and a fast-forward control section to simultaneously drive at least two of the plurality of stepping motors, the fast-forward control section composed of, a speed judging section to judge the slowest speed among maximum speeds of stepping motors, a drive control section to simultaneously drive the stepping motors at the speed judged by the speed judging section, an end judging section to judge whether a further hand to be moved remains when drive of the stepping motors at the speed judged by the speed judging section ends, and a control section to make the speed judging section, the drive control section, and the end judging section operate again when the hand to be moved remains.
US08259532B2 Hybrid modeling in the tau-p domain
A method for generating a synthetic seismogram. In one implementation, the method may include generating a first seismogram in a tau-p domain for a wavefront that moves through an overburden to an upper boundary of a reservoir. The first seismogram is based on a common shot point gather. The method may further include generating a second seismogram in the tau-p domain for the wavefront moving from the upper boundary to a lower boundary of the reservoir and reflected back up to the upper boundary; generating a third seismogram in the tau-p domain for the wavefront moving from the upper boundary of the reservoir through the overburden; and adding the first seismogram in the tau-p domain, the second seismogram in the tau-p domain, and the third seismogram in the tau-p domain.
US08259529B2 Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of wordlines and a driver configured to, when an wordline of the plurality of wordlines is activated by an active command, drive at least one non-activated wordline neighboring the activated wordline and remaining non-activated wordlines with different wordline driving voltage levels during a period of time that the activated wordline is driven to a high voltage level.
US08259523B2 Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first memory, a second memory and a control circuit. The first memory includes a first bank number. The second memory includes a second bank number larger than the first bank number. The control circuit controls a precharge operation with respect to bit lines provided in the first and second memories. When performing, with respect to the first memory, a synchronous operation that is effected in synchronization with a clock, the control circuit changes over a second precharge operation to an operation time different from a first precharge operation during a period from the end of the initial first precharge operation to the start of the subsequent second precharge operation after receiving an address.
US08259521B2 Method and circuit for testing a multi-chip package
A method and circuit for testing a multi-chip package is provided. The multi-chip package includes at least a memory chip, and the memory chip includes a number of memory cells. The method includes performing a normal read operation on the memory cells to check if data read from the memory cells is the same with preset data in the memory cells; and performing a special read operation on the memory cells to check if data read from the memory cells is the same with an expected value, wherein the expected value is independent from data stored in the memory cells.
US08259520B2 Columnar replacement of defective memory cells
Circuits and methods to compensate for defective memory in BEOL third dimensional memory technology are described. An integrated circuit is configured to perform columnar replacement of defective BEOL multi-layered memory. For example, the integrated circuit can include a primary BEOL memory array having a plurality of BEOL memory cells being configured to change resistivity, a secondary BEOL memory array having another plurality of BEOL memory cells being configured to change resistivity, and a FEOL restoration module associated with the primary BEOL memory array and the secondary BEOL memory array, the FEOL restoration module being configured to locate a BEOL memory cell within the secondary BEOL memory array to replace a defective BEOL memory cell within the primary BEOL memory array. The FEOL portion can be fabricated on a substrate and the BEOL portion can be fabricated above and in contact with the FEOL portion to form the integrated circuit.
US08259517B2 Random access memory for use in an emulation environment
A Random Access Memory (RAM) and method of using the same are disclosed. The RAM includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in columns and in rows with each memory cell coupled to at least one word line and at least one bit line. The RAM includes a plurality of switches with at least one of the switches coupled between two of the memory cells to allow data to be copied from one of the two memory cells to the other of the two memory cells. In another aspect, the two memory cells can be considered a dual bit cell that contains a copying mechanism. There are two interleaved memory planes, assembled from bit cells that contain two bits of information. One bit is the primary bit that corresponds to the normal RAM bit. The second bit is able to receive a copy and hold the primary value. When the copying mechanism is over, the two memory planes may act as two completely independent structures.
US08259510B2 Disturb-free static random access memory cell
A disturb-free static random access memory cell includes: a latch circuit having a first access terminal and a second access terminal; a first switching circuit having a first bit transferring terminal coupled to the first access terminal, a first control terminal coupled to a first write word line, and a second bit transferring terminal; a second switching circuit having a third bit transferring terminal coupled to the second access terminal, a second control terminal coupled to a second write word line, and a fourth bit transferring terminal coupled to the second bit transferring terminal; a third switching circuit having a fifth bit transferring terminal coupled to the fourth bit transferring terminal, a third control terminal coupled to a word line, and a sixth bit transferring terminal coupled to a bit line; and a sensing amplifier coupled to the bit line, for determining a bit value appearing at the bit line.
US08259509B2 Semiconductor memory device and method with auxiliary I/O line assist circuit and functionality
A semiconductor memory device includes an I/O line for transmitting read data that has been read from a memory cell, a plurality of driver circuits for driving the I/O line on the basis of the read data, a read circuit for receiving the read data transmitted through the I/O line, and an assist circuit for amplifying the read data transmitted through the I/O line. The assist circuit is disposed farther away from a prescribed drive circuit included in the plurality of drive circuits as viewed from the read circuit. The signal level can thereby rapidly change levels even in memories having relatively long I/O lines.
US08259502B2 NAND flash memory
A NAND flash memory having a memory cell array formed of a plurality of blocks including memory cell transistors arranged in a matrix form. The NAND flash memory has a first bit line; a first sense amplifier connected to the first bit line, the first sense amplifier sensing or controlling a potential on the first bit line; a second bit line; and a second sense amplifier connected to the second bit line to sense or control a potential on the second bit line. The NAND flash memory has a first drain side selection gate line; a second drain side selection gate line; a third drain side selection gate line; a fourth drain side selection gate line; a first source side selection gate line; and a second source side selection gate line. The NAND flash memory has a first block; a second block; and a decoder which turns on one of the first and third drain side selection MOS transistors and turns off the other, and which turns on one of the third and fourth drain side selection MOS transistors and turns off the other.
