Document Document Title
US08296861B2 Polarization-modulated tip enhanced optical microscope
Methods and systems for improving high resolution imaging using a polarization-modulated tip enhanced optical microscope. A polarizer is configured to alternately create and remove a region of enhanced optical intensity adjacent the tip of the microscope probe at the focus of a light source. The sample being studied emits photons at specific rates relative to a background rate depending on the existence or nonexistence of the region of enhanced optical intensity. Comparing the rate of emissions when the region of enhanced optical intensity exists to when it does not creates a detailed image of the sample. By not requiring the probe to oscillate, this system enhances the resolution of the microscope without potentially causing damage to the sample.
US08296854B2 Chip card having a first user function, method for selecting an identifier, and computer system
The invention relates to a chip card having a first user function, whereby the first user function may be reset to a “first use” status by entering a code (B, C).
US08296846B2 Apparatus and method for associating categorization information with network traffic to facilitate application level processing
An apparatus is described that associates categorization information with network traffic to facilitate application level processing through processing of network traffic in accordance with provisioned rules and policies. The apparatus includes a plurality of microcode controlled state machines, wherein at least one microcode state machine processes at least one input data field using a hash function to generate a hash identifier. This embodiment further includes a distribution circuit that routes input data to the plurality of microcode controlled state machines, such that at least one individual microcode controlled state machine applies a rule to the input data to produce the at least one input data field, and to produce modification instructions based on the hash identifier. This embodiment further includes a first circuit that appends the hash identifier to the input data to produce modified input data based on the modification instructions, and that routes the modified input data in accordance with an output routing strategy. Advantageously, the apparatus provides an architectural framework well suited to a low cost, high speed, robust implementation of flexible, advanced network security and monitoring features and network traffic analysis.
US08296844B2 Protection against impersonation attacks
A computing method includes running on a user computer a first operating environment for performing general-purpose operations and a second operating environment, which is configured expressly for interacting with a server in a protected communication session and is isolated from the first operating environment. A program running in the second operating environment detects an attempt to imitate the protected communication session made by an illegitimate communication session that interacts with the first operating environment. The detected attempt is inhibited automatically.
US08296840B2 Providing permission to perform action on an electronic ticket
Described are methods and systems related to providing permission to a user to perform an action on a workflow driven ticket. The ticket is accessed to determine an action type to be performed on the ticket and a correlated object associated therewith. A role based permission tuple is determined based upon a role of the user. A ticket based permission tuple is determined by generating a universal permission tuple based upon the action type and generating a dependency map based upon the correlated object. The dependency map is mapped to the universal permission tuple to construct the ticket based permission tuple. The role based permission tuple is supplemented with the ticket based permission tuple, to provide the required permission to execute the action. Upon an execution of the action, the permission is partially revoked, by removing the ticket based permission tuple.
US08296839B2 VPN discovery server
Methods and systems for enabling robust routing between protected enclaves over an unsecured network are provided herein. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods and systems for enabling routing among a plurality of protected enclaves, each supported by one or more secure gateways, over an unsecured network. Methods and systems according to the present invention achieve key routing requirements while presenting solutions that can be readily scaled to large network environments. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods and systems for implementing a Prefix Discovery Server (PDS) that enables the mapping of Plain Text (PT) networks to secure gateways, maintains current network routing information, and assists VPN gateways in determining routes to remote protected enclaves.
US08296837B2 VoIP proxy server
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) proxy server is described. The VoIP proxy server is placed in a DMZ of a company's secure internal communication network. The VoIP proxy server receives VoIP control messages and VoIP media streams and based on the MAC address and source IP address contained in the control message, pushes a policy change to the internal network's external firewall to open call control protocol ports and Real Time Protocol (RTP) ports only for packets from the source IP address. The VoIP proxy server manages the hiding of the company's internal network address and directs incoming VoIP packets to an IP-PBX connected to the company's internal network.
US08296827B2 Method for enabling an administrator to configure a recovery password
A method is provided for a enabling a user to initiate a password protected backup copy of the user's credentials. The method includes providing a user with a credential store containing information relating to the user's identity, generating a different recovery password of any length for each recovery authority, encrypting the recovery password for each recovery authority, storing the encrypted recovery passwords in the credential store, and sending a copy of the information by the user from the credential store to a central repository.
US08296826B1 Secure transfer of files
Disclosed are various systems, methods, and other embodiments for the secure storage of files and the like. In one example, a determination is made in a server as to whether an entity indicated in a request received in the server is authorized to transfer a file from a client to a mass storage system over a network. A plurality of instructions are obtained in the server to send to the client, where the instructions are configured to control activity of the client in transferring the file from the client to the mass storage system over the network. The instructions are sent to the client in order to implement the transfer of the file from the client to the mass storage system.
US08296824B2 Replicating selected secrets to local domain controllers
A domain controller hierarchy includes one or more hub domain controllers in communication with one or more local domain controllers, such as local domain controllers at a branch office. The hub domain controller(s) is writable, while the local domain controller(s) is typically read-only. Non-secure and secure information is partitioned to specific local domain controllers at the one or more hub domain controllers. The non-secure and secure information is then passed from the hub domain controller only to the local domain controller associated with the given partition at the hub domain controller on request. For example, a user requests a logon at a client computer system at a local branch office, and the logon is passed from the local domain controller to the hub domain controller. If authenticated, the user logon account is passed to the local domain controller, where it can be cached to authenticate subsequent requests.
US08296823B2 System, an arrangement and a method for end user authentication
The present invention relates to a system for authentication of an end user of a user station arrangement (10) requesting access to protected information, comprising access server means (20) and authentication means (30), the user station arrangement (10) supporting communication with the authentication means (30) over a first communication channel of a radio network (40). It further supports communication with the authentication means (30) over a second communication channel. The authentication means (30) are adapted to, at reception of a request for access to protected information from a user station arrangement (10), establish if the user station arrangement (10) is reachable over the first communication channel. Said authentication means (30) are adapted to support a first authentication mode and a second authentication mode over said second communication channel, and further comprises decision means for selecting if and/or when the first or second authentication mode is to be used for a user station arrangement (10) requesting access to protected information.
US08296822B2 State-updating authorization
An authorization system includes an authorization node, a storage device and a reference monitor. The authorization node executes an authorization policy, and the storage device stores an authorization state associated with the authorization policy. Requests for access to a secured resource are received at the reference monitor, and the reference monitor queries the authorization node, which uses the authorization policy to determine whether to grant access to the secured resource based on a rule having at least one access condition. The rule, executed as part of the authorization policy on the authorization node, is configured to update all the entries in the authorization state for which an update condition is met.
US08296821B2 System, server, and program for access right management
Each domain is provided with an access right management device which creates a resource-sharing policy and performs processing for resource-sharing policy negotiation between a plurality of domain administrators. An access right management device that has created a resource-sharing policy identifies, for each policy unit included in the resource-sharing policy, an access right management device that is a negotiating partner to negotiate with about the policy unit in question. The access right management device generates negotiation information including an identification name of the identified negotiating-partner access right management device and the policy unit in question and sends the negotiation information to the negotiating-partner access right management device. Only when all policy units are agreed on by respective identified negotiating-partner access right management devices, the resource-sharing policy is set on shared resources.
US08296818B2 Distribution and amplification systems that automatically terminate to a matched termination in response to power interruptions and related methods
Distribution and amplification systems for cable television networks include a tap unit having a first RF tap port and a second RF tap port, a voice-over IP (“VoIP”) RF signal amplifier and a non-VoIP RF signal amplifier. The VoIP RF signal amplifier is connected to the first RF tap port of the tap unit, and includes an amplified signal path and a passive, non-interruptible signal path. The non-VoIP RF signal amplifier is connected to the second RF tap port of the tap unit, and includes an amplified signal path. The VoIP and non-VoIP RF signal amplifiers are each configured to terminate their amplified signal paths to respective matched terminations in response to a power outage.
US08296817B2 Apparatus for transporting home networking frame-based communications signals over coaxial cables
A method and apparatus for coupling a system propagating home networking communications signals over telephone lines to a system propagating television signals over a coaxial cable system to a television device. A three port adapter has a phone line port, a first coaxial cable port and a second coaxial cable port. The first coaxial cable port is coupled to the phone line port through a low pass filter and wideband balun adapted to pass home networking communications signals while being adapted to reject television signals. The first coaxial cable port is also coupled to the second coaxial port through a high pass filter while being adapted to reject home networking communications signals. The phone line port is coupled to the system propagating home networking communications signals. The first coaxial cable port is coupled to the system propagating television signals over coaxial cable. The second coaxial cable port to the television device.
US08296815B2 Generating a stream comprising synchronized content
A method of generating a stream comprising synchronized interactive content is described. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a first stream from a studio to a terminal or a terminal system of a first user and to a buffer; transmitting in response to the first stream a second stream to a mixer connected to the buffer, the second stream comprising content generated in reaction to the content of the first stream; providing the mixer with a temporal relation between the packets in the first and second stream; generating a first output stream comprising a substantially synchronized content by mixing packets in second stream with packets of the buffered first stream on the basis of the temporal relation.
US08296813B2 Predictive frame dropping to enhance quality of service in streaming data
Methods and apparatus for optimizing quality of streaming data transmitted between a first node and a second node over a network, the streaming data including one or more frame groups is disclosed. A processor-readable medium having embodied therein processor readably instructions for implementing a method for optimizing quality of streaming data transmitted between a first node and a second node over a network is also disclosed.
US08296812B1 Streaming video using erasure encoding
A system, apparatus and method for presenting a movie on demand over a network is described. According to one system and method, the network has one or more nodes, portions of a video being encoded as encoded portions each having sections, the sections for each encoded portion being distributed among segments, the segments being distributed among the one or more nodes; an apparatus including a network interface is coupled to the network; a control system is coupled to the network interface and configured to initiate a movie request and to communicate with a subset of the one or more nodes to receive a subset of the segments; and a decoder coupled to the network interface and configured to decode a subset of the sections so that less than all of the sections are used to play back the movie; and a presentation device coupled to the apparatus, the presentation device presenting the portions of the video. Each portion of the movie is played back, in its entirety, without using all of the sections of that portion.
US08296803B2 Program recommendation system, program view terminal, program view program, program view method, program recommendation server, program recommendation program, and program recommendation method
An object of the invention is to eliminate a program having a high general preference, and recommend a program customized to a preference of a specific user. A reserved information receiver (230) in a program recommendation server (3) receives reserved information transmitted by a program viewing terminal. A reserved information DB (235) stores the reserved information with respect to each of the users. A community reserved information statistics section (236) defines the users as a first group, based on the received reserved information, and the reserved information stored with respect to each of the users. A total user reserved information statistics section (237) defines the users as a second group including the first group. A recommended program creator (239) generates recommended information customized to the first group, based on an aggregate calculation result of the reserved information of the users belonging to the first group, and an aggregate calculation result of the reserved information of the users belonging to the second group. A recommendation transmitter (240) transmits the recommended information to the program viewing terminal. The program viewing terminal reproduces a program based on the recommended information.
US08296802B2 Interactive program guide systems and processes
Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information.
US08296798B2 Channel searching system
A channel searching system includes a head end broadcasting a broadcasting signal over a broadcasting medium, and a receiver. The broadcasting signal includes a multi-channel video containing a plurality of videos and video configuration information on the videos. The receiver is capable of receiving the broadcasting signal over the broadcasting medium and showing a viewer a channel searching view edited from the multi-channel video based on the video configuration information and searching screen configuration information.
US08296796B2 Digital broadcasting receiver and a data processing method
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A data processing method of a digital broadcasting receiver comprises receiving a mobile/handheld (MH) broadcasting signal including mobile service data and main service data; generating RS(Reed-Solomon) frames from the received MH broadcasting signal; extracting ESG (electronic service guide) data from the generated RS frame; extracting SDP (session description protocol) data from the extracted ESG data; checking a port number corresponding to subtitle having reference information, among the extracted SDP data; and controlling the subtitle having reference information using the checked port number so that the subtitle having reference information is displayed.
US08296792B2 Method and system to provide interactivity using an interactive channel bug
A method and system are disclosed to provided interactivity using an interactive channel bug. The interactive channel bug (e.g., an “interactive broadcast channel branding logo”) allows a television user to access a variety of interactive services. The interactive broadcast channel branding logo may be configured to launch a functionality determined by a broadcaster. This functionality may change over time. The form of the interactive broadcast channel branding logo may also change over time in which the availability of new interactive services is indicated.
US08296789B2 Chucking device, motor, disk drive apparatus and chucking device manufacturing method
In a chucking device, a rolling guide portion is arranged below an upper cover portion of a rotor holder and radially inwards of a cylinder portion of the rotor holder. This helps restrain the noises generated by the rolling movement of balls from propagating to the outside. Moreover, the turntable and the rolling guide portion are formed of a single resin member extending continuously through a through-hole defined in the rotor holder.
US08296788B2 Optical disc apparatus
A printed circuit board (PCB) is attached on a surface of a tray that is opposed to a chassis main or a bottom plate of a housing. On the tray and in a vicinity of a position where the PCB is disposed, a first protruding portion is formed to protrude toward the chassis main, on which a second protruding portion is formed at a position to be opposed to the first protruding portion. Between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion is a clearance while the tray is accommodated in the housing. When the tray deforms, the second protruding portion supports the first protruding portion to prevent further deformation of the tray.
US08296787B2 Optical disk drive
An optical disk drive includes a main body and a tray. The main body includes a housing, a first resisting member, and two rails. The first resisting member and the two rails are disposed in the housing. The tray is slidably coupled to the two rails, and is operable to be switched between a first state and a second state. The tray is received in the housing in the first state, and protrudes out of the housing in the second state. The tray includes a second resisting member, which is capable of being elastically compressed along a resisting direction substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of the tray. The second resisting member is resisted by the first resisting member along the resisting direction to secure the tray in the first state. The second resisting member is away from the first resisting member in the second state.
US08296783B1 Media player instance managed resource reduction
Techniques and systems are disclosed for managing computer resources available to multiple running instances of a media player program. The methods include monitoring consumption of computing resources of multiple running instances of a media player program to render respective media content in a graphical user interface of a computing device. The graphical user interface associated with an additional program configured to render additional content, different from the media content, to the graphical user interface. The additional program can be a browser. The methods further include instructing the multiple instances to reduce respective portions of the computing resources consumption upon determining that a requested increase in computer resources consumption of the media player program would cause the computer resources consumption of the media player program to exceed a first predetermined level.
US08296779B2 Event filtering at a performance-based interface
Architecture that facilitates performance enhancement in message-based computing across a performance-based interface. When a request from a source is transmitted across the interface to a destination, a filter component in communication with the destination dynamically allows only one or more relevant responses from the destination to transition the interface to the source. This mechanism achieves an even tighter filtering of events while at the same time giving developers more flexibility over the events they choose to register, thereby enhancing the performance of message-based computing architectures by reducing unnecessary computation.
US08296778B2 Computer data communications in a high speed, low latency data communications environment
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for computer data communications in a high speed, low latency data communications environment that include: brokering, by a stream administration server, establishment of a message stream from a contributing client device to a feed adapter, including authenticating the contributing client device, authorizing the contributing client device to send messages to the feed adapter on the message stream, and establishing in messaging middleware of the contributing client device a set of constraints on messages to be transmitted from the contributing client device to the feed adapter; receiving, in the messaging middleware of the contributing client device from an application of the contributing client device, a message for transmission to the feed adapter on the message stream; determining, by the messaging middleware, whether contents of the message satisfy the constraints; and administering the message, by the messaging middleware, in dependence upon whether the message satisfies the constraints.
US08296777B2 System and method for providing customized dynamic images in electronic mail
A system and method providing a personal electronic communication incorporates the use of image tags which designate a desired dynamic imaging server and a corresponding image chain to dynamically create a customized image that is associated with the personal electronic communication. Upon receipt of the personal electronic communication, the personal electronic communication is parsed to identify an embedded image tag. A dynamic imaging server designated by the image tag is then used to dynamically create, manipulate and transfer customized images back to the recipient of the personal electronic communication based on the image chain corresponding to the image tag. The image chain may be included within the image tag or the image tag may include reference information designating the image chain.
US08296768B2 Method and apparatus to enable runtime processor migration with operating system assistance
In a method for switching to a spare processor during runtime, a processing system determines that execution should be migrated off of an active processor. An operating system (OS) scheduler and at least one device are then paused, and the active processor is put into an idle state. State data from writable and substantial non-writable stores in the active processor is loaded into the spare processor. Interrupt routing table logic for the processing system is dynamically reprogrammed to direct external interrupts to the spare processor. The active processor may then be off-lined, and the device and OS scheduler may be unpaused or resumed. Threads may then be dispatched to the spare processor for execution. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08296765B2 Method of forming a personal mobile grid system and resource scheduling thereon
The method of forming a personal mobile grid system and resource scheduling thereon provides for the formation of a personal network, a personal area network or the like having a computational grid superimposed thereon. Resource scheduling in the personal mobile grid is performed through an optimization model based upon the nectar acquisition process of honeybees.
US08296761B2 Measuring CPU busy ratio and idle time of multiple LPARS by calculating the difference between consecutively acquired elapsed time counter in the virtual machine system
A virtual machine system in which a physical CPU busy ratio can be measured in consideration of the status of an assignment of the physical CPU, and the measured CPU busy ratio can be reflected to a CPU busy ratio of each guest OS. An elapsed time counter is provided in a hypervisor, and a hypervisor access interface is provided in each of LPARs and used to read the elapsed time counter from the guest OS. A performance monitor program running on each guest OS calculates, based on a value of the elapsed time counter, the number of sampling timings expected to occur during the time when the physical CPU is not assigned to the LPAR in which the performance monitor program is provided.
US08296757B2 Copy protection of software and/or data
Autorun functionality is incorporated into a portable device such as a flash drive, a wireless adapter, a communication adapter, or any USB peripheral device. The portable device is connectable to a computing device (e.g. USB). The portable device may act as a security key to protect software or data running on the computing device from unauthorized use. At least part of the protected software or data may be stored in a protected memory component of the portable device which is not accessible by the user. Upon connecting the integrated circuit memory device to the computing device, the at least part of the protected software or data may run automatically on the computing device to enable the function of the protected software or data; whereby the user may run the protected software or data on the computing device while the portable integrated circuit memory device remains connected to the computing device.
US08296753B2 Upgrade service system
A wireless apparatus or the like downloads upgrade content information and an upgrade key generated from a production number of the user apparatus which are generated by an upgrade key support center apparatus to perform upgrading, and the upgrade key support center apparatus periodically acquires apparatus information of the wireless apparatus or the like to monitor whether illegal upgrading is not performed. This makes it possible to easily manage a wireless apparatus which can perform an increase/decrease in capacity, selection of redundancy, change of functions, and the like by using an upgrade key.
US08296748B2 Method and system for intermediate representation of source code
A method to provide effective control and data flow information in an Intermediate Representation (IR) form. A Path Sensitive single Assignment (PSA) IR form with effective and explicit control and data path information supports control flow sensitive optimizations such as path sensitive symbolic substitution, array privatization and speculative multi threading. In the definition of PSA form, besides defining new versioned variables, the gamma functions keep control path information. The gamma function in PSA form keeps the basic attribute of SSA IR form and only one definition exists for each use. Therefore, all existing Single Static Assignment (SSA) IR form based analysis can be applied in PSA form. The gamma function in PSA form keeps all essential control flow information and eliminates unnecessary predicates at the same time.
US08296746B2 Optimum code generation method and compiler device for multiprocessor
A method of generating optimum parallel codes from a source code for a computer system configured of plural processors that share a cache memory or a main memory is provided. A preset code is read and operation amounts and process contents are analyzed while distinguishing dependence and independence among processes from the code. Then, the amount of data to be reused among processes is analyzed, and the amount of data that accesses the main memory is analyzed. Further, upon the reception of a parallel code generation policy inputted by a user, the processes of the code are divided, and while estimating an execution cycle from the operation amount and process contents thereof, the cache use of the reuse data, and the main memory access data amount, a parallelization method with which the execution cycle becomes shortest is executed.
US08296744B2 Tree-based directed graph programming structures for a declarative programming language
Embodiments of tree-based directed graph programming structures for a declarative programming language are provided. In various embodiments, complex graph structured data, referred to as “DGraphs” herein in one non-limiting implementation, is authored using a compact, human friendly syntax without the use of explicit identifiers. In one non-limiting aspect, the syntax includes support for conformance relationships, also referred to as factored relationships. In another non-limiting aspect, the semistructured graph data is a tree-based representation and the syntax includes lexical resolution of references or lexical scoping, and/or non local initialization.
US08296738B1 Methods and systems for in-place shader debugging and performance tuning
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a system that allows a software developer to perform shader debugging and performance tuning. The system includes an interception layer between the software application and the application programming interface (API). The interception layer is configured to intercept and store source code versions of the original shaders included in the application. For each object in the frame, the interception layer makes shader source code available to the developer, so that the developer can modify the source code as needed, re-compile only the modified shader source code, and run the application. Consequently, shader debugging and performance tuning may be carried out in a manner that is more efficient and effective relative to prior art approaches.
US08296735B2 Inter-procedural analysis of computer programs
This invention concerns inter-procedural analysis of computer programs. The need for inter-procedural analysis arises, for instance, where information is to be passed across the boundaries between functions; for example, by passing a pointer of variables to another function. The pointer needs to identify a valid memory location when used by a calling function. In one aspect the invention is a method and in another aspect the invention is a computer programmed to perform the method. The heart of the method involves the use of computational tree logic (CTL) model checking each sub-structure of the code to iteratively check alternately whether guarantees associated with the code are true, false or undetermined for each external assumption, and whether the internal assumptions are consistent with the guarantees of the caller sub-structures.
US08296730B2 Using extension methods to extend COM objects
When objects are called by a program written in a strongly-typed language using an interface written in a loosely-typed manner, incompatibilities between the programming languages can cause problems. Extension methods can simplify the interface between objects in an object model and a program written in a strongly-typed programming language by providing method overloads that accept strongly-typed parameters. Extension methods are provided that use method overloads that accept strongly-typed parameters, improving type safety by allowing the compiler to enforce type safety rather than relying on type checking at runtime. Nullable types and object initialization may be used to provide strongly-typed optional parameters. Extension methods can be used to support parameterized properties and to support class indexers, enabling query of collections of in-memory objects.
US08296715B2 Wiring design assisting apparatus, wiring design assisting method, and computer-readable information recording medium
A wiring design assisting apparatus includes an input part that has attribute information of a wiring pattern input thereto; a degradation degree process part that obtains a degradation degree in signal characteristics of a wiring pattern corresponding to attribute information that is input to the input part, based on position information of the wiring pattern corresponding to the attribute information input to the input part, position information and size information of a pattern removed area, and the degradation degree information; and an extracting process part that extracts, for re-wiring, wiring patterns that have degradation degrees equal to or more than a predetermined degree, from wiring patterns for which degradation degrees have been obtained by the degradation degree process part.
US08296714B2 System and method for checking analog circuit with digital checker
Aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for checking a portion of an analog circuit using a digital checker. The method includes establishing a target in the analog circuit, creating an analog target dummy for the target, creating a digital target dummy, binding the digital target dummy to the analog target dummy, and checking a value of the digital target dummy with a digital checker.
US08296712B2 Method and apparatus for improving the interconnection and multiplexing cost of circuit design from high level synthesis using ant colony optimization
A method and apparatus for improving the interconnection and multiplexing cost of circuit design from high level synthesis using ant colony optimization is described. In one example, a plurality of hardware components for performing an operation is represented with a data flow graph having edges and nodes. A plurality of solutions are simulated for performing the operation as hardware component and schedule combinations represented as paths on the data flow graph. For each solution, cost including a number of edges and nodes traversed on the data flow graph and an interconnection cost related to the number of different hardware components in the path is determined. A pheromone trail is associated with each path, the pheromone trail including a cost of the respective scheduling solution, and a solution is selected with the highest value pheromone trail as a hardware component and schedule combination for a circuit.
US08296707B2 Implementing spare latch placement quality determination
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing spare latch placement quality (SLPQ) determination in a floor plan design of an integrated circuit chip. A spare latch placement quality (SLPQ) metric data function is defined and compared to a spare latch placement input with a series of calculations performed. The spare latch placement quality (SLPQ) determination is made based upon the compared SLPQ metric data function and the spare latch placement input. Then associated reports including textual and visual reports are generated responsive to the SLPQ determination. In addition, a new spare latch placement can be constructed with an algorithm responsive to the SLPQ determination.
US08296706B2 Handling two-dimensional constraints in integrated circuit layout
A computer-implemented method for handling a plurality of constraints in layout optimization for an integrated circuit (IC) layout is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes building a graph representing the plurality of constraints; marking two-dimensional constraints in the plurality of constraints; generating two-dimensional clusters including groups of the two-dimensional constraints; handling at least one of the two-dimensional clusters, the handling including finding a solution for the two-dimensional constraints in the at least one two-dimensional cluster; repeating the handling for any unprocessed two-dimensional clusters until all of the two-dimensional clusters are handled; and adopting the solution for each of the two-dimensional clusters to solve at least a portion of the plurality of constraints including the two-dimensional clusters.
US08296705B2 Code tiling scheme for deep-submicron ROM compilers
A method includes receiving instructions for designing a ROM array, generating netlists for the ROM array, generating a data file representing a physical layout of the ROM array on a semiconductor wafer, and storing the data file in a computer readable storage medium. The instructions for the ROM array define a layout for a first unit including a first bit cell coupled to a first word line, a bus that may be coupled and uncoupled to a first power supply having a first voltage level, a layout for a second unit coupled to a second word line, and a layout for a third unit having an isolation device and being configured to share a bit line contact with the second unit or another third unit. The layout for the second unit is configured to be arranged at an edge of the ROM array and includes a dummy device.
US08296702B2 Rectilinear covering method with bounded number of rectangles for designing a VLSI chip
A method for creating a rectilinear non-convex polygonal output representative of a component used to build a VLSI circuit chip from a plurality of points corresponding to a plurality of components of the chip includes: covering the plurality of points with a set of rectangles; creating a Voronoi diagram for the set of rectangles; forming a nearest neighbor tree for the Voronoi diagram; connecting a selected set of the rectangles corresponding to the nearest neighbor tree into a non-convex rectilinear polygon; and applying the non-convex rectilinear polygon to build the VLSI chip.
US08296699B1 Method and system for supporting both analog and digital signal traffic on a single hierarchical connection for mixed-signal verification
A system, method, and computer program product is disclosed for utilizing dual-value signals, such as hierarchical dual-value signals, for mixed-signal simulation. Such dual-value signals can hold both analog and digital representations of a signal and use the appropriate representations based on which block (analog or digital) for which there is an interaction.
US08296697B2 Method and apparatus for performing static analysis optimization in a design verification system
Method and apparatus for performing static analysis optimization in a design verification system is described. In one example, a description of a verification environment having constrained objects is obtained. The constrained objects are analyzed incrementally to create a data structure of nodes. Each node includes a description of variables transitively connected by constraints. At least one of the nodes reuses a description from at least one other node. The data structure is then used during logic design verification.
US08296696B1 Method and apparatus for performing simultaneous register retiming and combinational resynthesis during physical synthesis
A method for designing a system on a target device includes synthesizing the system. The system is mapped. The system is placed on the target device. Physical synthesis is performed on the system by identifying a plurality of register retiming solutions for each register in the system, performing combinational resynthesis on each of the register retiming solutions, and selecting a combinational resynthesis solution for the system.
US08296694B1 System and method for automated synthesis of circuit wrappers
Various embodiments of the present invention provide for automated synthesizing of a circuit wrapper for an integrated circuit element. Specifically, some embodiments of the invention provide computer-aided design (CAD) support for automated circuit wrapper generation, especially circuit test wrappers. Additionally, various embodiments of the invention result in optimally designed and segmented circuit wrappers that are configured for both parallel instruction mode and serial instruction mode.
US08296691B2 Methodology for improving device performance prediction from effects of active area corner rounding
A system and method for modeling a semiconductor transistor device structure having a conductive line feature of a designed length connected to a gate of a transistor device in a circuit to be modeled, the transistor including an active device (RX) area over which the gate is formed and over which the conductive line feature extends. The method includes providing an analytical model representation including a function for modeling a lithographic flare effect impacting the active device area width; and, from the modeling function, relating an effective change in active device area width (deltaW adder) as a function of a distance from a defined edge of the RX area. Then, transistor model parameter values in a transistor compact model for the device are updated to include deltaW adder values to be added to a built-in deltaW value. A netlist used in a simulation includes the deltaW adder values to more accurately describe the characteristics of the transistor device being modeled including modeling of lithographic corner rounding effect on transistor device parametrics.
US08296690B1 Method and arrangement providing for implementation granularity using implementation sets
A design hierarchy based on an implementation set abstraction of a user design for an integrated circuit design includes a plurality of nodes and a definition for each of the nodes in the plurality of nodes that describes the type of elements contained in each node and the hierarchy defined by each of the nodes. Each node can include at least one implementation element of the design and the at least one implementation element can be selected among the group including a set of logical elements, a set of placed elements, and a set of placed and routed elements.
US08296689B1 Customizing metal pattern density in die-stacking applications
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for designing an integrated circuit (IC) are described. In some examples, layout data describing conductive layers of the integrated circuit is obtained. The layout data is analyzed to identify through die via (TDV) areas. A metal fill pattern is created for each of the TDV areas having a maximum metal density within design rules for the integrated circuit. The metal fill pattern for each of the TDV areas is merged with the layout data.
US08296681B2 Searching a list based upon user input
An apparatus, comprising: a user output device configured to display a first plurality of items from a list of items, each item having data portions in fields; a user input device configured to enable a user to select at least one character from a plurality of selectable characters and to associate the selected at least one character with a field; and processing circuitry configured to control the user output device to display a second plurality of items, the second plurality of items being selected from the list of items and ordered, wherein the selection and ordering is in dependence upon a comparison between the selected at least one character and the data portion that each item has in the associated field.
US08296679B2 Method of learning character segments from received text, and associated handheld electronic device
An improved method of learning character segments from received text enables facilitated text input on an improved handheld electronic device. In receiving text on the handheld electronic device, the characters of the text are converted into the inputs with which the characters correspond. Then, segments and other objects are analyzed to generate a proposed character interpretation of the series of inputs. Responsive to detecting that at least a portion of the character interpretation differs from a corresponding portion of the received text, a character learning string comprising the differing characters of the received text are stored as a candidate. In response to receiving additional text on the handheld electronic device, the characters of the additional text are converted into the inputs with which the characters correspond. Then, segments and other objects are analyzed to generate another proposed character interpretation of the series of additional inputs. Responsive to detecting that at least a portion of the another character interpretation differs from a corresponding portion of the additional received text, another character learning string comprising the differing characters of the additional received text are compared with the candidate. If a set of characters in the another character learning string match characters in the candidate, the set of characters are stored as a segment.
US08296674B2 Text display apparatus, text display method and program storage medium
A scroll bar area is displayed as two divided areas, namely a first mark display area which displays a mark figure corresponding to a first mark, and a second mark display area which displays a mark figure corresponding to a second mark. A first mark figure is displayed in that area in the first mark display area which corresponds to a line which is indicated to be affixed with the first mark by mark affixing information. A second mark figure is displayed in that area in the second mark display area which corresponds to a line which is indicated to be affixed with the second mark by the mark affixing information.
US08296671B2 Enabling access to rich data by intercepting paste operations
Systems and methods for enabling access to data, including data represented using a variety of “richer” data formats, are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be useful, among a variety of cases, with applications or entities that may not typically be able to access such richer data. In at least some implementations, data copied to a clipboard and formatted using a variety of formats may be provided or accessed by a destination application as part of a paste operation even when the destination application may not natively provide the ability to access all of the data formats that might exist on a clipboard. In at least some implementations, such access may be provided without modifying or augmenting the data placed on the clipboard.
US08296670B2 Accessing a menu utilizing a drag-operation
Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.
US08296667B2 User interface for displaying and navigating relationships between objects graphically
Disclosed is a user interface for displaying and navigating relationships between objects. The user interface includes an object relationship map to display a first object at center of the object relationship map and a second object related to the first object adjacent to the first object with a line connecting the second object and the first object. If the second object includes a plurality of objects, the object relationship map displays each of the plurality of objects around the first object. The user interface includes a side bar to display a nature of relationship between the first object and the second object. A relationship-type control in the side bar specifies the object relationship map to display the second object related to the first object with a nature of relationship selected from the relationship-type control. A degree of separation control in the side bar specifies a number of levels of relationship to be displayed in the object relationship map. The object relationship map displays a related-objects value on the second object denoting a number of objects related to the second object.
US08296658B2 Generator for personalization of electronic devices
A graphical user interface includes a primary color palette including a first plurality of colors and a secondary color palette including a second plurality of colors. A first color is defined as a primary color and a second color is defined as a secondary color. The secondary color is different from the primary color. The graphical user interface also includes a plurality of styles, with a style defined as an initial style. The graphical user interface further includes an intensity scale ranging from a minimum intensity value to a maximum intensity value. An indicator is positioned in association with an initial intensity value. Moreover, the graphical user interface includes a display tile including an initial pattern that is displayed based on the primary color, the secondary color, and the initial style and a subsequent pattern that is modified from the initial pattern based on the initial intensity value.