US08259492B2 Method of reading dual-bit memory cell
A method of reading a dual-bit memory cell includes a controlling terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The dual-bit memory cell has a first bit storage node and a second bit storage node near the first terminal and the second terminal respectively. First, a controlling voltage and a read voltage are applied to the controlling terminal and the first terminal respectively. The second terminal is grounded to measure a first output current value of the first terminal. Then, the controlling voltage and the read voltage are applied to the controlling terminal and the second terminal respectively. The first terminal is grounded to measure a second output current value of the second terminal. Afterward, the bit state of the first bit storage node and the bit state of the second bit storage node is read simultaneously according to the first output current value and the second output current value.
US08259490B2 Multi-level phase-change memory device and method of operating same
A multi-level cell (MLC) phase-change memory device divides data into data groups each comprising multiple bits of data, and stores each of the data groups in a selected phase-change memory cell. A data group is stored in a selected phase-change memory cell by applying a pulse current to the selected phase-change memory cell with a pulse current characteristic corresponding to a data value of the data group. The pulse current characteristic can comprise, for instance, a magnitude, downward slope, or duration of the pulse current. Data is read from a selected phase-change memory cell by sensing a voltage of a bitline connected to the selected phase-change memory cell and comparing the sensed voltage simultaneously with a plurality of reference voltages.
US08259489B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device generating different write pulses to vary resistances
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array of electrically erasable programmable nonvolatile memory cells arranged in matrix, each memory cell using a variable resistor. A pulse generator is operative to generate plural types of write pulses for varying the resistance of the variable resistor in three or more stages based on ternary or higher write data. A selection circuit is operative to select a write target memory cell from the memory cell array based on a write address and supply the write pulse generated from the pulse generator to the selected memory cell.
US08259486B2 Self-timed write boost for SRAM cell with self mode control
A write boost circuit provides an automatic mode control for boost with different modalities with respect to the external supply voltage and also with respect to the extent of boost required at different process corners. The write boost circuit also takes care of the minimum boost provided to process corners with good writability where less boost is required. The boost is realized in terms of ground raising in the particular context and in general applicable to all other methods.
US08259481B1 Voltage adapter system
A voltage adapter system includes a voltage modifier to invert and regulate voltage. A primary female plug is mounted on the voltage modifier and is electrically coupled to the control actuator. The primary female plug is an electrical inlet. An electrical outlet is mounted on the voltage modifier and is electrically coupled to the control actuator. A pair of clamps is provided and each of the clamps is positionable on and electrically coupled to a pair of leads of a vehicle battery. A male plug is electrically coupled to the clamps. The male plug attached to the clamps is removably extended into and electrically coupled to the primary female plug to supply electricity to the voltage modifier from the vehicle battery. A plug from an electrically powered apparatus is extendable into the electrical outlet to receive electrical power from the voltage modifier.
US08259480B2 Arrangement for exchanging power
An arrangement for exchanging power with a three-phase electric power network comprises a Voltage Source Converter having three phase legs with each a series connection of switching cells. The three phase legs are interconnected by forming a delta-connection. The arrangement also includes a control unit configured to calculate a value for amplitude and phase position for a zero-sequence current for which, when circulated in the delta-connection circuit of the three phase legs, the balance of the total direct voltage of each of the three phase legs with respect to the other two phase legs is restored will there be an unbalance and control the semiconductor devices of switching cells of the phase legs to add such a zero-sequence current to the currents of each phase leg of the converter.
US08259479B2 Methods and systems for operating a two-stage power converter
A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The system includes a boost converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The system also includes an inverter coupled to the boost converter by at least one conductor and configured to regulate a voltage drop across the at least one conductor. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the boost converter and the inverter.
US08259478B2 Power inverter
A power inverter is provided for converting DC power into AC power. The inverter may be operable to couple to two or more transformer modules each operable to convert at least a portion of the DC power to at least a portion of the AC power. In one embodiment, two or more transformer modules are removably coupled to the inverter. In an alternative embodiment, the inverter is capable of electrically coupling to an externally-housed transformer module. In an alternative embodiment, the inverter may include two or more transformer modules hard-wired into the device. The inverter may include an AC safety plug for releasably connecting to an AC power network and outputting AC power. The inverter may include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more properties of the AC power network for the purposes of determining whether a connection to the power network should be established.
US08259476B2 Self-adjusting switched-capacitor converter with multiple target voltages and target voltage ratios
A method for constructing a direct-current to direct current (DC-DC) converter from an input voltage to an output voltage. The DC-DC converter has multiple capacitors and multiple switches connectible the capacitors. A target voltage ratio is obtained based on the input voltage and the output voltage. The target voltage is expressed as a radix number. The radix number is spawned into a code of the target voltage ratio. The code is translated into a switched-capacitor converter (SCC) configuration including the switches and the capacitors. The code may be an extended binary representation code or a Generic Fractional Numbers code. The switched-capacitor converter (SCC) configuration is preferably modified to obtain charge balance.