US08296657B2 Random image selection without viewing duplication
Particular embodiments generally relate to randomly displaying images on a display device. In one embodiment, a list of images for display on a display device, such as a digital picture frame or television, is determined. The display device is configured to display different images in a sequential order (such as one after another). A random display method may be determined. An image in the list of images is then randomly selected based on the random display method. For example, images are randomly selected such that all images in a list of images are displayed once without duplicative display of an image.
US08296655B2 Context sensitive information management system and method
A context sensitive information management system and method for use in a system comprising a number of applications each able to display information in response to a user input and a contextual coprocessor. The method comprising the steps of: the contextual coprocessor storing a plurality of context definitions each defining information to be displayed; the user making an input to an application; the application displaying information in response to the user input; the contextual coprocessor identifying a stored context definition corresponding to a current context definition; and the contextual processor displaying the information defined by said identified stored context definition; in which the context definitions stored by the contextual coprocessor are based upon data passing between the application and the user.
US08296654B2 Automatic guide for data analysis
A system for analyzing data is disclosed. In one general aspect it includes a data analysis user interface responsive to user interaction to initiate actions on the data. An action logging interface is operative to create a logged sequence of actions as the user initiates them through the data analysis user interface. And a token-based authoring user interface responsive to user selection commands to select action-tokens corresponding to the actions logged by the action logging interface to create an authored set of actions that has an authored sequence that can be different from the logged sequence.
US08296653B2 Variable imaging asset upload and verification
The subject embodiments relate to software tools providing a simplified way for print customers to easily perform pre-press checks and editing digital assets for use in a variable information print job. The digital assets are uploaded to the appropriate storage location in a digital asset repository hosted by the print system and checked for compatibility with variable data fields. Suggested editing is also available.
US08296648B2 Method and system for displaying variable shaped products on a computer display
A computerized system, method, and computer-readable media implementing a method for defining a variable shaped document for web viewing is presented. Markup language descriptions are defined for cutlines defining a shape of an item to be produced, and for content to be displayed on the item within the boundaries of the cutlines. Markup language rules area defined that prevent display of content in areas on a display screen outside the defined shape of the item to be produced.
US08296644B2 Content sharing using access identifiers
The application concerns sharing content generated within a system for one or more application displays to be displayed on a first computing device of a first user. A second user is sent a message concerning sharing sharable content wherein the sharable content includes at least a portion of content from the one or more application displays that were generated for the first user. The message includes an access identifier and in response to the second user accepting the message, the system uses the access identifier to share with the second user said sharable content that was generated for the first user.
US08296637B1 Channel quality monitoring and method for qualifying a storage channel using an iterative decoder
Monitors, architectures, systems and methods for determining one or more quality characteristics of a storage channel. The monitor generally includes an iterative decoder configured to decode data from the storage channel and generate information relating to a quality metric of the storage channel and/or the iterative decoder, a memory configured to store a threshold value for the quality metric, and a comparator configured to compare the threshold value with a measured value of the quality metric. The monitor enables accurate determination of storage channel quality without use of conventional Reed-Solomon metrics.
US08296625B2 Storage subsystem capable of adjusting ECC settings based on monitored conditions
A storage subsystem monitors one or more conditions related to the probability of a data error occurring. Based on the monitored condition or conditions, the storage subsystem adjusts an error correction setting, and thus the quantity of ECC data used to protect data received from a host system. To enable blocks of data to be properly checked when read from memory, the storage subsystem stores ECC metadata indicating the particular error correction setting used to store particular blocks of data. The storage subsystem may be in the form of a solid-state non-volatile memory card or drive that attaches to the host system.
US08296623B2 Codes for limited magnitude asymmetric errors in flash memories
Error correction is tailored for the use of an ECC for correcting asymmetric errors with low magnitude in a data device, with minimal modifications to the conventional data device architecture. The technique permits error correction and data recovery to be performed with reduced-size error correcting code alphabets. For particular cases, the technique can reduce the problem of constructing codes for correcting limited magnitude asymmetric errors to the problem of constructing codes for symmetric errors over small alphabets. Also described are speed up techniques for reaching target data levels more quickly, using more aggressive memory programming operations.
US08296622B2 Programmable LDPC code decoder and decoding method thereof
A programmable LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) code decoder and decoding method thereof is disclosed. By combining at least one programmable switch and at least one memory unit to decode any quasi-cyclic-based parity check matrix, one can set the switch state of the programmable switch to dynamically adjust the size of the decoding matrix and determine the locations of 1's and 0's in the decoding matrix. The mechanism helps improving the usability and flexibility of the decoding matrix.
US08296620B2 Data devices including multiple error correction codes and methods of utilizing
A method of utilizing at least one block of data, wherein the at least one block of data includes a plurality of cells for storing data and at least one error flag bit, the method including: scanning the block of data for errors; determining the error rate of the block of data; and applying an error correction code to data being read from or written to a cell within the at least one block of data, wherein the error correction code is applied based on the error rate, wherein a weak error correction code is applied when the error rate is below an error threshold, and a strong error correction code is applied when the error rate is at or above the error threshold.
US08296617B2 Method and apparatus of HARQ process selection
A method for implementation of HARQ between a transmitting node and a receiving node in a communication network is provided. HARQ processes may be selected from a list for instantiation according to a policy that may deviate from strict first-in, first-out processing of packets. The greater flexibility that this affords may lead to improved efficiency in the use of transmission resources.
US08296609B2 System and method for service availability management
A service framework uses importance ranking information in making call decisions and/or wait-time decisions in connection with service requests. Each of the service requests has an importance ranking which reflects the importance of the information provided by the service to a task being performed. The health of a service may be controlled by permitting fewer (or more) service requests to be made to the service when the service is less (or more) healthy. The likelihood of a service request being made to the service may depend on the importance ranking of the service request. When waiting for a response, a determination whether to continue waiting may be made based on the likelihood that the service has failed and based on the importance of the information to the task being performed.
US08296605B2 Systems and methods for correcting software errors
Systems and methods consistent with the invention may include receiving an indication that a software error was detected during operation of the application program, generating an error message based on the software error, the error message including an error signature, comparing the error signature with information stored in a patch library database to identify a corresponding correction patch, and correcting, when the corresponding correction patch is identified, the software error by applying the corresponding correction patch.
US08296600B2 SVC cluster configuration node failover system and method
Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for failover responses to configuration node failures in SVC clusters. An SVC cluster manages a plurality of storage devices and includes a plurality of SVCs interconnected via a network, each SVC acting as a separate node. A new configuration node is activated in response to configuration node failures. The new configuration node retrieves client subscription information about events occurring in storage devices managed by the SVC cluster from the storage devices. In response to events occurring in the storage device managed by the SVC cluster, the new configuration node obtains storage device event information from a storage device event monitoring unit. The new configuration node sends storage device events to clients who have subscribed to this information according to subscription information obtained. The storage device is not installed in the original configuration node. This method allows complete transparency of the configuration node failover process to clients.
US08296597B2 Computer system capable of dynamically modulating operation voltage and frequency of CPU
A computer system capable of dynamically modulating an operation voltage and an operation frequency of a CPU comprises: a CPU from which a VID1 is outputted based on a real load of the CPU; a VID converting/comparing controller capable of determining to operate in an bypass mode or a calculation mode in response to the received VID1 signal and capable of outputting a VID2 signal and a control signal; a frequency generator for generating a CPU clock with a specific frequency to the CPU in response to the control signal; and a PWM controller capable of generating the operation voltage to the CPU in response to the VID2 signal; wherein when the VID converting/comparing controller is switched to operate in the calculation mode, the VID1 signal is not equal to the VID2 signal and the specific frequency is modulated to either a higher or a lower than a normal operation frequency by the VID converting/comparing controller.
US08296594B2 Information processing apparatus capable of being instructed to power off by a command from external apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus that is capable of being instructed to power off, by a power switch or a command from an external apparatus, and is capable of executing the restart thereof under appropriate conditions. When power-off is instructed, shutdown is started. Upon completion of the shutdown, if the power switch is on, and at the same time the power-off has been instructed by the power switch of the apparatus, the restart of the apparatus is executed, whereas upon completion of the shutdown, if the power-off has been instructed by a command from the external apparatus, the restart of the apparatus is not executed.
US08296593B2 Host apparatus and information processing system using the same
In an information processing system, a host apparatus and a device are communicatively connected such that the host apparatus serves as a master and the device serves as a slave. The device is configured to establish a power-saving mode, when any command is not received from the host apparatus for a prescribed time period. A device driver is provided in the host apparatus. The device driver is configured to transit from a normal state to a suspended state when an operation command for operating the device is not received from an application running in the host apparatus for a prescribed time period, and to transmit a dummy response to the application, when an inquiry command is received from the application while the device driver is placed in the suspended state, without notifying the inquiry command to the device.
US08296592B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A resume signal hold circuit holds an assertion of a resume signal instructed while the circuit block is in a stand-by mode. A resume signal mask circuit is provided between the circuit block and the resume signal hold circuit, and masks the signals while the circuit block is in the stand-by mode so that no signal can be input to the circuit block. A power saving control circuit causes the resume signal hold circuit to hold the assertion of the event signal and causes the resume signal mask circuit to mask the signals while the circuit block is in a stand-by mode. The power saving control circuit also causes the resume signal hold circuit to cancel the holding of the assertion of the resume signal after the completion of the resume setting of the circuit block and cancelling of the signal masking by the resume signal mask circuit.
US08296589B2 Power supply circuit for CPU
A power supply circuit includes a PWM controller capable of providing pulse signals to a CPU, and an I/O controller electrically coupled to the PWM controller and the CPU respectively. The I/O controller is capable of receiving voltage selection signals from the CPU and outputting a control signal to the PWM controller. The PWM controller is capable of adjusting pulse signals provided to the CPU according to the control signal.
US08296585B2 Method of encrypting/decrypting the document and a safety management storage device and system method of its safety management
A method of encrypting/decrypting the document and a safety management storage device and system method of its safety management, using for the safety management of electronic documents, the said system comprising a PC or mainframe installed with common reading software and a storage device of safety management connected to the said PC/mainframe through hot-plug; when connected to the mainframe, the said storage device is enumerated as a USB CDROM device at least. The user owns the said storage device can encrypt the electronic documents by using the encryption keys to generate an encrypted document with the same file type, also can open the encrypted document by using common reading software, and then use the document according to the predetermined operation authority. By using present invention, the users and the range of using the documents will be limited through the control of the distribution of the said storage devices, thus, a document safety management system with high security and easy-use will be established, and with the advantage of easy control, low cost of investment and maintenance.
US08296584B2 Storage and retrieval of encrypted data blocks with in-line message authentication codes
Techniques are disclosed for in-line storage of message authentication codes with respective encrypted data blocks. In one aspect, a given data block is encrypted and a message authentication code is generated for the encrypted data block. A target address is determined for storage of the encrypted data block in a memory. The target address is then modified to permit in-line storage of the message authentication code with the encrypted data block in the memory, and the encrypted data block and the message authentication code are transferred to the memory for storage at the modified address. Illustrative embodiments of the techniques advantageously facilitate secure off-chip storage of data in a processing system.
US08296583B2 Physical digital media delivery
The inventions relate to the delivery, transfer of content, and return of uniquely customized physical digital media. Digital content is specifically encrypted for use on a target player associated with a specific customer account. After use, the media is returned to a receiving location where use information is read from the media. Attention is given to cost of delivery, security of content, user experience in selecting, choosing, paying for, viewing or utilizing the content, and usage information created as a result of the content being utilized, rented, purchased, loaded or deleted.
US08296577B2 Cryptographic bus architecture for the prevention of differential power analysis
An apparatus and method for preventing information leakage attacks through a polarized cryptographic bus architecture. The polarized cryptographic bus architecture randomly changes the polarity of the target bit such that the leaked information cannot be consistently averaged to yield statistical key material. Further, to increase the prevention of information leakage attacks, a set of dual rails is used to write data to a given register bit.
US08296569B2 Content protection interoperability infrastructure
Interoperability of protected content items between computing devices is facilitated by providing content items having a standard representation, and media players having support for the content item representations. The representation of the content item may be limited by a profile as to the elements it contains. The elements allowed in the content item may also be limited.
US08296568B2 Systems and methods for authenticating an electronic transaction
Systems and methods for authenticating a request between a client computer and a transaction server are provided. An application request, comprising an identity of a user originating the request, is received at an application server from the client. The application server constructs a signing key based on (i) the identity of the user making the request, (ii) a time based salt value, (iii) a secret shared between the application and transaction servers and, optionally, (iv) an identifier of the distributor or developer of the application. The signing key is embedded in an unbranded version of the application thereby branding the application. The branded application can sign a request with the signing key and submit the signed request to the transaction server with the identity of the user and the identifier of the distributor or developer of the application.
US08296563B2 Method of handling a certification request
In a certification request, a user device includes an object identifier. When a certification authority generates an identity certificate responsive to receiving the certification request, the certification authority includes the object identifier, thereby allowing improved management of the identity certificate at the user device and elsewhere.
US08296561B2 Certifying device, verifying device, verifying system, computer program and integrated circuit
An authentication system verifies an authentic computer program, certifies the authenticity itself, and verifies a certification. The authentication system includes a terminal (e.g., requesting device) and a card (e.g., verifying device). The card stores secret information to be used by the terminal, and an update program for the terminal. The card verifies authenticity of the terminal using information obtained from the terminal. When it judges that the terminal is authentic, the card outputs the secret information to the terminal. When it judges that the terminal is not authentic, the card outputs the update program. The terminal is forced to update the program when it attempts to use the secret information.
US08296560B2 Method and apparatus for restricting address resolution protocol table updates
Techniques for restricting Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table updates to updates originating from authorized subsystems is disclosed. According to an embodiment, an instruction to update an ARP table is received. It is determined whether a command interface from which the instruction originated is authorized. If the command interface is authorized, then the ARP table is updated based on the instruction. According to an embodiment, a DHCP Server may be configured to send an instruction to update an ARP table upon receiving a DHCP message indicating a network layer address that is not bound with a data link layer address. The DHCP Server may send the instruction over an authorized command interface, or be in other ways authorized to update the ARP table.
US08296555B2 Preloader
This disclosure describes techniques and/or apparatuses for reducing the total time used to boot up a computer and load applications onto the computer.
US08296552B2 Dynamically migrating channels
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of determining a relative priority between a first agent and a second agent, and assigning the first agent to a first channel and the second agent to a second channel according to the relative priority. Depending on the currently programmed status of the channels, information stored in at least one of the channels may be dynamically migrated to another channel based on the assignments. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08296547B2 Loading entries into a TLB in hardware via indirect TLB entries
An enhanced mechanism for loading entries into a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) in hardware via indirect TLB entries. In one embodiment, if no direct TLB entry associated with the given virtual address is found in the TLB, the TLB is checked for an indirect TLB entry associated with the given virtual address. Each indirect TLB entry provides the real address of a page table associated with a specified range of virtual addresses and comprises an array of page table entries. If an indirect TLB entry associated with the given virtual address is found in the TLB, a computed address is generated by combining a real address field from the indirect TLB entry and bits from the given virtual address, a page table entry (PTE) is obtained by reading a word from a memory at the computed address, and the PTE is loaded into the TLB as a direct TLB entry.
US08296545B2 Storage capacity status
In one embodiment of the present invention, a memory device is disclosed to include memory organized into blocks, each block having a status associated therewith and all of the blocks of the nonvolatile memory having collectively a capacity status associated therewith and a display for showing the capacity status even when no power is being applied to the display.
US08296541B2 Memory subsystem with positional read data latency
A memory subsystem with positional read data latency that includes one or more memory modules, a memory controller and one or more memory busses is provided. The memory controller includes instructions for providing positional read data latency. The memory modules and the memory controller are interconnected via the memory busses.
US08296540B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting the performance of a synchronous memory system
A method and apparatus for adjusting the performance of a memory system is provided. A memory system comprises a master device and a slave device. A memory channel couples the master device to the slave device such that the slave device receives the system operating information from the master device via the memory channel. The slave device further includes tuning circuitry within the slave device such that the performance of the memory system is improved.
US08296539B2 Method and apparatus for performing wear leveling in memory
A method for performing wear leveling in a memory, and an apparatus corresponding to the method, is provided. The method includes: dividing the lifecycle of the memory which includes more than one physical blocks into at least one sampling interval; for each sampling interval, getting the first physical block by taking statistics of the degree of the wear leveling of each physical block in the memory in the current sampling interval; getting the second physical block by taking statistics of the updating times of each logical address in the current sampling interval; exchanging the logical addresses and data of the first physical block and the second physical block.
US08296534B1 Techniques for using flash-based memory in recovery processing
Described are techniques for performing recovery processing in a data storage system. A providing a flash-based memory is provided with includes cached write data that has not been destaged to a data storage device. It is determined whether said flash-based memory has a threshold amount of storage available thereon. If the flash-based memory does not have the threshold amount of storage available thereon, portions of the cache write data are destaged until said flash-based memory has a threshold amount of storage available thereon. Received data requests are processed in accordance with a first policy different from a second policy used in connection with processing received data requests if said flash-based memory has a threshold amount of storage available thereon.
US08296532B2 Write set boundary management for heterogeneous storage controllers in support of asynchronous update of secondary storage
A data storage system including at least one storage controller having a first color policy and operative to store data onto a first data storage unit at a primary site as part of a current color of the primary site, at least one storage controller having a second color policy and operative to store data onto a second data storage unit at the primary site as part of the current color, and a color control node operative to provide each of the controllers with new color information while maintaining the integrity of dependent writes across color boundaries.
US08296528B2 Methods and systems for microcode patching
Methods and systems for performing microcode patching are presented. In one embodiment, a data processing system comprises a cache memory and a processor. The cache memory comprises a plurality of cache sections. The processor sequesters one or more cache sections of the cache memory and stores processor microcode therein. In one embodiment, the processor executes the microcode in the one or more cache sections.
US08296522B2 Method, apparatus, and system for shared cache usage to different partitions in a socket with sub-socket partitioning
A cache that supports sub-socket partitioning is discussed. Specifically, the cache supports different quality of service levels and victim cache line selection for a cache miss operation. The different quality of service levels allow for programmable ceiling usage and floor usage thresholds that allow for different techniques for victim cache line selection.
US08296518B2 Arithmetic processing apparatus and method
An apparatus includes a TLB storing a part of a TSB area included in a memory accessed by the apparatus. The TSB area stores an address translation pair for translating a virtual address into a physical address. The apparatus further includes a cache memory that temporarily stores the pair; a storing unit that stores a starting physical address of the pair stored in the memory unit; a calculating unit that calculates, based on the starting physical address and a virtual address to be converted, a TSB pointer used in obtaining from the TSB area a corresponding address translation pair corresponding to the virtual address to be converted; and an obtaining unit that obtains the corresponding pair from the TSB area using the TSB pointer calculated and stores the corresponding pair in the cache memory, if the corresponding pair is not retrieved from the TLB or the cache memory.
US08296516B2 Storage controller for mirroring data written to cache memory area
A first controller has a first CM area having a plurality of first sub-areas, and a second controller has a second CM area having a plurality of second sub-areas. The first controller stores first data in any of the first sub-areas, and in addition, stores a mirror of the first data (first mirror data) in any of the second sub-areas. The first controller manages a pair (an association relationship) of the storage-destination first sub-area of the first data and the storage-destination second sub-area of the first mirror data. Similarly, the second controller stores second data in any of the second sub-areas, and in addition, stores a mirror of the second data (second mirror data) in any of the first sub-areas. The second controller manages a pair (an association relationship) of the storage-destination second sub-area of the second data and the storage-destination first sub-area of the second mirror data.
US08296511B1 Method and system of providing object location metadata cookies in a federated content addressable storage system
Managing data on a federated CAS system includes determining a group of objects to be stored on a single CAS system of the federated CAS system, obtaining a cookie corresponding a particular one of the CAS systems of the federated CAS system in response to initially writing at least one object of the group of objects, where the at least one object is written to the particular one of the CAS systems, and providing the cookie in connection with writing objects of the group of objects following initially writing at least one object of the group of objects. The cookie causes the objects to be written to the particular one of the CAS systems. The cookie may be provided by at least one router that maintains the federated CAS system, which may be separate from both a processing device and the particular one of the CAS systems.
US08296510B2 Hybrid memory management
Methods and apparatus for managing data storage in hybrid memory devices utilizing single level and multi level memory cells. Logical addresses can be distributed between single level and multilevel memory cells based on a frequency of write operations performed. Initial storage of data corresponding to a logical address in memory can be determined by various methods including initially writing all data to single level memory or initially writing all data to multilevel memory. Other methods permit a host to direct logical address writes to single level or multilevel memory cells based on anticipated usage.
US08296509B2 Controller for one type of NAND flash memory for emulating another type of NAND flash memory
A method of executing an erasing instruction to erase host data from a flash memory device is provided. The method initiates with receiving from a host device an erase instruction to erase host data from an array of NAND flash memory cells grouped into separately-erasable device blocks, each device block including multiple device pages, the host data being a portion of device data that is stored in a device block. The host data is marked as erased, and a message is sent to the host device indicating that the host data has been erased.
US08296507B2 Memory management and writing method and rewritable non-volatile memory controller and storage system using the same
A memory management and writing method for managing a plurality of physical units of a memory chip is provided. The present method includes grouping the physical units into a first physical unit group and a second physical unit group, recording and calculating a first erase count of the first physical unit group and a second erase count of the second physical unit group, and calculating an erase count difference between the first erase count and the second erase count. The present method also includes determining whether the erase count difference is larger than an erase count difference threshold when a write command is received. The method further includes executing a switched writing procedure to write data corresponding to the write command into the memory chip when the erase count difference is larger than the erase count difference threshold. Thereby, the lifespan of the memory chip is effectively prolonged.
US08296501B2 Memory management method for non-volatile memory and controller using the same
A memory management method for a non-volatile memory and a controller using the same are provided. The non-volatile memory is substantially divided into a plurality of blocks. First, non-erasing information of a plurality of memory units comprising at least one block is recoded and used as a reference to establish an evaluation value. Then, whether to move data of at least one block on the memory units to another memory unit according to the evaluation value is determined. Accordingly, problems of read disturb and data retention due to excessive reading times can be resolved.
US08296500B2 Memory system and computer system
When a memory card is inserted into a computer, a memory controller sends command information stored in a memory array to the computer. Then, the computer stores the command information received from the memory card into a RAM. The computer generates a command as needed on the basis of the stored command information and sends the generated command to the memory card. When the memory card receives the command from the computer, the memory controller analyzes the received command and performs it while making reference to command analysis information. This makes it possible to reduce a load accompanying the change and addition of commands in a semiconductor memory.
US08296496B2 Main memory with non-volatile memory and DRAM
One embodiment is main memory that includes a combination of non-volatile memory (NVM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM). An operating system migrates data between the NVM and the DRAM.
US08296491B2 Host for use with dual interface card with backward and forward compatibility
Techniques are presented that allow a memory card operable according to two protocols (such as a legacy protocol and newer protocol), and having a corresponding dual interface, to be used with hosts that support the new protocol as well as having backward compatibility with legacy hosts, while preventing the use of legacy cards with hosts that support the new protocol but do not support the legacy protocol. The card that supports the new protocol has a similar form factor to the legacy card, includes an indentation. A host that supports the new, but not the legacy, type card includes a mechanical structure within the attachment slot that, based on the card indentation, can distinguish the card types and prevent the non-supported card from being attached.
US08296490B2 Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of interrupt delivery at runtime in a network system
Processor affinity of an application/thread may be used to deliver an interrupt caused by the application/thread to a best processor at runtime. The processor to which the interrupt is delivered may either run the target application/thread or be located in the same socket as the processor that runs the target application/thread. The processor affinity of the application/thread may be pushed down at runtime to a network device, a chipset, a memory control hub (“MCH”), or an input/output hub (“IOH”), which will facilitate delivery of the interrupt using that affinity information.
US08296489B2 Priority control device
A priority control device comprises a clock generator for generating a clock signal, a time interval generating unit having a plurality of signal routes and each of the signal routes has a different signal passing time respectively, and a logic control unit coupled to the outputs of the signal routes. The time interval generating unit determines the timing of receiving input signals according to the clock signal. The logic control unit receives the output signals of the signal routes for generating the control signals.
US08296488B2 Automatic self-addressing method for wired network nodes
A method and system for addressing nodes in a multi-drop wired network are disclosed. In an embodiment nodes communicate via a two-way communication bus. Upon receipt of an address command, a first node assigns itself a first address, closes a switch to activate an output port of the first node to enable a second node to receive communications from the first node, and sends a second address onto the two-way communication bus. The second address is received by all previously addressed nodes, including a controller if used, as well as the second node, which is as yet unaddressed. Upon receipt of the second address, the second node repeats the process. If a node does not receive an acknowledgement that a subsequent node has addressed itself, that node deactivates its output port and terminates the network.
US08296486B2 Peripheral device enabling enhanced communication
An apparatus comprising a single memory device providing data storage, a controller for controlling data transfer to and from the data storage, and first and second bus connector plugs, wherein each plug has contacts for connecting with the power, ground, and data contacts of a port of a host system. The power and ground contacts of the first and second plugs are coupled together to provide power to the apparatus through either or both plugs. Data from either or both plugs is communicated with the controller depending upon which plugs are coupled to a port. The controller is responsible for controlling the read and write operations of the data storage. The apparatus may be any type of external memory device, such as a flash drive, or a peripheral device having a high data transfer rate, such as a digital video camera.
US08296484B2 Alphanumeric data entry apparatus and method using multicharacter keys of a keypad
A method and apparatus for predicting the desired alphanumeric character of a depressed multi-character key of a reduced-key keypad based upon the previous selection of characters. Rule trees defining the prediction associated with a depressed key based upon the previous selection of characters are dynamically built upon use to readily function with all language styles and vocabularies. Moreover, the rule trees are weighted to increase the probability of predicting the desired character and to be quickly adaptable to different users having different language styles or vocabularies.
US08296482B2 Translating requests between full speed bus and slower speed device wherein the translation logic is based on snoop result and modified cache state
Methods and apparatus related to techniques for translating requests between a full speed bus and a slower speed device are described. In one embodiment, a translation logic translates requests between a full speed bus (such as a front side bus, e.g., running relatively higher frequencies, for example at MHz levels) and a much slower speed device (such as a System On Chip (SOC) device (or SOC Device Under Test (DUT)), e.g., logic provided through emulation, which may be running at much lower frequency, for example kHz levels). Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08296480B2 Context execution in a media controller architecture
Described embodiments provide a media controller for processing one or more data transfer requests received from at least one host device. The media controller includes a buffer to receive data of a data transfer request from a communication link and a command parser to generate one or more contexts corresponding to the data transfer request. The one or more contexts are stored in the buffer. At least one queue of the media controller includes a regular context queue for queuing regular-priority contexts, and a high-priority context queue for queuing high-priority contexts. A context manager coordinates processing of regular-priority contexts and high-priority contexts of the at least one queue based on context boundaries, wherein, when a context is processed at a context boundary, data corresponding to the processed context is data is transferred between the communication link and at least one of the buffer and the at least one storage media.
US08296478B2 Data transfer system and data transfer method
An efficient transfer of data including a plurality of data sections is achieved. In a data transfer system including a first DMA 1142 of a channel control unit 11 and an MP 122 of a processor unit 12 that sets a transfer parameter in the first DMA 1142, while CKD format data 1400 is transferred from a cache memory 14 to a memory 113 of the channel control unit 11, the MP 122 acquires a C field 1411 from the cache memory 14 and sets a transfer parameter in the first DMA 1142 on the basis of the acquired C field 1411, the transfer parameter having attached thereto the C field 1411 and being used for transferring a K field 1412 from the cache memory 14 to the memory 113. The first DMA 1142 retrieves the C field 1411 attached to the transfer parameter, stores the C field 1411 in the memory 113, and transfers the K field from the cache memory 14 to the memory 113 according to the transfer parameter.
US08296477B1 Secure data transfer using legitimate QR codes wherein a warning message is given to the user if data transfer is malicious
User data is securely transferred from a client device to a mobile device. Data transfer activities at the client are monitored to detect a request to transfer data via a displayed code (e.g., QR code). The data being transfer are verified as being legitimate (e.g., not compromised by malware or otherwise malicious) before the transfer. Responsive to verifying that the transfer data are legitimate, a code encoding the transfer data is displayed on a display device of the client. A user of the mobile device captures the code using a digital camera or other data scanning device and decodes the code to obtain the transfer data. The mobile device may then perform an action using the transfer data, such as connecting to a website or composing an email to an address included in the transfer data.
US08296473B2 Component connector with identifying characteristic for an electronic device
A system and method for optically identifying a component coupled to an electronic device is provided. The method includes emitting light from within the device toward a surface of a component connector inserted into a receiving socket of the device. A light sensor senses the intensity, amplitude or wavelength of light reflected from a surface of the component connector. A processor of the device identifies the component based on the intensity, amplitude or wavelength of light reflected from a surface of the component connector. The processor modifies at least one setting of the electronic device in response to the identification of the component.
US08296468B2 Storage controller and controlling method therefor
A storage controller that performs user-friendly information display, simplifies updating of support information, has external storage controllers to provide sufficient input/output performance, and expands the range of external storage controllers to be supported; and a controlling method for that storage controller. The storage controller includes a code extract/convert unit for converting a first code indicating a vendor name and/or device name of an external storage controller, obtained based on inquiry data transmitted from the external storage controller, into a second code indicating a real vendor name and/or real device name of the external storage controller. The storage controller creates support information that compiles information of each model regarding whether or not it can be connected to the respective external storage controllers. Furthermore, a path control system and a timeout time can be set for the respective external storage controllers.
US08296465B2 Distributed computing bus
A distributed computing bus that provides both data transport and ambient computing power is provided. Contemplated buses comprise a network fabric of interconnected networking infrastructure nodes capable of being programmed before or after installation in the field. A fabric manager organizes the fabric into a bus topology communicatively coupling computing elements that exchange payload data using a bus protocol. Nodes within the bus topology operate on the payload data as the data passes through the node on route to its destination.
US08296460B2 Method and apparatus for communicating data and program thereof
A server assigns one of a plurality of clients as a representative client to each of a plurality of block data in a round-robin manner, for example. The server transmits the block data and information indicating the representative client assigned to the block data to the plurality of clients by multicast communication. The representative client transmits a response acknowledgement to the server. When the server receives the response acknowledgement, the server transmits block data following the block data and information indicating a new representative client assigned to the following block data to the plurality of clients by multicast communication.
US08296457B2 Providing nearest neighbor point-to-point communications among compute nodes of an operational group in a global combining network of a parallel computer
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for providing nearest neighbor point-to-point communications among compute nodes of an operational group in a global combining network of a parallel computer, each compute node connected to each adjacent compute node in the global combining network through a link, that include: identifying each link in the global combining network for each compute node of the operational group; designating one of a plurality of point-to-point class routing identifiers for each link such that no compute node in the operational group is connected to two adjacent compute nodes in the operational group with links designated for the same class routing identifiers; and configuring each compute node of the operational group for point-to-point communications with each adjacent compute node in the global combining network through the link between that compute node and that adjacent compute node using that link's designated class routing identifier.
US08296455B2 Method for mitigating adverse processor loading in a personal computer implementation of a wireless local area network adapter
A personal computer's (PC) microprocessor is used to provide both the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) processing functions required to implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter. This technique uses the polling mechanism associated with the power save (PS) functionality of WLAN protocol to relieve networking stress on the host processing system. It does this while maintaining networking integrity and packet delivery. The WLAN protocol polling mechanism is used to briefly inhibit the transfer of packets from the WLAN access point (AP) during peak periods of network traffic and/or host processor loading. Because the modulation, demodulation, and MAC functions, typically implemented in dedicated hardware on existing adapters are implemented in software running on the host PC microprocessor, other host system processes and applications can interfere with these time critical functions. Conversely, latency introduced by WLAN specific processing tasks during peak periods of network traffic may cause unacceptable delays to the other processes and applications requiring microprocessor attention. In addition to its primary stated purpose of allowing WLAN mobile stations to save power, this technique will use power save polling as a method for controlling delivery of network packets when the host is heavily loaded or when peak interrupt latencies make reliable packet delivery difficult or impossible.
US08296451B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic data flow control using prioritization of data requests
A data center determines whether requested content is available at the data center. The content is available when the content is both present at the data center and current. When the requested content is available at the data center, the data center returns the requested content to the browser. When the requested content is locally unavailable at the data center, the requested content is retrieved from an origin server. When retrieval of the content is delayed, the request is prioritized and placed in a queue for handling by the origin server based on the priority of the request. A status page may be communicated to the browser to inform a user of the delay and provide alternate content and status information related to the request determined as a function of the request or the current state of the origin server.
US08296450B2 Delegated network management system and method of using the same
A method for providing a management function requested by a user that uses a managed device includes establishing a session on a managed device in response to a user logging into an account on the managed device, establishing a delegated management session on a management device, the delegated management session corresponding to the session on the managed device, receiving a management message on the management device, the management message being related to a management function requested by the user, and in response to the received management message, performing the management function using the management device.
US08296448B2 Internet protocol multimedia system (IMS) mobile session initiation protocol (SIP) agent
A first phone obtains an identifier of a second phone from a phone list, and sends a request for the second phone's Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) type to a remote server. The first phone receives the second phone's SIP type from the remote server, and sends a message to one or more nodes in a network, based on the received second phone's SIP type, for a SIP session between the first phone and the second phone.
US08296444B2 Medium resource reservation method, service package information obtaining method and apparatus
A medium resource reservation method, a service package information obtaining method, and a service package information obtaining apparatus are provided, which are capable of decreasing resource waste of medium resource reservation. The resource reservation method includes the following steps. A service message carrying Session Description Protocol (SDP) information is received, and the SDP information contains service package information. The service package information is parsed from the SDP information. The service package information is employed for resource reservation. The method can identify the service package, so that the service package processing efficiency is improved, and the resource waste of medium resource reservation is effectively decreased.
US08296443B2 Method of discovering operator-provided network-services using IMS
A method, a session managing node and an arrangement for providing a network-service address of at least one network-service of an IMS network (401) of a first operator to a third party service provider (403), wherein the third party service provider has no business agreement with the first operator. A first application (404) of a mobile station is communicating with a second application (405) via a first network (406), resulting in the set-up of an IMS-session, between the mobile station and the third party service provider. A network-service address of at least one network-service, provided by the IMS network of the first operator, is inserted into a SIP message of the IMS-session in a session managing node (600) of the IMS network of the first operator and delivered to the third party service provider, where it is forwarded to the second application. If required, the second application may access the one or more network-services via the first network, using the retrieved network-address.
US08296442B2 Method and apparatus for minimizing bandwidth usage between a communication server and media device
A communication server implements a method that minimizes bandwidth usage between a media device and the communication server in a communication system where separate session and floor control protocols are used. Where multiple clients have established separate sessions to access a media source at a media device and upon determining that the multiple clients are attempting to access the same media source, the communication server implements floor control logic to tie multiple floor arbiters together across the separate sessions to cause a single media stream to be sent from the media source and received at the communication server for distribution to the clients, thereby minimizing the bandwidth on the uplink between the media device and the communication server.
US08296441B2 Methods and systems for joining a real-time session of presentation layer protocol data
Methods and systems directed to joining a real-time user session of presentation layer protocol data. The methods describe a user session receiving a presentation layer protocol data stream, wherein the user session comprises a single presentation layer protocol stack. The protocol stack sending a request to a virtual channel to reinitialize. The virtual channel processing an existing request until the request to reinitialize is encountered. The protocol stack modifying the presentation layer protocol data stream to contain a marker. The systems describe a single presentation layer protocol stack. The protocol stack includes a receiver, a virtual channel, and a rollover agent. The receiver receives a presentation layer protocol data stream and receives a message initiating reinitialization. The virtual channel processes a request. The rollover agent sends to the virtual channel a request to reinitialize and modifies the presentation layer protocol data stream to contain a marker.
US08296438B2 Dynamically configuring a router to find the best DHCP server
Provided is a method for assigning a domain host configuration protocol (DHCP) server from a list of available DHCP servers based upon user selected criteria. When a network router receives a request for an IP address from a computer, or “client,” connected to a network, the request is analyzed for information related to both the client and the available DHCP servers. The analysis may be based upon a number of factors such as the number of previous requests to a particular DHCP server and the proximity of the servers to the computer requesting the IP address. Once the router determines an appropriate DHCP server for a particular IP address request, the client request is forwarded to that DHCP server. The process is completely transparent to both the requesting client and to the selected DHCP server.
US08296434B1 Providing dynamically scaling computing load balancing
Techniques are described for providing load balancing functionality among multiple computing nodes. In some situations, the provided load balancing functionality includes dynamically scaling a group of multiple computing nodes for which the load balancing is performed, such as to dynamically expand and/or shrink the quantity of computing nodes in the group based on predefined criteria. At least some of the computing nodes of a group may be part of one or more physical computer networks in one or more geographical locations under control of a user or other entity, and at least some of the dynamic scaling of the group may use one or more other computing nodes that are part of a remote computer network (e.g., a virtual computer network provided under the control of a network-accessible service). The defined criteria used for the dynamic scaling may be determined in various manners and based on various factors.
US08296433B2 Virtualization method and apparatus for integrating enterprise applications
A method and apparatus is provided for integrating an application into a network of computing resources. Applications using this integration have a virtualized access to one or more computing resources associated with the network. Virtualization is generally assured through at least one network connection between the virtual layer and the native network. Together, the virtual access is used to generate a virtual application network capable of providing the application access to the network of computing resources. The application is created into an orchestration of operations to manipulate the one or more computing resources according to a business process. As needed, the application and orchestration can be further partitioning into components to be distributed and executed over the virtual application network using the virtualized access.
US08296428B2 Mechanism to detect restricted access via internet hotspot
A wireless device automatically detects the redirection of its internet access via a wireless hotspot network. An algorithm in the device provides the flexibility to detect either or both of DNS redirection and HTTP redirection, as well as to automatically accommodate such internet redirection. The algorithm allows a wireless device user to be alerted and account for internet redirection when such internet redirection is automatically detected upon entering service via a hotspot. Alternatively, the wireless device may attempt to automatically meet the hotspot requirements and complete the internet access through the hotspot.
US08296427B2 System and method for processing user interface events
A system and method to detect and prevent non-human interaction between a client and a web server invokes an effect to change the event generation behavior at the client. Subsequent event streams from the client to the server are analyzed to determine whether the event streams contain events corresponding to expected reactions of a human operator at the client to the effect. Indications of non-human behavior may invoke more direct human testing, for example using a dynamic CAPTCHA application, or may cause a termination of the client/URL interaction.
US08296426B2 System and method for performing capacity planning for enterprise applications
A system and method for capacity planning for enterprise networks, such as identifying bottlenecks and removing or replacing the bottleneck device are provided. The device utilization for one or more network devices are measured or read from measured data. A relative load is calculated from the device utilization data and device utilization is compared to a device threshold to determine the bottleneck device. A method is also provided for determining network utilizations, network populations and a relative response times based on only limited measurable device usage data.
US08296423B2 Intelligent routing
Routing of content, including: receiving a request to access a content item from a device; determining at least one of status, location, and format of the content item; and planning a procedure to fulfill the request to access the content item, wherein the procedure includes a method and a route.
US08296420B2 Method and apparatus for constructing a DHT-based global namespace
A DHT-based global namespace (GNS) is constructed for a network system that includes network attached storage (NAS) devices, including at least one DHT-NAS device (a NAS device having DHT Functionalities) and at least one Existing-NAS device (a NAS device lacking DHT Functionalities). In a DHT Overlay Construction Phase, the DHT-NAS devices construct a DHT overlay. In an Initial Phase, the GNS is created above share folders in the Existing-NAS devices, with mapping of the share folders in the Existing-NAS devices to GNS paths distributed to a key lookup table in the DHT-NAS devices. Each mapping in the key lookup table includes a key, a GNS path, NAS type, IP address of the NAS, and the path within the NAS Share. There is no central GNS mapping table. In a Discovery Phase, the DHT-NAS devices discover the Existing-NAS devices to construct the GNS under the share folders. In a Working Phase, the DHT-NAS devices service GNS requests.
US08296416B2 Representing aggregated rich presence information
Techniques for relaying presence information of an entity to a user, wherein the entity is known to the user via one or more communications networks, are provided. At least one portion of the presence information of the entity is obtained from one or more servers associated with the one or more communications networks. An image is generated in accordance with the at least one portion of the presence information of the entity. The image summarizes the presence information of the entity. Further, the image assists the user in the selection of a communication option when contacting the entity from a plurality of communication options of the entity.
US08296415B2 Workload timing using a self-adaptive approach to information collection
A solution is proposed for implementing a self-adapting reconciliation process. Multiple user accounts are defined on different endpoints for accessing protected resources thereof; a server centralizes the definition of the user accounts on a single point of control which is then synchronized with user account definitions on the endpoints. A dynamic reconciliator, interposed between the server and the endpoints, receives any request from the server for a reconciliation process to be completed in a predefined time-frame. The reconciliator collects the required information from the endpoints and determines an optimal time pattern for the processing of the information by the server over the time-frame according to an estimated amount of information expected to be received and an estimated workload distribution of the server in the time-frame. The reconciliator transmits the information to the server according to this time pattern.
US08296414B1 Techniques for automated application discovery
Described are techniques for performing automated discovery processing in a network. A data storage system monitors transmissions sent over the network. The data storage system extracts one or more data elements from one or more messages included in the transmissions and determines at least one application executing on a component in the network in accordance with the one or more data elements.
US08296411B2 Programmatically determining an execution mode for a request dispatch utilizing historic metrics
A request dispatcher can automatically switch between processing request dispatches (e.g., include( )) in a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode. Each dispatch can be associated with a unique identification value such as a process ID or Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), historic metrics, and a ruleset. With each execution of the request dispatch, historic metrics can be collected. Metrics can include, but is not limited to, execution duration and/or execution frequency, processor load, memory usage, network input/output, number of dependent dispatches, and the like. Utilizing historic metrics, rules can be constructed for determining which mode to execute the subsequent execution of the dispatch. As such, runtime optimization of Web applications can be further improved.
US08296404B2 External processor for a distributed network access system
An external processor for a network access system having a programmable access device includes a service controller that provides at least one service for network traffic, a message processor that processes network messages for service processing by the service controller, and a programmable access device controller that programs the programmable access device in response to service controller processing. It is advantageous for the external processor to include primary and secondary service controllers for a particular service so that, if the primary service controller fails, the secondary service controller can provide the particular service for message received from the programmable access device. In preferred embodiments, the service controller further includes a reporting processor that provides an interface through which reporting messages received from the programmable access device can be communicated to the service controller and a signaling controller that transmits signals to configure network hardware to establish requested network connections. The external processor preferably further supports a service policy interface through which the service controller can request policy decisions from a possibly remote policy server.
US08296403B2 Network address allocation using a user identity
Apparatus, systems, and methods assign a permanent network address to a user identity, detect access to a network by a node associated with the user identity, generate an identifier associated with the user identity, and send the identifier to the node to enable the node to obtain replacement of a temporary network address allocated to the node, with the permanent network address. Activities may include receiving a release request from a node to release a temporary network address allocated to the node (associated with the user identity), receiving an allocation request (including the identifier) from the node to allocate a permanent network address previously assigned to the user identity, and allocating the permanent network address to the node as a replacement for the temporary network address. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08296402B2 Determining and downloading portions of a software application in a computer system
Determining and downloading portions of a software application in a computer system. The software application may include a plurality of portions. Which of those plurality of portions are currently present on the computer system and which of those plurality of portions are not currently present on the computer system may be determined. The portions of the software application which are not currently present on the computer system may be downloaded to the computer system. The portions of the software application which are currently present on the computer system may not be downloaded to the computer system.
US08296395B2 Obje network device service control method and system
An Obje network device service control method and system, the method including: discovering Obje components by an Obje proxy, and generating component proxies by an Obje proxy, the component proxies respectively corresponding to the Obje components; discovering the component proxies by a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) control point, and requesting by the UPnP control point a component proxy of the component proxies, which is selected by a UPnP control point, for a presentation page; generating and providing by the selected component proxy the presentation page to the UPnP control point; and controlling by the UPnP control point a transfer session between the Obje components based on the presentation page.
US08296387B2 Method and apparatus for managing shared data at a portable electronic device of a first entity
A method and apparatus for managing shared data at a portable electronic device of a first entity is provided. A message is received advising that data associated with a second entity is being shared. A request is transmitted to a server for a list of shared folders associated with the second entity, in response to an option to view shared folders associated with the second entity being selected. The list is received. An initialize command is transmitted to the server, the initialize command identifying at least one folder in the list. The data associated with the second entity is received, responsive to the transmitting the initialize command. The data is stored in association with a second entity identifier.
US08296383B2 Electronic devices with voice command and contextual data processing capabilities
An electronic device may capture a voice command from a user. The electronic device may store contextual information about the state of the electronic device when the voice command is received. The electronic device may transmit the voice command and the contextual information to computing equipment such as a desktop computer or a remote server. The computing equipment may perform a speech recognition operation on the voice command and may process the contextual information. The computing equipment may respond to the voice command. The computing equipment may also transmit information to the electronic device that allows the electronic device to respond to the voice command.
US08296382B2 Efficient use of resources in message classification
A system and method are disclosed for routing a message through a plurality of test methods. The method includes: receiving a message; applying a first test method to the message; updating a state of the message based on the first test method; and determining a second test method to be applied to the message based on the state.
US08296380B1 Social media based messaging systems and methods
A method of message distribution, the method performed in a computer system having one or more processors accessing one or more databases comprising user account records, the one or more databases being stored in at least one storage device accessible by the one or more processors, the method including receiving a first message from a sender of a first client system, retrieving a first user credential of a first social media user account and a second user credential of a second social media user account stored in the one or more databases, packaging the first message and the first user credential into a first message package and the first message and the second user credential into a second message package, transmitting the first message package to a first social media system, the first social media system automatically distributing the first message to predetermined recipients of the first social media user account, and transmitting the second message package to the first social media system, the first social media system automatically distributing the first message to predetermined recipients of the second social media user account.
US08296379B2 Handling meeting invitations and calendar system
A calendar system handles meeting invitations. Associated entries are determined in a received meeting invitation of a calendar system. A forwarded invitation is generated according to the associated entries. An association is generated between the forwarded invitation and the meeting invitation. The forwarded invitation is then sent. In this way, the calendar distributes meeting arrangements relatively independently, so that meeting invitations and forwarded invitations can be managed relatively independently.
US08296376B2 Utilizing E-mail response time statistics for more efficient and effective user communication
A method of increasing email correspondence responsiveness may include detecting a first set of email messages transmitted by a first correspondent to a second correspondent, creating a tracking record based on the responsiveness of the second correspondent to each email message of the first set of email messages, performing a first statistical analysis of the tracking record, generating a set of responsiveness metrics based on the first statistical analysis, detecting new outgoing email messages addressed to the second correspondent, and providing a user-configurable email message format for each detected outgoing message, the user-configurable email message format. According to the example embodiment, the user-configurable email message format is configured to increase effective email response time from the second correspondent and the user-configurable email message format is based on the set of responsiveness metrics.
US08296369B2 Email server with proxy caching of unique identifiers
An electronic mail (email) server has a database that stores unique identifiers (UID's) of electronic messages. A proxy obtains mappings from the database for previously existing UID's of electronic messages that have been determined from a polling operation. A cache caches the mappings of UID's and the proxy is operative for purging the cache of the previously existing UID's after polling.
US08296368B2 Method and program for providing data coherence in networks
A method of and a program for providing coherence between instances of data objects residing on distributed nodes of a non-memory-coupled network. To provide a method of and a program for providing coherence in accordance with the features set forth in the opening part of this specification, which allows coherence between, in principle, any data objects or instances of data objects, in that respect is substantially freely scalable and also does not require a central memory or server for the data objects. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, for each instance of a data object that is processed by a node, platform-independent unique metadata are generated and by means of the metadata and a coherence protocol which operates on that metadata, the metadata and thus the data objects are kept coherent.
US08296366B2 Efficient routing of real-time multimedia information
A system for efficient routing of real-time multimedia information is provided. The system efficiently routes messages containing real-time multimedia information by configuring and using multi-control unit connectors (“connectors”), which are special-purpose components optimized to route messages. A computing device may use multiple connectors to dynamically create connections with resources of the computing device or other computing devices simultaneously. An application can dynamically configure a connector to operate as client, server, or client-servers. The connector may also have a mode in which it operates, such as mixer, reflector, or selector. These modes may define how a connector is to process received messages before forwarding them. By using the various modes and roles, the system can be used to combine and efficiently route multimedia information for meaningful presentation to users of disparate computing devices.
US08296365B2 Communication system, computer program execution device, recording medium, computer program, program information supply method, and program information editing method
The communication system comprises a first access processing, which accesses a server via a network, receives program information files transmitted from said server, and records them on hard disk, a program production and output that outputs on a monitor a program that it produces by information of received program information files and information recorded on, for example, an optical disk, a system for contributed text editing, which edits, as contributed text, messages input through a controller, a second access processing, which accesses the server at least through the network and transmits contributed texts to said server and an image display, which outputs to the monitor the image data drawn to image memory and displays said image on the screen of said monitor.
US08296358B2 Method and system for journaling data updates in a distributed file system
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of processing a file system transaction in a distributed file system. The method includes receiving a transaction request from a computer, wherein the transaction request includes file data to be stored and a first segment identifier that determines a destination of the file data. The method also includes generating a first distributed journal record corresponding to the file data. The method also includes generating a first file operation request based, at least in part, on the transaction request. The method also includes sending the first file operation request to a first segment server corresponding to the first segment identifier, wherein the first segment server generates a second distributed journal record corresponding to the file data on a memory device associated with the first segment server.
US08296351B2 System and method for pushing information to a mobile device
A system for pushing information to a mobile device includes a information source, a wireless network, and a proxy content server. The information source stores information. The wireless network sends and receives transmissions to and from the mobile device. The proxy content server is coupled to information source and the wireless network and receives information from the information source. In addition, the proxy content server stores information received from the information source to one of a plurality of channels based on pre-defined information categories, and automatically transmits information from a selected channel over the wireless network to the mobile device.
US08296349B2 Discrete cosine (DCT) and inverse discrete cosine transform circuit (IDCT) that executes DCT/IDCT operations with bufferfly stages
A discrete cosine transform (DCT) and inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) circuit includes a microcode memory, a processor, and a butterfly operation circuit. The microcode memory stores multiple microcode groups corresponding to DCT/IDCT operations and each of the microcode groups includes a series of microcodes. The processor obtains one of the microcode groups corresponding to one of the DCT/IDCT operations to be performed and retrieves microcodes in the obtained microcode group in sequence. The butterfly operation circuit performs butterfly operations according to the retrieved microcodes to execute one of the DCT/IDCT operations.
US08296348B2 Encoding and decoding data arrays
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of performing a Discrete Cosine Transform (“DCT”) encoding or decoding coefficients of a data array by (1) multiplying the coefficients by a scalar value before the encoding or decoding, and then (2) dividing the encoded or decoded coefficients by the scalar value. When used in conjunction with fixed-point arithmetic, this method increases the precision of the encoded and decoded results. In addition, some embodiments provide a method of performing a two-dimensional (2D) Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (“iDCT”). This method splits a pre-multiplication operation of the iDCT into two or more separate stages. When used in conjunction with fixed-point arithmetic, this splitting increases the precision of the decoded results of the iDCT.
US08296347B2 Use of line characterization to configure physical layered devices
A method of optimizing filter performance through monitoring channel characteristics is provided. A signal enters a channel and a receiver receives the signal. The receiver includes a FIR filter to remove near-end transmitted interference and recover a far-end desired signal. The filter has storage elements configured as a shift registers to move the signal, multipliers to multiply the signal by a filter coefficient, an intermittent summer to combine the multiplied results into a replica of an interfering signal, a final summer to remove the replica from the receiver signal to provide direct and indirect monitoring of the signal, where direct monitoring includes time or frequency monitoring, and indirect monitoring includes monitoring signal to noise ratio, error magnitude or bit error rate. The filter is optimized according to monitoring and includes reducing a dynamic range, reducing bits of precision, reducing linearity, the filter, and reallocating the filter.
US08296345B2 Microprocessor with selectively available random number generator based on self-test result
A microprocessor including a random number generator within its instruction set architecture and made selectively available to program instructions of the instruction set architecture depending upon results of a self-test of the random number generator performed is disclosed. The microprocessor also includes a self-test unit that performs the self-test in response to a reset. The microprocessor also includes an instruction translator that translates instructions of the instruction set architecture, including instructions related exclusively to operation of the random number generator. The microprocessor generates a fault defined by the instruction set architecture in response to execution of one of the plurality of instructions related exclusively to operation of the random number generator if the self-test unit previously determined the random number generator is not operating properly.
US08296344B2 Time delay and frequency offset calculation system and related methods
Time delay and frequency offset calculation systems and related methods. System implementations include modules coupled together configured to calculate a time delay and a corresponding frequency offset of a second signal delayed in time relative to a first signal with the maximum value of a magnitude of a delay optimization function. Implementations of a method for calculating a time delay and frequency offset calculate the maximum value of the delay optimization function by generating the cross-correlation of one or more adjacent discrete Fourier transformed blocks corresponding to the first signal and second signal, respectively, of two or more discrete Fourier transformed blocks. The maximum value of the delay optimization function is then identified. Implementations of the method may compare the identified maximum value of the magnitude of the delay optimization function with a threshold to determine whether to continue processing for additional adjacent discrete Fourier transformed blocks.
US08296343B2 Optimization of temporal and spatial data processing
Disclosed is a system and program for processing temporal data. A spatial query is received specifying a mapping function that identifies a set of temporal values for one or more objects. Geographic positions are automatically extracted from each set of temporal values for each of the one or more objects. Point objects are generated from the geographic positions. One or more spatial objects are generated from the point objects.
US08296342B2 Fingerprinting a database
A method comprising fingerprinting, by the at least one processor, a first copy of a database with a fingerprint. The fingerprint has at least one part in common with another fingerprint used in another copy of the database, and at least one part unique to the first copy of the database. The fingerprinting comprises swapping attributes between multiple records in the first copy of the database.
US08296340B2 Managing files using layout storage objects
Managing file objects in a data storage system includes providing a plurality of metadata servers, each metadata server having information for only a subset of file objects in the storage system, each subset for each of the metadata servers being less than a total number of file objects for the system and includes providing at least one metadata location server, where an entity accessing a specific file object of the system determines which of the metadata servers contains data for the specific file object by first accessing the at least one metadata location server. Information for the subset of file objects may include a table having file identifiers and metadata location information. The metadata location information may point to data storage for a metadata object for a file.
US08296339B2 Disk image optimization
Incremental optimizations and modifications to a disk image can be made after the initial generation of the disk image. In the case of video games, publishers who have access only to a final game image can use the invention to make small improvements to the game disc image without the original game assets and without incurring the cost of generating an entirely new disc image. A mapping data structure represents physical locations of data on disk. The mapping data structure is modified with an editor, and the resulting modified layout is tested using an emulator that emulates interaction between a computer readable medium with the modified layout and computer hardware.
US08296335B2 Method for advertising information
Methods for advertising information include: displaying user-selectable category and geographic vicinity information at a port; and, at a database that is not at the same location as the port; responding to user input at the port to display, at the port, advertising information that is associated with a user-selected category and geographic vicinity. Methods for updating advertising information in a database include: storing advertising information about a plurality of places in the database; updating the advertising information from a first port connected to the database through the Internet; and responding, at the database, to user inputs at a second port connected to the database through the Internet, to display updated advertising information at the second port. Advertisements can be tagged to items of interest and displayed.
US08296333B2 System and method for electronically managing medical data files
A network server arrangement including a processor with a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor. The network server arrangement is responsive to requests to access a medical record of an individual and generates summary medical record data including summary information having a plurality of data elements associated with the individual, at least one of the data elements conveying medical information about the individual, and a pointers component including at least one pointer pointing to a network location containing importable medical information in connection with the individual that is not contained in the summary information component. The pointer includes a machine readable address part for processing by the client, allowing the client to import the medical information from the network location, and a label part for displaying to a user the nature of the medical information residing at the network location.
US08296331B2 Implementation of stream algebra over class instances
Creating and executing a distributed stream processing operator graph based on a query. The operator graph includes movable stream algebra operators for processing events received from high volume data streams. The operators are partially compiled and distributed to computing devices for completion of the compilation and subsequent execution. During execution, the operators maintain minimal state information associated with received events via an expiration time assigned to each of the event instances. Additional events are generated and aggregated by the operators for communication to a service responsible for the query.
US08296330B2 Hierarchical classification
The hierarchical approach may start at the bottom of the hierarchy. As it moves up the hierarchy, knowledge from children and cousins is used to classify items at the parent. In addition, knowledge of improper classifications at a low level are raised to a higher level to create new rules to better identify mistaken classifications at a higher level. Once the top of the hierarchy is reached, a top down approach is used to further refine the classification of items.
US08296329B1 Controller with heuristic bundle optimizer for data center migration or other type of transition
In an information management system, a controller implements a heuristic bundle optimizer to facilitate a migration or other type of transition of at least a portion of a data center from a first configuration to a second configuration. The controller identifies a plurality of component bundling scenarios each specifying a separation of a given set of components associated with the first and second configurations into bundles for transitioning on a per-bundle basis from the first configuration to the second configuration. The controller also evaluates the component bundling scenarios, and determines an optimal one of the component bundling scenarios. The portion of the data center is then transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration with the components being transitioned in the bundles specified by the optimal component bundling scenario.
US08296320B1 Method and system for storing clients' access permissions in a cache
A storage server maintains a number of datasets (e.g., exported file systems or other resources). For each dataset, certain clients are allowed to have access (e.g., read access, write access, root access, etc.) and certain other clients are not allowed to have access. Access permission information is maintained to specify which clients are allowed to have access and what kind of access. A method and system are introduced to use a radix tree to store access permission information in a cache, therefore allowing the storage server to quickly retrieve access information relevant to a particular client. One advantage of using radix tree to maintain access permission information is that radix tree is very efficient at storing hierarchical information, such as IP addresses. Radix tree is also very efficient at representing subnets in particular.
US08296315B2 Earmarking media documents
A media object being played by a user may be marked by creating a mark object comprising the playback time when the mark was created. The time may be used to reference metadata with information about the media object at the time referenced. The metadata may be used to launch web searches corresponding to elements of the media at the time in question, for example, a back up singer at a point in a music track or the name of a resort in a movie. The searches may be performed from media player or the mark object may be transferred to a networked computer for performing the searches. The technique is equally applicable to portable media players, software or firmware media players on computers, or set top boxes.
US08296314B2 Interactively pausing the broadcast stream displayed, graphical generation of telestrator data queries designates the location of the object in the portion of the transmitted still image frame
Methods, apparatuses, and systems enabling an interactive information retrieval system that includes a user interface allowing users to graphically generate information queries for objects of interest found in various media, such as television, video, and print. The invention can allow users to designate objects of interest within a television or video display and receive information related to the objects of interest. The invention can also allow users to generate queries designating objects of interest within a graphical image using a GUI.
US08296312B1 Search and update of attributes in file systems
Example embodiments provide various techniques for fast and efficient search of attributes stored in data structures. The attributes are organized following a hierarchical structure of the file system and, in an example, the attributes are stored in a data structure where the hierarchical structure is maintained. As a result, a search within such data structure may follow one or more paths along the hierarchical structure of the file system. Attributes associated with directories and files outside of the path can be excluded from the search. Example embodiments also provide various techniques for updating signatures associated with the attributes. In an example, updates to the signatures can be made incrementally. For example, signatures can be updated when the attributes change.
US08296311B2 Solution search for software support
A search middleware may be used to receive search requests regarding a software incident associated with a software application. The search requests may be populated with attribute values determined based on context data associated with the software application and collected in association with the software incident. The search requests may be dispatched to a subset of a plurality of solution repositories, even if the solution repositories have different interfaces and/or search technologies. The resulting solution documents retrieved from the solution repositories may be compiled for presentation on a solution search interface.
US08296310B1 Unified management of time related information
Unified management of time related information presents a user with a single interface by which the data in different ERP systems can be browsed and modified. Each of the ERP systems can contain data specific to a data group such as the address data group in a human resources ERP system, sales data in a sales ERP system, and project data in a project planning ERP system. A view management module obtains records from the ERP systems. The view manager also obtains journaling information that can be kept in the ERP systems or kept separately. The view manager creates a history view and data group views that can be presented to a user. The user interacts with the presentation to sort, browse, analyze, and edit the view and data. Data changed in a data group view can be forwarded to produce changes in the ERP and journaling systems.
US08296305B2 Rules and method for improving image search relevance through games
An application conforming to a set of rules is described for improving the accuracy of results provided by image search engines through identifying images as true positive hits, true negatives, false positive hits, and false negatives. The set of rules comprise: (1) causing players to associate given images with given metadata; (2) associating a player with a skill level; (3) utilizing measures of accuracy and time; (4) causing players to select a few images from a relatively large pool of images; and (5) testing player tolerance. An application that conforms to these rules tests the relevancy of images to given metadata tags. The application provides information that is the basis for adjusting the metadata associated with the tested images so as to improve the relevancy of image search results lists that include these images.
US08296304B2 Method, system, and program for handling redirects in a search engine
Disclosed is a method, system, and program for handling redirects in documents. At least one equivalence class that includes documents that are connected through a redirect. Cycles for each equivalence class are detected, wherein documents in a cycle are marked so that they are not indexed. Incomplete chains for each equivalence class are detected, wherein documents in an incomplete chain are marked so that they are not indexed. A representative for each equivalence class is selected.
US08296303B2 Intelligent event query publish and subscribe system
Indexing and routing to event data is described. Event data is assigned an identifier that identifies the data type and the contents of event data within an enterprise system. The event data may be real-time event data. With the identifier, a source of the event data is determined, and the source can be queried for the event data in real-time. The identifier is indexed along with other event data identifiers. Based on the location of the event data, the system sends out a query toward the data source to obtain the information, but also to route the query to the data source, rather than attempting to pull data towards the query source and process it at the query source.
US08296302B2 Method and system for extending content
The present invention provides a method and system for extending content based on the semantic meaning of content. It divides content into multiple content regions and finds words and/or phrases that are semantically relevant to the current content region and appends these words and/or phrases to the current content region as extended content. The extended content matches semantically with the original content in such a seamless way that users may think it is a part of the content.
US08296299B2 Geography bricks for de-identification of healthcare data
Techniques of the described subject matter employ a break down algorithm in which a population of individuals is broken down into segments that have a greater number of individuals than a threshold minimum. Information on aggregated individuals may then be used to accomplish a variety of tasks, such as consumer purchasing preferences, market data analysis, sales force allocation, etc., without revealing the specific identity of any individuals or permitting others to determine, from the data, the identity of any individuals.
US08296297B2 Content analysis and correlation
A content analysis and correlation service system can include a summary manager service for generating content correlation summaries, wherein the generated content correlation summaries are based on discovered content and analyzed content based on the discovered content. The system can include a content search manager service for generating the discovered content based on search criteria and correlation criteria and a semantic analysis service for generating the analyzed content based on the discovered content. The system can also include a data store for storing the generated content correlation summaries and a notification service for providing notifications based on the generated content correlation summaries.
US08296294B2 Method and system for unified searching across and within multiple documents
A user-interface system and method for searching among multiple documents and searching for subsections within individual documents using a single search interface on an input-constrained user device having a screen and a keypad.
US08296293B2 Agent rank
The present invention provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for searching and ranking linked information sources. The techniques include receiving multiple content items from a corpus of content items; receiving digital signatures each made by one of multiple agents, each digital signature associating one of the agents with one or more of the content items; and assigning a score to a first agent of the multiple agents, wherein the score is based upon the content items associated with the first agent by the digital signatures.
US08296290B2 System and method for propagating classification decisions
A system and method for propagating classification decisions is provided. Text marked within one or more unclassified documents that is determined to be responsive to a predetermined issue is received from a user. The unclassified documents are selected from a corpus. A search query is generated from the responsive text. Same result documents are identified by applying inclusive search parameters to the query, applying the search query to the corpus, and identifying the documents that satisfy the query. Similar result documents are identified by adjusting a breadth of the query by applying less inclusive search parameters and identifying documents from the corpus that satisfy the query. A responsive classification code is automatically assigned to each same result document for classification as responsive documents. The similar documents are provided to the user. A responsive classification decision is received from the user for classification as the responsive documents.
US08296287B1 Dynamic sourcing
Dynamic sourcing, in which a data request that is associated with a query is received and a parameter of data needed for satisfaction of the query is identified. Parameter information defining data available in at least one cube stored in a cache is accessed and the parameter is compared with the parameter information. Based on comparison results, it is determined whether one or more cubes in the cache include sufficient data to satisfy the query. In response to a determination that one or more cubes include sufficient data to satisfy the query, a response to the data request is generated by executing the query against the one or more cubes. In response to a determination that the cubes do not include sufficient data to satisfy the query, a response to the data request is generated by executing at least a portion of the query against a database system.
US08296282B2 Creation of a virtual community
In order to facilitate creation of a community without member-specific registration, one or more sibling identifiers with corresponding units to be distributed to other persons are allocated to a subscriber and the one or more sibling identifiers is associated with the subscriber's identifier. The subscriber may then give a unit to his/her friend and when the friend uses the unit, or more precisely a sibling identifier the unit relates to, the system will recognize that the subscriber and the friend belong to the same community on the basis of the association formed when sibling identifiers were allocated.
US08296277B2 Method and apparatus to automatically receive and/or transmit contents
A method and apparatus to automatically receive and/or transmit contents in which desired contents are automatically downloaded and streamed by using a rich site summary (RSS) function. The method includes receiving sample contents corresponding to previously set search conditions by connecting to a content server that has been previously linked with the content player when a web network is connected; notifying that the contents are updated when the sample contents are completely received; and receiving original contents corresponding to the sample contents in accordance with the selection of a user when the contents are completely updated.