US08259472B2 Switching power converter having optimal dynamic load response with ultra-low no load power consumption
A switch controller is disclosed that adaptively controls the operating frequency of a switching power converter in order to improve one-time load response and repetitive dynamic load responses. During a transition from a high load to low load condition, the switch controller clamps the operating frequency of the switching power converter at an intermediate frequency for a period of time before allowing the operating frequency to return to a frequency associated with the low load condition. The clamped frequency is higher than the frequency associated with the low load condition thereby allowing improved response to a subsequent load change to a high load condition. Thus, the system improves dynamic load response without compromising no-load power consumption.
US08259470B2 Control circuit, control method, and power supply device
A control circuit, a control method, and a power supply device are provided. The control circuit includes an obtaining sub-circuit, adapted to obtain a voltage signal from a reverse surge current when the reverse surge current appears on a primary side of a switch power circuit of a synchronous rectification circuit; a maintaining sub-circuit, adapted to continuously output a first control signal in a preset first time period when the voltage signal is greater than a preset first voltage threshold; and a control sub-circuit, adapted to control and switch off switch tubes of the secondary side of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit according to the first control signal. Thus, a reverse current surge of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively suppressed, and the safety of a switch power supply of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively protected.
US08259465B2 Chip card holder and electronic device using the same
A chip card holder is secured to a circuit board. The chip card holder comprises a hollow frame including an opening, a first board, a second board opposite to the first board, two opposite sidewalls and an end board opposite to the opening. The frame has two securing blocks protruding from the first board toward the second board and two latching blocks protruding from the end board; the securing blocks and the latching blocks are for latching the chip card holder to the circuit board.
US08259463B2 Semiconductor device and display device
If misalignment in a line width direction of an electrode (pad) of a connection terminal is caused in attachment of a substrate and an FPC, a connection area of the FPC terminal and the connection terminal becomes smaller and contact resistance is increased. In particular, an increase in contact resistance of the connection terminal to which a power supply potential serving as a power source is inputted is a cause of defective display. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to decrease the resistance of a power supply line, to suppress a voltage drop in the power supply line, and to prevent defective display. A connection terminal portion includes a plurality of connection terminals. The plurality of connection terminals is provided with a plurality of connection pads which is part of the connection terminal. The plurality of connection pads includes a first connection pad and a second connection pad having a line width different from that of the first connection pad. Pitches between the plurality of connection pads are equal to each other.
US08259462B2 Electrical connector assembly with low profile
An electrical connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (2), a micro chip (1) arranged on the insulative housing, a PCB (3) located below the insulative housing, a number of contacts (5) received in the insulative housing and a locking element (4) interconnecting the insulative housing onto the PCB. The contacts extend beyond an upper surface of the insulative housing and solder with the micro chip. The contacts extend below a lower surface of the insulative housing and contact with the PCB.
US08259458B2 Battery cover assembly for portable electronic device
A battery cover assembly for a portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery cover, and a pivot member. The housing forms a first latch portion and a second latch portion, the first latch portion and the second latch portion being arranged at a circle. The battery cover forms a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion engaging with the first latch portion and a second latch portion to allow the battery cover to releasably latch to the housing. The pivot member rotatably connects the battery cover to the housing.
US08259453B2 Card device
Disclosed herein is a card device including a semiconductor package section having memory functions and a substrate section joined to the semiconductor package section by superposition and mounted by a variety of electronic components. The semiconductor package section includes a card-side connector section having card-side terminals for inputting and outputting information signals, and package-side terminals at a location at which the semiconductor package section is joined to the substrate section by superposition. The substrate section includes substrate-side terminals at a location at which the substrate section is connected to the semiconductor package section by superposition. The substrate section is electrically joined to the semiconductor package section by making use of the package-side terminals and the substrate-side terminals. The superposition junction between the semiconductor package section and the substrate section is provided with such an offset that the card-side connector protrudes out off the card device.
US08259452B2 Electronic device
An electronic device according to the present invention comprises a pair of housings coupled to each other openably and closably by a hinge mechanism, and each of the housings comprises a front cabinet and a back cabinet joined to each other. The back cabinet of at least one of the housings is formed from a material having a greater expansion coefficient than that of a material forming the front cabinet, and the back cabinet of at least one of the housings has a cutting part extending in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof and longitudinally cutting at least a part of the back cabinet.
US08259444B2 Highly portable media device
An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the portable media device can also function as a solid-state drive for data storage. The form factor of the portable media device can be hand-held or smaller, such that it is highly portable. The portable media device can use one or more status indicators. The portable media device can also include a peripheral bus connector, a rechargeable battery, and one or more input devices. According to another aspect, the portable media device has the capability to store media device status information in persistent memory before powering down. Thereafter, when the portable media device is again powered up, the stored media player status information can be retrieved and utilized. According to still another aspect, the portable media device can form and/or traverse a media asset playlist in an efficient manner.
US08259440B2 Display module having a mountable and removable display panel, electronic device having the display module, and assembly of a computing device and a display casing
An electronic device includes a display module and a computing device. The display module includes a display casing, a connecting unit disposed on the display casing, and a display panel. The connecting unit includes a first electrical connecting member. The display panel includes a panel unit and a second electrical connecting member disposed on the panel unit. The first and second electrical connecting members are configured such that one is a slot with terminals and the other is a circuit board provided with copper foil circuits. The panel unit is connectible electrically to the computing device by coupling insertably the second electrical connecting member to the first electrical connecting member, thereby permitting the display panel to be easily assembled to or disassembled from the display casing.