US08296266B2 Computer implemented method for integrating services in a calendar application via web services
A system and method to integrate a service in a calendar application. A service integration module and a calendar application may be installed on a client computing device. The service integration module may have read and write access to the calendar application of the client computing device and may submit a service request to a remote service. The service request may be a call of a first web service interface of the service and may initiate the execution of the service which may generate a result. The service integration module may receive the result. The service integration module may process the result, which may include extracting data required for specifying an event in an electronic calendar of the calendar application. The service integration module may create, delete, or modify an event in the electronic calendar of the calendar application.
US08296265B2 Method and apparatus for synchronizing applications for data recovery using storage based journaling
Disclosed is a method to synchronize the state of an application and an application's objects with data stored on the storage system. The storage system provides API's to create special data, called a marker journal, and stores it on a journal volume. The marker contains application information, e.g. file name, operation on the file, timestamp, etc. Since the journal volume contains markers as well as any changed data in the chronological order, IO activities to the storage system and application activities can be synchronized.
US08296264B1 Method and system for file-level continuous data protection
Continuous data protection is performed as two parallel processes: creating an initial backup by copying a data as a file/directory from the storage device into the backup storage, and copying the data to be written to the data storage as a part of a file/directory into the incremental backup. Alternatively, it can be performed as one process: copying the data to be written to the data storage as a part of a file/directory on the storage. A write command to a file system driver is intercepted and redirected to the backup, and the data is written to the incremental backup. If the write command is also directed to a not yet backed up data (a file/directory), the identified data is copied from the storage device to intermediate storage. The write command is executed on the file/directory from the storage device, and the file/directory is copied from the intermediate storage.
US08296260B2 System and method for managing data deduplication of storage systems utilizing persistent consistency point images
A system and method for managing data deduplication of a storage system utilizing persistent consistency point images (PCPIs). Once a target PCPI of a data transfer is generated, a backup management module of the storage system alerts a data deduplication module to begin deduplication of the data contained within the target PCPI. Once the deduplication procedure has been completed, the active file system of the storage system has been deduplicated, however, the target PCPI remains un-deduplicated. In response, the backup management module generates and exports a revised target PCPI. The previous target PCPI may then be deleted, thereby transitioning the exported PCPI's image of the state of the file system to a deduplicated state.
US08296259B1 Methods and systems for inventory management
The present invention relates to inventory management solutions, and in particular, to methods and systems for inventorying items over wireless and data networks, using digital imaging, positioning, and data terminals. The user experience in performing inventory management is simplified and enhanced over existing methods.
US08296255B1 Method and apparatus for automatically classifying an unknown site to improve internet browsing control
A method and apparatus for automatically classifying an unknown web site to improve internet browsing control is described. In one embodiment, a method for classifying an unknown web site to control internet browsing comprising processing web site control data associated with at least one user that requested access to an unknown web site, wherein the web site control data comprises a web browsing behavior history and applying at least one metric to the web browsing behavior history to classify the unknown website.
US08296254B2 Data flow analyzing apparatus, data flow analyzing method and data flow analyzing program
A data flow analyzing apparatus includes an analysis rule storage which stores analysis rules having definitions of data types, a data flow analyzer which performs data flow analysis on an analysis target program as a target of analysis by using the analysis rules stored in the analysis rule storage to thereby output unsafe data-including procedures as detected points, an analysis rule candidate generator which generates candidates of analysis rules based on the detected points, and an analysis rule candidate output which outputs the analysis rule candidates generated by the analysis rule candidate generator to a predetermined output.
US08296252B2 Process and apparatus for evaluating operational risks for aiding in vehicular maintenance decisions
The invention relates to a method and devices for evaluating operational risks in order to aid in the decisions concerning maintenance operations on vehicles during scheduled utilization of the vehicle. Scheduled utilization comprises at least one utilization period. After the degradation of at least one of the components of the vehicle has been analyzed (130), the functional consequences, for the vehicle, of the analyzed degradation are evaluated (125) according to the scheduled utilization of the vehicle. An operational index of the vehicle is then determined (110) for the utilization periods according to the evaluated functional consequences.
US08296250B2 Comprehensive identity protection system
A system and method for protecting identity fraud are disclosed. A system includes a detection subsystem to identify applications and/or accounts at risk of identity fraud, and a disposition subsystem to process data provided by the detection system and to determine whether identity fraud exists in the applications and/or accounts. According to an implementation, one or more neural network models are defined, each neural network model being configured to handle a class of cases related to the subject and a specific data configuration describing a case of the class. The one or more neural network models are run to generate data requests about the subject's identity, and the data requests are passed to a detection system that monitor transactions associated with the subject. Additional data associated with the transactions is requested until a threshold certainty is achieved or until available data or models are exhausted.
US08296245B2 Method and system for creation and validation of anonymous digital credentials
A method and system for providing an online reputation of a client participating in one or more online forums. The method includes providing a unique client identifier associated with the client. In addition, a plurality of forum identifiers is provided for a plurality of online forums within which the client is participating, wherein each online forum is associated with a corresponding user profile. A plurality of unique verification codes is provided that is based on the plurality of forum identifiers and the client identifier. A plurality of verification sequences is provided for purposes of verifying a plurality of user profiles of the client associated with the plurality of online forums, wherein each of the plurality of verification sequences includes a corresponding verification code. Verification of a plurality of credentials associated with the plurality of user profiles is performed. A request is received that includes a corresponding verification sequence from a verifying entity for an online reputation of the client. The request is made in association with a first online forum within which the client is participating. A verified credential of a user profile that is associated with a second online forum is provided without revealing a user identity of the client that is associated with the second online forum.
US08296240B2 Digital rights management dongle
A dongle for digital rights management protection, in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology, includes a digital right management engine and an encryption/decryption engine. The digital rights management engine is adapted to port digital rights management rules of a source of content to digital rights management rules enforced by the digital rights management engine. The encryption/decryption engine is adapted to re-encrypting the source of content into a managed copy of the content, wherein the managed copy of the content is locked to the dongle.
US08296238B2 Shared royalty platform for content royalty management
Systems and methods for the dynamic processing of royalties are disclosed. Sales records are processed on a transaction basis rather than in batch mode. This process also allows correction of information retroactively, rather than delaying the entire processing of the information. One embodiment includes a system comprising a message broker in communication with a plurality of clients and services, a state machine, a processor and a time manager. The message broker interacts with the processor to execute a common service based on events produced by the state machine. Another embodiment includes a method comprising providing a rate matrix, receiving a sales record from a database and calculating a royalty payment using the sales record and the rate matrix.
US08296237B2 Recording system, fee calculation device, and content distribution method
An information service system works to record or print out, at a fee, information contents downloaded from Web servers, information received from facsimiles and information carried on portable storage mediums. The system includes a recording part which records, duplicates and prints out the image of digitized information, an information accumulating part which accumulates information by making relation with users, a user authenticating part which receives user authentication information and authenticates the legitimacy of the user, a fee calculating part which calculates the fee for information recording, a payment reception part which receives the payment of fee by the user, and a management part which manages the charging data and payment data. The recording part records the supplied information only after authentication of user legitimacy and payment of fee by the user. Based on the authentication of user legitimacy and the management of payment of individual users, the recording part can be used commonly among multiple users and the charged information recording service can be run easily.
US08296235B2 System and method for cashback funding
In an example embodiment, a system is provided for a cashback funding of an account. The system comprises a transaction receiving module to receive a request to process a transaction amount, wherein the transaction amount is funded by a debit card. The system further comprises a transaction authorization module to make a pre-authorization request to the debit card, wherein the pre-authorization request exceeds the transaction amount by a predetermined value and is to receive an approval for the pre-authorization request. The system further comprises a cashback funding module to offer a cashback amount in excess of the transaction amount but less than the predetermined value. In response to an acceptance of the cashback offer by a user, the cashback funding module is to make an authorization request for the total amount, and in response to an approval of the authorization, is to fund the account with the funds in excess of the transaction.
US08296231B2 Network accessible funds transfer system
A network-accessible funds transfer system is disclosed that is capable of controlling a funds transfer transaction in which a funds transfer service collects funds from a payer and transfers collected funds to a payee. In one embodiment, the funds transfer service uses credit card information specified by the payer via the service's user interface to collect funds from the payer (through interactions with a third party fulfillment service), and uses bank account information specified by the payee via the service's user interface to transfer collected funds to a bank account of the payee.
US08296225B2 Time-efficient and deterministic adaptive score calibration techniques for maintaining a predefined score distribution
A system and method for maintaining a pre-defined score distribution for financial transactions are disclosed. A number of memory spaces are defined for a memory structure. Transaction data for the financial transactions is received by the system. Each of the financial transactions is scored based on the transaction data to generate a batch of scores for the financial transactions. A score range is divided into k bins, where each of the k bins representing one memory space of the memory spaces of the memory structure. The batch of scores are aggregated by storing a count of each score of the batch of scores in an associated memory space of the plurality of memory spaces, and a percentile is computed for each score in the batch of scores based on a set of values associated with the count of each score. Each new financial transaction is scored to generate a new score, and a new percentile is assigned to the new score according to the set of values. The percentile of the new score is translated to a calibration score with fixed percentile characteristics according to a fixed reference curve.
US08296223B2 System and method for processing duplicative electronic check reversal files
Processing duplicate items in image cash letter (“ICL”) reversal files for efficient handling. A duplicate item processing module can receive ICL reversal files comprising items representing duplicate electronic checks. The duplicate item processing module can determine whether the processing entity erroneously presented the item more than once. The duplicate item processing module can also determine whether the depositing institution erroneously deposited the item more than once for processing. Based on the determination of the source of the error, the duplicate item processing module can make a correction in its own records and/or forward the ICL reversal file with the duplicate item to the receiving institution.
US08296222B2 System and method for assigning responsibility for trade order execution
An embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for a sponsoring organization to: (1) utilize a rules-based computer system to capture trade orders from sub-advisors (money management firms) in order to implement a pre trade compliance review process, thereby enabling the sponsoring organization to prevent the execution of trade orders by a sub advisor that violates securities laws and/or account restrictions; and (2) determine and assign, based on expected market impact of a trade order to buy or sell securities, whether responsibility (discretion over the decisions related to how, when and with whom a trade order is executed) for executing the trade order is assigned to the money management firm for an investment portfolio or to the sponsoring organization of that portfolio. Trade orders are categorized in real-time as “high touch” (significant effort and market impact) or “low touch” (insignificant effort and market impact).
US08296220B2 Quote and order entry interface
A graphical user interface centralizes Level I quote information in the center of a circular display while Level II (or regional) data appears in peripheral bands layered on the outside of the Level I information. The interface is also split into two main sections, a “bid” quote information section and an “ask” quote information section. The bid quote information appears on the left of the interface while the ask quote information appears on the right side of the interface. Through clicking in any one of the peripheral bands, an order can be placed at that price point.
US08296218B2 Method and system for providing an automated auction for internalization and complex orders in a hybrid trading system
A method of providing an automated auction for internalization for the purchase or sale of securities or derivatives in an exchange is disclosed. The method may include receiving an order at an electronic trade engine, disseminating a request for price message to at least one user in response to receiving the order, receiving a one-sided response message representative of a participant-type in response to the request for price message, selecting an allocation algorithm from a plurality of allocation algorithms, initiating the selected allocation algorithm and allocating the order according to the participant-type upon termination of the selected auction. The system may include an electronic trading engine configured to disseminate an auction message in response to an order, a database of allocation algorithms, and a trade processor for initiating an auction according the one of the allocation algorithms and terminating the auction upon defined early termination events.
US08296216B2 Directed order processing for automated market system
An electronic market for trading of securities includes a plurality of client stations for entering quotes for securities and a server process that receives quotes from the clients, aggregates the quotes and causes a total of all aggregated quotes to be displayed for a plurality of price levels on the client systems. The market uses a graphical user that depicts aggregated quotes in an aggregate window a plurality of price levels of a product traded in the market. The market also includes processes to handle lock/cross market conditions, match-off of order flow and provides a central quote/order collector that interfaces to disparate order delivery systems to minimize dual liability of market makers.
US08296215B1 Trading system with elfs and umpires
Price setting for a security occurs by automatically engaging in a price discovery procedure before responding to a request for a current buy or sell price of the security to provide an automatically discovered price that is better than a book price. The book price is the best price in an order book including orders to buy or sell specified quantities of the security at respective prices, the lowest sell order price of the booked orders being the book sell price, the highest buy order price of the booked orders being the book buy order price. The price discovery procedure includes providing the book buy or sell price to at least one entity registered to participate in the price discovery procedure. The entity automatically provides an improved price relative to the book price based on a predetermined strategy that is determined independently of the strategies for other entities. The temporal duration of the price discovery procedure can be predetermined or based on an amount of activity occurring during the price discovery procedure.
US08296209B2 Method for managing buyer transactions and settlements using communication network between computers, and method for relaying information following buyer consumption trends to the buyer
Described herein are methods and apparatus for the processing of electronic invoices. A server for processing invoices communicates with computing systems such as a supplier system (used by a supplier), a buyer system (used by a buyer), and finance systems (which manage bank accounts of the supplier and buyer). The server communicates with the supplier system and the buyer system regarding an electronic invoice that relates to a transaction between the supplier and the buyer, and that includes an identification code. When the buyer has approved the electronic invoice, the supplier system and/or the server is able to settle the invoice using the identification code.
US08296208B2 Method and system for processing data related to a life insurance policy having an accelerated benefit
Disclosed is a novel insurance product that provides an accelerated death benefit to the insured individual. The insurance product contains a lifeaccess accelerated benefit feature that allows the insured individual to file a claim and receive benefits under a life insurance product if the insured individual becomes chronically or terminally ill.
US08296207B2 Backward/forward trading contracts based on REIT-based pure property return indexes
The present disclosure is directed to a method of approximating prices in a private property market. First, REIT return data is compiled from each REIT of a plurality of REITs at a predetermined frequency. Then, the REIT return data is processed according to exposures to each of a plurality of target characteristics to obtain coefficients reflecting each REIT's weight in an index. Then, an index is generated according to the REITs, the obtained coefficients, and the weights. Finally, a second index is derived from the generated index that approximates prices in the private property market.
US08296206B1 Method and system for providing intelligent targeted budgeting using financial transaction data from similarly situated individuals
A method and system for providing intelligent targeted budget analysis and recommendations based on financial data from similarly situated individuals whereby financial data associated with multiple individuals is obtained and analyzed to identify financial profile elements associated with each individual. Data indicating the financial profile elements associated with the each of the individuals is stored in a financial profile database. The financial data associated with a given individual is then also obtained and analyzed to identify financial profile elements associated with the given individual. The financial profile elements associated with the given individual are then used to search the financial profile database to find one or more individuals that are financial peers of the given individual. The financial data associated with the identified one or more financial peers of the given individual is then analyzed, aggregated, averaged, and/or otherwise processed, to provide the given individual one or more budget recommendations.
US08296205B2 Connecting decisions through customer transaction profiles
An apparatus and method for developing financial risk decisions for a customer associated with a number of different financial services/channels are disclosed. A hierarchy of relationships among the financial services/channels is generated. Transactional behaviors of the customer related to each of the financial services/channels is summarized, using one or more analytical approaches executed on the hierarchy of relationships, to generate a customer level transactional behavior summary. A customer profile associated with the customer is generated which includes the transactional behavior summary and aggregated information on recent financial transactions associated with each of the financial services/channels. A score for a risk decision can be generated for one or more specific services/channels, based on the customer profile.
US08296203B2 System and method for legal billing in a networked environment
A computer-implemented method and system is disclosed in which a network-based e-commerce environment includes billing a client at a periodic flat rate for a pre-defined scope of legal advice in pre-defined areas of legal services and offering the client, as part of the periodic flat rate, an alternative billing option of participating in a litigation defense program having a graduated fee structure based on an outcome of a litigation. In other embodiments, a network-based e-commerce environment includes offering the client participation in an accrual of credits at a predetermined multiplier of the periodic flat rate paid whereby such credits are accrued over time and may be redeemed to offset legal fees otherwise payable.
US08296201B2 Electronic device used to record expenditures
A non-internet accessible, lightweight, compact expenditure recording electronic device comprising a housing having a front face and an opposing rear face, a processor located within the housing for processing data associated with a single financial account, a memory for storing data associated with the single financial account with the memory in electronic communication with the processor, a screen attached to the housing at the front face with the screen coupled to be operable by the processor to display data of the single financial account to a user of the device, a plurality of input keys disposed on the front face of the housing for inputting data to the memory and track changes to the data for the single financial account, and a communication port disposed on the housing and configured to connect to the memory.
US08296197B2 Centralized management of maintenance and materials for commercial aircraft fleets with information feedback to customer
Turnkey maintenance of a customer's aircraft fleet is managed by a single management service provider (MSP) controlling integrated maintenance and materials services from a central operations site. The MSP converts data received directly from on-board aircraft systems into information it uses to manage maintenance service providers and parts suppliers. The MSP contracts with and manages maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations (MROs) who perform the maintenance on the customers' aircraft at line and base stations. The MSP either remotely manages part inventories at the customer's site, or manages suppliers who deliver the parts to the MROs. Maintenance planning, scheduling and execution information is exchanged between the MSP, MROs, part suppliers and the customers through a shared data communication network controlled by the MSP. The MSP charges the customer for the maintenance services based on a flat rate per unit of aircraft flying time.
US08296195B2 Broadcast programming data capture
A portable device is used to capture, in real time, data sufficient to identify a product or service promoted, or a music track played, on a broadcast medium such as radio or television. The capture device can be a standalone implementation, or an application program executable on a personal communication device such as a cell phone or Blackberry. The capture device communicates the captured data to a remote server via a selected wired or wireless channel, or the internet, and the server provides services to support the user in responding to the radio or television broadcast item that corresponds to the captured data.
US08296189B2 Method for monetizing internet news sites and blogs
A computer-implemented system for monetizing internet content, the computer comprising a processor for executing computer executable instructions. The system includes an internet content provider providing by the computer executable instructions online information and an online comment section associated with the online information. The online comment section is capable of having posted thereto reader comments in a free default format or a fee-paid distinctive format.
US08296186B2 System and method for determining locations for placement of printed promotional material at point-of-purchase on a retail structure
A system and method of determining point-of-purchase placement locations for printed promotional materials on a retail structure includes loading, by a processing device from a database, data representative of a retail structure; determining a plurality of advertisement placement locations on the retail structure; determining a point-of-placement priority value for each of the plurality of advertisement placement locations; receiving an advertising campaign comprising data representing a plurality of advertising campaign items, each item including an associated item priority value; determining a location on the retail structure for each of the advertising campaign items based upon the item priority values and the point-of-placement priority values; and providing a report to an operator of the retail structure indicating where each of the advertising campaign items is to be displayed on the retail structure.
US08296185B2 Non-intrusive media linked and embedded information delivery
A method for information delivery is disclosed. The method includes directing the display of a multimedia presentation in a first screen segment. The multimedia presentation is associated with a reference tag descriptive of an aspect thereof. An information link corresponding to the reference tag in a second screen segment is generated. The information link is contextually related to the multimedia presentation in accordance with the reference tag. Thereafter, a selection input of the information link is received from one of the viewers while mitigating obstruction of the displaying of the multimedia presentation. The selected information link and the identity of the viewer are associated as a marker.
US08296181B1 Method and system for offsetting printing costs in a system for targeted data delivery
A system and method for offsetting printing costs. Specifically, the method includes collecting user information about a user and generating a user profile based on the user information. The user profile is stored such that the user profile is used to achieve delivery of data that is targeted to the user based on the user profile without requiring a release of user information in the user profile. At least one offer for the delivery of data is presented to the user. The data is targeted to the user based on the user profile. Thereafter, the method determines that an item of the data presented to the user has been printed. An incentive is received for printing the item.
US08296179B1 Targeted advertisement placement based on explicit and implicit criteria matching
A targeted advertisement placement system allows an advertiser to place an ad in front of an audience based on specific interests of the users in that audience, and based on the advertiser's own specific interests in users who should view the ad. The ad placement system collects information about a population of users and a population of advertisers to create profiles that can include both explicit and implicit criteria defining the user's/advertiser's interest. The explicit criteria can be explicitly provided to the ad placement system, can be extracted from documents provided by the user and/or the advertiser, etc. The implicit criteria include information learned by the system about the interests of both advertisers and users based on preferences implicitly expressed when providing feedback on search results. Using these criteria collected from advertisers and users to build profiles, the system can compare the profiles for matches to determine the best audience before which to place an advertisement.
US08296174B2 Method and apparatus for network-based sales force
A method and apparatus for network-based sales force automation are provided that meet objectives of increasing sales and marketing efficiency and efficiency of technical and customer support by providing multi-dimensional displays of transactional information to users. Transactional information of deals, contacts, accounts, and leads is provided over the Internet using a Web browser. The information of related transactions is electronically linked, and the transactional information is electronically searchable using custom profiles. The transactional information is accessed and shared among host organization members according to a hierarchy and predefined territories. A Radar Screen Opportunity Display (RSOD) may be selected on which deal objects are displayed that represent the stages in a sales pipeline of corresponding deals. New business information may be selected, wherein automatic notification is provided of new information and changed information relating to transactions, wherein the new business information comprises information on at least one monitored customer Web site. A communication capability is provided that comprises electronic mail, facsimile, telephones, and paging devices, wherein communication is automatically established using transactional information.
US08296173B2 Method and apparatus for network-based sales force management
A method and apparatus for network-based sales force automation are provided that meet objectives of increasing sales and marketing efficiency and efficiency of technical and customer support by providing multi-dimensional displays of transactional information to users. Transactional information of deals, contacts, accounts, and leads is provided over the Internet using a Web browser. The information of related transactions is electronically linked, and the transactional information is electronically searchable using custom profiles. The transactional information is accessed and shared among host organization members according to a hierarchy and predefined territories. A Radar Screen Opportunity Display (RSOD) may be selected on which deal objects are displayed that represent the stages in a sales pipeline of corresponding deals. New business information may be selected, wherein automatic notification is provided of new information and changed information relating to transactions, wherein the new business information comprises information on at least one monitored customer Web site. A communication capability is provided that comprises electronic mail, facsimile, telephones, and paging devices, wherein communication is automatically established using transactional information.
US08296172B2 Method and system for determining audience response to a sensory stimulus
The present invention is directed to a method and system for measuring the biologically based responses of an audience to a presentation that provides sensory stimulating experience and determining a measure of the level and pattern of engagement of that audience to the presentation. In particular, the invention is directed to a method and system for measuring one or more biologically based responses of one or more persons being exposed to the presentation in order to determine the moment-to-moment pattern and overall level of engagement. Further, the invention can be used to determine whether the presentation or the content in the presentation is more effective in a population relative to other presentations (or content) and other populations and to help identify elements of the presentation that contribute to the high level of engagement and the effectiveness and success of the presentation for that population.
US08296170B2 Process management system and method
A business process or project management system provides for creation of a project or process definition which includes all activities required to complete the process as well as any dependencies, conditions, and deadlines for each activity, and participants designated to carry out the activities. Once the process is started, activities are carried out in turn when the dependencies and conditions are met, and the system updates when any activities are complete so that any activities dependent on completed activities can be started. A reporting module creates status reports for each activity which are displayed to a user such as an administrator on a user interface. Stored information on previous instances of an activity are used to predict when an activity is likely to be late and to provide alerts to users prior to starting the activity.
US08296169B2 Computer method and apparatus for indicating performance of assets and revisions held in a repository
Computer method and apparatus managing engineering product revisions. A repository holds one or more assets. For each asset, the repository holds respective revisions of the asset. A revision manager tracks changes of state of assets of the repository. Each change of state of a given asset results in a respective revision of the given asset. The revision manager provides a project view illustrating changes of state of assets and including performance indicators corresponding to respective changes of state of assets held in the repository. The performance indicators may be color coded and may be based on a changeable metric. The revision manager provides in the project view an indication of each change in metric. Plural performance indicators for a set of assets may be presented in the project view as a graphical series.
US08296167B2 Process certification management
A system certifying a business process includes a business process associated with a user, and a process certification manager for associating a certification status with the business process and for communicating a certification request to the user. The process certification manager receives messages from the user and modifies the certification status in response. The process certification manager displays the business process and its associated certification status. The business process may include a number of subprocesses each associated with a different users. The process certification manager associates a certification status with each of the subprocesses and communicates a certification request to each of the users, and modifies the certification status of the subprocesses in response to messages from the users. The process certification manager displays the business process and its associated certification status in a first view and the subprocesses and their associated approval statuses in a second view.
US08296162B1 Systems, devices, and methods for providing healthcare information
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method that can comprise, for a predetermined user, automatically determining a score for each resource from a plurality of predetermined resources based on the user's weighting of predetermined factors associated with the resources and an objective score for each factor for each resource, ranking the scored resources, and/or providing an identity of a best matched resource for the user.
US08296161B2 Method and system for wealth management
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for wealth management. These mechanisms and methods for wealth management can enable embodiments to provide a multi-tenant database that stores information about clients of the tenants. In a multi-tenant database, a system for managing financial accounts is established, which may be useful for a tenant that is a financial analyst or that employs financial analysts. The multi-tenant database may include a calendar application that automatically includes the team members associated with the event being scheduled in a list of invitees, and the multi-tenant database may also includes relationship groups, such that information about related individuals (whom may have separate accounts) are automatically associated with one another. The ability of embodiments that provide relationship groups and teams can enable efficiently gathering information about related parties and efficiently inviting that interested parties to an event.
US08296155B2 Method and apparatus for decoding a signal
An apparatus for decoding a signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which the audio signal can be controlled in a manner of changing/giving spatial characteristics (e.g., listener's virtual position, virtual position of a specific source) of the audio signal. The present invention includes receiving an object parameter; extracting object information by parsing the received object parameter; generating a control parameter using the extracted object information and control information including at least one of user control information, default control information, device control information, and device information; and, generating a rendering parameter determining a position and level of an object in an output signal using the object parameter and the control parameter.
US08296154B2 Emphasis of short-duration transient speech features
A sound processor including a microphone (1), a pre-amplifier (2), a bank of N parallel filters (3), means for detecting short-duration transitions in the envelope signal of each filter channel, and means for applying gain to the outputs of these filter channels in which the gain is related to a function of the second-order derivative of the slow-varying envelope signal in each filter channel, to assist in perception of low-intensity sort-duration speech features in said signal.
US08296153B2 Computerized information presentation methods
Methods for providing information useful to a user of a remote computerized apparatus. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving via a network link a digitized speech input relating to an organization or entity which a user wishes to locate; based at least in part on the input, identifying a location associated with the organization or entity; and selecting and causing provision of a graphical or visual representation of the location via the network link, the graphical or visual representation of the location also comprising a graphical or visual representation of the surroundings of the organization or entity.
US08296152B2 System and method for automatic distribution of conversation topics
A method and system for distributing to a destination a notification of a topic being discussed by two participants of a voice call. Terms are extracted from an audio stream generated during the voice call. A topic is determined based on the extracted terms. A topic notification identifying the topic and at least one of the two participants is sent to a destination. A recipient of the notification may indicate a desire to join the voice call. Upon approval by one of the participants, the recipient may be joined to the voice call.
US08296149B2 Systems and methods for inputting graphical data into a graphical input field
A system (20) for inputting graphical data into a graphical input field includes a graphical input device (22) for inputting the graphical data into the graphical input field, and a processor-executable voice-form module (28) responsive to an initial presentation of graphical data to the graphical input device. The voice-form module (28) causes a determination of whether the inputting of the graphical data into the graphical input field is complete. A method for inputting graphical data into a graphical input field includes initiating an input of graphical data via a graphical input device into the graphical input field, and actuating a voice-form module in response to initiating the input of graphical data into the graphical input field.
US08296147B2 Interactive voice controlled project management system
A method for facilitating project management includes identifying a user, identifying a project management access level for the user, dynamically generating a voice dialog based on the identified project management access level, dynamically generating grammars associated with the voice dialog based on the identified project management access level, and serving the voice dialog to the user. The method further includes receiving a voice request from the user corresponding to a generated grammar; retrieving project management information associated with the received voice request; dynamically generating a responsive voice dialog including the retrieved project management information; dynamically generating responsive grammars associated with the responsive voice dialog; and serving the responsive voice dialog to the user.
US08296145B2 Voice dialing using a rejection reference
A voice dialing method includes the steps of receiving an utterance from a user, decoding the utterance to identify a recognition result for the utterance, and communicating to the user the recognition result. If an indication is received from the user that the communicated recognition result is incorrect, then it is added to a rejection reference. Then, when the user repeats the misunderstood utterance, the rejection reference can be used to eliminate the incorrect recognition result as a potential subsequent recognition result. The method can be used for single or multiple digits or digit strings.
US08296141B2 System and method for discriminative pronunciation modeling for voice search
Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for speech recognition. The method includes receiving speech utterances, assigning a pronunciation weight to each unit of speech in the speech utterances, each respective pronunciation weight being normalized at a unit of speech level to sum to 1, for each received speech utterance, optimizing the pronunciation weight by (1) identifying word and phone alignments and corresponding likelihood scores, and (2) discriminatively adapting the pronunciation weight to minimize classification errors, and recognizing additional received speech utterances using the optimized pronunciation weights. A unit of speech can be a sentence, a word, a context-dependent phone, a context-independent phone, or a syllable. The method can further include discriminatively adapting pronunciation weights based on an objective function. The objective function can be maximum mutual information (MMI), maximum likelihood (MLE) training, minimum classification error (MCE) training, or other functions known to those of skill in the art. Speech utterances can be names. The speech utterances can be received as part of a multimodal search or input. The step of discriminatively adapting pronunciation weights can further include stochastically modeling pronunciations.
US08296137B2 Method and apparatus for coding and decoding amplitude of partial
Provided are a method and apparatus for coding and decoding an amplitude of partials, in which a step phenomenon can be prevented in the result of coding the amplitude of continuation partial partials in a parametric codec, thereby improving reproduced sound quality. The method of coding the amplitude of partials includes obtaining an inversely quantized amplitude of partials of a previous frame, determining a quantization level based on a function for the inversely quantized amplitude of the partials of the previous frame, and quantizing an amplitude of partials of a current frame based on the determined quantization level.
US08296134B2 Audio encoding apparatus and spectrum modifying method
A spectrum modifying method and the like wherein the efficiencies of the signal estimation and prediction can be improved and the spectrum can be more efficiently encoded. According to this method, the pitch period is calculated from an original signal, which serves as a reference signal, and then a basic pitch frequency (f0) is calculated. Thereafter, the spectrum of a target signal, which is a target of spectrum modification, is divided into a plurality of partitions. It is specified here that the width of each partition be the basic pitch frequency. Then, the spectra of bands are interleaved such that a plurality of peaks having similar amplitudes are unified into a group. The basic pitch frequency is used as an interleave pitch.
US08296133B2 Voice activity decision base on zero crossing rate and spectral sub-band energy
A voice activity detection method and apparatus, and an electronic device are provided. The method includes: obtaining a time domain parameter and a frequency domain parameter from an audio frame; obtaining a first distance between the time domain parameter and a long-term sliding mean of the time domain parameter in a history background noise frame, and obtaining a second distance between the frequency domain parameter and a long-term sliding mean of the frequency domain parameter in the history background noise frame; and judging whether the audio frame is a foreground voice frame or a background noise frame according to the first distance, the second distance and a set of decision inequalities based on the first distance and the second distance. The above technical solutions enable the judgment criterion to have an adaptive adjustment capability, thus improving the performance of the voice activity detection.
US08296132B2 Apparatus and method for comfort noise generation
The disclosure provides a method for noise generation, including: determining an initial value of a reconstructed parameter; determining a random value range based on the initial value of the reconstructed parameter; taking a value in the random value range randomly as a reconstructed noise parameter; and generating noise by using the reconstructed noise parameter. The disclosure also provides an apparatus for noise generation.
US08296131B2 Method and apparatus of providing a quality measure for an output voice signal generated to reproduce an input voice signal
A method of providing a quality measure for an output voice signal generated to reproduce an input voice signal, the method comprising: partitioning the input and output signals into frames; for each frame of the input signal, determining a disturbance relative to each of a plurality of frames of the output signal; determining a subset of the determined disturbances comprising one disturbance for each input frame such that a sum of the disturbances in the subset set is a minimum; and using the set of disturbances to provide the measure of quality.
US08296128B2 Handheld electronic device and method employing logical proximity of characters in spell checking
An improved handheld electronic device and associated method employing an improved spell checking routine enable proposed spelling corrections having a close logical proximity to an active input to be output at a position of preference for easy selection by the user. By way of example, a base character and the various accented forms thereof can be said to have a logical proximity to one another that is closer than their logical proximity to any character having a different base character, whether additionally having a diacritical element or not.
US08296125B2 Translating source locale input string to target locale output string
A dictionary mapping source locale strings to target locale strings is constructed. A tree is constructed from the dictionary. The tree has nodes including a start node, end nodes, and string nodes. The nodes form node chains of the tree that correspond to the source locale strings. Each node chain links a collection of the nodes from the start node to a string node. Each node other than the start node has a parent node and corresponds to a character of the source locale strings. Each node other than the end nodes has one or more child nodes. Each string node ends a node chain, and corresponds to a mapping within the dictionary of a source locale string to a target locale string. An input string having the source locale is processed against the tree to generate an output string having the target locale.
US08296124B1 Method and apparatus for detecting incorrectly translated text in a document
A system that detects incorrectly translated text in a document. During operation, the system determines a target language for the document. The system then identifies one or more terms in the document that are invalid terms for the language. Next, the system analyzes correlations between these invalid terms, and, based on these correlations, determines whether one or more of the invalid terms comprise incorrectly translated text.
US08296123B2 Encoding and adaptive, scalable accessing of distributed models
Systems, methods, and apparatus for accessing distributed models in automated machine processing, including using large language models in machine translation, speech recognition and other applications.
US08296122B2 External connection interface emulation apparatus and method for mobile terminal
An external connection interface emulation method and apparatus of a mobile terminal for exploiting the mobile terminal as a network adaptor of another terminal are provided. The external connection interface emulation apparatus includes a network modem for supporting communication through the mobile communication system; and a controller, which configures the network modem for operating the mobile terminal as an external network adaptor of another terminal or a communication device as it is, according to an input signal. The external connection interface emulation apparatus and method establish a communication link between a WiBro modem and a USB port at the software level making it possible to use the mobile phone as an external modem regardless of whether the WiBro modem and the USB port are compatible or not.
US08296120B2 FPGA simulated annealing accelerator
Iterative repair problems are generally solved using a combinatorial search method such as simulated annealing are addressed with a FPGA-based coarse-grain pipelined architecture to accelerate a simulated annealing based iterative repair-type event scheduling application. Over 99% of the work done by any simulated annealing algorithm is the repeated execution of three high-level steps: (1) generating, (2) evaluating, and (3) determining the acceptability of a new problem solution. A pipelined processor is designed to take advantage of these steps.
US08296118B1 Automated linearization analysis
A method and apparatus automatically determines equilibrium operating conditions of a system model. The automated method enables users of block diagram models of dynamic systems to utilize simulation to define operating conditions for linearization. The automated method further allows users to generate operating conditions during simulation instead of explicitly specifying them by hand or using trim analysis. In accordance with one example, the method of generating a linear time invariant model includes providing a system model. A user specifies at least one event at which a linearization analysis should be performed. A simulation of the system model is executed. The electronic device automatically performs the linearization analysis upon occurrence of the at least one event as the simulation is running. Output results are generated of the linearization analysis to form the linear time invariant model.
US08296115B2 Methods and systems for designing and/or selecting drilling equipment using predictions of rotary drill bit walk
Methods and systems may be provided simulating forming a wide variety of directional wellbores including wellbores with variable tilt rates and/or relatively constant tilt rates. The methods and systems may also be used to simulate forming a wellbore in subterranean formations having a combination of soft, medium and hard formation materials, multiple layers of formation materials and relatively hard stringers disposed throughout one or more layers of formation material. Values of bit walk rate from such simulations may be used to design and/or select drilling equipment for use in forming a directional wellbore.
US08296108B2 Time series data analyzer, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a time series data analysis program
A time series data analyzer includes a segment condition input section, an analysis condition input section, and an optimum condition deriving section for analyzing all segments based on the segment conditions and analysis conditions inputted in the respective input sections, under all analysis conditions by a maximum entropy method and a nonlinear least squares method. The time series data analyzer derives the optimum segment length and the optimum lag value in correspondence to selected results, and an analysis execution section executes analysis by the maximum entropy method by setting the optimum analysis conditions derived as described above. The trending of the spectrum of electroencephalogram data is used as an indicator of the state of the subject based on the findings that the spectrum of electroencephalogram data is an exponential spectrum and the gradient changes depending on the state of the subject.
US08296105B2 Remote diagnostic and repair system
A system for remotely diagnosing and repairing a computer controlled asset, includes an access point connected to a computer controlled asset thereby allowing electronic access to the computer system of the computer controlled asset. A service center remotely connected to the access point provides diagnostic review and repair of the computer controlled asset. An interface linking the access point to the service center allows the service center to communicate with the computer controlled asset via the access point.
US08296104B2 Rule-based engine for gathering diagnostic data
An infrastructure is provided for gathering diagnostic data that is relevant to an error or other conditions detected in a monitored system. A diagnosability framework is provided that automates the gathering of relevant diagnostic data upon occurrence of the condition in the monitored system. In one embodiment, context data is determined for the condition detected in the monitored system. A rule-based engine is provided that is configured to automatically determine one or more actions to be performed for the condition detected in the monitored system based on the determined context data. The actions may include performing tasks that gather diagnostic data that is relevant to the detected condition, store the gathered diagnostic data in a repository, recommend one or more diagnostic actions to a user, and other diagnostic related actions.
US08296103B2 Noise and vibration diagnosis device for vehicle and control method thereof
A noise and vibration diagnosis device and control method thereof may include a measuring sensor configured to be attached at a predetermined position of a vehicle to measure noise and vibration thereof, a signal input portion to which the noise and vibration signal that is generated from the measuring sensor is inputted, and a control portion configured to receive the signal that is transferred from the signal input portion and compare it with a predetermined reference value to output a replacement signal by which it is determined whether the component on which the measuring device is attached is to be replaced or not in accordance with the comparison result.
US08296101B1 Systems and methods for evaluating environmental aspects of shipping systems
According to various embodiments, package evaluation systems and methods are provided for evaluating the sustainability of packaging used in the shipment of goods. In particular, the package evaluation systems and methods are configured for performing package evaluations and managing and providing access to data resulting from package evaluations. The package evaluations are designed to assess, among other things, the ability of sample packages to prevent damage to their contents, the volumetric efficiency of sample packages, and the sustainability of the materials used to construct sample packages. In addition, the systems and methods are further configured for assigning a certification to an entity associated with the evaluated packages based on the results of the evaluation.
US08296100B2 System and method for well surveillance and management
A method and system is provided for managing well assets. The method includes the steps of determining “first tier” statuses corresponding to pre-defined well attributes, mapping the first tier statuses to one or more well performance classifications, determining “second tier” statuses corresponding to the well classifications, and combining the second tier statuses to determine an overall well surveillance status. The method and corresponding system can be used to manage wells by exception, to readily identify “under-performing” wells, and to prioritize actions to be taken by well operators.
US08296097B2 Unmoldability determination apparatus, computer readable medium, and unmoldability determination method
An unmoldability determination apparatus includes: a normal line calculation unit that calculates a normal line extending from a point on the surfaces of a three-dimensional shape of a molded product; an opposite direction component determination unit that determines whether the normal line calculated on each surface has a directional component opposite to a mold release direction of a mold of the molded product; a reach determination unit that determines whether there is another surface on the molded product which either a line extending from a projection surface in the mold release direction or a line opposite to the mold release direction reaches; and an unmoldability determination unit that, when there is another surface which both lines extending from the projection surface reach, determines the projection surface to be unreleasable from the mold by moving the mold in the mold release direction, thus determining the projection surface to be unmoldable.
US08296095B2 Electronic device and method for controlling state of components therein according to angle between cover and main body thereof
An electronic device includes a cover, a main body, a plurality of components, each has an on working state and an off working state respectively corresponding to an angle range, an angle measuring apparatus, a presetting unit to preset a relationship between the on and of working states of each component and corresponding angle ranges; a memory for storing the relationship as a table, an angle measuring unit to detect current angle value between the main body and the cover; a state determining unit to determine the angle range which the detected current angle value is in; a determining unit to determine whether a current working state of the components is same as the determined working state; and an updating unit to record the determined working state as an updated working state when they are not same.
US08296094B2 Analysis of parallel manipulators
A method of determining the positions and orientations of the base (8) and platform (10) of a parallel manipulator using an iterative calculation in which successive iterations calculate estimates of said positions and orientations, each estimate being determined from the previous estimate using an inverse of a derivative of an error function (F), that function also being used to determine error values for each estimate, wherein if the error values are deemed unacceptable a new derivative is calculated and the iteration is repeated, whereas if the error values are deemed acceptable the same derivative is used in a subsequent iteration. Thus the derivative need not be re-calculate for each iteration, whereby the process can operate more rapidly, e.g. in real time.
US08296093B2 Semiconductor device with thermal fault detection
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip including an active area. A temperature sensor arrangement provides a measurement signal dependent on the temperature in or close to the active area. An evaluation circuit is configured to compare the measurement signal with a first threshold and to signal an over-temperature when the measurement signal exceeds the first threshold. The evaluation circuit is also configured to count the number of exceedances of the first threshold and to signal when a maximum number of exceedances is reached.
US08296091B2 System and process for calibrating pyrometers in thermal processing chambers
A method and system for calibrating temperature measurement devices, such as pyrometers, in thermal processing chambers are disclosed. According to the present invention, the system includes a calibrating light source that emits light energy onto a substrate contained in the thermal processing chamber. A light detector then detects the amount of light that is being transmitted through the substrate. The amount of detected light energy is then used to calibrate a temperature measurement device that is used in the system.
US08296088B2 Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials
Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials are provided. One system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels. Another system is configured to image one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. An additional system is configured to substantially immobilize one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. A further system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels, to image the one or more materials in the imaging volume, to substantially immobilize the one or more materials in the imaging volume, or some combination thereof.
US08296079B2 Method for the humanization of antibodies and humanized antibodies thereby obtained
Method for the humanization of the VH and VL variable regions of an animal antibody of known sequence, humanized animal antibody obtainable according to the method, in particular anti-NGF and anti-TrkA humanized animal antibodies.
US08296076B2 Noninvasive diagnosis of fetal aneuoploidy by sequencing
Disclosed is a method to achieve digital quantification of DNA (i.e., counting differences between identical sequences) using direct shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to the chromosome of origin and enumeration of fragments per chromosome. The preferred method uses massively parallel sequencing, which can produce tens of millions of short sequence tags in a single run and enabling a sampling that can be statistically evaluated. By counting the number of sequence tags mapped to a predefined window in each chromosome, the over- or under-representation of any chromosome in maternal plasma DNA contributed by an aneuploid fetus can be detected. This method does not require the differentiation of fetal versus maternal DNA. The median count of autosomal values is used as a normalization constant to account for differences in total number of sequence tags is used for comparison between samples and between chromosomes.
US08296073B2 Diagnostic method
A method for prognosing osteoporosis phenotypes or estimating osteoporosis quantitative traits comprising determining outcomes for selected SNP variables and clinical variables. Products and methods for genotyping multiple osteoporosis associated genetic variations.
US08296067B2 Satellite communications with cableless seismographs
According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a system and method for using satellite communications satellites to control and receive data from a land cableless seismic system. The satellite transmission could transmit control signals (e.g. turn on/off) and receive signals from the remote seismograph units (seismic data, quality control parameters, status, location, etc.) which would subsequently be retransmitted to a processing center or other surface facility.
US08296065B2 System and method for vitally determining position and position uncertainty of a railroad vehicle employing diverse sensors including a global positioning system sensor
A system vitally determines a position of a train. The system includes a plurality of diverse sensors, such as tachometers and accelerometers, structured to repetitively sense at least change in position and acceleration of the train, a global positioning system sensor, which is diverse from each of the diverse sensors, structured to repetitively sense position of the train, and a track map including a plurality of track segments which may be occupied by the train. A processor cooperates with the diverse sensors, the global positioning system sensor and the track map. The processor includes a routine structured to provide measurement uncertainty for each of the diverse sensors and the global positioning system sensor. The routine cross-checks measurements for the diverse sensors, and cross-checks the global positioning system sensor against the track map. The routine provides the vitally determined position of the train and the uncertainty of the vitally determined position.
US08296063B1 Emergency rescue system and method having video and IMU data synchronization
Systems and methods for collecting and recording video data and inertial motion unit (IMU) data associated with the video data representative of a path of traversal, transmitting the video data and IMU data associated with the video data to a rescue device that includes a display, and subsequently replaying the video data on the display of the rescue device along with viewable indicia, based on the IMU data associated with the video data, that is indicative of the motion of a user when the video data was collected and recorded.
US08296062B2 Method for displaying traffic information and navigation system
There is provided a method for displaying traffic information, a navigation system, and a program for displaying the traffic information. A data processing unit receives a specified time 1203, which is a future or current time, through an operation input unit, specifies an area of a map to be displayed, and then obtains map data of the specified area from a map data storage unit. The data processing unit obtains traffic information 1201 of the specified time from a traffic information storage unit, and then makes the display unit show links in association with the traffic information 1201. It is, therefore, possible to display the traffic information of an arrival time at each point on a route in a user-friendly manner.
US08296060B2 Method and device for assisting in the navigation of an airplane on the ground at an airport
A method and device for assisting in the navigation of an airplane on the ground at an airport employs a display unit for automatically presenting data relating to the path to be followed by the airplane at the airport in textual form on a display screen, and a display unit for automatically presenting this data in graphic form on a display screen, using a plot illustrating said path on an airport map.
US08296059B2 Method and arrangement for reducing criminal risk to an overland transport
In navigation systems and methods thereof and, more particularly, navigation systems and methods for vehicles and, even more particularly, navigation systems and methods that reduce/minimize the incidence criminal activity during transport of cargo along a route a method is provided for determining a trip route for travel including the following steps: (i) obtaining start point data for a start point; (ii) obtaining end point data for an end point; (iii) obtaining crime risk data for at least one point along a possible trip route between said start point and said end point; (iv) determining a portion of a safe trip route between said start point and said endpoint based on said crime risk data; and, (v) communicating said portion of said safe trip route via a navigation device.
US08296053B1 System and method for determining relative motion between ship combat system elements
A system and method are disclosed for determining relative motion between ship-based combat system elements using accelerometers. Relative motion between combat system elements can introduce error into the targeting information provided to the weapons system, and thus the system facilitates compensation for such relative motion. The system includes accelerometers mounted on radar systems, inertial navigation system (INS) sensors, and weapons systems. An algorithm is disclosed in which the raw accelerometer signals are filtered, then combined with ship INS attitude signals in a displacement calculation module (DCM). Within the DCM, the signals are manipulated to calculate, for each combat system element, the translational and rotational displacements due to hull modal vibration and the translational and rotational displacements due to force vibration. The sum of these values represent the movement of each of the affected combat system elements. Relative motion between elements is calculated simply as the difference between the calculated movement values for each element.
US08296047B2 Traffic information processing apparatus, traffic information management server, traffic information management system
Provided is an apparatus and the like for improving the communication efficiency of travel information and the like by taking account of the degree of necessity of collecting the travel information of a vehicle in view of an operating state or attribute of the vehicle. A traffic information processing apparatus (10) mounted in the vehicle (1) determines the travel information thereof and transmits the travel information intermittently to a traffic information management server (20). A transmission interval (T) for transmitting the travel information is set according to a velocity (V) indicating the operating state of the vehicle (1) and a rule designated by the traffic information management server (20).
US08296046B2 Cellular-based live traffic service
A cellular-based live traffic service that does not require pre-deployment of infrastructure or GPS-enabled devices uses signals provided by cellular devices to determine course resolution localization and tracking information of the cellular devices. Specialized statistical analysis is performed on the course resolution data to infer the fine resolution positions of the cellular devices. In an example embodiment, the localization and tracking information is provided on a map, or the like, to show relative position and/or trajectory of cellular devices.
US08296040B2 Method for controlling an internal combustion engine with a temperature-dependent injection parameter
In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection, an injection parameter is determined in dependence on a temperature of the internal combustion engine. The method is characterized in that a first value of the internal combustion engine temperature is determined which, in the event of changes in the operating point of the internal combustion engine, changes comparatively quickly to a value which is characteristic of the new operating point. A second value of the internal combustion engine temperature is formed which, in the event of changes in the operating point, changes comparatively slowly, and in that the injection parameter is defined in dependence on the first value and the second value.
US08296032B2 Hybrid vehicle and a method of control for improved power management
A hybrid vehicle and method of control. The method includes determining an engine torque command based on a request for vehicle acceleration or deceleration, a target power level of the secondary power source, and a current engine power command, determining an engine speed command based on the target power level of the secondary power source, a total engine power command, and vehicle speed, and operating the engine based on the engine torque and engine speed commands.
US08296027B2 Method and apparatus to control off-going clutch torque during torque phase for a hybrid powertrain system
A method for controlling an electro-mechanical transmission through an unlocking state of a clutch, the transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member includes decreasing a reactive torque acting upon the clutch, including overriding torque commands to the engine and to the electric machine, and simultaneously decreasing a clutch torque capacity, including, during a lead period selected according to an engine command reaction time, commanding an intermediate clutch torque command maintaining sufficient clutch torque capacity to exceed an initial reactive torque calculated at an initiation of the unlocking state, and following the lead period, decreasing through a ramp down the clutch torque capacity, maintaining sufficient clutch torque capacity to exceed the decreasing reactive torque.
US08296025B2 Shift range switching control apparatus
When a vehicle driver operates a momentary-type gear shift lever and the lever continuously stays for not less than a predetermined length of time at a target gear position, in R, D, and N positions, corresponding to a target shift range of the automatic transmission of a vehicle, a shift range switching apparatus judges that the lever is operated to the target gear position and instructs a DC motor to switch to the target shift range of the automatic transmission. The apparatus detects a “busy shift” (or incomplete) operation of the lever based on voltage signals transferred from vertical/horizontal direction sensors corresponding to the current position of the lever. The apparatus detects the occurrence of the “bush shift” (or incomplete) operation when the gear shift lever is returned to the original position after being operated from the original position toward the target gear shift position, but, does not reach it.
US08296022B2 Torque vectoring device and means for its control
A torque vectoring device directs different torques at will to the two wheels of a drive axle on a road vehicle. It has two hydraulically controlled disc clutches, connected to a drive shaft, extending through the device, and in engaged condition intended for connecting the drive shaft to either of two gear sleeves, each in splines engagement with an eccentric tube eccentrically journaled in relation to the drive shaft, and a torque transmitting mechanism with a gear ratio of 1:1 between the eccentric tube and a differential case sleeve, coaxial with the drive shaft and forming part of a differential case of a differential on the drive axle, to which differential the torque vectoring device is connected.
US08296020B2 Use of selectable one-way clutch in hybrid powertrain
A powertrain includes a plurality of torque generative devices and a transmission having an output shaft, a plurality of planetary gear sets connecting the torque generative devices to the output shaft, and a selectable one-way clutch connected to a first of the planetary gear sets. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring a desired transmission setting selection comprising one of a low range continuously variable gear mode, a high range continuously variable gear mode, and a fixed gear mode, determining a desired state for the selectable one-way clutch based upon the desired transmission setting selection, and actuating the selectable one-way clutch to effect the desired state for the selectable one-way clutch.
US08296018B2 Headrest system, seat with a headrest system, and vehicle including same
The invention relates to a headrest system comprising: a headrest device (1); a plurality of sensors (2, 3); and an electromechanical headrest device positioning system, associated to said sensors (2, 3). Data are recorded during an upward movement of the headrest device (1), relating to the distance between the headrest device (1) and the head in a plurality of positions of the headrest device (1) throughout said upward movement. The upward movement ends when, through the sensors, the system detects that the headrest is at a certain height. Based on this data recorded during the upward movement, the headrest device (1) is moved substantially horizontally until it is located at a certain distance from the head.
US08296014B2 Motor vehicle driver assisting method near the stability limit
A method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to monitoring at least one quantity selected among vehicle sideslip, yaw rate error, understeer and quantities correlated to vehicle sideslip, yaw rate error or understeer, deciding that there is a risk of the vehicle becoming unstable if any of the monitored quantities or a quantity derived from one or more of the monitored quantities exceeds a predetermined first threshold, and if it is decided that there is a risk, issuing a warning signal.
US08296012B2 Vehicle communication system and method
A vehicle communication system and communication steering wheel is provided. The communication steering wheel includes a display, a wireless transceiver configured to operably connect to a wireless device, a sensor, configured to obtain directional steering information and a controller, configured to receive input from the wireless transceiver and the sensor and output a signal to the display based on the received input.
US08296008B2 Programmable function key on wireless OBDII interface
A vehicle diagnostic device is provided that includes a programmable function to control a function on an emission computer workstation. The function key can be programmed to interact and manipulate with the workstation. The vehicle diagnostic device allows a user to wirelessly communicate with the workstation while located in the vehicle.
US08296004B2 Electrically-driven vehicle
In an electrically driven vehicle equipped with a battery usable for running, a power generation unit of engine driven type that charges the battery is detachably mounted on the vehicle including a case where at least an engine of the power generation unit is detachably mounted, and the vehicle includes first stop means for bringing the power generation unit in a stopped state when the power generation unit is installed in or removed from the vehicle, and a generation stop switch for making an operation request to the power generation unit. More specifically, the first stop means stops an operation request signal to the power generation unit through low-voltage system wires when the generation stop switch is ON (no operation request is made).
US08296003B2 Control systems and methods for electric motors of utility vehicles
Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
US08296000B2 Tracking rolling stock in a controlled area of a railway
A system for monitoring the location of rolling stock within a controlled area of a railway system is provided. The system includes a plurality of axle counters within the controlled area, wherein the axle counts are associated with a global sequence identifier. A central controller processes the axle counts and associated global sequence identifier in conjunction with a list of rolling stock entering the controlled area to provide a real time map of the location of each piece of rolling stock within the controlled area.
US08295998B2 System, method, and computer software code for distributing and managing data for use by a plurality of subsystems on a locomotive
A communication system for controlling sharing of data across a plurality of subsystems on a locomotive, the communication system including an open defined interface unit configured so that a plurality of applications may access locomotive control system data in a common defined manner with predictable results.
US08295996B2 Method and device for preventing useless alarms generated by an anti-collision system on board an airplane
The invention describes a method and device for preventing useless alarms generated by an anticollision system on board an airplane and according to which the duration (dcap) of a phase of capture of a setpoint altitude (Zc) by the airplane is between a predetermined minimum execution deadline (dmin) and a predetermined maximum execution deadline (dmax).
US08295994B2 Vehicle control method and apparatus of telematics terminal
A vehicle, vehicle control apparatus and method of a telematics terminal are disclosed to allow a user to quickly determine and cope with a vehicle event. The vehicle control method includes: when an event informing about a vehicle event occurs, transmitting notification information corresponding to the event and/or control information previously determined for processing the event to a mobile communication terminal via a wireless communication network; and when user request information with respect to the control information is received from the mobile communication terminal, controlling a vehicle according to the received user request information.
US08295990B2 Low cost and flexible energy management system with a scheduling capability
A method and system for controlling the operation of accessories in a home energy management system which manages a plurality of communication networks. The schedules are generated by using a central controller and interacting with a user interface found on a device separate from the central controller. The plurality of schedules are stored in the storage of the central controller, and a current schedule is selected from the stored schedules. The selected schedule is loaded onto an accessory through one of the communication channels for controlling the associate accessory.
US08295986B2 Net metering apparatus for power generation systems
An electrical power generation unit including a power source, an energy storage system and a net metering control apparatus capable of controlling power delivered to an electrical utility grid so that that a total amount of electrical power from the power source and the energy storage system does not exceed a prescribed power limit. A process of controlling electrical power flow in an electrical power generation unit connected to an electrical utility grid so that that a total amount of electrical power from the power source and the energy storage system does not exceed a prescribed power limit.
US08295983B2 Apparatus and method for characterization and control of usage disturbances in a usage environment of printers and other dynamic systems
Dynamic systems with moving parts, such as printers and image forming apparatuses, for example, can shake as a result of reaction forces related to carriage movement. The characteristics of the shake are related to the particular usage environment and, therefore, can be different for the same dynamic system used in different environments. When the shake of a dynamic system is characterized while the dynamic system is in its particular usage environment, the shake can be reduced, for example, based on a degree of control specified by an operator, for every use in that same environment through adjustments based on the characterization.
US08295981B2 Device commissioning in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning network
The disclosure provides various systems and methods for conveying information between a communicating first device and a second coupled device of a HVAC network. In various embodiments, a checking of a subnet of the HVAC network for both communicating device and a non-communicating device by the communicating first device occurs. It is determined whether the second coupled device in a non-communicating device. An installer is allowed to set parameters of the non-communicating device through employment of a manifest list of features used by the non-communicating device that is accessible by the communicating device.
US08295975B2 Object picking device
An object picking device, which is inexpensive and capable of speedily and accurately picking one object at a time from a random pile state. A target detecting part of an image processing part processes an image captured by a camera and detects objects. A target selecting part selects an object among the detected objects based on a certain rule. A view line direction calculating part calculates the direction of a view line extending to the selected object. A target position estimating part estimates the position including the height of the selected object based on size information of the object in the image. Then, a grip correction calculating part calculates an amount of correction of the movement of a robot so as to grip the object by using the robot.
US08295974B2 System and method for tracking inventory
An RFID enabled paper roll includes a tubular core, a paper stock wound around the core, and a radio frequency integrated circuit electrically coupled to an antenna and positioned on the core. A system for reading a radio frequency integrated circuit positioned on an item of inventory in a warehouse comprises a material handling device and an RFID reader coupled to the material handling device. The material handling device has at least member for use in transporting an item of inventory. The reader is configured to read the radio frequency integrated circuit associated with the item of inventory when the item is in proximity to the material handling device.
US08295971B2 Computer assisted determination of tapped threads from CAD file
A computer program, system and method receives a customer's CAD file of a custom part to be formed. Depending upon customer responses to several basic queries, the CAD file is analyzed to identify acceptable holes for tapping. For each identified hole, an appropriate and available thread size is automatically selected, even if the cylindrical recess differs in size from the characteristic size of the threaded hole. The customer is then automatically advised 10 of the results of the tapping analysis, preferably as part of a quotation for part manufacture that identifies the number of threaded holes in the part and preferably identifies the changes to the tapped holes and the specific thread form being quoted for the hole.
US08295968B2 Setup method of substrate processing apparatus
A setup method of a substrate processing apparatus includes: connecting a test terminal, which includes a pseudo comprehensive control unit and a second operation unit, to a plurality of process chamber control units, with the process chamber control units being separated from the comprehensive control unit and a first operation unit; transmitting a process chamber test operation command from the second operation unit to the plurality of process chamber control units through the pseudo comprehensive control unit; testing operations of a plurality of process chambers in parallel by the plurality of process chamber control units receiving the process chamber test operation command; and transmitting a process chamber test operation report from the plurality of process chamber control units to the second operation unit through the pseudo comprehensive control unit.
US08295964B2 Method for selecting equipment resources in a manufacturing process
A method for selecting equipment resources in a manufacturing process creates an execution equipment list by retrieving out of a database execution equipment required for starting a process segment. A list of available sub-equipments of the execution equipment is retrieved out of the database. Within the list of sub-equipments a check is performed on the availability of a totality of required equipments for each of a totality of work segments of the process segment respectively. The execution equipment is selected for the starting of the process segment. Each of the required equipments for execution of each of the work segments is selected respectively, in the case where the required equipment for the work segment is available. An output list is created and contains information about assignments of each of the required equipments to each of the work segments respectively in the case where all of the required equipments are available.
US08295962B2 Method of making an article of footwear
A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed.
US08295961B2 Spectacle lens supply system, ordering system, and manufacturing method
An ordering terminal (10) installed on an order side of a spectacle lens has a correction function concerning a measurement error measured by a spectacle frame shape measurement device (13), and transmits information necessary for machining the spectacle lens including the spectacle frame shape information to a spectacle lens manufacture control device (20) in a factory. When correcting the measurement error, the circumference of a reference frame (30) for which a reference circumference as a reference is determined in advance is measured by the spectacle frame shape measurement device (13). A measurement circumference obtained on the basis of a measurement value of the circumference is compared with the reference circumference, and a correction value which corrects the spectacle frame shape information such that the measurement circumference approaches the reference circumference is employed as the correction value of the spectacle frame shape measurement device (13). A measurement error of the lens frame of a spectacle frame (4) in which the spectacle lens is to be actually mounted is corrected using the correction value. Hence, the measurement error of the spectacle frame shape measurement device (13) need not be corrected on the factory.
US08295960B2 Load management controller for a household electrical installation
This invention relates to a load management controller for a household electrical installation comprising a plurality of electrical sub-circuits. The electrical sub-circuits may each comprise a plurality of components, a single component or a part of a single component. A plurality of the electrical sub-circuits have electricity usage profiles containing rules determining the supply of electricity to the electrical sub-circuit. The load management controller has access to the electricity usage profiles of the electrical sub-circuits and controls the supply of electricity to the electrical sub-circuit in accordance with the electricity usage profile related to that electrical sub-circuit. The household electrical installation may comprise a rechargeable battery bank or supply that may be used to provide power to the household electrical installation.
US08295959B2 Sound-recording apparatus
There is provided in a substantially rectangular sound-recording apparatus including: two first audio acquirers to which audio is stereophonically inputted; a second audio acquirer to which audio is monophonically inputted; and a supporter for holding the sound-recording apparatus in a predetermined attitude, in which the first and second audio acquirers are placed on different surfaces, and the two first audio acquirers are placed at both ends of a longer side of the main body, a sound-recording apparatus including an opening and closing sensor for sensing an opened and closed state of the supporter, and an attitude sensor for sensing an attitude of the sound-recording-apparatus main body, in which based on a sensing result of the opening and closing sensor and a sensing result of the attitude sensor, a stem sound-recording and a monophonic sound-recording are switched.
US08295956B2 Control device having an integrated machine model
A production machine can be controlled by a control device in accordance with a control program which is stored in the control device. The production machine has at least two elements having interfaces, which are connected to one another at the interfaces. The control device stores element descriptions of possible elements, which respectively comprise at least one list of the existing interfaces, such that the control device can determine which elements can be connected to one another. The control device also stores a desired expansion description which at least comprises which elements the production machine has and which interfaces are said to connect the elements to one another. The control device has an operator interface which an operator of the production machine can use to request the desired expansion description which can be output to the operator on the basis of the request and can be changed by the operator.
US08295953B2 System for optimizing power generating unit
A method and apparatus for optimizing the operation of a single or multiple power generating units using advanced optimization, modeling, and control techniques. In one embodiment, a plurality of component optimization systems for optimizing power generating unit components are sequentially coordinated to allow optimized values determined by a first component optimization system to be fed forward for use as an input value to a subsequent component optimization system. A unit optimization system may be provided to determine goals and constraints for the plurality of component optimization systems in accordance with economic data. In one embodiment of the invention, a multi-unit optimization system is provided to determine goals and constraints for component optimization systems of different power generating units. Both steady state and dynamic models are used for optimization.
US08295952B2 Apparatus and method for automated closed-loop identification of an industrial process in a process control system
An apparatus, method, and computer program are provided for automated closed-loop identification of an industrial process in a process control system. Multiple models (such as multiple model structure-model order combinations) can be identified, where the models are associated with a process to be controlled. One or more metrics (such as a prediction metric or rank) can be determined for each of the models. At least one of the models can be selected based on the one or more metrics. A final model for controlling the process can be provided (such as to a controller), where the final model is based on the at least one selected model. A band pass filter could be designed using some of the identified models. The band pass filter could be used to identify at least one other of the models or to determine at least one of the one or more metrics.
US08295947B2 Devices and methods for transluminal or transthoracic interstitial electrode placement
Methods and devices for implanting pacing electrodes or other apparatus, or for delivering substances, to the heart of other tissues within the body. A guided tissue penetrating catheter is inserted into a body lumen (e.g., blood vessel) or into a body cavity or space (e.g., the pericardial space) and a penetrator is advanced from the catheter to a target location. In some embodiments, a substance or an apparatus (such as an electrode) may be delivered through a lumen in the penetrator. In other embodiments, a guidewire may be advanced through the penetrator, the penetrating catheter may then be removed and an apparatus (e.g., electrode) may then be advanced over that guidewire. Also disclosed are various implantable electrodes and electrode anchoring apparatus.
US08295946B2 Electrode assembly with fibers for a medical device
An electrode assembly includes an electrode adapted to at least partially surround a first longitudinal portion of a target nerve or nerve bundle. The electrode includes an inner surface adapted to contact an outer surface of the target nerve or nerve bundle. The electrode also includes a plurality of fiber elements each having a proximal end and a distal end. The fiber elements are coupled at the proximal ends to the inner surface of the electrode and the distal ends of the fiber elements are operative to penetrate the outer surface of the target nerve or nerve bundle.
US08295938B2 Programming a medical device with a general purpose instrument
An apparatus including a processor configured to selectively load a first operating system that controls general purpose computer functionality of the apparatus; and a second operating system different from the first operating system. The second operating system controls medical device programming functionality of the apparatus, enabling the apparatus to program a medical device including at least one implantable component.
US08295926B2 Dynamic nerve stimulation in combination with other eating disorder treatment modalities
A method for treatment of obesity or other disorders by electrical activation or inhibition of nerves is disclosed. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by stimulating a nerve using an electrode. The method further comprises performing a surgical procedure and/or administering a weight loss drug.
US08295925B2 Methods and devices for treating neuropathy and loss of protective sensation
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to methods for treating loss of protective sensation. In certain embodiments, loss of protective sensation may be restored by application of an effective amount of a pulsed current at, for example, an effective pulse frequency. Devices and systems designed to treat loss of protective sensation are also described.
US08295923B2 Sacrificial electrode design and delivery species suitable for prolonged iontophoresis application periods
A wearable iontophoresis device for the prolonged delivery of a positively charged pharmaceutical species from a salt formulation is disclosed that includes a readily oxidizable metal-based sacrificial anode in the form of a generally planar layer having a connecting area that has a width that is sufficient to insure complete consumption of the oxidizable metal wherein the anode is configured to have a minimum operating life of at least 6 hours under skin-safe conditions, and a drug delivery gel pad in electrical contact with said anode for accommodating a gel containing a positively charged pharmaceutical species in salt form formulated for transdermal delivery.