US08259437B2 Adjustable display screen for a portable computing device
Technologies are generally described for an adjustable display screen such as for a notebook computer or other portable device. In some examples, at least one display screen rail may be rotatably coupled to a back edge of a notebook computer base unit at a hinge rod. The display screen of the notebook computer may slide along and/or pivot on the at least one display screen rail in a direction to bring the display screen toward a user of the notebook computer while leaving room for the user to access a keyboard located on a top surface of the base unit. Mechanisms may be coupled to the notebook computer to transmit motion of the display screen along a first display screen rail to motion of the display screen along a second display screen rail, thereby mitigating binding of the display screen as it slides along the display screen rails.
US08259433B2 Ceramic electronic component
In a ceramic electronic component having a thin structure, the occurrence of cracks due to stress applied when the ceramic component is being mounted or in a mounted state are prevented. Each of first and second external terminal electrodes has a substantially rectangular region on a principal surface of a ceramic element body, the principal surface being directed to the mounting surface side. An end of the first external terminal electrode, which is arranged in contact with a gap region, and an end of the second external terminal electrode, which is positioned in contact with the gap region, each preferably have a concave-convex shape on the principal surface.
US08259429B2 Amplification relay device of electromagnetic wave and a radio electric power conversion apparatus using the device
The present invention provides an amplifying repeater, which is constructed in such a manner that a ferrite core is inserted into a coil with a predetermined number of winds to increase an induced electromotive force caused by an increase in flux linkage using a time-varying magnetic field of electromagnetic waves at a position distant from various electromagnetic wave generating sources by a predetermined distance and the induction coil and a variable condenser for inducing resonance are connected to each other to increase current while reducing a resistant component existing in the induction coil to intensify and amplify the magnetic field of electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, the present invention provides a wireless power conversion charging device using the magnetic field of electromagnetic waves, which is located between an electromagnetic wave generating source transmitter and a receiving coil or attached to the transmitter and receiving coil. The wireless power conversion charging device includes a rectifying diode for rectifying an electromotive force induced in a construction in which a resonance and impedance matching variable condenser is connected to a coil in series or in parallel in order to transmit maximum induced power to a charging battery that is a load using electromagnetic waves amplified by the amplifying repeater, and a smoothing condenser for smoothing the rectified voltage. Accordingly, charging power required for various small power electronic devices can be provided and power can be supplied to various loads.
US08259420B2 TMR device with novel free layer structure
A composite free layer having a FL1/insertion/FL2 configuration where a top surface of FL1 is treated with a weak plasma etch is disclosed for achieving enhanced dR/R while maintaining low RA, and low λ in TMR or GMR sensors. The weak plasma etch removes less than about 0.2 Angstroms of FL1 and is believed to modify surface structure and possibly increase surface energy. FL1 may be CoFe, CoFe/CoFeB, or alloys thereof with Ni, Ta, Mn, Ti, W, Zr, Hf, Tb, or Nb having a (+) λ value. FL2 may be CoFe, NiFe, or alloys thereof having a (−) λ value. The thin insertion layer includes at least one magnetic element such as Co, Fe, and Ni, and at least one non-magnetic element selected from Ta, Ti, W, Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo, V, Cr, or B. When CoFeBTa is selected as insertion layer, the CoFeB:Ta ratio is from 1:1 to 4:1.
US08259418B2 Head suspension assembly and disk device with the same
According to one embodiment, a head suspension assembly includes an arm includes upper and lower surfaces, a suspension extending from the arm, a head supported by the suspension, and restriction plates bonded on the upper and lower surfaces of the arm. The restriction plates includes extending portions projecting from the arm to a downstream side of an airflow, respectively, and the extending portions are bent in a direction in which the extending portions approach each other.
US08259409B2 Spin torque oscillator sensor
A spin torque oscillation magnetoresistive sensor for measuring a magnetic field. The sensor uses a change in precessional oscillation frequency of a magnetization of a magnetic layer to determine the magnitude of a magnetic field. The sensor can include a magnetic free layer, a magnetic pinned layer and a non-magnetic layer sandwiched therebetween. Circuitry is connected with these layers to induce an electrical current through the layers. Spin polarization of electrons traveling through the device causes a spin torque induced precession of the magnetization of one or more of the layers. The frequency of this oscillation modulates in response to a magnetic field. The modulation of the oscillation frequency can be measured to detect the presence of the magnetic field, and determine its magnitude.
US08259406B2 Head/disk contact determination
A disk drive including a sensor element that senses contact between a head slider and a disk, a head integrated circuit (IC) comprising an amplification circuit section that amplifies a signal of the head slider, a controller IC comprising a controller that accesses a register of the head IC for controlling the head IC, and an identification section, within the head IC, that determines a contact frequency of the contact by the sensor element by using a timing control signal of the controller IC.
US08259403B2 Objective and assembling method for the same
An objective comprises: a first group including a plurality of lens groups arranged at a predetermined interval; a second group composed of a single lens-group; a pressing ring which is screwed in, the pressing ring being for fixing the first group; and an outer frame accommodating the first group, the second group, and the pressing ring, wherein the outer frame includes a first hole at a position facing the second group.
US08259402B2 Lens assembly and camera module having same
A lenses assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, and adhesive material. The first lens includes two axially extending protrusions. The second lens includes two radially extending protrusions. The second lens engages with the first lens by engagement between the axially extending protrusions and radially extending protrusions. The axially extending protrusions and radially extending protrusions are alternately arranged around a circumferential direction of the first lens. The adhesive material is filled into gaps between the engaged protrusions to fixedly interconnect the first lens and the second lens.