US08295919B2 Reduced electrode electrocardiography system
Electrocardiographic (ECG) signals, such as the standard 12-lead, are synthesized from a novel reduced electrode set. Signals are received from a group of electrodes connected to predetermined locations on a human body and deriving at least one further ECG signal using predetermined transformation(s) on a set of ECG signals. This forms a desired set of signals. The group of electrodes may comprise the standard 12 lead electrode sites V2 and V5 plus one electrode positioned substantially level with V5 on the right anterior auxiliary line and a further electrode on each of the right hand side and left hand side of the body. In an alternative arrangement, the electrode position V2 is replaced by an electrode position Vc on the sternum directly between the standard electrode sites V1 and V2. Also disclosed is a method of improving accuracy of synthesized signals by detecting body posture and modifying the transformations.
US08295916B2 Automated strontium-rubidium infusion system
The strontium-rubidium infusion system has a container with eluent, a strontium-rubidium generator with a filter and pressure sensor, an eluate infusion unit, which are connected via a transporting system having pipes and two three-way valves, radioactivity measuring means and a control and operating unit. An eluent container is connected to a syringe pump via the first and second ports of the first three-way valve, the first port of the second three-way valve is connected with pipes via the second filter to the eluate infusion unit, the second port is connected to a waste receptacle. The third and fourth three-way valves, the first and second air bubbles detectors are connected to the control and operating unit connected with a computer. The third three-way valve is connected with its first and second ports via pipes to the third port of the first three-way valve and the input of the generator, respectively.
US08295915B2 Method and computational unit for measuring the flow rate of a contrast agent in a vessel of a patient
A method and a computational unit are disclosed for measuring the flow rate of a contrast agent in a vessel of a patient by way of a computed tomography examination. The patient is scanned by x-rays emitted in a fan-shape from two planes and the absorption from a multiplicity of rotational angles is determined while the contrast agent propagates through the at least one vessel. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a three-dimensional data record of local absorption data with the vessel which can be filled by a contrast agent is reconstructed; a set of x-rays which pass through this vessel is determined for a multiplicity of temporally subsequent rotational angles of the x-rays. By determining the changing absorption values along this vessel from the temporally subsequent vessel/ray-sets, the propagation velocity of the contrast agent in this vessel can be determined from the spatial and temporal change in the absorption values in this vessel.
US08295914B2 Systems and methods of determining patient transfer functions and modeling patient response to a pharmaceutical injection
A method of controlling an injector system for delivering a contrast enhancing fluid to a patient. The method includes the step of determining at least one patient transfer function for the patient based upon data specific to the patient, with the at least one patient transfer function providing a time enhancement output for a given input. The data specific to the patent may include at least one of an estimate of physiologic parameters of the patient, an estimate of anatomic parameters of the patient and an enhancement caused by an injection of the contrast enhancing fluid into the patient. Other steps involve: determining a desired time enhancement output; using the at least one patient transfer function to determine an injection procedure input; and controlling the injector system at least in part on the basis of the determined injection procedure input.
US08295910B1 Imaging method for monitoring delivery of high dose rate brachytherapy
A method for in-situ monitoring both the balloon/cavity and the radioactive source in brachytherapy treatment utilizing using at least one pair of miniature gamma cameras to acquire separate images of: 1) the radioactive source as it is moved in the tumor volume during brachytherapy; and 2) a relatively low intensity radiation source produced by either an injected radiopharmaceutical rendering cancerous tissue visible or from a radioactive solution filling a balloon surgically implanted into the cavity formed by the surgical resection of a tumor.
US08295907B2 Integrated finite element and circulatory model for predicting hemodynamic effects of left ventricular impairment, resynchronization and remodeling
A computational model which integrates a complex circulatory model and a finite element to determine the dynamics of a left ventricle continuously over consecutive cardiac cycles. The model includes determining a LV pressure (plv) using a circulatory model, using a finite element model plv as input and determining a LV volume (vlv), computing a LV elastance according to: elv=plv/vlv, driving the circulatory model with the elv; and returning to determining a LV pressure and starting the next iteration, wherein the steps continue at a sufficient time resolution for a desired number of entire cardiac cycles. The dynamic Young's modulus functions are assigned to individual finite elements, resulting in a time-varying left ventricular elastance that drives the circulatory model.
US08295906B2 MRI guided radiation therapy
Radiation therapy of a lesion within a patient is guided to take into account movement of the lesion caused by respiration and/or cardiac effects by using MRI to image the patient while on the treatment support to obtain a series of images of a location of the lesion within the patient while obtaining data relating to respiration and/or cardiac function of the patient to generate lesion movement data as a function of respiration and/or cardiac function. After the magnet is removed from the bunker, during the radiation therapy, real time data relating to respiration and/or cardiac function of the patient is used to guide the radiation therapy using the lesion movement data obtained during the imaging.
US08295904B2 Micro vein enhancer
The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
US08295895B2 Portable electronic device
One embodiment of the portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing provided with a camera 6 to enable image capture. In the housing, arranged are a pressure sensor 5 for detecting that the housing is in a submerged state, a speaker 3 for emitting shutter sound at the time of photographing using the camera 6, and a control circuit 1 for controlling an operation of the speaker 3. When the pressure sensor 5 detects that the housing is in the submerged state, the control circuit 1 increases volume of the shutter sound emitted from the speaker 3.
US08295893B2 System and method for managing power consumption in a device
Systems and methods for managing power consumption in a device include toggling an ON-OFF setting of apparatus, which controls a carrier detector. The toggling is carried out according to a first duty cycle having a fixed OFF-time duration and a first dwell time having a first dwell time duration during which the carrier detector performs radio frequency carrier detection function. The device receives at least one input that affects the radio frequency carrier detection function, and the first duty cycle is changed to a second duty cycle. The toggling is carried out according to the second duty cycle, which has the same fixed OFF-time duration of the first duty cycle and a second dwell time having a second dwell time duration that is longer than the first dwell time duration, during which the radio frequency carrier detection function is performed.
US08295891B2 UMTS FDD modem optimized for high data rate applications
A method and apparatus for optimization of a modem for high data rate applications comprise a plurality of hardware accelerators which are configured to perform data processing functions, wherein the hardware accelerators are parameterized, a processor is configured to selectively activate accelerators according to the desired function to conserve power requirements and a shared memory configured for communication between the plurality of hardware accelerators.
US08295887B2 Method for adjusting a ring tone volume and mobile communication terminal using the same
Disclosed is a method for adjusting a ring tone volume in a mobile communication terminal. The method implements a function by which a user can directly adjust the ring tone volume in a mobile communication terminal in consideration of circumstances. To this end, the present invention includes a user interface screen by which a user can adjust the output volume level of the ring tone which rings according to the passage of time. Thus, the present invention provides a user interface screen by which a user can adjust the output volume level of a ring tone which rings according to the passage of time, and enables the user to set the output level of the ring tone and the output time of the ring tone at a corresponding level according to predetermined intervals through the screen.
US08295885B2 Methods and apparatus for providing restrictions on communications of a wireless communication device
Techniques in a wireless device for use in providing restrictions on communications via a cellular network are described. The wireless device communicates with a host enterprise server of a private network which is external to the cellular network for performing data synchronization in association with a personal information manager (PIM) application. The wireless device receives communication restriction information from this same host enterprise server in the private network, and stores this information in its memory. The wireless device determines whether a communication is restricted by comparing a user selected code of a communication attempt with one or more codes of the stored information. If the communication is determined to be restricted, the wireless device disallows the communication via the cellular network. If the communication is determined to not be restricted, the wireless device may allow the communication via the cellular network.
US08295882B2 Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing access to femtocell coverage
Systems, methods, and computer program products are for managing access to a femtocell coverage area. An exemplary method includes storing in a memory component a first identifier corresponding to a subscribed service of a communication device and a second identifier corresponding to a user of the communication device, and granting access to the femtocell coverage area using the second identifier.
US08295879B2 Devices and methods for initiating functions based on movement characteristics relative to a reference
Disclosed are devices and methods of an electronic device configured to adaptably process arbitrary conditions to provide a user options for initiating or activating a non-display electronic function of the device. A user is free to determine how to position or orient the device. To determine in real-time, arbitrary conditions of the device, the disclosed devices and methods of an electronic device include determining that the electronic device is at rest and then acquiring a reference in response to determining that the electronic device is at rest. In this way, the device may assume any position or orientation to acquire a reference. Subsequently, subtle movement of the electronic device relative to the acquired reference may be detected to initiate a non-display electronic function of the electronic device. The user therefore may make choices inconspicuously and privately as to which non-display electronic function to initiate.
US08295876B1 Communication device
The mobile phone comprising a CPU which updates battery controller, CCD unit controller, microphone controller, speaker controller, or vibrator controller by utilizing the mobile phone updating data received via antenna.
US08295872B2 Power control method
Improved power control methods and power control systems are described wherein received RSSI values are processed to generate a power control signal which may be used by a link manager, or other element in a receiving station, to determine whether to send a power control message to the transmitting station. The method used to process the received RSSI values is dependent upon a value of the power measurement, for example, the method may involve a comparison between the value of the power measurement and a value of the power control signal. In another embodiment, the received RSSI values may be converted to power values and then smoothed using a filter.
US08295859B1 System and method of exploiting location awareness to improve wireless cognitive radio
The present invention provides a system and method for exploiting location awareness to improve the communication performance in a wireless cognitive radio system. The invention includes determining the absolute position information for the cognitive radio system, receiving digital topographical data related to the absolute position information, classifying the environment of the cognitive radio system based on the absolute position and the topographical data, matching the classified environment with corresponding statistical parameters and improving the communication performance of the cognitive radio system by adapting the cognitive radio system according to the corresponding statistical parameters.
US08295858B2 Restricting the use of mobile terminals based on forced location updating
A method and apparatus for temporarily disabling a mobile terminal which is associable with a mobile telecommunications network for obtaining communication services therefrom is described. A base station simulator (20) is provided which transmits a signal for causing the mobile terminal (1) to register with the base station simulator (20). For example, this signal may be transmitted at a power higher than the base stations (3,4,5) of PLMNs in the area around the mobile terminal. The base station simulator (20) then transmits a message to cause the mobile terminal (1) to be temporarily disabled from communicating with the network. For example, the message may force the mobile terminal to perform a Location Area Update and/or a Routing Area Update. The base station simulator (20) then rejects inappropriately the Location/Routing Area Update Request from the mobile terminal (1) and causes the mobile terminal (1) to deem its SIM/USIM to be invalid until the mobile terminal is power cycled or the SIM/USIM is removed. The invention may advantageously be used onboard aircraft. The base station simulator (20) may provide a pico cell to allow wireless telecommunication services to be provided to mobile terminals during aircraft flight.
US08295857B2 Information portal
A communication system for providing high-speed wireless access to mobile processing systems a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. A local server in communication with this stationary transceiver is configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within the information portal.
US08295855B2 GPS driven architecture for delivery of location based multimedia and method of use
An architecture, system and method of use sends location based multimedia to participants of a geo-tour or other application using geo-boundaries and/or other location information. The method includes detecting when a user has crossed within a geo-boundary. The method further includes determining a content type to be sent to a mobile device based on preferences provided by the user. Additionally, the method includes sending user location specific content of the determined content type to the mobile device when the user has crossed within the geo-boundary.
US08295852B2 Method and system for enabling connection of a mobile communication terminal to a radio communication network
A method for enabling connection of a mobile communication terminal to a radio communication network, includes: receiving information about available radio access networks available in a geographic area; determining a current location of the mobile communication terminal within the geographic area; based on the received information and the determined mobile communication terminal current location, determining available radio access networks covering the current mobile communication terminal location, and attempting to establish a connection to the radio communication network through a selected one of the available radio access networks. In case the current location of the mobile communication terminal within the geographic area cannot be determined, attempting to establish a direct connection with a neighboring mobile communication terminal over a short-range wireless communication channel; obtaining from the neighboring mobile communication terminal information about available radio access networks; and attempting to establish a connection to the radio communication network through a selected one of the available radio access networks specified in the information obtained from the neighbor mobile communication terminal.
US08295849B2 Apparatus and method for circuit mode resource allocation in a broadband wireless communication system
A broadband wireless communication system using a fixed allocation scheme is provided. The system includes a controller for configuring change report information to report occurrences of resource release or change when resources are released or changed in a fixed allocation region, a generator for generating a fixed allocation Information Element (IE) including the change report information and history information regarding the resource release or change, and a transmitter for transmitting the fixed allocation IE.
US08295847B2 Method for detecting stationary users and call admission control in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a stationary user detecting system and method and a call admission control method using the same in a wireless communication system. A plurality of base stations located in the wireless Internet system detect a stationary user at regular time intervals and maintain it by a predetermined number of cases for each terminal. Information on the maintained stationary user is recalculated with a stationary probability for each base station so as to be used for call admission control. Therefore, the terminal of the stationary user detected in the wireless Internet system is calculated with the stationary probability value, which is applied to the call admission control, thereby minimizing reservation of undesired resources.
US08295844B2 Mobile communications system, general base station apparatus, base station apparatus, and base station status control method
A mobile communications system is disclosed. The mobile communications system includes a first unit, provided at a base station apparatus, which controls a base station status by determining a request from an upper-layer general base station apparatus; and a second unit, provided at the general base station apparatus, which monitors for one or more mobile station apparatuses entering into/appearing in, or exiting/disappearing from a cell formed by the general base station apparatus, and, if at least one of the mobile station apparatuses enters into/appears in the cell formed by the general base station apparatus, requests for changing the base station apparatus to a service status, and, if all of the mobile station apparatuses exit/disappear from the cell formed by the general base station apparatus, requests for changing the base station apparatus to a radio unit stop status.
US08295840B2 Mobile station and feedback information generating method
The present invention provides a mobile station for communicating with a radio base station wherein a closed loop transmit diversity for transmission with use of a plurality of antennas is applied to the radio base station, comprising: a feedback information control unit controlling a feedback information control process based on the number of radio base stations simultaneously communicating with the mobile station. The mobile station can generate feedback information suitable for a shared physical channel in an intra-cell handover. On the other hand, the mobile station can generate feedback information suitable for a dedicated physical channel in an inter-cell handover.
US08295839B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus for recovering data following a serving cell change based on a radio link control intelligence mode in effect
A wireless communication method and apparatus for recovering data following a serving cell change are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes a status prohibit timer that delays the transmission of normal status reports that indicate the status of data, (i.e., PDUs), that was successfully received and/or not successfully received after a serving cell change status report is sent. A serving radio network controller (SRNC) transmits a sequence of packet data units (PDUs). The status prohibit timer is advanced and the WTRU sends a normal status report to the SRNC without a delay caused by the status prohibit timer. In another embodiment, the WTRU receives a radio link control (RLC) intelligence mode indicator signal that indicates whether a non-intelligent radio network controller (RNC) RLC operation or an intelligent RNC RLC operation is in effect, and the WTRU generates normal status reports based on the indication of the signal.
US08295834B2 System and method for registration for application program deployment
A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The business sector or service sector may monitor or limit utilization of the auxiliary device. Deployment of application programs may be controlled by the business sector or the development sector by rendering an application program or auxiliary device available for use only after a particular time or after receipt of a message.
US08295833B2 Terminal performing camping based on IMSI information and control method thereof
A terminal and method are provided. The terminal includes an Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) table including at least one ARFCN information, and a controller for controlling a frequency scanning based on the ARFCN table to detect one or more ARFCNs from the ARFCN table and for controlling a camping on at least one of the detected one or more ARFCNs, such that the camping can be performed based on International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information. The camping can be attempted without a scanning procedure for finding an available cell to reduce an amount of time for camping.
US08295832B2 Method and system for providing information to a home system regarding a wireless unit roaming in a visited system
Methods and systems to provide a home system with information about a wireless unit roaming in a visited system based on information the wireless unit provides to the visited system. A mobile switching center (MSC-V) of the visited system receives the information from the wireless unit and routes a message to an international gateway. In response, the international gateway creates a new message or alters the original message, and transmits the new or altered message to a mobile switching center (MSC-H) of the home system. In response to receipt of the new or altered message, the MSC-H validates the wireless unit (if valid), creates a response to the new or altered message, and routes the response to the international gateway. The response may include an authorization period for the wireless unit and/or OCOS/TCOS information. In response, the international gateway creates a new response or alters the response, and transmits the new or altered response to the MSC-V. In response to receipt of the new or altered response, the MSC-V registers the wireless unit, provides the wireless unit with communication services in the visited system, or otherwise follows instructions in the new or altered response. If the wireless unit moves to an area served by a second MSC-V, the second MSC-V checks with the international gateway about the wireless unit. If an authorization period is in effect, the international gateway may provide a validation of the wireless unit to the second MSC-V without another message to the home system of the wireless unit.
US08295828B2 Mobile terminal, mobile communication system, base station searching method, and storage medium storing base station searching program
A first mobile terminal forming a mobile communication system connects to a base station by using a first wireless communication method (for example, GSM method). Further, a second mobile terminal acquires unique information of the base station (for example, cell information) from the first mobile terminal by communication with the first mobile terminal by using a second wireless communication method (for example, wireless LAN method), and searches a transmission frequency of the base station included in the unique information.
US08295827B2 System and method for establishing optimal parameters for performing seamless call transfer between cordless and wireless modes
A system and method for establishing a signal parameter threshold for switching between communications protocols by a multimode handset may include providing cordless telephones of different models. A dropout point at which a communications signal of each of the cordless telephones deteriorates below a predetermined level may be determined. At least one signal parameter of the communications signal at the determined dropout point of each of the cordless telephones may be measured and collected. The signal parameter(s) associated with the cordless telephone having the shortest range at which the associated dropout point may be determined so that a multimode handset may be established with the signal parameter(s) to cause the multimode handset to switch communications protocols in response to the multimode handset crossing a signal parameter threshold level defined by the predetermined signal parameter(s) when communicating with a base unit of a cordless telephone.
US08295822B2 System and method for redirecting communications for a mobile device
A method and system for automatically triggering call redirecting in response to a mobile device detecting its connection to a host such as a personal computer, is provided. In one embodiment, the mobile device detects connection by sensing application of a charging voltage via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, and signaling the mobile device processor of the event. In response, the mobile device processor automatically decides to which alternative endpoint communications should be forwarded, and either instructs its transmitter to transmit a forwarding command to a network operations center or instructs the host to transmit the command through the Internet. The network operations center switch is operable to receive a call redirecting command respecting the mobile device from either the mobile device or the host to which the mobile device is connected, and adjusting its settings to effect call redirecting for subsequent communications for the mobile device.
US08295817B2 Methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for wireless communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss in a wireless communication network
In one illustrative example, a technique in a server to facilitate a re-establishing of communication over a data connection between an application server and a wireless communication device which communicates via a base station of a wireless communication network is described. In response to a communication loss between the wireless device and the wireless network which causes the data connection to be terminated, the server receives from the application server a plurality of connection requests which are intended for receipt by the wireless device for re-establishing the data connection. The server operates to limit the number or a rate of the connection requests allowed to pass from the server to the base station of the wireless network during the communication loss between the wireless device and the wireless network.
US08295813B2 Full redundant service register in the multi-vendor network
A communication system includes a plurality of first entities. Each of the plurality of first entities includes at least one database. The system also includes at least one second entity being dedicated to at least one of the plurality of first entities. The at least one second entity includes data from databases associated with the plurality of first entities. The system further includes a third entity for determining when one of the plurality of first entities malfunctions and for selecting another one of the plurality of first entities as a redundant entity. The at least one second entity is associated with the redundant entity and data is retrieved from the at least one second entity to process incoming requests to the redundant entity.
US08295805B2 Real-time replenishment with electronic confirmation for sale of prepaid long distance
A method and system of providing an electronic receipt, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to a purchase of long distance calling minutes, real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s).
US08295803B2 System and method for direct communication between wireless communication devices
A wireless communication device includes conventional components to permit a network communication link to be established with a wireless communication network. In addition, the wireless communication device includes a non-network transceiver that detects the presence of a wireless access point. When two such equipped devices come within proximity of the access point, a non-network wireless communication link is established. The two devices exchange portions of profile data which is analyzed to determine if a match exists. If a match occurs, a contact notification is generated. This permits the wireless communication device to act as an auto-detecting social network device that detects the proximity of other devices whose owners have a profile that matches the stored user preference data. Subsequent communication may occur in a conventional manner using the wireless network communication channels and web applications may also be used to gain additional information.
US08295798B2 Tunable filters with lower residual sideband
An apparatus includes first and second filters and a bandwidth control circuit. The first filter operates as part of a first oscillator in a first mode and filters a first input signal and provides a first output signal in a second mode. The second filter operates as part of a second oscillator in the first mode and filters a second input signal and provides a second output signal in the second mode. The bandwidth control circuit adjusts the bandwidth of the first and second filters in the first mode, e.g., adjusts the oscillation frequency of each oscillator to obtain a target bandwidth for an associated filter. The apparatus may further include first and second gain control circuits. Each gain control circuit may vary the amplitude of an oscillator signal from an associated oscillator and/or set a gain of an associated filter in the first mode.
US08295791B2 RF front-end circuit
A RF front-end circuit connected to an antenna module includes a plurality of main transmission circuits, an assistant transmission circuit, a signal coupling circuit, and a switching module. Each of the main transmission circuits amplifies original signals as first amplified signals which include non-linear distortion. The assistant transmission circuit assists at least one of the main transmission circuits to reduce non-linear distortion. The signal coupling circuit coupled to the at least one main transmission circuit samples the first amplified signals from the main transmission circuit to obtain sampling signals. The assistant transmission circuit calculates the non-linear distortion of the main transmission circuit according to the sampling signals and the original signals, and generates compensation signals accordingly. The signal coupling circuit feeds back the compensation signals to the main transmission circuit to decrease non-linear distortion in the first amplified signals.
US08295790B2 Apparatus and method for pre-distorting and amplifying a signal
A method and an apparatus. The apparatus includes: a non-linear amplifier for generating an amplified signal, wherein a non-linearity of the non-linear amplifier, unless compensated by a provision of a pre-distorted signal, broadens a spectrum of the amplified signal from a desired spectrum to a broadened spectrum; a partial signature receiver, for receiving the amplified signal and for generating a sensed partial signature that represents spectral components of the amplified signal that belong only to a sampled spectrum that is narrower than the broadened spectrum; a configuration module, for receiving the sensed partial signature and for selecting, based on the sensed partial signature, a selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values that once applied by a signal processing module provides a best compensation to the non-linearity of the non-linear amplifier out of multiple sets of pre-distortion coefficient values that are available to the configuration module; and a signal processing module, for receiving an input signal and the selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values, and for generating a pre-distorted signal by pre-distorting the input signal by utilizing the selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values and for providing the pre-distorted signal to the non-linear amplifier.
US08295789B2 Multi-band lookup table type predistorter
A lookup table type predistorter for reading out distortion compensation data by using a difference signal between a power amplifier input signal and an output signal as a reference signal; wherein N input side variable band signal extractors extract transmitting signals in N frequency bands from the input signal, N output side variable band signal extractors extract signals in N frequency bands from the output of power amplifier, and N difference detectors detect differences between N frequency band signals respectively detected at the input side and the output side as N reference signals, which are used to read out N compensation data from N lookup tables, the N compensation data are added to the transmitting signals in N frequency bands, and N results of addition are combined to produce an output of the predistorter.
US08295788B2 Method and system for an N-phase transmitter utilizing a leaky wave antenna
Methods and systems for an n-phase transmitter utilizing a leaky wave antenna (LWA) are disclosed and may include transmitting an n-phase wireless signal at a first frequency via the LWA utilizing a plurality of second frequency signals from one or more signal sources, and the second frequency may be lower than the first frequency. Each of the second frequency signals may be configured with a phase difference and may be communicated to the LWA utilizing one or more power amplifiers (PAs). The PAs may be operated in switching mode, thereby generating a square wave. The LWAs may be integrated on the chip, on a package to which the chip is affixed, and/or on a printed circuit board to which the chip is affixed. Square wave signals may be generated utilizing the signal sources. The transmitted wireless signal may be amplitude modulated utilizing a bias voltage applied to the LWAs.
US08295782B2 RF bus access protocol and transceiver and methods for use therewith
A method includes determining whether information is to be transmitted via a radio frequency (RF) bus that supports direct intra-device communication between at least three circuits in a millimeter wave frequency band. When the information is to be transmitted via the RF bus, the method determines whether the RF bus is available. When the RF bus is available, the information is converted into RF bus signal, access to the RF bus is secured, and after access to the RF bus is secured, the RF bus signal is transmitted via the RF bus.
US08295778B2 Channel rank feedback in multiple-input multiple-output communication systems
Embodiments of a system and methodology are disclosed for aperiodic (i.e., non-periodic) feedback of channel-side information, such as channel rank information, to a base station by having the receiver/UE initiate the feedback instead of using a scheduled feedback approach. The autonomous feedback of channel-side information may use one of several different types of physical channel structures for uplink scheduling requests, such as those being discussed for inclusion in the emerging LTE platform standard.
US08295775B2 Determining a handoff metric
A method and apparatus of determining a hand-off metric is disclosed. One method includes a subscriber receiving identifications of a neighboring set of base stations from a serving base station. From the neighboring set, the subscriber determines an active set of base stations. The active set is determined by the subscriber measuring received signal power from each of the base stations of the neighboring set at first discrete points in time, averaging the received signal power for each of the base stations of the neighboring set, and selecting the active set based on the average received signal power of the base stations of the neighboring set. Determining the at least one hand-off metric further includes the subscriber measuring at second discrete points in time an excess received signal power for each base station of the active set, wherein the excess received signal power includes signal power received by the subscriber in excess of power received from the base station. The subscriber averages the excess received signal power. The subscriber calculates the hand-off metric by calculating a ratio of average receive signal power to average excess received signal power, for each base station of the active set.
US08295766B2 Methods and devices for automatic multiple pairing of Bluetooth devices
The described methods and devices provide a more user-friendly solution to the problem of pairing and connecting multiple devices to a Bluetooth accessory. The paired device list of the Bluetooth accessory is check to determine the most recently paired devices having particular Bluetooth profiles, for example, a hands free profile (HFP) or an advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP). The accessory attempts connection with the devices, if found. Otherwise the accessory continues connection attempts with devices on the paired device list, according to the connection recency, until the accessory has two connections with different profiles. If no connections are made, or the paired device list is empty, the device enters discoverable mode. In this manner a more user-friendly solution to the problem of pairing a Bluetooth accessory to multiple Bluetooth devices is provided.
US08295765B2 System and method of using a first apparatus and a second remote apparatus
An apparatus and method of controlling an apparatus, the apparatus including: a near field communication transceiver configured to enable a near field communication link to be established with a remote apparatus; a user interface configured to enable a user to input information into the apparatus wherein the input information enables control of the remote apparatus and the user interface is also configured to provide an indication of how the input information may be used to control the remote apparatus; and a transmitter configured to send data dependent upon the input information to the remote apparatus to enable the input information to be used to control the remote apparatus.
US08295763B2 System and method for identifying the path or devices on the path of a communication signal using (1+r(T)) amplitude modulation
A system and method of applying a known modification to a signal to enable a determination of a signal received by a first node is received directly from a second node or indirectly through a repeater. The repeater receives a primary signal and creates a secondary signal as a function of the primary signal and a known modification, wherein the known modification identifies the repeater. The primary signal is transmitted and injected with the secondary signal as the first signal to the primary receiver.
US08295761B2 Selection and tuning of a broadcast channel based on interactive service information
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for tuning a broadcast processing system by using channel data from an interactive information source. The broadcast processing system interfaces with a broadcast medium and may include an interfacing apparatus that interfaces to the broadcast medium for extracting an appropriate broadcast signal and for tuning the broadcast processing system. The viewer uses a mobile terminal that communicates with the interactive information source over a first wireless communications path. The viewer may interact with the web site by navigating through the associated web pages in order to obtain broadcast information about the selected program, in which the broadcast information may be sent to the mobile terminal over the first wireless communications path. The broadcast information is processed by the wireless terminal in order to obtain the channel data. Consequently, the channel data may be sent to the broadcast processing system in order to tune the broadcast processing system to the selected program.
US08295760B2 Mobile terminal and method of controlling broadcast therein
A mobile terminal and method of controlling a broadcast therein are disclosed, by which a currently-output broadcast content can be continued to be output despite expiration of a validity term of a broadcast viewing authority. The method includes acquiring a first broadcast viewing authority, receiving and outputting a first broadcast content if the first broadcast viewing authority is acquired, determining whether a validity term of the acquired first broadcast viewing authority expires within a broadcast time of the output first broadcast content, and if the validity term expires within the broadcast time, displaying an image for a purchase of the first broadcast content.
US08295759B2 Image forming system and control method for the same
An image forming system comprises a selection unit for selecting a post-processing apparatus that executes post-processing to a recording medium on which an image is formed from among a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, and a selection limitation unit for determining an insertion apparatus whose supply of the insertion medium to be limited for a selected post-processing apparatus and limiting selection of the insertion apparatus.
US08295744B2 Toner roller
In a toner roller that is suitable to take up a layer with toner particles on its outer surface. The toner roller has a roller-shaped inner body, and wherein a dielectric layer is arranged at an outer surface of the inner body. A high-resistance cover layer is located on said dielectric layer.
US08295742B2 Powder container, powder supplying device, and image forming apparatus
A powder container that has a hollow interior for containing powder includes a tubular member that is equipped with an information storage unit that stores therein at least information related to a container body, and attached to the container body such that the container body is located within an inner hole of the tubular member. The powder container also includes a movement restricting unit that restricts movement of the tubular member in an axial direction of the tubular member.
US08295740B2 Developing device, image forming apparatus, and cleaning method for the developing device
A developing device includes a developer tank for housing a two-component developer containing toner and magnetic carrier; a first conveying portion having a first rotary shaft rotatable about its axis and a first screw blade which surrounds the first rotary shaft and rotates together with the first rotary shaft and contains a ferromagnetic substance; a second conveying portion having a second rotary shaft rotatable about its axis and a second screw blade which surrounds the second rotary shaft and rotates together with the second rotary shaft and contains a ferromagnetic substance; a first electromagnet for magnetizing the first screw blade; and a second electromagnet for magnetizing the second screw blade.
US08295739B2 Development device and image forming apparatus using same having multiple supply ports which are disposed at different positions in the axial direction
A development device includes a development mechanism, an agitation unit connected to the development mechanism, to agitate and mix together developer collected from the development mechanism and fresh toner, and a transport member to transport the agitated developer from the agitation unit to a development portion. The development mechanism includes a developer carrier to carry developer, multiple supply ports disposed at different positions in an axial direction of the developer carrier, through which the agitated developer is supplied to the development mechanism, a discharge port, a developer supply member to supply developer to the developer carrier while transporting the developer in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the developer carrier, and a developer collection member to collect the developer from the developer carrier.
US08295736B2 Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, a rotation detector detects an angular velocity or an angular displacement of a shared drive motor, or an angular velocity or an angular displacement of a photosensitive element. A drive control unit executes a process for controlling a drive speed of a drive source of the photosensitive element based on a result of detection by the rotation detector.
US08295733B2 Image forming apparatus, belt unit, and belt driving control method
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a belt configured to travel rotationally and looped around at least two rotary support members, a driven rotary member disposed facing at least one of the rotary support members via the belt and configured to rotate with the belt, and a controller. The controller is configured to minimize fluctuation in one of a travel velocity and a travel distance of the belt by controlling the travel of the belt based on one of a rotational angular displacement and a rotational angular velocity of each of the rotary support member and the driven rotary member.
US08295732B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member and method of producing the same
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a photosensitive layer formed on an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a plurality of chamfers formed between an end surface and the outer circumferential surface. A chamfer arranged nearest an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body has a crossing angle of not less than 3° and not more than 25° relative to the end surface. The cylindrical body may include a recess formed between the end surface and the outer surface. The end surface may be formed to have pearskin. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In the manufacturing method, a plurality of cylindrical bodies is supported by a supporting body in a manner that the end surfaces are positioned at contacting portions of adjacent cylindrical bodies.
US08295731B2 Developing cartridge and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing cartridge includes a photosensitive body, a developing unit which is disposed in parallel with the photosensitive body to develop the photosensitive body by toner, a cleaning unit to clean waste toner attached to the photosensitive body, a charging unit to charge the photosensitive body, and a supporting casing which comprises an accommodating main body having a first opening through which at least two components of the photosensitive body, the developing unit, the cleaning unit and the charging unit can pass in common, and a supporting unit to support the components accommodated inside the accommodating main body.
US08295730B2 Image forming apparatus having an image forming part and a detachable developer recovery container
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; plural developer image forming parts provided in the image forming apparatus main body that form a developer image; and a discharged developer recovery container that recovers developer discharged from at least two of the plural developer image forming parts. At least one of the plural developer image forming parts has an image forming structure having an image holder that holds the developer image, and the image forming structure in the at least one developer image forming part and the discharged developer recovery container are attached/removed, integrally with each other, in/from the image forming apparatus main body.
US08295725B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes a heating member and a pressing member that form a fixing nip, an approach guide positioned an upstream in a recording-medium conveyance direction of a fixing nip, a fixing-pressure-changing mechanism designed to change the fixing device between a high-pressure mode and a low-pressure mode, and an approach-guide-changing mechanism designed to change an angle of the approach guide in conjunction with the changing by the fixing-pressure-changing mechanism.
US08295724B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus can include an image carrier, a transfer device, and an applying circuit, and a controller. The image carrier carries a developer image developed by developer. The transfer device transfers the developer image to a recording media. The applying circuit has an active device and applies a transfer bias voltage to the transfer device. The controller controls the applying circuit with a predetermined control signal during a start-up mode of the applying circuit and during a normal mode of the applying circuit. The normal mode is subsequent to the start-up mode. During the start-up mode of the applying circuit, the controller controls a value (a duty ratio) of the control signal (a PWM signal) with gradual increase and with interposing an interval period (τ2) between the gradual increase. A value of the control signal in the interval period does not activate the active device.
US08295720B2 Image forming apparatus capable of suppressing toner aggregation
An image forming apparatus includes a controller that starts a forced drive stop sequence for stopping image formation at least by stopping rotation of a developer carrier in a first direction when a number of printed sheets reach a threshold. The forced drive stop sequence rotates the developer carrier in a second direction for a prescribed time period when the image formation is stopped. The forced drive stop sequence stops the rotation of the developer carrier in the second direction and resumes the image formation after the prescribed time has elapsed.
US08295715B2 Optical receiver and optical phase control method thereof
An optical receiver includes: delay interferometers respectively provided in at least two branches that branch a reception signal; a phase shift amount control device that controls a phase shift amount of the delay interferometer in accordance with an optical phase control value; a balanced optical detecting section that respectively photoelectrically converts respective branch signals output from the delay interferometers; a data regenerating section that regenerates transmission data from the photoelectrically converted branch signals output from the balanced optical detecting section; a control section that outputs the optical phase control value based on a signal of the data regenerating section; and a memory that stores therein the optical phase control value output from the control section at the time of signal communication, as a history of control values, wherein the control section refers to the history of control values during a signal communication operation to determine the optical phase control value.
US08295708B2 High speed underwater data transmission method
An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
US08295699B2 Plasmon-assisted wavelength-selective switch
A device may include a first optical port configured to receive an optical signal and a demultiplexer to spatially separate the optical signal into multiple optical signals. Each of the multiple optical signal may have a different carrier wavelength. The device may also include a switch element with plasmons. The switch element may receive one of the multiple optical signals, direct the received one of the multiple optical signals, and couple energy of the plasmons to energy of the directed optical signal. The device may further include a second optical port. The second optical port may receive the directed optical signal with the coupled energy of the plasmons, and transmit the received, directed optical signal.
US08295695B2 Lens barrel, camera module, and imaging apparatus
A lens barrel includes: a lens holding member that holds a lens; a drive coil attached to an outer peripheral portion of the lens holding member; a magnet attached to face the drive coil; a barrel member in which the lens holding member is disposed; and a cover member attached to the barrel member with the lens on a light incident side of the lens holding member facing to an outside. The cover member is magnetic, and the magnet is directly attached to the cover member at a position acing the drive coil.
US08295694B2 Vibration reduction device and camera
A vibration reduction device includes: an optical system that comprises a vibration reduction optical system; a first driving unit that moves the vibration reduction optical system in a first direction; a second driving unit that moves the vibration reduction optical system in a second direction that differs from the first direction. An optical axis of the vibration reduction optical system is located between the first driving unit and the second driving unit.
US08295690B2 Infrared heating mechanism and system
The ECOWAVE 1.2 is an infrared heater that can produce heat in a more efficient manner than other infrared heaters on the market today. We have utilized specific short wave infrared bulbs and specifically manufactured and oriented heat dissipation material, and housing, to capture the maximum amount of infrared waves emitted from the heat source thus providing an optimum ambient temperature rise for a minimal amount of electricity consumed. We have also designed a heater core, in two separate configurations, that can be used in a multitude of capacities depending on the size of the heating case desired, heat required and space available.
US08295688B2 Transmitting and recording method, reproducing method, and reproducing apparatus of information and its recording medium
A method of reproducing data from a recording medium, each of the data including reference time information indicating a reference time and including packet data, the method including: reproducing the data from the recording medium; obtaining a difference between respective reference times indicated by the reference time information of the reproduced adjacent data; rearranging the data on a time axis such that a time interval between adjacent data is equal to the obtained reference time difference; and outputting the rearranged data.
US08295685B2 Content reproduction device and method, recording medium, and program
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for content reproduction, a recording medium, and a program that make it possible to edit taken images easily and automatically in accordance with an intention of an editor. Each time a reproduction is performed, a reproduction start point and a reproduction end point of VOBU units of images reproduced by a disk camcorder are recorded in Play Data 81. The recorded reproduction start point and reproduction end point are read, and edit points representing a reproduced section of a longest, a shortest, or an average length are obtained. The obtained edit points are registered in a UD_PGCIT 94. Scenes are reproduced in order on the basis of the edit point data in the UD_PGCIT 94, and thus automatic edit reproduction is performed. The present invention is applicable to disk camcorders.
US08295683B2 Temporal occlusion costing applied to video editing
In a method for determining a temporal occlusion cost for a video crop, video image saliency data for a video is received. A video crop is received for a presenting an edited version of the video within a viewing region. The video image saliency data is used to determine a temporal occlusion cost for the video crop.
US08295682B1 Selecting previously-selected segments of a signal
Techniques and interface controls are described which allow users of signal editing applications to easily select previously-selected segments of the signal. As the user selects segments of the signal, the signal editing application automatically generates “selection history data”. The selection history data that is generated for a selected segment indicates the boundaries of the selected segment, and the sequence in which the selected segment was selected relative to other previously-selected segments. The signal editing application provides controls for re-selecting the previously-selected segments that are reflected in the selection history data. In response to user-input received through these controls, the signal editing tool reselects a previously-selected segment based on the boundaries indicated in the selection history data.
US08295679B2 Method of presenting auxiliary data for an interactive recording medium
A method of presenting auxiliary data for an interactive recording medium is disclosed. In an interactive recording medium reproducing apparatus that reproduces A/V data and contents data recorded on an interactive recording medium and contents data provided by a contents providing server, the contents data provided by the contents providing server is presented appropriately according to the attributes of the contents data by using attribute information for the contents data.
US08295674B2 Video signal recording and reproducing apparatus
The video signal recording and reproducing apparatus of the invention includes: a receiving section for receiving a television signal; an image compression section for compressing an amount of information per unit time of the received continuous video signal; a writing section for intermittently writing a compressed video signal, obtained as an output of the image compression section, onto a hard disk apparatus via a magnetic head; a reading section for intermittently reading out the written compressed video signal from the hard disk apparatus via the magnetic head; a decoding section for restoring the read compressed video signal into an original video signal; a display section for displaying the restored video signal; and a control section for controlling the writing section and the reading section such that writing the video signal onto the hard disk apparatus and reading an arbitrary video signal, which was previously written onto the hard disk apparatus, from the hard disk apparatus are performed apparently simultaneously and continuously.
US08295673B2 Apparatus, method, and computer program for processing information
An information processing apparatus includes an encoding and decoding unit for performing a data conversion process by decoding encoded still image data acquired from an information recording medium and generating moving image encoded data based on the decoded still image data, a medium control unit for performing a data re-recording process by recording the moving image encoded data, generated by the encoding and decoding unit, on the information recording medium in a predetermined data recording format, and a controller for controlling the data conversion process of the encoding and decoding unit and the data re-recording process of the medium control unit. The controller controls the data conversion process and the data re-recording process in response to user input information as to whether to execute the data conversion process.
US08295672B2 Video recorder and method for detecting sound occurrence
A video recorder includes a sound occurrence detection system to detect a sound occurrence in an area. A detection method can detect the sound occurrence by using the video recorder. The detection method establishes relationships between rotation angles of the video recorder and sound output orientations of a sound source in the area. Furthermore, the detection method determines a rotation angle according to the relationships once the sound occurrence occurs, and rotates the video recorder according to the rotation angle, to record videos and sounds of a sound source that causes the sound occurrence.
US08295669B2 Compact optical fiber splice holder device
An optical fiber splice holder device for connecting jacketed optical fiber cables includes a cover and a main body that houses a splice device therein. The splice device is configured to splice a first fiber end to a second fiber end. The main body also includes first and second fiber jacket clamping portions disposed at first and second ends of the main body to clamp a respective fiber's jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the respective fiber upon actuation. The optical fiber splice device also includes first and second fiber jacket boots that are attachable to the main body at the first and second ends of the main body. The boots each actuate the respective fiber jacket clamping regions of the optical fiber cables upon attachment to the main body.
US08295664B2 Integrated optical splitter system
A system and method directed to an integrated fiber optic splitter assembly having at least two fused splitters disposed in a common substrate. An integrated optical splitter assembly includes a plurality of input fibers, a plurality of output fibers, and a plurality of splitters disposed on a single substrate to either split or couple optical signals between the input and output optical fibers.
US08295663B2 Super-luminescent light emitting diode
To provide a super luminescent light emitting diode comprising an optical waveguide structure which supplies particularly-high optical output. The super-luminescent light emitting diode includes: a first optical waveguide, of which one end is optically connected to one end of a multimode interference optical waveguide, and of which the other end forms a first light emitting edge; and a second optical waveguide, of which one end is optically connected to the other end of the multimode interference optical waveguide, and of which the other end forms a second light emitting edge. Each of the first and second optical waveguides has a width smaller than the width of the multimode interference optical waveguide.
US08295659B2 Anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide for imager light pipe
An anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide structure for reducing optical crosstalk in an image sensor and method of forming the same. The method includes forming a trench within a plurality of material layers and over a photo-conversion device. The trench is vertically aligned with the photo-conversion device and is filled with materials of varying refractive indices to form an anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide structure. The anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide structure has a core and at least two cladding structures. The cladding structure in contact with the core has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the core and the refractive index of the other cladding structure. The cladding structures act as Fabry-Perot cavities for light propagating in the transverse direction, such that light entering the anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide structure remains confined to the core. This reduces the chance of photons impinging upon neighboring photo-conversion devices.
US08295658B2 Optical fiber connector
An exemplary optical fiber connector includes a housing, and two lenses. The housing defines two first blind holes each configured for receiving an optical fiber. The two lenses are formed on the housing and each of the lenses is aligned with a corresponding first blind hole. The two second blind holes are defined on the housing and each of the second blind hole run through the housing to the bottom of a corresponding first blind hole allowing glue to accumulate on the bottom of the first blind hole.
US08295654B1 High-speed self-adjusting photonic converter
A device is disclosed. The device contains a first electro-optical waveguide comprising at least one first grating, a second electro-optical waveguide comprising at least one second grating, a plurality of electrodes disposed adjacent to the first grating and configured to impose an electric field through the first electro-optical waveguide to modify spectra of the first grating, a fiber amplifier configured to propagate a laser radiation between the first electro-optical waveguide and the second electro-optical waveguide, and at least two circulators associated with the fiber amplifier and the first electro-optical waveguide and the second electro-optical waveguide and configured to provide unidirectional propagation of the laser radiation along the fiber amplifier.
US08295649B2 System and method for parallel processing of images from a large number of cameras
A system and method for processing images includes a plurality of image providers configured to transmit images. A plurality of destination processors receives the transmitted images and transforms the transmitted images to internally useable image data. A plurality of feature object engines find and identify in the internally useable image data a plurality of objects. A plurality of object classifier engines index and classify the plurality of objects found by the feature object engines.
US08295647B2 Compressibility-aware media retargeting with structure preserving
The present invention provides a method for retargeting an image, comprising determining a total block structure energy of an input image content. A compressibility rate of the input image content is determined based on the total block structure energy. An optimal scaling factor of the input image content is obtained. The input image content is warped by using a new coordinate matrices and uniformly scaling the input image content to a target image resolution.
US08295646B2 Resolution converting method
A resolution converting method for converting a resolution of a binary image to an integral multiple resolution, includes: representing a density of an arbitrary position of the input image as an interpolation value; overlapping the output image on the input image in a setting that a pixel of an edge section of the output image is shifted by a minutely small quantity from a pixel position of the input image in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and allotting an area of a pixel to each pixel of an output image which overlaps an area of the input image, integrating interpolation values of the area of the input image, normalizing an value obtained by the integrating the area of the pixel, and determining a binary data.
US08295641B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and medium storing image processing program
A reflectance image that represents a reflectance distribution, and an illuminance component image that represents an illuminance distribution are generated from an input image. A plurality of small regions, which are divided based on illuminance components of the generated illuminance component image, are specified. A quantized image is generated from the reflectance image for respective specified small regions. Regions having equal quantized pixel values are acquired in the quantized image. Representative pixel values for the respective acquired regions are acquired based on the illuminance component image. Quantized pixel values of the respective acquired regions are corrected using the acquired representative pixel values.
US08295638B2 Image display control device, image display method, and information storage medium
To provide an image display control device capable of displaying a process for switching images in a manner readily recognizable by an observer when sequentially displaying a plurality of images on a display device. An image display control device displays a first image at a predetermined position in a predetermined display area, then repetitively carries out a process for producing and displaying a first transitional image in which the first image is displayed at a first display position in the display area, with brightness lowered for at least a partial area in the display area, while moving the first display position in a direction going away from the predetermined position, then repetitively carries out a process for producing and displaying a second transitional image in which a second image is displayed at a second display position in the display area, with the brightness lowered for at least the partial area in the display area, while moving the second display position in a direction approaching the predetermined position, and thereafter displays the second image at the predetermined position.
US08295634B2 Method and apparatus for illumination compensation and method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image based on illumination compensation
A method and apparatus for compensating for illumination of a reference block and a method and apparatus for encoding an image, using the illumination compensation method and apparatus, are provided. The method of compensating for illumination of a reference block includes: predicting the mean values of pixels of a current block and a reference block, based on restored values of pixels neighboring the current block, and restored values of pixels neighboring the reference block; and based on the predicted mean value of the pixels of the current block, the predicted mean value of the pixels of the reference block, and the values of the pixels of the current block and the reference block, determining an illumination compensation parameter.
US08295633B2 System and method for an adaptive de-blocking filter after decoding of compressed digital video
A system and method that adjusts the strength of a de-blocking filter to remove block artifacts in compressed video is disclosed. Block artifacts are associated with the block-based image/video compression techniques. The block artifacts deteriorate the quality of compressed image and video, especially at low bit rates. A de-blocking method estimates the strength of the block artifacts at each block boundary either directly from the MPEG decoder or from a measurement process or both, and adjusts the de-blocking parameters accordingly. An additional block content analysis improves the performance of the overall de-blocking process.
US08295632B2 System and method for edge-enhancement of digital images using wavelets
Systems, methods, and techniques are provided for performing any one or more of edge-preserving image sharpening, edge-preserving image smoothing, edge-preserving image dynamic range compression, and edge-aware data interpolation on digital images, wherein a pixel prediction module is adapted for coupling to a memory storing pixel data representative of a digital image and extracts from the image predicted pixel values using robust smoothing. The predicted pixels are stored in a memory and respective detail values equal to the difference between respective original and predicted values are computed. A pixel update module computes approximation values by averaging the respective detail values with original pixel values using robust smoothing, and stores the approximation values for subsequent rendering. The prediction and update modules run recursively and a manipulation module increases or decreases the detail values and the approximation values depending on their magnitude and depending on the kind of edge enhancement required.
US08295631B2 Iteratively denoising color filter array images
A method for reducing noise in a color image captured using a digital image sensor having pixels being arranged in a rectangular minimal repeating unit. The method comprises, for a first color channel, determining noise reduced-pixel values using a first noise reducing process that includes computing weighted pixel differences by combining the pixel differences with corresponding local edge-responsive weighting values. The method further comprises a second noise reducing process that includes computing weighted chroma differences by combining chroma differences with corresponding local edge-responsive weighting values.
US08295624B2 Method and system for generating a quality prediction table for quality-aware transcoding of digital images
Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.
US08295623B2 Encoding and decoding with elimination of one or more predetermined predictors
A method is provided for encoding an image or a sequence of images generating a data flow comprising data representing a group of pixels in one of said images, said method including: calculating a predetermined number of predictors in relation to said group of pixels, and selecting an optimal predictor in accordance with a predetermined selection criterion. Between the calculation and selection steps, a step of eliminating at least one predictor with a calculated predetermined number is performed, which comprises, for at least two ith (Pi) and jth (Pj) predictors, of: calculating the difference between said jth and ith predictors, applying a transform to said calculated difference, performing a quantification operation on the result of the applied transform, comparing the result of said quantification operation with a predetermined value, eliminating the jth predictor if the result of said quantification operation is less than or equal to said predetermined value.
US08295622B2 Spatial data encoding and decoding
Methods and systems for spatial data encoding and decoding are described. A tile may be designated within a source frame. The tile may be divided into at least one bit area. A particular message bit value of a message may be accessed. A statistical property calculation may be performed on a pixel variable value of available pixels within the tile. A pixel variable value of pixels in the particular bit area of a target frame may be shifted to encode a particular message bit. A particular pixel variable value of a particular pixel of the plurality of pixels may be shifted by a shift value. The shift value may be in accordance with the statistical property calculation, the particular message bit value, and a particular modulation pattern value of the plurality of modulation pattern values for the particular pixel within the particular bit area.
US08295620B2 Image data set compression based on viewing parameters for storing medical image data from multidimensional data sets, related systems, methods and computer products
Methods for electronically compressing data from a multidimensional medical data set for long-term storage includes: (a) generating a first medical image from a patient multi-dimensional medical image data set in a short-term storage format; and (b) compressing the patient medical image data set into a long-term storage format using at least one viewing parameter.
US08295615B2 Selective compression of synchronized content based on a calculated compression ratio
The present invention discloses a system and method for synchronizing data between a first data store and a second data store. The system can include a synchronization component, a compression pre-processor, and a compression/decompression component. The synchronization component can automatically synchronize content between the first data store and the second data store. The compression pre-processor can determine a compression ratio for digital content before the digital content is compressed. The compression/decompression component can selectively compress digital content based upon the compression ratio determined by the compression pre-processor. The selectively compressed digital content can be automatically conveyed between the first data store and the second data store during synchronization operations involving the synchronization component. The compression/decompression component can automatically decompress received content that has been compressed. This decompression can occur automatically before adding the digital content to a content receiving data store.
US08295614B2 Collation apparatus and collation method
A 2D model fitting means 1201 estimates values of parameters optimum to generate a probe model image similar to a probe image and a gallery model image similar to a gallery image with an image variation model 1204. At that time, among a plurality of parameters of the image variation model 1204, the value of a parameter of which sameness between the probe image and the gallery image is to be judged as a target parameter is set to be the same for both images. A model goodness-of-fit evaluation means 1202 computes a model goodness of fit for the probe model image and the gallery model image to the probe image and the gallery image under the estimated parameters. A collation means 1203 compares the model goodness of fit with a threshold value to judge the sameness between the probe image and the gallery image.
US08295611B2 Robust video retrieval utilizing audio and video data
Techniques for determining if two video signals match by extracting features from a first and second video signal, and cross-correlating the features thereby providing a cross-correlation score at each of a number of time lags, then determining a mean magnitude of a difference of average values at each of the lags, and finally determining the similarity score based on both the cross-correlation scores and the mean magnitude difference scores, and optionally then outputting an indication of a degree of match between the first and second video signals.
US08295610B1 Feature scaling for face detection
A feature used in face detection can be applied to an image portion and can be scaled to fit differently sized image areas. If a feature is positioned with respect to an image area such that a vertex of the feature is aligned with a non-integer pixel location, at least one dimension of the filter can be rounded. A dimension to be rounded further can correspond to a directional component of the feature. For instance, contrast regions within the feature can be arranged horizontally, such that the vertical dimension represents a directional component. A rounding rule associated with the feature can be used in rounding a dimension corresponding to a directional component, such that a size ratio between the contrast regions is maintained. In some instances, the rounding rule can specify a factor that is a positive integer determined based on the number of contrast regions in the feature.
US08295609B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer readable-medium
There is provided an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes: an obtaining unit configured to capture an image; a specifying unit configured to specify at least one pixel on an edge of the image; a tracking unit configured to track pixels that are similar to the at least one pixel, among peripheral pixels around the at least one pixel; and an estimating unit configured to estimate, as a region of interest, a region other than a region consisting of the pixels tracked by the tracking unit.
US08295607B1 Adaptive edge map threshold
A method for detecting edges includes calculating a gradient level value for each pixel of a digital image and assigning each pixel to one of a plurality of gradient bins based on the calculated gradient level value for each pixel, the gradient bins being defined by threshold levels. One or more of the gradient bins are assigned as edge bins, and one or more of the gradient bins are assigned as non-edge bins according to the number of pixels assigned to each gradient bin. Pixels in the one or more edge bins are identified as edge pixels, and pixels in the one or more non-edge bins are identified as non-edge pixels in an edge map. The one or more gradient bins are assigned such that a minimum number of pixels are identified as edge pixels and no more than a maximum number of pixels are identified as edge pixels.
US08295605B2 Method for identifying dimensions of shot subject
The present invention relates to a method for identifying dimensions of shot subject, implemented on an identification system including a photo shooting unit capable of adjusting focal lengths. The method includes steps of using the photo shooting unit to focus on plural positions respectively having different field depths on a shot subject and respectively capture a image thereof, determining whether resolutions of the captured images are same, and if so, the shot subject is a two dimensional object, otherwise, the shot subject is a three dimensional object.
US08295604B2 Image search method and device using affine-invariant regions
An image search method that is robust and fast (with computational complexity of logarithmic order relative to the number of models). The image search method including: extracting a plurality of specific regions possessing such a property that a shape can be normalized regardless of an affine transformation thereof, as affine-invariant regions from one or more learning images; calculating, with respect to a reference affine-invariant region, other neighboring affine-invariant regions as a set; deforming the neighboring affine-invariant regions by a transformation to normalize the shape of the reference affine-invariant region; and outputting the deformed shapes of the neighboring affine-invariant regions, together with combination of the reference affine-invariant region and the neighboring affine-invariant regions.
US08295602B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus performs character recognition processing on a character image in a character area to obtain character code data, and performs vectorization processing on the character image in the character area to obtain vector data. Based on the rule set for each of a plurality of color information definitions and the character color of the character image, the image processing apparatus generates a plurality of color information definitions that define colors to be used in rendering the character code data and the vector data, so that an electronic document is generated that contains the character code data, the vector data, and the plurality of color information definitions.
US08295597B1 Method and system for segmenting people in a physical space based on automatic behavior analysis
The present invention is a method and system for segmenting a plurality of persons in a physical space based on automatic behavior analysis of the persons in a preferred embodiment. The behavior analysis can comprise a path analysis as one of the characterization methods. The present invention applies segmentation criteria to the output of the video-based behavior analysis and assigns segmentation label to each of the persons during a predefined window of time. In addition to the behavioral characteristics, the present invention can also utilize other types of visual characterization, such as demographic analysis, or additional input sources, such as sales data, to segment the plurality of persons in another exemplary embodiment. The present invention captures a plurality of input images of the persons in the physical space by a plurality of means for capturing images. The present invention processes the plurality of input images in order to understand the behavioral characteristics, such as shopping behavior, of the persons for the segmentation purpose. The processes are based on a novel usage of a plurality of computer vision technologies to analyze the visual characterization of the persons from the plurality of input images. The physical space may be a retail space, and the persons may be customers in the retail space.
US08295595B2 Generating full color images by demosaicing noise removed pixels from images
A method and apparatus to remove color noise included in raw data while effectively preventing image quality degradation. For interest pixels serially set onto a mosaic image formed of raw data, conversion is executed into a pixel value for noise removal based on a processing reference pixel value having a unified color signal component in each interest pixel, noise is removed from the pixel value for noise removal, and the pixel value for noise removal with noise removed is converted into the source pixel value, whereby only color noise can be removed without affecting a luminance signal.
US08295591B2 Adaptive voting experts for incremental segmentation of sequences with prediction in a video surveillance system
A sequence layer in a machine-learning engine configured to learn from the observations of a computer vision engine. In one embodiment, the machine-learning engine uses the voting experts to segment adaptive resonance theory (ART) network label sequences for different objects observed in a scene. The sequence layer may be configured to observe the ART label sequences and incrementally build, update, and trim, and reorganize an ngram trie for those label sequences. The sequence layer computes the entropies for the nodes in the ngram trie and determines a sliding window length and vote count parameters. Once determined, the sequence layer may segment newly observed sequences to estimate the primitive events observed in the scene as well as issue alerts for inter-sequence and intra-sequence anomalies.
US08295585B2 Method for determining the position of an object in space
A method for determining the position of an object (1) in space is described, in which measurement characteristics (4) of the object (1) are recorded with an optical recording device (3) calibrated to a space coordinate system (5), and on the basis of these measurement characteristics (4), the position of the object (1) in the space coordinate system (5) is determined in an image processing device. To enable reliable ascertainment of the position even with only a few recording devices, it is provided that at least two measurement characteristics (4) of the object (1) are detected simultaneously in a recording device (3) and used to determine the position of the object (1).
US08295584B2 Pattern measurement methods and pattern measurement equipment
An object of the present invention is to provide methods and equipment capable of providing highly accurate matching using a template including multiple patterns even when the shapes of some patterns of the template are different from corresponding ones of a SEM image, and when the template and the SEM image have a magnification error. Proposed, as a technique for achieving the object, is a method for performing matching by selectively using some of multiple patterns provided in a predetermined region of design data, and equipment for implementing the method. Moreover, proposed, as another technique for achieving the object, is a method for performing first matching by using multiple patterns provided in a predetermined region of design data and thereafter performing second matching by using some of the multiple patterns provided in the predetermined region, and equipment for implementing the method.
US08295580B2 Substrate and die defect inspection method
A substrate inspection method is disclosed. The disclosed method includes 1) providing one or more images of one or more sample substrates; 2) identifying, from the images, two or more occurrences of a target pattern in the images; and 3) comparing the identified target-pattern occurrences against each other to determine, from the images, a presence of abnormalities in the compared target-pattern occurrences, hence determining one or more defects physically present in the target-pattern occurrences. The disclosed method may be implemented via execution of a computer program encoded in a computer readable medium, where the computer program instructs an imaging apparatus to form images of the of-interest sample substrates and instructs an image analyzing apparatus to identify and compare, from the images, the target-pattern occurrences on the sample substrates.
US08295579B2 Obstruction detector
An optical reader of a form is discussed where the form has a stored known boundary or boundaries. When the boundaries in a captured image do not match those of the stored known boundaries, it may be determined that an obstruction exists that will interfere with a correct reading of the form. The boundary may be printed, blank, and may include quiet areas, or combinations thereof in stored known patterns. A captured image of the form is compared to retrieved, stored boundary information and differences are noted. The differences may be thresholded to determine if an obstruction exists. If an obstruction is detected, the operator may be signaled, and the location may be displayed or highlighted. The form may be discarded or obstruction may be cleared and the form may be re-processed.
US08295575B2 Computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) of cancer using multi-functional, multi-modal in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and imaging (MRI)
This invention relates to computer-assisted diagnostics and classification of prostate cancer. Specifically, the invention relates to segmentation of the prostate boundary on MRI images, cancer detection using multimodal multi-protocol MR data; and their integration for a computer-aided diagnosis and classification system for prostate cancer.
US08295571B2 Three-dimensional image processing apparatus
Image data of a three-dimensional region of a medical device placed in a subject body is stored in an image data storage section. An image creating section extracts pixels corresponding to an image of a medical device on the basis of the distribution of pixel values along a plurality of radial rays, which spreads from the axis side of the medical device on a plurality of sectional images perpendicular to the axis of the medical device, using the image data stored in the image data storage section and creates image data, in which the medical device spreads, by distributing the extracted pixels in a flat surface region corresponding to the axis direction and the angular direction of the radial ray.
US08295568B2 Medical image display processing apparatus and medical image display processing program
An medical image display processing apparatus capable of easily displaying an axial image of a body part desired by a user from among one series of axial images acquired by imaging an object to be inspected with a modality. The medical image display processing apparatus includes a part recognition unit for recognizing a body part shown in each of one series of axial images; and a display processing unit for causing the display unit to display an axial image included in the one series of axial images, and causing, when receiving a body part change instruction, the display unit to display an axial image showing a different part from the part of the axial image being displayed on the display unit based on a recognition result of the part recognition unit.
US08295566B2 Medical image processing device and medical image processing method
An image processing device includes; a lesion candidate region detecting section that detects a lesion candidate region based on at least one color signal in a medical image including a plurality of color signals; an incidental region detecting section that detects an incidental region that arises because of incidental attributes accompanying a lesion from the medical image; and a detection standard changing section that changes a detection standard when detecting a lesion from the lesion candidate region in accordance with a detection result of the incidental region.
US08295563B2 Method and apparatus for aligning microscope images
A method and apparatus for aligning microscope images. Microscope images of the same or very similar subjects provided by different microscopes are aligned. The images from two types of microscope, such as a Virtual Microscope (VM) and a Light Microscope (LM) are used. An image produced by the virtual microscope is easily read by a viewer, as it represents a scan of a whole slide rather than individual high power fields of view. An area of the image can be selected for further examination or objective analysis by the LM microscope. The qualitative or quantitative information obtained from the Light microscope using the method described may then be located back into the virtual microscope image to provide understandable context.
US08295562B2 Medical image modification to simulate characteristics
A system of compensating a medical image to make it look like it came from either a different camera or from using a different dye or stain. The medical image is obtained and then processed using characteristics of the non-image related parts of the image. These non-image related parts can include the dye that was used to dye the image or the camera that was used to obtain the image. Then, the raw or partially raw image can be reprocessed using characteristics of the different non-image related part. For example, in one embodiment, the image is deconvolved to remove the influence of the camera that actually obtained the image, then reconvolved with information indicative of a different camera. In this way, the image is processed to make it look like it came from a different camera than the one that actually did in fact form it.
US08295561B2 Knowledge learning system and process for fingerprint verifications
This invention relates to a novel technology of fingerprint verifications and identifications based on the accumulated knowledge base.
US08295556B2 Apparatus and method for determining line-of-sight direction in a face image and controlling camera operations therefrom
An information processing apparatus includes a face detecting unit that detects a face area included in image data, a face-component detecting unit that detects a face component from the face area detected by the face detecting unit, and a line-of-sight discriminating unit that executes line-of-sight discrimination processing for a face image from which the face component is detected by the face-component detecting unit. The line-of-sight discriminating unit executes processing for discriminating whether a line of sight of the face image data from which the face component is detected is in a positive state in which a line of sight is directed in a camera direction or a negative state in which a line of sight is not directed in a camera direction according to collation processing for a line-of-sight discrimination dictionary in which learning data including classification data corresponding to the respective states are stored and input face image data.
US08295552B2 Method for setting parameters of a vision detector using production line information
Disclosed are systems and methods for setting various operating parameters of a vision detector from production line information that can be supplied by a manufacturing technician who is not skilled in the art of the invention. These operating parameters include shutter time, video gain, idle time, frame count, and locator search range. The production line information includes line speed, field of view size, direction of motion, and object spacing.
US08295551B2 System and method of adaptive vertical search range tracking for motion estimation in digital video
A system and method which determines an adaptive vertical search range used to provide motion estimation in digital video content are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fixed-size vertical search range for the motion estimation is defined and utilized. A reference frame and target frame are stored in memory, and a block in the reference frame is selected for consideration. An offset value is determined which is indicative of a directional shift of the fixed-size vertical search range and the vertical search range is shifted based on the offset value. A motion vector is then estimated using the shifted vertical search range.
US08295547B1 Model-based feature tracking in 3-D and 2-D imagery
A feature tracker for tracking a target includes an imaging sensor for imaging the target and a Kalman filter for generating predicted position, velocity and acceleration of the imaging sensor with respect to the target. The Kalman filter includes a state vector estimate of the position, velocity and acceleration of the imaging sensor, and a model for characterizing the target. The model characterizes the target by using at least one bivariate Gaussian function for the target. The Kalman filter includes a Jacobian matrix defined as a partial derivative of the model with respect to the state vector estimate. The Kalman filter includes a gain matrix generated from the Jacobian matrix.
US08295539B2 Method and system of immersive sensation enhancement for video sequence displaying
An immersive sensation enhancement method and system for video sequence displaying is provided. An immersive sensation enhancement system, the system including: a foreground image identification unit to identify a foreground image for each frame of an input image; a foreground image characteristic extraction unit to extract a characteristic of the foreground image; a contrast threshold identification unit to identify a contrast threshold based on the characteristic of the foreground image; and an immersive sensation enhancement processing unit to process an immersive sensation enhancement of the input image based on at least one of the characteristic of the foreground image and the contrast threshold.
US08295538B2 Loudspeaker spider
A loudspeaker spider comprises rubber type material having a central opening defining an inner rim, a periphery outer rim, and a spring effect portion provided at a portion located between the inner rim and the outer rim to enable the inner rim to be moved axially up and down with respect to the outer rim when a driving force is applied to the inner rim and be retained to an original equilibrium position after the driving force is released. The spider also includes an integral conductor arrangement which comprises at least one conductor where at least a portion of the at least one conductor extends from the inner rim to the outer rim of the loudspeaker spider.