US08259398B2 High numerical aperture catadioptric objectives without obscuration and applications thereof
Disclosed are high numerical (NA) catadioptric objectives without a central obscuration, and applications thereof. Such objectives can operate through a wide spectral bandwidth of radiation, including deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation. Importantly, refractive elements in the catadioptric objectives can be manufactured from a single type of material (such as, for example, CaF2 and/or fused silica). In addition, the elements of such catadioptric objectives are rotationally symmetric about an optical axis. The catadioptric objectives eliminate the central obscuration by (1) using a polarized beamsplitter (which passes radiation of a first polarization and reflects radiation of a second polarization), and/or (2) using one or more folding mirrors to direct off-axis radiation into the pupil of the catadioptric objective. An example catadioptric objective is shown in FIG. 2.
US08259395B2 Erect life-size lens array
An erect life-size lens array having a deep focal depth is realized. The erect life-size lens array includes a first lens array, a second lens array and an aperture, and when a thickness of the second lens is ξ1, a refractive index of the second lens is n, a distance between an exit surface of the second lens and a design image surface is ξ2, a radius of a circular hole of the aperture is ra, and a defocus amount is ξ3, the erect life-size lens array is for causing an MTF at a spatial frequency (line-pair/mm) ν to become MTFtarget or more, and satisfies (J1(2π·ra·((n/ξ1)+(1/ξ2))·ν·ξ3))/(π·ra·((n/ξ1)+(1/ξ2))·νξ3)≧MTFtarget, where J1 is a first type first-order Bessel function.
US08259392B2 Method of producing a diffractive optical element and diffractive optical element produced by such a method
A microlithography projection exposure system has an illumination system with an illumination optical system. The latter can have at least one diffractive optical element, which is divided into multiple adjacently arranged individual elements, each of which has one specified bundle-forming and polarizing effect.
US08259390B2 Optical amplifier apparatus
An optical amplifier apparatus includes an optical amplifier including an amplification medium doped with an active substance, the amplification medium excited in order to amplify light; a semiconductor optical amplifier arranged after the optical amplifier; a driver for supplying a driving current with respect to the semiconductor optical amplifier in order that the semiconductor optical amplifier has an amplification characteristic with respect to an input light, the amplification characteristic including a gain non-saturated region and a gain saturated region; and an input-light level adjuster for adjusting an out put light of the optical amplifier to the input light level of the semiconductor optical amplifier, the input light level being set up between the gain non-saturated region and the gain saturated region.
US08259387B2 Optical amplifier
An optical amplifier for determining the attenuation of a length of optical fiber (7) to which it is adapted to be connected comprising means (5) to receive an input signal from the optical fiber (7), means (6) to output an amplified signal to the optical fiber (7), a gain medium (2) and a pump means (3) arranged to generate the amplified signal from the input signal, the amplifier (1) further comprising means (13) to measure the optical power of the signal leaving the gain medium and means (14) to measure the optical power of the signal backscattered from the optical fiber (7), wherein the pump means (3) is controlled by a control means (4), the control means (4) being adapted to modulate the pump means (3) with a determination signal, the control means (4) being adapted to change the frequency of the determination signal over a plurality of determination frequencies while keeping the amplitude of the determination signal constant, the control means (4) further being adapted to calculate the attenuation of the length of the optical fiber (7) from the length of the optical fiber (7), the effective refractive index of the fiber (7), and the power of the signal from the gain medium and the power of the backscattered signal measured at each of the plurality of determination frequencies.
US08259382B2 Image projection using curved reflective surfaces
A method of projecting images uses an array of pixels having curved reflective surfaces.
US08259380B2 Electrodes of electrochemical/electrically-driven devices
An electrochemical/electrocontrollable device having variable optical and/or energetic properties, including at least one carrier substrate including an electroactive layer or an electroactive layer stack arranged between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. At least one of the lower or upper electrodes includes at least four layers including at least one metal functional layer having intrinsic electrical conductivity properties, the functional layer being associated with an electrochemical barrier layer of an electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range, the electrochemical barrier layer being associated with a humidity protection layer of an electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range, and the functional layer being associated with a first sublayer of electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range.
US08259378B2 Scanning apparatus for scanning electromagnetic radiation
A scanning apparatus operable in the microwave, mm-wave, sub mm-wave (Terahertz) and infrared ranges comprises a primary drum (10) mounted for rotation about a central axis A of the primary drum being hollow and of rectangular polygonal form to provide a number of sides or facets (12, 14) each adapted to transmit such radiation, from a field of view, which is plane polarized in a first direction at 45° with respect to the rotary axis of the drum and to reflect radiation which is plane polarized in an orthogonal direction. Thus, radiation passing into the drum though whichever said side of the drum is currently facing the field of view and passing towards the diametrically opposite side will be plane polarized with a polarization direction such as to be reflected back by that diametrically opposite side towards the rotary axis of the drum. Each polygon side of the drum is configured so as to act, when reflecting radiation striking that side from within the drum, as a concave mirror, to focus the radiation towards a receiver assembly which includes a radiation detector for such radiation. In another embodiment scanning apparatus operable in the microwave, sub mm-wave, mm-wave and infrared ranges may comprise a reflective disc or mirror (50′, 52′) mounted for rotation relative in a support (74, 76) is itself mounted for rotation with respect to a second support (86) about a second axis inclined with respect to the first axis.
US08259376B2 Delayed optical logic gates
A system, method, and apparatus for delayed optical logic gates based on slow light and enhanced nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes, where a single or multiple delayed optical routers are utilized for dark resonance interactions in which two-color lasers interact with a three-level nonlinear optical medium comprised of two ground states and one excited state through the nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes. The delayed optical logic mechanism is based on combination of single or multiple dark resonance-induced two-photon coherence conversion via slow light phenomenon. The two-photon coherence induced on the ground states is optically detected via nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes. The nondegenerate four-wave mixing generation is enhanced owing to dark resonance or electromagnetically induced transparency. The gating time and bandwidth of the present delayed optical logic gates is invariant to the delayed time of the delayed optical router because IN and OUT bandwidth across the nonlinear medium must be same.
US08259374B2 Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: a first determination unit that determines whether each of an image regions is for a vector image; a color number counting unit that counts the number of colors in the pixels of high-resolution image data; a frequency counting unit that counts a number of times where the difference between the colors of each of the pixels in the high-resolution image data and the colors of at least one pixel located around each of those pixels is greater than or equal to a threshold; a second determination unit that determines that the image region is not an image region for a vector image; and a generation unit that generates image data in which a process for rendering images in the image regions determined by the first determination unit to be image regions for vector images is defined by numerical values or numerical formulas.
US08259372B2 Method, system, program and medium for displaying read image
Image information of an original(s) is displayed, for example, after rotated to assume an easily viewable orientation for a user. The placement state of an original(s) on an original support of an image reading apparatus is detected and the image information may be displayed after rotated by 90 degrees based on the detection result. In addition, display orientation may be set, so that a thumbnail(s) is displayed in the set orientation.
US08259370B2 Image reading device having line sensor performing pre-scan based on condition set for main-scan
An image reading device includes a reading unit for reading a document. The reading unit includes red color green color and blue color light sources and a plurality of light receiving elements aligned in a main scanning direction. In a pre-scan performed precedent to a main-scan, the reading unit reads a part of the document with a lower reading resolution than the reading resolution in the main-scan in order to gather information about the document placed on a document reading table. An optimum light amount to be emanated from the light source at the time of main-scan is set while changing the light amount from the light source and checking the outputs from the light receiving elements. An optimum light amount to be emanated from the light source at the time of pre-scan is calculated based on the optimum light amount set for the main-scan.
US08259367B2 In tray media sensing
A method and apparatus align an adjuster with an edge of media supported by a tray. The adjuster is operably coupled to a gauge that moves in response to movement of the adjuster. A sensor senses the gauge to detect a dimension of the media while the media is supported by the tray.
US08259366B2 Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a drive source, a speed change mechanism provided in a transmission unit that transmits a driving force from the drive source to a scanning drive unit. The speed change mechanism is configured to change a transmission ratio of the transmission unit by selectively bringing one of first and second couplings into a connected state. The image reading apparatus further includes a selector configured to selectively bring one of the first and second couplings into the connected state, a detector configured to detect the connected state of the second coupling, and a controller configured to control a scanning position of the reading unit based on the transmission ratio changed via the second coupling after the detector detects the connected state of the second coupling after the selector changes selection from the first coupling to the second coupling.
US08259363B2 Image processing apparatus and printing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an image, the image comprising an image printed on a printing sheet, and a first demarcation line added by a writing tool and demarcating a region of the image, a demarcation line extracting unit that extracts the first demarcation line from the image read by the image reading unit, and an image extracting unit that extracts the region of the image demarcated by the first demarcation line from the image as an extracted image.
US08259362B2 Image forming system, image forming apparatus and copying apparatus
An image forming system includes a first data compressing device, a data decompressing device, and an image forming device. The first data compressing device stores image data of a top line to be formed on a recording medium first and image data of a designated line other than the top line in a memory area with a data format capable of forming the original image data by itself, while generating difference data which indicates a difference between image data of a non-designated line other than the top and the designated lines and the image data of a line adjacent to the non-designated line, and stores the difference data in the memory area. The data decompressing device sequentially decompresses the image data of each line, based on the image data and the difference data. The image forming device forms an image on the recording medium, based on the decompressed image data.
US08259352B2 Image generating device, image generating method and printing device
An image generating device comprises an extraction unit that extracts parameters (specifying an elliptical shape and a gradation pattern) from an instruction for drawing an elliptical radial gradation, a transformation matrix generating unit that generates a transformation matrix for transforming the elliptical shape into a perfect circular shape based on the parameters, an inverse matrix calculating unit that calculates an inverse matrix of the transformation matrix, a perfect circle parameter calculating unit that calculates perfect circle parameters specifying each perfect circle (drawn with a uniform color value inside the perfect circular shape) based on the parameters, an ellipse parameter calculating unit that calculates ellipse parameters specifying each ellipse (drawn with a uniform color value inside the elliptical shape) by inversely transforming the perfect circle parameters using the inverse matrix, and a gradation generating unit that generates the elliptical radial gradation from the ellipse parameters and the gradation pattern parameters.
US08259350B2 Job-specific print defect management
A print defect management device that supports job-specific print defect management automatically assesses print job pages to determine the severity of image quality defects likely to occur on one or more selected printers. Views of identified troubled pages may be rendered to include approximations of color and image quality defects based on the original page image data, and each printer's color rendition data and defect data, thereby allowing troubled pages for one or more selected printers to be viewed prior to printing. Suggested changes may be automatically or manually applied. Once satisfied with the image quality of print job pages rendered for a specific printer, a user may submit the print job to the same printer, thereby assuring that the user's image quality expectations are met in the printed product. The device may support job-specific print defect management with both local and/or remote printers via LAN, WAN and/or Internet based connectivity.