US08295532B2 Method and system for wireless headset instant on capability during battery charging
Methods and systems for wireless headset instant on capability during battery charging are disclosed and may include powering a wireless headset so that it may be operable to transmit/receive wireless signals during charging. The headset may be powered via an external charger and may be coupled to the headset via a USB link. The headset may be powered via one or more internal batteries, and may be independent of a power level of the batteries within the headset. RF and baseband circuitry may be powered for transmitting/receiving wireless signals during charging. The headset may utilize USB power management, and may manage discharge of power from a plurality of internal batteries. The batteries may be decoupled from circuits that enable transmitting/receiving wireless signals during charging. The headset may be powered via the charging device so that the headset may be operable to generate output audio signals during charging.
US08295531B2 Headphone
A headphone has a shell, a speaker received in the shell for making sound, a covering element fixed on the shell. A top of the shell is recessed to form a receiving cavity. A damping plate is received in the receiving cavity for separating the receiving cavity and the resonance cavity. The damping plate smoothes the frequency response of the sound pressure level in the resonance cavity while the speaker making sound, which adjusts the sound and achieves a better sound effect. It is convenient to change the damping plate. As the damping plates made of different materials have the different sound effects, users can change the damping plate for changing the sound effect. So, the user can enjoy different sound effects by only changing the damping plate.
US08295530B2 Headphones and headset
Headphones comprising a headband (10) having a first and second end. A first and second earpiece (20) is attached to the first and second end of the headband (10), respectively. The headband comprises a first and second spring layer (11, 12) and an intermediate dampening layer (13) arranged between the first and second spring layer (11, 12).
US08295528B2 Board mounting of microphone transducer
A portable communication device assembly comprising a housing and a PCB provided therein. A microphone is provided at least partly within an aperture in the PCB, which aperture is positioned adjacent to a sound input of the housing. The microphone may be attached to a carrier element also attached to the PCB, and additional electronic components may be attached to the carrier element. Acoustic and/or electromagnetic shielding may be provided.
US08295526B2 Low frequency enclosure for video display devices
A television includes a flat panel display device for presenting video images, a housing for supporting the flat panel display device, and a first acoustic volume located substantially (a) inside the housing, and (b) behind the display device. Two or more acoustic drivers are provided for acoustically energizing the acoustic volume. The drivers are positioned such that acoustic energy put into the acoustic volume from the drivers is substantially additive and vibrational energy from the drivers substantially cancels out.
US08295522B2 Filter for a hearing aid and a hearing aid
A hearing aid (1) comprises a receiver (19), an output port (6), a conduit (13) for conveying sound to the port and a barrier element (39) adapted for baffling entry of ear wax and moisture and for being acoustically transparent. The invention further provides a barrier element (39) for a hearing aid comprising a slab having an exterior surface and through openings for transverse transmission of sound, wherein the exterior surface is super-hydrophobic.
US08295519B2 Codebook based feedback path estimation
The invention relates to a hearing instrument for processing an input sound to an output sound according to a user's needs. The invention further relates to a method of operating a hearing instrument and to use of a hearing instrument. The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative scheme for handling acoustic feedback in a hearing instrument. The problem is solved in that an input transducer for converting an input sound to an electric input signal and an output transducer for converting a processed electric output signal to an output sound, a forward path being defined between the input transducer and the output transducer, a feedback cancellation system for estimating the effect of acoustic feedback from the output transducer to the input transducer, the feedback cancellation system comprising a variable pre-estimated filter and a memory wherein a number of predetermined feedback channel impulse responses corresponding to a number of acoustic environments where substantial feedback is experienced are stored, and wherein the hearing instrument comprises a monitoring unit that—based on the current acoustic environment—is adapted to choose the currently most appropriate impulse response of the variable pre-estimated filter among the stored impulse responses. This has the advantage of providing a scheme for handling acoustic feedback that can adapt relatively fast to changing acoustic environments. The invention may e.g. be used in listening devices, such as hearing aids, head sets or active ear plugs, wherein customized feedback compensation is an issue.
US08295518B2 Filter bank system having specific stop-band attenuation components for a hearing aid
The circuit complexity or the filter order, respectively, of an analysis/synthesis filter bank system especially for hearing aids is to be reduced. For this reason, the stop-band attenuation of at least one of the transfer functions of the analysis filter bank is composed of a separately configurable, frequency-independent analysis basic attenuation component and a separately configurable frequency-dependent analysis attenuation component. Furthermore, the stop-band attenuation of at least one of the transfer functions of the synthesis filter bank is composed of a separately configurable, frequency-independent synthesis basic attenuation component, a separately configurable, frequency-dependent first synthesis attenuation component and a separately configurable, frequency-dependent second synthesis attenuation component which is also dependent on the manipulation of the sub-band signals. As a result, the stop-band attenuation can be reduced in dependence on frequency and the filter order can be correspondingly reduced.
US08295516B2 System, apparatus, method and program for controlling output
An output control system includes a plurality of output control apparatuses, the output control apparatuses controlling audio signals supplied to respective two-dimensionally arranged loudspeakers, including at least two loudspeakers in a vertical direction, and at least two loudspeakers in a horizontal direction, the audio signals respectively corresponding to images displayed on an array of a plurality of displays forming a multi-display apparatus. Each of the output control apparatuses includes a communication unit for exchanging information relating to one of a state and a process result of own apparatus with another output control apparatus, and a signal processing unit for processing an audio signal to be output to the corresponding loudspeaker based on the information relating to the other output control apparatus received via the communication unit.
US08295515B2 Semiconductor device and microphone
The semiconductor device has a simplified structure which includes a package structure in which a member for mounting a semiconductor element is separate from a member including a signal input/output unit. A microphone package is configured with a cover and a substrate. A microphone chip and a circuit element are adhered and fixed to a top surface of a recess formed in the cover. A plurality of bonding pads are arranged on the lower surface of the cover on the outer side of the recess. A bonding wire is connected to the circuit element and the bonding pad. The substrate includes a signal input/output terminal serving as the signal input/output unit, and a connection electrode, conducted with the signal input/output terminal, is arranged facing the bonding pad on the upper surface of the substrate. The substrate, cover, connection electrode, and bonding pad are joined with a conductive member.
US08295513B2 Audio system adapters for audio signal distribution using electrical extension cables
Audio cables used in deploying audio equipment are typically selected to minimize signal transmission losses and may be chosen based on a distance between, and terminations of, an amplifier system and a loudspeaker system. Since this is usually unknown prior to deployment, multiple audio cables with different sizes and terminations and a variety of electrical extension cords to connect to a power supply line are transported. A loudspeaker adapter for the loudspeaker system and an amplifier adapter for the amplifier system can be used to interconnect the two systems via electrical extension cords. This precludes the need for transporting a large number of audio cables, and allows for interconnecting the loudspeaker and the amplifier systems without prior knowledge of the distance between the systems. Safety hazards and component damage can also be minimized by not connecting a hot terminal in the AC connectors of the loudspeaker and amplifier adapters.
US08295512B2 Microphone with voltage pump
An integrated circuit configured to provide a microphone output signal, comprising: a preamplifier coupled to receive an input signal, generated by either a first microphone member or a second microphone member, where one of the members is movable relative to the other microphone member; a voltage pump to output a pumped voltage; and a low-pass filter coupled to filter the pumped voltage from the voltage pump and to provide a bias voltage to either microphone member.
US08295509B2 Information processing apparatus processing notification sound and audio-based contents, and information processing method thereof
In a user terminal, a reproducing unit reads out from a music file memory unit a music file selected and input by a user and reproduces the music file. In a normal reproduction, an output unit outputs the reproduced sound as an audio. When a notification information reception unit receives information that needs to be noticed such as an e-mail or a phone call, a notification information analysis unit analyzes the setting of the information or notification sound and determines the degree of importance. A frequency band allocation unit selects from allocation patterns of frequency bands stored in an allocation information memory unit a pattern for the music and for the notification sound according to the degree of importance and the frequency band of the notification sound. An audio processing unit extracts and synthesizes the components of the frequency bands allocated to music and the notification sound, and the output unit outputs accordingly.
US08295502B2 Method and device for typing noise removal
A method for reducing keyboard noise in conferencing equipment which includes a microphone and a keyboard, the method including: providing, at a noise reduction apparatus, an audio signal originating from the microphone; detecting, at the noise reduction apparatus, an operation of the keyboard; providing, at the noise reduction apparatus, a pre-stored estimate of a keyboard audio noise resulting from the operation of the keyboard upon detection of the operation of the keyboard; and calculating, at the noise reduction apparatus, a noise reduced output signal based on the estimate of the keyboard audio noise and the audio signal.
US08295501B2 Method for testing echo cancellers
The performance of an echo canceller is assessed using a) a test signal launched from originating test equipment and b) a simulated echo of the test signal launched from terminating test equipment. The launch of the simulated echo signal is timed in such a way that it arrives at the tandem echo canceller(s) at a particular point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal, at the tandem echo canceller(s), when the tandem echo canceller(s) is (are) not able to cancel the simulated echo signal. The latter thus arrives uncanceled at the target echo canceller. The launch of the simulated echo signal is further timed in such a way that it arrives at the target echo canceller at a point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal, at the target echo canceller, when the target echo canceller is able to cancel the simulated echo signal. As a result, any residual echo received at the originating test equipment is a measure of the performance of the target echo canceller exclusive of the performance of the tandem echo canceller(s).
US08295500B2 Method and apparatus for controlling directional sound sources based on listening area
Sound can be listened to only in a listening area by maximizing a sound energy difference between a listening area and a non-listening area while maximizing sound radiation efficiency of each sound source. Accordingly, realistic sound can be provided to listeners without causing auditory disturbance to third parties, and maximal sound effects can be obtained with only minimal control.
US08295499B2 Audio information processing and attack detection apparatus and method
An audio information processing apparatus and method include dividing an audio signal, determining a time period having a power change ratio of an audio signal larger than a first threshold value as an attack candidate, searching the time period of the attack candidate and a time period immediately before the time period of the attack candidate for an attack starting point, correcting a power of an audio signal included in the time period, and determining whether a power change ratio of the audio signal included in the time period is larger than a second threshold value for attack detection which is larger than the first threshold value.
US08295495B1 System and method for detecting rated maximum system deviation (RMSD) and alleviating RMSD mismatch
An FM audio receiver can include a mono/stereo detector that causes the audio receiver to output either a monophonic or a stereophonic signal based on a received pilot tone energy. An accurate operation of the receiver, including but not limited to correct decoding of monophonic/stereophonic reception, can be based on the receiver operating with the same rated maximum system deviation (RMSD) as the received signal itself. Aspects of the disclosure describe a system and method of detecting and matching a receiver's RMSD to that of a received signal by demodulating a carrier bearing a an input signal over a first bandwidth, extracting a pilot energy signal from the input signal, and demodulating the carrier bearing the input signal over a second bandwidth if the pilot energy signal is within a pilot energy range for a first predetermined amount of time.
US08295493B2 Method to generate multi-channel audio signal from stereo signals
An exemplary embodiment of the invention can generate multiple output audio signals from multiple input audio signals, in which the number of output signals is equal to or higher than the number of input signals. The embodiment includes computing one or more independent sound subbands representing signal components which are independent between the input subbands; computing one or more localized direct sound subbands representing signal components which are contained in more than one of the input subbands and direction factors representing the ratios with which these signal components are contained in two or more input subbands; generating the output subband signals, where each output subband signal is a linear combination of the independent sound subbands and the localized direct sound subbands; and converting the output subband signals to time domain audio signals.
US08295484B2 System and method for securing data from a remote input device
An input device with an integrated security module communicates with a processing component over an insecure medium. The insecure medium may be a wireless network, software stack, or the like. According to one embodiment, the security module is integrated into an existing chip of the input device. Data generated by the input device is encoded and/or authenticated by the security module prior its transmission to the processing device. The processing device receives the input data and processes it within its own security boundary for providing selected services or information to a user or application associated with the input device.
US08295481B2 Virtualization of cryptographic keys
A cryptographic key is virtualized to provide a virtual cryptographic key. To virtualize the key, an operation, such as an exclusive OR operation, is used with the key and a mask. The virtual key is usable by a guest of a virtual environment in cryptographic operations.
US08295480B1 Uncertainty-based key agreement protocol
A recursive based approach to key generation produces keys for encrypted communication. Simple mathematical operations are utilized with the inherent uncertainty of an interactive process between two endpoints to establish a common secret key. The uncertainty-based key cipher starts with some public information and some private information. The public information includes a vocabulary (alphabet) and keypad, and the private information can include an authentication code. The keypad is an abstraction that represents, for example, a set of “buttons.” These buttons will be used to translate a working key into a text that could be used to evaluate coincidences in a generated working key. Each keypad button can have more than one possible value. The number of options inside the button is the so called “uncertainty level.”
US08295478B2 Cryptographic processing apparatus, algorithm constructing method, processing method, and computer program applying an extended feistel structure
To realize an extended-Feistel-type common-key block-cipher process configuration for realizing a diffusion-matrix switching mechanism (DSM). In a cryptographic process configuration in which an extended Feistel structure having a number of data lines: d that is set to an integer satisfying d≧3 is applied, a plurality of multiple different matrices are selectively applied to linear transformation processes performed in F-function sections. A plurality of different matrices satisfying a condition in which a minimum number of branches for all of the data lines is equal to or more than a predetermined value are selected as the matrices, each of the minimum numbers of branches corresponding to the data lines being based on linear transformation matrices included in F-functions that are input to a corresponding data line in the extended Feistel structure.
US08295477B2 Cryptanalysis method and system
A cryptanalysis method comprising: (A) Performing a ciphertext-only direct cryptanalysis of A5/1 and (B) Using results of Step (A) to facilitate the decryption and/or encryption of further communications that are consistent with encryption using the session key and/or decryption using the session key, wherein the cryptanalysis considers part of the bits of the session key to have a known fixed value, and wherein the cryptanalysis finds the session key. An efficient known plaintext attack on AS/2 comprises trying all the possible values for R4, and for each such value solving the linearized system of equations that describe the output; The solution of the equations gives the internal state of RI, R2, and R3; Together with R4, this gives the full internal state which gives a suggestion for the key.
US08295470B2 System and procedure for commercial communications
System comprising a server of webpages (2) containing a form which is accessible from a remote computer (52) by the user, a main server (1) and a number of contact centers (4) which have, at least, a telephone terminal (43), a computer (44) and a webcam (41) connected to a videoconferencing server (42), to link an agent to the user, and a PBX or secondary automatic private center (3) connected to the main server (1) to establish a telephone connection between the user and the agent, and the main server (1) comprises routing means of the computer (44) and of the videoconferencing server (42) of the contact center (4). The procedure consists in that, once the form has been filled out, the PBX carries out a call to the user, and if picked up, searches for the most appropriate contact center, establishing a direct telephone communication, while the main server (1) creates a videoconference virtual room through which the unidirectional video transmission of the webcam (41) is routed exclusively for the user.
US08295467B2 System for and method of re-using public domain identifications
A system for and method of re-using telephone number is presented. The system and method may include receiving, via an input/output module, a public call invite request message to establish a communication session between a calling party and a called party, establishing, via the input/output module, a first communication session with the calling party based at least in part on the public call invite request message, transmitting, via a telephone number re-use module, a plurality of private call invite request messages to a plurality of communication devices associated with the called party, establishing, via the telephone number re-use module, a second communication session with the called party based at least in part on the plurality of private call invite request messages, and coupling, via a processing module, the first communication session and the second communication session to establish the communication session between the calling party and the called party.
US08295465B2 Systems and methods to connect members of a social network for real time communication
Methods and apparatuses to provide telephonic connections to members of a social network. One embodiment includes: identifying a first member connected to a second member in a social network; determining whether profile data of the first member of the social network includes a telephonic reference of the first member; presenting a user interface element to the second member over a data communication network in response to a determination that the profile data of the first member includes the telephonic reference of the first member; and responsive to a selection of the user interface element, initiating a first telephonic connection to the first member using the telephonic reference of the first member and a second telephonic connection to the second member to provide a telephonic connection between the first member and the second member.
US08295463B2 Method and system for decoupling a calling application from an external application
A method and a system for decoupling a calling application from an external application in a manufacturing execution system, wherein the calling application interacts with the external application by requesting the execution of one or more external methods defined within the external application. First, the calling application obtains three lists from the external application, namely, the available external method list containing the ordered list of the available external methods, the usable parameter list containing the ordered list of the parameters usable by the external methods, and the signature list containing the list of signatures of the external method. The term signature indicated a coded way to define a method interface. The calling application requests a command to call a given external method from the external application by performing the following sub-steps: assigning, for the requested given method, a value to the position index within the available method list; getting the signature of the given method from the signature list by applying its position index; gathering, from the usable parameter list, the required parameters of the given method as indicated from its signature; and generating the command to call the external method with its required parameters.
US08295460B2 Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus includes an obtaining unit, an image data receiving unit, an extracting unit and a first display control unit. The obtaining unit is configured to obtain a caller identification information through a caller identification via a communication line when an incoming call is received from a caller. The image data receiving unit is configured to receive an image data transmitted from the caller via the communication line. The extracting unit is configured to extract caller information from the image data to specify the caller. The first display control unit is configured to display the caller information on a display screen when the obtaining unit does not obtain the caller identification information at the incoming call.
US08295456B2 IMS budget control for a media change during an IMS session
IMS gateway systems and methods are disclosed for providing budget control in an IMS network. IMS networks allow for media changes (e.g., audio to audio/video) during an IMS session. An IMS gateway system described herein receives a session control message (e.g., SIP INVITE message) responsive to the media change during the session. The IMS gateway system identifies media information for the new media in the session control message. The IMS gateway system generates a corresponding charging request message, and includes media information for the new media in the charging request message. The IMS gateway system then transmits the charging request message to an online charging system (OCS) to provide for charging of the session based on the new media for the session.
US08295455B2 Computer system and processor having integrated phone functionality
A computer system including telephone functionality. The computer system includes a first keyboard and a first display. The computer system also includes a processor having at least a first functional unit and a second functional unit, and further includes a phone portion. The computer system may operate in a first mode, a second mode, or a third mode. In the first mode, only the phone portion is activated. In the second mode, the phone portion and first functional unit of the processor are activated. In the third mode, each of the phone portion, the first functional unit, and the second functional unit are activated.
US08295452B1 Methods and systems for processing telephonic communications and product data
The present invention relates to telecommunications processing and managing product data using voice and data networks. A purchase is recorded in a telephonic processing system. A warranty duration is determined for the purchased item. A warranty start and end date is established for the item purchase. Claims instructions are sent to a user including a first phone address. A call from a caller directed to the first phone address is received at a telephonic processing system coupled to at least one network, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. An outbound call is generated from the telephonic processing system to a second phone address wherein the second phone address is determined at least in part from the signaling information associated with the received call. The received call is connected to the first outbound call. Call detail attributes associated with the connected calls are recorded.
US08295447B2 Method for storing and forwarding multimedia messages for multimedia calls
The invention relates to a method for storing and passing on multimedia messages for a multimedia call in a packet-switching telecommunication network (TN), with the called subscriber (B subscriber) having network access with a known and predetermined bandwidth to the telecommunication network (TN). In the situation where it is found (1) during the setting up of a multimedia call that the available bandwidth is too narrow (2, 3) because the called subscriber (B subscriber) is currently using a further multimedia service, the multimedia call is diverted (4) to a recording device (ABZ) which is available in the telecommunication network (TN). A calling subscriber (A subscriber) can then leave a multimedia message on the recording device (ABZ), which is then passed (5) to a local recording device (ABL) for the called subscriber (B subscriber) via the network access and using the bandwidth that is still available. The arrival of the new multimedia message is then indicated (6) to the called subscriber (B subscriber) after complete transmission. The method according to the invention results in the subscriber (B subscriber) in a packet-switching telecommunication network (TN) being informed (6) that a multimedia call has arrived, with the recording device (ABZ) that is available in the telecommunication network (TN) advantageously carrying out a form of buffer function. This buffer function makes it possible to use time expansion to make use of the bandwidth that is still available for transmission of the multimedia message (5).
US08295442B2 Apparatus and method for magnetic control of an electron beam
An apparatus and method for an electron beam manipulation coil for an x-ray generation system includes the use of a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source, and a first switching device coupled in series with the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when in a closed position. The control circuit also includes a second switching device coupled in series with the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when in a closed position and a capacitor coupled in parallel with an electron beam manipulation coil and positioned along the first and second current paths.
US08295436B2 Method and apparatus pertaining to optimizing a radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan
Determine first information regarding physical-movement limitations pertaining to at least one multi-leaf collimator and also determine second information regarding movement of the treatment target with respect to the given patient. Then, while optimizing a radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan, constrain individually-planned leaf positions as a function, at least in part, of the first information, the second information, and planned positions of adjacent leaves. By one approach, the first information can comprise information regarding a speed (such as a maximum speed) at which individual leaves of the multi-leaf collimator are able to move during a treatment session. By one approach, the second information can comprise information regarding a distance (such as a maximum distance) that one or more parts of the treatment target may possibly move as compared to a presumed position used during the optimizing of the radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan.
US08295430B2 Image guided radiation therapy
Radiation therapy of a lesion in a part of a patient is carried out by maintaining the patient on a patient support table in fixed position using an immobilization device while the table is rotated between a magnetic resonance imaging system, a CT imaging system for generating a 360 degree scanned image of the patient at the location of the lesion and the radiation therapy system for generating a beam of radiation for treatment of the lesion and for scanning the beam 360 degrees around the lesion. The MR image locates the lesion and the CT system is used to calculate the treatment. Registration between the MR image, the CT image and the radiation treatment is provided by the fixed position of the part of the patient on the table which is held fixed using an immobilization system suitable for the part concerned which may include a molded head mask where the head is involved.
US08295429B2 Discarding unnecessary charge in a CCD color image sensor
A CCD color image sensor which prevents unnecessary charge from overflowing in a photoelectric conversion element. An image input apparatus having the CCD color image sensor comprises transferring unit which transfers effective charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element provided for each of the colors (R, G and B), extracted as an output signal, to a shift register by opening a shift gate; and discarding unit which discards unnecessary charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element by opening the shift gate at different timing from one color to another immediately before the photoelectric conversion element starts accumulating effective charge again. The discarding unit discards unnecessary charge immediately before effective charge accumulates, and discards unnecessary charge by opening the shift gate before unnecessary charge overflows in the photoelectric conversion element.
US08295428B2 Trigger circuits and event counters for an IC
Some embodiments provide an integrated circuit (“IC”). The IC includes multiple configurable circuits that configurably perform operations of a user design based on configuration data. The IC also includes a configurable trigger circuit that receives a set of configuration data that specifies an operational event. The configurable trigger circuit also determines whether the operational event has occurred during implementation of the user design of the IC. Additionally, the operational trigger event outputs a trigger signal upon determining that the operational trigger event has occurred.
US08295421B1 Data communications circuitry with high jitter tolerance
Integrated circuits with data communications circuitry are provided. The data communications circuitry on an integrated circuit may receive data that was transmitted from another integrated circuit at a data rate. The data communications circuitry may include oversampling circuitry that oversamples the data to produce an oversampled version of the data at an oversampled data rate. Downsampling circuitry in the data communications circuitry may be used to downsample the oversampled data. The downsampling circuitry may include cascaded groups of registers that store the oversampled data. The outputs of each of the groups of registers may be combined to form a combined parallel output. A downsampling control circuit may have a multiplexer that selects a subset of the signals from the combined parallel output in response to control signals from a transition detector. A middle bit detector may extract a bit value from the selected subset to use as the downsampled output.
US08295420B2 Image reading device
An image reading device including: a photoelectric conversion device that outputs an analog signal corresponding to an image read from a document; an A-D converter that converts the analog signal into a digital signal; a spread spectrum clock generation unit configured to generate a spread spectrum clock by executing frequency-modulation on a reference clock having a constant frequency; an acquisition timing setting unit configured to set an acquiring timing of the analog signal with reference to the spread spectrum clock; and an acquisition timing correction unit configured to execute a delay correction for the acquiring timing of the analog signal set by the acquisition timing setting unit in accordance with a frequency of the spread spectrum clock defined when the analog signal is outputted. The analog signal acquired at the corrected acquiring timing corrected by the acquisition timing correction unit is converted into the digital signal.
US08295418B2 Adjacent channel interference detection for wireless communication
Techniques for detecting adjacent channel interference (ACI) in a wireless communication system are described. Input inphase (I) and quadrature (Q) samples are filtered with a first filter response to obtain filtered I and Q samples. The first filter response is designed to pass signal in an adjacent frequency channel while suppressing signals in a desired frequency channel and non-adjacent frequency channels. Correlations of the filtered I and Q samples are determined. The presence of ACI is detected based on the correlations of the filtered I and Q samples and the power of the input I and Q samples. If ACI is present, then whether the ACI is from a higher frequency channel or a lower frequency channel is determined based on one or more of the correlations. The input I and Q samples are filtered with a second filter response that is adjusted based on the detection of ACI.
US08295417B2 Method and apparatus for efficient estimation of interference in a wireless receiver
Methods and apparatus for determining an impairment covariance matrix for use in an interference-suppressing CDMA receiver are disclosed. In several of the disclosed embodiments, precise information regarding signal propagation delays is not needed. An exemplary method includes the selection of a plurality of processing delays for processing a received CDMA signal. Net channel coefficients for the processing delays are estimated and used to calculate an impairment covariance matrix. The impairment covariance matrix is calculated as a function of the estimated net channel coefficients and the processing delays, without estimating a propagation medium channel response for the received signal.
US08295416B2 Noise-canceling frequency-to-digital converters
Methods and apparatuses for reducing noise in frequency to digital converters (FDCs). An FDC apparatus includes a first FDC, a second FDC and a combiner. The first and second FDCs are configured to independently sample an input signal according to a sample clock to generate first and second digital signals, each representing the instantaneous frequency of the input signal. The combiner is configured to form a resultant digital signal from the first and second digital signals. The first and second FDCs are designed and combined in the noise-canceling FDC apparatus so that the first and second signals they generate have correlated noise profiles in a frequency range of interest. When combined by the combiner to form the resultant digital signal, the resultant digital signal has a signal power to noise power ratio greater than the signal power to noise power ratios characterizing the first and second digital signals of the individual first and second FDCs.
US08295414B2 Device for gain control and method for receiving signal
The present invention relates to a device for gain control and a method for receiving a signal. The device for gain control according to the present invention includes a map interpreter that detects beamforming symbol periods in wireless signals, a power calculator that calculate the average power of the beamforming symbol periods in response to outputs of the map interpreter, a gain calculator that calculates gain control signals on the basis of the output signals of the power calculator, and a switch that outputs gains from the gain control signals, in which the wireless signals are corrected on the basis of the gains.
US08295411B2 Method and system for maintaining integrity of a binary offset carrier signal
Embodiments of the present technology recite a method and system for maintaining integrity of a binary offset carrier (BOC) signal. In one embodiment, a first correlator is configured for multiplying a timing signal with an internally generated pseudo-random noise (PRN) signal to create a reference signal. The first correlator is further configured for combining the reference signal with a received PRN signal and outputting a first correlation function based upon the combining. A second correlator is configured for multiplying the internally generated PRN signal with the received PRN signal and for outputting an integrity correlation function. A comparison component is configured for determining the offset of the reference signal relative to the received PRN signal based upon a comparison of the integrity correlation function with the first correlation function.
US08295410B2 Exploiting known padding data to improve block decode success rate
A method and system of decoding a convolutionally encoded data block having known padding bits. A Viterbi decoder is constrained to a state corresponding to k−1 padding bits immediately adjacent to data bits of the data block, where k is a constraint length of a convolution encoder used to encode the data block. Symbols of the encoded data block that have influence only from the padding bits are discarded.
US08295407B2 Decoding method and apparatus for infrared remote control commands
A decoding method and apparatus capable of automatically adjusting a sampling period is provided. The decoding apparatus decodes a serial code including at least one header pulse and a plurality of data pulses. The decoding apparatus includes a detecting unit for detecting the header pulse to generate an initialization signal, a determining unit for determining a sampling period according to the initialization signal and a pulse width of one of the data pulses, and a decoding unit for decoding the data pulses according to the sampling period.
US08295406B1 Universal platform module for a plurality of communication protocols
A communication system comprising a multi-protocol, multi-bearer sub-system is described herein. The sub-system is a universal platform module that can transmit and receive one or more information signals in one or more protocols using one or more bearer services. In one embodiment, the sub-system may form a portion of a transceiver that is composed of a transmitter and a receiver, and which is a gateway server between a personal area network (PAN) and the global wireless network.
US08295404B1 Timing tracker for DPSK receiver
One embodiment of a DPSK receiver includes an ADC, a down-sampler, and a timing tracker. The ADC samples a received DPSK signal providing sub-samples of a digital signal. The timing tracker examines differences between amplitudes of currently selected sub-samples and sub-samples before and after the currently selected sub-samples. The differences may indicate a timing adjustment may be made to the digital signal. The timing tracker may change the timing of the digital signal by modifying the configuration of the down-sampler. Additionally, the timing tracker may also correct phase errors introduced by configuration changes of the down-sampler.
US08295401B2 Method and apparatus for implementing space time processing with unequal modulation and coding schemes
A method and apparatus for implementing spatial processing with unequal modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) or stream-dependent MCSs are disclosed. Input data may be parsed into a plurality of data streams, and spatial processing is performed on the data streams to generate a plurality of spatial streams. An MCS for each data stream is selected independently. The spatial streams are transmitted via multiple transmit antennas. At least one of the techniques of space time block coding (STBC), space frequency block coding (SFBC), quasi-orthogonal Alamouti coding, time reversed space time block coding, linear spatial processing and cyclic delay diversity (CDD) may be performed on the data/spatial streams. An antennal mapping matrix may then be applied to the spatial streams. The spatial streams are transmitted via multiple transmit antennas. The MCS for each data stream may be determined based on a signal-to-noise ratio of each spatial stream associated with the data stream.
US08295398B2 Data re-transferring method based on bit transformation
The present invention discloses a data re-transferring method based on bit transformation in a communication system which adopts a high order modulation and supports a re-transferring mechanism. The method includes the processes of: exchanging the location of each bit modulated to a symbol in a constellation figure used in Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) according to a selected transformation mode; mapping re-transferred data to each bit modulated to a symbol in a constellation figure of which the location has been exchanged; performing the QAM of the re-transferred data. With the method, storage amount can be decreased, balance of reliability of bits within the same data symbol after multiple re-transferring processes can be ensured, in addition, performance of the decoder and reliability of data transmission can be improved.
US08295394B1 Error signal formation for linearization
A performance monitor for generating a digital error signal based upon an RF input signal and an amplified RF output signal is provided. The monitor includes: a first analog-to-digital converter operable to digitize an in-phase (I) and a quadrature-phase (Q) version of the RF input signal responsive to a first clock signal to provide a first digital I signal and a first digital Q signal; a second analog-to-digital converter operable to digitize an in-phase (I) and a quadrature-phase version of the amplified RF output signal responsive to a second clock signal to provide a second digital I signal and a second digital Q signal; a first adaptive delay filter to delay the first digital I signal and the first digital Q signal to provide a first delayed complex signal according to a first delay; a second adaptive filter to delay the second digital I signal and the second digital Q signals to provide a second delayed complex signal according to a second delay; a complex gain matching adder operable to add a complex gain matching factor to a selected one of the delayed complex signals to provide a gain matched complex signal; and an adder to add the gain matched complex signal to a remaining one of the first and second delayed complex signals to provide the digital error signal.
US08295383B2 Receiving apparatus and mobile communication system
A receiving apparatus is provided in which a single carrier signal is received by a plurality of receiving antennas, and multipath equalization and other cell interference suppression are carried out in a frequency domain at a same time. A plurality of antennas 1-1 to 1-N receives the single carrier signal. The DFT sections 3-1 to 3-N converts the reception signals into frequency domain signals. A channel estimating section 5 estimates a channel gain of a desired user signal by using pilot reception signals. An interference correlation matrix estimating section 6 estimates an interference correlation matrix from the pilot reception signals and a channel estimation value. A weight calculating section. A weight calculating section 7 receives the channel estimates and the interference correlation matrix and calculates equalization weights. An equalizing section 8 performs multipath equalization and other cell interference suppression to the desired user signal in a frequency domain. An IDFT section 9 converts an equalization signal into a signal in a time domain.
US08295380B2 Automatic gain control circuit for MIMO OFDM receiver
An automatic gain control (AGC) circuit and method for performing AGC for an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) receiver measures signal power of input digital signals that are derived from incoming data frames with preambles to produce gain change signals when the signal power differs from a reference target power level. The gain of an amplifier of the OFDM receiver is changed in response to the gain change signals until a preamble of the data frames is detected for the first time. The gain of the amplifier of the OFDM receiver is further changed in response to the gain change signals, after the preamble is detected, only during periods when the preambles of the data frames are being processed by the OFDM receiver such that the gain of the amplifier is not changed during periods when other portions of the data frames are being processed by the OFDM receiver.