US08259347B2 Image processing apparatus and computer readable medium
An image forming apparatus includes: a first holding unit that holds a pixel value data sequence in which each of the data sequences is formed by a pixel value and a range of the pixel value or by the pixel value, the range of the pixel value, reference to a pixel, and a range of the reference; a second holding unit that holds a transparency data sequence in which each of the one-dimensional data sequences is formed by a coefficient representing transparency of a pixel in the image element and a range of the coefficient or by the coefficient, the range of the coefficient, reference to coefficient, and a range of the reference; and an image generation unit that forms an image from the pixel value data sequence, and that generates information about transparency of the image from the transparency data sequence.
US08259345B2 Image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, program, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus retrieves attribute values of image data in a storing unit for storing image data read by a reading unit or image data received from an external unit, and sets the retrieved attribute values as at least a part of read settings for document reading to be performed by the reading unit.
US08259344B2 Ink jet recording apparatus and ink jet printing method
There is provided an ink jet printing apparatus in which unevenness that may occur at the edges of printing areas can be reduced also for various printing media including unspecified printing media. In the ink jet printing apparatus which uses a print head for ejecting ink and performs printing by scanning a predetermined area on a printing medium with the print head multiple times, the multiple times of scan including a forward scan and a backward scan, the apparatus comprising: a control unit that cases the print head to print patterns each of which is printed through multiple times of scan of the print head and has different portions in a time interval between the multiple times of scan, with different printing ratios for the multiple times of scan; and a setting unit that sets the printing ratios based on the test patterns.
US08259340B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus having: image forming means for visualizing image data read out by image reading means and forming it onto transfer materials; post-processing means for executing a post-process including a stapling process, a folding process, and/or a sorting process in order to execute a book-binding process to the transfer materials on which the image data has been formed; and a trimmer for executing a trimming process to a bundle of the transfer materials subjected to the binding process by the post-processing means, wherein when the trimming process by the trimmer is executed, the image forming means sets a non-image forming area including a processing portion to which the trimming process is executed and a valid image forming area excluding the non-image forming area onto the transfer material and forms the image data read out by the image reading means into the valid image forming area of the transfer material.
US08259326B2 Image readout system, server apparatus, image readout apparatus, and terminal apparatus
An application folder associated with a client PC and an application software of the client PC is generated in a storage section of a station PC. Scan data stored in the application folder is then moved to an application data folder of the client PC, which folder corresponds to the client PC and application software associated with the application folder. As a result, in a network scanner system in which a scanner apparatus is connected to the client PC over a network, it is possible to efficiently store scan data read out by the scanner apparatus and perform data processing to the scan data by an application software.
US08259324B2 Printer/storage integrate system, controller, control method, and control program for automatic installation of control software
A printer/storage integrated system, capable of using both printer and storage device from host devices with a single connection setting, is provided. A controller is connected with a first network with which host devices are connected, and a second network with which a printer and a storage device shared by the host devices are connected. The controller includes a communication relay unit which receives a control instruction or data transmitted from a host device over the first network, determines whether the destination of the control instruction or the data is either the printer or the storage device based on information included in the header of a communication protocol of the fourth layer or higher used in the transmission, and transfers the control instruction or the data to the printer or the storage device determined as the destination over the second network.
US08259321B2 Methods and systems for scheduling disturbance jobs
A method is provided for managing the scheduling of a plurality of print jobs for a print shop. The method includes obtaining a print job input stream including the plurality of print jobs. Each of the plurality of print jobs is scheduled for processing unless at least one of the plurality of print jobs is determined to be a disturbance job, the disturbance job causing delays in processing of other print jobs in the plurality of print jobs that would not occur but for the existence of the disturbance job in the print job input stream. The disturbance job is then assigned a processing related value that decreases over time, and scheduling of the disturbance job is delayed until the processing related value is less than a selected threshold value.
US08259319B2 Communication device
A communication device may be provided with a main control unit, a condition storage unit, and a sub control unit. The sub control unit may judge, in a case where data is received while the main control unit is being in the sleeping state, whether the sleeping state is to be maintained by referring to a condition stored in the condition storage unit. The sub control unit may release the sleeping state in a case where a negative judgment is made. When object data is received, at least one of the main and sub control units may register a new condition in the condition storage unit. The registration of the new condition is executed in a case where the sleeping state of the main control unit would be released although the sleeping state of the main control unit should not be released under a presumption of the object data being received while the main control unit is being in the sleeping state.
US08259315B2 Information processing apparatus, print setting method, and storage medium for changing default setting information
An information processing apparatus having a printer driver installed thereon and configured to be in communication with a printing apparatus includes a setting changing unit configured to generate an instruction to the printer driver to change a setting value for default setting information stored in the printer driver described in a setting file for instructing changing of a setting value for the printer driver.
US08259309B2 Optical position detection apparatus and display apparatus having position detection function
An apparatus for optically detecting an object position includes: position detection light sources irradiating light onto the object; a light guide plate receiving the light and emitting it onto a detection area to form an intensity distribution in the detection area; a light detector having light receiving portions receiving the light reflected by the object; and a signal processing portion detecting the object position based on the intensity distribution, wherein light incident portions receiving the light and side portions except for the light incident portions are provided on outer periphery side portions of the light guide plate, a light emission surface emitting the light incident from the light incident portions toward the detection area is provided on a plane portion of the light guide plate, and at least a portion of the side portions is an anti-reflection surface.
US08259307B2 Device for optically detecting position and/or orientation of objects and associated detection methods
The present invention relates to a device for optically detecting position and/or attitude of an object (5) moving in a given travel range (4), said device comprising electro-optical sensors positioned on said object and distributed in groups, called clusters (6), analysis and computation means (2) making it possible to find the position and/or the attitude of said object, electronic image generation means (1) and optical projection means (1) comprising a display and a projection optic. The optical projection means emit, in a projection cone, a clear image (3) at any point of the travel range, the analysis of the signals received by the sensors of at least one cluster making it possible to identify the position and/or the attitude of the object in the frame of reference defined by the projection means, the latter consisting of a plane perpendicular to the projection axis, called image plane, and the projection axis.
US08259305B2 Surface shape measuring system and surface shape measuring method using the same
The surface shape measuring system includes an illumination unit including a main light source, a focusing lens, and a projection lens; a beam splitter to split illumination light emitted respectively irradiated onto a reference surface and a measurement surface; a light detecting element to capture an interference pattern; and a control computer to obtain surface shape data through white-light interference pattern analysis from an image captured and detect whether or not the measurement surface is defective from the obtained data, wherein a subsidiary light source to provide falling illumination to the target object; and two-dimensional data and three-dimensional data regarding the surface shape of the target object are obtained by selectively intermitting the turning-on of the main light source and the subsidiary light source and the irradiation of the illumination light onto the reference surface.
US08259301B2 Cavity length modulation in resonator fiber optic gyroscopes
Systems and methods for reducing rotation sensing errors in a resonator fiber optic gyroscope. An example method propagates a primary light wave through a resonator having an optical fiber and a plurality of optical surfaces for directing the light wave exiting a first end of the optical fiber back into an opposite end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is wound onto a piezo-electric transducer (PZT) tube. A sinusoidal voltage is applied to the PZT tube to modulate a length of a fiber cavity within the optical fiber. The amplitude and frequency of the fiber cavity length modulation is selected to produce a relative phase modulation between the primary light wave and a double-back reflected light wave, such that the rotation sensing errors resulting from double backscatter of light is at a frequency above a frequency band of interest. This allows the associated error to be filtered out of the rotation rate signal.
US08259295B2 Fabrication method of semiconductor integrated circuit device
In the fabrication of a semiconductor integrated circuit device, a 2D-3D inspection technique for solder printed on a substrate is provided which permits easy preparation of data and easy visual confirmation of a defective portion. In a substrate inspecting step, first, a 3D inspection is performed, followed by execution of 2D inspection, whereby a 2D picked-up image of the portion of a pad determined to be defective can be displayed on a larger scale simultaneously with the end of inspection, thereby providing an environment for efficient visual confirmation of the defect. Further, by subjecting a raw substrate to measurement at the time of preparing inspection data, a relation between an original height measurement reference generated automatically by the inspection system and the height of a pad upper surface is checked, whereby it is possible to measure the height and volume of printed solder based on the pad upper surface.
US08259293B2 Deep submicron and nano CMOS single photon photodetector pixel with event based circuits for readout data-rate reduction communication system
An avalanche photodiode is disclosed. The avalanche photodiode includes a substrate of a first conductivity type. A first well of a second conductivity type is formed within the substrate. A second well of the second conductivity type is formed substantially overlying and extending into the first well. A heavily doped region of the first conductivity type is formed substantially overlying and extending into the first well, the junction between the heavily doped region and the second well forming an avalanche multiplication region. A guard ring is formed from a first conductivity material positioned substantially about the periphery of the multiplication region at least partially underlying the heavily doped region. An outer well ring of the second conductivity type is formed about the perimeter of the deep well and the guard ring.
US08259286B2 Lithography and associated methods, devices, and systems
An apparatus for forming an energy pattern on a target, comprising a projector including a first row of spaced-apart energy outlets arranged in a first pattern, a second row of spaced apart energy outlets arranged in a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is different than the second pattern, and comprising a platform on which the target can be mounted, a motor and a controller. A method of forming a pattern in a layer of energy-sensitive material, comprising projecting a first energy pattern onto the energy-sensitive material, moving the first energy pattern relative to the layer of energy-sensitive material, projecting a second energy pattern onto the energy-sensitive material, wherein the second energy pattern is different than the first energy pattern, and moving the second energy pattern relative to the layer of energy-sensitive material.
US08259280B2 Image display device and manufacturing method thereof
An image display device having a display panel in which a first substrate and a second substrate are disposed to each other, in which the first substrate includes an insulating substrate composed of a resin, a circuit layer having a circuit where a plurality of Thin-film transistors are arranged in a matrix, and a polarizer disposed between the insulating substrate and the circuit layer, the insulating substrate has a thickness of 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less, a transmittance of 80% or more for a visible light at a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 800 nm or less, and a 3% weight reduction temperature of 300° C. or higher, and has no melting point or has a melting point of 300° C. or higher.
US08259273B2 Liquid crystals and liquid crystal display apparatus employing the same
A liquid crystal includes about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % of a first compound material, about 2 wt % to about 15 wt % of a second compound material, and a neutral compound material. The first compound material has a dielectric anisotropy of a first polarity, and the second compound material has a dielectric anisotropy of a second polarity.
US08259272B2 Array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device having double-layered metal patterns and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate of an in-plane switching liquid crystal display device includes, among other features, a gate electrode and a gate line having a first double-layered structure consisting of a first barrier layer and a first low resistance metallic layer; a data line defining a pixel region with the gate line, the data line having a second double-layered structure consisting of a second barrier layer and a second low resistance metallic layer; a plurality of common electrodes disposed in a direction opposite to an adjacent gate line; a thin film transistor (TFT) near a crossing of the gate and data lines, each of the source and drain electrodes of the TFT having the same double-layered structure as the data line; and a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in an alternating pattern with the common electrodes and disposed in the direction opposite the adjacent gate line.
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